The End of an Era

When I decided to write this article, Aso had no idea. If you’re reading this, it means he respected my wish to keep it up. For those who don’t know him well, Aso is one of the most private and humble individuals you’ll ever meet. He has always been the type to shy away from the spotlight, never boasting about his accomplishments. His character speaks for itself: kind, sincere, and always doing what he believes is right. It’s an honor to have worked alongside him on this project, and I sincerely hope I get to continue contributing. But some things need to be said, especially about someone I consider not only a colleague but a very good friend.


A Milestone: SWGEmu Core3 and Publish 11

As many of you know, the SWGEmu project is about to hit a major milestone. The core3 server architecture, the backbone of the project, is set to be declared version 1.0 Beta soon. To some, this might seem like just another update, but for those of us who’ve been around for years, it’s a monumental achievement.

The upcoming changes will mark the end of the Basilisk server as we know it, and its replacement will usher in an entirely new era. Publish 11, when it goes live, will symbolize the culmination of countless hours of dedication and hard work. It’s a bittersweet moment. Basilisk served its purpose as a testing ground for developers, with all the bugs, glitches, and challenges that come with it. But it’s also been a place where we, the community, have witnessed the growth and transformation of this project from a rough idea to something far more refined and robust.

For some perspective, I’ve been a part of this journey since July 2004. That’s 18 years of contributing in some form or fashion. And here we are today, staring down the barrel of a privately coded, community-driven server that has come this far without any corporate backing or outside funding. Everything we’ve seen, everything we’ve accomplished, has been built from the ground up by people who believe in the project.

One group that deserves particular mention is TheAnswer and their team. Despite the many challenges they faced, they stuck with it. They showed grit, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to completing the project on their terms, not influenced by the demands of the vocal minority. They’ve been relentless in their pursuit of a finished product. And while it hasn’t been without its critics and trolls, they’ve kept their focus where it needed to be: on getting the job done.

Basilisk, for all its ups and downs, was always meant to be a testing and development server. It served its role well, allowing the community to experience “almost” 1.0 code while also providing valuable feedback for the development team. If you were playing on Basilisk, you were essentially an alpha tester for SWGEmu’s core3. You didn’t realize it, but you were part of something bigger.


Aso: The Heart of the Server

This brings me to Aso, the person at the helm of Reckoning. Aso is the kind of individual who goes above and beyond to ensure his server operates at its peak potential. He’s not just a server administrator; he’s a relentless advocate for code optimization and the overall well-being of the server. He doesn’t settle for “good enough.” He constantly seeks ways to improve the experience for players, even if it means making tough decisions that might upset some people.

Aso has always stood firm in his belief that SWGEmu should remain true to its roots, specifically the pre-CU 14.1 vision. His unwavering commitment to quality of life improvements for the server has helped build a place where players can continue to enjoy the game we all love. For Aso, the goal has always been clear: to construct the best possible product for the community, even if it’s a bumpy road.

One of the things I admire most about Aso is his dedication to the server’s future. His belief in “constructing something that is the best product” is not just a philosophy; it’s been the driving force behind everything he’s done for Reckoning. I’ve seen firsthand how much effort he’s put into making sure this server lasts for the long haul. His top priority has always been the players’ experience, their time, and their enjoyment.


The Impact of Aso’s Leadership

Aso’s influence extends far beyond just Reckoning. He has been an integral part of the success of many other SWGEmu servers, from their launch to their ongoing updates. If you’ve ever played on an SWG server, there’s a good chance Aso’s work was behind the scenes, ensuring its smooth operation.

But it’s not just technical know-how that sets Aso apart. It’s his philosophy on running the server. Aso has always been a strong advocate for professionalism, common sense, and hands-off management. He wants the team to be self-sufficient, to take responsibility for their actions, and to do their jobs without micromanaging. His mantra has always been to run the server like a game company that cares—giving players the experience they deserve while also fostering a community where everyone feels respected.

In our personal interactions, Aso has always maintained a professional distance. We don’t chat every day, and our conversations are often brief. But when we do talk, it’s clear that he cares deeply about this server and the people who play on it. Our interactions are often a mix of lighthearted banter and quick memes, but beneath the humor is a shared understanding of what’s at stake here. This server isn’t just a hobby for Aso; it’s a labor of love.


Aso’s Legacy: A Friend, a Developer, a Leader

So, to summarize, here are the three truths I’ve come to know about Aso:

  1. Aso is my friend. I’m proud to work with him, and I’m a better person for knowing him.
  2. Aso is an amazing server developer. He never stops at what’s expected; he constantly pushes for what can be done.
  3. Aso genuinely cares about you. Even if he doesn’t always show it, his actions speak louder than words.

This article is my tribute to Aso—a man who has dedicated his time and energy to making Reckoning and the SWGEmu community a better place. He has safeguarded your pixels, your characters, and your experiences for over seven years. As a player, I am proud of everything he has accomplished. I can’t think of a more deserving person to lead this project.

Before I close, I want to thank the current staff members who have supported this journey: @Founderswift, @FirewarriorSWG, @FullMetalJacket, @Rincewind, and @Rydarian. I also want to give a special shoutout to the retired staff members: @Hex, @Spire, @Yazmyn, @Flatbullet, @ArteDeco, @Aurren, @Death, @Elvira, and @Panzerdragon. You’ve all played a part in making this community what it is today.

Thank you for reading, and thank you for being a part of this incredible journey.

PS: I hope you all enjoyed your 4th of July. I did. I watched fireworks in SWG and knew they were provided by my very good friend, Aso.