OMG...everyone read this!!! Unions are going to die!

Linky

Since we're starting from scratch, we have had to make some tough calls as to what features and functionality we're going to carry over, and while I'd love to tell you that ALL OF THE THINGS have made the cut, I just can't do it.

And so with that said, the following features will not be making the transition to the new site:

This may or may not be a surprise to you, but is not without good reason. Over the years we've had many proposed fixes for Unions, including a 100+ page document that was passed around internally, and the unfortunate reality is that we don't have the time or resources to dedicate to making these sorts of changes happen.

This is especially true when you take into consideration Union usage statistics--on a website that gets well north of 100 million pageviews a month, Unions contribute just over one quarter of one percent of that.

Now, obviously mistakes were made on our part, and the current usage stats are a reflection of that, but at the end of the day we need to make sure that we can properly maintain and support all of our features so we dont end up with things that are busted and unloved. To that end, we have decided to focus on our core features--the ones the vast majority of you guys depend on--and not to bring over Unions to the new GameSpot.

As for User Created Boards, there's a lot of crossover in terms of functionality between these and Unions, and without the one we won't have the other.

Back when I first started here nearly seven years ago, downloads were a huge part of GameSpot. Over the years though, this has changed, and file downloads such as demos, patches, mods, and map pack downloads are no longer a focus of what we do, in part due to platforms such as Steam which have made the necessity for such services largely irrelevant. In the new GameSpot, we will not be offering file downloads at all.

This will also apply to videos as we shift to streaming-only video distribution. Again, this is both a reflection of usage stats and how the online world itself has changed as the result of the influence of YouTube, Netflix, and others. Plus, you have to admit that the proliferation of Wi-Fi and mobile web has made the need to download videos to watch them later sorta pointless.

We will still be supporting HD video downloads for our still-active Total Access members until those benefits expire in February 2014.

I don't really have anything to add here, so have a corgi puppy.

Via @EmergencyPuppy

As with the rest of GameSpot, we're going to be starting from scratch with member levels, points, and emblems in an entirely new system that unfortunately won't be available for launch.

What this means is that when we make the transition, all of this data will be frozen in place and migrated over for existing members to show off in a "trophy room" in their profile pages. When our new system (which we'll be sharing more details on at a later date) is ready, this data will be used to grant bonuses in much the same way that porting over a save file from Mass Effect to Mass Effect 2 worked.

This will be restored post-launch, but it's not something that we'll have right away.

These aren't being removed, but they will certainly be changing (for the better):

• A maximum of 500 characters will be allowed
• A maximum of one image with a height up to 125px tall will be allowed
• Animated GIFs will no longer be allowed--if one is specified, only the first frame will be displayed

Lastly, everyone will also be able to choose whether or not they see signatures while browsing the forums.

WTF???

Wow, what a way to announce this on my 7th year anniversary. It's not even the same site anymore.

More news:

Why? 

Similar to GiantBomb's system?

Ew. 

Similar to GiantBomb's system?

Ew. 

the-silent-hero

Those were the main reasons why I come on GS, to post on unions and chat with the friends I made here...CountBleck12

Crazy about the union/ucb thing... 

[QUOTE="CountBleck12"]Those were the main reasons why I come on GS, to post on unions and chat with the friends I made here...harry_james_pot

[QUOTE="harry_james_pot"][QUOTE="CountBleck12"]Those were the main reasons why I come on GS, to post on unions and chat with the friends I made here...mitu123

there won't even be blogs?megamannt123

Similar to GiantBomb's system?

Ew. 

the-silent-hero

This wouldn't have happened if Jeff G. didn't get fired. :(

[QUOTE="mitu123"][QUOTE="harry_james_pot"][QUOTE="CountBleck12"]Those were the main reasons why I come on GS, to post on unions and chat with the friends I made here...harry_james_pot

[QUOTE="megamannt123"]there won't even be blogs?harry_james_pot

i ALWAYS wanted Social Cafe nuked

it's hilarious that it's Gamespot that's doing it

No blogs will still be around, Minty.Cloud_765

[QUOTE="Cloud_765"]No blogs will still be around, Minty.harry_james_pot

[QUOTE="harry_james_pot"][QUOTE="Cloud_765"]No blogs will still be around, Minty.jediknight52501

I guess it helps that my activity has petered as of late, because honestly, I'm not bothered by a single thing, even the resetting levels.  

