MEMBER BLOG

The Finale
Posted on Friday, June 27 2008 @ 12:22:17 Eastern


Projects like 3scapism are often compared to ships sailing around on the high seas. A lot of the time the going is easy; you just relax and float along with capable crew. Sometimes the weather gets a little stormy, or we get blown off course. At the end of the trip, we either make it to port or sink. What has happened to SS. 3scapism regarding the last two options is completely subjective, but - as you may have guessed by the lack of activity - the trip is nigh on officially over.

3scapism began as a way to promote the quickly growing Escapist community - to give all the budding (and extremely talented!) writers amongst us support. Being published on the blog became a sign of honour and prestige for many - that they had joined the elite ranks of their (equally able) peers. Whilst we did not make extravagant posts about the community itself (I feel it may have run a little dry, especially at the start of the year) 3scapism became popular with staff and forum members alike; even attracting the eyes of other sites with our great posts (Game Revolution, anyone?).

Unfortunately, due to a recent set of unforeseen circumstances (no Half Life reference intended, although that's more consequences), motivation with the 3scapism staff has run a little low of late. Whilst Gigantor claimed the GTAIV review award title and tendo82's own horizons have opened up (as well as myself gaining several writing gigs from around the country) it appears that The Escapist's staff do not favour us as much as I would have hoped. Basically, they branded one single, one-line comment I made three months ago about video quality to somehow not only entirely reflect on my own character, but that of the entire 3scapism movement - condemning us all and refusing to have little more to do with us. I could make some more snide remarks about how it comes just as The Escapist launch their own line of game reviews, or how it happens to follow Joe's departure from their team. However, the whole point of ending 3scapism now is to avoid a needless (and futile) *****ing war between two parties. At the end of the day, we rely on the community above all else, and forcing them to pick sides is about as mature as the collective IGN reader base.

The right of reply is always open to The Escapist, of course, although they have yet to answer my (rather light) reply to their thoughts from three weeks ago. Although suddenly wanting to talk following negative exposure whilst ignoring us for the past 5 months may seem a little too faux pas for some.

We all have our own projects and lives - some of the former can be seen as the end of this post. Continuing normally with 3scapism - a pioneering site in community development without support from its namesake - would be stubborn at best and idiotic at worst. There is, after all, little difference between rearranging deckchairs on the Titanic and rearranging them on the Hindenburg. I implore you all to try something new, and some of our own sites may be a great place to start.

Finally, a huge, huge thank you to not only the greatly efficient tendo82 and Gigantor, but to all of our contributors and readers for the past half of a year. Whilst initially I did little more than stick a few appropriate (although I do believe I got the wrong game once, right, Ten?) screensjots to accompany your hard work; your collective support has been awesome. Let us hope we've set the standard for independent community projects across the world.

My name's Scott Constantine, and I can be reached at melaisis@gmail.com. I invite everyone to comment as necessary. Thanks.


Recommended Sites:

Giant Realm (Its gigantic - a big, big love)
The Three Rs (my shared general entertainment blog)
Atomic Spark (machinima guys - help 'em out!)
DW Gaming (our 'sister' news site)
The Jaded Prime (Hey Joe's personal blog)
Resonance Gaming (upcoming reviews and news site)
Multiplay Festival (I'm going as press!)
Honest Gamers (I said I'd plug 'em)

Peace!