Heyheyhey all, it's me again. A couple of months ago I made my first post ever here /battlefield-2-general-discussion/81407-dear-tactical-gamer.html (can't post links yet) where I sort of reflected on the state of TG at the time. So time has passed, and stuff has happened. PRM has arrived, and the community has now split even more. Not to say that that's a bad thing, because everyone has their own taste in gaming, and it's good to have something for everyone. As for me, I think I'm at that point where I have to make a decision for myself. There are a couple reasons why I'm making this post. Firstly, schoolwork is catching up with me, and secondly, BF2 (and poe2) is getting boring and somewhat frustrating, and I think it would be in my best interest to retire from the battlefield And trust me, I have more resolve than a certain professor, who didn't last a week. Kind of sad, since I only recently got a new computer and mic just so I didn't have to suffer 20fps and people telling me I sounded like charlie brown's parents (true story).

Maybe I'll be back during the summer, maybe if Vanilla comes back, the entire community comes back together and I can't resist (hey I can dream). But as of now, the past few weeks on the server have been kind of iffy, as some have pointed out, to the point where it's kind of frustrating. Now before you guys all say how it's the responsibility of each and everyone of us to do what we can, I think I can say I've done my fair share of stepping up, leading squads, and trying to make things enjoyable for everyone. But hey I think I need a little break To be perfectly honest, I HATE squadleading. I'm usually terrible because I'm either too timid and lack resolve, unable to give firm orders, or I keep getting myself killed. I'd much rather be behind a squad leader and letting him know that there's one more person that he can count on. But there are TONS of other people that are quite inspiring, to say the least. I see them squad lead and feel like I should do my part too! I've watched a lot of TGers take up the position and it's an absolutely awesome thing to see, to see all the enthusiastic support for the community.

To everyone who's passed through my squad and stayed for more than a round or two, THANK YOU. Trust me, and I speak for all squadleaders out there, it means a lot when you stay and give your support. I really wish I could stay on the battlefield, but in my eyes (sadly) the community is slowly drifting away. There'll always be new people, but the game IS almost 2 years old now, and people have moved on. Back then, there were so many of us playing the game that it felt like a different game with each set of players, cause we'd all have our own strategies and stuff. Now, it's just the same people every night, and if you're unlucky enough to get on the wrong side of the field, it's an absolutely horrible experience, and it's nobody's fault. I've put up with it for a while, and all I have to say is that I give up.

Just to make it clear, the primary reason I am leaving is because I really need to focus on other things in my life, for at least the next 3 months or so. If I had to give it a percentage value, this reason is worth 90%. And a much less-important reason is that the game simply is not fun anymore for me. If I have to play 10, 15 hours a week just to get that one enjoyable round, I don't think that's something I want to endure I am not accusing anyone of anything; if anything, I have nothing but respect for EVERY single TGer on the server. For those of you still sticking it through, KEEP IT UP! As people once said to me, your effort does not go unnoticed, and those around you ARE grateful for what you do. Supporting the community is a very, VERY important thing, and unfortunately I'll admit, I have to give up for now, and that's actually a very difficult thing for me.

TO ALL THE NEW TGers out there: people come, people leave, people like us have done what we can for this place, you guys have to pull your own weight now Keep on leading those squads, showing pubs the light. Remember we're TG, we're mature, putting on those tags, like nemesis said long long ago, means we make a decision to support this community. We're beyond pubbies who play just to have fun and screw around, we make sure ALL of us on the server have fun first and foremost. Because this is what TG showed me when I first discovered it. I have seen a bunch of threads recently saying how people are wondering what is 'acceptable' play at TG. What I've always gone by, and what has worked out well for me, is that if you're having ANY SORT OF DOUBT AT ALL, DONT DO IT. You'll feel much better knowing that although maybe you died an embarassing death, at least you didn't do anything that you would feel bad later on about, or cause some sort of resentment by other players. For those of you wanting to improve yourselves, PLEASE CHECK OUT the stickies in the tactics and mission discussion subforum, especially the SL and SM guide by B.

So I guess that's that. Didn't want to just up and leave without saying anything, cause that'd just be bad. Later guys. Take care, yeah?

-thundeer