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

(+) Yeah! (+)

Aye. That and whenever he's presented with "some of the things Fandom want to do are fine in principal but the implementation and communication has been poor to date" he just ducks out.

Doesn't he claim he's some kind of social media marketing guru? From my experience working with those guys they are very blinkered, dogmatic and stat driven and don't take criticism well. Oh hey. Shoe fits.

Unfortunately when it comes to Final Fantasy, the non-fandom wiki I visited didn't seem very good

SHRlKE posted...

Like I said hes boasted about being responsible for getting 261 closed and CE going private. He doesnt want to see Gamefaqs thrive. He just wants all the users that have ever wronged him in his mind to suffer.

That's entirely incorrect. I have a posting history going back about 4 years now to the contrary.

...you won't find any history of me personally attacking folks, or complaining about being "wronged". You will however find tons of posts about me talking about GameFaqs failure to evolve, and catering to a niche user base that's not monetizable in the slightest.

I mean, I started doing this pretty much unprovoked. I just started noticing trends in traffic, and went from there. Prior to me doing this, I had no enemies on GameFaqs. I wasn't involved in any drama at all, and I was hardly if ever moderated. It wasn't until I started complaining about GameFaqs dying, and listing all the things that should be done to course correct did I start getting a reputation.

Granted a big portion of my course correct included moderation overhaul, and the purging of Current Events. So like, I understand the hate.

TMOG posted...

I did literally this all the time for years and never once got moderated for it.

Huh. All right. I'll take your word for it then.

YugiNoob posted...

Unbanning everyone only for them to get rebanned within a day from the play nice rule

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/8/8edb501b.jpg

I mean -- yea, that would happen. But I'd also would like that to happen. I imagine after 25 years of this site being operational that there as to be many thousands of banned accounts. The folks who get immediately rebanned deserve it would immeditely trim the fat, and rid the stigma away from the others who could start becoming positive contributing users again.

TMOG posted...

It's because Stero is a crypto bro who thinks Fandom will hire him as CEO or something if he sucks up hard enough.

What does liking cryptocurrency have to do with anything?

...but, on that note. I would advocated for turning the Karma system into a cryptocurrency based system. So it basically be a social token, and you earn more of it by positively contributing to the site, and the more people who contribute, the more karma thats given out (tokens minted) the higher the value of the token.

Its a way to self-fund the platform, and alot of the community aspects of it. For instance, GameFaqs would have a community treasury, and the user would have a say in how that money is spent. Could be spent on giveaways, conferences, influencer marketing, etc.

SHRlKE posted...

he just ducks out.

Sure, when the convo starts getting derailed with insults or worse. Just let it cool down, come back later.

Doesn't he claim he's some kind of social media marketing guru?

Not a social media marketing. Just a general marketing. Started in gaming, moved over to mobile gaming, then mobile apps, then sass platforms, then cryptocurrency, and now general Web3.

From my experience working with those guys they are very blinkered, dogmatic and stat driven and don't take criticism well.

I take criticism fine. If I didn't I wouldn't be here engaging.

hockeybabe89 posted...

Nobody on CE gives a flying fuck what is in the best interest of Fandom's future profits, Stero. If we're not part of the future, then this place can burn for all anyone cares. We aren't invested in it as some strange empathy towards the profit margins of corporations. We just want somewhere to shitpost.

I know that.

And Fandom doesn't give a fuck about you or your suggestions. They look down on you just like they do the rest of us and they'll boot you out some day without a second thought.

Yea. I have no delusions of grandeur. I'm just another random user. But I still support and believe in what they are doing.

Hyena_Of_Ice posted...

Dude, how could you forget illegal warez/cracks/pirated material/etc. under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act IIRC. IP infringement is the one violation which websites as publishers do not have immunity to under Section 230.

It's definitely not against the law to wipe the ban list. Its against the law to allow illegal materials to exist on the platform. There is a difference between "taking action" to remove copyright or illegal material, and "banning said user." Not saying you should make a conscious effort to unban those folks, you shouldn't, you keep them banned if you can. Just saying, it's not illegal to unban them.

