[X] My Assistant

[Zerxer]

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!

[E a r t h A n g ...]

hope the site doesnt go down couse i spend alot of hours here and made alot of friends.

[Angel Kaiba]

I would hate to see this site die! I know I haven't been around 6 years to be considered someone "important" but I have enjoyed collecting Pokemon, going on explorations, getting trinkets and so on. I remember when I first started I couldn't be torn away from the site. Even now I still love getting on every day to see what new things I can find.

[Bidoof]

Even though I'm not very active and didn't make any friends here, I usually check on this place just to see how things are going. I hope this site doesn't die soon.

[Rocketeer]

I would be sad to see the website go. I hope you can keep it alive, somehow! I've spent a lot of time on here, not so much on the forum but certainly on the main base of GPX.

[Pizza Guy111]

While this was a depressing read, I'm at least glad thought was poured into the continuation of the site. I might not be as active as I used to be but it would be sad to see such a large part of my internet travels to shut down.

[Sgt Xana]

I have no words to properly express my level of disappointment right now. This situation is just disgusting. And don't any of you demonize me for saying it, I'm just saying what each and every one of you are thinking.

[Vande]

I'm certainly not thinking that...you can have your own opinion, but it isn't right to say that everyone else is thinking it.
I respect their decision and besides...the new staff are in..new stuff is happening. So..um yeah.

[Lord Raven]

I have no words to properly express my level of disappointment right now. This situation is just disgusting. And don't any of you demonize me for saying it, I'm just saying what each and every one of you are thinking.

Disappointment over what?

[Slix]

Thanks for letting us know, Zerx. This site definitely does mean a lot to a lot of people, and while I haven't been on much (hardly at all) in the past year and a half, GPX+ meant a lot to me for a few years, before that. I'm glad you don't have imminent plans to shut down the site, since it would most definitely cause a lot of people sadness, which I know you don't exactly want to have happen, though it might someday need to be shutdown.

Thank you all for all your hard work over the years, and I'll be checking in to see what's happening here and there.

[EspeonCastle]

I would really hate to see this site shut down. Even if there wont be any more novelties or pokemon, we should still be able to log on and do things, right?

[Cubone Cuddler]

Thank you for not shutting the site down. I seriously use it for emotional support and, while I know that's not your problem , I'm really grateful that the site is continuing.

[the1stpkmnfan]

I remember signing up for this site almost 5 and a half years ago. And I still find joy in coming to this site, for better or worse (i.e. loosing a chance at getting a rare egg lol). But all in all, I've enjoyed GPX, and I quite enjoyed the Pokemon I've been raising and sheltering in my PCs.

Sure, I may not hold the same, strong connections through other forum members, since I don't use the forum regularly. However, there are some amazing, generous users on this site, and it's like we're all helping each other out mentally.

It's also understandable to see the site shut down in the coming year or so. But, all in all, life has been getting busy for me, and I don't find myself coming back consistently. GPX+ is still in my bookmarks, and I always come back regardless.

Thanks again for the heartfelt words and the ongoing dedication.

[Blitzbits]

Now I feel silly for not registering three years ago when I first heard of this site.

Like the others have said, I'm glad you took the time to explain the behind of your actions and your tentative plans. Even if this "frozen" state turns out to be unsustainable, and handing the site over to someone else isn't an option, that would be perfectly understandable.

I'm amazed by all the love, time and effort you've put into this website and forums, and all the maintenance -- it shows in every aspect of the site.

[Zap Shinx]

Even though I do go on in spurts, I really do hope that this site stays up, even if there isn't going to be any new content. I really like the Explorations, Site Wide Shiny Hunts, and all the Pokemon here!

I just hope that this site stays up. It is so much fun.

[Breech Loader]

I feel like when blatantly inactive members are removed and the site is on a more reasonable server, the site can indeed stay open, and heck, maybe grow again. After all, Pokemon isn't a franchise that's going to fail easily.

[Nayelianne]

Aw, so sad to hear about the possibility of the site closing down in the future. ;_; I confess I haven't been as active as I once were in the past, but the site means so much to me still. I really hope things get sorted out. Thank you for keeping the site up so far. <3

[Haxorus]

You guys have made such a wonderful service. This is and will always be my favourite egg/critter adoption site, and my favourite Pokemon fansite. All of you--the founding trio, and the staff you've hired--deserve several rounds of applause, for you've done a bloody good job.

This site is very special to me, holds lots of great memories to me. Recently, it's been of a huge emotional help as I've gone through stress. Warming eggs and feeding Pokemon on my phone while in the outside really helps me with my social anxiety.

I'm proud to have seen it in its early stages, and honestly? Knowing your coding capabilities, seeing what FETO was like, I had a feeling it was going to be /huge/. I was inactive for a time and then I came back. And all of the new stuff you've implemented? It's fantastic. I'm taking User Experience Design, and if I was to write a report on a site that I think has great design in those aspects, it would be GPX+.

I'm so glad that you're making an effort to keep everything alive, while not hindering your own non-site goals. <3 I know you're not asking for donations but I'll gladly contribute more funds too.

Thank you so much for an awesome site and service, and thank you as well for keeping it open.

[anycold1011]

I didn't play gpxplus for about 2 years. Now I play back and find that the game is getting more and more interesting. I love pokemon and I hope I can travel with pokemon's world until the end of my day. Thank all guys so much.