Why does my annual subscription come with advertisements?

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

@JJWeatherman said:

@Buzzkill said:

One of the big reasons I subscribed to the site is so I could view it advertisement free. This is a pretty shady way of getting around that.

They came out and said in the very beginning that advertising quests would still exist and show up for all users (Because hey, we all want quests). It's not shady. It's fine.

My sentiments exactly, JJ's words that is.

@AlexW00d said:

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

They came out and said that ad-quests would still be seen by subscribers when they launched subscriptions. This has never been a secret. Perhaps they could've said that better like Jeff said, but it's been common knowledge for months and is only coming back around because of how rare ad-quests are anyway. In fact, the fact that they're so rare is part of what makes this such a stupid fucking issue in the first place.

And that's not even getting into the baffling fuckwittery of some people demanding refunds because of it. Jesus fucking Christ, you entitled fucking ninnies.

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

Not sure how the ad is quest related, since it's advertising the show and Ryan's livestream. This ad on the homepage doesn't do anything for the quest, does it?

But the show has Captain Kathryn Janeway with a fucking eye-patch what's not to love??

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

@AlexW00d said:

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

I don't feel very strongly about it, but I have to agree. This banner is clearly an add as it takes you to an outside site. The quest is clearly an ad, you get exp for basically clicking a couple of links that are directly in the hint, one even takes you to an outside page. Why not make it into an actually interesting quest that is somehow related to games, instead of a "push this button, get exp" abomination.

While it might be a stretch to devote time and resources to add an option in your profile that allows you to hide these sponsored quests, I still think it's a good idea because of the "No ads" message when they want you to sign up for membership. I personally wouldn't use the option though, even though this whole quest feels really dirty.

And @Fateofnever, please go ahead and try to get a refund at a store where they say "No refunds" because you only want one not more. You know the plural thing is a weak argument right?

@Turambar said:

@iAmJohn said:

@AlexW00d said:

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

They came out and said that ad-quests would still be seen by subscribers when they launched subscriptions. This has never been a secret. Perhaps they could've said that better like Jeff said, but it's been common knowledge for months and is only coming back around because of how rare ad-quests are anyway. In fact, the fact that they're so rare is part of what makes this such a stupid fucking issue in the first place.

And that's not even getting into the baffling fuckwittery of some people demanding refunds because of it. Jesus fucking Christ, you entitled fucking ninnies.

Wouldn't you agree that an ad-quest link should direct the user to its quest page, or in this case, a link to a page with info on the live-stream, instead of the adultswim website?

No, because it's an ADVERTISEMENT. That is the point. If they're going to make it show for everyone, it makes no sense to completely rework the ad so that you can still get the quest points if you're a subscriber without seeing the ad. In fact, that would probably be a violation of whatever contract they have with Adult Swim or whoever else would be advertising. You're being needlessly pedantic for no reason other than shitty self-entitlement (which is especially baffling when you're not even a subscriber).

And hey, if you don't like it, don't do it. It's not like quests get you anything other than points on a third-party site anyway.

Not sure how the ad is quest related, since it's advertising the show and Ryan's livestream. This ad on the homepage doesn't do anything for the quest, does it?

@Toms115 said:

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

When you have to use a third party program to obtain services that you feel were promised to you in the first place, then something has gone horribly wrong.

http://www.giantbomb.com/star-trek-online/61-21810/del-taco-is-giving-away-sto-in-game-pets-and-more/35-384622/

Perhaps they should ban user posted ads too, and the idiots that post them.

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

@Zimbo said:

@brianp said:

@Zimbo said:

Indeed. Seeing people complain about one small ad related to the community quests is quite pathetic.

Saying that just because a problem/issue isn't huge it shouldn't be discussed is the worst laziest logic.

Man, no matter how many times I read what I posted I still don't see where I said it shouldn't be discussed. I only part I see is where I said it feels kind of pathetic. I should probably get my eyes checked again.

