Shattered Kingdoms

Wow. That was depressing.

*HERES A GIANT EHUG FOR EVERYONE* )))))))

What a thread to pick to read after not checking up on the forums for awhile.


It should be said that I wish everyone the best, but goodness.

If our gods can die... den so can we...

Have no idea why Dulrik is so protective of his code. MUD's are out dated and I'm pretty sure his code is a mess and not even worth stealing.

It's still his legacy, his creation,....his child. I get him not wanting anyone to do detrimental damage to it(other than himself, in the opinions of many).

Why can't everyone just play the game to have fun anymore. I have a lot of fun without worrying about bugs or additions. instead of bitching about how it would be better this way or that play with what you have already. And when something does get changed treat it as a Christmas present and thank dulrik for what he has done.

So to dulrik. Thank you for everything you have done for sk. We wouldn't all be here without you.

I wanted to say something encouraging here but I can only say that I log on at least once a day to do my part to maintain the game. I am pretty sure all of the other staff, despite everything, are actively maintaining their part also. We may not get any new code-based content for a while but the bugs will get fixed and areas are still being changed and added. Even now SK is still one of my favorite MUDs and imo still one of the best. And I still meet people who have an appetite for text-based games, I think they offer us a depth and immersion other games cannot. I think SK is strong enough to stand on its own for a bit, maybe not forever but I hope that won't be the case.

Either way, here's to many fine years.

Because games need to evolve, keeping the game the same with no new features makes it stale, as well as prolonged bugs that need fixed.

Ever wonder why WoW is still popular? The game continuously changes and evolves to meet the needs of the masses.

I am playing again, and once I finish leveling a character the game will pick up.

I'm not really sure Dulrik ever contributed highly to anyone's experience anyway, at least in the sense that few walk away from a play thinking about the influences of whoever built the floor over the orchestra pit.

What I'm trying to say is that relying on a coder to animate your game is like relying on an cobbler to animate your masquerade ball. While wearing old shoes isn't the best thing in the world, it still pales in comparison to horrible dance partners or DJs.

In conclusion, I think there are people who could be asked to step up their game before the same is asked of Dulrik, with or without the sleep bug.

Needless to say, I think it would be great if SK went open source. MUDs are a clique, almost cult-classic type genre nowadays, and that means their health is directly related to their communities. Having such a well-loved game open itself up to development of today's motivated community would go a long way to preserving the genre. The code may be Dulrik's child, but there comes a time in every parent's life where they have to let their children go create legacies of their own. As a parent, I'd prefer my story crossfaded into that of my progeny rather than fading out completely.

As for Dulrik, I'm sure running a project would be a more lucrative bragging point than maintaining a program would nowadays.