We started out under the banners of ESL-Radio in 2008. This is where we originally embarked on our ludicrous mission of contributing to our favorite game. And in what silly fashion indeed. Armed with merely a microphone and a WinAmp plugin we screamed out into the vast digital endlessness before us. Seemingly insane to parents, friends and neighbours - especially neighbours - alike.
Obviously there was no money at all in it back then. Not a lot of appreciation either. Oftentimes the contrary in fact. But we didn't care. We kept on going. But why? Why dedicate so much of your time and energy to something that may not be giving you anything at all?
I don't think we realized it back then. We certainly couldn't put it into words. It was but a feeling. A good feeling we had, doing what we did. We had found something here. Something rare and something pure. Something that we just enjoyed doing! There were no alterior motives involved. No plans for career paths, no attempts to improve your position in any way by any selfish agenda. No intention of using and abusing this very dedicated and passionate community as a springboard for your own success. We were idealists living the virtual dream and our IRC channel was our Utopia.
Since then many years have passed. We have changed, Esports has changed, even Warcraft III has changed. But thankfully much has remained the same. And I would say what matters most has managed to endure and pass the test of time. And that is our passion.
Thousands of people still want to see this beautiful 13 year old game. Thousands of people still give us the drive and the desire to cover these amazing matches of these incredible players. We might be screaming our lungs out during our casts, waking people from their beds. But the true passion lies with our audience, with the fans. Your display of loyalty is truly something to marvel at. The experiences we were able to have - and hopefully were able to transport across to you on the other side of the screen - were nothing short of life changing. We do not say this nearly often enough, but we owe everything to you guys. And we will be forever grateful.
Looking ahead at the horizon of Warcraft, it looks as though the sun is low in the sky. But then again, it appeared that the long night was shortly before us many years ago already. And yet here we stand, still. Barring one of us gets struck by lightning or - god for bid - comes to his senses and starts leading a normal life we will be here. For Geras on Sundays, for WCAs at all kinds of unchristian times, for GCSs with paper forests and big ass swords, you name it. We'll be there.
And if we're lucky you'll be there, on our side, looking towards a long sunset.
![A]mun](/data/avatars/m/140/140771.jpg?1674379729){kind=avatar}
