That’s how it read on the shopping or merchandise or whatever they called it page on the Utopia Fleet website more than 20 years ago. As I recall, they sold at least four different Utopia Fleet-branded items:
Item
Price
Description
Pitch
100% Cotton T-Shirt
$14.99
“White T-Shirt with Fleet logo on the front and the URL of the Fleet homepage on the back.”
none
11 & 15-ounce Coffee Mugs
$12.50 / $13.99
“Dishwasher safe ceramic coffee mugs.”
“Whether it’s coffee, Earl Grey, or Romulan Ale, it’ll taste better in your very own UtopiaFleet mug!”
Mouse Pad
$12.99
“Standard-sized premium cloth covered mousepad”
“What better way to show your loyalty to the Fleet than by having the logo right under your mouse?”
When we bid 2020 farewell one year ago, we hoped for better things in 2021. Unfortunately, I’m not sure it played out that way. Moreover, due to the ongoing pandemic, we’re going to have to put off our plans for an IRL Simming Get Together indefinitely. Should conditions change to allow us to hold the event, we will provide advance notice here.
But 2021 wasn’t all bad. There actually was quite a bit to celebrate. In fact, you could say that 2021 was the year of anniversary celebrations as four clubs marked significant milestones:
Last year I got to mark my own 20th simming anniversary. This year I get to celebrate something even better: my club’s 20th anniversary. That’s right, founded all the way back on July 4, 2001, Independence Fleet turns 20 today. Given our humble and downright volatile beginnings, it’s hard to believe we’re still operating today. Nonetheless, here we are!
But a 20th anniversary calls for even more. With that in mind, this morning we published two items that we hope our members and the entire online role playing world can enjoy:
A SciWorld for the ages! Where do I even begin? With some of the most diverse topics & panels I’ve ever seen, great ideas & comments from the audience, and a trivia event that felt more like a shark feeding frenzy, this SciWorld had it all. I haven’t even mentioned the hilarious opening ceremony video yet; thank you Charles and the team for that. If you missed SciWorld, we look forwarding to seeing you at FallFest, which will happen sometime later this year. Both events will be held in this discord server moving forward.
Now that TNU Project‘s SimmingHub has officially assumed the management & administration of SciWorld & FallFest with the completion of our first convention, I would like to personally thank Ongoing Worlds and Charles Star for sponsoring the last three SciWorlds and all 10 FallFests. Your service to the community is much appreciated and we hope to live up to the ideals you championed. On behalf of the Ongoing Worlds Board of Advisors and the SimmingHub Organizing Committee it is also an honor of mine to bestow some awards to members of the community, without whom this event would not have been possible.
That’s right, if you haven’t already heard, SciWorld ’21 is on Saturday, beginning at 11:30 AM EDT (-4) / 4:30 pm BST (+1). Our team from Independence Fleet & TNU Project have put in a lot a work to create a dynamic and provocative list of events backed by an outstanding infrastructure. It’s going to be a great day, and we want YOU to be a part of it:
It doesn’t matter if you’re into Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, or something else entirely. Or if you prefer chat sims, play by e-mail, or message boards. If you’re a simmer or online role player of any persuasion, there will be something there for you! But what do you really get out of SciWorld? Here are 4 reasons you should attend:
What a FallFest! This past weekend, the entire role playing world came together for the 2020 Simming Fall Festival: a full day of lively discussions, great role playing, and interactive trivia games. It was top-notch from the opening to closing bells. A real testament to the power of our greater community. Simply put, FallFest was incredible!
That’s right, if you haven’t already heard, FallFest X is on Saturday. Our team from Pegasus Fleet and Independence Fleet have put in a lot a work to create a dynamic and provocative list of events backed by an outstanding infrastructure. It’s going to be a great day, and we want YOU to be a part of it:
It doesn’t matter if you’re into Star Trek, Star Wars, Dr. Who, or something else entirely. Or if you prefer chat sims, play by e-mail, or message boards. If you’re a simmer or online role player of any persuasion, there will be something there for you! But what do you really get out of FallFest? Here are 4 reasons you should attend:
You’ll get to rub elbows with many prominent members of our community. In fact, some of the most successful and influential role players and simming leaders of all-time will be attending and facilitating events. Learn from the best!
You’ll hear about the latest and most innovative techniques and strategies for leading a successful role play. Indeed, there will be multiple events dedicated to running better games. Discover what’s working for others today!
You’ll be able to role play with others from different clubs and genres. With a diverse set of hosts and settings, you’ll experience a wide range of concepts and ideas. Challenge the simming norms and help break barriers!
You’ll have fun! All simmers and online role players, regardless of rank or club affiliation, are invited to attend and participate. There’s no way to energize your sim or club than to come back with a fresh perspective.
Big announcement time: After nine years of sponsoring the Simming Fall Festival (aka FallFest) and three years of sponsoring the SciWorld Online Convention, we’ve decided to turn management of both events over to TNU Project, where Josh Hina will continue in my role as General Coordinator. Josh and TNU will maintain the club-host model that we’ve used, but they’ll be handling all of the behind the scenes stuff that Ongoing Worlds has typically done.
Ongoing Worlds will sponsor FallFest 2020 while TNU Project will then assume sponsoring responsibilities for SciWorld 2021 and all future SciWorlds & FallFests. Sponsoring these two premier community events, which are steeped in role play history has been one of our greatest thrills here are at Ongoing Worlds. However, it’s simply time to move on, and we have no doubt that Josh and everyone at TNU Project will continue to make them better and better. To aid in the transition, Pegasus Fleet and Independence Fleet will be jointly hosting FallFest 2020 and SciWorld 2021.
FallFest X
Yes, join us for FallFest X on Saturday, November 14th. It will be a full day of engaging discussions, interactive trivia games, and live chat role plays–in a Discord server open to all simmers and online role players, regardless of rank or club affiliation. Basically, this is where we all come together as one to share ideas, information, and energy!
AlexM of Pegasus Fleet & Ken Gillis of Independence Fleet will serve as co-chairs. They’ll be on point to build the schedule, advertise, and generally ensure that FallFest runs smoothly. It’s a big job, and they need your help!
What can I do?
Plan to attend: this is one-of-a-kind opportunity to meet & connect with other role players!
Invite your friends: let them join in on the fun too!
Contact star [dot] idf [at] gmail [dot] com if you would like to host a one-hour discussion, trivia game, or role play.
OngoingWorlds is a website where you can work together to create interesting stories, and roleplay as any interesting characters. Either join a game or create your own.
