First off I want to preface this by saying long time consumer, first time participator. And am certainly not from generation 'leave a comment'. I specifically call out Giantbomb in the following rant because I've been following them the longest. It has only been recently and with much less fervor I've become interested in Tested.com, and I'm not sure how they're going to change.
Fear was the second emotion that ran through my mind after my excitement dissolved upon seeing another bombcast began downloading in itunes. It was the title that knocked the anticipation of another helping of high class entertainment; 'membership' specifically. Giantbomb is my final foothold in the gaming world; I don't identify with the rude and obnoxious voices that cut through the ethers of Xbox live. The bombcast is one of the few video game podcast that I can listen to without cringing so when that exclusive 'membership' cut through my psyche I was left with a cold lonely feeling.
But I trust the crew at giantbomb so I listened with judgements reserved. And at first I completely agreed. Yes, it's good to have a clear path to objectivity. And hell, it's tough to run a small business let alone in these troubled times. I wanted to support them because they are constantly enriching my life. But as I listened and especially when I heard how much of my support they wanted, I began to blister.
First off I was happy to hear they were becoming more mobile friendly. Technology has finally caught up to our active lives where we no longer have to be sitting in front of a beefy desktop in order to have the internet served up to us. Unfortunately the internet isn't completely there. I am an active user of iDevices and am thrilled to hear that on the out and about I can access giantbomb content. While I'm accustomed, though at times aggrieved, to pay a one time fee for an app that will serve up website content on the go. But this is progress, it is the direction the internet is heading and I don't feel that users should have to foot a bill for the natural progression of the herd. Especially if most sites aren't requiring the same. This is a poor excuse for a premium.
Not to mention if you stop paying your dues you lose this functionality. After paying for months if not years, all of your contributions are rendered nill as though you never supported them. To hear about how the bombcasters feel about this type of structure I refer you back to E3 2010 when discussing Sony's new framework with their one free game a month. A website benefits from the amount of hits it gets and being able to be accessed more frequently, a la on the go, is better for the website than the enduser (my personal opinion).
In the past year we've seen hulu attempt to charge a premium for mobile access and though the jury is still out it's pretty obvious how a majority of them will rule. Luckily for giantbomb they don't have to make concessions for major studios in order to show their content, unfortunately they're needlessly making the concessions themselves.
720p sounds great but generally I don't watch their videos to see fine details, I watch them for their commentary. There are plenty of other places I can go to see hi def videos. Downloading sounds cool but personally I can think of so few instances where I would want to take up HD space when it'll always exist on the internet somewhere.
With ads i couldn't really care less, there are plug-ins that can make that stuff disappear if it's something that really bothers you. For me I'm used to blocking that stuff out, I've become accustomed to them catering to the least common denominator.
To break up the bombcast WILL create an unnatural stagnation. The best tangents aren't created by the hosts, they came naturally. There is no way they are going to be able to break it up and retain the same soul it currently has. Take out the free flow and the boat will sink. Running jokes will not get a second wind and the air will not be able to settle in comfortably as is the case. Honestly, maybe I'm alone here, I've never paid for a podcast. If they were there and interesting I'd download them but a podcast is, in a way an add for the site. An add for the personalities (fleshing out of the character), the insights and the depth of the coverage. If the bombcast suddenly stopped I would hold more reverence for it than if it was cheapened by some pay for a timed exclusive.
Added content sounds great, I just wish they could find a more innovative way to do so instead of the old fashioned porn site model. I have never paid to access a website, it just feels gross to me.
I realize that the bombcast community is used to dropping $50 bucks a year or so on Xbox live but that's a service and not website content. Especially for a site that doesn't give you anything other than a perspective and trailers. The giant bomb community is very giving as evident from the constant mailbag videos so I have no doubt that there will be countless individuals tightening their belts to help out. And maybe this is my own jealousy kicking in but their working conditions are quite good, I've worked in plenty of jobs that fell far short. I'm not trying to say they should be Christ-like in employment but it doesn't help when you start to demand higher rates for your services. Sometimes the best way to advance your company is to find your fiscal side.
I really want to support the giantbomb team but it's a big jump to go from free to $50-60 bucks a year. It's the big miss in my opinion is the price. I've seen other sites go up to twenty bucks a year to become a member, $50 is just too high in these times. It also doesn't help when you're asking for money to mention, as you're justifying the fee, that you just bought a whole bunch of new equipment for a new show that will only be available to paying members (refer to podcast 'Let's talk about memberships')
And please Ryan, don't talk about how this new approach isn't exclusive. Membership is kind of the definition of exclusive.
I dont' mean to be hyper critical of a bunch of guys I love, really. It just seems as though they've lost perspective. The bombcast will always hold a special place in my heart though I can't guarantee I'm going to continue following it (though I can't guarantee I won't).
At the end of the day they're free to make the changes they want, they don't owe me anything. But then again I don't owe them $50-60 a year.
