Welcome to StrongHold Networks!

Ugh… For those of you who don’t want to read this entire thing, and just want the short answer- StrongHold Networks, as of November of 2017, will be closing down. For those of you who want a more detailed explanation and reasoning, read through it all.
Lemme start by addressing the obvious. Yes, i know - The server was actually doing really well. Even at the time of me making this(November 20th), we have 22 players. The server is booming, that’s not the issue. The issue is the fact that i am not enjoying myself as a server owner anymore. I just don’t want to continue to drag myself down and continue managing something i am no longer passionate about. To me, managing something without a true passion for what you do is like trying to go scuba diving with a life jacket on. No matter how hard you try, you can’t change the fact that you will always be unable to plunge down and experience the true roleplay aspect of the server. The only slight motivation I have had lately is the unconditional love for making you guys happy with events. Even when i PK someone for being stupid and they rage and call the server “GAY” and they go on and say “♥♥♥♥ YOUR STUPID SERVER” it is probably one of the best feelings in the world, knowing i made a 9 year old scream so hard his testicles shot back into his stomach and molded into ovaries. And im just sitting there like


https://i.pinimg.com/originals/c3/8f/fb/c38ffb67f7f04c29cf7c27f67a2e801f.jpg


And the staff team in the corner like


https://i.ytimg.com/vi/pDQ7zXtCMe8/maxresdefault.jpg


I also want to state, it’s not about money. I can get the money elsewhere if i need to. I have played every heist on GTA V, which means i am qualified to rob anything. It would not be fair to the community if i allowed the server to continue, and i wasn’t there to help maintain it. I mean, sure, i could get some high staff to make big decisions for me, but it wouldn’t be the same. And to those of you asking if i could bring in a Co-Owner, as i have said before, I would rather light my ♥♥♥♥ on fire. Been there, Done that. ♥♥♥♥. That.
Now, many of you may wonder, “What now?”. My answer to that is I HAVE NO ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ CLUE. BUT. StrongHold Networks may not always be a community, but we will always be a Family. Some amazing friendships have been created within this community. Don’t let go of that. Hold on to those people in your life, they are the ones that matter the most. When all's said and done, i still have my online family with me. Your Uncle Nallout, Uncle Wood, Aunt Syndicate, and then that one unspoken weird Grandpa that everyone remembers great moments with, but has ended up as a complete “has-been”, known as Grandpa Shots (lol). They are still with me (except for Grandpa Shots) throughout everything. Because they are what matters most. (By the way Shots if you are reading this, i got nothing against ya, it’s just funny to joke about you because i used to be obsessed with your server back when it was good) (As the kids say these days- “Oof”).
ANYWAYS MOVING ON, it’s important i stress that this is the greatest community i have ever been apart of. I am so proud to be able to state that i made this. With the help of others, of course: Adam, best dev i have ever seen, helped guide everything and keep it in shape (I can hear Frittz screaming in objection lol). My boy Wood, helping get everything set up even though he went hoodini on me. My Country Texas Brother Nallout, for having my back since before BlackCock Networks. There are tons more, but i would be going on forever.
Let’s wrap this unnecessarily long essay up. This is filled with small inside jokes with many of my friends who can have a nice laugh at this. If you didn’t understand some jokes or references, it’s fine, don’t worry, Sergeant Brock will kick your ass later, and Major Murphy will drive your ass off of a cliff.
In all seriousness though, this community is something i will never forget. I wouldn’t change anything. Through the ups and downs, this is an experience that will shape me as a person for the rest of my life. I love you all, and i will likely continue to play games with a lot of you. Thank you.


~Uncle Ranger


P.S. If i ever try to open another server, hit me in the back of the ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ head with a frying pan. Been there. Done that. ♥♥♥♥. That.