We've Got Premium, You've Got Questions

I remember reading a post someone made who hasn't happy about Jeff leaving. He said he should hurry and download of the old videos before RV locked them behind a pay wall before he left the site. Man... did he call that one right.

But making everything from now on free with ads is fine with me. That's how a subscription service should be: Free with ads, premium for ad-free and special perks.

Thanks for the info and this all seems very positive.

Will all the shows streamed to Twitch be archived on the site for download? I never watch anything live because of timezone differences so downloading and watching when I can is the only way I see this stuff.

I'm curious what "priority chat" will entail exactly, particularly compared to the existing chat.

Side note, looks like there are some kinks to work out re: no ads for premium users, as I got an embedded ad at the start of the video here in this article while logged into my premium account.

I remember reading a post someone made who hasn't happy about Jeff leaving. He said he should hurry and download of the old videos before RV locked them behind a pay wall before he left the site. Man... did he call that one right.

Only old premium shows will require a premium membership to view, which has been the case. Meanwhile they're converting the most recent premium shows to go free, so the amount of archive videos accessible to non-premium users is actually increasing.

I see the website is changing its way and catering towards a younger audience base, I understand business is business, I cancelled my yearly sub after "the purge" and I've honestly not been on this website much since, can't say that this changes anything for me, GL ya'll.

So, premium gets you access pre-January 2021 premium videos? So without subbing, you can’t watch a UPF from 2016, but all UPFs after the January 2021 date are free?

I think I have that right.

I would just like a lower option that is just the archive. Or just make that free and put those on youtube as well. That would be nice.

I think they should think about doing a Premium section(s) in the forums alongside the Discord benefit. Seems like there's quite a few individuals that don't like Discord at all for one reason or another. It would be cool then having a special little nook in the forums where these people can all lay in the cut.

I'm not in this boat for the record. I just remember frequenting forums back in their heyday and remembering getting access to special sections sometimes based on your role in the forum. I'm sure they could do a similar section where only Premiums (and maybe even sections for Premium 2s and Premium 3s) can discuss or have access to the staff in some form (Q/A thread that feeds questions on a podcast?, I don't know) that non-Premiums users don't.

Just an idea. I don't know how difficult it would be to code into the existing forum structure.

Anyway, other than that, good info and seems like an interesting direction going forward. This is the sort of initiative I was waiting for from the site. The way ahead isn't that murky anymore. Great stuff, everyone!

No, just for "priority chat" which seems to be more likely to be read by staff/hosts.

Sounds good, looking forward to the behind the scenes stuff!

I'm gonna stay subscribed anyways, so for me it's just more stuff I'm getting compared to before

get rich quick or die trying

Of the premium perks listed, access to the archives is the only one I'd take advantage of. If there aren't more worthwhile benefits coming, I'd like to see a more basic option that just includes access to the older premium videos. A $10/year plan like that would probably appeal to lot of people.

The new premium sounds very, social engagement with content creators. That's just not something I'm looking for. I also have less than zero interest in wearing or owning "merch." Ad free is still something though! I still have another year of premium, I guess I'll see what happens. I guess I can just watch the things I like for free? That's alright I guess.

well im a gold premium since day1 and pre paid up till sept 2023. I hope the behind scenes stuff continues to be worth it. I cant say this doesnt shake my value feel a little but i have faith

Putting a paywall behind all the old content featuring Jeff, Ryan, Vinny, Alex, Brad, etc, from the early days is just wrong, imo.That content should be free for anyone, who wishes to come back and reminisce from time to time. That content has nothing to do with the new content being produced, so just make it free for all.

Which tier has the Jan officiates your wedding perk?

An ad blocker like UBlock Origin can take care of that problem for you.

Also, at least for me, the video embedded at the top of this page is using Giant Bomb's video player, not Twitch.

Just upped for another year - and already budgeting for GB Premium in 2028. Wouldn't mind even more of the archive going public tbh.

