What does the word Shackbattle mean to you? For me, it’s easy. It means a group of Shackers coming together to play some games and have a great time. In looking back at my time on Shacknews, over 15 years now, and reflecting on all the hilarious and frantic Shackbattles I’ve taken part in, I see that it is so much more and goes far further than just my experiences.
In this retrospective, I’ll be looking at the history of Shackbattles, highlighting some key community members that helped them grow over the years, and talking one on one with a few users about what Shackbattles have meant to them. I’ll also look at where Shackbattles stand today and where they might head in the future. I can’t paint a complete picture of every Shackbattle and off-shoot multiplayer group, but I hope to provide a glimpse at what it was like to participate in various Shackbattles and tournaments. Most importantly, I want to highlight how important the community has been for 25 years and counting.