A Love Letter to Argonath SAMP

[Badandy]

I have been thinking about making this type of topic for a while, a bit of a reflection of the past couple months. I have been a developer for about 2 and a half months. To be honest, when I started, I expected to do only quality of life updates. Since then, I feel like there's a real potential for this server in some way. The server isn't where it should be script wise but I'm hoping to try to make this server better with every update. Now about this love letter, I feel like my life in Argonath SAMP has come full circle.

I joined Argonath SAMP in 2009 and after getting banned and then getting unbanned, I played on the server when it was at it's peak. I learned a lot through the server, I applied to SAPD a few times and got rejected many times for being a dumb kid. Back then, I had no knowledge about computers or programming. I was an asshole of a kid who went on a power trip with SAPD Sergeant powers. I feel like I grew in the server, I took breaks, came back and it was always here. I personally have a love-hate relationship with this server, as many of you probably do too. There's just something about it that keeps drawing me back like I'm an addict. I feel like part of me can imagine this server becoming popular again, not the same way as before but a different kind of popular. Back then, I would wager that scripts didn't matter as much since we had so many community members that brought the server to life with roleplay and engagement. Nowadays, the old faces are mostly gone, eroded away by the winds of time. SAMP is a dying mod but it's not dead yet. Our efforts today shouldn't be considered wasted, if we can improve the server one stone at a time before the nuclear blast, it will still mean something. I will maybe never forget the memories I made in this server. I had amazing roleplays with people and sometimes I think of San Andreas as a real place in my memories. I'm not sure if that's a healthy thing.

I think this community has a way to come together, like during the Angel Pine Project and the Fort Carson project. We may not have as many players but if we try to improve the server and ourselves, we may have a chance of continuing this community into the future. I feel like it's a responsibility of mine to help move this server ahead since for many years, I was simply a player that enjoyed what past devs made for me. I joined this server when I was a depressed 12 year old and now I'm almost a 25 year old, still probably depressed. It's crazy man, time is just something. Something else that this community brought me was talking to people across the world. Before they implemented the showing of the country you are from when you join the server, I never knew where everyone was from. They seemed just like me. Then I found out where they are from and it didn't make it any different but it made me see that most people around the world are basically the same. We all shared this server in common even if we came from so many backgrounds. I think this was an important experience in my life that helped me lose preconceived notions when I was younger.

Anyway, what's the point of this? What's the point of this old fuck rambling on like grandpa in the nursing home? Well, because I wanted to and I think it's important to remember where we came from because it does help me develop this server. I have seen so many stages of this server (even if I don't remember a lot) and remember playing as a player. As well, I think people should try to make this community and server better. Even though I may sound like a hypocrite since I have left this community many times, the last time should of been a ban but here I am. We can have mixed feelings about this community and server, I constantly do. But we are still here for some reason and I think we should figure out why. I personally love working with the current staff, I feel like we have never had better community leadership or HQ for years. I'm hoping to release two major updates by the end of the year and I'm hoping that I can achieve more with the help of the leadership to bring a fresh feel to SAMP. I have only been a developer for a short time but I see so much promise that can be achieved. As players, let's continue to have discussions about what to add and what to fix on the server. I know not all my updates will be favorable if it's relate to balancing but hopefully the average skews positive to the updates.

Rambling is over, I hope this is a positive message. Let's try to make a better server for everyone. One person cannot do it alone so we have to do it together.

[TheGreasyChopper]

Dear Andy,

Please multiply and clone yourself as soon as possible - we need more people like you.

Kind Regards,
Grease

[Gimli]

Amen to that! 

[jwick]

I have been thinking about making this type of topic for a while, a bit of a reflection of the past couple months. I have been a developer for about 2 and a half months. To be honest, when I started, I expected to do only quality of life updates. Since then, I feel like there's a real potential for this server in some way. The server isn't where it should be script wise but I'm hoping to try to make this server better with every update. Now about this love letter, I feel like my life in Argonath SAMP has come full circle.

I joined Argonath SAMP in 2009 and after getting banned and then getting unbanned, I played on the server when it was at it's peak. I learned a lot through the server, I applied to SAPD a few times and got rejected many times for being a dumb kid. Back then, I had no knowledge about computers or programming. I was an asshole of a kid who went on a power trip with SAPD Sergeant powers. I feel like I grew in the server, I took breaks, came back and it was always here. I personally have a love-hate relationship with this server, as many of you probably do too. There's just something about it that keeps drawing me back like I'm an addict. I feel like part of me can imagine this server becoming popular again, not the same way as before but a different kind of popular. Back then, I would wager that scripts didn't matter as much since we had so many community members that brought the server to life with roleplay and engagement. Nowadays, the old faces are mostly gone, eroded away by the winds of time. SAMP is a dying mod but it's not dead yet. Our efforts today shouldn't be considered wasted, if we can improve the server one stone at a time before the nuclear blast, it will still mean something. I will maybe never forget the memories I made in this server. I had amazing roleplays with people and sometimes I think of San Andreas as a real place in my memories. I'm not sure if that's a healthy thing.

