Welcome Guest ( Log In · Register · Change Skins )
Global PokedeX Plus
Lab · Shelter · Main · Dex · PC · Shop · Stats · Help · Rules · Users Online · IRC Chat
GPX+ GPXPlus Forums Member Options
X   Site Message
(Message will auto close in 2 seconds)
The future of GPX
Zerxer
post Mar 11 2015, 11:23 PM
Post #1


Zerkadelic
Group Icon

Group: Root Administrators
Posts: 3 688
Joined: 11-June 07
From: Texas
Member No.: 2

My Favorites



As you're all aware from the update post yesterday, Wymsy has decided to step down, and we all wish her the best.

She's not only been here for all 6 years of GPXPlus, but also all 8 years of this GTSPlus community. She was the third person to register on this forum, because she was here from the beginning, helping to lay the initial groundwork and then sculpt it over the years. She's done so much such as moderating the forum, creating artwork and sprites, building out the ideas for new features, managing those features like explorations and trinkets, and managing the other staff. That list doesn't even begin to give you a sense of how many hours she's poured into the site, especially during the last year or two when Jeff and I have been on hiatus. She may have been the only non-developer admin, but she was the only one that truly acted like a site and community admin.

It's a deep loss for the staff and the community, but it's a decision that I completely understand and respect. The site has had a good run, and took up a large part of our lives from late teenage years to young adult. It's not something we planned on running forever, and we always knew there would be a time when we'd all have to say our goodbyes. While Jeff and I never officially left, it's pretty clear we checked out long ago. A lot of other staff members have lowered their activity level to the bare minimum as well. Like anything in life, your interest level fades as your responsibility elsewhere rises. I know a lot of you don't want to hear that; it's always sad when your favorite band, TV show cast, or website staff team decides to disband.

As you can all imagine, there has been a lot of discussion in the back-end about how we're going to move forward. In fact, there's a rumor circulating right now about staff insider information confirming that the site will be shut down within the week. I'm here to quell those rumors... sort of.

First off, I will completely admit that we have discussed shutting the site down. There are a number of reasons for this: Jeff and I haven't had the time or motivation to update the site with new features the way all websites should endlessly grow, Wymsy leaving, activity dropping a lot over the last year, and because of that last point, funds drying up which we need so we can keep paying for our expensive dedicated server. Of course, the reason our server is so pricey is because we needed it to be a powerhouse back when the site was extremely active. I'm not asking any of you to rush in and start donating either, please don't read that this way.

Now that I've gotten that part out of the way... there's still a part of me that doesn't want to see the site close down. This site means so much to so many people. A lot of you have spent the last 6 years here, even without being staff. You've all made online friends, and sometimes more than that. I know I've made lifelong friends here, ones that I've met multiple times in person and still talk to daily. Even Jen, my girlfriend of almost 5 years, is someone I came to know thanks to this website. Last night I thought for sure this was the end -- we had made up our minds -- but then I stared at the Main/Party page of the site, refreshing with my spacebar, and thinking how terrible it would be if no one got to experience this anymore. It started to feel like losing a family member, and became all too real to me.

The option to shut the site down is still a possibility... but if we go that route, we will warn you all at least a month in advance so that you can do whatever you need to do before losing access. However, my goal is to keep the site going. My plan for the future is to move the website to a cheaper server, or cloud-based solution, which is why I'm not asking for a donation drive. We're okay right now, in fact the server's next three months of life are already paid for. Another step is to restructure the staff so that anyone who's inactive is removed and anyone who still really cares is kept around and possibly promoted. While Jeff and I still won't be around much at all to implement new features, I would make sure one or two people are put in charge, in almost the same role Wymsy had, so that the site can continue to have some new content. That content would likely include Trinkets, Explorations, and new Pokémon. There may even be more events going forward. I'm sure the SWSH is still something that would happen, as well as all of the other automatic events.

The site will, in essence, live on frozen in time, for all of you to continue to enjoy.

