So this is probably one of the hardest posts that I've ever had to write in my career.
I never thought that I'd actually get the opportunity to work on one of my favorite video game franchises, with one of my favorite studios, and with the most amazing development team that I've had the pleasure of working with. Now, almost three years later, I'm getting ready to say good bye to all of my amazing co-workers and to this amazing community. I've been having to prepare for this day for over a month now, which is a large part of why I've slowly been removing myself from engaging with you all, and there have definitely been good days (jokes and smiles) and bad days (lots of crying) leading up to when things will be coming to an end.
Next week will be my last week as your Global Community Manager and with EA.
I wanted to spend sometime in this post talking about all of you. We've all shared some ups and downs together, it was definitely a bumpy road when I joined and I inherited a lot of anger with regards to content that was missing from the game. In that time a lot of you talked to me, either publicly or privately, about stuff you wished to see and suggestions for how to build better transparency with all of you. Out of that came the Quarterly Teasers, more relaxed communication with the SimGurus, and The Sims 4 Laundry Day Stuff Pack (one of my absolutely favorite projects to work on).
There is a lot to be said about your dedication to this franchise that most folks who don't play The Sims just won't understand (trust me, try explaining to someone who does not play about why not having Toddlers in the game was a big deal) but you continue to show your love and creativity with us every single day. You continue to provide us with feedback, let us know when we miss the mark and when we get it right, and you are all always so open with sharing your ideas for what you would like to see in the game (and others have gone a step further and created that content themselves for all of you to enjoy through Mods and CC.) You are a one of a kind community whose passion I could always relate too, even if I didn't play the way you did you were always so open with talking to me about what you feel would be great things to add to make your play style more enjoyable.
We all share a love for this franchise and studio that withstands it all and while I will be sad to not be here to be your voice I am looking to just being a fan once more.
To those I've had the pleasure of meeting in person: Thank you. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me about things you want to see in the game, sharing your creativity and passion, and for all of the wonderful conversations we've had and the memories we've shared.
To everyone in these forums: Thank you. We've had our ups and downs, but you've all continued to be dedicated and open to sharing your thoughts / opinions and continuing to welcome more new folks to this space. Please be kind and understanding to whomever steps into my shoes, they will be taking on a lot but having you all as guides will make their jobs so much more fulfilling. Be open to sharing your play styles, your stories, your creations, and your passion with them and others.
To the wider community: Please remember that you are all part of this amazing and wonderful community, whether you are engaging only on Twitter, writing blogs on Tumblr, running fan sites, making guides, helping other players with troubleshooting, or creating content on YouTube / Twitch. You are ALL part of the community and ALL of your voices matter. Please continue to share your feedback and creations with the SimGurus, they love sharing your stuff with the entire team.
I have a new journey that will take me outside of California and while I am sad to be leaving you all I am excited for things to come.
If you want to keep up with me and chat about Sims things (keep in mind I won't speak about anything that isn't public) you can catch me on the following channels:
Twitter:
@manadrake
Instagram:
@manadrake
Twitch:
Mana
YouTube:
Mana Drake
I look forward to getting to chat with you all as a fan once more. So remember, it's not goodbye, just see you later
Global Community Manager for Maxis / The Sims
Comments
But I hope your new opportunities bring you great success! You have definitely done a lot for this community, and you will be missed.
The Venegas-Chan Family Tree
I love you guys so much!
LOVE IS LOVE - Gilbert and Bruno Ferro
He/They
Thank you so much for everything you’ve done, before you arrived it was like these forums had nothing but mods that just closed threads etc. but didn’t it felt like there was little reason to post feedback because it felt like no one from Maxis came on here. It was a once in a blue moon event.
You brought in the quarterly teasers that were so amazing, you introduced the live streams (I’m pretty sure they only used to do them once the pack was released). And also, gave a lot of Simmers the chance to gain an audience through YouTube and Twitch and other websites.
I’m sure whoever will fill your shoes will be amazing, but you’ve made the community so much better.
I’m not saying the Devs ever meant it, but it used to feel a lot like “us and them” and now it feels like the Devs and us are part of the same community and while that may have coincidentally started when you joined Maxis, I’d say you did a lot to make it better.
Thank you thank you thank you!
I hope the future is awesome for you!
Insta: https://instagram.com/jkarajs?igshid=oef2ymrand3g
I hope you do pop in once in awhile to visit as a fan...
http://store.thesims3.com/myWishlist.html?persona=lisasc360
My stories on this site:
https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/991317/my-sims-stories/p1?new=1
Intel Core i7 7700HQ 2.8-3.8GHz
16GB DDR4 RAM
128GB SSD
1TB 7200RPM HDD
NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1050 TI 4GB
Rogers Ignite 70u internet
May this new stage of your journey through life hold much specialness Sending some rose petals to accompany you in all that your future holds
http://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/817478/hello-come-and-introduce-yourself
http://tinyurl.com/OneRoomOneWeek
http://tinyurl.com/rosemow
My Showcase thread https://forums.thesims.com/en_US/discussion/948861/rosemow-s-rooms-showcase
Race Against the Clock: Can your elder sim turn back the clock before their time runs out?
May your future beam ever bright and happy as you are yourself.
It was nice getting to know you these three years - good luck and happy trails ahead of you.... Thank you.
"Games Are Not The Place To Tell Stories, Games Are Meant To Let People Tell Their Own Stories"...Will Wright.
In dreams - I LIVE!
In REALITY, I simply exist.....
You did such a good job with what you were faced with. Gonna miss you and that hair...
Now get out there and kick some butt, or rest and recuperate from it lol.. or or.. well either way good life to you.