I’ve always found it pretty cringe when people resign and have a long sob story, but I feel, to an extent, that I owe everyone an explanation.
I have been part of Firestone since late 2017, and whilst I don’t consider myself an “og”, I’ve been on the rodeo enough to see Firestone progress through each new generation. The early generations of this group were some of the better moments I’ve had in Firestone, and I have built many friendships with people in this community who have helped me shape my skillset and personality into what they are now.
Before I go into my long rant, I would especially like to thank @JamieWallace, @Samtella, @LegitimatelyRyan and @Automationeer for helping me refine my skills over the past couple of years, getting my foot into the door of Software Engineering which is now an industry I am trying to enter, professionally. In addition, I would like to thank @jambxo, @mrblifx, @DevBlue99, @Cuxle, @Joshernsut, @eckoia, @dovntime, @Soiandiis, @CherryLimons and @ZepplinInspectpr for encouraging my work and help me explore alternative projects and ideas to improve my skill set.
By extension, I would like to, finally, thank @PathwaysBBall and @FedoraMasterB98 for allowing me to be the Lead Programmer, I have learnt a great deal (mostly at how badly scripted v3 is) - as well as networking with other developers, of which, I am now pursuing alternative projects with them.
I don’t particularly like leaving on bad terms, but anyway, for the actual reason for my resignation, please enjoy a likely incoherent rant about how I disagree with Project Management and how I don’t think V3 will be a solution that is ever truly developed.
I have a whole list of things on my agenda, but I’m going to start with the management of the Development Team itself. I’m going to refer to FedoraMasterB98 as the “Project Manager” as that’s how he sees himself within the team.
I’ve spoken with a wide range of developers who have been a part of the Development Team (past & current) and a common theme between each of us is that there is very clearly a two-tier system where specific developers are given a more lenient punishment (or none at all) in comparison to other developers. I won’t elaborate further because I don’t want to attack the developer(s) reputations publicly, and internal problems should be handled internally - but many people can understand what I mean. Whenever a feature is abused by someone who is favoured by the Project Manager, it either results in the feature being removed entirely or, is overlooked. I’m sure when Fed sees this post he’s going to be like “Oh didn’t you recently remove permissions from all the developers”, yeah I did because it wasn’t a feature they were ever intended to have & it was actively being abused.
Another thing I would like to discuss is how undervalued many members of the Development Team feel as there is rarely any reward, other than monetary compensation. I get that there isn’t a large number of things you can reward people with, but if you compare Firestone to literally any other group in the genre or game on the platform - Developers are entrusted with more permissions and responsibilities that just don’t exist in this group as the Founders are concerned with another TheFurryFish.
Typically, the role of a Project Manager is to provide structure to a team and ensure that milestones and targets are being reached. As of recently, the Project Manager has not been doing this and has incorporated features which disrupt the flow of V3 Development. For the past couple of weeks, @dovntime, @DevBlue99 and I have put numerous hours into developing V3 because it’s a project we would like to see through. However, with the Project Manager throwing new things in our direction, it takes time to clean up their work and make sure it is integrated correctly - rather than focusing on core features and gameplay improvements.
Some people are going to ask, what has he done that has made you bring up this point? Well, quite a few things.
Firstly, the Project Manager demanded the development of a quarry, he deeply modified the terrain near the State Park and it created a visual eyesore on the environment. Terrain can take a long time to make it look good, and with a new area pained in rocks with a massive hole in the side of a mountain, it’s going to take even longer to perfect rather than letting us make it good from the start. If the Project Manager had the slightest bit of planning, it wouldn’t look as bad as it does. Additionally, the Project Manager has been placing boat lights underneath each bridge - each having 3 scripts and 19 parts each. For an asset that people are rarely going to pay attention to, why does it have so much detail? I could make a light that looks the same from afar with 5 parts, there’s no need for the additional 14. Within V3 we already have a lighting system that supports flashing and static lights that are only visible at night. I don’t understand why he didn’t support this implementation in the first place as I’m not dedicating my time to fixing a large amount of assets that aren’t needed - we don’t even have a boat script yet so why is the implementation necessary now?
I would ask a rhetorical question asking how many people use Lunar Arena and the Triumph Stadium I’m v2, but everyone knows the answer immediately is nobody. I get that v3 is supposed to be a project that brings a wide range of functionality to a roleplaying game, but nobody really wants this, and if they do, it’s rarely going to be used as it’s such a niche implementation, with the Project Manager mandating that a stadium needs to be developed now, it doesn’t allow us to finish redeveloping Prominence before we focus on other features that aren’t essential to the core gameplay.
