The Community Spotlight 2022.06.11

Welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight. I, @zombiepie, am once again honored to be your host as we look back at the best community-created works from the previous week. It was an eventful week here on the site to say the least, so let's get to it.

The founder of the site, Jeff Gerstmann, is no longer a staff member here on Giant Bomb. The announcement that Giant Bomb and Jeff would be parting ways shocked us all. Following the news, the site revealed that its new core team would feature Jeff Bakalar, Jeff Grubb, Tamoor Hussain, Lucy James, Jess O'Brien, Jason Oestreicher, Matthew Rorie, Jan Ochoa, and Dan Ryckert.

In writing these Spotlights, I thought I was equipped to handle any sort of news that impacted the site. However, this time around, I really struggled. Jeff was (and still is) a person I look up to and is someone I have been following longer than I can remember. As a result, I plan to continue to support and follow him as many of you have done so as well. However, the team that is still here is a group of creative minds that I want to see flourish as well. I, and I think many of you, have come to terms that it's okay to support multiple gaming groups and brands as we navigate the internet in the coming days, months, and years. That's why I sit here, perfectly content to have hours of content brought to me by Giant Bomb, Jeff Gerstmann, Nextlander, Waypoint, and more.

Nonetheless, many of you are still angry, frustrated, sad, and/or done with the site given that Jeff Gerstmann is no longer here. As a representative of the moderation team, I want everyone to know that the staff and mod team understand. Jeff led this site through several dark moments and defined its identity with his fourteen years on this site. It's okay to feel frustrated or angry.

Jeff has started a Patreon where you can support him on his new project. Giant Bomb, however, will continue to be a place to chat, watch videos, and meet up with friends. If you have concerns about the site and what happened last week, rest assured, you will not be prevented from expressing that. All that the staff and moderation team ask is that you realize that the people still here are human beings and deserve your understanding.

As we move forward, we also have major site and programming changes that need to be addressed. Albummer, Arcade Pit, TVOS, JeffJeff's, Reel Layers, and Armed & Rangerous will continue. Giant Bomb live shows will be free moving onward. Archives of previous premium shows will remain locked behind premium. New Tiers and benefits to premium will be introduced and the first inklings of what the site has planned for the feature can be found in this article. One of these includes a permanent 10% discount to all merchandise in the Giant Bomb store. Be aware, that the site will be investing more into the Giant Bomb Community Discord. For example, Jeff Bakalar, Jeff Grubb, and Rorie all participated in a Q&A in the Discord and you can expect an archive of their Q&A on the site soon.

In terms of premium shows, a few changes are coming.

GrubbSnax is ending to make way to a new DAILY feature with Jeff Grubb called Morning Mess! Expect the same concept but with new additions to make it work in a daily format.

JeffJeff's Bizarre Adventure will be pivoting to take a break from JoJo and will instead cover the first season of One Punch Man.

For those worried about Arcade Pit this week, the feature is not cancelled and instead just took a one week break due to the finale of Grubb Snax being on Wednesday.

VoidBurgers' Hot Takeouts will return as a monthly series.

There will be some in-person content as well as studio-based content in the coming months. Just keep in mind that Jan, Rorie, Lucy, and Tam are the only ones in the SF-area currently.

With all of that in mind, let's take a tour of what the community has been up to recently and explore some well-deserved words of appreciation to Jeff for everything he has done on Giant Bomb. Jeff, thank you so much for everything. This website helped me through some of my darkest moments and it was because you and others held it to a high standard of quality and worked tirelessly to ensure it was a safe place to be and speak one's mind. If we ever meet in-person, hopefully we have time to talk.

Tributes And Words Of Thanks To Jeff

Other Tweets

New Core Team Meme

Tamoor, Jan, and Lucy Meme (By: @Larzzing, @theinfinitejpeg, @tobeagiraffe, @the_anticitizen, @DigitalLogjam, @sjc81994, @mjhocking, @alexisofthestar, @mynameisfatmike)

Almost on cue, after the Giant Bomb Twitter account tweeted an image showing Tamoor, Jan, and Lucy working in the RV office, the internet took to the image and made it a meme. If you have any other ideas of what to do, have at it!

Gallery

Galleria

Jeff Gerstmann Tribute Sketch (By: @morehandclaps)

[image in the intro of this article]

morehandclaps has been doing sketches of the Giant Bomb staff for a while now. This one in particular really got me but I still thought it was important to share with the rest of you.

WE ARE ASHAMED OF OUR WORDS AND DEEDS (By: @Sir5000)

All I will say of the return of Dan, I am happy to report that he has confirmed that his Twitch fart sound effect emote will not be coming to Giant Bomb. Otherwise, may God have mercy on our souls.

