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Giant Bomb News

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Phase Two Is Go

We're saying goodbye to Sausalito and moving back to the big city. Our time is now.


Maybe a bit too literal, but hey, whatever works. 
Maybe a bit too literal, but hey, whatever works. 
I'm coming to you live, from my house... in my underwear. Just felt I should get that out of the way up front, but the reason for all the partial nudity is that we're between offices right now. Wednesday was our last official day in the old offices, and we spent most of that day packing everything up, slapping labels onto it, and drinking. Actually, I was driving, so I mostly watched other people drink. And I'm extremely lazy, so I mostly watched other people pack, too.

It's a big move for us that comes at the exact right time. With the addition of Tested and Screened to the Whiskey Media posse, Sausalito is now officially too small to contain us. So our new office is a bigger spot that'll give us more studio space, a dedicated podcast room, and, weirdly enough, an entire room devoted to our own private whiskey bar. I believe in the business world they call that "walking the walk?" This also means that I'll be able to make vague threats directly to Alex every time a bad game shows up in the mail and constantly pester Will to help me figure out which laser mouse is right for me without having to walk upstairs.

We'll have more to show of the old office getting dismantled and new office in the near future. But there's more going on than just a new basement to call home.

 The Human Tape Measure goes to work.
 The Human Tape Measure goes to work.
The number one question we get around here goes something like "how the hell do you guys stay in business with no ads on the site?" We've sold a few T-shirts in the past, but to be honest, those happened because we thought they'd be cool, not because we ever expected to make a huge profit on them. Same deal with the iPhone app, which is rapidly losing value now that you can view those same videos using your phone's browser. For us, it's been all about building a regular audience and treating the people that choose to spend their time with us with the respect they deserve. The business dudes have done some ad deals in the past, and they've signed a deal with an external firm called Six Apart, which will be largely responsible with putting ads onto Giant Bomb and the other Whiskey Media sites.

It's funny, a lot of people wanted to guarantee us a whole lot of money up front for the ability to sell ads on our sites. For just about any other company I can think of, this would have been the "cha-ching" moment, where you start grabbing as much cash as possible. That's the easy way out. We've gone a different way with it, instead focusing on putting a system in place that should hopefully prevent the Internet's worst types of advertising from ever sullying our pages. We're doing what we can to make sure that the ads don't ruin your experience on our site. There will be site skins, but you definitely won't see one every day. There will be banner ads, but not for dick pills or "YOU PUNCH MONKEY 4 FREE IPODZ" or all of the other bullshit that makes a website start to stink. It's nice to be working with guys that understand the value of your experience with our sites. My guess is that there will be some bumps in the road this month as we get things going, but it feels pretty good to be shifting into "proper business" mode. That'll give us some more leeway to do all of the stupid things that no other game website would dare to even try and continue having fun while we do it.

This is the part where I should come to you, hat in hand, and tell you how ad blockers block the fun in the worst way possible, but I'm not going to tell you how to live your lives. If you absolutely can't stand any form of advertising ever yet you still want to support what we're doing down here, well, we might have some things for you in the fairly near future that'll let you handle that without the intense guilt that comes from knowing that Coonce won't be able to afford any more tracksuits if you're blocking all of the ads.

My understanding is that today is the first official day that Six Apart is beating down doors on our behalf, and our office doors will open once again on Tuesday. In the meantime, we'll be working on some review stuff (I have a lot of Singularity to play) and celebrating... our Independence Day! *cue cheers*
  
Jeff Gerstmann on Google+

381 Comments

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sixpin

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Edited By sixpin

As long as Jeff and Ryan are running the show I have faith in the integrity of Giant Bomb. Thanks to this site (and Quick Looks) I've bought more games than I might have in the past. That speaks to a service that you guys provide so well. Giant Bomb excels at making the community feel like everyone is in on the action through Mail Bag videos, E3 video blogs, or Quick Look EX videos. I don't think any of us have a problem with supporting a site like this one.

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NinjaTard

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Edited By NinjaTard
@V_Ben said: "If there's one type of AD that i hate, it's one that i can pop my mouse over accidentally, and have a window expand to fill my screen" 
 
 
Have you never seen those ones where you're clicking around at like 1am and you hit a link and the next thing you know there's a voice cranked to 11 going "CONGRATULATIONS YOU WON!!!!!!" which wakes up your whole house and gives you a heart attack all at once? I hate those more than accidentally clicking ones.
 
