A TES Freak's Sanctuary
So guys, if anyone even checks out the blog anymore, just wanted to say things are going well where I am. I'm rather excited for the super bowl more than anything else. I can't wait to see what my giants actually do there, perhaps they put up some kind of game against those wretched Patriots. In other news, I'm listening to a lot of new music, from the likes of old-c-lassic rock in Traffic, new hip-hop with Lupe Fiasco, and new indie rock with the New Pornographers. What are you guys listening to?
Off-site TESFU is doing wonderfully. Our forums have 200+ members, and 10000+ posts, and the union birthday is coming up very soon. The beta version of the site is nearly up, with our downloads section being made so we'll even have downloadable mods. Speaking of which, I've made a book mod myself, which you can download here.
That's all the news you'll get out of me that's off-gamespot. The one thing I'd like to mention that's on site is my idea to redeem the Game Designers Universe, which I may go into further on a future blog post. Meanwhile, check out the thread here.
Not asking you guys to come and join it, but I just wanted to let all who didn't know that TESFU official forum is now up off-site. I feel like it's a pretty nice accomplishment for a free forum, and I'd like to thank mewantcookie, lettuceman, and sfgiantsfan for helping start it up. Here's the homepage: http://z15.invisionfree.com/TESFU_Forums/index.php?act=idx
This is TESFU's first step in going to a new site, and already we have nearly 500 posts, so I'm pretty dang excited about it. If you're hoping to join, simply register there.
Alright, well I suppose I should stay this, because I will be leaving the site in a few months. Does anyone remember the GameSpot user Waco219, who claimed to be leaving the site due to family problems? Well, I'm him. Yes, that's me who made that good old, dead Game Designers Universe, that's me who brought myself back for a bit of a comeback, then left again. I was that guy, basically because I desperately wanted to create another union around March, and made one with Waco. The Game Designers Universe was an idea I had had for years, and if I was smart enough, it would have been the first union I had made.
That union could have been the top union on GameSpot, had I dedicated enough time to it, but I was too caught up with all things TESFU back then. Note, that TESFU is still my union, and the one that I continue to plan on updating, but had GDU been my first union, everything would have turned out differently. Oh, also with Waco I made the Informational Gaming Union, sort of for kicks, but that failed, Shinida took over, and I don't know how well it's doing. So, um yup, I'm sorry just4yoshi, kay-est, and everyone else if I "tricked" them. Please tell me if you actually didn't know I was him, I'm interested.
Alright, well right now, the only way I can process this whole Jeff Gersthman firing thing is that GameSpot has already gone to hell. Ever since Greg left, which is the reason I came to GameSpot in the first place, reviews have gone down the toilet, and now publishers actually are having an effect on what the game's score is. Besides this major problem, the fact that unions version two isn't coming anytime soon, if at all makes me very worried.
Convince me otherwise, I'd truly like you to, but I am seriously considering moving myself, and my union off-site, with only dedicated members remaining. Not only would this website likely be better than the union itself in the first place, but the fact is, it would be away from the one place that is simply getting ridiculous in the first place. Yes, I know I have a lot of friends here, and I do like you guys, but at some point you simply have to draw the line. I don't really have much of a reason to go to this site anymore, besides unions, and if my union is moved, basically I'm outta here.
The only question I have left is if I can make and maintain a website for free that can handle downloads, because I will need downloadable content to keep my site running, as that's a huge part of the Elder Scrolls world. If anyone can help me with this, I'll be entirely grateful. And I know, I will likely not be back here very often, but I'm not officially leaving yet, so don't worry, this isn't my last hurrah, just a warning of things to come.
The class of 2007 is here, meaning any union made this year could have a chance to win my best unions award. Of course, it's only that top unions that do however, and I'd like to give those unions their recognition that they deserve for being among the best made this year. I am not giving any union a certain award, just the top unions is the order in which they were made. So, the most recent unions are last on the list.
1) Portable System Wars
Date Created: Jan. 13th
# of Members: 1392
# of Views: 128289
Description: The first union to grace this list is a popular one. Portable System Wars boomed to huge activity, and popularity in its first four months, with plenty of contests, discussions and such to make it still popular (though not nearly as active) today. Looking to discuss or debate portable systems, this is the place to go.
2) The Elder Scrolls Fan Union
Date Created: Jan. 31st
# of Members: 1992
# of Views: 244923
Description: It helps that I lead this union, but anyway, TESFU is second in views among unions made this year, slightly behind the next entry on the list, the Consoles Debate Union. It also holds the highest amount of members for any union this year. Also, it boasts weekly features such as Weekly Dungeons, Mods of the Week, and Elder Scrolls Literature among much more for the ultimate archive experience. It has been nominated for union that should be gamespot endorsed at the union awards.
3) Consoles Debate Union
Date Created: Feb. 10th
# of Members: 498
# of Views: 251671
Description: The most viewed union made this year, the Consoles Debate Union has an excellent core of posters throughout. Not a system wars or fanboy union, CDU imposes strict rules on its members to prevent fanboyism. They contain debate and discussion threads, officer roles and more.
4) Graphic Studio
Date Created: Mar. 4th
# of Members: 332
# of Views: 151050
Description: Perhaps the prettiest union made this year, Graphic Studio is a designers universe, sharing sigs of the week. They also hold a colosseum, tutorials, and requests. It has been nominated for best presentation at the union awards.
5) Club Whatever
Date Created: Jun. 12th
# of Members: 1255
# of Views: 143605
Description: Already the top all-topic union on GameSpot, Club Whatever boasts tons and tons of posting, as well as a deep community of members. There are plenty of competitions, member profiles, and more. Both leaders, now and previous ones have been extremely helpful with the union's growth. It has been nominated for best off-topic/discussion union.
6) Union Leader Council
Date Created: Jun. 23rd
# of Members: 153
# of Views: 30284
Description: A bit more of an exclusive union, only for union leaders, the ULC had a period of growth, decline, and is now in a renaissance under lazdude. It boasts assistance applicants that will help you with your union, elections, and union reviews. It's been nominated for best off-topic/discussion union at the GameSpot union awards.
7) Nintendo Revolution
Date Created: Jul. 12th
# of Members: 366
# of Views: 138119
Description: A very active new Nintendo Union, with in-game tournaments, a hall of fame, a hurt'n'heal and much more. One of the most active and informative console unions this year.
8 ) Thinking Outside the Box Union
Date Created: Oct. 6th
# of Members: 602
Description: Perhaps the most helpful union out there for writers, the very new TOTB has some excellent features. It's editorial central here, with even a tutorial video for new members, a magazine, and feature of the week. Already at 600 members in under two months, TOB has a lot of growing to still do.
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I will include honorable mentions very soon, I know I might be missing some, so clue me in on those. Otherwise, what did you guys think about this feature?
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