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NiGHTSintoDreams.Com
One year ago, we were all looking forward to the release of Journey of Dreams with hope and excitement.
One year ago, this community, this fanbase full of people in love with a purple jester in the world of dreams, was given the opportunity to obtain something it hasn't seen in its entire existence.
One year ago, I put nearly everything I had on the line for a shot in the dark.
I think most, if not all, of you know what I'm talking about. November 18, 2007. Out of nowhere we were given the chance to buy the most coveted item in the history of NiGHTS. The Holy Grail, the perfect diamond, the opportunity of a lifetime; however you phrase it, there was no overstating its rarity and desire to own. A year ago I received that small parcel from Europe, inside was a NiGHTS into Dreams beta. A rare E3 prototype that, as far as I know, is the only one in existence right now.
Ever since the day I dropped nearly my entire life savings on one Japanese CD-R, I regretted that decision. I went into the Christmas season flat broke and put myself in a hefty debt to keep up. To this day I continually ask myself why I did it. Every ounce of fiber in my body told me not to do it. Every bit of rational thought said "let it slide." Up until the moment I pressed that PayPal "Send" button, I kept second-guessing my actions. What was it that made me do it? What did I have to prove? Why did I do it, despite the serious and grave repercussions?
Was it simply disbelief, that I didn't think it was going to work out?I can't believe this is happening.
Was it that I wanted to prove my worth to a thousand people I only knew through the internet?It feels really good having finally given something back to the community. I may not have been here very long but I was determined to leave my mark. This will most definitely be it.
No. It was the unmistakable, overwhelming power of dreams.It really is like a dream come true.
If there's one thing I learned from my time in these forums, it's that dreams always instill two things in me. Faith, and hope. It's these two things that have kept me going as long as I have without completely breaking down despite the stresses I faced in the months following the beta purchase. I failed the semester I bought the beta. Some of my friends up and abandoned me out of the blue. My parents were fighting and nearly divorced. My sister almost committed suicide. For the longest time my only escape was my dreams. Every morning I learned something new about myself after analyzing the nights' dreams to keep myself going despite the trouble I faced. I found out how to go lucid when I had nightmares. And above all else, I kept being told that things will work out by a different dream character almost every night.
Had I not been exposed to NiGHTS, it's likely I never would have been able to get through those times. I needed something to turn to, and my dreams were about all I had. Was it worth shelling out my life savings to make it through?
I most definitely think so.
The most heartwarming part of my experience was the fact that random strangers I never met were sending me donations to recoup the cost left and right, with some going well into the triple digits. Did I ever expect that much of random strangers? Not in a million years. I couldn't believe I got as much back as I did. All that has taught me this:
NiGHTS fans are some of the best people out there on this earth.
No matter where you live, no matter what your age, no matter what your situation, your past, or your troubles, we've all been brought together by NiGHTS. The connection between us all extends father than just these message boards. We don't just care about each other, we care for each other. Between us, we're more than just fans; we're friends.
"You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty."
- Gandhi
Since February I've sat on this beta for the longest time, sticking to my policy of "You want it? That's what you pay to see." Is that really how I should be going around? To some of the best people I've met in the longest time, both on these forums and off? I haven't given back to the community. Just a few people with deep pockets and hearts so big I can't fathom.
But now, I really can give back to the community. I can finally rest easy without it hanging over my head any longer.
Fire up your Saturn emulators or modchipped systems. Ladies and gentlemen,
Here's your Beta.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=H6VPWIVZ
And so it is done.
- TRAViS
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