Do you usually call things worthy of discussion pathetic? I get that you don't care about that ad, and that's fine since it's not really the biggest deal in the world, but there is nothing wrong with people having feelings about the direction of a site they feel a part of and care about.

Instead of making a new thread i'll just post here.

I was thinking. The live show is probably some kind of viewing party for the show, right? Well what if we all get in the chat, some of the whiskey crew is sitting around the TV, and for 22 minutes, the show falls flat on its face? Isn't it kind of risky to do a show like that? I mean, if the NSTW:SD:OMGLOL is fucking horrible, Ryan isn't going to trash it live on air right? So he will say the show is good, and people will freak the fuck out because they know he is lying. I mean if you throw up an ad and leave it at that and the show sucks, then it's the shows fault. But I mean this could potentially back-fire on whiskey media, right?

No, because it's an ADVERTISEMENT. That is the point. If they're going to make it show for everyone, it makes no sense to completely rework the ad so that you can still get the quest points if you're a subscriber without seeing the ad. In fact, that would probably be a violation of whatever contract they have with Adult Swim or whoever else would be advertising. You're being needlessly pedantic for no reason other than shitty self-entitlement (which is especially baffling when you're not even a subscriber).

And hey, if you don't like it, don't do it. It's not like quests get you anything other than points on a third-party site anyway.

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

When you have to use a third party program to obtain services that you feel were promised to you in the first place, then something has gone horribly wrong.

people who pay to not have ads are silly. people who pay to support things they like are cool. this benefits the whiskey media crew: do you really care about it that much?

It's and ad for the website content, what the hell is wrong with that? That would be like being pissy that they advertise new videos on their frontpage.

@ashkanhoss29 said:

@Toms115

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining. also: that show looks pretty funny.

People pay them money to not see the ads. Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

I paid for a subscription so that I can support them in a way that doesnt involve sponsors and advertisers. So that content isnt dictated by sponsors and advertisers. This problem is more than just that single ad on the front page, which by the way links to a seperate site about something completely nongaming related.

And again, the fact remains that ad-quests showing up for subscribers--which was requested by people who still wanted to do these quests--has been common knowledge. You can argue that maybe they should have done a better job of emphasizing this, but when multiple people in this thread are saying "Yes, I already knew this and I don't care," chances are it's probably your fault for not knowing this.

@Toms115

@Turambar said:

@Toms115 said:

they get money from ads. stop whining.   also: that show looks pretty funny. 

People pay them money to not see the ads.  Complaints are perfectly valid.

if you're paying to not see ads you're wasting your money. adblock is completely free.

I paid for a subscription so that I can support them in a way that doesnt involve sponsors and advertisers. So that content isnt dictated by sponsors and advertisers. This problem is more than just that single ad on the front page, which by the way links to a seperate site about something completely nongaming related.

God this thread is hilarious. Crying over some tiny fucking ads. Jesus Christ.

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

@iAmJohn: If you weren't here during that time you wouldn't know that they said that though would you? And I do agree the refund bit is a bit too far, but it is still well within people's rights to ask for one.

@FateOfNever said:

@AlexW00d said:

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

See point 1) It says No Ads, this is not Ads, this is an Ad, singular. If he's wanting to take the wording at the most literal face value, with no outside context of what the giant bomb crew has gone on record saying, then so am I. I am saying it says No Ads, but this isn't Ads, this is one, singular, ad, so he still has no grounds to cry "refund over misleading wording". If he wants to cry for refunds over something like this, because he didn't bother gathering any information on the matter himself and only went by the most literal wording on the sign up page, then I'm going to do the same. Actually, I'm kind of surprised he's not bitching about the fact that the sign up page says "A Custom T-Shirt!" when that could be taken to mean that "I get to tell them what t-shirt design I want and they have to custom make that t-shirt for me specifically", not "I get the same old t-shirt that every other yearly subscriber gets, that's not custom at all!"

