I have started working on a new client/server. Specifically client 1902.15.1002. This client was released two months before Lineage RM was released. There are many reason I switched over, I guess I have the area to explain myself reasoning as to why I made this switch so here it goes.
1) The server simply wasn't ready in October. Pressure from the community to have something to play NOW! And my own internal pressure to please everyone, lead to a far too early release. Day in and day out, massive changelogs were posted. Core stats, abilities, zones, you name it, was in some cases completely redone. This screwed over some players and benefited others greatly. Creating a huge disparity in items, levels and over all power. This created some really bad and unfair advantages based solely on luck, forcing many to quit.
2) My vision was to make the server as Live-Like as possible with updates put out daily. But this was fun for no one and put a lot of stress on me. It also created all the issues seen above. Instead I will now focus on what is "Fun" and not what is "Correct". For example: Bone Set gives a set bonus of doubling your undead bonus damage. However, you can be killed instantly if a mage lands a Turn Undead on you. You will also receive more damage from other players using undead weapons. This is just one example of the more creative and interesting ideas I would like to add.
3) Updating the client from 2014 to 2019, on top of trying to fix an open-source project, on top of trying to be a game-master was just too much work for one person. With using the new client, it's already setup to use the new spells, zones, UI, items, pet system, etc so all the jerry-rigging hard work has been done for me. This also fixes any of the more difficult spells to implement like Stage 4 Foe Slayer or Dark Horse.
4) The client it-self has other things that were intended to be working but were not on the Void client. For example: Attendance System, Pet UI, Ranking UI, Crafting UI, Monster Journal, various user commands, emotes, KDA window, etc.
5) This client comes with a new launcher. Removing the two step process we had before.
6) I can correct the mistakes of the past and implement game breaking bugs on day zero.
7) All content will be enabled from on day one. This includes ToA, ToD, Rumtis, Snapper, TAM, Attendance, Siege, Mysterious Feather, all new passives, double shoulder slots, relic/insignia, etc.
8) And the final reason, competition. When I started working on this server, there were no other options for NA players for this content level. I was offering a completely different experience in a familiar game. However, in the last three months, four different servers have popped up with newer and flashier clients and that has taken even more of the current player base.
In conclusion, client patching took more than half my development time and now its no longer needed. Outside of translations, which a good chunk has already been done, I can shift my entire focus on to the server code, balancing, adding new content, being an active GM, etc. If you would like to follow along, you can join my Discord https://discord.gg/r52dDPsgYt
