EternalllZM's RetroMC Departure

To the RetroMC community - I've made the decision to step down from my roles as Server Operator and as a Staff member. My successor, Orknarok_666, will ensure that the legacy I've built through robust leadership and a committed Staff team will continue, continuing the server's success and taking care of an exceptional community. I extend my thanks to everyone who has played, donated, and contributed to shaping the RetroMC community into what it is today, which, like any other, has weathered its share of challenges and victories. I firmly believe that the server's current state isn't a result of my decisions alone, but rather the collective effort of each and every member in their own way.

THANK YOU!

Extended post: https://pastes.io/flay0jja91

-  EternalllZM, January 3rd, 3:12 PM UTC

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  Original announcement.

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The departure message in https://pastes.io/flay0jja91 has been preserved for posterity.

Title: RetroMC Departure
Description: Mostly a train of thought regarding my overall time as Staff. No details.
File size: 4.05 KB

Creation date: 3rd Jan, 2024

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I want to share my personal journey as a part of the Staff over the years, focusing not on technical accomplishments, which have been addressed in previous announcements and through our advanced infrastructure and efficient operations; but moreso about what I believe was important to me personally. Overall, I take pride in the progress we've made, leading to increased player count and stronger community engagement. I am grateful to every individual who has contributed by playing on the server or supporting it through donations.

In late 2018, I joined what was arguably one of the best Minecraft Beta servers at the time, and definitely holds that status today. In those days, becoming a Citizen required applying through the Minecraft forum, cactus could be sold, and there was no player market. I was warmly welcomed into the community by megadom, the owner of the New Aberdeen town. Together, we worked diligently to elevate it to one of the server's premier towns.

Shortly after, certain issues arose with some of the Staff at the time, Johny sought individuals to help turn the server around. Both megadom and I were selected as Helpers. Drawing from my prior experience with beta MC, plugins, and community management, I excelled in this role, surpassing megadom's focus on town-building with a broader involvement in server operations.

The year 2019 proved challenging as we encountered various hurdles, prompting me and others in Staff to advocate for a reform in overall server conduct. These efforts, coupled with technical enhancements, successfully elevated us from an amateur operation to a more professional one, increasing consistency among the Staff and fostering community maturity. It was this time period that I proved myself in many ways, leading to a rising in the ranks to become an administrator and eventually a server operator.

In 2020, our biggest challenge yet. We assumed ownership of the Betalands server, undertaking a comprehensive overhaul from nearly scratch. Initial issues like poor configurations and misused plugins, compounded by a lazy distribution of server files by prior owners, placed immense strain on both operators and the Staff team.

The year 2021 marked a significant turnaround for us, as we streamlined operations, implemented numerous changes, and greatly enhanced the player experience, both in the Minecraft server and our Discord community. Occasionally, the most impactful changes aren't flashy new features but rather fixing up the finer details that contribute to making the server so enjoyable to play on.

Continuing into 2022, we persistently improved our existing infrastructure and recruited Staff members who remain integral to our operations to this day. At this stage, my attention and role had completely shifted from in-game activities to exclusively managing dedicated server operations and Discord.

By 2023, the Betalands server concluded its operations. It was also the year when I contemplated stepping down from my Staff position, which I had previously considered doing a few years prior. Ultimately, although acknowledging the importance of my role and the work accomplished, I recognized that I no longer aspired to hold such a position. This decision stemmed from realizing that stepping aside would create space for someone more dedicated and deserving. I privately informed the Staff of my plan to depart by year-end in October.

As you read this, in 2024, most of my access has already been revoked, and I have transitioned back to the community side – the aspect that initially captivated me and welcomed me years ago. I look forward to jumping back on every now and then to ensure that the joy I experienced while playing on this server years ago remains a constant for everyone currently playing it.

To everyone that plays on this server and uplifts the atmosphere of it, thank you. To all the Staff at RetroMC past, present, and future, thank you for you assistance. To those who properly used the ticket system, thank you. 🙂