New Levels, Rising (6/8/98 - 6/8/03)
It may seem odd to many that anyone would get sentimental over a virtual domain composed of text and images that's binded by programming code. But for the past five years, this site existed as a doorway; a tool; and a home. Someone asked me a few days ago what my inspiration was behind developing a website and I essentially explained that it was fueled by passion. Though in the beginning, it was actually much simpler...
The net was an entirely new experience for me and I didn't have the foggiest idea of what embodied the general nuances which so many of us currently take for granted. Shortly after the fascination of having access to throngs of information instantly at my fingertips, I stumbled upon a java community hosted by GameFan Network. There I discovered other gamers who interacted with the a panel of editors which worked on the online and print publications created by GameFan. Though what especially piqued my interest was a number of people just like you and I who had developed their own personal fansites (we call them enthusiasts now). Among all the ones that especially stood out, PlayStation Interactive was by far one of the sites which at that time could be considered the upper echelon of fansites.
Well suffice it to say, I went on to create a site of my own, gathering people together and entered the foray. It was a major struggle back then, having very little sense of how HTML worked, gathering an audience and most importantly - being good at managing and working with others in an online enviroment. The site was called GameNet (1997) and to be perfectly blunt - it tanked. In time, it was decided that we should start anew with a new label and attempt to refine our focus with new editors and a new design. Around this time, I was introduced to Kenshin who gave birth to the previous and existing design of TNL that you see today. The Next Level was born and the rest as we shall say, was history.
Since that time, we've managed to survive more gaming outlets than we can count. Many of which we will forever miss, but never forget. Our staff has been the greatest it's ever been. Our community, mainly due to the unfortunate circumstances which hit the last, noble vision founded by Eric Mylonas and Thomas Keller has helped this site to be recognized as one of the most wholesome gaming community forums currently in existance. Our success has not been the result of any one specfic individual, but the combined efforts of persons from past and present. It has helped to enrich our ideals, goals and passions. It has been the hub of many, constructive discussions, debates, petty conflicts, and in effect, connected hundreds of gamers. We have existed to provide more than a token display of news and reviews, but have made it our aim to develop the best quality articles which qualify a reader's interest to come back.
...it does seem to draw you back, doesn't it? Whether you're here for the boards, the content, or both. Some element here lures you in, and doesn't let go.
Imagine though. Imagine if it had all just disappeared...without a trace. No explanation. Gone less than 60 seconds.
Imagine that.
It almost did.
Although they say "nothing good lasts forever", there are too many people in which this site has connected to allow that to happen. Staff. Readers. Patrons of this board that care too much. For a better part of a day, I almost forgot this. It would be the greatest mistake I would've ever made to dimiss all that I've worked on for so long. Especially when we've come so far. We all know however that there is one other member among us who cares a great deal about this site. Because of his ideals and passion, we have progressed far greater than the time in which this site functioned under a different partnership. It has helped us to reach out to more of you and those to come. I am talking about Nick of course. He cares a great deal about all of you and the well-being of this site. And for that reason alone, it is the sole reason why he was brought aboard.
I am not sure how many more years this site will exist and what other frontiers this site will cross, but as long as there are people like him around, this site will go on.
Wouldn't you agree?
Here's to another 5 years...