Platforms go through redesign, and database overhauls all the time. That includes wiping the entire user list. Meaning, it's not uncommon for some platforms to relaunch themselves and then have their entire user base have to resign up again, and start from scratch.

I would venture that, just clearing the banned list, and having everyone start fresh (including resetting karma for everyone back to zero) to coincide with a relaunch, and complete redesign of the platform would go a long way into ushering a new era, and new wave of users.

However, one of his biggest flaws is that he seems to ignore some of the factoids that people have repeatedly pointed out (e.g. the decline of message boards, as they are not popular with younger generations.)

I don't ignore that. That's why I advocate to striping the site down to its core, and repurposing it's content in an entirely new fashion. The message boards are a tool to extend session times of a proposed mobile app -- those extended session times are for the purpose of coaxing a user to commit an action that could be monetizable. Like clicking a pre-registration, install game, or join beta button.

Pre-Registering for a game subscribes you to that message board and a user now see's "hot topics" in their homepage feed, and they get push notifications when "hot topics" on games they are following occure. Also push notification for any of their content that gets replied too, much like Reddit.

But the feed itself would be composed of all sorts of things:

• Game Trailers
• Game News
• Influencer Videos
• User Streams
• Hot Topics
• Developer Blogs
• Developers Posts
• New Game Guides
• New Video Guides
• New Pre-Registration Gifts
• New Beta Tests
• Game Launches
• Users on your friends list requesting partners for playthroughs

All sorts of things really. I could probably type up over 100 of them if I really tried. But you covert the GameFaqs homepage into a "social media feed" -- the forums and topics are apart of that. The main value add is game discovery, and promo codes. Perhaps, eventually, overtime -- game guides (mostly video guides) become a value prop.

That, and he appears to assume that he knows more about the ins and outs of monetizing websites than anyone else on these boards due to having a short occupational background in this area.

I dont know more than anyone else IIve never made that claim. But I am going on my 10th year as a marketing professional.

Literally 7 posts with no reply. Good lord.

LOL

Well you arent marketing yourself very well thats for sure lol.

Thank God that Fandom doesn't give a shit about GameFAQs or they might actually try some of Stero's ideas.

No one on CE wants to discuss the best ways to monetize GameFAQs. Really, pretty much no one anywhere wants to discuss that about any website. Because it's stupid corporate nonsense.

STEROLIZER posted...

I know that.

Yea. I have no delusions of grandeur. I'm just another random user. But I still support and believe in what they are doing. That's the thing tho, you can still want a platform to succeed, and not expect any personal gain from it.

Like, if you simply want GameFaqs to exist in five years, then I think you should be supportive of Fandom to some extent. Because there is really only two options:

1. GameFaqs evolves and turns a profit
2. GameFaqs shuts down
Sure there might be another sale in there somewhere, but, eventually one or the other has to happen. I see a lot of folks saying that they want GameFaqs to close. That they were perfectly happy with the direction the site was going. They don't want it to succeed. I don't relate to those people.

Well no one can relate to you, because why should a regular person care if a corporation succeeds? Like ever? They get nothing out of. "The website might get monetized, bloated, and strip away a lot of what they used to like, but they should be thrilled that profits are up!" People don't care when their goddamn employer succeeds a lot of times because they don't reap the benefits. They care even less about a video game website.

Something called GameFAQs successfully monetizing does nothing for someone who only liked it because of what it used to be. If you take the menu away from a restaurant and replace it a new one that is cheaper and more casually appealing, sure that's good for the restaurant's profit margins, but a lot of the old patrons only patronized the place because they liked the old menu. They aren't personally invested in the business. If they stop going, they'll simply forget about the restaurant, at best. They aren't going to be excited that it's more profitable. The patrons don't matter to the restaurant, so the restaurant doesn't matter to the patrons.

hockeybabe89 posted...