Who knows what the future will hold beyond this scope?


Edit: Please note that this post isn't asking for people to volunteer to help out. A large part of the problem is that handling contests and implementing new features is all code-based, and we would not be comfortable at all giving anyone access to that outside of myself and Jeff.

We've already got plans for how we're going to proceed with moderators and other staff. If we decide we need to bring more talent on board, that's something we'll handle when we get there. Thank you for your concern and the offers, though!


--------------------
Want a rotating avatar like mine? Check out my website: randimg!
Thanks to all of the people in this thread and this thread for the various avatars!





Go to the top of the page
+Quote Post


Posts in this topic
Zerxer   The future of GPX   Mar 11 2015, 11:23 PM
Darth Krytie   Thanks for taking the time to write such a thought...   Mar 11 2015, 11:25 PM
Jen   Thanks for keeping the site open. Even if it is ...   Mar 11 2015, 11:26 PM
Poptart Cat   Same. I'm still quite active, but I don't...   Mar 11 2015, 11:29 PM
Aragarthiel   Thanks for such a heartfelt post. I'd like t...   Mar 11 2015, 11:30 PM
Poptart Cat   QUOTE(Aragarthiel @ Mar 11 2015, 08:30 PM...   Mar 11 2015, 11:34 PM
Doom Hunter   This is something I am glad to hear. With Wymsy go...   Mar 11 2015, 11:30 PM
Makeltos   First of all, thank you for the honesty in your wo...   Mar 11 2015, 11:33 PM
The Majestic Mr L   Frozen is better than nonexistent. I was consideri...   Mar 11 2015, 11:34 PM
Zerxer   Please note that this post isn't asking for pe...   Mar 11 2015, 11:36 PM
Aragarthiel   We're here if you need us!   Mar 11 2015, 11:39 PM
Gryphaena   Well, I'm glad there's something like this...   Mar 11 2015, 11:48 PM
Poptart Cat   QUOTE(Zerxer @ Mar 11 2015, 08:36 PM) Ple...   Mar 11 2015, 11:45 PM
Plantronic   :$ Really I read this and can't decide o...   Mar 11 2015, 11:37 PM
Candidate Psyduck   To repeat what others have already said, thank you...   Mar 11 2015, 11:46 PM
PawsrentOrigin   It makes me glad that the site is going to continu...   Mar 11 2015, 11:50 PM
Jade   Honestly after 5 and a half years on this site mys...   Mar 11 2015, 11:52 PM
FusionWarrior   I know you explicitly said you aren't looking ...   Mar 11 2015, 11:54 PM
Terezi Pyrope   I wish I was better at coding to apply to step up ...   Mar 11 2015, 11:54 PM
Gambrinous Antiscian   I'm so happy to hear that the site will contin...   Mar 12 2015, 12:02 AM
Level-X   Man I was very nervous to open this topic, but I...   Mar 12 2015, 12:03 AM
The Majestic Mr L   I'll be honest, when I joined in December of 2...   Mar 12 2015, 12:06 AM
Walking On Sunshine   Nearing my 6th year on this site, I'm glad to ...   Mar 12 2015, 12:16 AM
Giraffe A Laugh   I love you all ;A; It's been such an honour to...   Mar 12 2015, 12:18 AM
Lunar Eclipse   I will admit- I sometimes described GPX as "m...   Mar 12 2015, 12:20 AM
Vande   Having just reached over my 5th year on the site -...   Mar 12 2015, 12:36 AM
Fletchling   I'm glad to have this information. My activit...   Mar 12 2015, 12:40 AM
demonicvampiregirl   May not be the most active of people anymore but I...   Mar 12 2015, 12:45 AM
