Monolithic Thought: Why We Should Disapprove

Hello there,

Over the past several days, there has been a lot of talk in the community about the upcoming pet updates. Two of these being: how expensive it is to hatch with another pet and the time it takes for a pet to hatch. There are many that disagree with this, but there are also those that agree. With that, I thought I'd make a blog post - one of many somewhat "controversial" posts to come - about monolithic thinking & my opinions (which you may or may not agree with - that's okay).

Agreeing with Kingsisle
Kingsisle has released many updates for Wizard101 in its near 12-year span. There are many great things about the game - which is why we're all still here, to begin with. I know that I support things that Kingsisle does that I know some, or in some cases, many, don't agree with. One of the things that I really do like is the option to run around with your pet. While some might think it's useless, I think it's a very cute feature. Another thing I absolutely love is the graphic updates for the spells. Now, I know we can all agree that it's amazing that these spells are finally getting a graphic update. I look forward to seeing all of the higher tier spells being updated in the future. There are many different things I love about this Spring Update, but let's get on to where I disagree with Kingsisle.

Disagreeing with Kingsisle
While agreeing with Kingsisle on certain things is always nice, it's also appropriate to disagree time-to-time. Many might not believe it, but I actually don't support the price of how much it costs to hatch a pet. I do agree with many when it comes down to new players - since it would be unfair to new players since they're not able to make as much gold when they first start out. I agree with many when it comes down to that. I believe it should be changed back to its original price or if it has to cost more, maybe a little less than it is in the Test Realm now. But in the end, this is the Test Realm and things always change. We can still submit our ideas by clicking on the Bug which is only available on the Test Realm - not Twitter.

A Common Purpose
Overall, agreeing and disagreeing with Kingsisle helps Kingsisle improve the game. At the same time, the community would be able to agree to disagree while also making the game the best that it can be. There are many reasons we should follow this path instead of thinking in a monolithic way. If someone agrees with Kingsisle 24/7, Kingsisle won't see what they're doing wrong & will be destined to repeat these same mistakes. If someone disagrees with Kingsisle 24/7, they won't see the good things that they are implementing for the community and the player base as a whole. At the end of the day, everyone should be allowed their thoughts without being bombarded with how wrong they are (unless they're being disrespectful to individuals - which is an exception). We should also respect those who are still working during these crazy times to make this game the best it can be for the public. At the end of the day, everyone can make this game and community a great place to be. Monolithic Thinking usually only divides the community (even those who may agree with you, but don't agree with your disrespect). Let's follow this common path together. Be respectful and don't think monolithically. Try to understand why those agree or disagree with you. And remember... this is a video game, not real life. Anyway, that's all I have to say. Thank you all for reading. Until next time, I'll see you around the spiral.

It's No April Fools Joke

Hello Wizards!

I hope you're having a wonderful start of your April. To start off, I just want to remind you to keep practicing social distancing, washing your hands, and covering your mouth when you cough. Remind your friends of this as we continue through the month of April. So, let's talk about something. Today is April Fool's Day and while I had a joke planned late last year, I decided not to participate in it. Today, I want to talk about something that's not a joke.. The Massive Comeback of SpiralVision and this blog.

Over the past few weeks, I've been thinking about this website and our Twitch Channel, SpiralVision. In early January, I announced that I have decided to focus more on my personal life instead of as much attention on the games. During this 3 month break from events and blogging, I started thinking about the community and the direction it is going. I don't believe I can ever change the community on my own. I also don't believe it's my time to leave the community. While I won't be here a century and a half, I would like to provide more to the community, especially during these crazy times.

I haven't totally been away from the community - as some of you may see, I still tweet and I also participate in group questing every Sunday with an amazing group of friends (everyone is more than welcome to join us). SpiralVision has also been on my mind. I announced a few days ago that I wanted to host a Santa Run, but, I decided I wanted to host a different kind of event (and host the Santa Run in December as we usually do). We will soon be hosting an event called The Wizard Run. We are going to put a lot of work into this event for the community - so do keep an eye out for more information here on Around The Spiral and on social media. You won't want to miss it!

A Wizard Run is coming! You won't want to miss this - especially if it's been a while since you've attended one of our events! Keep an eye out on social media for more information. pic.twitter.com/Ut0M8pPEar

— EdwardLifegem (@EdwardLifegem) March 30, 2020

Overall, I just wanted to make this post to let you know that I'm not giving up and I will be back to do my part, along with many other great people here, to make the community the best place to be for all. I'd love to improve upon my time here by recognizing the mistakes I've made and not repeat them. I'd also like to focus on the positive parts of the community and promote it through our events and this website. There are many things to look forward to this year and I hope you join me to make them happen. Let's make this community as inclusive as it can be! Thank you all for reading. Until next time, I'll see you around the spiral.

Be Positive!

Hi there,

So many things have changed over the past few months that you have to ask yourself.. how and why?! Today, I thought I'd make a blog post to say hello a few months after I announced that I would no longer be making blog posts. These are truly crazy times that we're living in, but it's not all doom & gloom. There are actually many things that we can look forward to doing during this brief period of time!

One major way I've got my mind off the stuff going on in real life has been logging into this awesome game named Wizard101. I don't know how many of you have heard of this amazing game, but it's kept my mind off the chaos going on offline. I've leveled my myth wizard, participated in gardening, pet leveling, and more, over the past few weeks. If you check the various realms in the game, you may have noticed that there are many others doing the same thing! I'm extremely thankful for Kingsisle's work to keep the game going during these times. Keep up the great work, Kingsisle, and stay safe!

