Down in the Gutter: OOC, The Nuts and Bolts of Staying Alive Options

[Bearclaw]

I hope you're healing well.
I wouldn't worry about the game, we're only on the first afternoon. We've been on a break, kind of, while Winter Rat deals with some computer issues.

[Meriss]

@Whip: Mega ouchies! Hope you heal properly and I'm glad there doesn't appear to be any permanent brain damage. (Shit like brain cells does not grow back, at least not quickly and not totally.) {Until we get reliable microsurgery that is (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) }

[Meriss]

Obligatory monthly bump!

[Bearclaw]

I'm still not willing to give up on this. But if Winter Rat has, I'd appreciate a note of some kind.

[grendel]

I don't want to speak for our esteemed GM, but I find myself in that position none the less. When last I spoke with him, WinterRat1 cited personal issues and an overall burnout on roleplaying as his primary reasons for not continuing the game as he wanted. I don't see him coming back in a timely manner, and by timely I mean within the next six months. I, myself, have become much busier lately and haven't been able to devote as much time to my online committments as I would like. Nevertheless, I do enjoy this storyline and its possibilities, and am loathe to see it die. That being said, how many of us are left and what do we feel would be the best way to proceed?

[Fresno Bob]

I feel the same way as Grendel, and would enjoy a continuation of this somehow.

[pragma]

Still here. I've been toying with stepping up as an assistant GM for some time -- now might be the proper time to offer my services. That said, I don't have the time to properly manage a small game on my own, much less DITG.

[Meriss]

Still here and willing to continue if everyone else is.

[Vegas]

Still here and ready to jump back in after all the crap. Just let me know.

[Bearclaw]

Still here and more than willing to go along if someone else wanted to run with this.

[Mister Juan]

Well, I'm still in like everyone else!

[rob]

I could step up and GM this thing, with three caveats: 1) I have nowhere near as much PbP experience as many of yall; 2) I refuse to play a character in my own games (so either someone else can take Box or he goes back to prison); and 3) I need an assistant GM who is willing to take over if I have to move out of the country again.

If yall're cool with that, I'll probably have some stuff to do. Note that I have some time management strategies of my own, and that may include delegating partial GM responsiblities to some of the players for other people's encounters.

Thoughts?

[Bearclaw]

Worth a try. The worst that can happen is that you suck and we all quit, putting everyone in the position that we're in right now (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)
Seriously though, with most everyone in the middle of something, this would be the perfect time to take over, and if it doesn't work out, no harm done.

[adamu]

Grack and I are still very much around.

I am down to posting only about twice a week nowadays - silly job and family and church!

Happy happy happy to play - but no time no time no time to help with GMing - too busy with the other games I run.

I think rob is a GREAT candidate to take things over. pragma too - but I would feel better about it if he/they could get in touch with Winter to make everything kosher. I am guessing he has Winter's personal e-mail, but if not I or a number of others can try to get his permission to pass that info on.

If it does start up again, I still owe Winter about four gang profiles (for which he will owe me copious rewards) - if any new GM wants that stuff, we can talk about it once we get going.

[rob]

I have no contact with winter to get the skinny on what's already been prepared. If somebody has comms with him and can pass on the info or make the link-up, that's cool.

Aside from that, lets give it till about monday and see what's up (specifically, regarding extra primary/alternate GMs)

[Vegas]

Talked with [b]WR1[b] last night and gave him the rundown on what's been going on this thread as of late so he's aware of the situation. Most likely he said he'd get a post up to deal with what's being proposed as soon as possible. That way everyone has the official "word from on high" and we can all proceed appropriately without concerns if there is still that interest.

With that, I'm out for a bit again. I'll be keeping tabs on the thread to see where we go.

[WinterRat1]

Hey Everyone –
First off, once again I would like to apologize for my prolonged absence. I am getting sick of saying that and I am certain you’re all sick of hearing it. I think you all deserve not only an apology but a brief word of explanation on my end as well.

My absence can be attributed to three factors:
1. Burnout and disillusionment with Shadowrun, specifically SR 4
2. Computer Problems
3. Job Loss and subsequent change of career

I have been GMing on DSF non-stop for the past four years, always in large-scale games that require a large amount of time and energy (LITS and DITG). It has come to the point where PBP gaming is no longer fun for me but is just work, work that I don’t get paid for. Furthermore, I have had problems with SR 4 since the beginning. While I have ignored them and forged onward, over time those problems added up to seriously detract from my overall gaming experience with the Shadowrun system and game world.

When you combine that with all the responsibility, time commitments, workload, headaches, stress, and annoyances that are a regular part of GMing, eventually it added up to the point where it’s just not fun anymore, and when that happens it’s time to walk away and take a break from the game.

Although I contemplated taking a break for a long time now, my decision was ultimately made for me when computer problems kept me offline for a couple months, and then the miserable state of the US economy finally caught up to me personally. Following a downsizing at my company (of which I was among those downsized), I decided it was time for a career change and I plan to go back to school to pursue a teaching degree. This change in my professional direction and subsequent demands on my time meant something had to go, and given that PBP gaming is no longer fun for me right now, it was the obvious choice.

I am glad you all want to keep playing; I think it is a testament to the strong foundation we all built together. By all means, the game is open to whoever wants to step up to GM. Who knows, perhaps one day I will be requesting to rejoin the game as a player. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

In any event, time will tell if my schedule permits me to rejoin DITG as a player or GM. Of course, regaining the ‘spark’ to play SR 4 again will be a significant factor as well. I sincerely hope I do regain inspiration to play SR 4 again, as I have loved gaming with you all and DITG has been an absolute blast to be a part of these past few years.

Thanks again to everyone who played and contributed to the game, thanks for your patience despite the delays on my end, and best wishes to all of you as you keep the game moving forward.

If anyone has any questions, comments, or other thoughts they’d like to discuss with me, by all means feel free to drop me a line. Good luck with the further adventures of the October Ravens!

All the best,
WinterRat1

[rob]

I'm still cool with stepping in for this. Need some opinions, and I need someone to step up as alternate GM.

Once we get something approaching enough-consensus-to-run-with, I'll try and get in touch with WR and get what he's got prepared.

v/r
Rob

[adamu]

I say rock on dude.
My only concern was legitimacy of succession, and that is out of the way.
My only complaint would be that we'd have no more of Bockscar's cool IC posts.

[Slipshade]

Sorry to say that Baby will not be rejoining the game. Life issues prevent me from having time to post.

-Slip

[grendel]

I fully support Rob as our new GM, although it will be sad to see Bockscar go. The gang needed him. And it's a pity to see Baby go as well.

[Meriss]

It's a shame but at least the game itself goes on. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Rob are you going to reopen recruiting?

[Bearclaw]

If anyone wants my vote, I'd say let's actually get this back on track, THEN see if we can bring more in.

[Mister Juan]

@Voorhees
So, now that WinterRat1 has left, and Shade definitly moved to the rank of at least NPC... what do you think we should do? Since all three characters were so close, with their common goal of saving Halo and all...
I can still play Felix, but I guess I could make up another character...

[Meriss]

@Bearclaw: Truth. Agreed.

@Mr J.: Keep the Crashers active please. They bring an element of cleanliness and hope to our otherwise bleak and nasty existence. Not that those of us hardcore bangers won't try and corrupt them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) Heck it's up to Rob but I'd almost have Shade catch a round in the upcoming Ravens/Plague stare down leaving the remaining Crashers working that much harder to get Halo up and about.