Sorry but they have to provide the extra wording in this sort of thing, not the consumer. And I don't know why the fuck you think that because it only a single ad it makes no difference, it is only one ad now yes, but who is to say this will the only one? AND when it is one thing is still comes under the multiple part.

And the t shirt analogy is also terrible. 'No ads' very obviously means not a single advertisement. Where as a custom t shirt means a t shirt that someone has designed. Literally as simple as that.

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

@Turambar said:

@iAmJohn said:

No, because it's an ADVERTISEMENT. That is the point. If they're going to make it show for everyone, it makes no sense to completely rework the ad so that you can still get the quest points if you're a subscriber without seeing the ad. In fact, that would probably be a violation of whatever contract they have with Adult Swim or whoever else would be advertising. You're being needlessly pedantic for no reason other than shitty self-entitlement (which is especially baffling when you're not even a subscriber).

And hey, if you don't like it, don't do it. It's not like quests get you anything other than points on a third-party site anyway.

Go ahead and log out of your account and look at the front page. You will notice two other ads, one as a banner on the top, and one right above the ad in question that both serve as more normal advertisements for the show. The point of showing an ad-sponsored content to subscribers in this case should be to advertise the sponsored WM content. That was the entire logic behind asking subscribers if they wanted to see ad-sponsored quests and the like, because they would miss out on the QUEST, not the AD. And this ad in question fails to do so by linking you not to the live-stream, but to something off site. And oh, I did not realize I had to be a subscriber to have an opinion this.

Funny how it's doing that - it's advertising the livestream of Ryan and co. watching this silly show, to the point where you can't even complete the set because there is quest for watching the livestream. Additionally, it's doing exactly what subscribers who still want to see ad-quests wanted in giving them the sponsored WM content they want to see (and yes, quests are content). Yes, there is a quest revolving around clicking an outside link, just as there was with the Best Buy quest set; again, that's the point of an ad-quest - it's a fucking advertisement. What a fucking shock that this advertisement that people still wanted to see so they could get the quest points is still going to be an advertisement and that Whiskey is not going to spend the resources to come up with new code that lets subscribers get these advertising-supported quests without seeing the advertising, which, again, would almsot guaranteedly violate any advertising contract you would come up with.

And yeah, if you're going to be bitching about the terrible way they are fleecing subscribers with this awful deal that was common knowledge, it does help to actually be putting your money where your mouth is, yes.

@PKHilson said:

Should have been a screened quest/promotion.

It is a Screened quest, actually. It's a cross-site quest. Because, you know, those were the terms of their advertising contract.

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

Whoa, whoa, whoa now.  You can't go bringing in fine print into this argument.  Leave your rational argument at the door.  We're only supposed to talk about what the very first sign up screen says and nothing else.  (I'm kidding, of course, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Buzzkill come back in here saying how that doesn't count because the first sign up screen promised him something different.) 

@imsh_pl: Wow, it's almost like the banner is part of the ad-based quest set. Are we really moving the goalposts of this idiot fucking argument that much to the point where the argument is now that these quests are fine so long as we don't have to see the banner above it?

heyo that's Ryan?

@FateOfNever said:

@AlexW00d said:

@FateOfNever: Regardless of what it ties to, it is still an ad. It advertises off-site content. Click on it, it takes you off-site. Plain and simple it is an ad.

-

Buzzkill has a perfectly good point. You can't claim that a lack of ads is a subscriber benefit and then chuck in ads, regardless of what they tie to, it is just not done.

