I know, and often think about the fact that I will never again in my life be able to experience in the same way, the sort of things I did in this game with the multitude of people I've played with. All the vivid memories I have from immersing myself in this virtual world with so many genuinely kind, down to earth, good-hearted people, will never, ever go away.
I will always remember what this absolute masterpiece of a game let me experience. I'll never forget the moments I've been able to experience in this world, both alone, and with the accompaniment of my friends, who were once just random strangers I stumbled upon in this massive world.
Of course, this game, over the many, many years I've played it has not only been a way for me to be able to interact with, completely without the social pressures of real life, many, many people from all over the world in so many meaningful ways...
I'm not gonna lie, the game has also had its share of negatives. It's many times turned into a crutch, and a drug. A numbing agent and an escape from a relatively harsh reality. That aspect in particular has been far from great. It's been significant in contributing to a downward spiral of not being able to get important stuff done in real life, and escaping into the game world when responsibility and reality wasn't as convenient. Family relations, romantic relationships and certainly progress in school have taken quite a beating from my years of addiction to this game.
Regardless, if the people that were there with me then (and who are still with me today) weren't there, I would have without a doubt, not at all turned out to be nearly the same person l am today. All of the experiences I've had and shared with others in this world have helped shape me as a person, for the better, of course. Well. At least that's what I'd like to believe. Hehe.
Many people who have shared experiences with me in this game are long gone from this server and will probably never read this. But still, to all of you, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for existing and allowing me and many others to experience the multitude of wonders that even a tiny server like this could offer.
/Benjamin "Ben" or "Swagtrain" Fisher