»CL9:»SML: ----------------------------------------------------------------- »CL8: »BIG:Darkus Leaving the Scene... »CL9:»SML: ----------------------------------------------------------------- »CL4:by Darkhawk »CL0: Oh yes, get the answers right here, in this fresh interview with the mained, who recently announced that he was about to leave the scene. Your friendly EC staff gives you the scoop and the details as usual. »CL1:DH: Darkhawk, the interviewer, interrogator and evil torturer. »CL2:D: Darkus, the interviewed, prisoner and tortured one. »CL1:DH: So Darkus, this did come as somewhat of a surprise to most of us, I'd say. Just as everything looked so fine for you and your mag, you decide to leave the scene. I know the adage about going down in a blaze of glory instead of slowly fading away, but don't you feel you would need more than 1 issue of Devotion, before going out in a blaze? Please tell us your reasons for quitting the scene now. It isn't even the first time you announce that you quit, but this time it's for real, final, and all that? »CL2:D: Firstly, my main reason was down to priorities. I`ve finally come to the conclusion that my family should come before the scene! Instead of spending hours on CED and IRC, I`ve swapped it all for changing more nappies and being with my girlfriend. As Some1 would say, we`re just slippers :) Anyway, there is that side of it all and the other side. Which is the way I feel towards the scene. There is all the usual moans, the scene is getting smaller and weaker etc etc.. however my main moan towards the scene, is the lack of variety. Each and every production is the same, each »PIC:DaFreak.144x58x4.iff» scener has the same opinions (»CL3:since we`re all sticking together these days»CL2:). No-one seems to shout and want to be heard. For example, my article in Devotion #1 concerning recycling articles was really quite strong towards Ghandy and Showtime. Basically I called his magazine second rate. He did reply, but it was just so weak and it featured no feeling whatsoever. Is it that we fear being aggressive in case we force the person we channel our anger at, to leave the scene? My point is, without any variation and only followers, there is »CL4:NOTHING»CL2: of interest. Nothing to make us keep coming back for more.. »CL1:DH: So, now you quit the scene, and the question on everyone's lips, is what happens to Devotion, your mag? I must say, it is a but weird that you have worked for quite many years getting your own mag up and running, and then you just leave it now? Seems a bit sad I must confess.. I mean, Devotion looked like a worthy competitor to DISC and the EC. Please write a bit (or a lot, as needed, heh) about Devotion, and what happens to the mag now. As I told you in an email, Magic has been telling people on the IRC that he will take over the mag now, and has to buy an Amiga to compile it (poor him, heh). But it seems Magic has been too fast there? »CL2:D: I liked the way you said "your mag" :) It`s true it is my magazine, and I heard it first from you that Magic has claimed to have taken over the magazine. I find it quite strange he would claim to be the new owner of Devotion without even asking for my permission. But it seems Magic thought it was his magazine as much as mine. He seems to forget I asked him to join my staff. We didn`t start the magazine from scratch together. Infact, when I started designs on the magazine I didn`t even have 1 staff member. The point is, no matter what Magic might tell you the truth is, it is my magazine. NOT Magic`s. I read his released textfile, and it seems Magic gets the impression I suddenly decided it was my mag. I`m sorry, but this is utter bullshit. As far as I`m concerned he will not continue Devotion, I don`t have any personal issues with him (well not many!) :), however I don`t think he has the ability to run Devotion the way I would have wanted it to be ran. His articles are often too short and feature very poor English. So for those of you who want to know what will come of Devotion, the answer is I`m not sure yet. A few ideas are being debated. »CL1:DH: Ok, this can certainly clear up some misunderstadnings, that have developed. So, how does your decision affect you? I mean, leaving the scene? Does it feel sad to you, as if you're loosing something, or have you deluded yourself into thinking the scene is nothing, and that you can quit it without any loss to yourself? ;) I mean, I am getting a bit tired of listening to people say that the scene is not what it once was.. Sure it isn't, nothing is, but one can create something worthwhile and have a nice feeling doing it, now as then. And there are friends to be had, now as then. Or? »CL2:D: How does leaving the scene affect me? Well yes it does feel sad. Or rather it feels sad when I look back through the years. I always remember I used to tell one of the old local sceners from around here that I`d »CL4:NEVER»CL2: leave the scene, and I did believe that for such a long time. I could never imagine not being a scener, but this last year or so has just dragged over. I didn`t enjoy it and I constantly waited for something to come which would re- capture my attention. Making my own magazine wasn`t enough, maybe if Seenpoint and Generation were still alive it might have been more interesting. »CL1:DH: What will happen to Mangoo now, that you are bailing out? It's a group you founded, so I guess the future of the group is in doubt now? You succeeded with your diskmag project at last, but all the groups you founded or restarted have failed, sometimes, like now (well, maybe) because you left them. I think I interviewed you once before and asked about the same thing, namely, doesn't that make you feel bad in some way? I mean, there have been some people who depended on you, both in regards to Devotion and Mangoo, which you started at the same time as Devotion #1 came out, isn't it a bit harsh just quitting now, with most sceners not suspecting you would? »CL2:D: The future of Mangoo now depends on any current members. Unlike DVN I give any member of Mangoo the permission to take over the group. If anyone would want to, that is! However, the group itself wasn`t just founded by myself. Alive/Talent, Devistator/Abyss and Teis/Spaceballs together with myself are the founders of the group. Changing the subject a little, yeah I remember you interviewed me (for Speed?) about this subject. And to your question, yes it does make me feel bad to leave Mangoo behind like this. This time around unlike my other group, the members did seem dedicated. The irony was, that I wasnt. »CL1:DH: Mhh, is it possible now that this is not a definite farewell to the Amiga scene? That you might infact come back again? Hrmm, I suspect you will tell me that there isn't anything to come back to, now.. ;) »CL2:D: At the moment it feels like a pretty definite farewell to Amiga mania. Although I just signed up with Ghandy, Dire and Optimus to work on the Scenet webpage so I`ll still have some scene connections. But seriously, I doubt I`ll make a real comeback. How come you got me talking about comebacks already? :) Still I`ll always remain on the fringes of the scene, I`m pretty sure I`ll continue writing articles for Amiga magazines. Especially since DISC finally made release, a small interest remains :) »CL1:DH: Well, I have to try, hehe. Ok, getting close to the end. Sorry for being such a cruel interviewer, but hey, I think you'll survive :) As this is the end of not this interview, but of your scene career, unless you decide to make a comeback sometime out in the future, I think it is quite fitting to hand over the space to you for personal messages and greetings. Thanks for the interview, and thanks for Devotion aswell :) »CL2:D: Your welcome, ok hmm what can I say as my last words? hehe for the first time I can`t think of what to say. Well I must thank the following people for their hard work with Devotion: Mr.Tickle/Darkage, Adam/DCS, Optic/Talent, Reed/Damage, Tecon/PJZ, Dascon/IRIS, Magic/Nah-kolor, Makke/Mangoo, Alvin, Teis/Spaceballs and EVERYONE who sent articles to me for issue 1 and 2! »CL2:If you wish to contact me, I have a new email address (again) »PIC:Malmis.128x88x6.iff» »CL0:darkus@thefreeinternet.co.uk»CL2: You can also contact me via ICQ. Since I have this free space, I guess i`ll advertise my new website too. Remember to check it out as it will have my latest scene news together with anz Devotion developments. »CL0:members.tripod.co.uk/the_vault/»CL2: Check it out! Ok, before I go I`d like to thank the EC staff for making the only magazine which is released more than once a year for the last few years. Ok I`ll stop here, respect to all Amiga loving people! - Friendly Regards, Lee aka Darkus.