[Setekh]

Well, as you know, the FS community at large has been more active over the past few hours than it has been in years. This is to be expected. But in light of what's going on, especially with the impression we've made over Adrenaline Vault (right or wrong), I'd like to give you all some sound words to think on.

• We all love this game. It's hard to swallow for everyone, but I am confident that everyone wants the best for it - even when we disagree. Some want Smart to go ahead; some would have it over their dead bodies. What I want everyone to remember is that no one is trying to be stupid about this - Derek is not, AV is not, HLP is not. This is what happens when we're all passionate about the same thing. Be willing to swallow your pride for a little while, at the very least.
• Stay cool. This may be the hardest thing I ask you all to do, but I want you all to stop posting for a while. Go away and sleep on this, or just do some reading. I know myself, I am going to withhold judgement at least for 24 hours, while I read up and take stock of all the facts we're presented with. I think it would be wise for everyone to follow suit. This issue is still going to be here tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that.
• Remember why we are here, and what HLP stands for. I was just having a chat with one of the older members of the community, and we were lamenting how the recent events have shown a side of HLP that didn't exist all those years ago when Thunder and I started up this humble gathering. What are we about? Bringing Modders Together. Are we about burning bridges? Certainly not, especially not on a moment's notice. Try to keep that in mind.
• As you all know, we have plenty of visitors checking us out now. I want to remind you that we haven't anything to be embarassed about. I personally would like to extend the welcome to everyone new: stay as long as you like, get to know us, and get caught up with it all. As I have said to the HLPers with regard to everyone else, we are just the same as you - we are passionate about this game (sometimes a bit too much), and like you, we don't have the whole picture of what's going on or what's best. We're surely not going to help each other just by arguing. Let's turn this thing around and get to establishing a positive relationship between our two communities. I know that's what I want.

So guys, please take my words to heart. I really do think that everyone has much to gain from this situation, but let's think a little more about what we do and keep our real aims in mind - to gather peacefully, co-ordinate, advance, and enjoy this great game, in whatever form it takes.

[Sandwich]

*nods in agreement*

[Fineus]

Yep, sound advice - as always

[Rictor]

Yup, voice of reason. I would suggest you stickify this, but I know that everyone just skips right over the stickied thread for some reason, but this should remain in a visible place.

Basically, it pretty clear than everyone here has the best interests of the game at heart. You could say that our response to yesterday's developments was...rude, and I would agree, but I think that there aren't a whole lot of gamers who would have been any more restrained. Things should settle down a bit down, now that people have had a few hours to cool off. I think its rather obvious, from the discussion at Blues News, VE3D, Penny Arcade and elsewhere, where the gaming community stands on this, and I'm glad that its with us.

[aldo_14]

'enemy of my enemy' effect, I think.

[Unknown Target]

Sound advice as always setekh. I will try as much as possible to not overreact.

[Setekh]

Thanks for the support, you folks. I am keen to see this situation evolve over the next few days - I'm disappointed that I'll be away next week for five days, but I intend to make sure things are headed in the right direction before I leave.

[Stealth]

Originally posted by Rictor
I would suggest you stickify this, but I know that everyone just skips right over the stickied thread for some reason, but this should remain in a visible place.

I don't.  the important threads that are stickied, as you mentioned, no one ever looks at.  if it's an important thread, people will reply to it, and it'll stay near the top of the list

[Turnsky]

sound advice steak... sound advice..

[Unknown Target]

Also, as a note to everyone in this community: we are a proffesional community, made up of very talented people. Let's try to act as mature as we usually do, and not let this fuss make us give people the wrong impression.

[Sigma957]

I agree with you Steak and I reckon we should continue on what we are doing,modding fs2 to the max and bringing out all its potential

[Setekh]

Spread the sanity, guys. After having the initial rush of responses (which I don't blame anyone for, but which I think we could have done better with), it's about time for some calm to settle.

[Fractux]

I think this out to be stickied at this point in time

Cheers!

EDIT: Oh yeah, and IMHO the news post just under this one by theVirtue , should be toned down just a bit, cause its like staring at black and white on the first page.

[Alpha Leader]

Well Setekh, you're right. You're always right, like when we were on the VBB:nod:

[an0n]

I thought this thread was going to be:

"Quack"
"Buzz"
"Moo"

[Nico]

Originally posted by Alpha Leader
Well Setekh, you're right. You're always right, like when we were on the VBB:nod:

But he's not human, that's why.

He can't be human.




He just can't.

[Kazan]

Sound Advice

I think we should thank all the other gaming sites (Such as those that Rictor mentioned) that are taking a stand with us.

[Gloriano]

Originally posted by Sandwich
*nods in agreement*

[vyper]

Ever the optomist you are Steaky...

[Setekh]

Originally posted by Fractux
EDIT: Oh yeah, and IMHO the news post just under this one by theVirtue , should be toned down just a bit, cause its like staring at black and white on the first page.

Which, regrettably, I have done - with the proper acknowledgement.

And again, thanks be to all for the support - the example over at AV of how a few small words by only a few people can have a great effect must reminds us that we've gotta be united on this one, all going in the same direction and knowing where that is. While it may seem so, vyper, it is not merely a matter of optimism; the way we behave here has an appreciable effect on each other, our visitors, and on this situation with Derek. I for one am sure we can, with determination, turn it around and make it positive.