Another thing I would like to discuss is how the Project Manager does not stick to his word, specifically in the assets being used. Recently, the Governor’s Manor interior was reworked, and the new design doesn’t make sense or reflect how someone would anticipate one to look - there’s too much filled space with obstructions and implementations that do not make sense, especially in the layout of each room. If, and when, V3 is updated publicly, I want everyone to explore this interior and understand what I mean because it has no real logical thought process in its design and remains unoptimised - but why is this such a problem? In a previous discussion between myself and the Project Manager, he agreed that the interior shouldn’t be used and we would just build on top of the previous one, but he would still pay the developer as it took a substantial amount of time to be developed - fair enough, right? I agreed to this and didn’t think he would go back on our agreement.
Before the Project Manager says we didn’t agree to this - I shouldn’t have to record each time we discuss something in a voice call - and if I do, then it’s evident I don’t trust you and I don’t work for people I can’t trust.
The final point I would like to address concerning the Development Team is a relatively recent change and it has to do with the management of our internal discord that contains the Quality Assurance team, and, our Developers. After informing all of the developers that their permissions were removed from V2 due to abuse (mentioned previously within this post), my permissions were entirely removed from the Development Discord, I had lost, and still do, not have access to all the necessary channels for my role within that discord. After threatening a resignation, the only permission I obtained was to kick and ban members, I couldn’t even rank or manage my staff as I deem necessary.
I have spent a lot of time ensuring that the Development Team and Quality Assurance teams run efficiently and for my administrative permissions to be taken away. As the Lead Developer, (specifically Lead Programmer) it is my role to ensure that the teams beneath me are operating efficiently, which includes the Quality Assurance team.
There is no reason for limiting my access, it just enhances how the Project Manager views me as a person - which is to not be respected. I understand that respect is earned and not demanded, but if my Project Manager does not trust or respect me, what is the point in remaining in my current position?
I think I have discussed enough about the Project Management for the Development Team, so I am going to move on to his leadership style and management of Firestone, from what I have witnessed.
Since GetEnveloped was removed from the Community, the Fed has been the primary shot caller when it comes to community decisions - which aren’t typically executed in the best way or completely disrupt operations.
In a recent announcement, Fed said that the Game Moderation team would be migrating to a new ban system - but I can assure everyone, that this is not the case. Stella and I have had numerous discussions about how the new Roblox Ban API should be incorporated, we concluded that we would develop a new component of the website which would act as a dashboard for community information on players, and even allow them to check their moderation history and appeal actions within one webpage rather than having different systems for the Game Moderation team and Discord Moderation team - this would rely on Game Bans to change from how they use an internal database to use the new API. Neither implementation is complete - I can’t say for sure the current state of the website that was being developed, but what I can say is that Samtella, Cuxle, YoutuberOutwitt or myself, were not consulted before this announcement - we found out the same time everyone else did.
I think this point leads us quite smoothly onto the fact that Fed makes final decisions without really consulting anyone else for their input, especially if it is detrimental to the community. He essentially (or appears to) come up with random ideas without chatting to anyone that it impacts. I have seen many frustrations with people, internally within the Firestone Development Teams & Moderation Teams, and externally due to an in-the-moment announcement Fed has created because he doesn’t truly understand a situation, and the impacts of his actions.
Many people are going to think that this isn’t a big problem and that I’m overreacting, but when you’re trying to develop a product that you care about, you will get frustrated when other people make terrible decisions that lower the quality and standard that you have set.
I’ve been told many times that I am replaceable, whilst I don’t think that I am irreplaceable, it’s an extremely demotivating message to receive when you put a severe amount of work and dedication behind what you do. I’m not quite sure who my successor is going to be, but I genuinely wish you the best and I hope that you don’t face the same problems I have.
Firestone is a community that I deeply care about as I enjoy seeing people experience the game in their way, whether I agree with how they’re doing it or not. If in the future I am offered the same position again but with all of my concerns addressed, I would have no problem returning and continuing to develop V3 - but I don’t see this happening unfortunately. I’m disappointed things ended the way they have, V3 was a project I wanted to see through and I’m hoping someone else can do this for me.
If the Founders ever need my assistance with an issue in V2, or if the new Lead Programmer needs assistance with V3 - I am more than happy to provide help.
Thank you, and farewell.
