I don't like the "Premium content available"

Now that they have "coming up" stuff on there I can say I agree. It looks cluttered and tacky having the premium thing underneath it.

I also agree that I don't really think the "recent premium content" banner at the top adds anything.

One thing I've always liked about this site, above other gaming websites, is how much they try not to clutter the front page. It's always been concise in a way I appreciate because most gaming websites cram as much info on the front page as possible (this really isn't only gaming websites, though- it's a problem with website design I guess due to how the internet tends to work for people). Maybe there's a better way of doing what they are going for- the idea makes sense- but this currently isn't it.

As Jeff explained earlier in this thread, though, it was a rush job and they should figure it out in time.

Just wanted to give my thoughts on it now that I can see the full picture of what they're going for.

Oh right yep

Yeah it does seem kinda weird that it's letting premium members know there's premium content available. But after reading this:

I'm thinking maybe this is what they were going for, as well as a subtle way of reminding non premium they are missing out on content.

I think its fine.

:_( ... I know man, this is such a huge deal. Such a huge deal!!

I'm perfectly fine with the current state of the "Latest Premium Content" box, though I find the "Premium Content Available" spot on the very top to be poor, given how the site has pretty much trained us to think that something in that spot implies a currently ongoing live stream of some kind. Still, its nothing that I can't get re-accustomed to after a while.

My bigger issue is with the redesigned play button that goes over the premium content videos. It just looks garish and ugly.

I agree.

Well said.

Here's what it looks like for me, a deeply handsome premium user, right now:

They should replicate the timeline on Gamespot, because that works really well:

They could integrate premium content by making it gold or something. Heck, I ain't no designer.

It reminds of an episode of Whiskey Media Happy Hour when they were pushing premium subscription hard. I understand Giant Bomb has to pay the bills but I think there are better ways to encourage subscribers to upgrade. I just hope things don't get to this point in the future. Or maybe it has?

All looks just fine to me, especially after the placeholder items used over PAX have now been updated. No confusion at all.

Don't know you if you guys can see the whole thing, there is a "medal simulation" right of it. It's quite neat, actually.

One thing regardless of what I think about them asking me for money, they're advertising the podcast and telling me to become premium to watch. AINT NO WATCHING SOUNDS BOYS.

@monkeyking1969:

With Steam/Humble Bundle sales I think I pay like 100 dollars a year on games. It is highly unreasonable to spend 50% of my whole gaming budget on a gaming website especially when there is a large amount of content whether it be review/gameplay/impressions for free on youtube. I think most PC gamers have a gaming budget about my size no? I mean I will buy maybe one game a year(dark souls 2) before a mega discount but that's about it

I mean I like Giantbomb more than competitors but when you get down to it, the analysis is nothing special, I just like the dudes. I liked it best when there was just a premium button up top. I think it would be even better if the premium videos only popped up if you were signed in with a premium account but I guess then they would not be dangling it in my face which would ruin the point.

Also its incorrect to say that non-premium users don't help the staff keep their checks. Our clicks count for how much revenue Giantbomb will generate from the advertising of video games and I would guess that that revenue is larger than the contributions. Either way, we should not be shoved stuff we can't consume.

people will find fault with absolutely anything

It's ridiculous. People just like to moan about everything.

wait, we should stop before we start to moan about this haha

It's kind of clunky and a bit robotically worded. The original point of displaying that content was available next to the logo was so people could catch live events they'd otherwise miss, but premium videos can be found at any time so it feels unnecessarily in your face. I think this is something that's going to get worked out in the near future.

The old Giant Bomb curse strikes again!

I was fooled a couple of times over the few days seeing the MGScanlon in 'Latest Premium Content.' 'Oh theres a new one?' 'Oh..'

For those finding fault with this to the point they are worried GB will become a string of popups and in your face advertising.... relax a bit! GB still has very unobtrusive advertising. As Jeff said, they are trying it out and it is not set in stone.