Perhaps I'm a minority but I don't mind advertising on the site and Giant Bomb really does have one of the best sites I have been to. I will continue to support the site and any further shirts being sold. Just don't have any loud screaming dudes telling me I'm a winner when all I did was click something...that's just not cool.
 
!Viva La Giant Bomb!
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spookyfaust

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Edited By spookyfaust

Ad me to the ABP-disabled group for GB.  
 
Thanks for all that you do.

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cooljammer00

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Edited By cooljammer00

Didn't they already try out ads when Bioshock 2 came out? I recall the crappy player not working and being inundated with multiple ads for that game.

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Winternet

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Edited By Winternet

Membership option coming?? Anyway, I'm fine with whatever you guys decide. I'm sure the ads won't be annoying for the user. Eager to see the new office. It's a great move to GiantBomb. A new era is upon us. An era with a whiskey bar. I'm into it.

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turbo_toaster

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Edited By turbo_toaster

Real talk.

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Warihay

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Edited By Warihay

Good luck with the move guys and looking forward to the new era(basement) of Giant Bomb.

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hwarang

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Edited By hwarang

Jeff,  
You guys are doing great. Don't shy away from adds. You guys have shown that you can create a meaningful experience. I am sure that will extend to the adds as well. 

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mrBRIGHTDAY

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Edited By mrBRIGHTDAY

Can anyone recommend a site where I can punch a monkey for a free ipod? I was hoping it would be this one but i guess that's not going to happen.

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Teirdome

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Edited By Teirdome

Finally Luchadeer can get a proper shrine.  This is great news.

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AuthenticM

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Edited By AuthenticM

Blocking ads won't prevent GB from any advertiser money; one has to click on such an ad for it to generate any money. At least that's what I've been told.

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Neoblade

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Edited By Neoblade

You guys are awesome.  I wouldn't mind subscription model.  Hell I pay $25 for a magazine subscription per year and most of their content is shit compared to what you guys put up.  Love quicklooks.  Just thought I would chime in.  Thanks for a great site.

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sparky_buzzsaw

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Edited By sparky_buzzsaw

Good luck there, fellas, and may the Luchadeer be with you... always.

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Winternet

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Edited By Winternet
@adoggz said:

"                                                                   /\                                                                   /    \                                                                 /        \                                                               /            \                                                             /                \                                                             \                /                                                               \            /                                                                                                                 \        /                                                                                                                      \    /                                                                                                                         \/                      "

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Rhaknar

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Edited By Rhaknar

the more ads the better as long as you get to keep doing what you're doing

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Xander51

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Edited By Xander51

I don't use an ad blocker and I'd actually happily pay for a membership to this site. Been a fan of you fine gentlemen and your work for years, it's my favorite bit of the internet.

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chewii101

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Edited By chewii101

I demand Alex review more 0 star games. Hooray! 

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blacklab

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Edited By blacklab

Excellent news. A subscription model is perfect.

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Gre

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Edited By Gre

A few ads now and then will just keep me from worrying that you're all going to end up living under a bridge somewhere...

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poser

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Edited By poser

56th! 
 
<>

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chilibean_3

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Edited By chilibean_3

Thanks for being awesome, Giant Bomb.

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xMP44x

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Edited By xMP44x

I'm more than willing to turn off my AdBlock Plus, if it helps to support Giant Bomb. Hell, I'll even click a few ads as well, providing that helps the site too. It's been great with little to no advertising, but this was a move I was partially hoping for, because it'll probably help the site in the long run.
 
I know this comment may not be noticed by the staff at Whiskey Media, though I really hope it is. I do not have a credit card, or any form of online payment, and due to the fact I live in the UK, sending money in the mail or something is unlikely (not impossible, but very unlikely). I hope there's a business model for subscriptions that will allow people like myself to donate to the site somehow... though I don't see how such a thing will work.

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Mijati

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Edited By Mijati
@AuthenticM:  Depends on the company, some pay per page view, some pay per click and some pay a mixture of both.
 
I myself have adblock however it's disabled on GiantBomb as you guys deserve the support. As others, I'd gladly pay for a membership for this site.
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GaZZuM

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Edited By GaZZuM

Just when you thought the Bomb couldn't get more Gianter...

