To Everyone Leaving Over The Premium Announcement

[Fanboy]

Spoiler: Can't we all just get along? Have the sneetches taught us nothing?!

 

[Icecoldcynic]

Just seems like a bunch of self-centred elitists whining over nothing to me. No-one cares if they're leaving, but they like to act like people will.

 

[BlumiereBleck]

I still remember when the Escapist was yellow.. but anyways its overeaction.

.... escapist was yellow?

Ive been here since early 08 didnt join till December. But yeah the site was yellow instead of blue, forums were also different and many other un-imaginable things

 

[saintchristopher]

I've come to terms with the premium announcement and all that. I probably will pay up, eventually.

The ONLY thing I find suspect about this whole situation is that, only as recently as this weekend, there has been ONE flash ad that shows up every three or four pages with a faulty script that completely halts my browser for a solid 30-60 seconds before firefox asks if i wan to stop the script.

Its the exact same ad every time (a Time Warner cable ad with a marching band of bathroom-door-silhouette-people, if you're curious.)

The DAY, the very day, I think about bringing this up to someone on staff, they announce the *ad-free* premium membership. Hm.

Hey, it's probably a coincidence, and I don't want to get banned or anything. I'm just sayin'.

 

[sky14kemea]

I agree with this.

I now copy paste something I said elsewhere about it.

I do not mind the people who have done this. It's good that they are helping the Escapist keep running. Nor do I mind much about those who are over-reacting and leaving. Sure, I may have lost an Admin for PRIATE but shit happens, a new one can be put in place.

Why get worked up over something that isn't mandatory?
To me, I can see why they've done it and I don't blame them, every site needs more cash.

I will only oppose this if the heads of the site make it a mandatory thing, forcing us to pay. But I don't think they will do that.

Nono, I agree with that, if they make it mandatory to view video's that I might join the leaving ranks. But I really can't see that happening.

Just seems like a bunch of self-centred elitists whining over nothing to me. No-one cares if they're leaving, but they like to act like people will.

Your username matches your post, huh? xD Some people do care about the people leaving (Maybe not enough to make a whole thread over) Quite a few of us here have made some good friends =[

 

[Timotei]

Most of the people leaving are long time posters who are watching the Escapist undergo a change that they see as negative.

Okay, but what changes are you talking about exactly? (Obviously including this premium thing)

Where to start?

-The Facebook thing opened up the sewage pipe to the forums and we have been getting poster who can't string together coherent sentences running around.

-March Mayhem and how the Escapist was using it to boost its numbers, only to further infect the site with even more undesirable posters. And for someone who was present at the MW2 Community Playdate to listen to Spinwhiz talk about the March Mayhem like it was the saving grace of the Escapist without mention anything about just how uninhabitable that forum board was due to flaming was sickening.

-The rapid expansion of video series to pander to every crowd possible.

-And now this.

 

[Icecoldcynic]

Just seems like a bunch of self-centred elitists whining over nothing to me. No-one cares if they're leaving, but they like to act like people will.

Your username matches your post, huh? xD Some people do care about the people leaving (Maybe not enough to make a whole thread over) Quite a few of us here have made some good friends =[

My username was more a joke, since i'm actually a very nice person, but I did it as a satire of all the people on the internet who like to be 'dark and edgy' with names like that.

Anyway, perhaps my post DID seem a bit cold, but to be honest it just seems to me these people are throwing a hissy fit over something very small. I mean I seriously saw a post with the words (slightly paraphrased) "I remember when going gonzo meant something". If that's not elitism then i don't know what is.

EDIT: Not to mention pretty much everything in the post above mine is elitist garbage. Ragging on new users may be okay to some 'vets' but to me it's pretty pathetic.

 

[sky14kemea]

Most of the people leaving are long time posters who are watching the Escapist undergo a change that they see as negative.

Okay, but what changes are you talking about exactly? (Obviously including this premium thing)

Where to start?

-The Facebook thing opened up the sewage pipe to the forums and we have been getting poster who can't string together coherent sentences running around.

-March Mayhem and how the Escapist was using it to boost its numbers, only to further infect the site with even more undesirable posters. And for someone who was present at the MW2 Community Playdate to listen to Spinwhiz talk about the March Mayhem like it was the saving grace of the Escapist without mention anything about just how uninhabitable that forum board was due to flaming was sickening.

-The rapid expansion of video series to pander to every crowd possible.

-And now this.

Hrmm.. First two I can see your point, I actually stopped making MM avatars near the end because of all the fighting.

Nearly every site ends up having video's like that, with an audience as big as the internet you gotta branch out sometimes.

*sigh*. I'll miss you a lot if you go. =[

My username was more a joke, since i'm actually a very nice person, but I did it as a satire of all the people on the internet who like to be 'dark and edgy' with names like that.

