Spiral Knights - AFK is what I'll call this.

AFK is what I'll call this.

37 replies [Last post]

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 18:43

Vesperaldus

Since it seems to be tradition here in these forums, I might as well add to it. I'm going AFK from Spiral Knights. Or quitting, as most call it. Although I'm not exactly "quitting," which is why AFK seems to be a more appropriate term.

This decision is really long over due. And so thus begins my long wall of text if you care to read it and know.

Many of the people on my friends list have many a times tried inviting me to a run, and some have noticed that I never join. Since around this time in 2012, doing runs and actually playing this game has completely bored me to death. Well you may wonder why I bother to even log on then, since I haven't enjoyed playing SK for two years. I guess it's because I care. I care about the Community, I care about the people, and I care about the game. I've always said that it's a guild that keeps you playing. And it has been, in all honesty. But guilds aren't the same as they used to be, and establishing one has becoming increasingly difficult as I've noticed by my doing that (for the third time) a few months ago. Spiral Knights is stale to me now, but I suppose it must become stale at some point, and I've already passed my third year of playing this game. Obsession for costumes played a part in my staying here so long, but as of right now, OOO has caught my weak spot with all these promotions, and I really need to learn some money management. So part of my leaving has to do with my incapability to not spend money on something I want on a whim. That's my own problem, so don't be placing the blame on OOO for that one. I will say that a very recent event did lend a hand in helping me decide this. I got a temporary ban a while back... an in game ban for accidentally double posting on the forums (which I still don't see how on earth my punishment was reasonable). But while I was banned, I needed something to do. So I found another game... one that has rather hooked my attention since my ban here on SK. And well, I can't spend money on BOTH games, because that'll create bigger problems than before. This other game doesn't have money grabs that SK seems to put out so often that my spending limit hasn't subsided before the next money grab pops up. Not to mention, this game gives me a coupon sometimes just from logging in, which I've decided to only spend money on this particular game when it does give me a coupon. Well, I decide that around 70% of the time at least. At least I have better control of my spending habits in this game than in SK.

Spiral Knights has proved to be a blessing in my life, despite the financial issues I've run into because of it. In fact, as some of you know, I met my boyfriend, Mysteryzx, on Spiral Knights. While we originally lived in two separate states over 700 miles away from each other, we now live together with plans to get married. If I had quit SK the moment I had gotten bored, Mystery and I would have never known each other. I am truly grateful I didn't, because Mystery and I have the most amazing relationship that any two people could ever have. I'm not sure where either of us would be if we weren't together.

I've had a lot of good experiences in Spiral Knights as well. Not all of them were good, in fact some of them were quite bad (like with Lovelys, if any of you know all the details about his taking advantage of me). But there have been quite a lot of good ones as well. I really value some of the friendships I have made, like with Cootiecakes. I've had good experiences in the guilds I've run. First Phantoms End in 2011, Elegance in 2012-2013, and last Knight Rain in 2014. Another one of my philosophies is if you can't find one you like, then make one. While I made Phantoms End because my cousin wanted me to at the time, I made Elegance and Knight Rain on that philosophy. Besides those two guilds, there has only been one other guild that I have truly enjoyed being in. That guild was The Risen, led by Velcro, Gwenyvier, and Object. Gwenyvier has always left quite the impression on me, and I've always looked up to her. I'm not sure why we couldn't remain friends once The Risen died, but even though I'm "quitting" SK, I'm still gonna get her those Regal Wings. After The Risen died, I couldn't find a guild I liked, so I made my own with Mysteryzx called Elegance. I resigned from Elegance in the summer of 2013, and while some may have hard feelings for me because of that, there is another philosophy that I have that goes hand in hand with "a guild keeps you playing." It's that if I see the ship is sinking, I'm not going down with it. That's the very logic that I left both The Risen and Elegance on. I'd leave Knight Rain too, but this time I AM the sinking ship.

