On February 3rd, 2015 I joined Asylum for the first time. A few co-workers got me into it, we tried to learn the ropes as fast as we could. Although at times it felt damn near impossible. There were mechanics that we just simply did not understand. However, that was the very allure that kept me coming back day after day. Those co-workers moved on to be KOTH nerds at one point and left me in their dust. I kept digging and eventually figured out the spawn map, and the hard lesson was that I didn’t need to run from Sofia to Athria, and I could just respawn. This was life-changing, for better or for the worse, as I was hooked on this new digital heroin. I eventually fell in love with Kavala. Instant and constant action, while being called a myriad of names, and a ton of new experiences. I was a combat logger, i didn’t have the money to buy these cool guns time and time again. I exploited the Kavala Hq daily. There was this spot where if you Sync’d and logged back in, you would drop down just under the concrete surface and the cops couldn’t get you, but you could shoot and cause your own kind of hell.
As time progressed, i wanted to become more and more involved. I was known by a few different names throughout my time here. The IFRIT part just stuck out of all the different usernames. I joined some gang with a Zombie Dude? He had an awkwardly deep voice but was a good leader. He essentially was able to weaponize the kids from Kavala and make us do his bidding. A few guns and some cash in the game sure when a long way. I just kept buying damn IFRITS because I simply could not drive. If I drove a hatchback, I was going to die. Every single time, there wasn’t a question about it.
I was invited to join the team of staff after befriending @Clint Beastwood and @BaDaBiNg_10-8. I still remember us taking a .50cal through the streets of Kavala on March 17th, 2017, with every civ hell-bent on killing us. Every single cop was determined to take us down. The laughter that rang through my house has since never been repeated. I was sore the next day from the belly laugh.
As I worked my way through the team of staff, I quickly found my heart had been fully invested in this place. I would work and get home only to sit and devote all my time to playing or providing support. I was hooked and down badly. There wasn’t any hope for me to return from this rabbit hole. I made new friends along the way and experienced life one event at a time. I had a lot of highs and lows. There are people here that were extremely supportive during these times. I had a lifeline and so did they. It started as a video game and ended as a family.
A while ago I was able to meet @Roice in person in vegas. He waited for me at the airport and was about 2 feet taller than I thought he was. It was a strange experience at first but it quickly showed that we hadn’t missed a beat. As Roice drove around vegas, the shenanigans we got ourselves into that night will never be forgotten. There were core memories developed that night, some of those memories I don’t have the pleasure of actually remembering. But Roice could easily tell you if he wasn’t sworn to secrecy.
The point I am trying to assert here is that many of you come and go. Some are here for a week and some of you have been here for almost 10 years. We have not survived this long because Arma is a cutting-edge game that’s leading the charts in popularity. However, we offer something that the triple-A developers will never be able to, a family. This has turned into an escape for many. The typical life bullshit doesn’t apply to here. The medical, finical, family, and school problems have no bearing here. You are provided with the unique opportunity to create your own story that can be turned off with the click of a button.
Today, I am clicking that button
I have made the decision that for the health of the community and my personal life, I am stepping down and allowing new leadership to take the wheel. I am excited to announce that @RoguePilot has accepted the challenge and is rising to the occasion. I have the utmost confidence that rogue will find the best path forward to continue the long legacy of Asylum. I encourage you to all offer the same support and gratitude that you showed me when I took over ownership in December 2019. The first 6 months were terrifying and contained a huge learning curve. I truly never stopped learning.
While I step away from Asylum, I won't disappear from Asylum. I have some career and family goals that need my utmost dedication and focus. And I believe that without the stress of ownership, I will accomplish these goals. Asylum has created a foundation that will help me succeed for the rest of my life. I wish the ownership aspect was something we could easily show the masses, but I wasn’t able to find a concrete way to do just that.
To the countless staff through the years, I truly cannot thank you enough. You guys are the sole reason that Asylum is what Asylum is. You guys through my ownership time worked to keep me in check and my feet planted in reality. The respect I have for you guys will never be forgotten, and I will never be able to thank you enough. For that, I am in debt to you.
There are a few secrets that I wanted to air out as I depart.
The bear image in my signature contained a coupon code for a shit ton of money in the store. It was a puzzle and it was not easily seen. A few got close to figuring it out years ago.
I hate banning people. It was a necessary evil, but with every single ban, I wondered if the person I banned was dealing with shit in life that they too were trying to escape. And that ban may have been their last line to that escape. I know I caused someone to face their issues when they were not ready. For that, I am sorry. It’s not my place to tell you when your issues should be faced.
To the person that died shortly after I spoke with you, I am sorry I didn’t say a better goodbye. Neither of us knew, but I would give anything to go back and say a final goodbye.
To the people that confided their deepest secrets and struggles with me, know that I have still never repeated those to anyone and they will continue to rest with me. I hope you have found peace from those burdens.
To the friend groups that still exist today because of Asylum, I hope they will continue long beyond Asylum.
Open letter to Rogue
Rogue,
The journey you have agreed to undertake has ramifications that only a few know. Being the owner brings a burden that cannot be described. We have spoken at length about the lessons I learned. I encourage you to never forget that you are not here for yourself. Your mission is to continue providing a place for all these people from across the world to meet and continue their connections and friendships. I encourage you to always be humble, listen more than you talk, and admit when you are wrong.
You will have thousands of voices in your ear, and it will be impossible to respond to them all. But you can read them all. I know that during my tenure, I read every single message that I got. Sometimes they were extremely irritating to read and hear, and often they were downright violent. I still read them and used them as fuel to continue the charge. However, I expect you to exercise your restraint when needed, and tenacity when required. You are here to defend what has come before you, and continue what comes after you. You will never take the L, and defeat at any level can never be welcomed. Defend every community member as your family when they come personally under attack.
You hold the power to affect change in people's lives. I know this sounds dramatic, but it’s only because of the messages I received that showed this to be the reality. You should always be humble and understanding. The server is a direct reflection of how you conduct yourself. The team of staff is there for you at any time. Use them for their duties, and empower them to build with you.
With love,
Mitch
“I’m not any good at killing, but I sure can die with the best of them.”
“Don’t light a candle for peace, light it for violence and let peace extinguish the flame.”
In-Game Name: Tyrone Darnell
Location: Kavala
Age: 16
Previous Gangs: NSF, Black Cunts, Teamplayers
Arma 3 Hours (Screenshots):
How much money do you have? 15 Million
Do you know anyone in the gang who will vouch for you? (Names) No
Is there anything beneficial you can bring to us other than shooting, flying, or roleplaying skills? (Elaborate)
here is my montage
In-Game Name: Tyrone Darnell
Location: Kavala
Age: 16
Previous Gangs: NSF, Black Cunts, Teamplayers
Arma 3 Hours (Screenshots):
How much money do you have? 15 Million
Do you know anyone in the gang who will vouch for you? (Names) No
Is there anything beneficial you can bring to us other than shooting, flying, or roleplaying skills? (Elaborate)
here is my montage
Tyrone Darnell liked a post in a topic by williamm in Changelog February
NewYork718 liked a post in a topic by Tyrone Darnell in Community Meeting 2/19
operatorjohnny^ liked a post in a topic by Tyrone Darnell in Community Meeting 2/19
Batcan liked a post in a topic by Tyrone Darnell in Community Meeting 2/19
xeL liked a post in a topic by Tyrone Darnell in Erupt Recruitment [OPEN].thumb.jpg.42b178e7e81b6b49adc4ddf98a844e27.jpg)
