The Community Spotlight 2022.06.11

Welcome to the latest edition of the Giant Bomb Community Spotlight. I, @zombiepie, am once again honored to be your host as we look back at the best community-created works from the previous week. It was an eventful week here on the site to say the least, so let's get to it.

The founder of the site, Jeff Gerstmann, is no longer a staff member here on Giant Bomb. The announcement that Giant Bomb and Jeff would be parting ways shocked us all. Following the news, the site revealed that its new core team would feature Jeff Bakalar, Jeff Grubb, Tamoor Hussain, Lucy James, Jess O'Brien, Jason Oestreicher, Matthew Rorie, Jan Ochoa, and Dan Ryckert.

In writing these Spotlights, I thought I was equipped to handle any sort of news that impacted the site. However, this time around, I really struggled. Jeff was (and still is) a person I look up to and is someone I have been following longer than I can remember. As a result, I plan to continue to support and follow him as many of you have done so as well. However, the team that is still here is a group of creative minds that I want to see flourish as well. I, and I think many of you, have come to terms that it's okay to support multiple gaming groups and brands as we navigate the internet in the coming days, months, and years. That's why I sit here, perfectly content to have hours of content brought to me by Giant Bomb, Jeff Gerstmann, Nextlander, Waypoint, and more.

Nonetheless, many of you are still angry, frustrated, sad, and/or done with the site given that Jeff Gerstmann is no longer here. As a representative of the moderation team, I want everyone to know that the staff and mod team understand. Jeff led this site through several dark moments and defined its identity with his fourteen years on this site. It's okay to feel frustrated or angry.

Jeff has started a Patreon where you can support him on his new project. Giant Bomb, however, will continue to be a place to chat, watch videos, and meet up with friends. If you have concerns about the site and what happened last week, rest assured, you will not be prevented from expressing that. All that the staff and moderation team ask is that you realize that the people still here are human beings and deserve your understanding.

As we move forward, we also have major site and programming changes that need to be addressed. Albummer, Arcade Pit, TVOS, JeffJeff's, Reel Layers, and Armed & Rangerous will continue. Giant Bomb live shows will be free moving onward. Archives of previous premium shows will remain locked behind premium. New Tiers and benefits to premium will be introduced and the first inklings of what the site has planned for the feature can be found in this article. One of these includes a permanent 10% discount to all merchandise in the Giant Bomb store. Be aware, that the site will be investing more into the Giant Bomb Community Discord. For example, Jeff Bakalar, Jeff Grubb, and Rorie all participated in a Q&A in the Discord and you can expect an archive of their Q&A on the site soon.

In terms of premium shows, a few changes are coming.

GrubbSnax is ending to make way to a new DAILY feature with Jeff Grubb called Morning Mess! Expect the same concept but with new additions to make it work in a daily format.

JeffJeff's Bizarre Adventure will be pivoting to take a break from JoJo and will instead cover the first season of One Punch Man.

For those worried about Arcade Pit this week, the feature is not cancelled and instead just took a one week break due to the finale of Grubb Snax being on Wednesday.

VoidBurgers' Hot Takeouts will return as a monthly series.

There will be some in-person content as well as studio-based content in the coming months. Just keep in mind that Jan, Rorie, Lucy, and Tam are the only ones in the SF-area currently.

With all of that in mind, let's take a tour of what the community has been up to recently and explore some well-deserved words of appreciation to Jeff for everything he has done on Giant Bomb. Jeff, thank you so much for everything. This website helped me through some of my darkest moments and it was because you and others held it to a high standard of quality and worked tirelessly to ensure it was a safe place to be and speak one's mind. If we ever meet in-person, hopefully we have time to talk.

Tributes And Words Of Thanks To Jeff

Other Tweets

New Core Team Meme

Tamoor, Jan, and Lucy Meme (By: @Larzzing, @theinfinitejpeg, @tobeagiraffe, @the_anticitizen, @DigitalLogjam, @sjc81994, @mjhocking, @alexisofthestar, @mynameisfatmike)

Almost on cue, after the Giant Bomb Twitter account tweeted an image showing Tamoor, Jan, and Lucy working in the RV office, the internet took to the image and made it a meme. If you have any other ideas of what to do, have at it!

Gallery

Galleria

Jeff Gerstmann Tribute Sketch (By: @morehandclaps)

[image in the intro of this article]

morehandclaps has been doing sketches of the Giant Bomb staff for a while now. This one in particular really got me but I still thought it was important to share with the rest of you.

WE ARE ASHAMED OF OUR WORDS AND DEEDS (By: @Sir5000)

All I will say of the return of Dan, I am happy to report that he has confirmed that his Twitch fart sound effect emote will not be coming to Giant Bomb. Otherwise, may God have mercy on our souls.

New Core Team Alignment Chart (By: @NotInventedHere)

I'm going to be honest, there are a few changes I would make to this alignment chart, but there's no denying that this is still a work of art!

I Drew The New Crew! (U.S. Quarter And Unkempt Thumb For Scale) (By: @myke_tuna)

myke_tuna decided to whip up a monochromatic comic strip sketch of the new core team! Not only that, but they posted to the site making it easier for you to thank them for their hard work!

Luchadeer, The Electronic Three Have Fallen! (By: @MrB0nd07)

First, whoever's call it was to have Geoff Keighley make a cameo in TheRitual.mp4 was a genius. Otherwise, it is good to see B0nd07 making hilarious photoshops.