My biggest problem though - Why isn't there a cheaper yearly membership for just Giant Bomb? Why do I have to pay for 4 sites that I don't use? That's just bad business.
" I agree with your points completely - good post. My biggest problem though - Why isn't there a cheaper yearly membership for just Giant Bomb? Why do I have to pay for 4 sites that I don't use? That's just bad business. "
Dave said it would be the same if they did it per site. They're giving you the subscription for every site for convenience and as a deal. You aren't paying more for the other sites.
" @AlisterCat: Love Dave but I really find that hard to believe. "
Why is that? because it's too much? Your relative perception of the price and their costs obviously don't match. I can't tell you the reason why it costs as much as it does though but I doubt they took the decision lightly.
@AlisterCat: So you mean to tell me if say for example there was a deal to get Anime Vice membership for a year it would cost 50 dollars? Each sites' costs amount to 50 dollars and because they want to offer you a deal they can miraculously give you all of them in one tidy package for 50 dollars?
By having a big fat subscription tab on the site the site will lose new users and traffic in the long run, and will end up making less money as the site will not expand enough to take over the world. Way to shoot yourself in the foot giantbomb and way to say 'fuck you' to all your fans.
" @AlisterCat: So you mean to tell me if say for example there was a deal to get Anime Vice membership for a year it would cost 50 dollars? Each sites' costs amount to 50 dollars and because they want to offer you a deal they can miraculously give you all of them in one tidy package for 50 dollars? "
I don't see how it makes a difference to them whether you get the features on the other sites too, so why not just give them to you? I can't tell you why the costs is what it is, as I already said. Ask Dave.
I'm really worried that this bombcast change is going to mess with the way I download and listen to it. I don't log in to download the bombcast, I use google listen, and if I'm understanding the change they made that means I can only get hour one using this method.
@Rolyatkcinmai: Don't be an ass. The pay subscription was suppose to ADD features for paying members, existing site features we're not suppose to be removed for normal members.
I really hope the new bombcast idea is scrapped. Honestly I just wish this yearly membership thing was more like a donation; hell, I still would have signed up.
Woah, I am really shocked they did this. When Ryan said they had peaked with the PAX10 podcast, I laughed a bit. I didn't think they would actively sabotage the podcast afterwards.
I really do not understand why people think that everything on the internet should be free and without ads. Should the people that put the work into making the sites, maintaining the sites, producing content and paying for hosting and server maintenance just go unpaid? I mean really, how are these people supposed to make a buck?
@voi666: I am aware of this, it is still a bad move. And, not to sound argumentative, but the fact that you don't listen to the bombcast when it's released means your nonchalant attitude about this change is rather moot. I gave them 50 bucks, I should not be paying for features that were free yesterday.
Signing up when I get paid on Tuesday. No qualms at all. While not a perfect analogue, this article about Howard Stern's current contract negotiations seems appropiate to the situation:
For the internet, we get to prove to unique entertainers everywhere that they can cut out the middlemen — networks, studios, all that — and create valuable relationships directly with their fans, getting much richer in the process. And that, in turn, forces entertainers, studios, networks, and cable companies to sell us entertainment a la carte, so I can stop paying for the damned 95% of my channels I never watch.
And who are you with 1 post? Tough shit for you stop whining, this is how the world works, they need to get money somehow other than ads. Fifty isn't that bad and when I get money next week I'll be signing up too. I wish people would shut the fuck up about this already.
Wow, guys. Just fucking wow. If you don't WANT to subscribe then just fucking DON'T. But for fucks sake, stop whining about it, there is no need or reason to bitch about something optional.
You fuckers must die if ever you tread in to a buffet.
" I really do not understand why people think that everything on the internet should be free and without ads. Should the people that put the work into making the sites, maintaining the sites, producing content and paying for hosting and server maintenance just go unpaid? I mean really, how are these people supposed to make a buck? "
Through advertising and ingenuity. There are a million better ways giantbomb could have made money. This is a really unimaginative and ultimately fruitless way.
Honestly, when I look at the "premium" features, I'll call it like it is. Buying a subscription is tantamount to charity, little more.
Remove GiantBomb from the equation and replace it with Microsoft, or Gamespot and this would not be met with such positivity. It would be an absolute shitstorm of what a rip-off it is and regarded as an evil, money-grubbing tactic. Deny it if you will, but I think the bullshit we saw here last week when the XBox Live price hike was announced more than proves my point. THAT BEING SAID, this is a site I love and I may decide at one point or another to offer up a one-year 50 dollar donation to show my support but this would be strictly an act of charity, I would in no way be paying this money for the sake of getting the incredibly lackluster additions of a premium membership.
Like many have said, there's nothing to whine about as it's totally optional, but to be balanced, I've seen just as many comments insinuating that this is something to be totally stoked about - which is just as foolish a stance to take as the other.
