Difference between revisions of "Sonic Stuff Research Group"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The site was initially called '''Sonic Stuff''', or '''Andy's Hacking Station''' | + | The site was initially called '''Sonic Stuff''', or '''Andy's Hacking Station'''. Formed in the fall of 1996, this site was actually a subsection of '''Emulation Zone'''. Over time, it grew in content and contained a modest collection of Sonic the Hedgehog oddities collected by [[Andy Wolan]] and [[Stealth]]. The most famous were hidden names found in the title screen of ''[[Sonic the Hedgehog]]'' and the "Lock-On Technology Guide", the scene's first hacking guide. |
As the site grew, so did its popularity. In the fall of 1998, Stealth directed Andy to an interesting site maintained by [[Andre Dirk]] with screen shots of a beta version of Sonic 2. After some discussion, Andre agreed to join Sonic Stuff. With the increase in personnel, Andy decided to change the site's name to ''Sonic Stuff Research Group''. | As the site grew, so did its popularity. In the fall of 1998, Stealth directed Andy to an interesting site maintained by [[Andre Dirk]] with screen shots of a beta version of Sonic 2. After some discussion, Andre agreed to join Sonic Stuff. With the increase in personnel, Andy decided to change the site's name to ''Sonic Stuff Research Group''. | ||
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Over time, the site was expanded and was joined by many rising stars in the Sonic Community, including [[Jan Abaza]], [[Saxman]], [[Simon Wai]], and numerous others. The site also won numerous awards, including [[TSSZ]]'s "Best Sonic Site" Emmy for 1999, 2000 and 2001. | Over time, the site was expanded and was joined by many rising stars in the Sonic Community, including [[Jan Abaza]], [[Saxman]], [[Simon Wai]], and numerous others. The site also won numerous awards, including [[TSSZ]]'s "Best Sonic Site" Emmy for 1999, 2000 and 2001. | ||
| − | In 2001, things started to take a turn. After running [[Emulation Zone]] for 5 years, Andy felt it was time tor step aside and move on. Initially, Andy wanted to pass control to [[Saxman]] that summer, but for some reason, Saxman was unreachable. | + | In 2001, things started to take a turn. After running [[Emulation Zone]] for 5 years, Andy felt it was time tor step aside and move on. Initially, Andy wanted to pass control to [[Saxman]] that summer, but for some reason, Saxman was unreachable. Instead, Stealth was named the new successor around September. This decision was questioned by some of the other staffers, who left as a result. In addition, Stealth was involved in numerous arguments on the forums. In 2002, Andy took back control in an attempt to restore order. His intention was to later find a new successor who would not create any new conflicts within the community. |
Nevertheless, Saxman and Stealth grew ever more aggressive toward each other. Andy asked them both to cool down. Stealth agreed, but Saxman did not. Infuriated, Andy pulled Saxman's hacking site offline in an effort to have him cool down. Saxman decided to leave the SSRG and set up shop with [[PACHUKA]] (who had been defending him). This only further enraged Andy, who began a massive campaign against Pach. | Nevertheless, Saxman and Stealth grew ever more aggressive toward each other. Andy asked them both to cool down. Stealth agreed, but Saxman did not. Infuriated, Andy pulled Saxman's hacking site offline in an effort to have him cool down. Saxman decided to leave the SSRG and set up shop with [[PACHUKA]] (who had been defending him). This only further enraged Andy, who began a massive campaign against Pach. | ||
Revision as of 20:03, 12 January 2008
Template:Infobox Website The Sonic Stuff Research Group (aka SSRG), now known as the Sonic Game Modification Community (aka SGMC), has long been considered the birthplace of the Sonic hacking scene.
History
The site was initially called Sonic Stuff, or Andy's Hacking Station. Formed in the fall of 1996, this site was actually a subsection of Emulation Zone. Over time, it grew in content and contained a modest collection of Sonic the Hedgehog oddities collected by Andy Wolan and Stealth. The most famous were hidden names found in the title screen of Sonic the Hedgehog and the "Lock-On Technology Guide", the scene's first hacking guide.
As the site grew, so did its popularity. In the fall of 1998, Stealth directed Andy to an interesting site maintained by Andre Dirk with screen shots of a beta version of Sonic 2. After some discussion, Andre agreed to join Sonic Stuff. With the increase in personnel, Andy decided to change the site's name to Sonic Stuff Research Group.
Over time, the site was expanded and was joined by many rising stars in the Sonic Community, including Jan Abaza, Saxman, Simon Wai, and numerous others. The site also won numerous awards, including TSSZ's "Best Sonic Site" Emmy for 1999, 2000 and 2001.
In 2001, things started to take a turn. After running Emulation Zone for 5 years, Andy felt it was time tor step aside and move on. Initially, Andy wanted to pass control to Saxman that summer, but for some reason, Saxman was unreachable. Instead, Stealth was named the new successor around September. This decision was questioned by some of the other staffers, who left as a result. In addition, Stealth was involved in numerous arguments on the forums. In 2002, Andy took back control in an attempt to restore order. His intention was to later find a new successor who would not create any new conflicts within the community.
Nevertheless, Saxman and Stealth grew ever more aggressive toward each other. Andy asked them both to cool down. Stealth agreed, but Saxman did not. Infuriated, Andy pulled Saxman's hacking site offline in an effort to have him cool down. Saxman decided to leave the SSRG and set up shop with PACHUKA (who had been defending him). This only further enraged Andy, who began a massive campaign against Pach.
In late 2002, Andy finally decided to give the SSRG to Chaos. Chaos got along much better with Pach than Andy had, and the two were able to form a peace agreement. When Andy heard of this, he came back onto the scene, regained control of the SSRG once more, and banned PACHUKA. Pach closed the Sonic CulT in protest and stated that he would not bring it back online until a peace was made. Instead, on January 23, 2003, Andy shut down the SSRG.
The SSRG was revived by JohnnyUK and Ultima on the Shadowsoft Games server. They claimed legitimacy as administrators by virtue of appointment by Chaos. Andy complained, saying that he reserved all right to do whatever he wished with the site, even after he had turned over control to Chaos. Eventually, Andy later did transfer official ownership of SSRG, but to former SSRG staffer Striker. As of November 2005 the site is now maintained by OrdosAlpha (the current owner), Striker and StephenUK on its own server. Currently, it hosts a variety of ROM mods, utilities and guides, as well as the current incarnation of Secrets of Sonic the Hedgehog and the Sonic Official Art Archive.
A spinoff of SSRG, named Secrets of Sonic Team, was formed in secret by former SSRG staffer Rlan. It was launched on January 23, 2004 (?) after rumors that Andy was reviving SSRG. SOST was a fully independent operation hosted on Emulation Zone. Maintenance on the site was stopped in 2006 as Rlan pursued other interests.
In July 2007, the SGMC went down due to hosting issues, and to make things worse, OrdosAlpha's hard drive, which had the only SGMC backup on it (due to his CD burner not working), died. A fresh message board opened on the 10th of August. The main site, however, is still offline, although the Art Archive is up and running.