PEOPLE WHO BLINDLY BELIEVE SHIT THEY SEE ONLINE DRIVES ME INSANE AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

To those who have expressed love and support in these last two days, I am deeply thankful for your kind words and I have taken these to heart. I really appreciate the vote of confidence not only that someone who was once as awful as me could change but also that I am trusted enough to change. While I will be stepping back in many ways, the support and kind words I have received led me to change my mind about leaving Glitch in the System for Chapter 2 and instead take extra time to focus on myself while focusing on the game.

I wanted to be fully honest with you because it would have been wrong for me to claim I was stepping down only to change my mind and not tell you the truth.

Something else I want to point out while I am here is that Glitch in the System has, for almost its entire development process, had a theme of redemption. Throughout the process of making it, I noticed people on the team growing as people and witnessed that change in myself as well. I realized that the people we were going into the game barely resemble those we are now. I wanted to create a game that affirmed the change in other people and was a comfort to those who have made mistakes from which they feel they could never recover. And due to the internet’s toxic habit of assuming that we are all static and unchanging as human beings, this message has been needed now more than ever. Jack himself has said some offensive things early in the channel that he would never say now because he has grown, and I’m sure every one of you has espoused an opinion or done things you regret. If we hold onto the belief that we cannot change or that a person’s mistake defines them, we lose our humanity. If we demand restitution rather than forgiving others, we hang onto hatred and poison ourselves.

Some people came to me with decisions they too regretted, including criminal histories. I was shocked to learn of them because I simply did not see that person when I spoke to them. I will not be revealing anyone’s secrets, but it was comforting to know that I am not the only person who has made such terrible mistakes, nor am I the only person who has ever changed from having prejudice or evil beliefs.

Before I do much more in the game, I would like to make a promise, which you may hold me accountable for, to offer forgiveness to those I have held grudges toward in the past. The issues are personal, but I have decided to contact them and offer my apologies for my anger and my forgiveness for the wrongs done to me. This is something I should have done long ago, and though I may not trust many of them until they earn it back, it is the least I can do. You will have to take my word for it because I do not plan to virtue signal by recording the conversations, but I take my promises seriously.

To those I have wronged, I also would be willing to have a mature, private conversation with you to personally own up to my mistakes and apologize. The reason I will not make this public is because there are people with legitimate grievances against me who want revenge for my actions and have no interest in forgiveness. I have enough self respect not to drag myself through the mud in order to placate someone who will refuse forgiveness. While I am guilty of numerous things and do not defend my actions, these matters should have been made private. I would have deserved such a callout when these events happened, but I resolved to turn over a new leaf this year and continue with my growth from last year. If I do not give myself a chance, I do not truly forgive myself. And if the game’s theme is redemption, earning back your trust is a high priority of mine, which I cannot do from the shadows.

To those who remain angry at me, you have every right to be angry. I will never tell you to stop being angry or even necessarily to forgive me right away. But as someone who has harbored anger and unforgiveness, as someone who has been on the other side of situation trying to ruin the reputation of someone based on my legitimate grievances, I ask that you please consider what it is you want from me. If it is revenge, you will not get it. If it is my humiliation, you have achieved it. If it is turning the public against me, I am secure in knowing that those who are willing to give me a second chance and forgive me are the people for whom I am making this game.

But if you do hate me with the ferocity I have seen over the last few days, please evaluate the kind of person you want to be. Do you want to be the kind of person who demands revenge and continues to hate or do you want to change as well? You are valuable and worthy of love. You have the potential for great things, and it would break my heart to see you squander it by staying angry. If I am to offer myself a second chance and if those who have offered me support are willing, I am more than willing to offer the same to you. I do not hate you or hold any ill will toward you. I wish you the best, and thank you for keeping me accountable. I will do everything in my power to make sure the version of me you knew is dead and I hope that you too are able to grow a little more each and every day.

Chapter 2 Part 1 will be released on schedule and I look forward to seeing everyone enjoy it. To those who have offered me their kind words and support, thank you. Your forgiveness is touching and I hope to be as forgiving and affirming as you one day.

-Katie