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TSL's dark days and where we are now

Started by Haids1987, January 06, 2011, 08:24:44 PM

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Haids1987

CAUTION: A long, sappy post follows.  You may feel like gagging after reading it, so I advise you to read on an empty stomach.  You have been warned!

I mentioned this earlier, but I have been reading a lot of really old threads from the Archives lately--some of them go back all the way to 2003! :shock:   It's fun to read some of the posts from the members who have been here forever (Cat, Jafar, Cray, Rob, Kimmie, etc.)  and to see where they were in their lives then as opposed to now, but also how constant and loyal to the project they've been over the years.  The forum seemed so excited and pumped up for any scrap of information they could glean about TSL (or "KQIX" ;))  It's really inspiring!  For the most part, the forum felt so vivacious, and so hopeful.  It makes me absolutely YEARN that I was back there with the original posters.  (Sickening story: I remember doing a Google search back in 2004 for King's Quest 9 and seeing the KQIX site.  I clicked on it, but kind of skimmed over it and didn't give it a second thought. :wall: It wasn't until I was 21 and actually interested in foruming that I joined, and even then I was  too intimidated to post at first. ::))

However, not all of these times were lighthearted and fun.

Most recently, I read all seven pages of Say's farewell thread, and I could definitely feel the difference in the way a lot of forumers were feeling.  Even poor Say was frustrated and seemed to be feeling helpless.  Some of the comments that were made were just downright harsh and mean, and so many people had given up hope and quit anything to do with TSL.  It broke my heart to see how badly people's faith had been shaken.  And reading what the rest of the team wrote to Say was so sweet I got teary-eyed!  I never had the pleasure of meeting Say, but I read through some of her posts and I gotta say, she seemed incredible.  I wish that I could have met her (she's another Pacific Northwesterner  :D), but she obviously had very good reasons for leaving.

Now you're wondering: "Uh, okay...Haids, why are you bringing up things that happened so many years ago?" :)  Well, reading through all these old, dark posts just makes me appreciate where we are today all the more.  Look what had to happen in order to get where we are today!  Look at this incredible team that has stuck around through all of this, and the loyal posters that have supported the project since there didn't seem to be a project to support!  The forum went through so many changes, but the one constant that has never wavered is the spirit of the cause, absolute devotion to the game.  There may have been some bad times, but those bad times laid the foundation for what was finally accomplished.  The forum would be nowhere as cool as it is now if those dark times had never happened.  POS was able to conquer the pessimism, the doubt, and the negativity that sometimes surrounded them.  If only those people who gave up on you could see where you are now!

It makes me proud to say that I am an active member of this community.  To be posting alongside people like you guys makes it so amazing!  I am blessed to have found you, and you've definitely changed me for the better.  King's Quest has always been something I'm passionate about, and meeting others who feel the same way--jeez, it's overwhelming!  Thank you to everyone here--people who have been here forever...team members who have poured their souls into this game...people who are newbies to the forums (welcome!  You can't even fathom how awesome this community is! :))...and people like myself who have only been here a year or two, but have found an online home with kindred spirits.

At the risk of sounding even sappier (which I doubt is possible ;)), I send my love to each and every one of you.  I seriously can't think of a forumer I dislike, and I'm so glad you're all here.  You are what makes this a safe haven for anyone who wants to keep the King's Quest spirit alive!
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

Enchantermon

So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

KatieHal

Aww, thanks for this Haids! It really has been a long and twisty road of ups and down, highs and lows, defeats and accomplishments. I still kinda can't believe everything that's happened just between last year at this time and now! I'm also glad we have those old posts still around for perusing, too. It's nice sometimes to be reminded of where you've been and get a new perspective on where you are now.
:hug: <--hugs for everyone for sticking with us!

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

Haids1987

You're so welcome, Katie. :)  You guys deserve every ounce of praise that anybody can give you.  I've said it so many times, but I truly mean it: everything that POS has done for their fans is incredible.  I am absolutely amazed at what you have done and what you STILL do for us.  You don't do it for money or fame, you do it because you love the game and you love your fans.  It's selfless, inspiring, and all around amazing. <3 <3

Quote from: Enchantermon on January 06, 2011, 08:56:25 PM
Well said, seriously. :)
Thanks, Enchatermon. :)
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

Enchantermon

So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!

snabbott

#5
I never actually got to know Say, but I think I was an occasional lurker on the forums when she was here. I was really sad when I saw her "leaving" thread. I think Cez still has some contact with her - at least he did in the Akasha days a couple of years ago.

