Dear Beyond Earth Community,
It almost feels like yesterday when I was sent home from school, expecting a short two-week break thanks to COVID-19. Little did I know that that would be my last day of high school. I missed out on several activities I had longed for since my freshman year: senior night, prom, skip day, graduation parties. Although those opportunities fell out of the question, I found one that would shape the next four and a half months.
Beyond Earth Studios was born out of boredom. I had grown sick of doing nothing and became lonesome, so I decided to start talking on the MRPC Discord again. There, I met tens of people who would later become the first staff members and the earliest supporters. This return prompted me to look back into my past several years of development, and I felt the itch to create once again.
I remember the exact moment where I got the idea for The Colony clearly; I was in the shower, listening to one of my favorite artists. As I started thinking more and more, I knew this would turn into something. I wrote down the idea and went to bed. The next day, I contacted Acecomat041 and iamcrazy37_2, and they immediately got on board. That day was the first day of four long months where I dedicated 100+ hours a week to The Colony. There were amazing days, and there were frustrating days, but I always had the community to push me. Thanks to you, I improved my building skills drastically. Thanks to you, I learned how to code. And thanks to you, I was able to finish a massive project.
As we have all seen, our community expanded exponentially in the half-month we have spent in our beta phase. First, it was 100 members. Then 200, 300, now 500 and beyond. To that accomplishment, I thank Acecombat041 and TheSwissMercenary for their crucial role as fellow operating partners. I also give thanks to every member of our staff team who, even in times where the community seems to be doing their own things, still push to see in-game activity.
In exactly one week, I will be settling into my dorm room to prepare for the next massive step in my life. As I attend the University of Alabama, I will make a ton of new connections and learn skills that will define my success in the near future. However, I will be unable to continue my work in Beyond Earth Studios while I am at college. Therefore, Ace and Swiss have been preparing to take over while school is in session. I trust that they will continue to perform excellently and bring the community to astonishing heights.
To clarify, I am not leaving. I will still be around to fund our advertisement, check my messages, and conduct owner-level business. The development of The Colony will be temporarily paused until we can find a team to take over or until I can become available again. In the meantime, continue to share the game and get the word out.
I wish all of you the best and hope you continue to enjoy the community and game we built together. I will be forever grateful for everyone apart of Beyond Earth Studios and everything I learned on the road to publishing our game.
Reach for the stars and nothing less.
-TerrorKosher