It was quite a hard step to take, but I gave up on gaming, including virtual flying. Did that since 30 years. In 2001, the ArmA series ("Operation Flashpoint" back then) came up, offering me to fly for real players seeking infantry gameplay. Being their taxi driver, especially in small birds like this MH-6, became my favorite thing in video games. Especially in community games, 50 vs. 50 real players battling every 10 days, online. Joystick, throttle, pedals, head-tracking device, surround earphones - the immersion was addictive. A bit too addictive, as I had to find out.

With the decline of the 2D animation industry, which also did hit hard in Germany in the last couple years, I obviously used this increasingly as some sort of substitute, to seek a feeling of success and achievement. I was really good at it (even got a chance to prove IRL that you can apply some of the learned skills to real aircraft piloting), and got a bit of a reputation in this community. But while these achievements were not really fake, they are also nothing you can build on - they are just easier to access, than, let's say, daily sketches. I invested (wasted?) more and more time, and at one point realized how I was more or less sedating myself from the troubles caused by the decline of the industry I work in. I decided it was time to let go. With this drawing, I said good-bye to the long-term friends in the community, many of which became RL friends as well.

I am still far behind answering messages here, even birthday wishes (which I am really thankful for!). Please bear with me. Tough times, as you see. I promise to pick up on communication.
Thanks for all the support!