Anyway, perhaps my post DID seem a bit cold, but to be honest it just seems to me these people are throwing a hissy fit over something very small. I mean I seriously saw a post with the words (slightly paraphrased) "I remember when going gonzo meant something". If that's not elitism then i don't know what is.

Ah right, that thing. xD Well back then they didn't have User Groups, so it took much longer to get your post count higher.
(Also anyone who plays forum games get a slight advantage, as those things move FAST!)

I was pretty happy when I reached Gonzo, so I think it still means something, just not as much as it did I guess =P

 

[reaper_2k9]

Change can be good or bad as for the premium memberships they just started so how do any of us know how it will turn out. Its sad that members are leaving because of change but it happens, especially here since this site is so popular.

 

[Plazmatic]

Most of the people leaving are long time posters who are watching the Escapist undergo a change that they see as negative.

Okay, but what changes are you talking about exactly? (Obviously including this premium thing)

Where to start?

-The Facebook thing opened up the sewage pipe to the forums and we have been getting poster who can't string together coherent sentences running around.

-March Mayhem and how the Escapist was using it to boost its numbers, only to further infect the site with even more undesirable posters. And for someone who was present at the MW2 Community Playdate to listen to Spinwhiz talk about the March Mayhem like it was the saving grace of the Escapist without mention anything about just how uninhabitable that forum board was due to flaming was sickening.

-The rapid expansion of video series to pander to every crowd possible.

-And now this.

all that and I still don't know what gone "Gonzo" means..

any way I see no problem, but I understand your beef with this, its the principle of it.

 

[Icecoldcynic]

all that and I still don't know what gone "Gonzo" means..

any way I see no problem, but I understand your beef with this, its the principle of it.

All it means is you have 1000 posts.

 

[Instant K4rma]

I've been here for, what I would consider, to be a good chunk of time. Yes, the site has seen a bit of change. I just look at this as another change they are making. I won't leave because of it. Hell, I might even subscribe, if only to support the community here. This is, without a doubt, one of the more mature communities I've come across in a long, long time, and I would like to support them in return for the great community they have provided me.

In short, even if I don't subscribe, I definitely won't be leaving anytime soon.

 

[sky14kemea]

By the way guys, NewClassic is a way better thread-starter then me, if you want to see his thread regarding the same issue, please go ahead

Click me. [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.188184-Price-of-Luxury-Premium-Escapist-Discussion-and-Thoughts]

 

[leviathanmisha]

Well, I think of it like this. This is a website, they probably have to pay for the domain, but asking for donations doesn't always work. And this way, the user get a little out of it...I'd go premium if I had the money...but I don't...but I will always want my custom title now...."The Invader of Vital Regions" Ya know what, I think that I'll demand that people call me that now...I am now The Invader of Vital Regions!

 

[Paddin]

My username was more a joke, since i'm actually a very nice person, but I did it as a satire of all the people on the internet who like to be 'dark and edgy' with names like that.

Anyway, perhaps my post DID seem a bit cold, but to be honest it just seems to me these people are throwing a hissy fit over something very small. I mean I seriously saw a post with the words (slightly paraphrased) "I remember when going gonzo meant something". If that's not elitism then i don't know what is.

EDIT: Not to mention pretty much everything in the post above mine is elitist garbage. Ragging on new users may be okay to some 'vets' but to me it's pretty pathetic.

LIAR. You arent a nice person, I know who you really are

 

[Avatar Roku]

Copy pasting from another thread:

For a while, I think I've been feeling badly about the changes in the site's community, but I've been ignoring that for the sake of the old days, and I actually managed to convince myself we were no worse off. I can't do that with this change. Hell, the change itself isn't that bad, but it's just so against my image of the spirit of this site, particularly the separate forum for people who pay.

Even worse to me is what I think this says to long time users. "Been a dedicated fan of the site for a while and contributed positively? Too bad, PAY ME BIATCH!" Dammit, I'm acting entitled, but I can't help it, I just feel like the time I spent on this site should be worth something.

Okay then, I keep hearing stuff about "The good ol' days". Which ones? I've been here almost 2 years now and I've seen no changes except User Groups, and all that did was slow down Off Topic a bit, which in a sense is a positive.

Besides, everything changes eventually, even if it is very difficult to accept...

I don't know, really. It may be the rosy glasses of nostalgia, but I just feel that, although the features weren't very different, the feel of the community was. This is frustrating to even talk about, because I feel so strongly about it, but I can't really put it to words, but I got more of a sense that the site was content for gamers, by gamers, for the love of the art. Now, with this following March Mayhem so closely, it feels more like money is the top priority. I know the site needs money, and this is a reasonably unobtrusive way to get it, but it's just such a paradigm shift to me. I'm probably being stupid, but I can't escape that feeling. I wish I could describe it better.

 

[Timotei]

Most of the people leaving are long time posters who are watching the Escapist undergo a change that they see as negative.

