Official Discussion: Community Update July 22, 2014

[Sunndance]

Sapience, sad to see you go. You have been a great advocate for the player community and have been kind enough to answer my questions when the need arose. However, I do understand your decision and wish you the best of luck as you move forward. No doubt that you have the skills, abilities and passion to make the best community manager that the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals and Extra Life has ever had. Enjoy your new position, along with both the opportunities and challenges it offers. Take care, have a SUPER Day and may God bless you on your journey.

[peachykins]

*edit #2* Oh, almost forgot what I'd originally intended to post in the first place. xD A poster or even a wallpaper (LOTRO-themed, of course) would be so cool, Sapience! Maybe a freebie wallpaper to remember you by and then some really nice posters -- ooh, or maybe hanging wall art (those rug-on-the-wall type things -- gosh, totally mind-blanking on what they are called) -- as a fund-raiser.

Seriously... I think some are going way overboard with this Sapience memorabilia stuff.

[Produktion Malphunktion]

Well, I'm off on vacation right now, but I will say it has been fun working with you over the past however long we have been here. 6 years?

All I can say as I raise a glass of mead:
Chip the glasses and crack the plates!
Blunt the knives and bend the forks!
That’s what Sapience Hates –

Smash the bottles and burn the corks
Cut the cloth and tread on the fat!
Pour the milk on the pantry floor!
Leave the bones on the bedroom mat!
Splash the wine on every door!

Drop the crocks in a boiling bowl;
Pound them up with a thumping pole;
And when you’ve finished, if any are whole,
Send them down the hall to roll!

That’s what Sapience hates!
So, carefully! Carefully with the plates!

Rick- May the hairs on your toes never fall out.

[Voldeshire]

There are a lot going on with LOTRO this year. Update 14 is here and we’re in Gondor! Our Executive Producer Aaron Campbell laid out the rest of 2014 and gave some insights into 2015 and beyond in his most recent post.

Now I would like to update you all on some changes happening on the Community team. Frelorn, whom I’m sure many of you already know , will be returning to manage the LOTRO community. He’s going to be taking over all the projects currently in the works for community in addition to bringing in his own ideas and programs. Frelorn will be making his own post and re-introducing himself to you very soon.

I’ll be taking on something very different. I’ll be joining Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals as their new Community Manager for Extra life. I think anyone who has been around the past three years knows this is a cause I’m deeply passionate about. It was not an easy decision as you guys are the most passionate community in gaming (we have an award to prove it!) and being your Community Manager for the past six years has been a tremendous honor. Frelorn is a lucky guy to be able to join you on your journey to the Black Gate and the destruction of the Ring.
.

So can I haz all your gold on all toons and your crafting mats?

[cdq1958]

Sapience, your herding the Beta cats will be missed. Frelorn, welcome back to LotRO. You get to herd the Beta cats.

[Mar-Evayave]

Seriously... I think some are going way overboard with this Sapience memorabilia stuff.

Sapience memorabilia? It actually has nothing to do with Sapience. I have liked the whole timeline of Soon ever since I first read it, years ago before I really even knew who Sapience was. At the time he was just another person on the forums (as well as Celestrata). It wasn't for a little while before I realized they were employees. The Soon stuff is funny to me, and I think a calendar or wallpaper would be cool. The fact that Sapience is the person who wrote it all up is just part of the deal, and it's a part that doesn't bother me in the least. Please, stop raining on the parade. It's rather rude and antagonistic of you. -.-

[Forgotten_Legend]

and some carefully slow-cooked-to-perfection-golden-brown-delicious-crispy bacon to you, Sir.

[Reximus]

It's been great having you here Rick, and while you'll be missed, I can't think of anyone better for your upcoming adventure. Best of luck.

[enzo]

you will be missed. I hear people want a monument put in the game for you. It is already there. You are a part of the game you, touched so many people in so many different ways. You made a difference. You were and are the last and best raid Boss evaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!

This one is for you big guy. Enjoy the new digz!

[Carysta]

Sapience, yours has been one of the trusted voices of reason for many years, and I will miss your posts and your funnies (moresoonerish™ and all the different meanings of soon is one of my favourites!). Extra Life is extra lucky to be getting such a dedicated, thoughtful person who has demonstrated patience and understanding amidst all of our 'omg you're changing my favourite WHAT' posts and other shenanigans.