I like being part of the team and being on the forums. There are lots of really cool people around here. :)

(Posted on: January 07, 2011, 10:49:51 AM)


On a semi-related note, I found a Spanish version of the old KQIX website!

http://perso.wanadoo.es/rogar59/spain/


(Posted on: January 07, 2011, 10:58:06 AM)


... and pictures of Hailey's AWOL fiancé:-\

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

KatieHal

Wow! I didn't realize we'd had a Spanish version of our site.

Katie Hallahan
~Designer, PR Director~

"Change is the constant, the signal for rebirth, the egg of the phoenix." Christina Baldwin

I have a blog!

dark-daventry

Well said indeed, haids. I've been a member of this forum for years, far longer than some, and I am very proud of being a veteran forumer here. I have indeed gone through bad times on this forum, but despite all the bad things that have happened, my devotion to Phoenix Online Studios never wavered for a second. Through thick and thin, I have stuck around. I was around during say's time, and I can indeed vouch for her awesomeness. It was sad to see her go, but so many people have. But so many people have also joined since then as well. I have watched forumers come and go before my very eyes, but I have remained. And I have met some incredible friends on this forum. And it was through this forum that I joined the team; perhaps one of the single greatest moments of my life. My name is officially associated with the revival of King's Quest. Words can't describe how proud of that achievement I am. It's been a childhood dream of mine to revive the King's Quest series. To actually have achieved that is amazing. And I intend to stick around on this forum for years to come. Even after TSL is done and finished, I will still be here. I would hope to still be a team member at that point, but even if I'm not, I won't leave. This forum is my home away from home. I've found so many wonderful friends here that I honestly love all of you and I can't just get up and go. And my history with the project goes even before my first post in 2005; I've been a lurker here since nearly the beginning (I first came to the site during the white website phase, and have witnessed the blue phase, the red phase, and the current phase). It's been one of the longest journey's of my life (heh pun intended XD), and I'll gladly do it all over again if someone asked me to. If I was told I was going to meet some amazing friends over the years here, I'd have just laughed. But fast forward a couple of years and here we are. But I'm also really proud of being a second generation King's Quest fan. When I first joined, I wasn't even in high school. I was in either 6th or seventh grade when I first joined, and I am proud of being part of a new generation of King's Quest fans. My father introduced me to the world of King's Quest, and I am so thankful he did. And, if you look back in the archives, you'll notice I tend to have some long posts and some very encouraging ones as well. I've always been an optimist for KQ, and I don't think that will be changing.
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

snabbott

Quote from: KatieHal on January 07, 2011, 09:56:53 AM
Wow! I didn't realize we'd had a Spanish version of our site.
Neither did I. Based on the name "rogar59" and the location in Spain, I'm guessing it's franzrogar's.

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

Haids1987

Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
On a semi-related note, I found a Spanish version of the old KQIX website!
http://perso.wanadoo.es/rogar59/spain/
XD iQue fantastico!
Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
... and pictures of Hailey's AWOL fiancé:-\
:'(  Where IS that boy?  He just suddenly disappeared one day.  We used to email back and forth, but he just altogether stopped all contact.  I miss him!  :(

Quote from: dark-daventry on January 07, 2011, 10:17:35 AM
When I first joined, I wasn't even in high school. I was in either 6th or seventh grade when I first joined, and I am proud of being part of a new generation of King's Quest fans.
:shock: Jeez, dd, that's awesome.  You really are a baby!  I'm always surprised to find that people who are teens actually know about these games.  It's even surprising to find people my OWN age who know about them!  Even yesterday I mentioned something about King's Quest at work in a group of people about my age, and all I got were blank stares. ::)  (Sidebar: once I was hanging out with my big sister and her friends, and one of her friends grabbed a pop from the fridge and said, "Egads! Is that cold!"  I almost spit out my own drink! :))  But anyway, dd, you are a rarity in the King's Quest world.  It's refreshing to see, as you call it, "second generation King's Quest fans." :)

