RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

r21freak.com was an early pad file forum that focused on curated content for ITG dedicabs, specifically Revision 21 which enabled custom songs to be loaded on the machine via USB stick. The site focused on promoting specific step artists who were known for creating quality, technical charts that actually went with the music, as well as highlighting the best file released by the community every week. It also hosted stepfile creation competitions as well as other events like official Site Packs, Stepfile Secret Santas, and more.

Over the years, it waned in popularity with users either moving on to different social media platforms or even just moving on from the game. After the site founder moved on from the game, the site switched admins 4 times over only a few years (myself included). The site went down on numerous occasions, which took longer to repair with each subsequent downtime, mostly due to lack of interest. It only lasted for so long due to the donations from whatever community members were left. As the money ran dry and the site being down for over a year, the plug as finally been pulled. r21freak is no more and will only live on in memory.

Goodnight, sweet prince. You will be forever missed.

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

A relic from the previous era of dance games. Definitely something that will be missed, despite people utilizing other means of keeping packs collected and communicating.

I had my fair share of charts over there and definitely had a good time with their simfiling contests (two doubles + a single event and got top 10 in all three).

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

Holy shit. This is huge. I remember visiting the website on more than 1 occasion when I was just getting into the game, back in 2007/2008. Sad times.

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

F in the chat

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

I saw the announcement on facebook and got really sad :<

but also proud because WE'RE OUTLIVING THEM ALL BOIS

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

rip r21freak

fond memories of lurking the site way back when I played itg a lot, but never really got into the community

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

lets hope zenius-i-vanisher is next

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

Crazy stuff, tons of memories on there even though I wasn't heavily active and mostly just waited for amazing packs to come out.

@Psychotik - Psychoriginals when?

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

I've been mainly focusing on keyboard charts. I do have about 8 or 9 charts for my next pack. It'll get done eventually.

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

RIP, my old friend. <3

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

Yiiiikes. I was just about to post a small pack I made over there then realized it was no more... and hasn't been for 8 months... well, I guess that's why it ended up dying. Requiescat in pace~

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

r21freak kept my interest in ITG alive well after my mid teens. Remember taking part in a few tournaments and secret santas, shit was fun. Sad to see it go after such a long run.

I'd also argue that place was the Dark Chancellors equivalent of pad simfiles. Lots of cool technical innovations out of that place.

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

Re: RIP r21freak (2007-2020)
 

It certainly will be missed. A very influential forum that probably would've been more popular now due to current circumstances out there that I've noticed more people coming back into the game (COVID-19, L-Tek pads, etc)

I wonder what is a good alternative to host and find more files that isn't a facebook group. I know there's a couple discord servers out there and a google spreadsheet so I guess that's our next best bet for pad files?