While I'm in the general topic of guilds and people, there's a few other things I'd like to say to some guilds and some people. First to EoS, I'd like to apologize for my past behaviors. While I did claim to be spying during my stay in EoS, I do think that "spying" might be a rather loaded word. I guess I was curious is all really. I mean I always had the fanciful thought of being a part of you guys, but always knowing it wouldn't really work out. I guess not all of my motives were pure either, as sometimes I did want to join EoS simply for becoming friends with Newg again. Admittedly, there has been some hatred for you guys since the moment I knew of your existence, and granted, that hatred is rather immature. But, I'll always have the feeling that you guys got the idea for your guild's name from my "guild" in another game that I still think Dogrock played. I'm likely incorrect, but I'm a conspiracy theorist and I can't help it. Anyway, I have no hard feelings for you guys, and while I do feel your retaliation towards me has been a bit extreme, I also think I'm an easy target that gets picked on... and I likely deserved it.

Gwen. I really still wish we were friends. I was puzzled for the longest time as to why you removed me out of the blue and refused to speak to me. I'm not really sure if I did something, though I guess I can be clueless a lot. I am glad that I could be in The Risen with you though, since you seemed to be like a Spiral Knights Goddess to me. If we could have another shot at being friends, you can find me on Steam via Cootie's Pigtails and Huggles Group. I'd appreciate another chance.

Stolidly. While we weren't close in The Risen, and while I do know you likely won't be reading this, I would also like to clarify that incident with Jssr that has made you hate me. And while you likely wouldn't care or even remotely believe me, I feel you should at least know. Jssr was annoying Lovelys in a way that Lovelys couldn't tolerate. Lovelys told me to do anything I possibly could to get Jssr to stop harassing him (yes Lovelys is a guy, idc if you want to believe me, it's the truth). At the time Lovelys didn't want to me leaving Wolfpack Party for anything, and well I was twisted around his finger and had to do everything he wanted. So yes, I approved with him before leaving WPP to deceive Jssr. Lovelys knew of the plan the entire time, and I don't care what the heck he told you because anything he ever told anyone about me was always in effort to make people hate me so that he'd be my only friend, thus wrapping me more around his finger. Anyway, there's the truth so you can either hate me with more passion because you don't believe it, or maybe have some sympathy and lessen your hatred for me.

Lovelys/Skbulletproof. First of all, I was going to give you a second chance after you told me the truth and just let everything slide off my back like it had never happened, but the fact that you kept trying to abuse me on Steam is what led to my just flat out not caring anymore. Oh yeah, and in all those many pictures you showed me to prove to me that you were a 14 year old boy, you looked like you could impersonate Justin Bieber. Take that as a compliment, cause it's the only one you're getting from me. And sorry that I just blew your cover that your original name on SK was Skbulletproof.

Now to explain my status about Spiral Knights. I'm basically going to be one of those people that comes back every once and a while to see the new stuff... and then idle offline. I'll hang around the forums a bit as well, though I have recently taken up posting with my alt, so you likely won't know it's me (and if you do come to find out, I'll just use a different alt). Speaking of alts, I'll still insist I have the most in SK, but I won't say publicly how many I do have. Also, I imagine at some point I will "come back" and play more actively since there are still a few ambitions I have yet to fulfill (namely those lockboxes). I will be selling some items of mine, but that's for another day since I haven't sorted out what exactly I do want to keep.

As to why people make these threads, it isn't just because they want attention, it's because they care about you. I do still care, but SK is not only sucking my money away, it's also become a stressor to me. I am curious to know how fondly you guys think of me, because I'm sure you don't since most of my forum posts have seemed to elude many people's understand. Also... you can't legitimately ask for my stuff on the notion that I'm quitting, because I most certainly am not by definition "quitting." I'm merely going away from the keyboard in regards Spiral Knights. That's a nicer way to put it, I suppose. But by all means, go ahead and ask me for your stuff. Even if it is a joke that's told too often. Or even if it is "worth the try." You can have your fun.

Since I can't say goodbye, because this isn't one... I guess I'll just idle offline now. Cya!!

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 19:12

Blazzberry

I have no mouth and I need to scream

Why can't people just say taking a break? I mean we all do it. And hardly any of the real quitters are manly enough to delete thier own character.

