| Why are we still here? -Casual - Jul 28 07:24am | |
|
Many thanks go to Casual for showing us his heart on this matter. Truely, it is the people that are addictive, not the game. This text is from a non-gamer's point-of-view. How so? Well, I don't play the Jedi Knight series games almost at all anymore. I woke up one day to the realisation that the games were just plain boring. The mindless hack-and-slash of the servers really didn't appeal to my sense of conformity within a community. So, why am I still here? Why do I tag along a community that is based around a computer game which I don't play anymore? Simple: it is a matter of brotherhood, friendship, sociality and a new sense of conformity that crosses the border of definitions. Some might argue that The Jedi Academy is here for the purpose of furthering our skills in the Jedi Knight game series. Some might say that "sure, the community is nice, but wait until you hit the servers, because THAT'S when the magic begins!" When I realised the games were dull, I tried to retire. For a couple of days I was happy with my decision, and I was looking forward to an easy life without the bonds of class schedules and padawanship. Soon I felt an itch in the back of my head that I tried and tried to scratch but to no avail. I wondered for a while what it could be, but I just couldn't find the force behind it. I decided to enter the chat channel once more, to see if my itch could be cured. As I entered the channel, a flood of messages popped to my screen, many saying "how good to see you Casual, we all thought you left". And oh tally-ho, what a feeling of elevation I went through. The itch was because I missed the community spirit. I missed the people, my friends and my worthy constituents, with whom I had spent many an hour trying to see who is the master of wit and words. Behind these words you will learn of a humble man. I have never ever received such a unique feeling in any other internet community. And rather rarely from any real life community either. I don't know what it's all about, but it definitely has something out of this world connected to it. Maybe it's the force. The Jedi Academy is a place for learning. That's what they say. But I would like to specify that it is not only a place for learning how to play the games, but also a place to learn about friends, life and such like. The feeling of conformity only strengthens among this wondrous lot, and builds up to such proportions that it would take an ocean to quench the flame of unity that burns in the heart of this Academy. The dedication and love upon which this academy is built truly speaks for itself. From the "new member greetings" that some of our members relentlessly provide to the birth of bonds of friendship that we all can witness here everyday, the Academy is truly a place for those who seek for a wholly new communal experience. I am living proof of that, and I guarantee that every single active member in this Academy can agree with my viewpoints. I raise a glass to this community, for its ups and downs, its traits and flaws, and for its dedicated members of whom each and everyone live by the rule of "the more you can give, the less you need to take". Viva la academie! |
| Login and add your comment! |
| Comments |
|
Anakin Skywalker - Student 
|
Quote: i totally agree with that, ive made life long friends here, but more closely to Darth-Mobility and CloakedThunder, were close enough that if we have a RL problem each of us is just a phone call away, i plan i visiting both of them someday, hopefully CT this spring break and Moby and his Nevada ass we hopefully meet me in Vegas when i turn 21, all i kno is that if i got married next month, id be sending plane tickets to my 2 friends, all because if a video game that i dont play anymore. Great article man _______________  {MOTS}Masters Of The Sith
|
|
Cloaked Thunder - Student 
|
Right on JP! We three are great friends that talk frequently. _______________ Padawan of ShadowSith | Close JA Family: Darth Mobility, Katan, Jedi Prodigy, Virtue,D@rth M@ul, Virtue, Flash, Bandit, Yin Yang, JK-XIII, Faded, Silk Monkey, Skyler, `Orion, Aratan, SmilyKrazy, Faded Angel, and your mom  | woot!
|
|
JP - Academy Pimp 
|
i totally agree with that, ive made life long friends here, but more closely to Darth-Mobility and CloakedThunder, were close enough that if we have a RL problem each of us is just a phone call away, i plan i visiting both of them someday, hopefully CT this spring break and Moby and his Nevada ass we hopefully meet me in Vegas when i turn 21, all i kno is that if i got married next month, id be sending plane tickets to my 2 friends, all because if a video game that i dont play anymore. Great article man _______________ Come on now, every Generation X boy wanted to be Luke Skywalker. Is it because he was a whiney farm boy from some backwater hack planet? No, it's because he was a FREAKING JEDI. He could block lasers with his lightsaber. He could levitate droids & rocks & crap with his mind. Come on, he choked two pig dudes with just a simple gesture. He cut off Darth Vader's hand and kicked him down a flight of stairs. He got his @$$ zapped by lightning from the geezer Emperor, stood up and said "s'at all you got b!tc#??" |
|
Thomasooo - Student 
|
Great article! I agree with what you're saying. The people are 99% of the reason I haven't left and probably never will.  *huggles Casual*  _______________ In the navy and LOVING it!