I think this community has a way to come together, like during the Angel Pine Project and the Fort Carson project. We may not have as many players but if we try to improve the server and ourselves, we may have a chance of continuing this community into the future. I feel like it's a responsibility of mine to help move this server ahead since for many years, I was simply a player that enjoyed what past devs made for me. I joined this server when I was a depressed 12 year old and now I'm almost a 25 year old, still probably depressed. It's crazy man, time is just something. Something else that this community brought me was talking to people across the world. Before they implemented the showing of the country you are from when you join the server, I never knew where everyone was from. They seemed just like me. Then I found out where they are from and it didn't make it any different but it made me see that most people around the world are basically the same. We all shared this server in common even if we came from so many backgrounds. I think this was an important experience in my life that helped me lose preconceived notions when I was younger.

Anyway, what's the point of this? What's the point of this old fuck rambling on like grandpa in the nursing home? Well, because I wanted to and I think it's important to remember where we came from because it does help me develop this server. I have seen so many stages of this server (even if I don't remember a lot) and remember playing as a player. As well, I think people should try to make this community and server better. Even though I may sound like a hypocrite since I have left this community many times, the last time should of been a ban but here I am. We can have mixed feelings about this community and server, I constantly do. But we are still here for some reason and I think we should figure out why. I personally love working with the current staff, I feel like we have never had better community leadership or HQ for years. I'm hoping to release two major updates by the end of the year and I'm hoping that I can achieve more with the help of the leadership to bring a fresh feel to SAMP. I have only been a developer for a short time but I see so much promise that can be achieved. As players, let's continue to have discussions about what to add and what to fix on the server. I know not all my updates will be favorable if it's relate to balancing but hopefully the average skews positive to the updates.

Rambling is over, I hope this is a positive message. Let's try to make a better server for everyone. One person cannot do it alone so we have to do it together.

We with you bro.

[Nathan]

Let's try to make a better server for everyone. One person cannot do it alone so we have to do it together.

Amen. This is something I personally struggled with and didn't realize until it was too late.

Thank you for all that you do!

[Manoni]

There's nothing bad in badandy, that's a fact.

I'm so glad to see you are still around and even better, being here working for the community to try and make the server a better place. If everyone had this mentality, the majority of issues that the samp server has/had would've been solved way long ago.

[Astaroth]

I missread this as "A love letter to Astaroth", gasped, and thought I found my one true love. Apparently not.

ANYWAY, Yes, let's do this. Thanks for all you do Badandy! Doing an awesome job!

[Badandy]

First, thank you all, I didn't mean to make this a circle jerk of compliments to me but thanks.

There's nothing bad in badandy, that's a fact.

I'm so glad to see you are still around and even better, being here working for the community to try and make the server a better place. If everyone had this mentality, the majority of issues that the samp server has/had would've been solved way long ago.

It's good to have this mentality but also I understand why many players don't. I didn't at times, hell I left the community to try my own thing for a little bit because of my frustration here. The reason I joined as a dev is that I got nostalgic for SAMP so I joined the server to hang out a little bit. I talked with JDC at the time if I should stay or leave because I wasn't sure about my place. We talked about development and I thought maybe, I talked with Brian about it since I was bored and thought it would be interesting. I made the trucking update and then I officially joined as a developer. This was also around the same time that JDC became a manager.

When I join projects, I put my all into them. Sometimes this can be unhealthy and I have personally had some breakdowns over this server like other projects that I overdid it in. The main reason I'm still here is that I'm dedicated to this project and I'm working with great people. Brian, JDC, Chase,  Kessu,  and hell even Khm. Discussing ideas with them and figuring out problems is important to me and I think will make the server better by discussing things before doing them.

In conclusion, I can be an asshole, I am not a saint and I don't believe I'm any more special than you guys. I left this server before, I have hated this server before, I have loved it before. I think we have all done these things before but ended up back here. Though the other thing I will do is push back if I believe I am right about something. This development process isn't always pretty. We disagree, we argue but we keep respect for each other. I have argued with some players as well because they wanted x but I only could give a bit of x due to balancing and other server concerns. I try to be quite open about development and communicate since I saw a lack of it in the past. Anyway, thanks again.

[.James]

Chapeau.

[Gregersen]

Well spoken, Andy.
Your history, sounds just like mine. I also joined in 2009 - now im 26, and we're slowly headed towards 2022.

Thank you, for your love letter
Thank you for being here for Argonath. 

[JDC]

I'm not going to steal the thunder since I've already said my piece in my last comeback topic and A Time for Rebuilding

When I applied for (and was promoted to) SA:MP Manager, I came into HQ with my fair share of plans, but I had my own worries since we did not yet have dedicated Developers. Then Badandy started working on updating the Trucking script (with Brian's permission) which was also his Dev 'application'. Before I knew it, the HQ/Dev team now had all the skills we need to start rebuilding the server.

