Here are some ways to avoid supporting Fandom, the company that owns GameFAQs

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Current Events » Here are some ways to avoid supporting Fandom, the company that owns GameFAQs
1: Consider using non-Fandom wikis. Fandom websites tend to be shot to the top of your average search, but there are some significant game wikis which don't exist under the Fandom umbrella, and offer significantly better functionality on all devices with little/no ads.

I found a long list of non-Fandom wikis on some webpage:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/f/f1115f20.jpghttps://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/447f9e1d.jpg

(longer list incoming)

And upon noticing that Bulbapedia was not on that list, I looked them up and found that they were a part of an independent wiki network called the Nintendo Independent Wiki Alliance, or the NIWA Network:

https://www.niwanetwork.org

This network has wikis for the Golden Sun games, F-Zero, Kingdom Hearts, even a Mii wiki.

I would also like to put forward the Old-School Runescape wiki, which exists separate from Fandom's own offerings and which offers additional functionality like displaying the in-game price of a tradable item on the Grand Exchange, and allowing you to view the day-to-day financial history of that item from its introduction in the game through to today:

https://oldschool.runescape.wiki

2: When you are using a Fandom websites, use an ad blocker. It won't fucking work on their wikis, but I'm sure as shit not seeing any ads on GameFAQs lmao

I don't know donkey dick about how secure it is, but I use the DuckDuckGo browser on my phone. There's also been a big push to use Firefox over Chrome, considering that Chrome/Chromium as a platform has been going after ad blocking applications and making them incompatible with the browser/s. uBlock Origin is apparently the gold standard for ad blockers right now, and I've heard it works on mobile as well as desktop.

3: Consider creating a new wiki independent of Fandom's influence, or contributing to any of the existing independent game wikis that already exist.

Vampire Survivors has a handful of options if you want to look stuff up, but the first thing you're going to find on Google is the Fandom wiki for the website. The second option is the IGN guide, which is fairly fleshed out - I've actually been happy enough with IGN's guides lately, at least in comparison to the bloated, ad-ridden nightmare of your average Fandom wiki visit. Maybe the IGN guide is enough - but if you're sufficiently nutty about Vampire Survivors (and why wouldn't you be? It's insanely fucking addictive), maybe consider finding a place with cheap/free hosting, learn some HTML or some back-end code for a pre-existing wiki template (Wikipedia uses free, open-source software that other wikis like Bulbapedia also use), and make your own site. Link it on the subreddit, share it around some Discord servers. You might be able to create a beloved resource for fans of the game to use.

And I wanna shout out @CyricZ for a second, because dude makes Yakuza/Like A Dragon guides that are so good he's gotten acclaim across the broader internet for the quality of his work. I wanna ask - do you contribute to any Yakuza/Like A Dragon fan resources like wikis and stuff outside of GameFAQs? And if you don't, would you ever consider leaving GameFAQs and/or making your work available on other platforms?

Because ultimately, when it comes to fan wikis, the information and passion for the property comes from us. The fans. Fandom got in after Wikia made a sizable dent in the wiki market, offering free hosting for second-rate wiki experiences that barely held a candle to the functionality of a website like Wikipedia. They snuck in, bought the company, put all of the wikis in a chokehold and fucking BOMBARDED their new "property" with ads. Wikis like the Doom wiki had a hard time breaking away, because Fandom made it as hard as possible for them to walk away with all the work they'd put into the wiki for years.

Instead of blithely accepting this cynical attempt to milk our efforts and our engagement for filthy lucre, maybe we could consider making new wikis. They can be trashy and small and incomplete to begin with, but with enough time and passion, anything can rival what Fandom is putting out. A sufficiently detailed Wikipedia post about a pile of dog shit that existed for five days before getting stepped in, smeared across the pavement and subsequently cleaned up by a council worker would be better than the bloated, busy, borderline unusable wiki pages that Fandom provide to th public.