" Yup I'm done. Unsubscribing to the podcast and taking this site off my homepage. It was a good run GB. RIP. "
Sorry but god damn some people are melodramatic morons on this website. I still remember that huge thread because some popular poster was banned, the crying was unbelievable. You're honestly quitting a site because it makes half it's podcast a bit late for free users? LOL. Umm, you do realize if they made it 100% percent free for you, you know what we'd get? A 1 hour bombcast each week. No extra hour for other users, just 1 single hour and that's it because WM can't afford the 2 hour+ ones they do anymore.
" Honestly, when I look at the "premium" features, I'll call it like it is. Buying a subscription is tantamount to charity, little more. THAT BEING SAID, this is a site I love and I may decide at one point or another to offer up a one-year 50 dollar donation to show my support but this would be strictly an act of charity, I would in no way be paying this money for the sake of getting the incredibly lackluster additions of a premium membership. Like many have said, there's nothing to whine about as it's totally optional, but to be balanced, I've seen just as many comments insinuating that this is something to be totally stoked about - which is just as foolish a stance to take as the other. I hope it ll works out for everyone somehow. "
And now we feel like douchers because we don't have a gold or silver ball dangling from our avatars.
" I really do not understand why people think that everything on the internet should be free and without ads. Should the people that put the work into making the sites, maintaining the sites, producing content and paying for hosting and server maintenance just go unpaid? I mean really, how are these people supposed to make a buck? "
That's not the problem. The problem is they are actively doing EXACTLY what they said they would not do. Fuck if they did exactly what they said they were going to (that is adding new content exclusive to subscribers) I would not complain at all. The fact they are taking stuff we used to get for free (and every other website supplies for free) and charging us for it is dumb.
" Is 50 bucks really that hard to come buy? That is maybe a days work... If not less. "
Yes, for me thats really hard to come by. I can't get a job (no car). I get 3 dollars a week allowance, the only way I can make money is by using my allowance money to but candy on the cheap and sell it 3x more to idiots at my school. The only problem is that I'm not able to go to school this year and am being home schooled. So don't post in a thread saying, "Hey all you cheap people, I have money shitting out of my ass, so you should be able to pay 50 dollars for this too." Makes you look like an ass.
i know there has to be at least one subscribed person that is going to post the full bombcast as a torrent somewhere so i'm okay, just hate these fucking medals, way to rub the fact you don't have money to spend in your face
" Yup I'm done. Unsubscribing to the podcast and taking this site off my homepage. It was a good run GB. RIP. "
Sorry but god damn some people are melodramatic morons on this website. I still remember that huge thread because some popular poster was banned, the crying was unbelievable. You're honestly quitting a site because it makes half it's podcast a bit late for free users? LOL. Umm, you do realize if they made it 100% percent free for you, you know what we'd get? A 1 hour bombcast each week. No extra hour for other users, just 1 single hour and that's it because WM can't afford the 2 hour+ ones they do anymore. "
Yeah no. It's not crying it's the principle, they talk about not taking anything away then they do it. Now Ryan and others have been saying that the site is strapped for cash, and it is essentially a sinking ship. The bombcast is also getting split up which is ridiculous since many other sites have done it for free and just as good. Also the one hour that we are getting is news only....What a joke. There are better alternatives to this, this is just alienating the community who loves them. As well competing with a giant beast such as IGN, with their pricing option and content cut is a bit ridiculous. On principle of splitting up the bombcast I refuse to support this. 1 hour of news is not the reason I listen to the bombcast. You guys are just blind giantbomb fanboys that would support them literally shitting on your face.
Once again it is not melodramatic it is what they are doing to the community. Their community is so small, and instead of doing everything possible to get them together and keep them Matt decides to shit on the people that were willing to pay and especially since the site is apparently strapped on cash it doesn't make me any more willing to spend money. Also the price it is at is ridiculous compared to other sites. The only reason anyone would spend money now would be for charity, since that is essentially what is going on, with the features they are providing which is slim to none, and even taking away some.
If the bombcast ever becomes free again, I might reconsider buying a subscription, but at this point at time, I am sorry I just can't.
I think the thread should be re-titled "GiantBummer, the rubble that once was the community" ....people cry too much I haven't seen so much bitching in one place before since I left GameSpot. It's Day 1 & I'm already tired of the broke-ass haters.
After reading that, I agree. For awhile I was on the edge of subscribing or not subscribing, but now I see that might end up being a bad idea. It comes down to you pay for a year, then the due date comes up for the yearly subscription, but you don't have the money. Apparently you went into college or you got kicked out of your parents house and you're living off of whatever minimum wage you're getting. Next thing you know, you lose the subscription. You lose out on everything you were used to.
The same could go for Xbox Live also, but the main thing you would lose out on is multiplayer. Then again I could be talking out of my ass because I'm sick as hell. I don't even know how I managed to get outta bed and post replies.
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