What are the plans for the amazing Giant Bomb Wiki?

What even is this?? It’s just a complete mess that can’t even be parsed into a basic summary of what is changing. I’m not going to waste anyone times digging into it, but… . What’s the “the archive”? Is everything prior to 2021 now inaccessible to non-Premium members? Or only the stuff that was Premium before? What is Level 2? Level 3? What what what?

I always wondered about possible interpersonal machinations that lead to Vinny, Alex and Brad and now Jeff leaving but now I realize that probably had absolutely nothing to do with it. With this garbled mess of a policy change it’s crystal clear that there’s one party and one party only that’s responsible for the departures and that’s Red Ventures. When you can’t even communicate a clear and cohesive business plan it’s a very big problem. It’s also telling that a ton of the “new hires” over the past year aren’t even full-time / exclusive. It’s like Tam, Grubb, Lucy, Danny aren’t / weren’t confident in the stability of the site to fully commit. And I don’t blame them one bit. There is still plenty of great talent at the site. It’s a shame to see it wasted by this shambolic organization.

I won’t go into whether or not I’ll be cancelling my sub because that kind of discourse isn’t important. Giant Bomb started out and grew as something very pure. A rebellion against the establishment of stale, corporate online games journalism. They held on for a very long time and gave us a ton of great content and even better memories throughout. I’m sorry to say that the site has mutated into exactly what it raged against and unless there is a change in ownership this will be its final form as it putters along into obscurity. RIP to the GB that was.

I’m not even mad, I’m genuinely impressed with how gross this once amazing site has managed to become. A heel turn for the ages 👏👏👏

I'm cautiously optimistic still but something like a three tiered premium does a bit to dampen that optimism. The move to twitch full time also concerns me. I'm not particularly interested in GB content if it ends up being hampered by needing to adhere to another site's terms of service. Plus, it means ads I will still see.

Still, for the future of the site, the people here, and the incredible archive I hope it works out. As long as I can go back and watch old videos I'll probably still be here.

Imagine complaining about Discord because you’re in your thirties and “old”

How miserable. Y’all have so much life left and a chat application makes you feel old? Really? Of all things?

@staff You may want to consider what is currently showing on https://www.giantbomb.com/upgrade/ as it is, following this announcement, incorrect in many places.

To be frank I'm quite shocked that premium benefits are incorrectly stated nearer to the point of sale at this moment in time. At best, quite confusing to a new-to-site potential customer, at worst potentially a false bill of goods, or false advertising.

Note also that I landed on the upgrade page from a prioritised tile under the "Just The Facts" section on the site homepage; facts these aren't!

I appreciate all the up-front chat, as someone who's been with the site since day one (well, maybe more like day three but y'know) and a premium sub almost as long as that's been a thing I'm very happy to continue my support for the new team! Honestly with how the likes of YT, Twitch, and Patreon work nowadays this brings it more in line with that style of 'the main content is free for everyone, but you can pay to support us and get some fun additional bonuses & behind the scenes treats.'

Checking out the Discord - I've been in there a long time (since before it was 'official' I think) but I've generally just poked my head in, some of the behind the scenes stuff there is super cool to see so far! I'm curious too see what the future tiers of subscription offer, but for now I'm very content with everything going on. And again, to reiterate - appreciate all the clarity around this!

I think it's disappointing that old premium content will continue to be locked behind the premium paywall.

Wow. This is quite the change, and fully cements my household's decision to drop Premium entirely some time back.

I've been so busy this month I completely missed this, and I'm not sure what to think about it. I guess I'll get another year for now to support the site even though it seems now everything I valued is available for free and the extra access means little to me?

(Seems most folks are fine with this, but I'm honestly finding it all a little confusing. I hope it all turns out okay!)

It's not super urgent / important, but this information doesn't seem to align with https://www.giantbomb.com/upgrade/, but does seem more up to date.

In particular the distinction between "premium" content from 2021 onwards compared to before.