Red Bench is a community of people who share a common interest -- video games. Some of us began playing video games before we learned how to read and write; others are late bloomers, who have just recently learned that we can use our computers for more than just surfing the Internet and running Microsoft Office. Although most of the Red Bench members have other hobbies, there are a few who entire life revolves around the computer and game console. These members are easily spotted. They are the ones that never leave the Ventrilo server.
Red Bench was established as an Ultima Online guild in March 2008 by KingLame (Joe) and Admin (Amy) on the UOGamers Hybrid server. They named the guild after the striking "red bench" in their living room. The guild gained popularity in the game after the opening of an ever-expanding vendor hall and some unconventional griefing by the newly inducted Red Bench members.
With the increase in members also came the increase in games. Red Benchers branched out into new games and dug deep in their closets for old games. The members of Red Bench have made themselves infamous in Left-4-Dead (some have even gone to the depths of being temporarily banned from Steam). They have teamed up and defeated nations in Rise of Nations. They have killed numerous zombies with guns and even plants. Red Benchers have killed or have been killed by tanks, ships, planes, and other gamers.
The rise in membership finally laid Admin's assertions of the Red Bench community being "just a phase" to rest. As a result, the domain name redbench.us was purchased and Red Bench Ventrilo server set up. Soon after, the Red Bench forums made its debut at www.redbench.us. But, Red Benchers are never satisfied. Not long after the emergence of the Red Bench forums, they began grumbling about making improvements to the site; Admin finally buckled and created a functional Red Bench web site.
The Red Bench mentality is one of diversity. Each member of Red Bench has something to contribute, even if that contribution is just being plain old annoying. At Red Bench, we have no mission statement. We do not have any goals or plans for future. We are a community. Some members have friendships that reach beyond the pixelated display that unites the group. Many of us have never met outside the virtual world but would gladly call their fellow Red Bench member a friend.
Last Updated Saturday, June 27 2009 @ 12:11 PM PDT|636 Hits 