Woah! Look what we have here. That’s right, today is the 15th anniversary of TFW2005. Why today? Well, TFW2005 had a slow running start, evolving from a simple Angelfire page, to a sub-hosted front page with music and Car Robots episodes from Japan, then to a forum, and it grew from there to what it is today. April 20th was the first day of the first version of the 2005 Boards, so we count that as the day TFW2005 was born. And that was 15 years ago, today. That image attached is the only copy of what V1 TFW2005 looked like way back then, an incomplete internet archive rendering of it. If you remember that, you are officially OG. 🙂
A lot has happened in that 15 years. Transformers turned 20. Then 25. Then 30. Four billion-dollar movies have been made. We’ve seen the figures evolve and return to being a top boys brand. We’ve seen beasts and Mini-Cons, new comics, new TV shows. Epic video games retelling Cybertron’s origins. We’ve seen this community grow from 10 people joking more about the ridiculousness that there WAS a forum to talk about Transformers online, and that I was running it (2 of those other 9 people were my post college roommates) – to almost 75,000 members. 11 million posts, 860,000 threads. 17,000 news stories. All just going back to 2003 (we had a hiccup).
I could spout on and on about memories and such, this post would turn into a book. So I’ll keep this short, hit us on the boards and everyone can walk down memory lane together. I would like to say though – I deeply appreciate everyone here. I am blown away by the fact that this place is still here and strong all these years later. My life has taken a weird winding path because of this place, this hobby and this brand. And I’m grateful for it all. The regular members, the causal fans who just pop in and check news. The old heads who remember when this place started, the younger folks who came in because of the movie. The folks that signed up yesterday. The Mods, Admins, Newsies and Contributors of all types, past and present. Especially them.
YOU make this place what it is. You are the only reason this place is still around 15 years later. So long as you keep coming, we’ll do our best to keep this place going for another 15. We’ll continue to adapt and change, transform if you will, to keep this place fun and relevant. To make sure we all have a chill spot for after work, after school, when the kids go to bed – a place to be with like-minded folks and enjoy our hobby.
We have some things planned for later in the year which should set us up for the next phase of TFW2005. New tech, new coat of paint, and more. We hope you’ll join us on the ride.
Until then, see you all on the boards. WORD!
Murasame
Happy Birthday!
As a kid I always dreamed of the future and was inspired by all the sci-fi movies and of course Transformers. One day in school it hit me: I will live to actually see the far flung future of 2000 or even 2005! Well… now those years are the past and they were exciting years, but technologically not so exciting as in my imagination. Well, let's hope we get sliding doors in our homes in the next years
At least we got tablets and I love the future for that!
P.S.: Sometimes I'm talking for fun about the fact that we are living in the future right now! I mean, all these years we waited for this. And this is the year that Marty McFly comes to the future!
GAUGE
I have been around technically since the beginning, but I was a lurker. I didn't have an actual account until, well…my join date says it all. lol
Thanks for all the great news over the years TFW2005.
This site and Bigbot.com were my favorite TF sites to be way back when.
HoneyPrime
Cool!!!!!
Starscream
At least I now know the answer…
BMGFX
It's pretty crazy to think that I became an adult with this site, and that around half my life revolved around it. Looking at Wayback machine stuff, and seeing the old Unicron's Realm pages made me think how it's funny how I don't remember doing most of that. It will be hard to forget all the good times, spooning, and people I've got to know over the years though.
jayman118
Seeing most of the old members here i really hope im still in this hobby for another 20years. thanks TFW!
taylor_t
I've been a member here for six years, and I've met some great people through this site. Thanks for all your hard work and dedication to Transformers. Happy birthday TFW2005! Till all are one!
Star Saber
Hmm strange I came back to the boards in 2002 and had to sign up my old username again, was that still Transfandom? I remember leaving for a while after it merged, but can't for the life of me remember whether I came back to Transfandom or TFW2005.
Speaking of memories – I still regret not posting in the now legendary He Tell Me thread while it was still early.
charles_242
Congrats TFW2005 ! You're doing a perfect job !
Stay connected and make us happy !
CrimsonGhost
Congrats to a belated birthday TFW.
I don't know if I'd be the person I am today if I hadn't found this site when lurking 7 years ago.
Lonewolf
Happy bday TFW2005. Cheers to all the guys who worked hard to build this great tf community site.
Shin-Gouki
That was the night I dropped $350 on a Bar Tab, and wound up in the park across the street with a Bridesmaid from the Wedding Party that was there.
I was literally drunk the whole weekend from the time I got out of my rental car until Monday morning a few hours before I drove back to Boston to fly out. I'm sure Debesh has some stories about that weekend.
