OLD CITIES of MCO: Three Years Later, New Eden Is but a Memory
The New Eden phoenix will (probably) never rise again
July 20, 2022
| By Beeraeka
Many Freedonians who were active from mid-2019 to early-2022 will recall being inducted as New Eden residents. More will remember the various spectacles and grand events held at the town just north of Drocata Swamps. But fewer, in fact, only one, was the man who started it all: McO Administrator Eclypto18.
With about 200 residents, according to its McO Wiki page, New Eden is one of the largest settlements in McO history. Founded in 2019, it was a contemporary of other towns, like VhsTown and the Republic of Verico, which came into existence after the power vacuum left by older settlements that went inactive. New Eden quickly took the server by storm. It also won the 2020 Verico Post award for Outstanding Settlement.
New Eden grew out of an empty island north of Drocata Swamps. At least one God-rank player and an McO Administrator aided Eclypto18 in the terraforming process. Alex_Boat, who gained control of Drocata Swamps, would later join its growing neighboring settlement. New Eden and Drocata Swamps enjoyed smooth and pleasant inter-settlement relations. “It was the first town I joined,” said Eclypto18 of Drocata Swamps.
Despite its large size, New Eden started with fairly humble beginnings.
“I never expected it to grow so large,” Eclypto18 said, “but I always hoped.”
He said he liked the idea of running a town, and he felt that the Southern part of McO was “essentially vacant of any life” and that he wanted to build a community hub there.
“I wanted New Eden to become a community hub,” he said. “For it to cater to [players’] social needs and resources.”
Modeling it after the style and block palette that he preferred, he recruited seven players to become staff, according to New Eden’s McO Wiki page.
“The relationship was built on a lot of trust,” Eclypto18 said of the relationship between him and his staff. He said he only recruited individuals who were dedicated to New Eden’s success. “During [New Eden’s] peak, the staff were incredibly hard working and helped expand the town.”
Naturally, the New Eden leadership had internal disagreements.
“I definitely had a veto for all ideas,” he said. “However, multiple projects and initiatives were [others’] ideas. There were very few ideas I outright vetoed.”
One of the proposed projects he vetoed was r9q’s skyscrapers plan. r9q would later build skyscrapers for another town, Newport.
“I vetoed [it] outright,” said Eclypto18. “I allowed a trial build - but later it was removed.” He said it was “messing up the skyline” and “sticking out.”
“Originally the Plot District was going to be a skyscraper district as an alternative. However, that plan never got farther than the planning stage”
Fulfilling his goal of starting a community hub, New Eden hosted several events, some officially sponsored by the server after he became an McO administrator. However, Eclypto18 said his favorite events were the Easter Egg hunts, which McO did not sponsor. He said he also misses the New Eden meme contests.
“It was great to just spectate dozens of players running around my town,” Eclypto18 said of the events, “showcasing [New Eden’s] objective of community bonding.”
When McO Administrator SlowRiot, the founder and owner of McO, came to New Eden on the server’s ninth anniversary, he said he felt like New Eden “had joined the ranks of OG McO.”
But sponsored events, a second Nexus that was built for the town and an McO administrator giving Eclypto18 the ability to fly to take screenshots of the town prompted allegations of special treatment from the McO Administration from some players.
“Well most of the events have nothing to do with special treatment,” said Eclypto18, “as my events could have taken place anywhere. No different than pigchinko events being in other towns or large plot events.” He cited an McO-sponsored event at Mco Moderator Jibletz’s base as an example.
However, he accepted that the second Nexus there in the town as a result of special treatment, to an extent, due to New Eden’s reputation and his status as a “community admin.”
“I had multiple conversations and discussions with other admins regarding the establishment of a ‘Scheduled Nexus,’” he said. “It wasn't simply me saying ‘I'm an admin - I'm gonna build another nexus.’ I was aware that this add-on would be perceived as unfair.
“Ultimately I decided, with other admins, that allowing for a nexus that could only be accessed during major events and not for access to the town - allowed it legitimacy. As when it was created - the stadium was hosting many server wide events.”
He cited two reasons for the town’s success: his passion for town management and the state of the community at the time.
“I loved managing and building up New Eden. I didn't burn out,” said Eclypto18, “and kept trying to add on more things. While also listening to the [community’s] feedback and acting accordingly.
“The community was desperate for a community hub. Multiple towns were popping off everywhere. But many [were] either simply large personal bases or they didn't last due to burn out (Woodville is a good example). [New Eden’s] constant add-ons, events and activity made it attractive.”
Woodville’s owners, Stanchristiaan and JSodill, were not available for comment.
He said he is certain that the success of New Eden directly contributed to his promotion to McO administrator.
“Oh of course. [New Eden’s] success showed my competence as a rule [enforcer] (Mod) and later as an administrator and event coordinator (Community Admin).
“There was even talk about me being a future admin amongst the admin team before I was even finalized as a mod.”
He clarified that his capacity as a “rule enforcer” was enforcing town rules, not server rules.
“Or how I'd always confirm my town rules legitimacy by discussing them with admins for approval. Due to town rules sometimes being problematic in general.”
Although it enjoyed relative success in its prime, New Eden is now a “historic town,” as proclaimed by Eclypto18, and is no longer active.
Asked what went wrong with the town, he said, “Nothing went wrong really. I stopped being as active in general when I began my first degree in university last year. I now live with my partner in our own apartment and work part time. I simply don't have the time to invest in New Eden.”
He said he decided to officially close New Eden to stop players from making “dead town” comments. “Most towns just kinda fizzle out and end up in limbo. I wanted to give New Eden a proper send-off and end it on my terms,” he said.
While he believes that New Eden has the infrastructure and resources, he does not believe that it will ever become active again.
“I'm at a different stage in my life - a good stage. With that comes many responsibilities and very little time. Obviously, New Eden isn't going to be a high priority.”
Having close relationships with fellow McO Administrator TheDemetri and McO Moderator LordOfTheShadows, he said they were the only people he trusted enough to manage New Eden’s future. He appointed TheDemetri as a co-owner and LordOfTheShadows as mayor. However, neither has the time to do so, he said. He has no plans to appoint any more successors.
“New Eden was a great time of my ‘gaming life,’” said Eclypto18. “I had a great time - and invested many hours. I also love to hear from others how New Eden was [a part] of their McO experience.”
“I'm happy to see New Eden become [a part] of [McO’s] history.”
“Old Cities of McO” is a new Verico Post series investigating the stories of, you guessed it, old McO cities.
Disclosures: I am an “OG resident” of New Eden, joining the town as its fifth member. I also competed in three of the town’s four meme contests and won in the third. In addition, I own the most expensive home in New Eden as well as its largest plot. I was a co-owner of the Republic of Verico and have served in various roles in its government. I am also a Drocata Swamps resident. I remain close with various members of New Eden’s management team, including those mentioned in the article.
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