Hi, I've recently returned to MS after a decade of hiatus. Because I'm in the epicenter New York, I haven't seen friends or family or had any significant human interaction in months. I had my life together after years of being in a horrible place thanks to my job and community that we took care of. I really missed that and so I downloaded Royals just so I can feel something, anything, that isn't destructive. I just want to people watch, virtually. See what everyone is doing and how everyone is treating each other in a collective crisis. So, 20 minutes or so into the game, I was a lvl 7 beginner asking a random group of incredibly strong characters in HHG1 if I can pick up their red snail shells. My pitiful-ness attracted the attention of Vusu, who became my first friend. I was fascinated by how a seemingly decently funded and settled in player is interested in following me around and helping me, teaching me things like I'd be better off using magic claws with an actual wand "instead of an axe". I spent a few days fumbling with my controls, and trying to figure out in what aspect of this game will I find what I'm looking for? What am I looking for? I had all these thoughts. I can keep leveling up and I can learn how the economy works, and work my way up to be a top player but will that fulfill me? "Make friends." Vu told me. "You won't survive without friends." He spent hours helping me find NPCs, kill bubblings for a quest, guiding me through jump quest events that he would have finished if he'd gone ahead without me. He accompanied me on multiple KPQ runs, with his lvl 1XX character, all because he really wanted me to feel like I'd found a place where I could stay. I was initially very hesitant to make any connections in game. I'm afraid of getting attached. Back then, when we would not see certain friends online for a long time, we would joke that they "could have died in real life, and we wouldn't know." I miss those times, when that concept was silly and sweet and much less likely to be real. I've only been on Royals for a few weeks, and I've already made some friends that I can't seem to not care about. In fact, I've come to realize that I care about everyone who needs a friend, and everyone could use a friend. I know I needed a friend very much, and I was lucky that Vu was there for me. I haven't seen Vu online for a few days now, and it feels really strange. I hope all my friends are alive and healthy. I hope you all are. I don't know if this thread is in the right place, and I apologize if it's too long to read. If you've read up to this part, I just want to let you know that I'd love to talk about anything with you. I'd be happy to just listen, if that's what you need. I'm hoping this thread will open up a window for others to talk about their anxieties, and feel less alone, and more sane. Please! Let it spill! If you feel more comfortable PMing me, please do not hesitate to reach out. This is a no judgement zone. Much love and good vibes xx
First off, welcome back to MS. I also re-downloaded Royals after some on and off. You make some great points about a sense of community that I think a lot of us want and find for, especially when we used to play as teenagers. I don't play long hours, nor do I actually know where I'm supposed to go train, so I haven't made any friends like I used too. Sometimes I got to remind myself that everyone on Royals are very similar, and that they are actual people with other lifestyles going on other than this, they got hobbies, friends, work. Anyways, enough with the sentimental stuff. I'm only playing Royals to pass the time while in quarantine. I'm essential, so other than still going to work, I enjoy playing Royals with my little brother because that's what we grew up with. Actually he's much more of a pro than me now. Just waiting till California opens up the parks and beaches again. It's prime time surfing and hiking season over here. Stay safe over in NYC!
Ahh I also struggled with finding places to train, but 1-74 so far has been a breeze with people just pointing me in the right direction! At 44, I CPQed (1) til I'm 51, then moved on to CPQ 2! EXP is alarming lol. If you don't mind, I'd love to be friends in game! Can I add you?
Hii I'm from NY too! and just returned after about a decade of MapleStory hiatus also. Let's be friends!!
YES! I'd love that! I'll add you when server is up again (I'm so happy this thread is getting comments)
Wouldn't mind making some more friends in this server! Hit me up for anything, I'm usually on quite a bit, but that's because I have no more work, happy to help out in game too! Ign: Mizone
