Announcement about DDOcast's future

[Mockduck]

Hi everyone! I'm writing today to pass along some news about the future of DDOcast, and to announce something personally amazing. It's an understatement to say that starting the podcast in early 2007 was one of my best decisions ever; it's simply the most fun and personally rewarding creative effort I've undertaken. I truly love Dungeons and Dragons Online and all of us that make up the best community in MMO-land. Doing 190ish shows means every now and then you go into the weekend wishing you had the free time to do something else instead, but there has never been a single week that I ended up wishing I'd done something else by the time the show was posted.

I'm announcing that this Friday's show, Episode 191, will be my last. Why? Turbine is giving me the chance to realize a life-long dream. I have often hoped for an opportunity to work in the gaming industry, and to now be able to work for my absolute favorite MMO developer is truly an honor and a privilege. It's a little early to tell you what I will be doing specifically, but I promise that I'll have more to say soon.

What will happen to DDOcast? I will keep the episodes and web site up for the foreseeable future. I will do my best to have the content available for as long as there is an interest in checking out the show and web site. It is also very possible that DDOcast will return/continue under new leadership. Again, it's a little early to announce anything, but stay tuned!

I've now rewritten this next part several times....how to possibly thank everyone who's been a part of the show?!?! I started putting together a "thank you" list and realized just how much work said task is. There have literally been dozens of people over the years who have been on the show, maybe over a hundred? I've had amazing segments sent in, taken part in wonderful conversations with people across the world, done countless interviews and had an unquantifiable amount of assistance to keep the show at its best (okay, so I've had 200d8 points of help, there, now it's quantified...) To say I couldn't have done it without you is an understatement, the truth is the show was not a success because of me but because of the passion, humor and knowledge you guys and gals (and cats, and dogs, and even a chicken) provided.

There are numerous people who dedicated their time to the show in a major way, let me just list a few. Thank you so much to Blackskull for writing the post on the DDO.com boards that got me thinking about doing a podcast in the first place, Rowanheal for her strength to handle strong reactions to strong opinions, Merlask for bringing tons of people to the show and for showing me that it is possible to take the next step and do amazing work, Lessah for being one of the coolest people I've ever met, Clankenbeard for being the funniest person I've ever met, Anne Trent for her writing and broadcasting genius, Sigfried Trent for truly being the King of Crunch, Rheebus for bringing such good fun to the show, Standpoint for being my brother and ally through this whole deal, Buzzsaw for showing me how criticism and humor can work like chocolate and peanut butter, Samius for being yourself in so many great ways, Xiloscient for teaching me a ton about how to play DDO well, Doctor Boutrous for bringing a lot of funny to the earliest shows, Alex for your insight and broadcasting skill, Skaggy for bringing the class to DDOcast, Eladrin for being my first "official" interview with someone from Turbine, Coldin, The Brute, AvariceGold, Dr. Firewater, Adan, Bekki, BigBadBerry, CaliforniaPiper, Carliee, Entimix, Bern, Govt Mule, Griphon, Hafael, Hambo, Hendrik, Impaqt, JakLee, Kalari, Kashka, Kayoz, Kosimo, Maes, Metakadeez, Nim, Pixelbox, Robi3.0, Seneca, Sorrowbladen, Stabbity, Sylvurdragon, Thad, Torrance, Ulfgaar, Zeff, Chris Molsbee for putting me in print, Kudesnik for your support and Steiner-Davion for being a great friend. This is just scratching the surface! There have been so many people who have had a connection to the show, it's simply impossible to thank everyone (or remember to put them in a thank you list.) To everyone I've not mentioned here, please know that I wish I would have included you too. Thank you! Also thanks to Turbine for agreeing to be on the show over the years, for doing Ask the Devs with me and for your tireless support of the DDO community. It's humbling to think about how many people have believed in me and the show, none of this would ever have happened without you.

