[ILLUMINOVA]

Alright everyone I've been browsing about and getting caught up on some of the more "popular" topics in my absence. I have a few things that I'd like to say that some may like, and some may not. Either way I've never bit my tongue and today I'm speaking as a former leader of a clan, in fact, lets just say I'm speaking as a member.

I sit here approximately 4 months after ID_ met its demise. I've seen negativity, disguised recruitment from a few past members, complaining and activity (even though there hasn't been a lot of posting). There are a few realities that everyone here old and new are going to have to accept. As of today, myself, Yutz, and Albreezy (leaving us in about 13 days to join the military) are not "active". I can't answer for anyone but myself, and hell I'd even hate to promise that my in game activity is going to increase (I'll let my actions speak) for now though, my play time is next to nothing. Overall I get the feeling that people miss the "old days". I understand that totally. It was comfortable, it was rhythmic it was something many of us knew for YEARS. That familiarity is what people miss.

This community has had a rough 12 to 18 months. There was some inner turmoil that lead for seperation. There were members that left for reasons that I honestly cannot comprehend, and more then likely were due to immaturity. If you have a relationship with some (to me a relationship no matter what it is, IF it is genuine is always worth salvaging). Sometimes that means you have to swallow your pride, apologize and move on. Even before this though, there was a similar pattern that occurred (at least 3 times before this last occurrence, major members came and went).

There was an overall attitude by some members that thought they were "bigger" then the clan. It was these attitudes that ruined it for all of our members. They didn't destroy ID_, NEVER let them believe that. They started to embarrass the clan and taint the clans reputation. This is the only reason why ID_ went away. ID_ was born on its own terms, and it was taken on it's own terms.

We had a total transition to a new address, a new more challenging approach, and even today we face many challenges to make this community a success. Even after the change we faced another HUGE challenge. The website was hacked. It destroyed everything internally and essentially required us to start fresh (the data wasn't lost but every web file was). With the hacking the boards fell silent for a while. Even as recent as last week, the boards were down because of the upgrade process having a few hick-ups.

Change... not familiarity is what we've been experiencing.

Today I want to let you know, as a member you all need to pick your heads up and stop letting the "change" weigh you down. We have a totally new look, feel and presence that started a mere few hours ago. I know some don't have a complete understanding of the development that is going on behind the scenes, but I HOPE that it can be discussed openly in a few weeks. At this time we have a great tool at our disposal. One of the deepest forums on the planet with a base of members that know each other. If this was a brand new community, you would have to build friendships... today you have the liberty to be "familiar" with a pretty large group of users. That is a great thing.

I read doubt in a few posts from people that surprised me. I've seen people bringing the community down because they don't see progress. I've seen people whine about things.

To me that is weak. I think everyone in these boards controls their own destiny. You are using a FREE website and have had more fun with people on this site then maybe even some of your closest friends. I mean seriously, I have close friends that don't game. I love my friends, but I've had more fun with people on these boards then ANY of my "Real life" buddies. It's not a question in my mind.

Some of you have experienced ID_ in its "prime". I'm hear to tell you that if you've experienced it, consider yourself lucky... It was available only for a limited time (5+ years is a while... but hey it was definitely limited). IDCLAN.net allowed for us all to make friends, enemies, and have fun no matter what your current opinion of the clan is (its a fact, if you visited www.idclan.net, registered, chances are you had fun with us to some level I don't care what game you played).

With this said, IDCLAN.net and the Impending Doom Clan (ID_) is dead and will remain dead. I've considered the "petition" and your messages. To me the reason why the clan was successful was the dedication that I was able to provide. I dedicated a portion of my life to ID_ (solidly for 4 years, and another 1.5 years thereafter even though it dwindled during that period). I'm not going to point fingers... the clan was my responsibility. Chances are, if people dislike the clan, its due to my strong opinions and my management practices (either you loved me or hated me).

Today I'm endorsing the [wTw_] War Torn Warriors Clan. I would encourage former ID_ members to make [wTw_] successful. If you can help to make [wTw_] a success, you will help to set the example of how this community is now designed to work. Sure all the details aren't here just yet, there are a few "layers" to this complicated idea, but communication is probably 80% of the total package... Considering that, you have more then enough to make this a successful community.

With this post, I want to let everyone know that we have "familiarity" on CommunityOfGamers.com, but right now we lack the activity that all of us have grown to know/love. Familiarity that could EASILY be picked back up with just a little effort from our community members. Find a interesting news topic, post it. Have a life theory you want to discuss, start a topic. Have a great story or recipe, share it. Frustrated with something in life, vent it. Got a sweet picture, upload it. Etc.

As a member, I encourage you to step your game up. Earn some reputation points and be the best CoG member that you can be.

Thanks for reading.

NOVA
07/08/09 @ 12:25 pm EST

[Bacon4you]

Understandable. I feel bad for writing such a short response. But hopefully the boobies will make my post seem longer!

[tlove78]

If there was a "Like" button to click here, I would click it!!

[manosteel]

Well said Nova. Thanks for the communication and clearing up some gray areas that might have existed. Resistance to change is one of the biggest dilemmas in any managers/parents life as they try to move forward and mold the future for those around them. As the saying goes "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink". wTw_ FTW!
GAME ON!!!

[scrotar]

well stated. Thanks for clearing that up NOVA. I miss the good old days too. I too don't have much time to dedicate anymore, but I love my friends that I have made here.

[ILLUMINOVA]

tlove78, on 08 July 2009 - 03:23 PM, said:

If there was a "Like" button to click here, I would click it!!

On the bottom right of all posts you will see this thing now.
 ipb_reputation_system.jpg (1.74K)
Number of downloads: 0

When you see that, and you click on either + or - that lets people know if you like it.

