Thank you

Things don't always go according to plan. This new year brought me a series of surprises--surprises that have led me to conclude that after ten years in the game industry--seven of those on The Matrix Online--it is time for me to go.

This decision is purely personal, and the responsibility for it rests solely on me. Fortunately, the day-to-day operation of the game servers, aside from maybe a crash here or there, doesn't have anything to do with the coming or going of one small game designer. If things go according to plan this time, then Friday the 13th of February, the day after the release of Update 66, will be my last day here at SOE.

Update 66 is currently scheduled to include critical graphic fixes for Vista users, and a variety of goodies for everyone, including a few little items that will remain secret until the day of release. It will *not* include any advancement of the main story. I'll be posting most of my story documentation, including the outline for the overall story  that had been planned through the end of this year--a year that was to wrap up pretty much all of the main story we've had so far--as well as the detailed mission and event plans for each subchapter all the way back to 5.2. These will, I hope, answer some questions. Where the story goes from here, however, will be--finally--up to you.

I'd like to thank the old Monolith team, WB, SOE, the Wachowski brothers, and Paul Chadwick for making the tremendous opportunity I've had here possible. I don't count on ever again having a chance to work on such a cool project, with such devoted fans. It is those fans that I have to thank particularly; even if we drove each other crazy now and then, I think many of us will agree that we had our moments. My regret is that I have been unable to find a way to stretch those moments out into the full-fledged online Matrix experience that you all deserve.

But who knows? The Internet will probably be around for a while, and maybe we'll run into each other somewhere down the line.

Thanks again.

Ben Chamberlain, aka "Rarebit"

*FAINTS*

All the best in your endevours Rarebit,

You will be sadly missed.

Hopefully you wont be a stranger. Admin level yourself a 50 before you go! haha

Then get our player experience!

All the best again and make sure you go with a bang!

Ra2za

Veteran Subscriber

AWWH! no!!!

you will be missed, may I say even more than Walrus (at least for me) you've done so much for this game its hard to believe what it will be like without you, but I have noticed how you have been phasing yourself out so its not a huge suprise, I just didn't think it would be so early in the year. I wonder what will happen when the delightful tale you have spun comes to an end.

by the way your going to hell! (leaving on udate 66 )

Dun dun durrrr

Well, whatever you do I wish you good luck.

Awww Noes... *hides* does that mean we can do........whatever......we......want? ^.^

Goodbye Mxo?..

Oh and can i have your stuff? Including FM-1500.

/salute

Good luck in your future Endevours Rarebit....................................................

*curls into a corner to cry

*PASSES OUT* am i dreaming this isnt real his lieing aint he tell me he is

Assassin masks for everyone?

Sad times. I think we all agree that you have been wonderful for this game, and probably the sole reason it is still here, I wish you all the best with your future and appreciate everything you did.

Sadly this could be the final nail in the coffin for this game...

I've reflected some more and decided....

you need a big going away party!

   Give me the server logs before you go.  kthxbai.

   Edit: Oh, does this mean LESIG is dead, too?  Teh happiness. ^-^

After that admin spazz out, this happens? Hmmm....

*sniffs an odd smell in the air*

And I think we should get something to remember you by.... *looks at awakened glasses and coat*

Or at least something so we can say ''Yeah it was from when Rarebit was the big daddy of mxo... And no yu cant have it coz its non tradable!''

Classic!

Take note of this post Rare! I blagged enough for this don't leave me hanging after the years haha!

jl10899 wrote:

Assassin masks for everyone?

Not to keep posting but this idea rules... *evil grin* Thats a going away gift!!!!

Brommerz77 wrote:

Sad times. I think we all agree that you have been wonderful for this game, and probably the sole reason it is still here, I wish you all the best with your future and appreciate everything you did.

Sadly this could be the final nail in the coffin for this game...

QFT!!!

All the best to ya Rarebit. I can only have negative thoughts about the future of MXO from this point foward. Hopefully i am wrong.

Suppose this means it's finally coming to an end...

Please, when you can, if you can, tell us how long we have left. There is much to be done.

It all makes sense now.

I don't suppose the story is ever going to continue, then?

Pity. Well, since it's now abundantly clear that you were phasing yourself out of the picture rather than dropping the hammer, I suppose I can be a little less pissed off at you, though, really, I can understand why you'd want to leave this project.

Well, you know what, Rare? I'm willing to forget the past year of this game for all that you gave us earlier on and wish you good luck wherever it is that you wind up. I'm sure years of epic achivement as the sole member of a dying development team will be something that will take you many, many places. It's a shame I never met you in person - I always wanted to explain that I'm not a complete and total assshole in real life.

Good luck and good health. Thanks for your time and effort.

Ra2za wrote:

And I think we should get something to remember you by.... *looks at awakened glasses and coat*

Or at least something so we can say ''Yeah it was from when Rarebit was the big daddy of mxo... And no yu cant have it coz its non tradable!''

Classic!

Take note of this post Rare! I blagged enough for this don't leave me hanging after the years haha!

like a meatwad ability that only works once ever 2 months!

You will be missed Rarebit.  I'll always think of you as one of the only people who showed a genuine interest in this game and its players.  It won't be the same without you.

Good luck in your future endeavors.

I'm sorry to here this news and would hope that you reconsider (if possible) your decision after the outpouring this thread is definitely going to get.  If not, then I wish you the best and appreciated the job you did.  Good luck.

Well, somebody just pulled MxO's jack.

I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream has gone from me.

Neoteny wrote:

It's a shame I never met you in person - I always wanted to explain that I'm not a complete and total assshole in real life.

