Hi Captains,
I wanted to stop by to let you know that this coming Friday (4/11) is my last day with PWE/ Cryptic, as I have made the tough decision to move back to Southern California.
Earlier this year, I stepped down as your Community Manager to accept a new position at work that was not only a promotion, but was an incredible opportunity to help the PWE Community Team and company as a whole by becoming their Team Lead. (
You can read about that transition here.) In just a short amount of time, the team has reached new heights and I'm excited to say that our games' communities are thriving more than ever before.
For STO, Smirk and Trendy have taken command and have pushed the community's warp engines to 9.9. They are doing amazing, and I am so proud of them. Not only are they continuing to carry the torch that I ignited just about 2.5 years ago, but they are also breaking the mold. You're in the best of hands with them at the helm of the U.S.S. STO Community.
So
why am I walking away from my dream job? My career that took years and years to actually make a reality?
Family. Life is too short to miss out on some very important family moments coming up (my sister is having her first child, my grandmother -- who is one of the most important people in my life -- is turning 90, weddings, birthdays, and much more), and with a few exceptions, my entire family is in SoCal. It was a very tough decision to make, but the support from my colleagues, as well as my family and friends, has been extraordinary.
And honestly, please know this: if transporters
* existed (or if it would really be feasible to fly up on Mondays and back down on Fridays), I would do it in a heartbeat. Perfect World and Cryptic have some jaw-dropping things coming up, and it's sad to think I won't be a part of it. The team will move forward, as strong as ever, and I can't wait to watch their success and celebrate from the other side.
*I did ask the team to see if they can get real life transporters on the schedule for next year, so you never know :P
Where am I headed next? Well, all that is still in the works. I'll be keeping my BranFlakes twitter account, so I'm sure you'll find out where I go once I know where I am going.
I definitely plan on continuing to go to STLV each year, as that was a tradition of mine before I worked here, so I hope to see some of you there! I will also still be playing STO. Remember, I was a community member and player long before working here, and a Trekker since I was a young boy. (Want to take a trip down memory lane?
Check out my original CM intro post here.)
While this will be my last post on the forums, please don't be a stranger. Hit me up on Twitter, in-game (if you know my personal
@handle), or by carrier pigeon.
The STO community --
each of you -- has helped made me who I am today. You've helped my dream come true, and for that, I am forever thankful. I will miss you all, and sincerely thank you for your support.
To the Dev team: I'm really going to miss working with each of you, and thank you as well for playing a huge part in my dream coming true -- I'll never forget it. You are all unbelievably talented, passionate, and hilarious. Keep up the epic work, and I can't wait to play what you have planned in 2014 and beyond. Especially
REDACTED.
Until we meet again, Live Long and Prosper \\//_
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Comments
Norway and Yeager dammit... I still want my Typhoon and Jupiter though.
JJ Trek The Kelvin Timeline is just Trek and it's fully canon... get over it. But I still prefer TAR.
#TASforSTO
'...I can tell you that we're not in the military and that we intend no harm to the whales.' Kirk: The Voyage Home
'Starfleet is not a military organisation. Its purpose is exploration.' Picard: Peak Performance
'This is clearly a military operation. Is that what we are now? Because I thought we were explorers!' Scotty: Into Darkness
'...The Federation. Starfleet. We're not a military agency.' Scotty: Beyond
'I'm not a soldier anymore. I'm an engineer.' Miles O'Brien: Empok Nor
'...Starfleet could use you... It's a peacekeeping and humanitarian armada...' Admiral Pike: Star Trek
Get the Forums Enhancement Extension!
May the Lion's Pride be with you and your family for the future. Thanks for all your work.
Conspiracy theories revolving around abandoning sinking ships in 3... 2... 1...
-Leonard Nimoy, RIP
Don't forget DOOOOOOOOM theories.
Cya Branflakes.
I already took the liberty of taking care of that.
Excellent work. DOOOOOOM must be maintained.
I'm saddened by this news. I dunno what to say but this -
I'll make sure to pass along your feedback, but as "I quit" threads are not allowed because they always turn into flame threads where the poster gets trolled, I unfortunately would try to close this one down but you could just reopen it on your own so it's kinda pointless to hit the close button Remember, now that the game is free-to-play, feel free to stop back anytime. We hope to see you again soon and can I haz your stuff? ~Askray
Former Community Moderator, Former SSR DJ, Now Full time father to two kids, Husband, Retail Worker.
Tiktok: @Askray Facebook: Askray113
Brandon was never a Dev.
You will be missed around here, you were the best CM I have ever encountered in my entire gaming career.
Live long and prosper! \\//
Live long and prosper, Brandon.
— Sabaton, "Great War"
Check out https://unitedfederationofpla.net/s/
All the best, Lan.
Mine Trap Supporter
In all seriousness, I wish you the best of luck, Bran! You were the best CM this game ever had.
Now... because this is Star Trek and I'd never forgive myself if I didn't (since no one else has done it yet)...
Of all the souls I've encountered on my travels, his was the most... human.
Trials of Blood and Fire
Moving On Parts 1-3 - Part 4
In Cold Blood
You couldn't resist could you, one last tease...
We will all miss you
You should do a final stream in the upcoming weeks or something!
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
As a Cardassian fan, I have to agree: family is everything.
It's sad to see you go, though, and it certainly gives me some concern for the community.
Christian Gaming Community Fleets--Faith, Fun, and Fellowship! See the website and PM for more. :-)
Proudly F2P. Signature image by gulberat. Avatar image by balsavor.deviantart.com.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUPK2tTx0tc
Good luck to you.
"second star to the right, and straight on to morning"
"Captain, I see no need to stand here and be insulted!"
I got to know Brandon through tragic circumstances. Mark Valentine had recently passed away, and my own mother had recently been diagnosed with cancer. Feeling really low, I reached out to Brandon thinking he would know exactly how I was feeling, and he did. Brandon stood shoulder to shoulder with me daily as I saw my mom go from worse to worse, giving me the strength and support every single day. But I kept asking myself why is this guy I barely knew giving me such support, well we all know why, because Brandon didn't lead a community, he led a family, he would always be there for anyone of us regardless of where we were in the world.
When my mother lost her fight, on that very same day Brandon was there as a shoulder to lean on. He's still being that shoulder today, because through my own personal issues, a friendship bloomed and has thrived. Brandon is a unique individual, selfless, caring, compassionate, putting the needs of others first.
I am truly honored to have Brandon as a friend. Yes I can call him a friend not just because of STO, but our friendship has grown away from everything STO.
Brandon I know how much of a difficult decision leaving PWE has been on you, but I personally know why you have made the decision you have. You know you will always have my continued support in everything you do now, and go onto to do in the future (Rob included).
Although this is goodbye in the game environment, but it is certainly not goodbye for good, you know that.
You are so going to make a brilliant uncle when your sister gives birth. With an uncle like you that lil one will grow up knowing the value of integrity.
For everything you have done for me personally in you capacity as CM and CTL a mere thank you will never suffice (but you know I'm grateful)
Brandon you may of created a family forum, but PWE created a legend.
Good luck buddy
P.S. my three words Truth and Honesty
Eazzie TRIBBLE