Wanted to post this in the other thread but got locked while I was typing and given its importance might as well have it separate anyways.
First the past, a response to comments:
K with respect to Kusari, the SF has ran small sorties into Kusari space before. At the moment though between the SF and KNF it was decided that the fighting would be restricted to the Taus since thats where the front for the war is, and frankly both the SF and KNF had seen their shares of power-gaming in the past and didn't want the war to go that way, plus KNF was undergoing leadership changes, lower membership, etc. Problem was we never ran into each other much in the Taus either <shrugs>.
Now there was a comment that the SF has not acted like the BAF, I fail to see how we haven't. We work at securing Bretonia's borders as best that we can, dealing with pirates and other hostiles. We do launch attacks against the Kusari. We've got capships in key locations within Bretonia like any house military would. Now if by not acting like a military faction we don't launch attacks outside Bretonia, ya, since most of the time there's usually something that needs to be taken care of in Bretonia first (I'm reminded of a time a bunch of us were going to launch an SF kill-count mission into Tau-29, but ended up having to deal with pirates in New London instead). Could the SF be the BPA; maybe, but there are several capships used by the SF (BPA has none other than at most a gunboat), there are other military type vessels being roleplay such as medical frigates, and the SF has set itself up as the BAF (guard tags in some cases and IDs).
Should the SF have a name change to the BAF? It is something I've thought about and would likely do on a player-wipe. At the time, I decided against a name change since A) name changes interfere with console group invites and hamper communication, B) need to get everyone to have a name change and edit documents accordingly (with a lower member count that's not so difficult now but still requires work), and C) throws out our heritage given the SF had been around on this server for 2 years.
The advantages with the name change are clear since the SF would be more easily recognized by the tag as being a BAF faction, but given the choice of hampering SF's current members or changing things for the sake of others, sorry, I choose to keep things as they were and wait for a player-wipe.
A BAF website (or SF website), I've kept most of the SF info and such here since A) easy reference for all members, B) keeps everything in one place, and C) doesn't involve the work in maintaining two separate locations for information.
Now the future:
Now with that all said, here's what should and likely happen. The QCO/SF should all become one faction, the BAF. Leader, whoever wants it because I'm taking this opportunity to also announce my retirement. I've played Freelancer for a good amount of time, and although I'll likely play once in a while I'm finding the game to be a chore rather than fun. I plan to maintain things for the SF and Nomad Licensing up until the release of the next mod version or until it is passed on. This decision is not made lightly, it is also not solely based on a single incident, comment or anything like that; its simply a case of wanting to move on to something else and taking the opportunity to do that.
I've already got someone in mind for the Nomad Licensing after their involvement in creating a Nomad Info Thread similar to what I had done before with CRI. Unit-sk855, Praetyre, or Treewyrm would fit since they could develop their info as coming from CRI research.
For the leader of the SF or the future BAF faction, I'd recommend Hyperwave but he's just as busy as I am and although would be absolutely surperb as a leader I don't think has the time (if he wants leadership, he has it hands down and no questions asked).
Assuming Hyperwave doesn't want leadership and presuming a merger were to take place, I wouldn't recommend Blunt as leader. Although I see him as being extremely capable of being leader I think it would be a large conflict due to the other factions he's already playing a large role in such as the SCRA. I'd prefer to see someone that would be more devoted to one faction acting as the leader for the BAF.
So there's the can of worms, now the question is where do we go from here?
If you're gonna leave, you gotta do it on the 24th. No sooner, no later. You're so close to being here exactly 2 years, it would be a shame to put it all to waste!
But, if you're leaving now, goodbye. I never really knew you, but I've only heard good things about you. Good luck and I hope you find a game that entertains without becoming a chore.
Bye
The thoughts and best wishes are appreciated, thanks.
The only non-publicized char is [Phantom]Devastator, whom I'm going to leave to the person who gave its nickname of 'blue jelly'. Kiggles, I got a new key for ya:crazy:
I'll be transferring the bulk of the cash on the SFT-Nomadic to whoever ends up running the Nomad Licensing. While the other ships will go to Hyperwave to be used as he see fits.
I'll likely end up hanging around until the 24th to ensure the switch over goes well and to complete the transfers. But don't expect to see me much in game or checking the forum everyday.
We had a few small differences when I "ramrodded" the KNF; but for the most part I enjoyed our time as competing "Leaders". I hope your replacement and Lo-san can work together to give the BAF/KNF war some good things to keep it hopping.
I completely sympathize on the work and headaches leading a Faction can entail. Sheesh, just the recruiting process can frazzle your nerves no end. Take a rest, regroup, and don't be a stranger, mate.