Anyhoo, good luck and all that jazz. Cheers. :x

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 19:22

Vesperaldus

@Blazzberry

I guess cause someone's always gotta find something they don't like and point it out. But it's not technically a "break."

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 20:57

Colray

well...

Sorry to see another player retire, but hey. Good times are good but they always end.

/salute

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 20:58

Rothni-Halias

.....

Spiral Knights is turning into an open casket funeral. The game's life is breathing stale air and its lack of innovation and change are killing it. I have an idea I've been thinking about that I still haven't solidified. How can the community, with its poetry and strong friends, really help the developers improve the game past the point that they seem unable to get past? Levels, weapons, shields, armor, and clothing designs could all be siphoned from the community so long as there was a proper method for doing so. I might as well post this since I probably will not be frequenting the forums as often as I was.

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 21:10

Poothis

More realistic

In my opinion, this is how most "retires" happen. People say they'll quit, but I'm pretty sure that in a couple months or so, they'll be like get an urge and be like "I wonder what's going on in SK nowadays". They hop on, see all the differences, be invited into a new guild because they were kicked from their previous one for inactivity and meet new people in the new guild who they become good friends with and then start playing again. (That happened to me) And finally, someone actually gives a sort of "temporary retirement" thread saying that they will come back! Anyway, see ya until that time comes Hollows and I'm sure you'll have a warm welcome back then.

Wed, 05/14/2014 - 22:50

Arcknightdelta

It's called addiction. It's a fact. All of you here are addicted to online gaming, specifically Spiral Knights. Don't believe me? I challenge you to stop playing Spiral Knights and see how long it takes for you to come back and "check" things out. If you never come back, you're cured.

Still don't believe me. Then why are people coming back weeks, months later after openly stating they are quitting. Because they "love" the game? Maybe.

Can't accept, have an excuse, have a counter argument? You're too far lost. But hope is never lost.

Goodluck

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 04:06

Neinhart

@Arcknightdelta

"It's called addiction. It's a fact."

"Addiction is characterized by inability to consistently abstain, impairment in behavioral control, craving, diminished recognition of significant problems with one’s behaviors and interpersonal relationships, and a dysfunctional emotional response. " -American Society of Addiction Medicine

Unless you can prove that this conflicted with Hollows' or any of our personal lives with several ramifications like education, employment, financial burden, social withdrawal, or even sleep patterns, then please rephrase your argument.

"Can't accept, have an excuse, have a counter argument?"

Except I have a citation, you just claimed fact off subjective conjecture. It's not nice to be called an addict, especially when your accuser can't prove it. Defiance does not confirm addiction, it confirms you just insulted someone.

If I leave my hometown to pursue personal goals and check up a few years later to see how things are going in my free time, am I addicted?

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 04:50

Arcknightdelta

@ Purepwn

It was too long and I didn't read all of it. But the general consensus is that majority of people saying they are quitting/retiring do tend to come back and start playing again. It's a fact. I'm not going to search through all these threads to find those letters and match then up with comments made by the same people months after they wrote it.

If it was directed at Hollow I would have put @ Hollow in the header. Sorry if it came off that way.

I know the meaning of addiction, but thanks for making everyone else aware. If you didn't know, there are many forms of addiction. Ranging from mild to severe. Technically we are all addicted to Spiral Knights hence why we play it so much. I'm addicted to watching Walking Dead, I'm also addicted to playing Football. I love it so much I can't get enough of it.

Have you never heard someone say they were addicted to chocolate? So if I made made a general comment and said everyone who eats lots of chocolate is addicted and therefore a chocolate addict (chocoholic), you'll give me the same response? You're taking what I said too seriously, which is actually something quite common on these forums.

Here read these:
http://www.m.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/features/video-game-addiction-no-fun
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/
http://www.video-game-addiction.org/social-consequences.html

Don't forget to smile more :)

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 04:55

Vesperaldus

Actually, Purepwn, by your

Actually, Purepwn, by your own statements, I am addicted. Spiral Knights has created financial issues for me, as I stated several times throughout my OP.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:16

#10

Neinhart

Replies

@Hollows
Then that's my fault for not reading enough. Even so, he claims we are all addicted and until you stepped up to say it, he couldn't prove it.

