Post by Josh on Feb 9, 2006 13:50:16 GMT -5
NOTE: This was meant to be posted on The Paranoia Project fanfare forums, but Travis locked the forums from new posts, so I am posting it here instead- for those who were in the game or involved in it's production.
How long will it last- the memories of a small Ohio town, seemingly forgotten by modern society… the memories of the drama and blood that was shed on the streets of Enigma Springs… and the close friendships that were formed throughout those experiences?
The beginning of my journey through Enigma Springs and the Paranoia Project began almost a year ago, in April of 2005. I had read about the Volume 1 episodes, and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I quickly sent in an application for Volume 2, and was excited when I got the message back saying that I had been accepted.
Most of you know by now, I left Enigma Springs with a title. I left Volume 2 with a (somewhat self-named) title of insanity in the Paranoia Project world. The reason for my insanity? Well, during my stay in Enigma Springs during Volume 2, I had completely involved myself in Enigma Springs. It had become sort of an alternate reality to me, a place where I would retreat after classes and forget about all other things. A place where I’m sure many of you have reached at least once throughout the Paranoia Project… when you feel as if you’ve actually been there- as if you’ve actually gone into Enigma Springs… and walking away from the computer- you can’t wait to go back.
That’s what Enigma Springs was to me. It was a place I loved to be- despite the constant fear of elimination and the nervousness of upcoming challenges. The Paranoia Project was a community, a place where players actually seemed to care about each other, and talked after the actual game itself was over. This doesn’t happen in normal games. Of course, there were enemies, drama, and arguments breaking out all the time… but weren’t those things that made Paranoia even more what it was? Even the arguments built up the Project instead of totally breaking us up.
Was the Paranoia Project completely, one hundred percent fiction? Of course!
But was it real? Yes.
There were points that Enigma Springs seemed more real than reality itself. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit this, straight out- I was attracted to a townsperson in the game of Paranoia. People have asked me why, and at the end I think I’ve found one of the big reasons. It’s because, to me, Enigma Springs was real. Not in the literal sense of the word… but real.
The Paranoia Project now comes to an end- as abrupt and as shocking as the day it began with Volume 1 in January of 2005. “A bittersweet end” as Travis has said- but more bitter than sweet- because along with the end comes the realization that Enigma Springs, too, has come to an end. That alternate reality that existed as the world of Paranoia and Enigma Springs will soon fade… and with it, the memories will as well. And Enigma Springs will become only a mere dream in the minds of those who once visited it.
For me, Paranoia was one of the best experiences I’ve had, in the ORG world, as well as my life…because Paranoia was more than a game. It was a community, an alternate reality… and a journey that I am incredibly sad to see come to an end.
How long will it last- the memories of a small Ohio town, seemingly forgotten by modern society… the memories of the drama and blood that was shed on the streets of Enigma Springs… and the close friendships that were formed throughout those experiences?
The beginning of my journey through Enigma Springs and the Paranoia Project began almost a year ago, in April of 2005. I had read about the Volume 1 episodes, and knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. I quickly sent in an application for Volume 2, and was excited when I got the message back saying that I had been accepted.
Most of you know by now, I left Enigma Springs with a title. I left Volume 2 with a (somewhat self-named) title of insanity in the Paranoia Project world. The reason for my insanity? Well, during my stay in Enigma Springs during Volume 2, I had completely involved myself in Enigma Springs. It had become sort of an alternate reality to me, a place where I would retreat after classes and forget about all other things. A place where I’m sure many of you have reached at least once throughout the Paranoia Project… when you feel as if you’ve actually been there- as if you’ve actually gone into Enigma Springs… and walking away from the computer- you can’t wait to go back.
That’s what Enigma Springs was to me. It was a place I loved to be- despite the constant fear of elimination and the nervousness of upcoming challenges. The Paranoia Project was a community, a place where players actually seemed to care about each other, and talked after the actual game itself was over. This doesn’t happen in normal games. Of course, there were enemies, drama, and arguments breaking out all the time… but weren’t those things that made Paranoia even more what it was? Even the arguments built up the Project instead of totally breaking us up.
Was the Paranoia Project completely, one hundred percent fiction? Of course!
But was it real? Yes.
There were points that Enigma Springs seemed more real than reality itself. Yes, I’ll be the first to admit this, straight out- I was attracted to a townsperson in the game of Paranoia. People have asked me why, and at the end I think I’ve found one of the big reasons. It’s because, to me, Enigma Springs was real. Not in the literal sense of the word… but real.
The Paranoia Project now comes to an end- as abrupt and as shocking as the day it began with Volume 1 in January of 2005. “A bittersweet end” as Travis has said- but more bitter than sweet- because along with the end comes the realization that Enigma Springs, too, has come to an end. That alternate reality that existed as the world of Paranoia and Enigma Springs will soon fade… and with it, the memories will as well. And Enigma Springs will become only a mere dream in the minds of those who once visited it.
For me, Paranoia was one of the best experiences I’ve had, in the ORG world, as well as my life…because Paranoia was more than a game. It was a community, an alternate reality… and a journey that I am incredibly sad to see come to an end.
And Lori is keeping her porch light on just for you. 
.