I have had the good fortune to get to know Speef over the past many, many months that I have been a "merchant". We've not always seen eye to eye (read: Sector 1501 and Greased Lightening - hehe) but I've enjoyed many, many early morning chats with him on a wide variety of subjects. I never envied his position, and the stresses that went with it. I also know that Space Merchant is very near and dear to his heart, and leaving it was not an easy decision. However, I am happy that he will be moving on to newer, and possibly better opportunities.

I suspect Speef will always be lurking nearby, watching to see how things are. Space Merchant has been a big part of many of our lives, good and bad. It is my hope that the players who remain will continue to support the game and each other, and play in the spirit intended. This would be the best way to show appreciation for the game, as well as the man who spent countless hours shaping it into the online community that exists today.

As they say, "Once a merchant, always a merchant"...so for now, I won't say goodbye, but "thank you, good luck, and see ya later"...

/me waves

By Lapis on Saturday, September 30, 2000 - 11:07 pm:

For once no stories :o) Just a simple message to say thank you for all the good times, the hard work and the caring.

/me hugs

By Babaloo on Saturday, September 30, 2000 - 11:33 pm:

Cya Speef, I hope to see you around, ....In chat...Maybe in game*G* RR is recruiting you know. We all know no one truly leaves SM...We only takes breaks..........I would think this doubly true for you...

By Pickles on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 10:40 am:

Only ever knew you from reputation really.

I guess all good things have to end sooner or later.Thanks for going above and beyond the call of duty to made SM one of the finest games on the web.

I hope Miami brings you some well earned rewards.

Pickles

By Blade on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 10:42 am:

Good luck, you will be missed greatly by all, hope to see you in chat some times

/me gives Speef a big bottle of stella beer
(for the journey to your new galaxy)

By GirDraxon on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 12:54 pm:

Heh, he's moving physically, but in this day and age, that doesn't mean much. Like he said, he'll still be around probably quite a bit. We saw him off proper though. Hope yer having fun out there in Miami, MadAzn!

By magus on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 01:39 pm:

good luck speef, its been good knowing you.

lol SMS force was the coolest, but all those anarchy's are over.

take care, i hope to see you on the board, in chat, and maybe even playing someday.

peace

By nazgul on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 05:36 pm:

.

Speef .... Heres a Large Year Supply of Roman Noodles ... heh .. ;) You KNOW ya love 'em ... ;))


Yeah .. we'll see ya back ... you'll see the "addictive nature" of your own game .. ;))
[we here have .. as you know our 'Other' Names..]


.... Watch out fer the "right Lane turning Far Left" .. drivers ... down there in Miami man .. ;))


And watch out fer them women ... deadly ..

[winks]

;)


---=== NazGuul ===---
.

By The General on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 06:32 pm:

Speef, you are the idol of so many merchants. It has been great talking to you in chat, and in some of our argumentative emails too hehe. Anyways, thank you so much for this amazing thing you have created, and I wish you nothing but the best of luck. Keep in touch and let us know how things are going in Miami.
See you out there,
The General
P.S. If you make another game, DO NOT make it so damn addictive! *sigh*

By Anonymous on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 07:16 pm:

Speef good luck. If in your future projects you put just 1/10 of the effort and dedication you did in SM you should be the next big thing.

SM is the best game I have ever played in internet. Regardless the loopholes, bugs, lags, cheats, etc, etc, it was always amazing and fascinating.

Your effort to fix and balance the game to make it enjoyable for everybody is something that I respect. Without your hard work I would have stopped playing a loooong time ago.

Good luck and keep in touch.

By Beanhead on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 11:30 pm:

My Thanks Speef.

Fair winds, fairer Ladies, and great fortune to you.

By ZmaniacZ on Sunday, October 01, 2000 - 11:31 pm:

Speef man. It was a trip.

ZmaniacZ

By JakeB on Thursday, October 05, 2000 - 09:48 am:

All the best with new challenges in Miami!

Your creation is strong and flexible enough to survive on its own. It is no longer just a game, it has developed to be much more for many of us (me included)

JakeB

By Jadn on Wednesday, October 11, 2000 - 11:21 pm:

Missed your good bye speef. wish someone woulda letme know about it. as i woulda been there for sure.

I could go into about how the game was awesome, and how great of a guy you were... but i'm not, i have one simple thing to say.

Speef you were a good friend, and i will remember you.

C-yas around bud.