Rodimus
Wow you blink a couple of times and 15 years go by without warning. I remember discovering this place around the time I stumbled upon the news of Transformers having an new animated series in Robots In Disguise and some reissued toys of the Transformers I grew up with. Being new to the internet with my first computer, I was attracted by the artistic aspect of these new pictures used in avatars on the message boards, and so I decided to join the conversation and adopt one myself. I actually was a lot more active before the crash of the boards, racking up thousands of posts before the count was reset. I remember interacting with Orson aka Aaron Archer and he would always answer in riddles to keep you thinking. Then the fall out from jealous websites that didn't have such a privilege his presence. (SMH)
I will never forget the countless debates and conversations. I tended to find myself agreeing with Kickback and Hot Rodimus a lot in political topics. With toys I remember the debate on Alternators Tracks where my position it was stupid to make him yellow and such an easy fix. I was berated and ridiculed here by sheep personalities herded by Hasbro but in the end I was right and thankfully Hasbro saw the light and made a Blue tracks variant. I felt the same way of calling a Decepticon "Wheeljack" in Armada and the explanation given was that his name was more of a bad guys name. I thought that was ridiculous considering the history of the character name. None the less, it wasn't my call and it's just good to see the name survive to ultimately get the goodness that is the classics/generations/wheeljack. Hasbro had to do something to keep the name in circulation to be a trademark, and so they did.
I was also inspired by Redline to try my hand at kitbasing. I remember Jux's awesome AMVs and Draven's Transformers redemption. The numerous fan dubs and so many other products. This message board is a central hub for some of the most creative fans in the community, and we have a very creative community. So many great ideas were born here.
It was here I met so many friends in the Transformers community. It was here that Jux taught me how to make a Transformers Animated Music video and how to use editing software. It was here that I met great friends like Jon3.0 and Daniel Ross. It was here that my interest in dubbing was born, through friends like NewBrandon and Taggenagger which led me to my good friends XSilverboltX and Grimbot who have helped me improve my skill into the development of dubbing the Headmasters fan dub that we are doing today. It was here I met friends like MotorMaster, Steeljaw, MaxLinden and Pepsimus who continue to keep my interest in dubbing. It was here that Tony shared his excellent beats and gave me some pointers on how he did it. It was here I was able to meet local fans from my area that have been very helpful with sightings and all around kind people who are a privilege to hang out with. And it was here that helped me through some rough times.
There were dark times in my life that were tough to get through but it was here that helped me through them. When I in need of money to pay bills, this message board and our good community helped me to sell some of my Transformers to make ends meet. And when my dad had a severe automobile accident and nearly died, it was here that I found a friend Matt Nelson who also had gone through a similar experience with is father. And with the power of prayer my Dad not only healed, but healed at fast pace.
I have so many memories here and I want to thank you all for being a part of it. Thank you Tony for making this place and sharing your knowledge in regards to mixing and for allowing me to use your mix in the Transformers Headmasters English dub trailer. Most of all never underestimate the power of exchanging ideas and that is what this message board has enabled us to do and so many great things have come out of it. So thank you Tony, Tim, Kickback, and every one else here who has played a role in this magnificent experience that is Transformers Fan World 2005.
Happy Anniversary TFW2005.com! Who brought the cake?
Autovolt 127
I can't you believe you kept it after all that time.
Thanks for doing so….wow.
I wish I could have been there…I feel like I missed too much. Damn me born too many years too young.
Rodimus Maximus
Happy Birthday TFW2005! Thank you all for the work you've done to give us a place to share in and express our love for Transformers! Godspeed!
MegaPrime33
I remember having to go to newsgroups to get any kind of TF updates or discussions. ICQ groups where certain people felt they were god and ridiculed anyone for even speaking, buying copies of the entire G1 series on 5 VHS tapes, trukk not munky debate, the Juxtice League, and so much more.
Star Sabre James
I have been coming here since the start for Transformer news, but didn't join the boards till 2004. I kppe asking myself: what took so long to aftually sign up?
I have made some amazing friends here. Sadly, also lost two good friends here (rest in peace Shaun C and Optimus Scourge). I have had a lot of fun at Botcon 07', 08', & TF Con Chicago last year. Lots of good times and good memories. I may not be into collecting much anymore, but I wouldn't give up the fun I've had because of this site for anything.
Here's to another 15 years.
Wreckgar
Jesus man, how have you been?
Napjr
So many memories over the last 15 years
Tony B, ill always be grateful for hosting those Car Robots encodes and introducing me to the online Fandom ever since
Congrats TFW2005!
TFW10
happy birthday tfw2005