[Mr. Game & Watch]

As many of you have probably already noticed my activity has been cut down immensely in comparison to my usual quick quota of replies. It has become a rather strange time for me and as of late my inspiration hasn’t been the strongest. I’m not exactly sure what it is, but every time I sit down and try to write something my mind wanders elsewhere even in the times where I know exactly what I want to write. Call it writers block, call it a lack of muse, but it’s becoming a much larger problem than that I believe. To the point that whenever I log on I feel a slight metal cringe.

I’ve been thinking about this for a while, but I believe I’m beginning to have a withdrawal from this place. By no means is this my letter of resignation or a statement that I may be closing down the site (neither of which is something I would do), but I feel the need to put some things into perspective.

SSB: Life Itself is reaching its fourth year somewhat soon, in those four years I have done all I could to keep this place active and alive. Four years is approximately a fifth of my life, twenty percent. That is just something absolutely insane to think. In those four years, there have been many members that had come and left, a number that I could easily estimate to one hundred and fifty (or more to see).

I’ve seen this place change, I’ve seen this place grow over the years. More so than any other member that is currently residing here. That isn’t in any way meant to demean the rest of you, but seriously the site you see today is definitely not what it used to be. For better or for worse, though the changes were absolutely necessary.

This is meant to be more of a little romp through the past though, in fact it’s probably the contributor of one of my bigger issues with this place. I have become too possessive of this place. No matter how much I refer to this place as our site, I feel like I’ve been asserting too much that this is my site. Those of you that have been dealing with my arguments and rage in the cbox should probably know what I’m talking about. I have not been the admin I should be as of recent and I apologize for that.

This website wasn’t my idea and it never has been. As a gamer I am extremely uninformed, and most times I feel like my playing style doesn’t mesh well with everyone else. The way I see the site and the way that others do seem to be vastly different, and instead of forcing my perspective over the rest of you I should be embracing it and working with it. This is supposed to be a group effort, so we should be working off of each other instead of working against and having our stories be closed off like we’re independents

Well, then there’s also school and work demanding a toll of my time, but comparatively those are incredibly unimportant (obvious sarcasm is obvious).

Anyways, if you made it this far through my insane rambling then I shall reward you because that was quite a bit. Expect a cookie badge waiting for you. That is if I can find a way to get those for free. I’m not paying three bucks for a virtual badge that no one will notice unless they’re looking for it.

As I said, this isn’t me plopping a note and then leaving. I just need a little time to think for myself and re-aim my focus.

[Coolshaymin]

First off, I got to commend you for your dedication. I admit, I'm not sure if I would've stuck around as long as you in the past. In fact, me being a quitter after a few months time normally, your stay is quite inspirational. This site is probably the most time I dedicated to one thing and it is a thing I feel to be proud of myself. So yeah, I would have no clue of the feeling you've had for this site over the last few years. Dedication has always been a hard thing for me it seems.

Now on to the non self important stuff. I admit, I can be rather slow at noticing things, as has become evident by my reactions in the Cbox or even my incompetence at times. That aside, I can see what you mean, not to drag you down further just to do it. Now that you mention that, I do notice the frequent arguments when someone tries to insert their own view or something around that sort, usually between you and me. Not saying its mutually exclusive between us, but I do seem to join for most of them. But realization is the first step to redemption, as the grandmaster of philosophies here would tell ya. So, in lame man terms, you realizing this is the first step to making this site an even more beautiful place.

Okay, I went through corny stuff, now WHERE'S MY COOKIE?!

Seriously though, hope you sort this stuff out so you can enjoy yourself once more.

[Maverick Hunter Zero]

Enjoy yourself as best you can, and post only when you can.


That is all I have to say to you on this.

[Deleted]

Its ok, this all happens to us sometimes, just take the time you need.

[Cielmira]

Round of applause for G&W! I ran a site for almost 10 years and hands down it was never as successful as SSB:LI is just due to the constant activity from all the random fans that pop on. Your dedication to this site is the only thing that has kept it going. In my experience easily 80% of forums made don't last a year, or struggle into their second. But those that succeed usually last a long time as long as a single admin sticks around. The fact that SSB:LI still lives is all thanks to you G&W. Shadow has been gone the majority of time that I've been here and you pick it up. So I wouldn't say it's unfair for you to consider this place effectively yours in a governing sort of way.

You already know that all the active people here are willing to support you with any difficulty they can. If one of those difficulties is how we behave we can change that. I know I am a contributor to the aggressive debates that happen in chat as I tend to pick the underdog and argue their side. Heck! I just did that this morning... But that's something I can change, whether it's just the way I write it or just not doing it. Interpreting tone through text is tricky and I know sometimes my decisive style can sound a little harsh when in actuality I'm excitedly bouncing in my chair having fun. Yay debates... ...

I've been where you are now man, it's tough. Being handed a site puts a lot of pressure on. Especially when you have university to deal with. The truth is though, we're fine. Not to say this place can do without you; we'd surely fade out over time without G&W's strong hand. You don't need to post every day. Don't let this forum be the second job or daily MMO that looses its shine but you still need to play to do all the daily activities to get the rare items. There are no dailies that need attending. You can log in every few days or really just take a brief holiday to go enjoy yourself. We probably won't set anything on fire.

Making this work is a two way street. Just cause we're members doesn't mean we should get everything we want all the time; we're not customers. You are a large part of this community as well so you have just as much say on how things work as everyone else. Let us know anything that's bothering you or you feel perhaps isn't working like initially thought when the change was suggested and we can revisit it. Some things just aren't a good idea in practice; it happens.

Remember that you have other staff to help you with things around the forum! Go enjoy yourself and come back whenever you feel like.

[Mr. Game & Watch]

Thanks for the support you guys. Cookies all around!

You know, once they become free and less useless...

[WolfEx]

Don't you lose your mojo now, don't you ever give up!

You are the most loyal, most helpful, most resilient man I know! And to think, this site started with just me and a few random pop ins and you were one of my lucky few that actually stuck around out of thin air and helped me make this place amazing. I don't know why this place is still bringing interest to others and bringing members in, or why it is as succesful as it is, but I do know when I made this place I had a burning fire to create something magical and give more of a story and a depth to a brilliant franchise. But somewhere down the line I lost inspiration, several times actually, and I would just poof away. But you, your fire and passion for this place never died, not a once, and there is nothing I can do to praise you more, because I am ashamed from leaving so many times.

You should be the real owner of this place, not me, I just laid out the foundation, you tilled the land my friend. All that advertising I did, all that traffic I tried to bring in, it wasn't me, it was you signing on every day, posting around, checking in on people, THAT is what kept everyone going. I am a log adrift your river of gold man, and no words can express the gratitude for keeping the original Smash Brothers roleplay alive! You are keeping the true vision I had for this place a reality, and to see how happy members are, how intrigued members our with this world...our world...is just immensely appreciative. I wasn't going to come back because I felt guilty for vanishing like I do, but I just feel stressed sometimes and that I don't have the help to run this place and it seemed like people were losing interest, but then I realized, you were all the help I needed, and those that are still around here are the backbone that I never had.

So suck it up, get motivated, and don't ever leave this place, because without you, it would crumble.