But barring that? You can easily block ads on several Fandom-owned platforms, GameFAQs included. You now have a list of independent video game wikis to use, including wikis that are forked from Fandom and which have been expanded and preserved through the efforts of its users. You can express your general discontent with Fandom fairly easily - shit, even swapping out Fandom for IGN is probably better for everyone, even with IGN's shortcomings. It's gotta be better than visiting the digital equivalent of a gonorrhea infection, clouding your shit with puffed-up, bloated waste that makes it harder to use the equipment you've got.

I got a bit corny in the end, calling for people to make their own wikis, but that doesn't change the fact that it's easy to stop supporting Fandom in small ways. In ways that siphon just the tiniest amount of revenue from their chokehold on the attention economy, in ways that they can't fucking stop you from doing and which they can't punish you for doing. Fandom can't stop you from using other resources - I just gave you a long list of independent game wikis, some of which are really, really fucking good and genuinly trump the Fandom experience. They can't tangibly kick you off their platform for blocking ads. Talking about blocking ads on here might go against the ToS for all I know, but I'm not planning to stay beyond this post so why would I care? Either way, I've given you something to consider.

And they can't take your creativity or passion from you. They can try to affect platforms for you to express your creativity and passion, but we're all capable of contributing to a better system than whatever malignant corporation has decided to buy their way into fan spaces and ruin them from the inside out.
Here's the other screenshots btw:

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/4/447f9e1d.jpg
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/a/a4197869.jpg
MrMallard posted...
It won't fucking work on their wikis,
it seems to work fine on the wikis for me, at least. that said usually the non-fandom wikis have better/more accurate content in my experience

I actually adblocked fandom wikis in my search results so I can just pretend they don't exist
THIS IS WHAT I HATE A BOUT EVREY WEBSITE!! THERES SO MUCH PEOPLE READING AND POSTING STUIPED STUFF
And that's all I really had to say tbh. I was gonna make this post on April Fools day, after they purged me for six months beforehand, and have it be my last post on CE - I have nothing but antipathy for this place, and now that the run-off from the politics board has infested the place and CE has gone private, I see no reason to stay.

I care enough to say goodbye, I guess, so who the fuck am I kidding - but I really want to emphasise that the final moment came when I saw a dude either miss the most blatant, dick-in-your-face trolling attempt I've seen in years due to their own piss-poor reading comprehension, or they decided that roleplaying as a moron who pretended to fall for other people's trolling in the hopes of getting the original troll to keep saying incendiary dogshit. Like there are people in their thirties who genuinely want to blur the line between looking like an idiot and simply being one, and it really put the years I spent trying to get through to someone - anyone - in perspective. I really wasted years of my life on this shithole.

Regardless, I did meet some cool people. Johnny Nutcase is a cool guy, and his usual drinking compadres are pretty good too. Teep is a mensch, anyone who doesn't get along with Teep doesn't get along with me. CyricZ is just a genuinely cool, friendly person; I've spoken with him a fair few times, and he's just a great guy imo. Shit, I even broke bread with bok choi after initially fucking hating that guy (we're talking like eight years ago now, I've known him for like six or seven at this point. Not saying anything about like tinychat days, that shit was before my time and it's a chapter of history I choose to intentionally stay ignorant of because the Bok of today is the Bok I'm friends with, not the guy he was back then).