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rniemeijer

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Edited By rniemeijer

<3

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CrimsonJester

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Edited By CrimsonJester

for the record i'd be OK with a subscription/pay service for add free (and possibly other membership benefits.

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Fish_Face_McGee

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Edited By Fish_Face_McGee

All my favorite sites (WM sites included of course) have all been whitelisted in my adblockers.  Keep stacking that paypuh, Jeff.

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Zereta

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Edited By Zereta

Good to see Giant Bomb crew. Best games blog anywhere.  Long live you peeps!

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SpheriQ

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Edited By SpheriQ

Congrats on the new office. and good luck going forward. Giantbomb always respected its users and as always, ABP stay off.

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RedFive

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Edited By RedFive

AdBlock is now disabled for giantbomb.com in my browser because you guys are rad. Keep kicking ass, dudes.

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FLStyle

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Edited By FLStyle

Go get 'em! The world that is. I have complete trust in that things can only get better.
 
So here's to Phase Two.

 Cheers!
 Cheers!

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Demonstride

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Edited By Demonstride

I'd totally pay for GB. Just give me exclusive early quicklooks?

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vaiz

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Edited By vaiz

If we don't help supply income, Coonce doesn't just miss out on track suits. Ryan will also start to have withdrawls when he can no longer afford his fiending for colorful puzzles.

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Tordah

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Edited By Tordah

Awesome news. Good luck with the new place! I have no doubt Giant Bomb will continue to be the best video game website there is, regardless of location.

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Chris2KLee

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Edited By Chris2KLee

I'd stare at a million dick pill ads if it meant GB and Whisky in general kept on a rockin! That said, I've never doubted the boys and girls behind this family of sites. Things are looking bright, and I look forward to more crazy in the coming days!

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ribeye

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Edited By ribeye

i agree, i'd way rather pay a subscription and not have ads, i would totally do that for GB.  I bought the app too, wish we could log in to it and score some quests from the garage tho =) 
 
anyway, fully support the GBness
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Depth

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Edited By Depth

I'll click the dick pill ads for you.

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s-a-n-JR

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Edited By s-a-n-JR

That basement looks ginormous!
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drcampino

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Edited By drcampino

Our Independence Day, eh? Jeff, are you coming out as a Canadian?

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PulledaBrad

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Edited By PulledaBrad

But Jeff, where will those year long subscriptions to Tiger Beat, Modern Bride, Cat Fancy etc know where to go?

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Khantael

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Edited By Khantael

 Not sure if you can, but would you guys be able to avoid the form of advertising that redirects you and says, "This site brought to you by..." with a full ad page? I'll be honest, I've got nasty trojans three times from that form of advertising (all different pages, too!) - exactly the reason I'm using an ad blocker at all, as it's not something I like doing, but I can't afford to lose my dissertation due to trojans hooked in adverts...
 
Thanks for being upfront about this. I'll see about sorting out my adblock settings, though right now I am rather wary about the form of ads... though I guess I can't tell without disabling adblock anyway!

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chem

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Edited By chem
@TMThomsen:@TMThomsen said:
" Hope we'll see some video footage. "
Oh, God, this.
 
Also, I understand that they're adding ads to the site, but I still don't get how they made money for the last 2 years. I hope they clear it up soon 'cause I'd really like to know.
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JackiJinx

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Edited By JackiJinx

God speed, gents.

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Th3_James

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Edited By Th3_James

Whiskey Media, now sponsored by Jack Daniels 

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eroticfishcake

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Edited By eroticfishcake
@Jeff: Just of curiosity, will those ads only appear for US users or all users regardless of where they're viewing the site from? 
 
And have fun with the new office lads.
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Jimbo

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Edited By Jimbo

Good luck and Godspeed, Jeff Gerstmann & Whiskey Media.  I'll see you on the other side.

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kms_md

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Edited By kms_md

what happens to the fish can?

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cyrax

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Edited By cyrax
More ass-kicking? Yes, please.
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CaptainScarLeg

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Edited By CaptainScarLeg

I've always had ad blocker disabled on the Whiskey sites, I support you guys all the way, and if I could buy the merchandise I would do that too, but since I live in the UK, I can't. Which is a bummer but hey.
 
The new place looks huge, holy crap. Can't wait to see more.

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Dany

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Edited By Dany

whiskey media sites are the only ones i have an exception rule on adblock