New Core Team Alignment Chart (By: @NotInventedHere)

I'm going to be honest, there are a few changes I would make to this alignment chart, but there's no denying that this is still a work of art!

I Drew The New Crew! (U.S. Quarter And Unkempt Thumb For Scale) (By: @myke_tuna)

myke_tuna decided to whip up a monochromatic comic strip sketch of the new core team! Not only that, but they posted to the site making it easier for you to thank them for their hard work!

Luchadeer, The Electronic Three Have Fallen! (By: @MrB0nd07)

First, whoever's call it was to have Geoff Keighley make a cameo in TheRitual.mp4 was a genius. Otherwise, it is good to see B0nd07 making hilarious photoshops.

The Shining X Giant Bomb (By: @kone)

You can always count on Kone to make a creative work of Giant Bomb themed photoshop and this week is no different.

Activities

Unsanctioned Unofficial Game Pass Game Club Voting Thread For Cycle Starting 6/13/2022 +

The Procession To Cavalry Is The 10Th Game For The UUGPGC! Complete By June 13 To Participate! All Are Welcome!(By: @bigsocrates)

The Community Game Pass Game Club is voting for its next game pick! Here are the choices and if any two stand out to you remember to vote by clicking the link. Likewise, don't forget that the game Pass Game Club discussion for The Procession to Calvary is still open to all!

Blogs

Indie Game of the Week 273: Cardinal Cross (By: @mento)

Moderator Mento has a new episode of their "Indie Game of the Week" and this one is all about Cardinal Cross! How did this sci-fi romance otome game treat them? Read to find out!

Mobile Game of the Week - Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds (By: @daavpuke)

Daavpuke decided to give Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and even as someone with a high tolerance of gacha mechanics and mobile games in general, they found it to be a bridge too far to cross.

The Wheel of Ukraineous Video Games 07-10: Series Finale (By: @arbitrarywater)

ArbitraryWater wraps up their blog series on the site examining the most notable games from the country of Ukraine with a look at Heroes of Annihilated Empires, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and Cryostasis!

Psychonauts 2 Should Not Be Part Of The PlayStation Indies Sale Category! I Will Die On This Hill! (By: @bigsocrates)

bigsocrates has nothing against Psychonauts 2 as an actual game. However, as they explain in their latest blog, they disagree with it being a part of the PlayStation Indies sale category. Read more by clicking the link.

Screenshot Blog: Bristol? I Hardly Knew Her! (By: @cikame)

cikame decided to take a tour of Bristol using Microsoft Flight Simulator! However, instead of using a "normal" aircraft, they decided use the game's "Amphibious Ultralight" ship! If there are any community members from Bristol, this is a fun read!

Granado Espada - Adrift (By: @valorianendymion)

ValorianEndymion has officially sunk in 835 hours into the Korean MMORPG Granado Espada, and they discuss on Giant Bomb why, despite their significant time in it, they would call the game being "adrift."

What's the Greatest Video Game: Earthworms (By: @imunbeatable80)

imunbeatable80 checked out the surreal point and click adventure game, Earthworms. Click the link to read why they think it is a competent little indie adventure game that has bigger ambitions then it was able to pull off.

Final Fantasy IX Remake Wishlist (By: @thatpinguino)

Final Fantasy IX is moderator ThatPinguino's favorite game of all-time. Therefore, they felt especially qualified to assess the different possibilities for a remake or remaster of the game!

To Everyone Both New And Old, Here Are A Few Words To You, The Community (By: @zombiepie)

I thought long about how I wanted to echo my feelings about the site moving forward and after countless revisions, finally did. If there are any of you that do not wish to read the whole thing, here's a snippet I want as many of you to know as possible.

Not E3 2022: Sony (By: @gamer_152)

Moderator Gamer_152 wrote some thoughts on Sony's games showcase prior to the start of non-E3 2022. Read if they think these mini-events will mark the undeath of E3 and they think the state of VR is right now.

Discussion Threads

Jeff Gerstmann Appreciation Thread (By: @thepickle)

Hey everyone, Jeff had an influence not just on the formation of Giant Bomb, but on the industry as well as many people's lives. Join the rest of the community in thanking the man and what his tireless work has meant to you.

The New Crew Discussion Thread (By: @mindbullet)

For those of you that have not done so and are still interested, here's the community thank you thread where you can welcome and send appreciations to Giant Bomb's new batch of core staff.

Welcome Back Dan Appreciation Thread (By: @kieran_smith5)

Welcome back Dan Ryckert to Giant Bomb, but this time as this time as the site's "Creative Director!" That's right, someone decided to trust Dan with responsibilities. May God have mercy on our souls.

Diablo Immortal Discussion Thread (By: @allthedinos)

Has anyone out there checked out Diablo Immortal? Those that have say find a purely gameplay perspective, it's okay, but it is the way that the game that has been monetized that rubs them the wrong way!

