In this blog post(s?) I'll be mentioning the previous forum/gaming community I was apart of. Out of respect for you guys and OWF I won't be mentioning its name, and refraining from directing to it in any sort of way, which means I'll be eluding some of the major details of what it was. I'll most likely talk some mad shit about it though, so that'll be fun!
TL;DR -
Read it, shitlord. 
It's very strange joining a new forum, specially considering how much of a change of pace this is for me. I only have one other experience with joining a forum/community, and that's the previous one I mentioned. Before that I had lurked on many different gaming-related forums, but I never felt comfortable with joining in the conversation, I always had my close friend Ben to do the talking and interacting for me. July 2012 was when Ben and I discovered the forum/gaming community I would go on to linger on for another 4 years-ish (I'm not going to do the math, fuck math).
I know that doesn't seem like a lot to most of you. A lot of the people I've seen on OWF's have been around since 2008, or much earlier, which is absolutely crazy, which was what lead me to writing this. Half a year ago I left the gaming community I had adored due to management issues, and further drama I wasn't alright putting up with anymore (I'd love to share some stories, but I don't want to go on a tangent in this blog, I'll try to stay focused!). I quit full turkey, with the full intent of never returning, which still stands - but I certainly felt a lacking being without it, mainly the forum interaction.
I hadn't heard of Soulstorms announcement immediately, it was actually Jim Sterling who brought it to my attention when he revealed he'd be voice acting for it. One thing lead to another, and I found myself on the OW forums, eyeing the ARG thread and scanning what you guys had already pieced together. This obviously lead me to making an account for more ARG nonsense, which inevitably lead to me lurking on past posts and ancient topics from 2006. This absolutely intrigued me, I've always loved looking at the history of communities, looking at what I missed. Who was around, who was respected, the arguments, the events.. It's just interesting!
Back in 2012 I felt lost when I had joined that community. It was massive, and I felt little compared to all of it, it took me ages to make friends and even longer to hop on the Teamspeak to talk to them. But that's kinda how I feel again, little and insignificant. Although OWF feels smaller, and less active, I am just as similarly intrigued. OWF gives me a sense of nostalgia, both from Oddworld and how it has made me feel as a forum. It's a weird feeling, but I like it.
I'm not entirely sure if this'll be entertaining to read, but it's nice writing how I feel. It was really difficult not to take pot-shots at my old community, but I really didn't want to go on a tangent (I usually tend too), so I may write another blog post about some stories, or why I left or something. It's nice to get it off my chest, yknow?
