Yup, there are backups and, don't worry, we're not going anywhere.
We love doing this, building fansites, fanforums and running hookedgamers.com. We have in the past closed fansites that weren't succesful and basically had nothing to offer.
If a site has blossomed at some point, we'll keep it alive for ever. A good example is hookedonpirates.com that (after years!) is finally starting to slow down in actual visitor numbers. It provides a vital role in the history of Sid's Pirates! as it was the first fansite, the most active fansite and has the largest database of Pirates! mods. Its legacy will remain online for all those who want to play the game years and years from now.
Another site, hookedonageofpirates.com failed (the game failed) and will likely disappear sometimes soon, and hookedonstronghold.com already did (game wasn't very good but our launch window for it sucked as well). There's no additional value of keeping those open.
The Railroads! fanforum is successful and there is no site that offers the same amount of information, insights and downloads. It's not going anywhere. Ever.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)