Regarding Khaladon

Author: SIMU-SOLOMON
Date: 10/19/2007 10:13:50 PM

---

Hi Folks...

First off, I'd like to say that we hear what you're saying. We understand that Khaladon was an exceptional GM, who contributed a great deal to the game for several years. I doubt there is a single person out there that could play GemStone for any length of time and not come across something that Khaladon had a hand in. His impact on the game, especially the Platinum instance, was significant and it's only natural that after his departure, emotions are running high and there are lots of questions people would like answered.

However, having said that, it is important that everyone understands that this action, like any of its kind, was done only as a last resort. The decision was not made lightly, nor was it a hasty or knee-jerk reaction. Neither was it based on a single incident or motivated by anything other than the standards and internal policies we have to uphold for the sake of the community.

Speaking in general, whenever we are faced with a situation where a GM or player has stepped outside of the bounds of what is acceptable, there is a process that takes place: There are discussions with the individual, we establish our expectations and explain the problem and what has to be addressed. We then work with the individual to get everyone back on the same page. It is only when this process fails, even in the case of a GM who's been around a long time and a great deal of effort has been expended to try and rectify the situation with the individual, that we are left with no other choice. Sometimes there are differences, in motivation, creativity, or just viewpoint that cannot be resolved, other times the situation is more dire when often irreparable damage is occurring to the game and such incidents are not curtailed. Everyone involved does a great deal of soul searching at times like this and there is a realization that often, in the end, you are damned if you do and damned if you don't. But, in the interest of everyone involved (in particular, the community, whether it's realized or not) there occasionally arises situations where there is regrettably only one possible course of action. We hate being the ones in this position, especially since we are bound by our ethics to not air the dirty laundry (even if the individual involved feels no such obligation).

Some of you have said this seemed sudden and yes, from your perspective, it definitely looks to be "out of the blue". However, just like we don't publicly discuss or announce disciplinary actions taken against other players with you, we also don't discuss the same types of actions taken with staff. We generally don't even discuss those matters with other staff members, since any issues with or concerns about an individual staff member's conduct or performance is between management, that staff member, and their immediate supervisor. We don't send out email or make announcements declaring that Player X was given a warning or locked out and likewise, we maintain the same level of decorum and privacy when it comes to our GMs. This isn't to say that it's "none of your business" because you are all part of "The Community", anything that affects "The Community" affects you. However, these issues are not a matter of public record, out of respect and courtesy for the people involved, be they player or GM.

Over the years, several GMs have come and gone, voluntarily or otherwise. Before Khaladon took over Platinum and Premium, there were other GMs who "made" Plat or Premium what they were and when they left, players left with them, confident that no one would ever be able to take their place. In those players' opinions, the departure of those staff members spelled "The End of Plat" or "The End of Premium" or even "The End of GemStone" and without them, life in Elanthia just wasn't worth living. But then, over time, someone else came along (like Khaladon did) and picked up where those GMs left off and pretty soon, it was a different story. I won't say those GMs were forgotten, because I'm sure that's not the case, nor should it be. We should never overlook or ignore the contributions any GM has made to the game or to the community. We should, however, remember that no single GM is responsible for making GemStone what it is. GemStone is a collaborative effort, made great by the input and involvement of a team of people working together as a whole to achieve a common goal, not as individuals doing their own thing or playing by their own rules. Kitrina, Llothwyn, Khaladon's team members, and the rest of the GemStone staff are still working just as hard for you as they were before Khaladon left and they'll continue to work just as hard for you now, but no single GM can make a community what it is. The community makes the GM(s) what they are.

In closing, I'd like to reiterate that no one is trying to say that you should forget Khaladon's involvement in GemStone, nor should anyone downplay his involvement in Plat. We're in "The Good" topic here on the forums, so continue to celebrate what was Good and continue to wish Khaladon well in the future.

I'll also make it VERY clear that the Platinum instance isn't going anywhere. It won't be shut down and it won't be rebranded or replaced with a "Fallen" version of GemStone. When/If a Fallen instance happens, it will be a totally separate entity.

But also remember that there are a lot of hard working, dedicated GMs that you know (and quite a few that you've not even met yet, now that I mention it) who are upstairs. I'm willing to bet that if they're given the chance and the opportunity to step up, they'll show you what they're capable of.

Again, we wish Khaladon and the other departing GMs (a couple of whom were already in the process of leaving and picked this as an interestingly convenient time to announce that fact) the best in the future and hope they find happiness wherever their travels take them.

Solomon

"Experience will come, it's not a race or anything. The ones who kill themselves to get to the finish are the ones who tire out quickly."

http://www.myspace.com/gemstoneiv

This message was originally posted in Discussions with Simutronics, The Good....(general compliments). To discuss the above follow the link below.

http://www.play.net/forums/messages.asp?forum=102&category=8&topic=2&message=5844