Network News

Updates, maintenance notices, and anniversary highlights.

SorceryNet turns 30 in 2026!

Posted Feb 18, 2026 by staff - link

In 2026, SorceryNet celebrates something truly special — 30 years online.

Three decades ago, SorceryNet began its journey. What started as a small online community has grown, evolved, and adapted alongside the internet itself. From the early days of dial-up connections and IRC chats to modern platforms and new generations of users, SorceryNet has remained a constant: a place for connection, community, and shared passion.

Reaching 30 years isn’t just about longevity. It’s about the people who made it possible.

Over the years, thousands of users, contributors, moderators, developers, and supporters have shaped SorceryNet into what it is today. Communities form and grow. Technologies change. Trends come and go. But what remains is the spirit that started it all — bringing people together around shared interests.

A Look Back

When SorceryNet first launched in 1996, the internet looked very different:

  • Websites were static and simple
  • Forums and IRC were the heart of online communities
  • Social media didn’t exist
  • Broadband was a luxury

Yet through all that change, SorceryNet has continued to adapt, rebuild, modernise, and keep moving forward.

Looking Ahead

Turning 30 isn’t just a celebration of the past, it’s a launchpad for the future.

2026 will mark a renewed commitment to:

  • Modernising infrastructure
  • Improving reliability and performance
  • Enhancing community tools
  • Preserving the history that brought us here
Thank You

Most importantly, thank you.

Whether you joined in the early years or discovered SorceryNet recently, your participation is what gives this community life. Thirty years is a milestone very few online communities ever reach and it wouldn’t have happened without you.

Here’s to 30 years of SorceryNet, and to many more to come.

— The SorceryNet Team

SorceryNet Updates — August 2025

Posted Aug 18, 2025 by staff - link

SorceryNet has been busy! Here’s a round-up of what’s new, what’s coming, and how you can get involved.

Website Progress

The current SorceryNet website continues to be improved, and we’ve also started planning a new and improved version in the background for the future. Stay tuned for previews.

Support SorceryNet

We’ve created a Patreon: patreon.com/SorceryNet — while there’s no expectation for anyone to sign up, every little helps keep the network running and moving forward. Thank you to all supporters.

New Staff

This week we’re onboarding:

  • Naomi
  • Joe
  • Neo_nemesis
  • SgtSarros (returning)
  • Hal_Emmerich

Special thanks to SgtSarros for rejoining — by volunteering again, they’re helping ensure SorceryNet has a strong support system for users going forward.

Webchat Updates

Our webchat at chat.sorcery.net has been rethemed to match the SorceryNet website. If you notice any issues, please let us know. Remember: you can always switch back to the default theme at any time.

What’s Next?
  • Register accounts directly in The Lounge webchat
  • Keep a permanent connection (your nick stays in channel, even while offline)
  • Access scrollback/history you missed while away
  • Works in any browser on any device
Town Hall — Saturday 23 August

📍 #Square
🕖 7:00 pm UK (BST)

Other time zones:
• 8:00 pm CEST (Central Europe)
• 2:00 pm EDT (US East)
• 11:00 am PDT (US West)

How to Join

• Already on IRC: /join #Square
• Web (no setup needed): Open The Lounge to join #Square

This is your chance to have your say! We’re inviting channel owners, ops, and community members to join us and share feedback, ideas, and even complaints. We’ll also be forming a Channel Owners’ Council to give channels a stronger voice in shaping the network.

Agenda
• Website & webchat improvements
• Feedback and ideas from the community
• Formation of the Channel Owners’ Council
• Q&A with staff and network admins

See you there — bring your hopes, ideas, and thoughts on the future of SorceryNet!

Network Town Hall — Sat 23 Aug @ 7:00 pm UK (BST)

Posted Aug 12, 2025 by JC - link

You’re invited! We’re hosting a network-wide Town Hall in #Square on Saturday, 23 August 2025 at 7:00 pm UK (BST). Channel owners and ops—this one’s especially for you. We want your ideas, your wishlist, and your honest feedback so we can help your communities grow and thrive.

How to join
• Already on IRC: /join #Square
• Web (no setup needed): Open The Lounge to join #Square

When
• UK (BST): Sat 23 Aug — 7:00 pm
• CEST: Sat 23 Aug — 8:00 pm
• US Eastern (EDT): Sat 23 Aug — 2:00 pm
• US Central (CDT): Sat 23 Aug — 1:00 pm
• US Mountain (MDT): Sat 23 Aug — 12:00 pm (noon)
• US Pacific (PDT): Sat 23 Aug — 11:00 am

Who should attend?
• Channel owners and ops (please encourage your owners/ops to come!)
• Community organizers and regulars with suggestions
• Anyone curious about what’s next for SorceryNet

Agenda
• Our “relaunch” plan: new website, fresher look, better onboarding
• IRC software updates (InspIRCd 4.7.0 + Anope v2) and what they unlock
• Features and tools for role-play & gaming communities
• Your requests: services, web integrations, docs, and promo ideas
• Q&A and next steps

Why this matters
SorceryNet is recommitting to being the best home for role-players and gaming communities. This Town Hall is your chance to help shape the roadmap—both for the network and the website.

Can’t make it?
We’ll post a summary on the News page afterwards and outline concrete follow-ups.

See you in #Square on the day—bring your hopes, pet peeves, and bold ideas!