@fattony12000 said:

Here's what it looks like for me, a deeply handsome premium user, right now:

It's that freaking cursive font as a heading. Get some bold plain font that actually pops as a heading, the cursive is way too squished and unobtrusive.

I understand that these complaints might come across as nit-picking to a lot of folks, and I suppose that when you get right down to it, it is. The overall design for the site is still fantastic, though I can't help but think they're pushing the envelope on this a little too hard.

We now have 3 different indicators on the main page alone for premium content. 3. As a premium member, myself, I think it's distracting, I think it gets in the way. A lot of this has, ofcourse, to do with that I'm very familiar with the old design, and had gotten used to simply glancing in different directions to see what was new on the site. Right for upcoming shows, up top to see if a live-show was just about to start. And not being able to do so, and having to scrutinize the text each time is less efficient than the previous solutions.

I realize that they want to sell premium content, and you know what? They deserve to. These guys have been putting in a considerable amount of effort into premium lately, and anyone with the spare cash really wouldn't do wrong to opt in. That said, I very much hope that this is a work in progress and that they find a more subtle, and less distracting, way of showcasing the benefits of a premium subscription. Small preview-clips from premium shows appearing as another video for those of us who do not have premium, say.

At the very least, allow us premium users to enable and disable some of these notifications. I do not believe anyone on staff actually believes this'll help the users keep track in any way, it is simply advertisement, and part of a premium subscription is, ironically, no advertisement. For me as a premium user, the dashboard is more than enough to showcase the newest content. The "Latest Premium Content" is pushing it, but hey that's okay, and the notification up top that's in the exact same colour as a live show is, excuse my saying, the worst idea. THE worst. As long as that one is removed, or just shifted to somewhere else, so I'll stop being constantly disappointed there's no new live show on, I'll be satisfied.

The problem I have with this is that it tricked me into viewing the metal gear scanlon episode 4 two times before I realized that I couldn't trust it!

Thanks for the update Jeff!

@fattony12000 said:

Here's what it looks like for me, a deeply handsome premium user, right now:

Now that there is Coming Uup content again, I can confirm this looks worse than I had anticipated. I had at least imagined a gap between the two boxes, not one large blob of... stuff. Can't tell where the Coming Up ends and Premium begins...

Seriously? It's like a 40 x 20 pixel thing in the corner. I didn't even see it until you brought it up.

I'll just leave this here without comment!

this is INCREDIBLE

I didn't read the header, and thought multiple times that the Upcoming Shows thing was broken by showing old content.

Judging from the premium deal and the extra advertising stuff with the podcast, seems like all the sudden they are super needy for premium members. I assume upper management is pushing them or something or maybe numbers have fallen off in recent times - which stands to reason a little with all the shuffling. They have never sounded as needy about it than in recent podcasts etc, you can really tell when Jeff is laying that shit on.

I find it all leaves a pretty bad taste in my mouth. Especially the phony ass podcast stuff, there is a fine line between making it entertaining or just dick in mouth annoying.

I guess this is just how it goes.

edit- I guess i just remembered (or am i imagining) in theory there is a version of the Bombcast for premium user with no ads, i've never worked out where it is but yeh I guess i'll look for it in the future.

Honestly I would prefer the Upcoming box to remain just Upcoming content, although it would be cool if they divide it by non premium upcoming and premium upcoming. I think that way it better serves the dual purpose of informing when what's coming up, and as an effective ad to entice premium membership.

Likewise keep the upper left for only ongoing live events, but keep the color coded tags next to the text: red for regular, yellow for premium.

I like the listing underneath upcoming content but find the altert at the top of the page redundant and distracting, especially when the same piece of content is being advertised up there for days on end. Seems more appropriate for live show notifications. I get the push and I'm for it but between the side bar, top bar and headline displays, three links to the same destination seems like overkill for those that already subscribe.