@Arcknightdelta
If you use a highly stigmatized term and apply it to everyone, it should be taken to some severity. Addiction is a serious condition, and using it flippantly insults the people who actually suffer from it. The real addicts.

Everything is fun and games until you drag a medical condition into it. Of course what you say is going to taken seriously, It's a medical condition. Unless this was an elaborate ruse then jolly good show, sir, but the moment you claim fact with little evidence is when your claim can't be taken seriously.

It doesn't matter what the quality of addiction is. You seem to have this idea that as long as you have a tendency to enjoy something, it's an addiction. You need to prove that it's an obsession, a particular activity, that is the cause of degradation of yours or anyone else's quality of life. Which you haven't, all you have proven is that we're vulnerable to pleasure. I'm not saying you're wrong, I'm saying articulate your thoughts more if you want people to believe you.

"I love playing Spiral Knights, I play it everyday when I can"

"I love playing Spiral Knights, I play it night and day and I missed class a few times because of it"

Can you tell which of these quotes come from someone who is addicted?

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:44

#11

Arcknightdelta

@ Purepwn

I don't need to prove anything, your answer is in post #9. Stop taking it out of context.

Edit: ok you want me to prove it? Where do you live. I need to assess your living habits. How long you play Spiral Knights for, how long do you spend with family, how long do you spend in the wash room, how often do you move away from the screen while playing Spiral Knights, do you take your phone with you every where you go and read the forums, how long do you spend reading up on Spiral Knights when not playing, how much money you spend on this game. I'll arrange sleeping and food myself, don't feel obliged to prepare anything for me. I promise to be on my best behaviour as well.

EDIT: Until I have assessed your situation I can't prove it. I can only say you are addicted if you try and quit but you can't. If you don't want me to come to your house that's understandable. So I challenge you. Stop playing Spiral Knights and see how long it takes you until you come back. Actually be serious about it and say that's it, I'm done.

EDIT: BTW I didn't call you an addict, yes I'd generalised it. Because yes it is a concern and yes most people are addicted. But like I said there are different forms of addiction. You're missing the point. Although I'm starting to think you may be addicted by taking this too serious. You just got proved my Hollow in post #9 that in fact I was right.

May I ask. When was the last time you washed?

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:43

#12

Glittertind

Arcknightdelta, do you honestly think the entire playerbase (and apparently anyone that is passionate/interested in something) would suddenly start showing signs of mild addiction if they suddenly stopped? Would they ALL start suffering from minor depression, irritation and/or insomnia and the likes?

Get real. People can be interested or passionate about something without being addicted.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:47

#13

Krakob

Take care, Hollows. You're a terrific knight and you will be missed.

It's truly heartwarming to know that you found love through this silly little game. I wish you two the best of luck in the future!

Lastly, regarding that temp ban, I'm still sorry about it eks dee. I guess maybe the GMs thought it was intentional due to the context and the excessive amount of posts you sent. They should really just prevent polyposting instead of punishing people for it...

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:53

#14

Xxpapaya

The papaya cries

Do come back :( It always breaks my heart (hearts) when someone leaves D:
Oh well, that basically summarized what I did
3 months ago- Me: Goodbye everyone!
1 week ago- Logs on everyday

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 05:57

#15

Arcknightdelta

@ Glittertind

Oh you again. You trolled me for no reason in a thread a few weeks back. I can't take you seriously sorry.

I'm leaving now as this is getting ridiculous. Sorry Hollows.

@ Anyone in general

You are all addicted to Spiral Knights, so am I. Because we all love it. The extent of your addiction is dependant on how your life away from Spiral Knights is affected. IF your life is a mess then you are EXTREMELY ADDICTED. IF you can balance Spiral Knights and life away from Spiral Knights but still love Spiral Knights and love playing it MORE than other games (nothing wrong with that) then you are VERY SLIGHTLY ADDICTED. I am ADDICTED to playing Football because I love it. I am ADDICTED to playing BIOSHOCK because I love it.

Anyone who is taking offence at this needs to step back, think VERY carefully at what I HAVE said and realise you are being melodramatic. I would even go as far to say you are in denial.