Quote from: dark-daventry on January 07, 2011, 10:17:35 AM
And, if you look back in the archives, you'll notice I tend to have some long posts and some very encouraging ones as well. I've always been an optimist for KQ, and I don't think that will be changing.
It's true.  I remember when I first started being a regular here, I'd just grin when I saw that you had been on a posting rampage.  I think I even mentioned that to you once.  You're one of the eternal optimists of the forums, and it's awesome!  ;D

Overall, we have such an amazing group here. :yes: I look back and see such funny mannerisms--how formal everyone starts out when they arrive, but how quickly they feel the welcoming vibe and just start being their real, goofy selves!  Also, how eventually you learn everyone's real name.  Even Cat, who is like the forum queen over here, was once Koko and was just another forumer! :o
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

snabbott

Quote from: Haids1987 on January 07, 2011, 12:17:28 PM
Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
... and pictures of Hailey's AWOL fiancé:-\
:'(  Where IS that boy?  He just suddenly disappeared one day.  We used to email back and forth, but he just altogether stopped all contact.  I miss him!  :(
I don't know. :( We miss you, :brrr:!

Steve Abbott | Beta Tester | The Silver Lining

dark-daventry

Quote from: Haids1987 on January 07, 2011, 12:17:28 PM
Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
On a semi-related note, I found a Spanish version of the old KQIX website!
http://perso.wanadoo.es/rogar59/spain/
XD iQue fantastico!
Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 09:22:03 AM
... and pictures of Hailey's AWOL fiancé:-\
:'(  Where IS that boy?  He just suddenly disappeared one day.  We used to email back and forth, but he just altogether stopped all contact.  I miss him!  :(

Quote from: dark-daventry on January 07, 2011, 10:17:35 AM
When I first joined, I wasn't even in high school. I was in either 6th or seventh grade when I first joined, and I am proud of being part of a new generation of King's Quest fans.
:shock: Jeez, dd, that's awesome.  You really are a baby!  I'm always surprised to find that people who are teens actually know about these games.  It's even surprising to find people my OWN age who know about them!  Even yesterday I mentioned something about King's Quest at work in a group of people about my age, and all I got were blank stares. ::)  (Sidebar: once I was hanging out with my big sister and her friends, and one of her friends grabbed a pop from the fridge and said, "Egads! Is that cold!"  I almost spit out my own drink! :))  But anyway, dd, you are a rarity in the King's Quest world.  It's refreshing to see, as you call it, "second generation King's Quest fans." :)

Quote from: dark-daventry on January 07, 2011, 10:17:35 AM
And, if you look back in the archives, you'll notice I tend to have some long posts and some very encouraging ones as well. I've always been an optimist for KQ, and I don't think that will be changing.
It's true.  I remember when I first started being a regular here, I'd just grin when I saw that you had been on a posting rampage.  I think I even mentioned that to you once.  You're one of the eternal optimists of the forums, and it's awesome!  ;D

Overall, we have such an amazing group here. :yes: I look back and see such funny mannerisms--how formal everyone starts out when they arrive, but how quickly they feel the welcoming vibe and just start being their real, goofy selves!  Also, how eventually you learn everyone's real name.  Even Cat, who is like the forum queen over here, was once Koko and was just another forumer! :o

Lol, well I've been here for a long time. I can't remember exactly when my dad introduced me to King's Quest, but it was a while ago. I want to say mid 90's, considering I was born in 1991. Ah, Koko. I remember when cat went by Koko! Such memories! You know what's weird? One of my closest friends likes King's Quest. Like I don't know how I found that out... I think I may have mentioned King Graham in a conversation or something and she was like, "Wait... You've actually heard of King Graham?". But that's just a guess on how it went. I can't remember all that well. It was a while ago. But it's a rarity to find second generation KQ fans. I have another friend who likes adventure games, but he's never played KQ. Just yesterday I showed him KQVI Enhanced running on my Mac, and I think he may start to play the series... We'll see what happens.

