The idea of "The Trenches" was born about five years ago. Work on the infant mod was in small increments and started mostly as an experimental project in mod making. Yet the team grew, shrunk, and grew again, evolving into a serious mod contender. Time passed and the team changed yet again. The mod scene of "The Trenches" was all quiet on the modding front until the members decided to start things back up with a determination for quality and progress that not many other mods or projects have.

Before I continue I must thank a few people. This by no means encompasses every single person that has influenced the project and I can only say that the game was indeed a group effort.

Terminus - The oldest remaining member of "The Trenches", Terminus has been absolutely essential in the development of the game both in his role as leader of Modelling/Skinning/Animation (MSA) affairs as well as conceptual work and basic media. If anyone deserves to be rewarded for patience, it is Terminus.

Mach - The mesher behind the skins. The mesher is frequently overlooked but he is responsible for the skin quality seen on models. Thanks to Mach for ALL his help on this game!

DarkNight - The coder who has had the utmost patience with me. Every evening when the Australian coding wonder signed on he would be bombarded by a string of my inquiries, suggestions, and complaints. These were all promptly and efficiently dealt with, without complaint, for years. It is his un-ending striving for excellence that has lead to this moment.

the_Leprechaun - Despite our disagreements, the Leprechaun has done a great job as the mapper for "The Trenches" in his multiple creations. Many times he has had to redo maps and finished these in a quick and quality manner.

rotzbua - For serving us despite the fact that he has been through several family changes, rotzbua is a gaming role model simply for sticking around - but he's done so much more. He worked on the new page together with Morphew and the insane amount of quality in many skins in this release and to come are thanks to Rotz!

Morphew - One of the greatest webmasters ever and the holder of the oldest released map, Zorn. Morphew has been an extremely important asset to the project in his countless efforts to promote the game. He has done so many things without prompting and his aggressive initiative has helped us on many occassions. He has also dealt with constant technical problems which would drive any sane person to the asylum. Morphew has also done much work in his own free time to help members of the German TT community.

acncoolteen - A great dedicated mapper. There is little else a leader can ask for than quality service and work in a timely fasion. Azn has delivered this and much more in his initiative to develop better, more complex maps.

Sgt Garvey - Gamer and texture extrodinaire, Garvey's "Cliff" is a blast to play. Thank you Garvey for all your patience toward the end of the development when I more or less told you to keep fixing things in Cliff, it's a GREAT map!

DosEvil - A personal friend, historian, and TT handiman. You have any job that needs done? Dos does it. Dos has been extremely patient not only with the project but with my own personal abominations at HTML. Thanks Dos for all the time you've spent making the forums and site a better place!

PimpCat - Musician from HALO, gamer, and a kickass guy. Sure you can play TT without music but his professional music gives real atmosphere to the game.

Oelund - Oelund took this job on initially as a part time contributor, having a great reputation from Firearms. He stayed on the team and produced some of the BEST looking stuff I have ever had the privledge to see in a Half-Life game. The extreme detail must be seen in person. Oelund has also contributed experience from his military service in the research of many project aspects.

engineer - Zee sound master, always experimenting with new ways to improve sound effects. Give the guy a sound of a door closing and he can turn it into a phone ringing. Also an invaluable source of comedic relief during heated TT discussion!

PrimeSuspect - Many of you are here from the great video you saw. Prime Suspect is to thank for this awesome work along with all of the sounds and ambience he has contributed. Prime's always been there in tests even at insane hours of the night and is always contributing his feedback. Thanks so much for your time Prime!

J-Man - No longer really with the project, he was the leader before me and really set up the game so that I could help transition into a new team. I hope we made your dream come to a reality J-Man!
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Testers - I can't name you all but you know who you are. You guys made the game as polished as it is with your candid criticism and open willingness to suggest. Thanks for making TT what it is!

e-Frag - What could we do without hosting? Thanks so much to EVERYONE at e-Frag for hosting our site and a great testing server as well as miscellaneous web help in keeping the site up to date and good to go. Check these guys out if you need hosting. And finally from e-frag Lamersss, who did our linux port, we thank you so much for doing it.

Fragfiles - Aea has been awesome and extremely patient with my inquiries about server hosting information and have hosted interviews, images, and the video for us. Thanks Aea!

WestconX - Old mapper who had to leave because of academic obligations and author of senke and Havrincourt. We miss you West!

The Forum Posters - Again, too many names to list but you guys have been our heart and soul. With no community, this game would be non existant. Thanks to all of you for being a great group of people, it has been and will continue to be a pleasure knowing you!
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Without further adieu, the announcement:

The Trenches will be released on 4:00 P.M. EST on Friday, October 8th, 2004. The Linux Server will be released on Thursday, October 7th. Some Sponsors and pre-announced TT Servers will get the Linux Server on Wednesday. A list of mirrors and gaming servers will be posted. We are highly anticipating this event. Thank you again, everyone!