Current mood:	accomplished
Entry tags:	closing games, mod post, thank you, the boss

There is always, always, always something to be thankful for.
Dear Friends of Snarry:

Hi. My name is djin7, and it's time that we begin to say goodbye to the 2008 Snarry Games.

This was an amazing year, and the Art Games once again showed that the most talented people are still within the Snarry fandom. We had 50 truly exquisite pieces of art, and as always, great 'crack art' & interviews. We were able to post twice daily for nearly a month, and we have a great group of artists to thank for that.

Also, many Champions, past and present, helped this round of the Games with pimping and reccing, and commenting. Our hope always has been to help facilitate a sense of community in this fandom, hoping to keep the SS Snarry sailing on happy waters. When we see how fantastically supportive past champions are, whether author or artist, it makes all our hard work worth every minute spent. Thank you, all!

I ran across a quote that reminded me of fandom; and of Snarry in particular:

"What moves men of genius, or rather what inspires their work, is not new ideas, but their obsession with the idea that what has already been said is still not enough."
(Eugene Delacroix)

No matter what the poll results, each artist brought something brand-new to Snarry, and gifted us with an ever deeper appreciation for the fandom we love. Severus Snape and Harry Potter continue to inspire us all in new and exciting ways: may we always be this rich with inspiration!

Before we announce the medalists for the 2008 Summer Art Games, I would like to take this time to thank some people who really went above and beyond the call of duty for this round.

I can't thank the following people enough: each one is worth their weight in gold medals.

I would like to thank tripperfunster for donating our beautiful Snarry Games artwork for 2008. She not only created the dragon and phoenix (which are simply gorgeous in full scale, as they are in my livingroom right now!), and she gave us all the wonderful Harry and Snape pictures for each letter in our logo. She is as generous as she is funny, and that's saying something. Thanks, Tripp!

I would also like to thank xingou for our layout using the artwork, and making our wonderful header, and providing us with pimp banners, icons (including my Super!mod icon using Tripp's awesome Super!Harry), and our "Can You Handle the Heat?" catchphrase. I'll always think of that phrase when remembering the 2008 Games. Thank you also to pervart for her wonderful icons using Tripp's art. We missed you on the Mod Squad this year.

I also owe capslocked THANK YOUs to our graphics Queen, swtalmnd, who designed our fantastic Team Lists and prompt tables, along with the beautiful medals, banners and icons for the Author Games earlier this year! Amy, thank you so much. So much ♥LOVE♥

I've been so lucky to add elanorofcastile to the mod squad this year, for both the Winter and Summer Games. She was amazing, coded like a little coding demon, did our wonderful Recap Posts, and now has designed the wonderful banners, medals and icons you will see shortly for our Art Champions. Thank you, Jen! ♥

igtow joined us again this Games, when she isn't writing for them, she mods and works behind the scenes. I can't say 'thank you' enough to her. She is a genius of all things statistical, and she was a careful, thoughtful, and gifted mod. She willingly attacked new projects, and went above and beyond on all of them. I'm not worthy, but I'm eminently grateful. I marvel at her magnificence.

Rai, (magic_helmet) was an amazing help to us yet again. She is a Snarry foot soldier, and so many things in the Snarry fandom would cease to run if it weren't for her. Her praises too often go unsung, so allow me to sing them now: she gives, and gives, and never complains. Even if you don't know her, you have benefited from her hard work.

Leila (reddwarfer), I turned to you more often than ever this Games. You kept picking up the gauntlet when I would throw it down, and battled many demons for me, whether it was coding, e-mail, or interviews. If I couldn't take one more step, you took it for me. The bond we've formed will never be broken. I love you ad infinitum. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And to aliciamasters: like Rai, you do more behind the scenes for Snarry than just about anyone else, but more importantly, you are my rock, and without you, these Games would not be here. Without you, our Snarry meet-ups would not be the legend in fandom that they are. Without you, I would fall to pieces. I have no words to convey how much I need you, and how wonderful and selfless and supportive you are. I want for you to always be happy, to always have whatever fandom can offer you in return, because you deserve it. ♥

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The scores are great, but the real reward for our artists are the wonderful, thoughtful comments from the readers. At the Games, we are lucky to have thousands of comments, all of which keep this fantastic level of talent returning home to us. **Remember that even though the polls are now closed for this round, these entries will remain up, so please: if you haven't taken the time yet, it's not too late. Please revisit the art you loved, and comment, comment, comment!

To all the readers and fans who helped make this project a huge success: you truly have my deepest gratitude. We are now being watched by over 1400 on IJ, and over 1700 on LJ, still!! Even with repeats, that's tremendous. Thanks to you all, for watching and reviewing, for voting and pimping, and for reccing and listing! Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU! *applauds*

We are also very proud of our affiliates who have been inspired by the Snarry Games over the six Games we've held. Don't forget to check them all out: The HD Worldcup, McShep Match, Triatha_Ron, and the R/S Games. Our format has reached thousands in many different fandoms, and several in different languages, and we are thrilled that our little idea has inspired others. We wish them all the luck and success that we have had!

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The Snarry Games was invented to celebrate the rebirth of Walking the Plank after the implosion of the Detention website. We had no idea whether or not anyone would archive at The Plank, or participate in the Games. Thankfully, all the great fen of Snarry came to the rescue, and gathered together to create a celebration of our fandom like none had ever seen. After three years and six amazing Snarry Games, we marvel at the never-ending creativity and love we've seen over and over again.

We are now confident that Walking The Plank has established itself as the premier flagship website for Snarry; with over 1375 stories, 525 pieces of Fanart, more than 2800 members, and nearly 10,000 reviews, we can safely say that the Walking The Plank is celebrated, and the Snarry Games have done what they were designed to do!

That being said, after such a brutal pace, we are also looking at how to reinvigorate and reinvent ourselves. We will be taking the Snarry Games on hiatus until after the Snape-and-Harry-centric Half Blood Prince (pt.1) film, which premiers in July 2009.

There are many new fests that celebrate Snarry, and we will take a back seat for now to allow them to flourish. During that time, we may revisit to ask a few questions, look for suggestions, or say hello. We will certainly be spending some time making sure all the many Games masterpieces, both fic and art, are available on Walking the Plank, so that everyone can relive the glory of the Games, whenever they want. We hope that Champions, past and present, will join us in archiving their excellent work.




Stay tuned for the final announcements! Our third annual Snarry Games Art Tribute Video, a fabulous concept provided by our most illustrious Snarry Vidder extraordinnaire and Snapecast Editor, chaeche. You will also find posting instructions for Walking the Plank, final mod notes, some closing Games art as a tribute to both Team Dragon and Team Phoenix, and of course, the moment you've all been waiting for: The 2008 Snarry Art Games Medal Ceremony!

Thank you!


Cheers,
djin7