The 'Shroom:Issue 201/Staff Notes

Staff Notes

Written by: Hooded Pitohui (talk) and Waluigi Time (talk)

Hello, all you readers of The 'Shroom! I know, I know. It feels a little strange to be putting issue 200 in the archives. That nighttime cityscape and those dazzling fireworks feel like they could have graced our main page forever. All good things have their ends, though, and time goes on, so we'll file it away where it can always be accessed, and we'll continue onward with issue 201. I do want to reiterate my thanks to all of you for making issue 200 such a spectacular milestone, though! It was incredible!

Now, this is normally where I'd tell you all about our big theme for our holiday special, but, well, we just had our big year's end massive special last month, so we're keeping it light this December. If anything, you might say the theme of this month is relaxation! We're resting up and taking some time to enjoy the holiday season after putting together that big milestone, getting ready to tackle next year all the while. This is a month of transition.

Actually, on the topic of transition, let's go over a few announcements. First off, you've probably already noticed, but we're retaining the changes to our look from issue 200. Fancy buttons on the front page, a new typeface for our section titles, crisp new backgrounds, it's all coming along for the ride! Though we do have those charming classic holiday lights still!

Secondly, longtime Spotlight Manager Yoshi876 (talk) will be stepping back from manning the light, transitioning from his current role into taking up a Staff Consultant position. He's put the shine on wiki articles in need of maintenance and attention since all the way back in January of 2014, with a variety of co-managers by his side during his tenure. Needless to say, the Spotlight project wouldn't be what it is today without him, and we deeply appreciate all the work he put into it and into The 'Shroom as a whole. Thank you so much for a decade spent at the helm! He steps back with a worthy successor in the position, though. RHG1951 (talk) has been doing outstanding work so far as Spotlight co-manager, and will continue to helm the project as Spotlight Manager! Do reach out to him for all of your Spotlight needs!

Last but not least, here's another reminder that the Shroom Director Election for 2024 starts with the release of this issue! You have until January 13th to post a campaign, and, if you're thinking about it at all, I highly encourage you to go for it! As a reminder, Waluigi Time and I are not running, so the door is wide open! It's time for a new duo to take the reins, and you could be a part of it! There's a great team that would be behind you every step of the way, and if you have any questions about what the role entails, you can reach out and we'll happily answer them for you. Don't sit on the sidelines, letting this opportunity pass by! Jump in, and help lead the paper through 2024!

As you get your campaigns together, though, make sure you take it easy and enjoy the last stretch of the year, too. Waluigi Time and I sure are, even as we pack up our offices. I've got my feet on my desk, a yule log video on the monitor, the lights turned low, a comfortable robe, and a cup of hot chocolate. Why not join me? Relax a little, let all the stress of the year gone by slip away. Take a sip, settle into a recliner, and bask in the glow of those lights you bought back in 2009...

...isn't it refreshing? Why not stay curled up just a little longer and read issue 201, just like that? Get nice and comfy, and enjoy the holidays, readers of The 'Shroom.

—Hooded Pitohui, Director

Hello there, 'Shroom readers! Good news, we're still alive over here. Now we have a whole 98 more issues to go through before we have to do something of that scale ever again!

Looking towards things happening a lot sooner than 98 months from now, Awards! It's still some time away, but we have our leadership for 2024! In the most intense election ever (fake), Roserade (talk) has been elected for a second term as our Awards Director! Awards 2023 went exceptionally well if I may say so, and I'm sure this next year will be just as great, if not even better! Be sure to keep an eye out over the next several months as we start kicking into Awards mode. RELEASE THE CLOWN CAR!

We may be forgoing the traditional holiday special this year for obvious reasons, but some traditions still remain! The annual End-of-the-Year Awards are here, celebrating the accomplishments of our wonderful writers and staff through 2023! And we certainly have a lot to celebrate this year, just wait until you see the Toad Award. Special thanks go to our amazing Statistics Manager Meta Knight (talk) for getting this set up!

Speaking of holiday traditions, the Christmas lights are back! The 'Shroom staff of a much different time first pulled those lights out of their box 14 years ago, and somehow none of the bulbs have burnt out yet. They might be a bit dated by today's standards, but I like them! They have charm.

I better get back to wrapping presents and start packing up things here in the Sub-Director's Office. Hm, hopefully I don't get those two mixed up, I'd prefer to keep this desk. Happy holidays, and enjoy the issue!

—Waluigi Time, Sub-Director

Poochy's Picks
Would you look at that? Poochy stayed brave all through the fireworks and gathered up some sections that earned an extra nod of appreciation! What a good boy!

Poochy's Picks from Issue 200
Section	Writer	Comments
So, You've Summoned a Persona	Meta Knight (talk)	Meta Knight shows off a very impressive feature both artistically and technically. Both quality and quantity are on display with the 24 original pieces of art inspired by community members and the Persona series. The JavaScript features created for this are the icing on the cake, adding an extra special presentation while also having great potential for other applications.
"Tricks & Treats Vending Machine"	Anton (talk) with assistance from Lakituthequick (talk)	On display is a technical achievement on LTQ's end packed, by Anton, full of great references and jokes that sometimes only land after multiple runs (for instance, a hot dog without condiments, and then the condiments go pppbbbbtttt later). Anton really nailed the design and item art, made multiple vends engaging with great item variety and those layered jokes, and had a clever and fun idea overall!
A Community Character Celebration	BBQ Turtle (talk)	BBQ Turtle brings a spectacular piece of physical artwork, highlighting the community's absurd cast of OCs and RPs that have shown up in forum games and elsewhere. While not everyone will understand why everyone is there or recognize all the faces in the crowd, it's a very impressive non-digital mural nonetheless that celebrates multiple swathes of the community!
Archie Sonic Comic Shoebox	Shoey (talk)	Robotnik's story in the comic sure gets convoluted with the introduction of a second Robotnik to replace the first, killed-off one, but Shoey fashions it into an easily-followed read. The casual style of this section, which is not afraid to crack a few jokes as it goes through a silly subject while still delivering the full story, naturally draws readers through the whole section.
The Wrestling Shoeserver	Shoey (talk)	Shoey offers an impressively comprehensive section.It's not that easy to review some of these old wrestling events and promos, but, despite the challenge, Shoey gives both a thorough account of Backlund's rise, fall, reinvention, and fading away while managing to pluck out even specific quotes. It's wrapped up in a nice narrative style that makes it easy to follow and interjects some energy into the description of the matches.
All's Fair in Love and Robattle	Glowsquid (talk)	We want to give a big shout-out to the combination of thoroughness and digestible structure here. Getting into little details from the anime that only someone who actually watched it (such as the twists and escalations of the gag of Mr. Referee), providing a guide on how to get into the games (with firsthand experiences weighed in), and keeping tabs on recent developments on the IP dispute holding up the franchise, it all shows Glowsquid's dedication to providing a comprehensive introduction to the Medabots franchise. Yet it's broken up into small pieces, making it an easy read that, mixed with the casual jokes sprinkled throughout (and in the captions) keeps drawing readers along. That structuring is a good example to follow for 'Shroom writers considering writing large articles.
Fireworks Viewing	Lakituthequick (talk) and GBA (talk)	Not only does this section have a tribute to the users who worked so hard to get to 200 issues, but it represents a remarkable technical and artistic feat from LTQ and GBA. The two of them went above and beyond in fine-tuning a system for generating fireworks, making tweaks to keep it efficient across devices and finding a charming style that made the fireworks look great by combining faint outlines, particles, and a limited color selection.
Is there a section you'd like to give a shout-out? Get a section in front of Poochy by filling out this form!

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