Okay, but what changes are you talking about exactly? (Obviously including this premium thing)

Where to start?

-The Facebook thing opened up the sewage pipe to the forums and we have been getting poster who can't string together coherent sentences running around.

-March Mayhem and how the Escapist was using it to boost its numbers, only to further infect the site with even more undesirable posters. And for someone who was present at the MW2 Community Playdate to listen to Spinwhiz talk about the March Mayhem like it was the saving grace of the Escapist without mention anything about just how uninhabitable that forum board was due to flaming was sickening.

-The rapid expansion of video series to pander to every crowd possible.

-And now this.

Hrmm.. First two I can see your point, I actually stopped making MM avatars near the end because of all the fighting.

Nearly every site ends up having video's like that, with an audience as big as the internet you gotta branch out sometimes.

*sigh*. I'll miss you a lot if you go. =[

I don't know. It's kind of hard to continue coming here when you have a reoccurring dream of me questioning my motives for staying here and my only answer is "because I have reviews to do".

AS this day draws on and the more I learn of this I am becoming increasing sick. If the old gaurd were here; MaxTheReaper, Danzorz, NoMoreSanity, Purple Rain, GunslingerX, etc, I'm sure they'd be shedding a few tears right about now.

 

[sky14kemea]

I don't know. It's kind of hard to continue coming here when you have a reoccurring dream of me questioning my motives for staying here and my only answer is "because I have reviews to do".

AS this day draws on and the more I learn of this I am becoming increasing sick. If the old gaurd were here; MaxTheReaper, Danzorz, NoMoreSanity, Purple Rain, GunslingerX, etc, I'm sure they'd be shedding a few tears right about now.

Well that's probably true, I see MaxTheReaper on twitter sometimes and he just laughs at the changes. xD

I guess if you have your reasons, a kid like me isn't going to change your mind.

I don't know, really. It may be the rosy glasses of nostalgia, but I just feel that, although the features weren't very different, the feel of the community was. This is frustrating to even talk about, because I feel so strongly about it, but I can't really put it to words, but I got more of a sense that the site was content for gamers, by gamers, for the love of the art. Now, with this following March Mayhem so closely, it feels more like money is the top priority. I know the site needs money, and this is a reasonably unobtrusive way to get it, but it's just such a paradigm shift to me. I'm probably being stupid, but I can't escape that feeling. I wish I could describe it better.

Okay, I'm trying to understand, lemme kinda use an example:

It's like me playing one of my old PS1 games, you remember it being so much better, more colourful, things like that. But you play it now and the graphics are shocking, the sound is all 8-bit, and it's hard to get back into it.

Is it anything like that? :/ 'cause if so then I think I understand pretty well. =[

 

[Avatar Roku]

I don't know, really. It may be the rosy glasses of nostalgia, but I just feel that, although the features weren't very different, the feel of the community was. This is frustrating to even talk about, because I feel so strongly about it, but I can't really put it to words, but I got more of a sense that the site was content for gamers, by gamers, for the love of the art. Now, with this following March Mayhem so closely, it feels more like money is the top priority. I know the site needs money, and this is a reasonably unobtrusive way to get it, but it's just such a paradigm shift to me. I'm probably being stupid, but I can't escape that feeling. I wish I could describe it better.

Okay, I'm trying to understand, lemme kinda use an example:

It's like me playing one of my old PS1 games, you remember it being so much better, more colourful, things like that. But you play it now and the graphics are shocking, the sound is all 8-bit, and it's hard to get back into it.

Is it anything like that? :/ 'cause if so then I think I understand pretty well. =[

This is so frustrating. I can't really describe it without coming across as simply being nostalgic or entitled. I guess...well, I love this site. And I know that there's people who've been here longer than me and are still here. But when I try to count of what or who I loved about this site when I first joined, most of it's no longer here. I feel like I'm the only constant (which, as I've described, I'm not, but that's just how I feel), with the site changing around me without me having any say. I'm being really stupid, but logic is simply not going to make me feel differently. If nothing else, I need a little time off of the site.

The worst thing is, the site is still awesome. If I'd discovered the Escapist a week ago, I'd love it, simple as.

 

[sky14kemea]

This is so frustrating. I can't really describe it without coming across as simply being nostalgic or entitled. I guess...well, I love this site. And I know that there's people who've been here longer than me and are still here. But when I try to count of what or who I loved about this site when I first joined, most of it's no longer here. I feel like I'm the only constant (which, as I've described, I'm not, but that's just how I feel), with the site changing around me without me having any say. I'm being really stupid, but logic is simply not going to make me feel differently. If nothing else, I need a little time off of the site.

The worst thing is, the site is still awesome. If I'd discovered the Escapist a week ago, I'd love it, simple as.

Fair enough, maybe you should take a long break and come back from a new perspective? Either way, rational or irrational I think I get what you mean now. :/