April Fools! Sorry!

[Vextor]

Well, first of all, I apologize for this year's april fools! However, to make an excuse, three were two good reasons in making it sound like this site shut down for good. For one thing, I wanted to test the database and various PHP scripts at an environment where there are no visitors whatsoever. Second, I wanted to help out theirstar.com with recruiting new members, because it's pretty important to have more Suikoden fansites, and I've been truly enthralled with theirstar.com owner, John Layfield's, passion for the series and the quality staff he has assembled for his site.

However, I also learned something a lot more important, albeit unexpectedly. I realized how suikox.com is important for many of the visitors. I have received numerous e-mails about whether suikox.com shutting down is true, and I've read meany messages on how people will truly miss the site. Now, as pretty much a "control panel operator" at suikox.com, I rarely interact with members, let alone visit the numerous community forums set up by other administrators. Typiecally, my role is nothing more than that of an administrator, or as the executor of site rules. I suppose I really did not understand how the community here at suikox has matured into something more than a simple "message board community." In that sense, this april fools prank I pulled on everybody also surprised me.

I have been running suikoden-ralated sites since 2000; back when I started I was just starting my career and had plenty of free time. Now, my time has become scarce, and the thought that "I am too old to be running a video game site" often cross my mind. I am thirty years old, I have huge responsibilities at work, and I have other things I wish to do with my life besides spending my weekends doing maintenance for a videogame site. At least, that is what I felt.

However, now that I've seen what this site means to a lot of people, I've come to realize that this isn't just a videogame site. The fact that people have gathered here due to their appreciation of Suikoden is only a minor detail; a mere footnote and a coincidence in terms of this site's nature. That's what I learned from this prank, so thanks for the experience; I honestly apologize though for the deception.

A number of changes will have to take place for suikox.com though. There are some logistical problems with the site that must be resolved. There are some structural changes that need to take place, along with a few other changes. Of course, that doesn't mean the site will shut down or anything, and the community along with the "nation system" will continue. I hope you'll all continue to visit suikox.com.

[Alseid]

Yeah, well, that...sucked.

I did enjoy trolling a bit, trying to poke some sense into those who did buy it.
Yes, I feel guilty about it.

That said, I really doubt many of those who went all exodus to theirstar will stay there for long. Most will likely ditch their accounts and come back here.
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All the way to the edge of this world

[Elc]

I think it's safe to say that Suikox, and the relationships formed here, are pretty much an addiction. I, personally, have never expected to be as regular a visitor as I've become. Hell, I never thought I would post upwards of 1,000 posts, let alone nearing my 3,000th post as my activity levels at forums elsewhere are minimal to moderate at best.

So if the brief downtime will help solve some problems the place is facing, then it was well worth it.
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"You make me smash the clock and feel, I'd rather die behind the wheel.
Time was never on my side, So on I wait my whole lifetime."

[Sage]

About all that stuff I said at theirstar, I was just kidding. You know that, right guys? ;)
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[Tony Stark]

Good joke! Acheron and I figured it out after a few moments of panicing. After I got out of the SAT today, I realized that it was April Fool's day. Which is good because I didn't get any good pranks today. . .

Funny one, Sars.
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[Cohkka]

I believed it for a couple minutes and was really upset. I'm okay now though.

[Pierrot Le Fou]

That was awesome!
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A not unblack dog was chasing a not unsmall rabbit across a not ungreen field.

[Angelus]

Congrats, Sars. I congratulate you on getting TheirStar more members. Although I do think some of the April Fools newbs will be gone by tomorrow. :/

I never expected me to be so happy to see the Falenans at TheirStar when Suikox was closed. I, like Elc, never thought I'd be so attached to the friends I made here addicted to this site. >_>

I almost said "I never though I'd be so addicted to the firends I made here." xD Awkward...
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[Sophita]

[Breeze]

I figured out it was a joke when I checked the URL of the "Yahoo" message. Seeing the file was named "test.html" or something such let me know it was a joke. That, and the fact that another forum I go to was doing a joke extremely similar to this also gave me some insight.

Still, it was a good joke. Once I figured it out, I was smiling my head off. Before then, I just terribly confused. I do agree with Alseid, though -- I think most accounts at Their Star at going to get ditched now, which is unfortunate because it looks like a good site (one I would join if I knew I'd be active; but I don't manage activity at this one, so...).
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What do you think are my strengths and weaknesses?

[Rune Walsh]

haha, i knew it XD I made an april fools joke 5 minutes before visiting the site about a pink floyd revival to a pink floyd fan, my beliefs were reinforced after making a visit to gamefaqs who also did an april fools joke XD but still, the look on the face who fell for it must have been priceless
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Tired of beating up invading aliens? Call Dad and get some rest!

[kuwaizair]

wait how much does Yahooo know about me? they collect info and use it? I figured it was a joke and a ploy to move the server. I've seen many sites go down. lots of sites I go to did stuff, you, neopets and vgmusic. vg's was silly, 24 dollars a month for a premiumum account and unlimmeted midi listening, VIP forum access. you'd of done that to I think...make suikox a site one needs to pay for an account at.

but yeh its a home on the net this site. pass the torch if anything happens.
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few runes short of a set of 27

[Timbo]

One of the better pranks you've done SARS. Very nice.
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"There is no normal life, there's just life. Now get on with it"

[Scarlet Assassin]

Heh, go check theirstar, I've been saying it was a hoax all damn day. I did enjoy being an unknown among you guys for a day though. Through all this I gained a new respect for Layfield though. I like his site and I like how relaxed the atmosphere is. Thanks to this I'll probably go become a regular there too, however I do have to ask him about changing my username.

I also figured out that it was a hoax by checking the URLs btw, I PMed Layfield about it and we had a good laugh. I will say this though SARS, if you ever do that again you can expect to see me in Ohio with a machete.

With that said, how are you going to beat this prank next year? Suiko gaiden 4 perhaps?
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Chief of Beat-em-up Honeys Division, Devoted Protector of Lady Tifa Lockhart

[Agahnim]

I assumed it was an April Fool's prank, since it was never really announced anywhere by Sars that it definetly wasn't. I'd been thinking about joining Their Star, so this gave me the time to do so. Though I found it strange how much Suikox had seemingly become a regular part of my everyday life, and how much the idea of losing everything gained here annoyed me.
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"The strong manly ones in life are those who understand the meaning of the word patience."