Frelorn, congratulations, and I know you're going to looooove this. Soon™.

[Sapience]

Sapience memorabilia?

I have to admit, and be very honest, I think the notion is silly. Not saying it was yours, but just that the idea of "Sapience Memorabilia" is silly.

As for the Soon poster. It was actually something I was thinking about last year for Extra Life and might still do this year for Extra Life. Just because I know people get a laugh out of it. I'm still amazed at how many places it pops up. You guys do realize it was about 10 minutes worth of spontaneity, right?

[robbie1435]

I have to admit, and be very honest, I think the notion is silly. Not saying it was yours, but just that the idea of "Sapience Memorabilia" is silly.

As for the Soon poster. It was actually something I was thinking about last year for Extra Life and might still do this year for Extra Life. Just because I know people get a laugh out of it. I'm still amazed at how many places it pops up. You guys do realize it was about 10 minutes worth of spontaneity, right?

So... Will we ever head Soon again?

[Valamar]

As for the Soon poster. It was actually something I was thinking about last year for Extra Life and might still do this year for Extra Life. Just because I know people get a laugh out of it. I'm still amazed at how many places it pops up. You guys do realize it was about 10 minutes worth of spontaneity, right?

But that spontaneity is what makes Rick Heaton -- Sapience.

[Jeffor]

Sapience, thank you for all that you have done for our wonderful community. Even though I am very happy that you found a new job that you love it is still very sad to see you go. It's truly the end of an era.

[Sapience]

So... Will we ever head Soon again?

Based on how many people in this building reference it on a regular basis, I would think so.

[DRNA]

Best wishes to you and yours in the new role as Community Manager for Extra Life.. and in all future endeavors.

[Ugmonakh]

I wish Sapience good luck on his next job. I
am of the mind he has done a lot here to be commended for and
glad for Extra Life who is getting a Community Manager.
Sapience can definitely be proud of his work at LOTRO. It
is always a sad day when someone like him is
leaving, but we wish him the best and look forward to Frelorn's term.

[Mar-Evayave]

I have to admit, and be very honest, I think the notion is silly. Not saying it was yours, but just that the idea of "Sapience Memorabilia" is silly.

As for the Soon poster. It was actually something I was thinking about last year for Extra Life and might still do this year for Extra Life. Just because I know people get a laugh out of it. I'm still amazed at how many places it pops up. You guys do realize it was about 10 minutes worth of spontaneity, right?

Yeah, it is silly, but the Soon poster would be cool. Who ever knew that 10 minutes worth of spontaneity would be such a hit?

[Grimsin'sRiders]

./salute

I fear the Florida Meet & Greets just won't be the same without you Rick.

Hope to hear from one of your toons in-game sometime... I know Profitous will certainly be keeping an ear out (on every server) for ya.

Until our next meeting...
Grimsin

[Sapience]

./salute

I fear the Florida Meet & Greets just won't be the same without you Rick.

Hope to hear from one of your toons in-game sometime... I know Profitous will certainly be keeping an ear out (on every server) for ya.

Until our next meeting...
Grimsin

I hope you guys still get together and meet up! Hopefully Kickman will be willing to keep doing it. If there happens to be one when I'm in town, I'd happily come by and reminisce.

[Dernudan]

So Frelorn, where are you coming from?

[Urwendil]

Good luck and goodbye Sapience, you'll be missed indeed. Welcome back Frelorn, good luck to you too.

[GV-Tanith]

Though I have not posted here in quite some time (at some point my computer decided it hated the LOTRO launcher and I was already invested in another game), I wanted to wish you the very best going forward, Sapience. You're clearly very happy and excited for the future, so it's my hope that it will be bright for you. The forum's in good hands with Frelorn.

[OnyxSoulbane]

Hmmmm.......

Guess all i can say is it has been an experiance. It was an adventure to be sure.

[Laerien]

I totally missed this until today when I read it on twitter. I was experiencing a little of nostalgic until I read that Rick is going to Extra Life. Those are great news, it doesn't feel like a lost at all.

All I can say is best luck over there.

And welcome back Frelorn