Thanks to Sacred Flame Guardians on Sarlona and the DDOcast Build Guild on Orien for being the best guilds I could ever hope for, Aerenal (RIP, you old server) for being a great place to start, DDO-Daily for doing great news, DDO Reports for bringing the world of DDO to Twitter in a big way, Ron's Character Planner and the Ultimate DDO Game Guide for being so helpful and the DDO Wiki for being the one place I knew I could get an answer quickly if an answer exists. To every DDO fan and fan site out there, you all rule!

There may well be some folks who read this and see the news as an opportunity to start their own show, do their own thing. I say go for it! A podcast can be a lot of work and commitment, but is rewarding in so many ways. When I started I was the only "DDO show" out there, but the podcasting scene now includes several other great DDO-focused programs. Please continue to check them out and support them!

Finally, I guess I'd just say that one of the best parts of this announcement is that it's not a goodbye, just a goodbye to me doing DDOcast. I can't wait to take the next step.

May all your attack rolls be crits, and all your chests level-appropriate. Have fun and don't forget to gather for buffs!

Jerry Snook

[Eladiun]

Gratz...

[rimble]

I always think it's kind of neat when fans get snapped up by the company that they're fans of. I hope they don't crush your dreams. Good luck. Have fun. Thanks.

[Karranor]

Wow that is super cool Jerry, Grats! I am happy for you!

Now, *** are we going to do without DDO Cast!?! How dare you! Hehe! I hope its not a hiatus, just a break for the show.

Anyway, best of luck to you and awesome job on the show. It has been great!

[Cauthey]

Maybe http://ddococktailhour.com will pick up the reigns?

[I_Bob]

Gratz!!! It’s been great. Learned a lot. Didn’t always agree, but that’s what America’s for. I really do hope someone else picks up the gauntlet. This podcast served a great need in our community. Wish you the best of luck, and never forget where you came from.

[Lorien_the_First_One]

Oh no, first Merlask went over to the Dark Side, and now Jerry!



Seriously, congrats. Whatever you are doing I'm sure Turbine will benefit from you contribution.

You did a lot to promote DDO over the years and your ability to rope in the devs to join your show really gave us a lot of insight that is sorely needed. Don't forget to keep pushing that desire for Turbine to partner with the player base once you are on the inside!

[Pallol_One-Eye]

Grats Jerry, thats awesome for you. I know it has been an adventure.

We also know the passion you have for this game, so taking the next step and working for Turbine sounds like an excellent opportunity for you as well.

Best wishes my fellow brother in arms.

/slonshal

[t0r012]

couldn't hold out for a nice even 200?
j/k

congratz and good luck

[flynnjsw]

gratz Jerry


Now we have another player turned Dev we can harass

[k1ngp1n]

Many congratulations man. Like my father always told me, 'Work hard, play hard.'

[zorander6]

MMMMMMM yeah, we need to talk about your TPS report. You forgot to put the coversheet on. Do I need to resend the memo?




Congrats

[Clay]

Congratulations. you really deserve the opportunity. It has been a pleasure listening to and reading your podcasts.

break a [keyboard]

[learst]

Congratulations!

i listened to your show on and off a bit. But will definitely tune in for your show this weekend!

All the best in your new endeavours!

[zygoncurry]

Thanks for all the great work , the great shows , the great features, words fail me.... and thats a bad thing being a poet.

You broadcast my first podcast segment and gave me encouragement to do more , no I cant say anything else.

good luck at turbine and thanks again.

[Recovery]

Congrats Jerry. You have been a great contributer to DDO and now you will hopefully have more power to continue on with your work.

[Zadkiele]

My Monday morning journey to work just became a lot less tolerable!

Looking forward to hearing about the new project, congratulations, and thanks for the years of entertainment!

Zad.

[Garix]

DDOCast was the first and so will always be remembered. Others have come since and hopefully will pick up the baton you leave them.

Congratulations with being able to realise your dreams, there's nothing better in life

The King is dead. Long live the King

/Bow

[Missing_Minds]

Wow... Congrats and have fun!

[stoolcannon]

Congratulations! I'm seriously bummed that I may not be getting anymore DDOCast though. I've only been listening for 2 months but it's one of my favorite podcasts.