The Shining X Giant Bomb (By: @kone)

You can always count on Kone to make a creative work of Giant Bomb themed photoshop and this week is no different.

Activities

Unsanctioned Unofficial Game Pass Game Club Voting Thread For Cycle Starting 6/13/2022 +

The Procession To Cavalry Is The 10Th Game For The UUGPGC! Complete By June 13 To Participate! All Are Welcome!(By: @bigsocrates)

The Community Game Pass Game Club is voting for its next game pick! Here are the choices and if any two stand out to you remember to vote by clicking the link. Likewise, don't forget that the game Pass Game Club discussion for The Procession to Calvary is still open to all!

Blogs

Indie Game of the Week 273: Cardinal Cross (By: @mento)

Moderator Mento has a new episode of their "Indie Game of the Week" and this one is all about Cardinal Cross! How did this sci-fi romance otome game treat them? Read to find out!

Mobile Game of the Week - Ni No Kuni: Cross Worlds (By: @daavpuke)

Daavpuke decided to give Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and even as someone with a high tolerance of gacha mechanics and mobile games in general, they found it to be a bridge too far to cross.

The Wheel of Ukraineous Video Games 07-10: Series Finale (By: @arbitrarywater)

ArbitraryWater wraps up their blog series on the site examining the most notable games from the country of Ukraine with a look at Heroes of Annihilated Empires, S.T.A.L.K.E.R.: Call of Pripyat, and Cryostasis!

Psychonauts 2 Should Not Be Part Of The PlayStation Indies Sale Category! I Will Die On This Hill! (By: @bigsocrates)

bigsocrates has nothing against Psychonauts 2 as an actual game. However, as they explain in their latest blog, they disagree with it being a part of the PlayStation Indies sale category. Read more by clicking the link.

Screenshot Blog: Bristol? I Hardly Knew Her! (By: @cikame)

cikame decided to take a tour of Bristol using Microsoft Flight Simulator! However, instead of using a "normal" aircraft, they decided use the game's "Amphibious Ultralight" ship! If there are any community members from Bristol, this is a fun read!

Granado Espada - Adrift (By: @valorianendymion)

ValorianEndymion has officially sunk in 835 hours into the Korean MMORPG Granado Espada, and they discuss on Giant Bomb why, despite their significant time in it, they would call the game being "adrift."

What's the Greatest Video Game: Earthworms (By: @imunbeatable80)

imunbeatable80 checked out the surreal point and click adventure game, Earthworms. Click the link to read why they think it is a competent little indie adventure game that has bigger ambitions then it was able to pull off.

Final Fantasy IX Remake Wishlist (By: @thatpinguino)

Final Fantasy IX is moderator ThatPinguino's favorite game of all-time. Therefore, they felt especially qualified to assess the different possibilities for a remake or remaster of the game!

To Everyone Both New And Old, Here Are A Few Words To You, The Community (By: @zombiepie)

I thought long about how I wanted to echo my feelings about the site moving forward and after countless revisions, finally did. If there are any of you that do not wish to read the whole thing, here's a snippet I want as many of you to know as possible.

Not E3 2022: Sony (By: @gamer_152)

Moderator Gamer_152 wrote some thoughts on Sony's games showcase prior to the start of non-E3 2022. Read if they think these mini-events will mark the undeath of E3 and they think the state of VR is right now.

Discussion Threads

Jeff Gerstmann Appreciation Thread (By: @thepickle)

Hey everyone, Jeff had an influence not just on the formation of Giant Bomb, but on the industry as well as many people's lives. Join the rest of the community in thanking the man and what his tireless work has meant to you.

The New Crew Discussion Thread (By: @mindbullet)

For those of you that have not done so and are still interested, here's the community thank you thread where you can welcome and send appreciations to Giant Bomb's new batch of core staff.

Welcome Back Dan Appreciation Thread (By: @kieran_smith5)

Welcome back Dan Ryckert to Giant Bomb, but this time as this time as the site's "Creative Director!" That's right, someone decided to trust Dan with responsibilities. May God have mercy on our souls.

Diablo Immortal Discussion Thread (By: @allthedinos)

Has anyone out there checked out Diablo Immortal? Those that have say find a purely gameplay perspective, it's okay, but it is the way that the game that has been monetized that rubs them the wrong way!

In Search Of Gauntlet (By: @vallian88)

Here's a forum topic you don't see every day: can you think of any MODERN games that scratch the same 4-player itch as Gauntlet or Gauntlet Legends? If you can think of any examples, feel free to share them.

Community Reviews

• @capt_blakhelm's Teardown review shares why they feel like the game is confused on whether to be a heist or demolition game, but still ends up being a fun time regardless.
• @capt_blakhelm also reviewed Rise of the Tomb Raider and discusses why they consider it a "proper sequel" but not without fault.

Wikis

Jeff Gerstmann

Again, thank you Jeff for having the impact you did and for making a website that still continues to have an insane community-led talent pool that outputs quality works every week.

Concept Google Doc (By: @suzukagongen)

What started out as an attempt to "create a list of fish & animals not-yet added to the Concepts section of the wiki" turned into a full-blown effort to put every single wiki concept page on the site into a Google Doc! Read all about it!