digitaldisco

here's a clue.

notice Jeff isn't involved in any of these shows.

he is leaving. GB is dead.

There seems to be about 3 positions here:

1) GB's recent changes seem antithetical to their original vision, I don't like it, and I will choose other entertainment/spend my money elsewhere.

2) I have nostalgia for GB and am willing to ride along to see what happens. I like at least some of the new content and am willing to continue to support the site.

3) Traitors to GB shall be purged, GB was never about video games, goodbye false prophets, long live GB!

The common thread is that no one really likes the new RV/GB.

Good luck Jeff G.

It was nice while it lasted. I have zero interest in this new "content" and the "independent contractor" vibe emanating from it.

Nextlander will be getting my $5 form now on.

On the unconfirmed speculation side, I wish Jeff well. He's got a kid on the way and needs that stable paycheck, but it must hurt to see what he and Ryan created come to this. I respect that he is here to guide the ship. I could be way off base, and this could be a great direction and new format for the site led by Jeff into even more stability and profitability. If so, it's just not for me.

Favorite biscuit is buttermilk.

Favorite cookie is a Tag-A-Long

Favorite biscuit-cookie is a Moon Pie.

Jeff and the Leftovers, now featuring Jeff!

It's a little ridiculous to think that 3 of the core GB members will all depart on the same day with less than a week's notice, with no detailed explanation, and there won't be speculation. I get Rorie's point, but "don't discuss GB in the GB forums" is kind of ludicrous to me.

Attacking the community is not the move right now. It's clear that what people want is more clear info on the departures, the acquisition, and the future of the site. The longer you delay providing that info the more you alienate your community, and invite speculation

@bigsocrates: I think you have a point, and that approach is probably the best way to benefit from their recent acquisition.

If anyone can make it work in a corporate framework its Jeff. After all, he already has.

And a note for everyone talking about the feeling that its all happening without much explanation, "so long and thanks for all the fish" style...

Guaranteed that all parties are under NDAs. If not also non-compete clauses. I am sure the crew would love to provide more info and context, but companies protect their interests. Severance is often tied to signing such agreements.

That doesn't mean that they have horror stories to tell. Could be perfectly boring reasons for the departures, but I imagine they aren't saying a lot because of a combination of legal requirements and not wanting to bash the site you poured you work into.

It wouldn't be very cool to trash GB's future on your way out when Jeff, Jan, and Jason are left to plot the evolution of the site.

We are all speculating here, that's fine. It's from a position of low concern because we love this site. No one should be harangued for stating their thoughts and concerns. We all know nothing is concrete.

That being said. Take a look at Red Venture's site. read how they describe themselves.

Powered by a proprietary tech platform, Red Ventures builds personalized experiences that meet people wherever they are in their online journeys, making it easier to find information and relevant products and services for their homes, health, travel, finances, education, and entertainment. Our digital brands empower people to make confident decisions about things that matter most to them, whether it's strengthening their mental and physical health, investing, moving, higher education, traveling the world, or discovering new entertainment.

Seems to me their corporate philosophy is about buying decisions and pushing people to those products for which RV gets a small cut. This site is a business, and that is the business model of the new parent company.

But.... I have faith that if anyone can find a way to make GB interesting, and compelling within that framework, Jeff can.

@berserk007:

Yep.

At the very least the connsolidation of the GB skeleton crew and gamespot into the new "games group".

RV as a company makes money through co-marketing deals that funnel website users to third party companies, mainly financial services companies.

I also agree with the sentiment that "we are all leaving this Friday and don't have jobs lined up" is telling.

@yalbit: Jeff explicitly stated that the free month is compensation for the fact next to no content will be coming out in the next month as they pause and take the time to plan for the future.