Hollows all the best. You're actually better off away from this place.

@ Xxpapaya would it be fair to say your addiction to Spiral Knights drove your love for it to come back?

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 06:12

#16

Shidara

Adios.

I associate 'quitting' with 'complete abandonment', be it deleting your character or just leaving never to return.

I never knew you Hollows, but I've always caught glimpses of you on numerous occasions, be it in-game or on the forums. Alas, I have only myself to blame for never daring to make an approach. Such is the way of things.

I am glad to hear you managed to find happiness through Spiral Knights. I often hear about people making friends over a game and I think that's fantastic, but finding a partner in life is taking it to a whole another level. You have my congratulations and dearest wishes for the future.

Hopefully we'll see you again when the next big discovery is made on Cradle. Until then, take care.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 06:17

#17

Glittertind

"Oh you again. You trolled me for no reason in a thread a few weeks back. I can't take you seriously sorry. " -Arcknightdelta

As if anyone using the word "trolled" should be taken seriously.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 06:38

#18

Rothni-Halias

Arcknightdelta, please stop being a butt.

Your usual argument style doesn't work with that word, addiction. Addiction is characterized by, and only by, being unable to stop a non-mandatory action regardless of its negative effects on your life. Being "very slightly addicted" isn't the same as compulsively playing a game because you lack better things to do, or it was a habbit, or you're curious, or you got bored.

I know what addiction is like and you have shown me you don't with that post.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/addiction?
"The condition of being abnormally dependent on some habit."

EDIT:
*sigh*

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 07:16

#19

Arcknightdelta

Ok. Sorry for being a "butt"

Ok. Sorry for being a "butt" then. Some of us obviously have different ways of taking things out of context. I might need to be referred for specialist help as I am ADDICTED to playing Football.

I'll have to apologise to my friend for calling her an addict because she eats too much chocolate now. I hope she didn't take it as serious as some of you have.

Sorry to hear this game caused Hollow stress financially. Again I wish the best for her.

@ Glittertind no I don't think that. I mentioned addiction here because of what Hollows said. So I mentioned it as a warning to others who might go down that route. For Hollows It was a financial problem because of playing Spiral Knights. She said so in post #9. I'm not wrong here and neither are you guys, but I'm not trying to argue which you clearly are.

Edit: In a way Hollows left a beautiful message for all of you. It has meaning and teaching. If you read it you'll understand what I was getting at.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 07:18

#20

Addy

Somebody writes a long,

Somebody writes a long, wonderful message about the game that they met the love of their life on and we're debating what a word means. A+.

Good luck in life, Hollows, seriously. Being in a long-distance relationship myself, seeing you succeed on yours is always an inspirational thing to see. Congratulations and enjoy. <3

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 07:58

#21

Arcknightdelta

Sorry Addy. I took the discussion to my Awareness thread now.

Edit: didn't want to make a new post so editing this one.

@ Dragneel-Wiki I responded to your reply below here: http://forums.spiralknights.com/en/node/100303?page=1#comment-915539

The problem is I doubt any of you trying to argue here has read what Hollows has said. Post #9 is a TL;DR of everything I was trying to say. Anyone who still wishes to discuss this further go to my Awareness thread.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 07:30

#22

Dragneel-Wiki

I wouldn't call returning to the game after deciding not to come back "addiction", but rather "have nothing else to do" or even "best of the worst". Addiction can lead to serious health/mental problems, so yeaaaaaaah, we just play it for the sake of playing it...

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 08:18

#23

Krakob

Not gonna bother reading all the posts here because I need to make myself some dinner so here are my thoughts on addiction:
Chances are you're addicted if you log on every day or check the forums every day (that's me, except every hour). I don't think anyone is fit to tell anyone who's addicted or not unless they're a shrink, though. That, or you think you're addicted yourself
Addiction doesn't have to be bad, though. It's bad when it starts hurting your non-digital life. A case of that would be Hollows' story.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 08:30

#24

Arcknightdelta

@ Krakob

That's what I was trying but failed to say. I should have put "chances are" before I said addicted, like you did. I fail at English sometimes. I bet if I added those two words in, my post would have been taken seriously.