Recipient of comment no. 1000 and heart-warming words from Ataris!
|
|
3th - Retired 
|
yeah, very nice post indeed. _______________ this is the internet, be serious damn it! |
|
Badger Hat - Student 
|
cmad... you played jk2 not so long ago... I feel the same way, don't play the games much, but the people here are so cool that I can't leave. _______________ RL bro to HawkJedi Chuck Norris pwns!(duh) Proud member of Yeah, it's a hat. |
|
DF_SithMaster44 - Student 
|
I met half of my best friends here. I've had so much fun! There are only two things that can separate me from this Academy: full mental insanity and death. Good article, Casual. _______________ Once I heard about something called "real life". I tried to find out what that was and I discovered that it is a place where you can use Force powers without draining your Force pool!! | laming NPCs is good for your soul This comment was edited by DF_SithMaster44 on Jul 29 2004 11:39pm. |
|
D@mned ++ - Student 
|
straight from the heart man straight from the heart _______________ Bartender at Mune's bar. It’s not just a site, it’s a community. It’s not just a community, it’s the Academy. It’s not just the Academy, it’s a place in my heart. |
|
Fizz of Belouve - Student 
|
Belouve On! _______________ One of the Belouve boys, founder of the mighty FiZZsters Midbie council #20 - Fizz - #1933 - Jan '03 - Aug '04 "Renfield, you idiot!" |
|
_cmad_ - Ex-Student 
|
I remember welcoming your to the JA on the servers Cas Ah the times eh Cas is right! I haven't played on the servers for some months, but I'm still here. This is the greatest community ever! The servers are just a part of the whole _______________ Your friends of today, are your enemies of tomorrow. |
|
R2D2 - Staff 
|
Hit it right on the dot Casual  _______________ "Do or do not, there is no try" Jedi Master Yoda Dual Saberist |
|
tarpman - The Tarped Avenger 
|
*raises several glasses* _______________ Saving the world, one kilobyte at a time. |
|
Tido - Student 
|
very well written! great article! |
|
Darkwood - Student 
|
true words Casual! _______________ -Darkwood- |
|
Bail Hope of Belouve - Student 
|
I'll admit it was the community itself which made me decide to start playing again... I've played other games for about two months now..., I just didn't feel like getting on the servers today, perhaps tomorrow. If you know what I mean... Yesterday, it was paddy class and I attended. I'll admit that I had one hell of a time But down to the end, it's the community (some may call it 'forums' ) I come back forNice article Casual! _______________ Visit the Belouve Family Website! Quote: I try to have fun with my friends and try to make a difference as best I can. What does making a difference mean? Well, it can be as simple as saying hello, answering a question that seems obvious or heck, just talking. -- Vladarion
Want to know Vladarion? Read the Article about his life here. |
|
Roan Belouve - Retired 
|
I have to admit the game is the reason i'm here and the reason i stay. Due to RL I have a few hours (well maybe a ltiitle more) that I can play so tend not to spend alot of time chatting unless i'm in game. The community the forums, irC, TS etc are great and the people seem great but I have nothing to compare it to, this being the only Internet community i have been involved in. I do consider many people here good friends and you don't get that just from slashing them and saying GF it comes from the converstaions in and around the duels whether in game or via other means. Nice Article and Viva La Acadamie _______________ *Bro to Vaxxla,Padawan of FiZZandOdan-Wei Part of the mighty Belouve Dynasty-Knight of Nippledom.Twin of Selphestal!**Proud Master to Kaelis and Acura Friend to anyone who would call me the same . Pic by the amazing Majno (merry)
|
|
Sfire - Student 
|
 Thumbs up! Nice post. _______________ |Sfire - Padawan to MOTREC, Gradius| |Owner of Motrec's and Gradius's 999th Comments! Also Smily's 5001 comment and 3th's 1903 comment! Also, cannot forget to mention the proud owner of Gradius' 3000th comment!| |
|
Setementor - Jedi Master 
|
Well said! :x |
| Login and add your comment! |