So yeah, I wasted my life here and so are you all. Get help and get better. I can't really claim that I'm doing either, but fuck dude I'm trying. Enjoy RI 2.0 or whatever the fuck
Iunno, what did they do besides quarantine this hellhole?
There's a difference between canon and not-stupid.
https://getindie.wiki/
This extension backlists Fandom from search results, redirects you to a non-Fandom wiki for the same topic if one exists and you end up on a Fandom page, and if there isn't one, it will put the page on a mirror site that is about 70% less terrible than Fandom. Fandom is a parasite that feeds on your apathy.
"I play with myself" - Darklit_Minuet, 2018
yeah this place sucks but really theres nowhere else to go. reddit sucks, 4chan sucks, every other board is deader than this one. i tried discord but dont like it
:/
MrMallard posted...
Teep is a mensch, anyone who doesn't get along with Teep doesn't get along with me.
Appreciate it. I look forward to staying in contact with you on other platforms
[teep is] an evil genius who will one day kill us all - Choco
teep is a God damn genius - Zodd
MrMallard posted...
I wanna ask - do you contribute to any Yakuza/Like A Dragon fan resources like wikis and stuff outside of GameFAQs? And if you don't, would you ever consider leaving GameFAQs and/or making your work available on other platforms?
I don't.

The reason is, given the existing options, this site is still the best place available.

I have a contingency plan in place should it become necessary.
CyricZ He/him
http://twitch.tv/cyricz42
CyricZ posted...
I don't.

The reason is, given the existing options, this site is still the best place available.

I have a contingency plan in place should it become necessary.


we'll be bummed out if they ever go, i have plans to complete the other games in the series in the future.
2 of the guides extremely helpful (0 and like a dragon).
currently playing: elder scrolls skyrim (ps5)
RIP Sophie the dog: February 2011-april 2024. we'll miss you alot.
When you are using a Fandom websites, use an ad blocker. It won't fucking work on their wikis , but I'm sure as shit not seeing any ads on GameFAQs lmao

Then youre not using a good adblocker.

Try uBlock Origin.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction has to make sense.
The Oldschool Runescape Wiki is fucking phenomenal. idk why the Fandom version even exists since it's so inferior to it lol
RIP Hornyposting on CE >_>
1999-2024
About non-fandom fan wikis, please install Indie Wiki Buddy extension:
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/indie-wiki-buddy/
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/indie-wiki-buddy/fkagelmloambgokoeokbpihmgpkbgbfm

Here's a list of non-fandom fanwikis:
https://getindie.wiki/listings/

MrMallard posted...
Consider creating a new wiki independent of Fandom's influence, or contributing to any of the existing independent game wikis that already exist.
The problem is the fact that you won't gain recognition from contributing to a wiki. If you look around, there are some here who are actually excited about Fandom's upcoming bounty and crosslinking (read: MONEEHH & fame). I won't sugarcoat it; Fandom's been buying our writers with a simple promise of MONEEHH & fame.

For guide writers who do enjoy their online fame, Neoseeker is the only alternative I could think of but cmiiw.

CyricZ posted...
The reason is, given the existing options, this site is still the best place available.

I have a contingency plan in place should it become necessary.
It'll get worse soon enough. Fandom is a known parasitic internet entity and they don't deserve the benefit of doubt at this point. Their method & purpose are crystal clear.
1.) Squeeze as many ads as possible, destroy community if needed
2.) Acquire another website
3.) Repeat
RetuenOfDevsman posted...
Iunno, what did they do besides quarantine this hellhole?
they basically have a monopoly on the top result of searches for information on most media, with these really low quality wiki pages full of ads. I don't just mean low quality because they have ads, but also that basically any time there is a specialized wiki instead of a fandom one, the fandom one is significantly worse.

https://www.reddit.com/r/OutOfTheLoop/comments/14bbttq/whats_going_on_with_gaming_communities_moving/
https://www.reddit.com/r/btd6/comments/17vr6p7/what_are_your_thoughts_on_moving_the_fandom_wiki/
https://www.reddit.com/r/Warframe/comments/ye67aj/yet_another_game_wiki_leaves_fandom_and_goes/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcfuA_UAz3I

it's trivial to find cases of communities wanting to move wikis off fandom, and basically any time they actually manage to do it, everyone celebrates
The biggest problem with switching off of Fandom is the zombie wiki left behind, which will dominate search results as Fandom buys search result priority and try to crush any attempts to move people over to the new wiki.

