MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
Yes, unfortunately, the reboot sort of closed that chapter for good, for me. I remember being concerned about how the new game was going to be put into Ufopaedia (or even if it should). When my suggestion for handling URL phrasing (new game pages vs old ones) got ignored, I sort of gave up on Ufopaedia. At least, as something I still felt I was an integral part of. I wish them well, and I wish the site well, but it's not the same. A big part of the appeal way back when, was how it was largely forgotten. It was just us handful of guys, figuring out how an old, beloved classic works. But now there are hundreds of new fans of the new game, on Ufopaedia.
I felt the same things you did MTR, when XCOM came out. Antiquated, old, forgotten, like I didn't belong anymore. For the first time ever, I took a break from X-COM. I missed it everyday, thought of it a lot too. But, that time away gave me a chance to reevaluate things and I realized that here is where I belong. It's hard getting back into the swing of things though, a lot of the camaraderie which was present when UFOPaedia was formed is now gone. It's hard to get interested when you don't have a lot of like-minded people to bounce ideas off of. Thing is, all these fans of the new series are an opportunity... to get them interested in the original series, and to perhaps contribute in some way. Like it or not, we needed the new members to keep the site alive.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
This touches on another topic, and why I ultimately made my own website: I've had a few serious problems over the years with wiki work disappearing... see
my entries for Railroads!, whose entire wiki simply COMPLETELY disappeared a year after it was hot (Wayback to the rescue), and Sins of a Solar Empire, which got poorly grafted onto Wikia a couple years after it was hot, and almost all its original work was lost. And we've all seen our Wikipedia and other edits simply get wiped by someone who missed an important point or, worse, is anonymous (like on Wikia) and gives no reason at all.
I hope you realize by now that the UFOPaedia wiki isn't going to fall by the wayside anytime soon. It's too important to fail now. And I feel we are in good hands with Jo5hua hosting it. I think that maybe the reason why those other wiki's failed was because of a lack of a dedicated community like we have here. That's the difference.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
Another reason I made my site is because I have done SO much work over my life... but almost no one outside of each particular circle (here, Ufopaedia) knows any of the rest. Nor do any of my friends and family have any real idea whatsoever of its scale. Yeah, sure, you can say "I've done a lot of game wiki work" in a conversation. But you can't say you've written encyclopedias; it sounds like hyperbole in casual conversation. You have to show you've written encyclopedias.
Meh, bringing that up in conversation may be important to some people I guess but not me (of course I haven't written as much as you have). For the few times I talk about anything X-COM related with anybody, mostly it's about my collection or about administrating a fan website. For the people that really know me (like relatives and good friends), I'm fine to leave them in the dark a little bit. Really, this is a hobby which is important to me, but few people are as passionate as I am about it. If pressed about the subject I'm happy to spew all sorts of info if they are responsive. Mostly though, I just listen to the other person.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
I would have loved to see if you guys had similar "achievement" pages of your work. I looked some and gave links to what I could find quick, but as is natural, I mainly remember what I did. And others closely involved with that. If I had had a place to look and see what others have done (like Zombie is now saying more details), then I could have said a lot more about them. But short of that, I don't have their perspective of their life and work, I only have my own.
I don't think it is a huge priority for a lot of contributors to "toot their own horn" so to speak of their accomplishments. Sure,they are proud of what they have done, but this is a rather humble community. There's a reason why I never fleshed out my profile page on the wiki, what's there to say? If you are interested in me, it isn't too hard to find out a lot of stuff just by looking at my edits or posts in the forums.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
Right, I think we all have our own particular style. It's truly amazing to see the depth of work you've done Zombie, including your commitment to detail. Like those Alien Stats. I imagine you have done that all over the place.
Thanks, I have my finger in a lot of pots, this is true, if only to understand the game better. The proof of the pudding is indeed in the details. We have to hold ourselves to a higher standard though as otherwise it's just conjecture. That's what I'm after: the truth... and data to back it up.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
I am more of a hit man... scoping out places I think I either really could use info, or that can easily give up their secrets. I will pore over it fairly exhaustively. But once I am done, I will move on. To other games entirely. In fact, XCOM is the game I spent the most time analyzing.
Yep, you pick your fights, focus exclusively on them for a while, then conquer. There were times in the past where I couldn't keep up with you, probably due to the fact I wasn't pouring 100% of my time into a "project of the week". I'd get a messeage, see a post or edit, take a look and offer some opinions or data on it, but in the end, I needed to branch out to work on other things which were important too. It's crucial to diversify a bit I feel, as you will always see somthing which will get you interested. Keeping curiosity alive leads to longevity.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
A part of me wishes I was like you two. You've stayed here over a decade, and are surely good pals, and will be for life at this point. the same goes for many other long-timers here.
Doesn't matter to me if someone's been here forever or just started paying the game, I'll consider that person a friend anyway. The community here is fantastic and the games are too, that's why I'm here. Stick around more, hopefully you'll see that too (hint, hint). I'd like to think we are pals, no? All the time we spent pouring over data, shooting emails back and forth or just chatting on MSN Messenger certainly deserves that hehe.
MikeTheRed, on 23 March 2017 - 02:59 PM, said:
Frankly my approach to games (and life) is kind of lonely. But what can I do? I am what I am. Part of me hopes that by making my website I might start a conversation with others or meet others more like me, and make close friends that way.
You might get lucky that way, but I doubt it. You get out of life what you put into it and that requires some effort unfortunately. We can't have stuff handed to us on a silver platter all the time. Just stick around, be visible (here or anywhere for that matter) and contribute. Friendship will follow, guaranteed... or double your money back!
- Zombie