That results in reputation points being added to your profile
Example below:
 ipb_reputation_system_profile_view.jpg (45.08K)
Number of downloads: 2

[ILLUMINOVA]

tlove78, on 08 July 2009 - 03:23 PM, said:

If there was a "Like" button to click here, I would click it!!

Thank you!

manosteel, on 08 July 2009 - 03:26 PM, said:

Well said Nova. Thanks for the communication and clearing up some gray areas that might have existed. Resistance to change is one of the biggest dilemmas in any managers/parents life as they try to move forward and mold the future for those around them. As the saying goes "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink". wTw_ FTW!
GAME ON!!!

Not a problem sir, thank you for the knod of approval I'm confindent this crew can make this work.

scrotar, on 08 July 2009 - 04:16 PM, said:

well stated. Thanks for clearing that up NOVA. I miss the good old days too. I too don't have much time to dedicate anymore, but I love my friends that I have made here.

Agreed and so do I. One never knows what tomorrow brings, and for members like you and I, jumping back in is the easy part. Right now life dictates something else, but you never know...

[ILLUMINOVA]

I hope people use this opportunity to discuss this topic. I know a lot of people have opinions on this, and no matter the situation or opinion I'd hope we can all discuss this and make it work.

I'm surprised to see only a few replies. I don't expect them all to be in favor, but I most certainly was expecting reactions. I know some people don't like what they've read because I've seen my reputation go up and down based on this post (which btw is what the reputation system is all about). So if you disagree please state it... Its all cool in my book.

PS- 26 people have logged in today. I only see 4 replies

[Albreezy]

Sorry that I haven't responded yet, I finally found out how to download games for my Dreamcast. Been doing that all day.

First off, CoG 1 - Facebook 0. The "like" button is great!

It's good to see all the effort being put into CoG. Once I am able to communicate with the rest of the world again, I expect this community to still be around and flourishing. We all appreciate the work you've done NOVA, and I just hope everyone else will put in the effort we have all once put into ID_.

I think we can all understand that ID_ will be not revived. The petition was really just to spark a discussion and get a rise from people.

I'll miss you all!

[tlove78]

ILLUMINOVA, on 08 July 2009 - 04:41 PM, said:

On the bottom right of all posts you will see this thing now.
ipb_reputation_system.jpg

When you see that, and you click on either + or - that lets people know if you like it.

That results in reputation points being added to your profile
Example below:
ipb_reputation_system_profile_view.jpg

Cool! That's Crazy Awesome! lol

[Emma]

Thanks for clearing things up Nova!
I know in the recent weeks I was one of the people who mentioned bring ID_ back, and I thought it was worth a shot.
I now understand (thanks to this post, etc) the exact reasons of why it ended the way it did, and why it still continues to be dead.
I totally understand and respect your decisions!


Ps: this whole new system thingy is growing on me rapidly!

[StagGhost]

Thanks for clearing things up... its a shame that things happened as they did but I am ready to accept it and move on... on to what will hopefully be just a forum with a bunch of friends that may/or may not be in the same clan I may be in.

[ILLUMINOVA]

StagGhost, on 08 July 2009 - 06:53 PM, said:

Thanks for clearing things up... its a shame that things happened as they did but I am ready to accept it and move on... on to what will hopefully be just a forum with a bunch of friends that may/or may not be in the same clan I may be in.

I think members will have more options then they even have considered. I now truly believe that there is no "one" solution for gaming. When ID_ was active in shooters so many wanted us in MMO's. I personally never PC gamed(except on occassion) and never have owned an XBOX. I would hope that eventually you as a gamer would be able to be in more then one CoG and have all of your needs satisfied.

[LunchBox]

I agree with the whole thing. I agree with every thing you said Mike

[Jenguin]

I actually agree with you fully

I did awhile ago wish ID never went away and I didn't even get a chance to experience it at its prime

But I find I am actually extremely excited for how things turnd out because I feel within wTw I have a real chance of growing the number of 360 users and bringing my friends over to the site and actually doing the things I kinda always wanted to with ID, but near the end never had the chance to.

I am defiantly looking forward to my future in the new clan and respect your decision to end ID and look forward to the future.

[Bacon4you]

Damn Nova, who the hell is negative commenting you? Kinda wierd... But yea i'll give up my attempts for the good ol' days, i'll just cherish the times we had together <3

[ILLUMINOVA]

Bacon4you, on 08 July 2009 - 08:00 PM, said:

Damn Nova, who the hell is negative commenting you? Kinda wierd... But yea i'll give up my attempts for the good ol' days, i'll just cherish the times we had together <3

Not sure, but its all apart of the show!

My feelings aren't hurt.

[DanWakes]

Well I've been working today, So this is the first chance I've had to read it..

and well....
...

Like I said in the message Nova, I respect any decision you make towards ID_, and I understand why. Hopefully like you said, this place can become at least half of what ID_ was, and it'll be a great place to come chat.
I loved my time at ID_, and I guess it's time to start loving CoG.

You know I'll be around to do my bit, and participate where I can, and also, what are the chances of there being an lD_ fest in the coming years?

[ILLUMINOVA]

DanWakes, on 08 July 2009 - 08:20 PM, said:

You know I'll be around to do my bit, and participate where I can, and also, what are the chances of there being an lD_ fest in the coming years?

There definitely will not be an ID_Fest. There may be a CoG Event though.

[DanWakes]

Well i meant something along the lines of an ID_ fest, getting together, getting hammered, enjoying the company and having a good time, cause i've seen videos, and i know bacon wants to head down to baltimore with me and have a good time...he's an alchy now, so he'll fit right in..hahha