It is with a heavy heart that I’m announcing the end of The Shell Case. I have done my best to keep the site going through some very difficult times but I’ve reached the point where I can no longer continue. It feels right to end as a very tough year draws to a close. Moving forward fresh feels right.
I tried to convince myself back in April that my passion had returned but the truth is I missed writing more than I missed the site. To be honest, since everything that transpired last year the site is forever tainted. It will never be what it was because it can never have the future that almost came to be. It’s about time I stopped pretending that I’m happy with it going back to being ‘just another hobby blog’.
More than anything I need to stop pretending to be relevant. As much as I love writing reviews, that’s all this site was becoming because I’m not active in the hobby any more…beyond the odd game of Mordheim. I’m hoping that will change but it would be fraudulent of me to profess to be a hobby expert when I barely know what’s going on in the hobby.
The site will stay active at least as long as I own the domain. I’m yet to decide whether or not to hold on to it or not. But as of January 2016 phil@theshellcase.co.uk will no longer be an active email account. Feel free to contact me via Twitter or the Facebook page. Both will stay active for the time being. Rest assured I will not be disappearing all together.
Before I sign off I thought I’d share a few facts about my time running this site.
- The name of the site was chosen by the #warmongers community from a shortlist also voted for by the community. I actually preferred another name.
- The site has had 654,000 views since it’s launch on 23rd July 2011.
- It’s best day was 9th August 2013 with 6,208 views…
- …which was when the leaked images of the Space Marine Sternguard and Vanguard models broke…
- …Those were also my least favourite articles.
- I’ve written 980 posts…
- Of which 222 were reviews…
- …and written over a million words…many of them swear words.
- I’ve recorded 12 podcasts.
- And been interviewed twice.
- I’ve been asked for my autograph
- Organised international Secret Santa’s.
- And interviewed the likes of Dan Abnett, Gav Thorpe, Rick Priestley, Chris Wraight, James Swallow, Graham McNeill, Nick Kyme and Sarah Cawkwell.
- At its peek the site had 8 writers and featured guest posts from Gav Thorpe, Nick Kyme and Andy Chambers,
- I’ve made some remarkable friends and had some wonderful experiences.
But now it must end.
To everyone who has read my site over the years, to everyone who has supported me, encouraged me or given me a needed kick up the bum, to the list of awesome people above and to my amazing sponsor; Firestorm Games…thank you.
Thank you doesn’t actually come close to the depth of my gratitude as, without you, I wouldn’t have enjoyed the successes I have. I wouldn’t have the amazing memories that will stay with me forever or learned as much as I have. But in the absence of anything else, again, thank you…
…and good bye.