THIS IS WHAT I HATE A BOUT EVREY WEBSITE!! THERES SO MUCH PEOPLE READING AND POSTING STUIPED STUFF
Tag, good advice
Confirmed unbiased
Or, just avoid annoyance (say by using an add-on to be selective about scripts so you don't see ads) and you by complete coincidence just happen to be not supporting them, technically.
I am the Hunter of Topics. My post never fails to kill its prey.
*pounces* Nyaa!
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?
http://i.imgur.com/imGAY.png
AceVanquish posted...
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?
i dont think theres even 1 single good change fandom have implemented on gamefaqs
AceVanquish posted...
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?
Not surprising that this is your take.
I think you're hurting yourself, 'cause you hurt me
https://imgur.com/o21DN7r
wouldnt it be nice with a 300k bounty?
GameFAQs isn't going to be merged in with GameSpot or any other site. We're not going to strip out the soul of the site. -CJayC
Foppe posted...
wouldnt it be nice with a 300k bounty?

I think you're hurting yourself, 'cause you hurt me
https://imgur.com/o21DN7r
Nice post, good info!
THE Ohio State: 11-2 | Las Vegas Raiders: 8-9
AceVanquish posted...
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?

Not true. 261 tried addressing the toxicity yonks ago and asked for karma increases to stop the shit tier posters from turding it up.
Rage is a hell of an anesthetic.
Heineken14 posted...
Not true. 261 tried addressing the toxicity yonks ago and asked for karma increases to stop the shit tier posters from turding it up.
Ohhhh, lol.
http://i.imgur.com/imGAY.png
Post #25 was unavailable or deleted.
AceVanquish posted...
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?
Did your check from Fandom clear?
RIP Hornyposting on CE >_>
1999-2024
How is tc posting?

User is not an active member. Isn't this Duckbear who closed their account long ago or was banned?

Did DToast let another user come back?

Post #28 was unavailable or deleted.
WingsOfGood posted...
How is tc posting?

User is not an active member. Isn't this Duckbear who closed their account long ago or was banned?

Did DToast let another user come back?
TC is Mallard, not duckbear. All-round decent guy
[teep is] an evil genius who will one day kill us all - Choco
teep is a God damn genius - Zodd
WingsOfGood posted...
How is tc posting?

User is not an active member. Isn't this Duckbear who closed their account long ago or was banned?

Did DToast let another user come back?
He made this topic and then closed his account
I admire TC's conviction on his belief against Fandom. Wished some of yall followed suit too if you hated Fandom as much as you verbalize it.
Don't like it? Don't watch it. It's that simple
Dictator of Nice Guys
AceVanquish posted...
Fandom made good changes because its the first time in years anyones tried to address the toxicity in this community and do something about it. Why do so many of you have sour grapes because of it?

This post made me sick to my stomach
WingsOfGood posted...
How is tc posting?

User is not an active member. Isn't this Duckbear who closed their account long ago or was banned?

Did DToast let another user come back?
He posted before his account got deleted?
GameFAQs isn't going to be merged in with GameSpot or any other site. We're not going to strip out the soul of the site. -CJayC
thisworld posted...
It'll get worse soon enough. Fandom is a known parasitic internet entity and they don't deserve the benefit of doubt at this point. Their method & purpose are crystal clear.
1.) Squeeze as many ads as possible, destroy community if needed
2.) Acquire another website
3.) Repeat

First, please refer to my aforementioned contingency.

Second, if things go as you say they will then nowhere will be good enough given time.
CyricZ He/him
http://twitch.tv/cyricz42
Firstly, I dont understand how it isnt against the ToS at this point to just dogpile on the owners of a website, on their own website even if you hate fandom at least give them some credit for allowing you to do this. Under the old regime going around talking about how much you hate GameFaqs while on GameFaqs would have been a trolling offense.

