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.

[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!

[Beastarino]

Andy -

I'm new to the site but you've created a great community, everyone has welcomed me with open arms. Kudos to you. Arch is going to make a great admin, he's super nice. I look forward to what lies ahead!

Beast

[Coldfire]

Andy, we all owe you a debt of gratitude for starting this site. I, like many others, have found it to be an endearing community that has helped me make friends around the world. Some of whom I've even been lucky enough to meet in person. I've temporarily lurked on a lot of forums. Two or three I've even made an account on, if only for one post. But this place is different. That atmosphere you worked so hard to cultivate is without a doubt the hallmark of this site. It's what made me stay for more than two days. It's what made me stay even when I no longer really played Warhammer. I know I haven't really been here that long, but this place, and the people in it, already mean more to me than any other group online. It sounds pretty lame when you say it like that, but whatever, there it is. The title may be 40kforums, but to me at least, it's not about 40k. It's a community that draws in members through 40k. Warhammer is the gateway drug if you will. The marijuana to 40kforums' crack. So I wish you the best of luck in all your future endeavors, and again; Thank you.


As for you Architect....... I'm watching you. But seriously, best of luck to you as well. I haven't the faintest idea what goes into running a site like this, but I imagine it takes no small ammount of time. So thank you as well for being willing to put forward the time and effort (not to mention money) to do this.


I feel like today should become a forum holiday. We have the day it was founded, and now the day it changed hands.



EDIT: oh yea, and you damn well better visit us Andy.

[Kilroy]

Congrats Architech!

[Eryx_UK]

I originally came to this forum because of all the 40K forums out there this was the one (and still the only one) where I actually feel welcome and where my opinions are respected. What you have set up here is an example to all Internet forums. Thank you for all the hard work.

Congrats Architect. Good luck and heres to many more years of 40KForums.

[The Tommunist]

grats arch

[shotcoder]

Andy, I would like to personally thank you for the community you started and help to grow here at 40kforums. I've been a member of this forum since 2006 and it has been a place for me to always come when I just needed friends. My interest in the hobby itself has waxed and waned over this time but I have always come here or chat and I will continue to do that. I may not come to the forums as often(as the interest in the game isn't there, but I spend lots of time on chat) but I will always feel at home here. I also thank you for handing it over to such capable hands. I know Arch as a friend and I know he'll keep this place as awesome as it was when I first joined and as awesome as it is now. Good Luck to all of your endeavors and stop by every once and awhile. And Arch you better watch yourself >.>

[Silas]

A haiku...

Andy it was great
Architech is here to stay
Long live the forum

[Mali32]

I dont really know what to say tbh andy. I suppose first should be thank you. Thank you for starting this forum that has allowed me to make great friends all over the world and, at the same time, re-ignite an old friendship that now means more to me than almost any other. I would also like to say that i think that your original idea of a very relaxed forum with a friendly, open and peaceful community is definitely very much alive today in this very forum. I hope that no matter if i lose interest in the hobby in the years to come i remain on this forum and keep in close contact with as much of the community as possible. I say again: Thank you Andy.
[/overly dramatic and weird speech] (Although i meant every word)

And to you Arch. I look forward to seeing the forum grow and develop under your control. I'm sure you'll make a fantastic admin and will take the forum in new and interesting directions whilst maintaining it's relaxed and friendly atmosphere. Good luck Arch. Have fun.

+1 forum holiday.

[Lexius87]

Like so many others i found this forum through 40k and stayed for the people i've met here.
I thank you for everything you've done over the years that allowed us to talk about a great hobby and meet new friends.
I hope we'll still see you around since this great community wouldn't be the same without you..again thank you.

Arch, i'm looking forward to your reign over these parts of the internet...guess all this time sucking up to you will finally pay off

[Thatfatguy]

it's a shame to see you go andy.

I already feel the cold hard foot of Arch upon my back...

>_>

[Malcadon1]

I haven't been active on the forums for quite a while now--mostly because, like you, I've fallen out of interest with the 40k hobby--but for many years this place been my home thanks to the amazing sense of community you have managed to cultivate here. Thank you for spending so much time and money in order to make 40kforums one of the most friendly, knowledgeable and caring communities on the net.

And as for Architect taking over, it's good to see 40kforums is being left in safe and very capable hands.

[Rahveel]

had to pop in when i saw the facebook post. will be sad to see ya had it off andy, but tbh, no one out there can prolly do a better job than arch.

[tone.tran]

<3 our old and new admin

[Mozric]

Seeing as I have the forum letter sitting on my desk after going around the world, I would like to echo my appreciation for all that Andy has done, shaping a great community which I've taken great pleasure in being a part of. I'm sure that Arch will be an excellent admin!

[Ron]

The Admin is dead! Long live the Admin!

[Quirijn van Dierendonck]

Andy,

Joining the forum you created was one of the things that pushed me to continue seriously with this hobby. I thank you for creating a space which helps people find and hold one to one of the greatest hobbies ever. Live long and prosper.

Architech, I wish you luck with moderating this great forum and hope so see a lot of your replies on my threads and posts All hail the new moderator, Architech! Hail!

[Andon]

Having been here nearly as long as you have, I have to say that you've done a great job, Andy. I'm still here and I haven't had a game in years. Good luck in your future endeavours

Congrats Architech!

/me votes for Kilroy

[Cordova]

Indeed, echoing the sentiments before, thanks Andy. This place has been a home on the big ol' internet for me, and I thank you for that.

As for you Arch, I've had dealings with you and I am confident that you will be an excellent Admin, I have faith in you fo' sho'.

So yeah. Thanks Andy, good luck Arch.