@tebbit said:

They should replicate the timeline on Gamespot, because that works really well:

They could integrate premium content by making it gold or something. Heck, I ain't no designer.

Do you mean the weekly schedule? Because that wouldn't work for Giant Bomb, really. The only rigidly scheduled weekly show they have is UPF, and even that gets moved or starts an hour late sometimes.

I love it!? Way easier to get to the shows I may have missed, especially If I haven't checked the site in a few days.

It's your money to value decision. I spend less then 30$ a year on games. I would still pay 240$ a year for giant bomb premium if I that's how much they wanted to charge. I don't watch or read any reviews, I don't care for that crap on any site. For me I am a fan of these guys and their personality. Just chilling watching them play games. I doubt they make as much as you are assuming they do from ad revenue. I thought ad-block plus was ubiquitous at this point. I hardly ever watch Quicklooks either. I spend most of my time on the premium videos.

Well the "premium content" thing alerted me to the fact that the Bombcast is now premium. When did that happen?

Premium version's ad free. They've had it since they introduced the adverts. Otherwise the premium/non-premium versions are identical.

@tnecniv: There is premium version without the adverts.

I think that the people that simply "moan" about constructive criticism, while offering nothing to the conversation, are the greatest hypocrites of all.

This appears to only be visible to premium members? If not, I'd consider it very misleading. However, I still don't like it.

@tebbit said:

They should replicate the timeline on Gamespot, because that works really well:

They could integrate premium content by making it gold or something. Heck, I ain't no designer.

They probably don't have enough content to fill such a schedule, but I think distinguishing the upcoming and recent sections like this would be much better.

@jeff: Thanks for the update Jeff! It's a great idea and i'm sure the final product will look great.

It's a necessary thing. Premium is their bread and butter and the foundation of their whole operation. They have to put it front and center to support that foundation. I wouldn't look at it like an ad, it's just more prevelant because it needs to be.

So it seems like the design has changed now:

Personally I like this a lot better, and I think the small banner does a good job of not being obnoxious while managing to keep the ad visible/noticeable.

@winsord: Ye, the current design looks good. Even with the big "Premium only" bumper on the main feature (although, I'm guessing that's gonna be rotating?). Personally I've always found the bumper to be more than competent at reminding me about subscriptions, but I get that they want something permanent on the main-page to advertise it.

@winsord said:

So it seems like the design has changed now:

Personally I like this a lot better, and I think the small banner does a good job of not being obnoxious while managing to keep the ad visible/noticeable.

Oh nice, I hadn't noticed it yet. Ya that does look a bit better. It doesn't come off quite as gaudy or whatever word I'm trying to think of.

It looks better.

The change to the right bar is much improved. It delineates the content well without being confusing. A welcome fix to that part of it.

The top notification where live streams usually go is still there though, and that's the main problem. We've gotten used to that spot for livestreams, and it only undermines its effectiveness to be used in this way. Seems like they're listening; so, hopefully that will be gone or significantly changed soon. :)

Don't forget that GB is still a business being run by the massive CBSi who have execs that only track GB's income and budget them accordingly. GB hired some new staff, and opened a whole new office, so it makes sense that they'll want them to push for more premium subs to make the additional investment worth it.

It's fine. The only thing I want is a clear indicator for live content like before. If they don't indicate live content, then they'll run into Gamespot's problem where few people will watch just because nobody knows it's up.

I really like the long play projects like Metal Gear Scanlon and the full Endurance Run of Chrono Trigger.

I wish there were more video content pieces like that. I know they take a while to record but they don't have to be edited much and they make for nice entertaining background noise when I've already listened to this week's Bombcast.

@winsord said:

So it seems like the design has changed now:

Personally I like this a lot better, and I think the small banner does a good job of not being obnoxious while managing to keep the ad visible/noticeable.

Great! My thanks to the designers.

The live show countdown is a red font now? I can't see it as well now, turn it back to white!