Sunday, November 23rd, 2008
Issue: 101   Editor: Mikamon


Goodbye Shaggerty Mikamon
A few weeks after Shaggerty's suicide, the Elite Guard finally reached a decision on the matter. Early Thursday evening, Shaggerty's suicided account was removed from the Help Desk and the Elite Guard, relieving him from his Moderator duties. Due to privacy reasons, Sabin couldn't comment on the actual reason of the removal. He did however give the Buzz some other information regarding the removal of Shaggerty and regarding what could be expected in the future.

“We like Shaggerty, but we feel it is not in the best interests of the game to allow his return to the Elite Guard at this time,” Sabin said. He added, “Shaggerty is permitted to play the game normally. Presently, he is to be treated like every other ex-mod who chose to continue playing the game (such as Fixxer, mrjimdelivery, Annihilation, etc).” As we have seen in the past, Moderators have sometimes returned, Shaggerty himself was in fact one of them. “There are no plans at this time for Shaggerty to return to the Elite Guard,” Sabin said. “This might change in the future, but it's not planned at present.”

With Shaggerty's removal, the Elite Guard has lost an active Moderator. The Buzz asked Sabin what would happen in the future, and if there would be a next step. “In cases like this, there is not really a 'next step',” he replied. “We are always watchful for times when we might need a new Moderator, and consider carefully who is chosen for that role. We do not consider 'replacing' anyone.” Sabin continued, “That would imply that there is a fixed number of Moderator positions, which cannot be exceeded or left vacant, and the removal of one means there must be an addition. Instead, we consider the needs of the game. If there is a clear need for more Moderators (or HDOs, or even Admins), we will find some and add them to our team.” In the end, that will probably mean we won't see a new Moderator in the near future.

With Shaggerty, the Elite Guard has lost a controversial Moderator. Some players claimed he was corrupt and really bashed him, where others liked him, stood up for him and did not want to hear about the corruption because they thought it wasn't true and because they trusted Shaggerty and his ability to do his job as a Moderator. The Buzz would like to wish Shaggerty the best and would like to end with Sabin's words, “Shaggerty was a very hardworking member of the team, and he will be missed.”