In Search Of Gauntlet (By: @vallian88)

Here's a forum topic you don't see every day: can you think of any MODERN games that scratch the same 4-player itch as Gauntlet or Gauntlet Legends? If you can think of any examples, feel free to share them.

Community Reviews

• @capt_blakhelm's Teardown review shares why they feel like the game is confused on whether to be a heist or demolition game, but still ends up being a fun time regardless.
• @capt_blakhelm also reviewed Rise of the Tomb Raider and discusses why they consider it a "proper sequel" but not without fault.

Wikis

Jeff Gerstmann

Again, thank you Jeff for having the impact you did and for making a website that still continues to have an insane community-led talent pool that outputs quality works every week.

Concept Google Doc (By: @suzukagongen)

What started out as an attempt to "create a list of fish & animals not-yet added to the Concepts section of the wiki" turned into a full-blown effort to put every single wiki concept page on the site into a Google Doc! Read all about it!

Really well said, it’s been a crazy week for Giant Bomb and the community but I can only imagine how much of a rollercoaster it’s been for the staff.

I’m excited for everyone moving forward and I hope everyone can enjoy the content of not just Giant Bomb but Jeff Gerstmann, Nextlander, Waypoint or any streamers content you like for that matter. If the Tekken stream the other day is anything to go by, I think Giant Bomb will be just fine!

I was confused and kinda mad about the whole thing for a day or so, a lot like everyone else I’m sure. But this crew is such a rad group of people and they’ve immediately shown they’re ready to pick up the ball and run. I’ll miss Jeff being at GB. It will never not be a little weird, and I will never have time to consume all of the rad content he (and everyone else that has passed through GB) makes, but I’m starting to maybe kinda be a little bit possibly okay with that lol.

really great post, thanks @marino & @zombiepie

Wonderful post! I'm so psyched for the new crew, and Jeff looks happier than I've seen in ages. Everyone seems better for this.

Really get post. We didn't get a farewell stream, but this seems like a proper tribute to Jeff.

Great post! In the end, I'm excited for everyone to do what they love and be happy in life. I look forward to listening to everyone talk about games, especially as I have less time to play many!

Man if you swapped Tam and Jan on that alignment chart, Jan would still not be high enough.

<3

screams in video game eagle while also typing this comment, and having fun with this soft reboot because you guys f*ing nailed it. All of you, and o7 jeff for now; still a threat

It certainly is a weird time. Great stuff all around. Always an honor to be featured.

Thanks for always putting these together. This week's especially deserves to be seen.

Appreciate being included in this. Thanks a bunch!

I appreciate, also, getting on this list that will be drowned out by much bigger stuff. Frankly, it's what that game deserves.

<>

Thanks @zombiepie for putting out the spotlight every dang week. I think it's safe to say I wasn't alone when I felt a pang of dread and sadness during the tumult at the start of the week but a lot of that has been assuaged. Everyone seems to be in a better place, doing the kind of thing they want to do, and that's all we can hope for. I'm so stoked for this new age of Giant Bomb content and can't wait for the hijinks!

Well said. Great post. :)

THANK YOU for confirming the fate of Arcade Pit on GB! I was very confused, I chalked it up to staff being too busy on Wednesday to organise/take part, what with Jeff's departure and Keigh3 happening in the same week. Looking forward to APGB hitting us in a few days' time.

The magical floating Dan head illustration by Sir5000 would make a great T-shirt!

Thank you to both the moderators and the GB crew.

Yeah this week's emotional rollercoaster has been down and up more then usual. However, i know that it has been for you guys as well.

Thank you for the great content that you have shown and long may it be at this level.

Holy heck, I made it twice in a community spotlight! (Btw it's totally cool to tag my GB username here.)

This was the best tribute to Jeff G(erstmann) on the site so far. Thanks.

I hope VB doesn't strain herself too much with all the production on new stuff + returning to Hot Takeouts. Seems like the editing crew has also been the largest producers on the site for the longest time.

Was kinda mad Jeff (and fans of the site) got about 5 sentences in that newsletter. The lack of detail (which I understand was not the author's to share) was concerning at the time. I really want to support the people on the site but I also really hope it's a healthy working environment.

well said @zombiepie

For a day or so, I was perplexed and irritated by the situation, as was I'm sure everyone else. But this team is such a cool bunch of folks, and they've already demonstrated that they're ready to take the ball and run with it who invented pub. presence a will be missed. It'll always be a little strange, and I'll never have enough time to absorb all of the amazing things he (and everyone else who has come through creates, but I'm learning to be comfortable with it.

One defender of MGS 2 and 4 traded in and one defender of the whole god damn series came in....