Pictured in this post is the very first screenshot I officially took in Minecraft. That is a photo of the first house I ever built on Reddit’s servers in 2010. Inspired by Japanese architecture, it was MY creation. The first of many to come. It was a glorious time.
Why am I sharing this, now? Because the proverbial poop has hit the fan and everyone is freaking out…forgetting why they started playing this game. Microsoft now owns Mojang. Yes. That happened. Let’s talk about that and Imaginears Club’s future.
I admit – early on I was reactionary, assumptive, and a little scared. (Granted, I am still worried, but let’s TRY to keep this positive.) I posted, to my personal Twitter, about all the possible failed scenarios and personal frustrations I had with this decision.
Then, I took a deep breathe and remembered the joy of my first builds, the camaraderie with other players, and the absolutely incredible creativity of everyone I’ve met in Minecraft. To this day that has not changed. We still gather and accomplish feats of extraordinary construction and engineering/imagineering. By combining our skills, artistry, and friendship – we have made monumental rides, rich landscapes, and MAGICAL realms.
You have to realize, when I began playing Minecraft it was a simplistic browser-based demo. (also, sadly, no screenshot ability) You had the blocks in your action bar and that was it. No mobs, a limited world, and stark colors. Still, even in its infancy, it was … Let’s just say I was hooked. I still am. I never lost that wonder and the pure enjoyment of creation. That’s what has driven me to keep this server running, paying the bills out of pocket most of the time, so it is STILL free and accessible to kids of all ages. I made promises and I intend to keep my word.
So what does all this have to do with Imaginears Club?
I want Imaginears Club to live on. We plan to continue building, and creating, and expanding this universe we’re all a part of. I want our community to remain one of the biggest, happiest, most family friendly ones ever. I want us to keep growing and developing our parks and servers.
Imaginears Club should position itself as a light at the end of the tunnel. A place where the dream and MAGIC haven’t died. Where anyone can come on and see the best that Minecraft, Disney, and our talented team of Cast Members & Guests have to offer. I want our community to continue building life-long friendships. I want more letters from moms and dads thanking us for everything we do. I want to gather 100s of us at Minecon 2015 in London and have a blast. I want to go to the next YouCube and give the fans a day of incredible opportunities and the time of their lives. I want partnerships to keep growing. I want our Twitch to be more active and our YouTube to have new content.
I want Walt to look down and say “That’s the spirit!”
Let us not travel down a dark path during this transition. Life, itself, is all about change. Some of it is scary. Some of it is confusing. Heck, sometimes it can be downright maddening but, like learning to ride a bike – We will all fall. It’s the stronger person that gets right back up again, brushes off the dirt, and keeps moving forward.
That’s our current outlook at Imaginears Club. Keep moving forward.
Imaginears Club would like to take this opportunity to thank Notch for all he has done and all he created. Tapping in to something so basic, using tools and blocks that are equally basic, he created an entire community, economy, and entertainment empire. We are so very thankful for everything he has given us. Thanks, Notch. From all our hearts. Enjoy your life.
We’d also like to thank the entire team of Mojangstas, including Jeb, Lydia, Dinnerbone and all the rest. Thank you all for your work, for allowing us to show at Minecon 2013, and for continuing to be supportive of us. We hope you stay on for YEARS to come and continue to be a part of this vast community. (We also hope you still get to be you)
Imaginears Club is not going anywhere, folks. You have my word.
Sincerely,
David Wasman – Owner/Founder
imaginears.club Family of Servers – Proudly hosted my mcprohosting.com