See point 1) It says No Ads, this is not Ads, this is an Ad, singular. If he's wanting to take the wording at the most literal face value, with no outside context of what the giant bomb crew has gone on record saying, then so am I. I am saying it says No Ads, but this isn't Ads, this is one, singular, ad, so he still has no grounds to cry "refund over misleading wording". If he wants to cry for refunds over something like this, because he didn't bother gathering any information on the matter himself and only went by the most literal wording on the sign up page, then I'm going to do the same. Actually, I'm kind of surprised he's not bitching about the fact that the sign up page says "A Custom T-Shirt!" when that could be taken to mean that "I get to tell them what t-shirt design I want and they have to custom make that t-shirt for me specifically", not "I get the same old t-shirt that every other yearly subscriber gets, that's not custom at all!"

Sorry but they have to provide the extra wording in this sort of thing, not the consumer. And I don't know why the fuck you think that because it only a single ad it makes no difference, it is only one ad now yes, but who is to say this will the only one? AND when it is one thing is still comes under the multiple part.

And the t shirt analogy is also terrible. 'No ads' very obviously means not a single advertisement. Where as a custom t shirt means a t shirt that someone has designed. Literally as simple as that.

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

@Kidavenger said:

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

That statement would suggest in the inclusion of ad-sponsored quests for subscribers will place the primary emphasis on the quest, secondary emphasis on the advertised product.  The ad in question has it every much backwards, with the emphasis being directing you to an off-site location.  A better way of handling it would have been making the ad link to a page for the live stream with another ad located on that page that goes off-site.  WM content needs to get top billing in any ad-sponsored quests and such.

@Turambar said:

@Kidavenger said:

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

That statement would suggest in the inclusion of ad-sponsored quests for subscribers will place the primary emphasis on the quest, secondary emphasis on the advertised product.  The ad in question has it every much backwards, with the emphasis being directing you to an off-site location.  A better way of handling it would have been making the ad link to a page for the live stream with another ad located on that page that goes off-site.  WM content needs to get top billing in any ad-sponsored quests and such.

 Except then people would be bitching that the live stream page has an ad on it that goes against their "no-ads" policy. 

@FateOfNever said:

@Turambar said:

@Kidavenger said:

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

That statement would suggest in the inclusion of ad-sponsored quests for subscribers will place the primary emphasis on the quest, secondary emphasis on the advertised product.  The ad in question has it every much backwards, with the emphasis being directing you to an off-site location.  A better way of handling it would have been making the ad link to a page for the live stream with another ad located on that page that goes off-site.  WM content needs to get top billing in any ad-sponsored quests and such.

 Except then people would be bitching that the live stream page has an ad on it that goes against their "no-ads" policy. 

If that's your retort, then you've already lost the argument.

My solution:  if there are ad quests at the front of the site, I will turn on adblock+ because it shows the quests with it on.  When the quest isn't at the front, I turn it back off.
 
Either way I'm still letting ads cover for me not having a subscription.

Who fucking cares. You subscribe because you want these guys making more content. An occasional ad or two won't kill your experience.

I am still opting for an option if you want those ad-related quests, that way everyone is happy. It's easy to say the majority wants them, and I bet it's true too. But there will be people who really want no adds, even quests, and this option will be for them. Yes making it costs a bit of time and resources, but it would be worth it because the slippery slope is gone.

Except then people would be bitching that the live stream page has an ad on it that goes against their "no-ads" policy. 

Oh no 56000 pixels of my life I will never get back, whatever will I do

And if you run adblock on a good site with trusted ad providers you're a douchebag who doesn't deserve to use a good site.

e: It should be on the other WM sites though and not just this, because the stream it hints about is a Screened special right?

While I do not mind having the ad quest there as it isn't that offensive I would prefer to have a switch to turn it off. I'm not really interested in quests anyway.

Oh, no, "ads" supporting something I want to stay in business (hence giving them a bunch of my money directly last year). How inconvenient for me?

As a subscriber, why would I not want to know that was happening? Even if it's a paid thing, it's a brilliant advertising idea for the site and fits perfectly with Whiskey Media style. So, I for one am grateful there's a banner ad there letting me know about it, and happy to have a little more XP in my quest box. This sounds like a win-win for everyone.

