[2019] Aloha from the new Community Manager!

Chief Fire Controlman United States Navy Retired Arriving,

I just wanted to pop in here and say Aloha to everyone! I’m Hapa_Fodder or Hapa for short. I just joined the amazing team at Wargaming Austin as a new Community Manager and I sincerely look forward to engaging you and hopefully meeting you in person at one of the many meet ups, in game or here on these forums!

I retired from the US Navy last year with over 20 years in service. I served on board the USS John Young (DD-973), USS Lake Champlain, (CG-57), USS Bataan (LHD-5), USS Boxer (LHD-4) and USS New Orleans (LPD-18). I also spent some time teaching naval history, small arms marksmanship, self-defense and many other topics to mostly officers from the lowly ensign (butter bars) up to one-star admirals.

Over the course of my time in the Navy I deployed 10 times and spent almost a year in a very hot sandy place on the other side of the planet. I worked mostly on the Close-In Weapon System or “CIWS,” 2 missile systems and 2 radar systems. So as a Fire Controlman our creed is to “Accurately place ordinance on target on time” or “Warheads on Foreheads,” assuming RNGeezus lets me, I love doing so in game as well!

I really cannot explain how excited I am to be joining this amazing team! I play frequently so if you see me in a battle, say “Aloha!” For the record I am a DD main, though I have enjoyed just about every class thus far even CV’s (there was a disturbance in the force somewhere)!

That is all.

Oh I fit right in I think

Born in the sea's of Alpha Testing!

What am I, chopped liver?

Great to have you onboard Hapa!

All Hail the CV Goddess! Pre-Rework CV Goddess? Thanks!

Thanks brother!

Thanks so much for all the kind words folks! @dewey picked the perfect emot for me When my Sailors would ask, "Chief, why are you so angry" I'd reply, "Kid, you haven't seen me angry, trust me, you'll know when I'm angry." it's not a knife hand, but darn it, it's close enough!

Actually got coined Hapa Haole Boy when I was at Pearl... cause ya know... main lander that is half Japanese :)

I'll be at the USS Lexington meet up, if y'all go, pop in and say Aloha!

Interesting way to say hello, but Thanks. Remember we have a place for your comments, suggestions and concerns. And believe it or not, we do read those comments, suggestions and concerns and do pass them along to our dev's and such. Just a suggestion, that you post these in those sections.

Ya know, I have always said, RADAR doesn't bother or worry me when I'm in a DD, if I get lit by it, most times you're right though, it's my fault.

I totally understand your frustration. TRUST ME, I have been there. But also trust that, just because you don't see exactly what you suggest, doesn't mean those suggestions and feedback aren't taken into account. And I sincerely mean that. Those of us that are the Community Managers read (OR TRY TO READ) every single forum post and we take note of trends, that being said, if something is not trending then we typically don't push that to the forefront, but they still are noted. I cannot speak for the past, but i know my goal as Community Manager is to continue to grow World of Warships and the involvement of players like you. But as a reminded that constructive criticism like yours is really good and welcome, you have an actual idea, not just "it's dumb." No apology necessary, just know that we DO see what you post. We just might not always reply.

Though it has been an interesting week, I have been playing World of Warships since the EARLY EARLY days of Alpha testing, have stuck with the game in the good and bad and ugly. And I assure you, this is not that bad. My job as a Community Manager (Much like it was as a Chief Petty Officer) is to be a filter, from the Dev's to you amazing people and from you amazing people to the Dev's. I joined this amazing team to because I wanted to grow the community, make it better, help to pass along the idea's and fixes the players have. We are all human (I know, hard to believe) and never has anyone ever created the PERFECT product. TBH, this has been a great learning experience, better to jump into the weeds and keep on trucking!

Thanks for the kind words brother!

Aloha,

Year's of sarcasm training in the Navy brother LOL!

Honestly, I walked into this position with the understand that NO ONE IS PERFECT, no company is perfect, no video game is perfect, etc etc etc, and ANYONE that says they are or that their product is, well, they are wrong... It's how we learn from our mistakes, error's or whatever, that moves us forward! And the amazing community we have has to also realize this as well. I am not saying that we as a community MUST, but it is something to aim for. Also, just because we do not comment on something immediately or we don't answer a question or put a feature or something that the community wants immediately into the game, does not mean that the thoughts, ideas, concerns or failures aren't noticed or learned from.

I am a firm believer that as a community we can continue to grow and continue to prosper. Though I appreciate the comments and concern for my timing of joining the Wargaming Team, I assure you, I would not have it any other way!

Mahalo!

-Hapa

Less

And more

Aloha,

Not anymore, I was in Hawaii for quite some time though while I was active duty, and while I was there I was coined "Hapa Haole Boy" which is basically a term of endearment given to Half Japanese Half White "main landers" And so Hapa just kind of stuck :)

Mahalo,

-Hapa

GO TEAM HAPOCOLYPSE!