[QUOTE="jediknight52501"][QUOTE="harry_james_pot"][QUOTE="Cloud_765"]No blogs will still be around, Minty.UltraZero

Even with all I have said so far about unions leaving, I do hope somehow I can still enjoy posting some in the main forums at least. I just think unions are a core part of the positives about this site's community, as I cannot think of another website I have ever been to that had a feature that allowed users to create forums quite like the unions here.Noteldnep

Here's my opinions on this. I'm actually having a positive attitude toward this and will think that I'll just have fun posting in the main forums, well, I was having a positive attitude, but then again I'm thinking the fun for OT and SW under the new design may be a lot less fun and inactive than I might think. Besides unions and UCB's getting wiped out, the other main killer here I think is having the design be like Giant Bomb's... although I never seen Giant Bomb's layout, it doesn't sound like its very good. One of the things that sounds positive to me though is something about the levels/stats being carried over as a save file or something like that. So it sounds like we won't be losing all our hard work, well, if this is handled correctly and I'm seeing this right. That and we can also still do blogs. The main problem I think on why unions/UCBs are getting scrapped is sadly over the past few years the life in them tanked. Even though this union still has some activity, in the old days I'm sure unions like this were getting new posts most times of the day every 2 - 5 minutes, not new posts every like, 4 hours or longer. I'm not liking the looks of this, when the design comes it looks like its game over for this site. Not sure when this will happen but perhaps all of us should make these final days last. I think it was nice knowing y'all, I made some great friends here, and had some good times, despite running into some real bad issues this year. Eh, I guess one good thing about the unfortunate events I ran into on here this year won't really matter much since this site's on its way out anyway.Toph_Girl250

GB's layout is trash. 

The people at OT and SW are disappointed with the changes listed as well and some are even going to leave the site, decreasing activity in both forums. They're even removing and nerfing basic things that shouldn't be touched at all.

Unions don't have anywhere near the activity of main forums and GS finds them a waste so that's why they're done for. 

The redesign will happen in a few weeks, possibly September or early October at the latest. Whatever will happen, things won't be pretty in the end.

[QUOTE="Toph_Girl250"]Here's my opinions on this. I'm actually having a positive attitude toward this and will think that I'll just have fun posting in the main forums, well, I was having a positive attitude, but then again I'm thinking the fun for OT and SW under the new design may be a lot less fun and inactive than I might think. Besides unions and UCB's getting wiped out, the other main killer here I think is having the design be like Giant Bomb's... although I never seen Giant Bomb's layout, it doesn't sound like its very good. One of the things that sounds positive to me though is something about the levels/stats being carried over as a save file or something like that. So it sounds like we won't be losing all our hard work, well, if this is handled correctly and I'm seeing this right. That and we can also still do blogs. The main problem I think on why unions/UCBs are getting scrapped is sadly over the past few years the life in them tanked. Even though this union still has some activity, in the old days I'm sure unions like this were getting new posts most times of the day every 2 - 5 minutes, not new posts every like, 4 hours or longer. I'm not liking the looks of this, when the design comes it looks like its game over for this site. Not sure when this will happen but perhaps all of us should make these final days last. I think it was nice knowing y'all, I made some great friends here, and had some good times, despite running into some real bad issues this year. Eh, I guess one good thing about the unfortunate events I ran into on here this year won't really matter much since this site's on its way out anyway.mitu123

GB's layout is trash. 

The people at OT and SW are disappointed with the changes listed as well and some are even going to leave the site, decreasing activity in both forums. They're even removing and nerfing basic things that shouldn't be touched at all.

Unions don't have anywhere near the activity of main forums and GS finds them a waste so that's why they're done for. 

The redesign will happen in a few weeks, possibly September or early October at the latest. Whatever will happen, things won't be pretty in the end.

If you look at it from a company/business standpoint, it makes sense to see that there's a weak link and in this case, it's unions for GS. But that doesn't tell the whole story. I know GS tried to do what they could so unions would stay, but I think the unions leaving will have more of a negative effect on the site's long-term future. I've already read comments from users who only post in unions for the most part say that they are leaving.

I have no doubt that there will be users who come along after the redesign that will be drawn in by something, but for users like us who were here before, it will likely only pale in comparison. 

Non-member walking in... did I mention how much I hate this? A friend of mine at TGNGU, Gohansephiroth summed it up nicely with this analogy: blowing it up with all of us inside.

Not happy about not being allowed gifs anymore D:

Also, the emblems bit, I'm confused - are they saying that the emblems we have will be in a trophy room, but future emblems can not be obtained? Or will they wipe out the emblems we have too? 

EDIT

To those who believe the blogs are getting axed, how do you know we won't be getting blogs anymore? I didn't see anything referring to blogs on that list. 

Not happy about not being allowed gifs anymore D:

Also, the emblems bit, I'm confused - are they saying that the emblems we have will be in a trophy room, but future emblems can not be obtained? Or will they wipe out the emblems we have too? 

EDIT

To those who believe the blogs are getting axed, how do you know we won't be getting blogs anymore? I didn't see anything referring to blogs on that list. 

PiscesChick93

This bs! Post in this topic and make them change their minds!

http://www.gamespot.com/forums/topic/29438636/save-our-unions