Once again it's been quite a while since the last update was given (sometime in late June or early July) and I apologize for that. A year ago today I never would have thought I'd be the one making this message nor that this message would ever be made to begin with. I've had many good times as many others seem to have (at least on the old ZE if not this one) and by far this is my most fond foruming experience yet.

Today is my one year anniversary as Administrator on Zeta Evolution (although the situtation has definitely changed since that day). When I was promoted that day I never thought this announcement would be made nor was I even close to thinking I'd be the one making it. I've spent a long time deliberating the future of Zeta Evolution and after that time have come to a final decision.

As you all know, Zeta Evolution closed it's doors to the public on February. 16th, 2007 to undergo a drastic change. Members had become an angry mob of sorts, staff were disappearing or not doing their job and a major revamp was required. A week later I promoted Renaissance to Administrator after we had a long chat and we went out searching for a Community Administrator to complete our trio. We found someone but in the end it didn't quite work out for us nor them. After that, due to circumstances beyond control, Renaissance suddenly disappeared from the internet.

Bringing back the forum started to slip from my mind and nothing was done again until May when Ren and I spoke again. We put up new applications, we had numerous skin concepts made, had a layout ready (courtesy of Avaelon) and were almost ready. We managed to hire a very promising staff team and promoted Choco to Senior Manager soon after that.

However problems occured once again as they always seem to with the new Zeta Evolution. People disappeared suddenly, staff became hesitant to work and eventually nothing was getting done. Some efforts were made (particularly by Choco) to help kick-start the staff but the effort seemed to fail. Around this time was when I had serious thoughts about keeping Zeta Evolution closed and it didn't leave my mind. Eventually staff and others started bugging me about the status of the board and what would be happening to it.

That brings us to current day and the very purpose of this announcement. Zeta Evolution will be keeping its doors closed to the public for the foreseeable future if not permanently. I feel bad as many people were looking forward to this but in the end it takes more than good thoughts. It takes hard work, decisive action (something I was lacking at times) and a general willingness to make it all work.

I hope everyone can respect this decision. Please do not open "new" Zeta Evolutions' and try and live off the legacy. Some things are better dying when they do than continuing on and cheapening all the memories you have. Cody learned this after trying to bring back IFPerseverance and I've come to realize this as well. Zeta Evolution cannot continue to drive on the nostalgia the old guard has nor can we try and run it that way.

A combination of factors influenced this but I think a major factor for all staff including myself was looking back at the old ZE. We saw what we wanted to achieve with this but didn't notice when things started changing until it was too late. All the time the staff took to help out ZE I appreciate greatly and I would like to thank a few people in specific:

Arcadia: I respect you immensely for what you did for Zeta Evolution during your tenure. You managed to quickly ascend to Community Manager and for good reason. All decisions you made were for the best of ZE and even if we occasionally got into arguements, you were a great person to have hired. After a while we started to agree more and you did plenty during your time as Administrator here.

It is fair to say that when you were Administrator you practically carried Zeta Evolution on your shoulders. You logged 450 Admin logs alone within a single week of your promotion, you took care of hirings for the applications, you kept staff in order and truly did a superb job. Although you had to retire, it was truly a pleasure to have you on my team and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Choco: Since and slightly before your promotion you helped to spearhead matters dealing with Zeta Evolution. You helped code the skin, you provided us feedback on everything, kept our staff in line and made us many a nice modification. I'm sorry for having to make this decision and that we never got Zeta Evolution open. We made a great effort and you truly put your heart into it (even giving me a verbal ass-kicking when it was needed) even when others had given up.

You are a genius and I really see bright things for you in your future (both off and on the internet). I hope to continue speaking with you on MSN and wish you the best of luck in other pursuits.

Cody: Surprised at your inclusion in this "shout-out"? Without you there would be no ZE and this message would never exist. Thanks to you I've met many a great people, my experience on IF greatly improved over time and I learned a lot about how to manage a forum properly (and some could say improperly). For a long time we remained enemies for no real reason but I'm happy we could make up and become friends again. If you ever get on MSN, feel free to message me and chat.

Avaelon: We haven't really spoken much nor do we know each other all that well. However when we did speak you were a great help to myself and ZE and you were a driving force. You made the layout we were going to use, you provided me with ideas and gave me some useful insight. I know you don't use MSN anymore but it'd still be nice to talk over PM (you should know my name on most forums) and all the best to you.

Syotica: You've been with Zeta Evolution since August and some great times have been had. From the early days where you acted as an Advisor to when you were alongside me as Administrator. You're time as Administrator was short and wasn't the greatest but it's all the other things you did for Zeta Evolution that make you included here. You've served longer than anyone as Support/Forum Services Manager and become my favorite person on the internet.

Logical: No one has passed your record for time as an Administrator since your hiring as one (also slightly before). You and I don't really speak all that much but for what it's worth, I enjoyed my time as Administrator with you. You helped fill the missing part on Zeta Evolution for such a long time and helped keep the community full of life. Maybe one day we'll play on Xbox Live together and I really do wish you all the best.

Renaissance: I know times have been difficult for you since around March and life can sometimes suck. I'm glad you're now feeling a lot better and enjoyed your trip. I highly doubt this message would be up here right now if it weren't for you being alongside me as Administrator for so long. Come on MSN more so we can talk and kick ass in school this year.

To the rest of you: I'm sure I've forgotten a few people I should have included but don't take offense. Many of you have influenced me in one way or another (good or bad) and in the end, Zeta Evolution would not be as it is without you guys. I've had my differences with a few of you, some I still do and others I've never spoken to. Nonetheless, I hope you guys all enjoy yourselves doing whatever it is you're doing. Maybe one day we'll all get back on the same community and share more memories?

Yes, I know this was a very long message. The length of it truly amazes me and I guess that can be put in a positive light. It shows the time I spent here at Zeta Evolution really has laid down some impressions with me and given me plenty to talk about. No one including myself would have predicted that a year from now we'd be shutting our doors and not at 10,000 + members and 300,000 + posts. Time has a way of changing everything and if I could go back in time and fix some mistakes I made, I would.

Unfortunately that's not an option and in the end this is the outcome. I wish all of you the best in your endeavours you want to take up (or already have). Whether they be online or offline, give it your best and really that is all succeeding is. If you want to talk with me or just see me, I'm still going to be around at numerous boards. Syotica and I have a project that I will add a link to here when done that I encourage all to check out.

It's been a great time this past year and it sucks this is what it came down to. I'd appreciate it if no one asks me to have Zeta Evolution as I will not give it away. I leave you with my final words. Sometimes the captain really does need to go down with the ship. Sadly, I feel this is one of those times. Without further wait, the doors to ZE are closed. We've had a great run.

- Lykathč