This is a formal, but also a very personal statement regarding Arkham Gaming Centre and the events surrounding its recent and sudden demise. Apologies for the delay in making this statement, but I wanted to allow time to seek professional advice on matters arising and to allow time for me to make a statement as untainted with heightened emotion as possible.


Firstly, let me introduce myself - my name is Phil and I am the sole owner of the business known as Arkham Gaming Centre. I think it is important to make that clear to rectify some misinterpretations out there regarding the ownership or control of any aspect of the business. At various times many others have volunteered their services to assist in various aspects of the business, none more so than my close friend Andrew. Any such help was gratefully received, rewarded where possible, but was always under my direction and with my authorisation.

The chain of events leading to the sudden closure of Arkham were most unfortunate and I’m sure came as a shock to all of the loyal users of the centre and its facilities. From a factual business point of view, and for my own personal reasons, it is important to make clear the facts which led to the closure, and especially the timing of the closure, as rumours and misrepresentations abound.


A statement I made last week on arkhamgamingcentre.com announced the closure of the centre at the end of June, explaining the reasons and passing the baton to 'Wee Gamers' to make a statement regarding a continuation of sorts. I won't go over the details of that statement again as I'm sure most or all have read it already, but will expound upon it and summarise the events which have occurred since the statement was made.


Within 24-48 hours of this statement, it was clear to me from received feedback, messages and comments from some, and lack of contact with others, that I no longer had the support of certain individuals and/or groups of individuals united under a common agenda. I will preface this by saying that prior to my statement I had begun to receive reports that an individual with Arkham, a member of the voluntary staff, was attempting to solicit support from Arkham members for a separate gaming club/group/society contrary to the planned handover to Wee Gamers. I was aware of the other members of the voluntary staff/keyholders who were/are in support of this individual, so made a decision on Sunday 13/5/12 to limit the centre's opening hours until closing in June. This decision was made to protect the integrity of my business and its associated assets. Unfortunately as I could not go into the reasons behind this decision at the time, this only served to further turn the tide of support against me.


On Monday 14/5/12 a moderation issue arose on the forum area of arkhamgamingcentre.com relating to continued abuse of the forum rules by a few users, despite previous warnings that action would be taken if they persisted. After finding numerous posts by these users had been edited by the other forum moderator (we had two, myself and Gary Gardner) and that their abuse of each other and threatening language persisted, I banned the accounts of these users. I followed this up with a statement detailing my action, why I had done it in line with forum rules and after previous warnings, and gave the people involved the opportunity to message me with a declaration of their intent to follow forum rules, at which point their accounts would be restored to normal. One of the people did exactly that and had their account restored.

Very shortly after these events, I received a message from the aforementioned member of voluntary staff, who also happened to be the arkhamgamingcentre.com website administrator, informing me that my access to my website and forum had been limited, effectively amending my account to that of a regular registered user with no additional access or control.

At this point a few facts should be made clear;

    • Arkham Gaming Centre as a registered business is owned by me.
    • The lease for the premises in which the business resides is in my name.
    • www.arkhamgamingcentre.com as a domain is registered in my name.


This individual made an offer some time ago to volunteer his services to build a website for Arkham Gaming Centre. This occurred, and the individual was paid the sum of money he requested for services/expenses. As the individual built the website, he obviously retained administration level access to the website (in case of technical issues). This person's role as the website administrator is, and should be, completely separate from his status as a customer and paid up membership holder of Arkham Gaming Centre. His role as a voluntary staff member did not include any operational authority over any aspect of the business. His actions on 14/5/12 were a misuse of his administration access.


The reason given for removal of my access was the individual's disagreement with my moderation decisions. It should be repeated again here that this person did not or does not hold any position of authority over the business known as Arkham Gaming Centre or content of its associated website. His role was website administration, a role normally carried out on other business websites by someone completely independent of the running of the business for which the website exists. It appears that this person mistook his role as one of editorial authority and ownership of www.arkhamgamingcentre.com and any content therein.

Regardless of this individual's view of my moderation decisions, they were my decisions to make, whether rightful or mistaken.


When it was clear (after a request to this individual) that he was not willing to restore my access, I made a decision to temporarily redirect the URL (which is under my control) to a wikipedia page on Mutiny. I realise this may have caused distress to the regular users of www.arkhamgamingcentre.com but I decided that if I could not control the content on my own business website, registered in my name, that it should be taken down until such time as control was returned. At this point, I still await communication from this individual regarding restoration of my property, despite a request.


It soon became apparent to me that the individual had also deactivated my @arkhamgamingcentre.com email accounts, depriving me of contact with Arkham members, trade suppliers, friends and other associates.