One other thing that I've been doing that is listening to Christmas music. Christmas has always been a time of year that lifts my spirits. One day I was listening to a song that we played for quite a few Santa Run events and thought that it would be awesome and different to host a Santa Run event this Spring. So, I will be announcing more details about an upcoming Santa Run event within the next week! Keep an eye out for more information about this upcoming event. I'll be sure to host it during a time that most are able to attend. 

Overall, I wanted to make this blog post to let you all know that I've been thinking about you. I will continue to keep each and every one of you in my prayers. Please continue to stay safe by taking this virus seriously. Follow the CDC guidelines - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/prepare/prevention.html - by washing your hands and avoiding close contact (especially in large groups of people). It's very important that you continue following these guidelines no matter where you live. We will get through this time. In the meantime, know that not everything is as it seems. It's not the end of the world, but we do have time to do things we normally don't do such as finding a new hobby, hanging out with our family a lot more, and overall, appreciating life more than we do when we're busy. Stay safe everyone and be positive! Until next time, I'll see you around the spiral.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

Hello!

Today, I wanted to announce something that I wasn't planning on announcing until after my website's 10th Birthday (which I still plan on celebrating - but that'll be my final blog post). After long thought, I've decided that it is time for me to move forward in life. That means, not being as active in the community.

Today I wanted to talk about what made me decide it was time for me to move on. Over the past several years, there has been a lot of craziness in the community. I've also involved myself in the dreaded word - drama. During these times, I said I wanted to leave, but never really left. That was because I felt there was more I wanted to do to try to bring the community together. Recently, I've determined that I have indeed done my part over the past 10 years to bring the community together through online safety, events, group questing, etc. 

I was recently watching The Abracadoodle Show - that was released 10 years ago last week by BasicWizards. I was reading through the comments and I read one that was posted 10 years ago. I kept reading "10 years ago" over and over again. I couldn't even believe that time flew by this quickly. After that, I started thinking about the things that I've done over the past nearly 11 years that I've played Wizard101. I've made so many great friends and while I've had friends come and go, I wouldn't change anything. 

I can't even begin to thank ALL of you enough for the amazing memories I've had in this community. Y'all helped me through so many difficult times in my life. Three of the times being the loss of three close family members. And two other times were times when I had severe depression & anxiety. I can say today that I'm a happier person than I was when I joined the community and game. So thank you all so much for helping me through all of the crazy times.

I truly love this community & the games that Kingsisle works on. I have no doubt in my mind that this community will continue to grow & unite as one. I hope it's your goal over the next 10 years to unite the community. Make it different than what this crazy world is currently like. That's really what got me so involved in the community in 2009. Now that it's 2020, I'll be focusing on being the best order filler that I can be, earning a business degree, living my life as a gay man (the shocking revelation or maybe not so shocking to all of you - haha), etc. By the way, I'm also visiting a beach for the first time this year! I'm so excited! I have so much to look forward to in life. And so do you. Continue supporting the game while you can AND please live your life. I love ALL of you. Until May 10th, 2020. I'll see you around the spiral. 

Welcome To 2020

Hello!

Happy New Year to each and every one of you! Today, I wanted to make a new blog post about the new year of 2020 and about the future of this website. This year marks a major milestone for this website as it will turn ten years old this upcoming May! With that, I have a lot planned for this website.

Over the past year, I've been lacking new blog posts here on my website. This year, I want that to change! Starting soon, I'd like to share more news, ideas, contests, and more, here on Around The Spiral. Like I said, this year is a very special year since Around The Spiral is officially turning 10 years old. Not only that, but I would also like to update my site to make it fit with the current times while also having that nostalgic late 2000s feel to it. There are so many things I'd like to do, but you'll just have to stick around to see them! 

With that, events will take place this year. I'd like to put work into making them feel more welcoming to the community. I'll need your help spreading the word about each event as we near each Holiday this upcoming year. So keep an eye out this year for new event announcements! Be sure to follow SpiralVision on Twitch (twitch.tv/spiralvision) and Twitter (twitter.com/thespiralvision) for stream and event updates! I hope you're able to join us this year as we continue our tradition of Holiday events (and a new type of event later this year - keep an eye out for more information; you won't want to miss it)!

Now, we can't forget about Pirate101 in 2020. I would like to make more Pirate101 posts and hopefully have a few Pirate101 events here and there! I don't know where or how we'll start, but I can assure you that I'll pay more attention to this wonderful game this year. Pirate101 is such an underrated game. If you haven't played Pirate101, please check it out. It's definitely an amazing game and deserves all of the attention that it can get. I'll certainly pay a lot more attention to Pirate101 this year whether it's streams, contests, etc. 

Overall, I would like to make this year a great year, not just for me, but for the community in general. I don't believe I was able to do that last year, so this year, I'm going to try my best to make your stay in the community an amazing one. The community truly means a lot to me and I will try my best to adapt to the current times, while also bringing back the nostalgic feeling of the late 2000s and early 2010s. I look forward to working with the community and Kingsisle to making this year an amazing year. Happy 2020 to each and every one of you. Now let's add that additional year to the blog archives! Until next time, I'll see you around the spiral.