forefront
08-23-2010, 03:06 PM
Hello everyone, and welcome to Vol. 1 of 'The Rundown', where I will be posting articles about the MLG and TLN communities. I cannot say that I am necessarily "in the loop" when it comes to MLG news, but I will always reference my sources here, and you can choose to either believe what you read, check the source for yourself, or flame me to your hearts content. Trust me, if you can dish it, I can take it.
I believe that the most important and only appropriate way to induct this series into the TLN forum properly, is to write about TLN itself. TheLANNetwork.com has come a long way since those early days in the spring of 2010. It began with a basement cam, and a SD gameplay stream that was somewhat hard to even watch. The site itself was simple, having only a stream page, and nothing else. The chat was basic, and the posers were abundant, but those of us who were able to be a part of the magic deemed ourselves lucky. We watched Totz play matchmaking for nearly a week, as we waited for that first three team LAN. We got a great taste of what was to come, and we got it for free. We were the beta testers for an entire sub-community under the MLG banner. We heard the pros complain about lag, we cheered on Burt as he ran the playlist, and we got our first chance to talk to Mr. P.
We watched as the site grew. We went from one low resolution stream, to one HD stream. Then we got two. Then we got four, and a second basement cam. We got more LANs, more playlist, and even a chance for stream watchers to get in on the action. We understood what an amazing thing this was, and didn't complain when the site started to charge a measly $5 a month, because we knew what was coming. There were player interviews, multiple VOD files, and Bravo gave us a personal tour through the Pennacchio house. All the while, the LANs kept coming, and we always had insider knowledge when it came down to tournament time.
Now, through all the problems, bugs, and restructuring: through the staffing, and acquisition of equipment and fans, TLN has become a new community, apart from MLG, as well as within it. We are truly thankful to the Pennacchio family for their sacrifice and commitment to the MLG culture, and wish them the best in everything they do. Now, as we begin this new chapter in the world of electronic sports, we have a chance for new ideas, and new names to rise out of the cloud. Remember that while The LAN Network is a great, new idea, it is not the pinnacle of what this community can accomplish. I would just like to again thank the Pennacchios, the pro players and coaches, and the admins and staff for making this site what it is. Continue your great work, and we will continue to be here, willing to do what we can.
Eli "Forefront" Hawkins
I believe that the most important and only appropriate way to induct this series into the TLN forum properly, is to write about TLN itself. TheLANNetwork.com has come a long way since those early days in the spring of 2010. It began with a basement cam, and a SD gameplay stream that was somewhat hard to even watch. The site itself was simple, having only a stream page, and nothing else. The chat was basic, and the posers were abundant, but those of us who were able to be a part of the magic deemed ourselves lucky. We watched Totz play matchmaking for nearly a week, as we waited for that first three team LAN. We got a great taste of what was to come, and we got it for free. We were the beta testers for an entire sub-community under the MLG banner. We heard the pros complain about lag, we cheered on Burt as he ran the playlist, and we got our first chance to talk to Mr. P.
We watched as the site grew. We went from one low resolution stream, to one HD stream. Then we got two. Then we got four, and a second basement cam. We got more LANs, more playlist, and even a chance for stream watchers to get in on the action. We understood what an amazing thing this was, and didn't complain when the site started to charge a measly $5 a month, because we knew what was coming. There were player interviews, multiple VOD files, and Bravo gave us a personal tour through the Pennacchio house. All the while, the LANs kept coming, and we always had insider knowledge when it came down to tournament time.
Now, through all the problems, bugs, and restructuring: through the staffing, and acquisition of equipment and fans, TLN has become a new community, apart from MLG, as well as within it. We are truly thankful to the Pennacchio family for their sacrifice and commitment to the MLG culture, and wish them the best in everything they do. Now, as we begin this new chapter in the world of electronic sports, we have a chance for new ideas, and new names to rise out of the cloud. Remember that while The LAN Network is a great, new idea, it is not the pinnacle of what this community can accomplish. I would just like to again thank the Pennacchios, the pro players and coaches, and the admins and staff for making this site what it is. Continue your great work, and we will continue to be here, willing to do what we can.
Eli "Forefront" Hawkins