Early on Tuesday 15/5/12 I became aware that the entire content of www.arkhamgamingcentre.com had been transferred to an alternative domain name not registered to me or under my control. Several registered members have since contacted me expressing concern that account registrations they've made and content supplied to the arkhamgamingcentre.com website has been transferred to another website under someone else's control without their permission. This is especially concerning, especially since all registered members on www.arkhamgamingcentre.com registered themselves as customers/users of that business and not of any other.


This new domain name includes the name 'Arkham' and uses imagery and wording synonymous with that which previously existed on www.arkhamgamingcentre.com and while I have no ownership of the word 'Arkham', the use of it in this context implies in many ways association or connection with the business known as Arkham Gaming Centre. Indeed, many people were under the impression on Tuesday 15/5/12 that this transfer was official in some way as a continuation of the online activities of Arkham Gaming Centre. Any such connection, implied or otherwise, is completely false and unauthorised.


www.arkhamgamingcentre.com was an integral and vital segment of the Arkham Gaming Centre business, being a meeting & communication point for almost all users, the only method of delivering information to customers regarding opening hours, events, activities and other initiatives. As I had this vital part of the business taken from my control, and being aware of the intentions of most of the volunteer staff to support this individual, I was forced to close the centre immediately to protect the assets remaining. Additional security locks were added to the premises as all members of this group were keyholders.


The result of this is that those members who enjoyed, appreciated and supported the centre are suddenly deprived of the facility. For this, I personally apologise, but hope that most will understand how a chain of events and severe breach of trust led to this being my only practical option.


I do believe that this person used my moderation as a smokescreen for his subsequent actions, which he had set in motion some time previously, judging by his attempts to garner support in recent weeks. Enthusiasm for a cause, community or belief is to be commended and applauded, but in this case I'm afraid this led to misguided decisions and resulted in misappropriation of another's intellectual property. Whilst I acknowledge that this individual and his circle of supporters may well have been acting in what they believed to be the best interests of 'the community' (i.e. Arkham Gaming Centre's customers) it should also be acknowledged that a wrong was done.

To use some analogies to illustrate my points; you would not hijack a train because you liked the look of it yourself. Equally, if you didn't like the way the train was driven, you wouldn't hijack it, you'd just get off the train.


Another effect of this individual's actions was to impede the resolution of some outstanding trade account and membership issues, and continues to do so.


An agreement had already been made to sell many assets of Arkham Gaming Centre to 'Wee Gamers', in order for them to continue with their infectious enthusiasm and genuine affection for the gaming community. The website content on www.arkhamgamingcentre.com was to be part of this process (with consent of users of course) but this is now on hold since this individual's misappropriation.


In financial terms to the business, this was a catastrophe - events had to be cancelled and there will be a huge loss of income from sales and other planned initiatives. I am currently preparing action to lodge in Small Claims court against this individual for significant damages resulting from his actions. I am also taking legal advice regarding return of the intellectual property and user registrations belonging to Arkham Gaming Centre to www.arkhamgamingcentre.com and full restoration of access to the website and all associated business email accounts. There may also be contraventions of the Data Protection Act as a result of this individual's actions.


I apologise to all associated with Arkham Gaming Centre, especially to the loyal membership, but also to our friends, customers and trade suppliers for such an unfortunate and acrimonious end to what was, in the main, a tremendous testament to community spirit, co-operation, enthusiasm and creativity. I also apologise to trade suppliers, manufacturers and any others who supplied content to www.arkhamgamingcentre.com with the express intention of it being to support and fulfil the mutual needs or aims of either party, and not to be intended to be transferred to another website outside the control of Arkham Gaming Centre.


It is important that I finish with some positivity. I hope that as the dust settles and the smokescreen clears on this sorry situation that people will remember all the good things which would not have been possible without Arkham Gaming Centre. The love we received and inspiration we provided on the convention circuit, the many charity events held at the centre, the formation of many many friendships, the chance for gamers to meet somewhere without fear of normal 'club' rules, restrictions, dividing loyalties etc – the genuine passion for the hobby which thrived when Arkham Gaming Centre was at its peak! It may never have been the perfect venue, I may have not always been the perfect host, but I do believe that the centre was unique on these shores, not just in scope but in the spirit it maintained until the end. There are so many people I personally would never have met if not for Arkham Gaming Centre, and still count many as friends.


I'd like to also express heartfelt gratitude to those members who have been in touch with me privately to pledge their support in such a difficult time.


I will never forget all the good times, I hope you don't either.


Phil

Arkham Gaming Centre