Not being sarcastic to you at all Krakob, I honestly respect your point of view.

Again sorry If I came across as generalising you all as addicts, that wasn't my intention, and it could have been avoided if I worded it correctly.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 12:34

#25

Fangel

That's English for you

Forget two simple words and people throw pitchforks at you.

As for you Hollows, although I never met you in-game, I bid you a heart-felt farewell. Depending on where we all end up, I'm sure at least a few of us will be here waiting for your return.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 12:53

#26

Fehzor

Goo bai Hollows. You can always come back and do runs with me whenever :P

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 14:46

#27

Hero-Of-Cheese

bye

I only know you the forums, but I will still wave my hand and say "bye bye".

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 14:47

#28

Wodanct

The talk about addiction really has no place in this topic. Being bored is the only reason I check these forums just to see what people are talking about. While I've left the game a few times. Last time I left was a week after battle sprites.

Anyway, all I wanted to say was I don't know you or really anyone that is posting here. Though my advice would be if people are ignoring you and still ignoring you.. you should just forget they exist. Move on, keep your head up and move on. You have done what you done, and it seems some of it was to help a friend which is perfectly understandable. Anyway, it is funny how fast you can find a new game to play when SK has gotten dull or has banned you for some reason. You'll meet new and better people then those that ignore you now. Well, it would seem you already have with your boyfriend.

tl;dr

Move on and never look back. Friends come and friends go. Those that ignore you have already shut their minds and hearts so it is best to not even acknowledge they still exist.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 15:03

#29

Vesperaldus

@Wodanct: Quite frankly, you

@Wodanct: Quite frankly, you shouldn't read into the things I've directed to other people. Those people I did direct things to were things that happened a very long time ago. I've already moved on and kept my head up, but I also felt I should say those things to them. My being "missing in action" from this game has nothing to do with them, it's more like my final words to them.

@Addy: I've seen you around on the forums. You seem nice, and I wanted to be in your guild, however I think your guild started up after mine.

@Kracob: Eh, well when I asked the GMs about it, at first they told me I should have deleted my own posts. When I pointed out that players can't do that, they told me I should have contacted them and asked them to delete the posts... But again, it's in no way your fault.

@Shidara: There's always Steam.

@Fehzor: I hate runs... and you know that too!

Oh yes, I might have forgotten to say that I will be selling a few of my things so I can get stuff on Steam... that way I don't have to use my IRL money. It's funny to think how much money my stuff could be worth...

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 15:14

#30

Aphrodite

Community Manager

Please stay on-topic here. This thread is about Hollows. Any discussion about addiction or other non-game issues belong in Gremlin Chatter. Thank you!

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 15:19

#31

Poomph

Hollows...

Not feeling sleepy anymore, eh? Did you wake up?

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 15:57

#32

Wodanct

Eh, don't worry about it the "advice" can be for anyone that has problems with people on this game. Though I'll be more careful next time. No harm no foul.

Thu, 05/15/2014 - 16:03

#33

Vesperaldus

@Poomph: Nah, I just changed

@Poomph: Nah, I just changed it back so that people won't be confused as to who I am. Since some think Sleepy-Hollows isn't the same person as just Hollows.

Fri, 05/16/2014 - 05:53

#34

Holy-Crab

Wow this thread has taken

Wow this thread has taken "story of my life" to a whole new level.

Fri, 05/16/2014 - 21:07

#35

Kurapika

Hi Hollows. :3

I always wave to you when I see you in Haven. You seem like a very nice person, and I wish you the very best! :)

Sat, 05/17/2014 - 18:14

#36

Addy

Aww, thank you. ;w; I only

Aww, thank you. ;w; I only just saw this post.

If you ever do return, there's always a spot open for you in our guild. :3

Sat, 05/17/2014 - 19:39

#37

Vesperaldus

Well apparently another guild

Well apparently another guild wants me as well. O.o
I guess whichever is alive and well when I become active again is what I'll choose. I really don't know that I'll be going down the road of making my own guild again, because I'll probably want to be more relaxed when I play it.

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AFK is what I'll call this.