Sociopathic Sherlock   Frozen in time is better than losing what I've...   Mar 12 2015, 12:51 AM
Icicle   I have to admit, I had a lump when I saw in the Fa...   Mar 12 2015, 12:54 AM
The Yatagarasu   While my activity has dropped pretty drastically (...   Mar 12 2015, 12:56 AM
Flamewire   Best of luck with everything, guys. You have my su...   Mar 12 2015, 12:57 AM
Destry   I see a lot of "glad the site isn't closi...   Mar 12 2015, 01:01 AM
Caladrius   QUOTE(Destry @ Mar 11 2015, 11:01 PM) I s...   Mar 12 2015, 07:51 AM
Skins T   Thanks for the update post! I'm glad to he...   Mar 12 2015, 01:02 AM
AdmiralPerry   Man... it's hard to believe the amount of time...   Mar 12 2015, 01:19 AM
Lord Raven   I haven't been as active as I used to be here,...   Mar 12 2015, 01:23 AM
Kamizard   My heart was racing as I frantically read this pos...   Mar 12 2015, 01:40 AM
Gato   Thank you for informing us! There are tons of...   Mar 12 2015, 02:00 AM
lunio   I know I've basically never posted before, but...   Mar 12 2015, 02:01 AM
Aetherium   Was expecting this if I'm honest. Was only a m...   Mar 12 2015, 03:28 AM
Synx Itax   Without going deeper into it, I sincerely believed...   Mar 12 2015, 03:53 AM
The Majestic Mr L   QUOTE(Synx Itax @ Mar 12 2015, 04:53 AM) ...   Mar 12 2015, 02:14 PM
GothMetal   It's like I have to say something... I underst...   Mar 12 2015, 03:56 AM
m190049   ... I've never really thought about it, but.....   Mar 12 2015, 04:04 AM
Kari ShadowWolf   I really appreciate that you took the time to make...   Mar 12 2015, 04:11 AM
Forget me now   Exactly what m190049 said in the beginning of his ...   Mar 12 2015, 05:08 AM
Swizzle   This will be my 6th year on the site and it has be...   Mar 12 2015, 06:31 AM
Vesus Levide   Thank you for your heartfelt words and all your (t...   Mar 12 2015, 06:36 AM
Xazinay   Thank you for all that you guys have done, and for...   Mar 12 2015, 07:09 AM
Professor Eucalyptus   Wow, not really sure what to say here... feels lik...   Mar 12 2015, 07:31 AM
Wastelander   I'd be the first to admit that Wymsy stepping ...   Mar 12 2015, 07:39 AM
Hiraelle   Well, that's not really a surprise. I don...   Mar 12 2015, 07:52 AM
SolarMoon59   Regardless of what the future holds, I really enjo...   Mar 12 2015, 07:59 AM
Aligatueur   I've been here for 6 years too. And this site ...   Mar 12 2015, 08:11 AM
Hiraelle   QUOTE(Aligatueur @ Mar 12 2015, 02:11 PM)...   Mar 12 2015, 09:50 AM
Professor Cyanide   Awhs, I haven't been around for 6 years, thoug...   Mar 12 2015, 08:22 AM
PKMN Trainer Aka   Damn. I never thought about it, but this site...   Mar 12 2015, 10:09 AM
Mamanator   I can't tell you what it means to have read yo...   Mar 12 2015, 10:27 AM
Shinehollow   Thank you for such the heartfelt post...I don...   Mar 12 2015, 11:11 AM
WillowIstari   Whatever ends up happening, thank you for keeping ...   Mar 12 2015, 11:12 AM
Dinogrrl   Been here since pretty early on, though I don...   Mar 12 2015, 11:24 AM
Elocin   The last six years have been an incredible journey...   Mar 12 2015, 11:33 AM
Chespin   I know I've been pretty inactive lately, but g...   Mar 12 2015, 11:41 AM
Tyranisaur   I'm glad that gpx is not going to get shut dow...   Mar 12 2015, 11:52 AM
Sofia   I'm one of those people who has been around fo...   Mar 12 2015, 11:58 AM