Good luck and good health. Thanks for your time and effort.

Same from me. Heh.

YES! when are the servers being shut down.

Archangel wrote:

Well, somebody just pulled MxO's jack.

I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream has gone from me.

Too true.

Wow whats to say thats not been said Good luck man and see you on the other side of the looking glass

Grave

Also, if you could PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make a massive dump of current story transcripts, missions and all, before the end it'd be greatly appreciated. The story must be preserved past the end of this game. Nothing else has ever mattered to me here.

Well my question do we still have to pay for a sub, if there is no story or anything new coming out?  I cousin talked about Eyes and crap in the sky     that would kick arse  but hey do i have to pay for a dead game

I am so sorry to see you go.  But you must do what is right for you.

Looks like the Groundhog's RSI saw it's shadow, and there will only be two more weeks of Rarebit with us. =(

Thank you for everything you have done.  Know that you have always been appreciated by the majority of us.  I don't blame you for moving on.  We all have move on eventually, and now is the right time if you decide so.  I wish you all the best of luck.  You will never be forgotten by everyone here.

I don't know what else to say... I'm out of words.

/phormalcurtsey

Brommerz77 wrote:

Sad times. I think we all agree that you have been wonderful for this game, and probably the sole reason it is still here, I wish you all the best with your future and appreciate everything you did.

Sadly this could be the final nail in the coffin for this game...

Agreed.

Bye mxo.

cloudwolf wrote:

Also, if you could PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE make a massive dump of current story transcripts, missions and all, before the end it'd be greatly appreciated. The story must be preserved past the end of this game. Nothing else has ever mattered to me here.

   *drools*

   Also, open the LESIG forum.  And give me the server logs.

It was always a pleasure, Rarebit. Thank you.

Take care, Rarebit, and I wish you good fortune in whatever you do... I'm sorry to see you go, but you did a great job, in my eyes...

./formalcurtsey

./tiphat

./sit

./mood shy

Good luck, so long, untill we meet again.

It has always been an honour

Rsy

byond wrote:

Brommerz77 wrote:

Sad times. I think we all agree that you have been wonderful for this game, and probably the sole reason it is still here, I wish you all the best with your future and appreciate everything you did.

Sadly this could be the final nail in the coffin for this game...

QFT!!!

All the best to ya Rarebit. I can only have negative thoughts about the future of MXO from this point foward. Hopefully i am wrong.

Same.

 This is without a doubt one of the saddest if not the saddest day for MxO. Guess that is why you chose Friday 13 for it.

 And Rarebit. Thank you too for giving us one of the greatest game experiences we could ask for. And we hope you find what you are looking for.

 Oh and by the way... stop by from time to time.

It's sad to here your leaving Rarebit and let's be honest, this game was being held together cause of you.

You've been a big part of the game and you will be missed. It's a shame I never got to meet you in person either, hope to see you around somewhere else some day!

I was taking a break of sorts, but now I can't see a valid reason to return, after all the changes only what you did was really any incentive to do things.

2008 Was a crap year for me, but it looks like 2009 is turning out to be a great year!

I'm surprised no one has said it yet, so I will, for teh lulz.

"Can I have your stuff?"

Neoteny wrote:

I'm surprised no one has said it yet, so I will, for teh lulz.

"Can I have your stuff?"

   I did ask for server logs.

Rarebit... thank you.  For over three years, MXO - specifically, its storyline, missions and events - have been among the happiest experiences of my life.  As an aspiring game developer, your connection to the community and dedication to this game has inspired me.  I wish you well in whatever comes next for you. 

Who is going to be taking the frontseat now?

Hopefully it wont be the nail in the coffin for this game....

I would love to say reconsider Rarebit but I know for you to post something like this, your mind was made up a long time ago.

Leave us with a bang and a good old present to remember you buy!

All the best boss!

E

Aquatium. wrote:

 after all the changes only what you did was really any incentive to do things.

QFT. You made this game, and it is really is a sad day... You are pretty much solely responsible for what this game is, and it simply will not be the same. Like I said previously, all the best, and your efforts (despite the occasional poor reception) will never be forgotton and were never taken for granted. But yeah, sadly, this is probably it for MxO.

My heart just sank.

See ya in anotha life, brutha.

Dr5mith wrote:

/salute

Good luck in your future Endevours Rarebit....................................................

*curls into a corner to cry

Lmao DrSmith ftw

Good Luck dude..... I think that is it for the game

I wish you best of luck out there in RL Rarebit.

And this will lead MxO where?

The End...

I wish you the best with whatever you have chosen to do. Mxo will miss you. Take care

Sorry about the multi-posts but im still having a little trouble collecting my thoughts.

But I just wanted to say thank you for everything you've done to support the game. My years here have been some of the most important and influencial of my life. No, really. I've made real life friends and connections from this place, and for that alone, your commitment should be commended.

Can we get some details from Brenlo or any of the other 10 admin that are on the forums?

I have dreamed a dream, but now that dream has gone from me.

Rarebit, this is truly earth-shattering news.  The Matrix Online has been an integral part of my, all of our lives going on four years for many of us.  Even in the spans of months where my subscription has gone unused, I’ve never strayed far from the forums, and keeping in the loop as to what was coming down the line from our amazing developer with his limitless energy and boundless ways to improve a game that was given to him with no tools for improvement.

In my brief stint as a liaison, I was honored to be able to at least catch a glimpse of your side of this game.  The imagination of your story, even when it seemed to stray from what we wanted, was always something to be admired.

This community will sorely miss you, and I know that my experience will always seem a little hollow without you.  Thank you for everything, and good luck.