Every server and community will have a day where the lights go out. But until then, we're going to have a hell of a ride. And I'm thankful to be working as part of such a fine team, where we motivate and support each other, as we try to motivate and support our players too.

[FlameMan]

Hi there brohs!

Reading your story, Andy, I feel a little deja vu. It's almost exactly my story, too. I will never forget the community of Argonath and how it helped me progress and move on during difficult teenage times. Argo is a huge part of my life and it remains important, however I miss people who made Argo special. In the end - it's friends, the community, that made Argonath what it was. Whenever I see some of the old folks on-line it puts a genuine smile on my face....

Any way, there's not much that I can do right now, but I wanted to tell you - I'm with ya! With all my heart!

Keeping fingers crossed for you guys. And I'm so happy to see you..

PS. @Gimli, muahah ♥️ Love ya!
PS2. Hi Gregersen! Hi JDC! Congratulations! ♥️

[Steve_Riptor]

That's a beautiful post. Thank you :-)

[TinMan]

10 March 2010
https://imgur.com/a/WsvFi71?third_party=1#_=_

I applied to SAPD a few times and got rejected many times for being a dumb kid. Back then, I had no knowledge about computers or programming. I was an asshole of a kid who went on a power trip with SAPD Sergeant powers. I feel like I grew in the server,

Badandy,

I remember these days like it was yesterday. I always knew you had the potential, and you have improved tremendously. I can tell by how far you came by your professionalism and your ability to write. I remember the first day I met you in Argonath. You was eager to learn, but there were high-ranking SAPD staff who use to haze you. I can name one and his name was Kirby. I hated that asshole. He would make us patrol the East Los Santos district, and if we left that area he would threaten to suspend or terminate us. The funniest day I remember was when you joined the Argonath Teamspeak server. You sang everyone a song called "L.S.P.D." similar to "Y.M.C.A." I thought that was hilarious and nobody has forgotten about that. I don't believe you were an asshole. I think what happened was you were frustrated because you were trying to build your reputation within the community and get promoted in the SAPD. However, you were just ignored at first and that bothered you. Throughout all of the years of hard work and dedication, you finally proved yourself to everybody, and now you are the boss! You definitely have a story to tell. Argonath RPG has allowed us all to improve in some way or another. I have learned a lot from Argonath RPG. I am a military cop in real life and this game helped me out a lot when I started out as a patrolman. So far, I have conducted hundreds of traffic stops and issued citations. In addition, I have apprehended a lot of military members for drugs and DUIs. I am still the Mulholland Intersection Protector and that has never changed. It is crazy to see how much time has past, and sometimes I wish I could go back in time to be able to patrol the mean streets of Argonath with you.

V/r,
TinMan

[Polar]

10 March 2010
https://imgur.com/a/WsvFi71?third_party=1#_=_

I applied to SAPD a few times and got rejected many times for being a dumb kid. Back then, I had no knowledge about computers or programming. I was an asshole of a kid who went on a power trip with SAPD Sergeant powers. I feel like I grew in the server,

Badandy,

I remember these days like it was yesterday. I always knew you had the potential, and you have improved tremendously. I can tell by how far you came by your professionalism and your ability to write. I remember the first day I met you in Argonath. You was eager to learn, but there were high-ranking SAPD staff who use to haze you. I can name one and his name was Kirby. I hated that asshole. He would make us patrol the East Los Santos district, and if we left that area he would threaten to suspend or terminate us. The funniest day I remember was when you joined the Argonath Teamspeak server. You sang everyone a song called "L.S.P.D." similar to "Y.M.C.A." I thought that was hilarious and nobody has forgotten about that. I don't believe you were an asshole. I think what happened was you were frustrated because you were trying to build your reputation within the community and get promoted in the SAPD. However, you were just ignored at first and that bothered you. Throughout all of the years of hard work and dedication, you finally proved yourself to everybody, and now you are the boss! You definitely have a story to tell. Argonath RPG has allowed us all to improve in some way or another. I have learned a lot from Argonath RPG. I am a military cop in real life and this game helped me out a lot when I started out as a patrolman. So far, I have conducted hundreds of traffic stops and issued citations. In addition, I have apprehended a lot of military members for drugs and DUIs. I am still the Mulholland Intersection Protector and that has never changed. It is crazy to see how much time has past, and sometimes I wish I could go back in time to be able to patrol the mean streets of Argonath with you.

V/r,
TinMan

Hey Tin!

I know I wasn't a favorite in argo by any means. I do remember the great RPs with yall, from both sides of the law. I'm pretty sure I got kidnapped by badandy from the church once as well. I also remember you telling me you were going MP.. If I remember right, air force? Im still rockin it man, it'd be cool to catch up if you still play some games every now and again! Always be great to catch up with the ol' Argo crew. Miss the old days of staying up late as a kid and just running amuck in the city. Hit me up on discord if you ever wanna chat. That goes for any of the old guys, I'm always down to catch up.

Mejice#3220

- Polar (Travis Rainer and too many other Travis_X)

PS. Nice tongue and quill V/R you did there