I'll save my anger for something just a tad bit more worthy of it, thanks.

Seriously, how the fuck is that thing intrusive at all? An embarrassment of dumbness going on in this thread, and not the good kind.

I'm not pursuing any sort of refund less I continue to see the ad next week, and I'm still a subscriber. If they want to keep the ad and refund me, I'm totally cool with it. If they want to remove the ad, or give subscribers away to not view them, I'll accept that solution too. I don't go out of my way to do the quests and thought they were a tad on the dumb side but I'm not here to shit on quests, or the paper thin tee-shirt some of you have also brought up.

Two of my biggest pet peeves are advertisements of any kind, and being lied to. (lied is a harsh word because it implies malicious intent but it's the word I used so deal with it) Giantbomb managed to do both at once so I'm calling this one out. If they pull the ad, they could breach a contract and lose tons of money. If they give me a refund, then they admit there was a "mistake" and could have to retroactively refund every subscriber who felt "misled" despite whatever policy they hold. It's a tough situation I wish them the best of luck with while they sort things out.

@FateOfNever said:

Except then people would be bitching that the live stream page has an ad on it that goes against their "no-ads" policy. 

The "no-ads" policy refers to GiantBomb, not other sites.
 
The point Buzzkill, Turambar and other people here are making is that the banner in question's purpose is to advertise the adult swim site. It is not gaming related, and it does not redirect to the stream Ryan is supposed to be starring in. It does not have to be there in he first place, the quest could easily contain the link in the quest description.
 

Funny how it's doing that - it's advertising the livestream of Ryan and co. watching this silly show, to the point where you can't even complete the set because there is quest for watching the livestream. Additionally, it's doing exactly what subscribers who still want to see ad-quests wanted in giving them the sponsored WM content they want to see (and yes, quests are content). Yes, there is a quest revolving around clicking an outside link, just as there was with the Best Buy quest set; again, that's the point of an ad-quest - it's a fucking advertisement. What a fucking shock that this advertisement that people still wanted to see so they could get the quest points is still going to be an advertisement and that Whiskey is not going to spend the resources to come up with new code that lets subscribers get these advertising-supported quests without seeing the advertising, which, again, would almsot guaranteedly violate any advertising contract you would come up with.

And yeah, if you're going to be bitching about the terrible way they are fleecing subscribers with this awful deal that was common knowledge, it does help to actually be putting your money where your mouth is, yes.

@Buzzkill said:

Two of my biggest pet peeves are advertisements of any kind, and being lied to. Giantbomb managed to do both at once so I'm calling this one out.

Oh shut the fuck up. As I and a ton of people have said numerous times already, they didn't lie to you. Ad-quests still being visible if you're a subscriber is common fucking knowledge. It's even in the Christ-forsaking subscriber FAQ. It's your own fault that you didn't know this. Stop being such a whiner.

@Turambar said:

@Kidavenger said:

https://auth.whiskeymedia.com/support/#1-9

How come I'm still seeing ad-driven quests?

We've made the assumption that our members would be more disappointed on missing out on the extra XP and prizes that go along with ad-sponsored quests than seeing the marketing that goes along with those campaigns. In general, our No-Ad policy only covers display and video advertising and will not cover interactive contests, quests and other opportunities the whole community might benefit from.

That statement would suggest in the inclusion of ad-sponsored quests for subscribers will place the primary emphasis on the quest, secondary emphasis on the advertised product. The ad in question has it every much backwards, with the emphasis being directing you to an off-site location. A better way of handling it would have been making the ad link to a page for the live stream with another ad located on that page that goes off-site. WM content needs to get top billing in any ad-sponsored quests and such.

The statement doesn't suggest anything about emphasis. Though it does say anything ad related to a quest will show up. You're arguing about petty details on a banner, a banner that is quest related. A subscription doesn't give you the right to tell them how to run the site.

Advertising shouldn't dictate content production.