Hello everyone,
As we approach a year since I left this website for the 500th time, I want to take this opportunity to apologize to the entire LSPDFR community. There are a few individuals that I owe much more significant apologies to, and I have contacted them separately.
I deeply regret berating and disrespecting the users on this website. I now recognize that a significant part of a pack author's responsibility includes taking feedback and providing support to all users, regardless of the problems they face. I realize I should have helped those that needed assistance, rather than abusing them and trying to make them feel bad about themselves. The reasons for the actions I've taken cannot be explained in any other way aside from complete immaturity and an inability on my part to take any legitimate criticism, and for that I sincerely apologize. In addition, it was extremely unfair of me to expect that everyone else would have the same level of GTA V modding knowledge that I do. We all start at the same place, and I once asked the same questions too. We cannot grow and learn without asking questions. There are no such things as stupid questions. Each question is valid in its own way, and I should have answered them respectfully and to the best of my ability.
I must also apologize to the LSPDFR community as a whole for uploading packs, then removing the packs, then uploading again, then removing again. I realize how this has impacted those that care about my packs or just wanted to try them out and how this appears to the average user. I am fully accepting of the title "Tactical Crybaby" - because it is undoubtedly true. I am truly grateful to those that have uploaded my packs to other websites such as Launcher Leaks. You kept my packs available for the people that wanted them while I was having a temper tantrum in the corner.
I also owe a special apology to the users and staff at GTAPoliceMods. It was incredibly unfair for me to disparage your website and call it a "rip-off LSPDFR". The effort that went into creating the website and the "FivePD" mod is unimaginable to me, and I have nothing but respect for it. It is truly a community comprised of most established and respected modders - and I was jealous that I didn't have anywhere near the skill needed to participate there.
Finally, as it appears that my stance toward users and departure(s) led other developers to do the same - I must also apologize for this. This was never my intention, and I had never thought that my actions would lead other developers to do the same. Even back when I held my original attitude, I never wanted to hurt the community to its core by changing the environment to a toxic pile of garbage. This further drives home the point that it is so important for me to recognize my mistakes and learn from them, and to do everything I can to set a good example now and in the future.
For the past year, I've done my best to take a step back and get some perspective.
I've looked back on my comments and review responses, and I cringe. My responses were so angry and so hate-filled for no legitimate reason. I would disregard feedback - only to realize later that the feedback was completely legitimate. I would often send off an angry response, only to realize later that the reviewer was absolutely correct. Even the one-star reviews for installation issues held a large amount of truth. I am incredibly ashamed of my actions and wish I had done everything differently from the very start; yet I was not mature enough to do so.
I do sincerely hope that throughout my tenure on this website, you've found my packs to have grown in quality and stability. Regardless of what you think of me personally, I hope that you've found some enjoyment or use - any use - out of the packs I create. My intent is to one day return to public uploads here - between my new experience as an IT professional, the virtual help desk I created, and the lessons I've learned - I hope that I can for once contribute to and interact with this community in a positive way.
Please let me know your thoughts. I want to know your honest opinion, even if - especially if - that opinion is a giant middle finger to me.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you all for being with me (or against me) thus far, and I hope you'll continue to stay with me through whatever comes next.
Tactical Donut