Well no one can relate to you, because why should a regular person care if a corporation succeeds? Like ever? They get nothing out of. "The website might get monetized, bloated, and strip away a lot of what they used to like, but they should be thrilled that profits are up!" People don't care when their goddamn employer succeeds a lot of times because they don't reap the benefits. They care even less about a video game website.

Something called GameFAQs successfully monetizing does nothing for someone who only liked it because of what it used to be. If you take the menu away from a restaurant and replace it a new one that is cheaper and more casually appealing, sure that's good for the restaurant's profit margins, but a lot of the old patrons only patronized the place because they liked the old menu. They aren't personally invested in the business. If they stop going, they'll simply forget about the restaurant, at best. They aren't going to be excited that it's more profitable.

well put

hockeybabe89 posted...

Well no one can relate to you, because why should a regular person care if a corporation succeeds? Like ever? They get nothing out of. "The website might get monetized, bloated, and strip away a lot of what they used to like, but they should be thrilled that profits are up!" People don't care when their goddamn employer succeeds a lot of times because they don't reap the benefits. They care even less about a video game website.

Something called GameFAQs successfully monetizing does nothing for someone who only liked it because of what it used to be. If you take the menu away from a restaurant and replace it a new one that is cheaper and more casually appealing, sure that's good for the restaurant's profit margins, but a lot of the old patrons only patronized the place because they liked the old menu. They aren't personally invested in the business. If they stop going, they'll simply forget about the restaurant, at best. They aren't going to be excited that it's more profitable. The patrons don't matter to the restaurant, so the restaurant doesn't matter to the patrons.

Wait, how can he not relate to people who want gamefaqs shut down? That's literally what him and the reddit creatures worked towards for fucking years. Lol

Heineken14 posted...

Wait, how can he not relate to people who want gamefaqs shut down? That's literally what him and the reddit creatures worked towards for fucking years. Lol

Yeah and that too. Literally everyone knew what Tails and those other things were. But it's okay! Stero oopsied when he let the animals take over the zoo! He didn't think it would happen!

STEROLIZER posted...
I would advocated for turning the Karma system into a cryptocurrency based system.

LMAOOOOOOO!

Did I not call that in another thread that this would be his suggestion?!?!?

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

What if they were banned 13 years ago?

is CryptoKarma existed what would its exchange rate to USD be? $1 per 10,000 Karma?

Foppe posted...

What if they were banned 13 years ago?

Think of the overheads involved in checking each account lol.

Rika_Furude posted...

is CryptoKarma existed what would its exchange rate to USD be?

Tree fiddy

STEROLIZER posted...

the more karma thats given out (tokens minted) the higher the value of the token.

This line proves once and for all that crypto bros absolutely do not understand how any form of currency works.

STEROLIZER posted...

...but, on that note. I would advocated for turning the Karma system into a cryptocurrency based system. So it basically be a social token, and you earn more of it by positively contributing to the site, and the more people who contribute, the more karma thats given out (tokens minted) the higher the value of the token.

https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/a/forum/b/b0850199.jpg

if i print 1 dollar, its worth 1 dollar
if i print 100 dollars, each dollar is worth 100 dollars

SHRlKE posted...

Think of the overheads involved in checking each account lol.

They could use dtoast tried and true measure if "just trust me bro" to vet them all!

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

He's been here long enough, I'd have to hope he's used to nobody taking him seriously.

...how many sub-50 karma users do we have?

Foppe posted...

...how many sub-50 karma users do we have?

Enough that the karma requirement and closure of the board are both demonstrably pointless policies to have put in place.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]

Because they will be rich on the crypto-karma!!!

If anything I can see them trying to use Gamefaqs to generate traffic to their other sites more than anything. Do the bare minimum to keep this place going and hope for a quick bump before ducking out. Guys like DToast probably have multiple sites on the go at once they are looking after for fandom.

Letsago posted...

Unfortunately when it comes to Final Fantasy, the non-fandom wiki I visited didn't seem very good

and for when Fandom wikis are your only choice
https://antifandom.com/

STEROLIZER posted...

