Khitomer Peace Award Winner

Reason for the award

I am proud to nominate Star Army for the Long Timer Award. In a hobby where communities often flame out within a few years, Star Army stands as a titan of endurance, creativity, and structural excellence. Since its founding in 2002, it has not only survived but thrived for over 23 years, making it one of the longest-running independent play-by-post (PBP) communities on the internet.

Star Army is more than just a simming and roleplaying hub; it is a sprawling, member-driven space opera universe. Its success is built on several pillars that make it a perfect candidate for this recognition:

1. Longevity and Continuity: Since its inception in the early 2000s, Star Army has maintained a continuous, unbroken narrative. It has successfully navigated the technological shifts of the web, evolving from simple message boards to a sophisticated, integrated platform utilizing custom-tailored forum software and a massive lore wiki.

2. Scale of World-Building: The “”Star Army Universe”” (SARP) is one of the most documented original settings in the hobby. Its dedicated DokuWiki contains over 13,800 pages of lore, ranging from detailed starship schematics and planetary geographies to complex political histories and alien cultures. This level of world-building provides a professional-grade foundation for its players.

3. A Culture of “”Better Roleplaying””: Star Army’s core mission has always been the promotion of the PBP hobby. By emphasizing high standards for collaborative writing and maintaining a welcoming environment for adults, it has mentored generations of roleplayers, many of whom have been active in the community for over a decade.

4. Original Concept: Unlike many sims that rely on established franchises, Star Army is a 100% original universe. Every species, technology, and historical event was created by its members. This independence has allowed for total creative freedom and a unique identity that has stood the test of time.

5. Active Engagement: Despite its age, the community remains vibrant. It continues to host multiple concurrent plotlines, seasonal events, and “”OOC”” community gatherings, proving that its model of collaborative storytelling is as relevant today as it was in 2002.

6. A commitment to the larger online RP community – Star Army regularly participates in and hosts panels in simming conventions, donated Obsidian Fleet’s themesong as a goodwill gift, and

7. Star Army raised around $500 in 2025 for charity for causes like Doctors Without Borders via posting drives and other events.

8. Star Army also supported the artist community with around $500 in purchased character art commissions in 2025.

Star Army represents the very best of the “”Old Guard””: a community that has preserved the traditional art of long-form collaborative writing while constantly innovating to meet the needs of modern players…a survivor from times when the internet was more fun. For its decades of service to the roleplaying community and its unwavering commitment to the hobby, I suggest Star Army is a textbook example of the “”Long Timer.””