Earlier this year after the resignation of Daniel Stahl and the introduction of Stephen D’Angelo as STO's new Executive Producer Branflakes was offered a promotion to Perfect World's Community Team Leader, leaving CaptainSmirk and LaughingTrendy in charge of STO. Branflakes has done a lot for the STO Community and he will be missed by many. His announcement was as follows:
Hi Captains,
I wanted to stop by to let you know that this coming Friday (4/11) is my last day with PWE/ Cryptic, as I have made the tough decision to move back to Southern California.
Earlier this year, I stepped down as your Community Manager to accept a new position at work that was not only a promotion, but was an incredible opportunity to help the PWE Community Team and company as a whole by becoming their Team Lead. (You can read about that transition here.) In just a short amount of time, the team has reached new heights and I'm excited to say that our games' communities are thriving more than ever before.
For STO, Smirk and Trendy have taken command and have pushed the community's warp engines to 9.9. They are doing amazing, and I am so proud of them. Not only are they continuing to carry the torch that I ignited just about 2.5 years ago, but they are also breaking the mold. You're in the best of hands with them at the helm of the U.S.S. STO Community.
So… why am I walking away from my dream job? My career that took years and years to actually make a reality? Family. Life is too short to miss out on some very important family moments coming up (my sister is having her first child, my grandmother -- who is one of the most important people in my life -- is turning 90, weddings, birthdays, and much more), and with a few exceptions, my entire family is in SoCal. It was a very tough decision to make, but the support from my colleagues, as well as my family and friends, has been extraordinary.
And honestly, please know this: if transporters* existed (or if it would really be feasible to fly up on Mondays and back down on Fridays), I would do it in a heartbeat. Perfect World and Cryptic have some jaw-dropping things coming up, and it's sad to think I won't be a part of it. The team will move forward, as strong as ever, and I can't wait to watch their success and celebrate from the other side. *I did ask the team to see if they can get real life transporters on the schedule for next year, so you never know
Where am I headed next? Well, all that is still in the works. I'll be keeping my BranFlakes twitter account, so I'm sure you'll find out where I go once I know where I am going.
I definitely plan on continuing to go to STLV each year, as that was a tradition of mine before I worked here, so I hope to see some of you there! I will also still be playing STO. Remember, I was a community member and player long before working here, and a Trekker since I was a young boy. (Want to take a trip down memory lane? Check out my original CM intro post here.)
While this will be my last post on the forums, please don't be a stranger. Hit me up on Twitter, in-game (if you know my personal @handle), or by carrier pigeon.
The STO community -- each of you -- has helped made me who I am today. You've helped my dream come true, and for that, I am forever thankful. I will miss you all, and sincerely thank you for your support.
To the Dev team: I'm really going to miss working with each of you, and thank you as well for playing a huge part in my dream coming true -- I'll never forget it. You are all unbelievably talented, passionate, and hilarious. Keep up the epic work, and I can't wait to play what you have planned in 2014 and beyond. Especially REDACTED.
Until we meet again, Live Long and Prosper \\//_
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
I wanted to stop by to let you know that this coming Friday (4/11) is my last day with PWE/ Cryptic, as I have made the tough decision to move back to Southern California.
Earlier this year, I stepped down as your Community Manager to accept a new position at work that was not only a promotion, but was an incredible opportunity to help the PWE Community Team and company as a whole by becoming their Team Lead. (You can read about that transition here.) In just a short amount of time, the team has reached new heights and I'm excited to say that our games' communities are thriving more than ever before.
For STO, Smirk and Trendy have taken command and have pushed the community's warp engines to 9.9. They are doing amazing, and I am so proud of them. Not only are they continuing to carry the torch that I ignited just about 2.5 years ago, but they are also breaking the mold. You're in the best of hands with them at the helm of the U.S.S. STO Community.
So… why am I walking away from my dream job? My career that took years and years to actually make a reality? Family. Life is too short to miss out on some very important family moments coming up (my sister is having her first child, my grandmother -- who is one of the most important people in my life -- is turning 90, weddings, birthdays, and much more), and with a few exceptions, my entire family is in SoCal. It was a very tough decision to make, but the support from my colleagues, as well as my family and friends, has been extraordinary.
And honestly, please know this: if transporters* existed (or if it would really be feasible to fly up on Mondays and back down on Fridays), I would do it in a heartbeat. Perfect World and Cryptic have some jaw-dropping things coming up, and it's sad to think I won't be a part of it. The team will move forward, as strong as ever, and I can't wait to watch their success and celebrate from the other side. *I did ask the team to see if they can get real life transporters on the schedule for next year, so you never know
Where am I headed next? Well, all that is still in the works. I'll be keeping my BranFlakes twitter account, so I'm sure you'll find out where I go once I know where I am going.
I definitely plan on continuing to go to STLV each year, as that was a tradition of mine before I worked here, so I hope to see some of you there! I will also still be playing STO. Remember, I was a community member and player long before working here, and a Trekker since I was a young boy. (Want to take a trip down memory lane? Check out my original CM intro post here.)
While this will be my last post on the forums, please don't be a stranger. Hit me up on Twitter, in-game (if you know my personal @handle), or by carrier pigeon.
The STO community -- each of you -- has helped made me who I am today. You've helped my dream come true, and for that, I am forever thankful. I will miss you all, and sincerely thank you for your support.
To the Dev team: I'm really going to miss working with each of you, and thank you as well for playing a huge part in my dream coming true -- I'll never forget it. You are all unbelievably talented, passionate, and hilarious. Keep up the epic work, and I can't wait to play what you have planned in 2014 and beyond. Especially REDACTED.
Until we meet again, Live Long and Prosper \\//_
Cheers,
Brandon =/\=
Branflakes brought a lot to the table and arguably changed the experience we have when playing Star Trek Online. With Branflakes gone, do you think that experience will differ?
Be sure to comment below!
Hopefully he'll still be around in game and on the boards nevertheless.