I remember when the forums were more lively than they are now... Within one day you could move up in ranks. Now, it's not nearly as busy over here as it used to be. But it's still my home away from home. I'll continue to visit and moderate these forums for as long as I can. And I'll admit, there have been times where I've been absent, but life has a way of taking over sometimes. But, I always return. And I will continue to do so for as long as I can. This forum was my first forum, and I treasure it deeply. I've learned so much here, and I think this forum has really helped me grow up quite a bit. And it's weird looking back at some of my old posts. I looked back at some of my writing that I posted on these forums (They're in the archives somewhere) and I didn't even remember posting them... But in those posts I had said how I intended to be an author... That's changed considerably. I've abandoned my writing and gone into web design. But I may yet venture back to writing... You're free to read some of my old writing if you wish. Considering it's in the archives, I can't stop you from reading it. And believe it or not, I did lose some of that writing, so having it in the archives is a nice back up XD But I'm getting off-topic. Something I think I excel at... XD
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

Cez

Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 12:11:18 PM
Quote from: KatieHal on January 07, 2011, 09:56:53 AM
Wow! I didn't realize we'd had a Spanish version of our site.
Neither did I. Based on the name "rogar59" and the location in Spain, I'm guessing it's franzrogar's.

It is Franz's. He did this a long while ago. He actually is now working on the translation of the games.

and yeah, I talk to Say from while to while.


Cesar Bittar
CEO
Phoenix Online
cesar.bittar@postudios.com

dark-daventry

Quote from: Cez on January 07, 2011, 03:07:13 PM
Quote from: snabbott on January 07, 2011, 12:11:18 PM
Quote from: KatieHal on January 07, 2011, 09:56:53 AM
Wow! I didn't realize we'd had a Spanish version of our site.
Neither did I. Based on the name "rogar59" and the location in Spain, I'm guessing it's franzrogar's.

It is Franz's. He did this a long while ago. He actually is now working on the translation of the games.

and yeah, I talk to Say from while to while.

I'd like to talk to Say again. It's been so long since any of us have heard from her. I wonder if she'd respond to me though... XD it's been so long, but I'd love to find out how she's been.
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

Haids1987

Quote from: Cez on January 07, 2011, 03:07:13 PM
and yeah, I talk to Say from while to while.
Tell her that the forums are very curious about her, she's legendary over here!  I'd love to get to know her, she seemed so awesome. :)
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

koko_99_2001

Thanks Haids! It is so hard to realize that I've been a part of the forum for so long! Gosh, I was either a sophomore or junior in college when I got really active on the forums. Where has the time gone??
<3 Happily married to FataliOmega since July 11, 2009 <3

The Unofficial The Silver Lining Official Sarcasm Cleaner Upper :cat:

Catherine DaCosta

Haids1987

Quote from: koko_99_2001 on January 07, 2011, 07:28:06 PM
Thanks Haids! It is so hard to realize that I've been a part of the forum for so long!
:hug:

Psssst--you're one of my favorite forumers! ;)
STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

dark-daventry

Quote from: Haids1987 on January 07, 2011, 07:36:24 PM
Quote from: koko_99_2001 on January 07, 2011, 07:28:06 PM
Thanks Haids! It is so hard to realize that I've been a part of the forum for so long!
:hug:

Psssst--you're one of my favorite forumers! ;)

She's one of mine too!
Founder of the (new) Left Handed Alliance Of Left Handed People (LHALHP)

Gay and proud of it!

Avid Adventure Game fan

Haids1987

STATUS:
-Drinking water
-Checking the forum. 

Perpetually. ;D
Erica Reed is Katie Hallahan.
Leader of the "I <3 Doon" Fanclub

Enchantermon

Now, now...there's plenty of Cat to go around.
Besides, FataliOmega already called her. ;)
So what if I am, huh? Anyways, I work better when I'm drunk. It makes me fearless! If I see a bad guy, I'll just point my sword at him and saaaaaaaaaay, "Hey! Bad guy! You're not s'posed to be here! Go home or I'll stick you with my sword 'til you go, 'Ouch! I'm dead!' Ah-ha-ha!" Ha-ha. *hic* See? Ain't no one gonna be messin' wit' ol', Benny!