In Game Name: Iris

UID: 200000090087544

My Server: S154 - Ninja Monkey

My Server Region: UK

Story:

It's not easy to write over and over about same thing. Especially not when situation didn't change as years passed by and you really do not want to sound pathetic. However, situation not changing in this case is...actually great?! But this time, I am not gonna focus on current group members - something else deserves bigger attention this time.

Let me start from beginning...

One server, several groups. As by all laws of nature - some war has to happen. Imagine server without drama....just boring. Anyway, some people quit and server started dying. Typical, right? When server merge happened, everything started blossoming. To be clear, when I say everything - I mean toxicity. New people, new groups, new drama, new war. People who were plundering me ended up being my group mates. Who would predict that. Competition was wild, I'm not gonna lie. This time, server actually survived until next merge...If for a second you though previous bad blood ended - think again. We all know that's not how it goes.

Somewhere and somehow in all that chaos and ego fights, people actually started opening up to each other and some bonds were created. Recommendation of other animes, mangas and movies, talks about real life and sharing difficulties, giving and getting advices, voicing until late night, meetings irl. Ego could make greatest enemies which could wish to cut each other throats (figuratively speaking)...or friends, some for a short period of life and some for really, really long. Or something which isn't either and weird in it's core, but exists?

Fast forward to 9th July 2022. Situation is next:

- 3 somewhat active groups

- around 15sh active players

- 0 bad blood

- some rivalry but on positive note between group mates

- some bonds for a longer time than predicted, against all chances

Currently - we are deadish group. Holding on with 5-7 players on war, helping each other when we have time and schedule allows. Not allowing other 2 groups to plunder our weaker members (when they actually ask for support). Flexing ofc - is group without some fake flex between members even group? Nope if you ask me. We are surviving and nothing much should or could be said in that matter.

Game being same for a while lead to many, MANY, players quitting. They just couldn't wait for changes anymore. Several of us left, doesn't seem like we are going anywhere ("my bad habits lead to....").

As for people who quit, they stayed bonded even to this date. Believe me when I say they left long time ago. Still, they went together to play several other games, kept talk over old discord server of group. No, they are no planning of coming back. Too much time passed. Maybe my path separated from theirs, but they do still walk over same one.

Realizing you have several common friends with them from rl even tho you never met, that you passed by them years ago on some festival, experiencing deja vu moment where you saw that person before (or heard voice?). Some started dating, some broke up, soon some weddings are gonna happen too (which is aweeeeeeeeeeee). Some ex-players I do meet sort of regularly (phone calls, text, walks) even tho we never played in same server or cluster. Seems like it's time to bring back late summer music sessions over Discord too (all hail #2018). All of this is weird, but on way you can't not to like it.

It's just crazy how human relations can go up and down (and all of it just started over pixels and some random game). Odd feeling being here after 5.5 years and still seeing how it develops and vanishes, get's stronger and weaker while time keeps marching on.

I tried not to sound pathetic. Yes, I know I didn't manage. Deal with it, I already did.

As for all OGs of this game I know.....meeting irl when?

Hoping one summer this could be all of us and more lol. Beach party it is (what else in melting July could be?!)