My thoughts on the Smash Studio

Instructions

I've seen a number of smash studio regulars express their thoughts on the state of the community, their place in it, it's effect on them, and leaving the community, etc etc. Theres not many ways to fully describe how this community affected me, because it's just really had to explain. On the one hand, it was my introduction to online communities, and basically what the internet was. My first account (@JadynU), was made around October 2020, pretty old compared to most people active today. Kiwi, as far as I know has been the oldest active member other than zzstar, and has also officially stated theyre leaving the community, and scratch as a whole a decent bit ago. I definitely did go on really long inactive periods, pretty much months, but never really cared enough to say anything. (I also forgot :p). As I said, scratch was my first taste of an online community. I can tell I really enjoyed it here, and the smash studio was the only place i frequented because a lot of times it went deeper than just the silly party game. No other studio i went to talked as much as we did, even though they had 5 times the members. No other studio i went to had as many unique active members that we did. I find this extremely interesting. To take from something Kiwi said on one of their messages, scratch is a site for children. Somehow, back then, it really didnt feel like it. It just felt like a community. We were capable of having deeper conversations, but we also had the dumb random ones about whatever. It wasnt a game community, at least not fully. It was real people. I feel like this is something a lot of people forget when in their own communities. The people you talk to, are real. They have lives, their thoughts go beyond smash bros or whatever it is. The community back then felt like that. Real people I loved this community so much, even if i dont really feel the same love for it anymore. Scratch is an interesting platform, but honestly? Its existence and creation was a huge blunder by the people that made it. Because its few communities it does form, end up dying in a very slow, painful way. Because scratch has an expiration date, that other platforms dont. Its nothing deep. Its when you learn that other platforms exist, that go deeper, that dont have message limits, where you can hear peoples voice, where you can share things, where your irls will actually understand. You dont lose love for it, you just find something you love more. Which is awfully poetic, if you ask me. On the negative side of things, scratch led me to the path of the internet, which is notoriously an amazing place, as you know (i know theres someone who will NOT understand this is sarcasm). It gives you a false view of what a community is. Thats really all i can shorten it down to. If i gave the full, this would be 3 times as long. This project is just to collect my thoughts and give them out, because i guess i was a little bit late in doing so lol. Its been like this for a while, but i guess ill officially state it because im a pretty old member of the community and its hard to tell with my activity but: I wont be touching scratch anymore This is mostly because i just dont enjoy the platform, and most everyone i knew is gone, or leaving. Other things in my life are more important to me, because well, i have a life surprisingly. Im not 10 years old anymore. Im not someone who finds enjoyment in coding anymore. I technically even quit playing competetive smash > a year ago. Scratch to me now is like zoom. Sure, i understand. But i can just go to school, so why? Sure, i get why scratch is a thing. but why? I can just go somewhere else, or not be in a community entirely. shrimple as that. ill most likely be gone when summer starts. I just want to see things and like idk say bye. Youre welcome to add me on you know what, and if you dont know, its hidden in the project.