A New Owner and Era for 40kforums

[Andy]

Dear all,

When I first started this website, I was just 14, and truth be told, I'd set up the forum to be a place for my gaming group to go to discuss Warhammer 40k for hours on end in the evenings - but just a couple of weeks after the site was set up, we'd gained attention from elsewhere and were quickly gaining sign ups at a rapid rate. Perhaps our forum starting up at the same time coincidentally that the Games Workshop forum was closing down, helped us here. A few hundreds users later and it was clear this was not going to be a bit of a project to fill a few weeks and keep our gaming group entertained. Instead it was clear that it would require hours of my attention over the course of every week, to maintain and run, for what was much more than just our small gaming group now.

Eight and a half years down the line, way beyond what I'd originally anticipated, the site still continues. When I first started taking the forum seriously, after those hundreds of new users signing up to join in with discussion, I wanted the site to be a chilled place to be. After all, that's what it was set up to be for our own gaming group, so why not continue that trend. So over the years I've tried to ensure the forum has always remained a friendly place to come, and that our users can get on with one another easily, without moderators having to step in to break up unnecessary fighting. The fact that the forum requires very little moderation these days, despite being the most active it's ever been, is testament to the friendliness instilled in the website as a whole I think, and I hope you agree!

However, maybe three or four years ago, my own personal interest in the hobby had started to dwindle a little - and while I've maintained the site for those few years, and enjoyed doing so - in fact, influencing a lot of gamers across the world, not only to discuss online, but also to play against one another in real life and to meet face to face; has made me really proud.

But, while I can overlook the site and keep it moving along, it's better to have someone at the helm who is interested in pushing things forward - part of a great community is not only about keeping people happy and friendly with one another, but it's also about keeping them involved, up to date and interested. The latter is something I simply cannot achieve with my lack of knowledge and inspiration these days. That's why some of you will have read about myself moving on from the forum, and handing over to someone who has both the ability to control the former and the latter of what I believe creates that great community.

So without further ado, I'd like to introduce your new overlord forum owner, Architech, who I believe will put the site in safe hands; someone who knows the importance of keeping a friendly and chilled community, but also someone who can inspire and lead to create great things. It's sad to let the forum go; something I've worked on for many years, but I feel it's the correct decision to ensure a healthy future for the site, and I hope you all agree.

Cheers everyone!
Andy.

Discussion Topic: http://www.40kforums.com/vb/showthre...-for-40kforums

[Architech]

When I first joined the forum, I did so to help me through a rough spot in my life. What I found was a wonderful group of people who shared an interest in the same hobby. But even beyond that, I found a community of people who wanted to be a community. Friends helping each other top be better, to learn the ways of the hobby, and to progress themselves within it. As I became close to Andy and several other members, I realized that I wanted do my best to help keep this place thriving. When Andy decided to move on, I saw a perfect opportunity.

I have purchased the forum in order to keep the controlling party within the interests of the community. I think we still have potential to grow and expand while keeping the overall feel of the 'smaller' community. I hope we can develop a system of bringing our members the freshest news in the hobby, launch forth great competitions and tournaments, and even support charity efforts as a community.

It is my humble assurance that no radical changes will occur in this time of transfer or in the foreseeable future. Any new additions like the @mention system that become implemented will be tried and tested. If they are met with negative response, they will be removed. Overall this forum belongs to the community. It is nothing without you guys who come together to better it. So I promise to do my best to keep the community thriving and as happy as possible.

So I'd like to extend my thanks to Andy, for everything he has done. I would like to thank the Mod team for their continued efforts. And I would like to thank all of you for your support in making 40kforums the best hobby community on the web!