A sort of weird pseudo-farewell

Taken mostly directly from my site with a personalized tidbit to the Snark Pit at the end...

Imagine, if you will, being brought on board to play for your favorite sports team. Or joining your favorite band as a new member. Or starring in a re-make of your favorite movie. That is the level of indescribable joy I feel at this moment.

In little more than 24 hours I will begin the long drive to Madison, WI, and in little more than 48 hours, I will begin my first day on the job at Raven Software. I wouldn't call Raven my 'favorite' developer (as alluded to in the first paragraph), but the comparison still holds true. The near future is exciting beyond words, though I don't know yet how it will turn out.

To be perfectly honest, I'm terrified. I have no idea how I'll hold up in this setting. I have no fears of getting along with the other guys; I've had great experiences in my two visits there, but I can't shake the feeling that I haven't made anything I've been truly happy with in months... Hopefully a brand new engine and editor will kick-start that old creative motor.

I don't know what will happen from this point. I'd love to stay with Raven and raise a family with Maggie in the Madison area, but I know a lot of people, even at major companies, start out with such dreams but never get the chance to achieve them. It's a tumultuous industry right now, and the greatest disservice I can do to myself is take anything for granted.

I've had a blast working independently and in the mod community over the last few years, but as time goes on and on I keep getting more and more burned out by it. It's time to move on.

This is going to be fun.

To the Snark Pit: Thanks for the years of a great community. There's been the crazy misunderstandings and bickerings and all that, but the site is still one I just can't stop coming back to, more for the people than anything else. There's a great bunch here and I wish you all the best in the future. I'll hopefully still drop by now and then, but with requested decreased community involvement as well as a much more hectic schedule, that may not be possible, hence this post.

See you around, I hope. It's been fun.

Good luck, kick some ass, and make us proud! :biggrin:

Thats a really nice sentiment, and I'm jealous! Never really got to know you that well on a personal level but I can say that you've really been an inspiration to me (and I'm sure many others). I'm sure you'll do great at Raven; they didn't hire you for your good looks. But for the love of god please don't let Vash eat my legs.

Best wishes, KFS, make us proud! :smile:

Hah, I remember making JRFs for some of your early HLDM maps... and now off you go to Raven and Quake 4. I guess we can all look forward to seeing your work when Quake 4 comes out :biggrin:

Hah, talking about knowing somebody famous (Juim and the movie biz):- you've just far surpassed that level. To know somebody who makes the maps for a game that you WILL make sure we all love... think of all the people out there who play these games. All people like... err... us. Mostly. Anyway, have fun and good luck, and be sure to send us all free copies of the game.

MY best wishes, for whatever the future holds :smile:

Best of luck :wink:

Good luck :biggrin:

Good luck man! I'll be sure to get a copy of Q4 when it comes out... so I get to see your kickass maps :biggrin:

Just another voice chiming in to say best of luck bud. Enjoy living the dream,
and don't get too carried away with all the money and women throwing
themselves at you. :wink:

as long, as you never forget where you came from, i am content.

be good

p.s. and the wife, you did real good andrew :wink:

Good luck, friendship and fun, KFS !

(dunno if the quote fits for this occasion, but I like it anyway:)

" Dream as if you'll live forever. Live as if you'll die tomorrow. "

All the best mate I know you will do a magnificent job at Raven.

So just go there and kick arse.

Not much to be said that hasn't already. Best wishes for the future. Despite the hollow nature of the comment: I am sure you will do well.

Good luck man! Show those guys that you 0wn them!!

Yippiy Ki Yay!

Best of luck mate, its been an honour sharing the same engine as you :wink:

Good luck with everything governor... you have contributed and recieved
more than your fair share within the modding and mapping community, and
have always been willing to help and share your knowledge with others -
even when your commitments grew and grew!

I hope it all works out for you in your life with Maggie and finding a career you love :smile: God only knows you earnt it! :biggrin:

Good luck mate, and all the best :smile:

I've been out of the HL community for a while now so it's been a long time since we've talked, but I wish you the best. I'm sure you'll do great.

<DIV>BLASPHEMER! Darest thou comest hither bearing the flag of Unreal Tournament by thine name?</DIV>

Good luck KFS, I wish you and your family well and know that your creative energy will return and make its mark on Raven.