No.

Besides the occasional Wrestling or MMA post the only thing I do is talk about GameFaqs while on GameFaqs.

Its the only subject that interest me discussion of GameFaqs curious fall from grace, and its potential rise back to prosperity have pretty much made up the bulk of my community contributions since mid 2020 or so.

I dont even play videogames anymore. The last time I played anything regularly was MK11 from 2019, and into the first half of 2020. I binged the MK1 story mode for a day, and thats the very last time I even fired up a game console.

I am actually speechless at this post right now. Stero, lookthe traditional forum format isnt just dying, its dead. Theres nothing that can save forum side now. Not a damn thing. Your suggestions would have been legit great ideas 15, 20 years ago. Its far beyond the point of saving now. Im truly astounded you genuinely feel any of this can be salvaged. There was a post in this thread suggesting younger people dont want anything to do with YouTube or Reddit. I strongly disagree. Those are probably the top few places younger people are looking for anything gaming related. For better or worse, like it or not Reddit is the future of the forum concept. Theyre not looking to a place like this, they dont know GameFaqs exists. If you asked them if theyve visited here theyd laugh in your face and ask what youve been smoking. GameFaqs isa very old building thats already been falling apart for quite a while now, its really collapsing in on itself at this point. Its had its day in the sun, nothing lasts forever and theres nothing wrong with that.

If the inner workings/business side of GameFaqs is truly a big part of your day to day as much as I hate to say ityou need to heavily re-evaluate your life choices. Forum sides final fate is set in stone. I honestly thought forum side would have closed at or near the beginning of the year so Im already shocked its lasted this far into 2024. Ill be very surprised if it sees into early Fall, I dont expect it to see 2025. The big question mark in my opinion is if theyll allow the community one final Not E3 Gamers Christmas or not.

Finally, I say this as one person seriously concerned for another right now-the best advice I can give you is log out, go outside, and move on with your life. No matter how much you wish it forum side simply cant be saved, its done. I think probably more than any other regular user left remaining out of habit logging out and moving on would truly be the best thing for you. And thats saying a lot.

I don't think the forums will go completely as long as the site exists. I hope anyway.

SHRlKE posted...

Literally 7 posts with no reply. Good lord.

I was replying to seven different people. Every single one of my posts had a quote in it.

Either someone:

• asked me a direct question
• replied to something I posted
• quoted something I posted
• was talking about me, including using my name in their response

You yourself had accused me of ducking questions and now you are complaining that I replied to them?

Regardless, I was moderated for spamming because I replied to everything. So now I have to pick and choose whom I respond to I guess

You could keep spamming and get banned. That might make your corporate overlords at Fandom three extra cents when people view the topic to laugh about it. Win win imo.

Stero does love to spam.

MrMolinaro posted...

You could keep spamming and get banned. That might make your corporate overlords at Fandom three extra cents when people view the topic to laugh about it. Win win imo.

I define spaming as unsolicited posts for the purpose of advertising or trolling.

I would argue that thoughtful replies (no matter how unpopular they may be) made directly to people who are actively looking to solicit a responses from said person wouldnt qualify.

But just to be sure, Ill follow the instructions and not double post anymore.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


But you see, in making multiple posts to multiple people, STERO is improving gamefaqs engagement stats! He's saving the site!! /s

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


Its bad etiquette. It crosses a the streams and makes discussion confusing. Especially if you are quoting someone, because if they quote you back their quote wont contain the initial quote block, and itll look like the entire thing is a single incomprehensible reply.

[LFAQs-redacted-quote]


But how will he rack up the extra crypto with just 1 single post!

STEROLIZER posted...

and itll look like the entire thing is a single incomprehensible reply.

I'm pretty sure your usual posts do this on their own, so don't worry about it

Maybe dont even single post anymore. I think everyone has read enough of your manifestos.

Even if your ideas werent bad/laughable, no one will entertain any of them because they come from you via the subreddit sewer system.

Just stop. This is becoming really sad.