Secondly I dont understand why anyone who actually enjoys GameFaqs wouldnt support the company that owns GameFaqs. If you enjoy this platform then you should be encouraging Fandom to work to improve it, not giving them motivation to just let it die off.

Fandom owns GameFaqs. Thats just a fact. Its not going to suddenly change just because the niche userbase insults them. Instead of doing everything possible to get the company to resent the current community, work with them to help develop this platform into the powerhouse it once wasor if thats not feasibleat least into a modernized platform that can sustain the hand that feeds it.

Topics like these might as well be titled I want GameFaqs to die, lets work together to kill it off
Post #36 was unavailable or deleted.
STEROLIZER posted...
Under the old regime going around talking about how much you hate GameFaqs while on GameFaqs would have been a trolling offense.

Wrong
The Legend is True!
Post #38 was unavailable or deleted.
MC_BatCommander posted...
Wrong

Sure it would be. There is no way you could go around saying Fuck GameFaqs and not get moderated, especially if done prior to the Fandom acquisition.

But even just going as far back as early 2023, if you were to take all the Fandom hate topics & dogpile on replies, and replace the word Fandom with GameFaqs then youd have tons of content getting moderated.
STEROLIZER posted...
Sure it would be.

It wasn't though
The Legend is True!
MC_BatCommander posted...
It wasn't though

So you are telling me that if I made a topic that said Fuck GameFaqs in December of 2022 that it wouldnt be moderated for trolling?
STEROLIZER posted...
So you are telling me that if I made a topic that said Fuck GameFaqs in December of 2022 that it wouldnt be moderated for trolling?

Do I need to say it a 3rd time
The Legend is True!
JustMyOpinion posted...
Kid, shut the fuck up. We're all very tired of your incessant shitposting.

I think you're hurting yourself, 'cause you hurt me
https://imgur.com/o21DN7r
STEROLIZER posted...
Firstly, I dont understand how it isnt against the ToS at this point to just dogpile on the owners of a website, on their own website even if you hate fandom at least give them some credit for allowing you to do this. Under the old regime going around talking about how much you hate GameFaqs while on GameFaqs would have been a trolling offense.

You've constantly been bitching about the old regime while praising Fandom. And now suddenly criticism on how Fandom runs this site should be a trolling violation because the old regime would have done so....
Not to mention I've never once seen someone get modded for complaining about GF. It's always when they try to attack specific mods or employees. I've seen this site called a shithole, a hellhole and all kinds of things over the years and not once were they hit for it.
Maybe it's less because those people were criticizing GF and it was more that those people were actively harassing staff and mods.

As for "dogpiling the owners of a website", they're a corporate entity. Not some people running it out of some rinky dink office actively managing this community. That's some big "insult me, not my corporate overlords" energy.

tl;dr This isn't the "Lets Blindly Lick Whatever Boot Is Currently In Front Of Me" board, Stero. You'll need to create that one.

Post #45 was unavailable or deleted.
JustMyOpinion posted...
Based on the above, why was my current moderation upheld?

Funny enough I think that was a shitty moderation and am baffled it wasn't reversed
The Legend is True!
Post #47 was unavailable or deleted.
MC_BatCommander posted...
Do I need to say it a 3rd time

Yes . Please do.

If I were to make a topic on CE in December of 2022 with the title of Fuck GameFaqs and in the body of the topic I write a few paragraphs on how much I think the website sucks, and how bad for the site the current administration (SBAllen) iswould I be moderated?
https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b568481c.jpg
I think you're hurting yourself, 'cause you hurt me
https://imgur.com/o21DN7r
STEROLIZER posted...
Under the old regime going around talking about how much you hate GameFaqs while on GameFaqs would have been a trolling offense.

Bud, the users of GameFAQs posting about how much they hate GameFAQs is maybe the single thing still going on since the beginning of the site.
I'm a long, long way from giving up
Call me old-fashioned, call me a fool
Current Events » Here are some ways to avoid supporting Fandom, the company that owns GameFAQs
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