Lilium Alice   It didn't occur to me until reading this just ...   Mar 12 2015, 11:58 AM
Morgoth   I'm glad to hear GPX will still be on, at leas...   Mar 12 2015, 11:58 AM
Rapps   I can't say I didn't see this coming, even...   Mar 12 2015, 12:38 PM
Merli   I have been on this site for a very long time, I t...   Mar 12 2015, 02:18 PM
Captain Epic   As soon as I saw Wymsy's goodbye post, I knew ...   Mar 12 2015, 02:27 PM
Mariocool1999   I feel relieved that this site isn't shutting ...   Mar 12 2015, 02:54 PM
Aringon   Well I for one have known this was coming for a lo...   Mar 12 2015, 03:38 PM
Draikette   Well................that stinks. :<   Mar 12 2015, 03:55 PM
Arthur Kirkland   Thanks for letting us know about the future. I che...   Mar 12 2015, 04:37 PM
Munchlax   I still remember someone advertising this site on ...   Mar 12 2015, 04:40 PM
Kingis   I knew this day would have to come and I still can...   Mar 12 2015, 04:49 PM
Leomon2004   There is another site I go to daily which used to ...   Mar 12 2015, 04:53 PM
Charquaza   I've been on this site for a while, and while ...   Mar 12 2015, 04:57 PM
LazyCharmander   Howdy! I don't talk much in the Forums as...   Mar 12 2015, 05:08 PM
Something is Odd in Kanto   Man, I don't know what I'd do if this site...   Mar 12 2015, 05:06 PM
Galaxy   I'm glad to see that you guys are considering ...   Mar 12 2015, 05:25 PM
Ava of Lavender Town   Thanks for keeping us all updated, Z. It wold hav...   Mar 12 2015, 05:46 PM
Tangerine   As someone who joined rather recently, I must say ...   Mar 12 2015, 06:07 PM
BlackStarLine   Well, I suppose it's to be expected eventually...   Mar 12 2015, 06:22 PM
Megaree   If the site were to go down, I would literally be ...   Mar 12 2015, 06:39 PM
Zulo   A month from now will mark 6 years since I registe...   Mar 12 2015, 07:33 PM
fensti   Of course I finally decide to come back and all th...   Mar 12 2015, 07:45 PM
SilverPT   I'm really glad that you took the time to expl...   Mar 12 2015, 08:15 PM
Zellian   All I've been hoping for since I came back fro...   Mar 12 2015, 09:31 PM
Veta   I'm so glad you aren't ending GPX! I ...   Mar 12 2015, 09:46 PM
Growly Lobita   Thanks for keeping us in the loop- I've been p...   Mar 12 2015, 11:26 PM
Myou   Wow... I'll have been here for 6 years come Ju...   Mar 12 2015, 11:27 PM
13akoors   I haven't played as long as most people have, ...   Mar 13 2015, 10:55 AM
Jenis90   April 16 will be six years since I started playing...   Mar 13 2015, 11:23 AM
Bellathea   Wow, I'm here now for about two weeks, never h...   Mar 13 2015, 12:13 PM
Zamorak   May 8th 2015 will mark 5 years of me being on this...   Mar 13 2015, 12:23 PM
Roxi   This is disheartening and encouraging at the same ...   Mar 13 2015, 12:59 PM
Shauntal   I'm glad that the site will still be up- I mea...   Mar 13 2015, 02:54 PM
Alicat   I'm very happy to hear the site is still stayi...   Mar 13 2015, 03:06 PM

2 Pages V   1 2 >


Closed TopicStart new topic
1 User(s) are reading this topic (1 Guests and 0 Anonymous Users)
0 Members:

 

Lo-Fi Version Time is now: 28th March 2024 - 10:18 AM
All content and images ©2007-2015 GPX.Plus and Shiny New Software, LLC. Powered By IPB 2.3.1 © 2024 IPS, Inc.
Optimal viewing in the latest version of Safari, Chrome, or Firefox, 1024x768+.