Just had it reconfirmed that those "Ads by Google" ads that have been showing up on the site are NOT supposed to be there. We're in contact with the guys we're partnered with for advertising and they should be gone shortly. Thanks to those who brought it up. Though, I have to say, this one that Brad found is pretty fucking hilarious:

MyHalo is coming out to coincide with the fall of Reach. 
 
*Ahem* Anyway, thanks for the info Jeff, keep doing what you guys are doing.

Thanks for the update on that, Jeff. I did find it rather odd that the site would embrace Google's ad system of questionable quality out of nowhere. I guess it's just Sixapart being a little too accustomed with less discerning customers?
 
Anyways, here's hoping you hit step 3 sooner than later. Consider step 4 a re-enactment of the Smash-A-Torium scene from Full Throttle if you need to connect it back to video games for the site's sake.

You don't need profit to set people on fire, trust me. 
 
Also, that myHalo ad looks like an iPod commercial gone horribly awry. 
 
 
 
Oh, and keep up the good work. Use my $50 to buy a vibrating chair or something, you've earned it.

" You don't need profit to set people on fire, trust me.  Also, that myHalo ad looks like an iPod commercial gone horribly awry.    Oh, and keep up the good work. Use my $50 to buy a vibrating chair or something, you've earned it. "

The recent Flood of awful MyHalo ads made me wish there was a user preference that would allow me to see them as well. Maybe I'll just install some creepy adware instead and pretend that you guys are getting money from that. :D

Haven't seen any of these myself. Glad you're acknowledging and sorting it out though.
 
What makes it difficult to get ads out there to non-US residents?

" The recent Flood of awful MyHalo ads made me wish there was a user preference that would allow me to see them as well. Maybe I'll just install some creepy adware instead and pretend that you guys are getting money from that. :D "

 What makes it difficult to get ads out there to non-US residents?  

Yeah I was a little surprised to see some of those shitty ads, especially a P90x one. I'm going to subscribe tomorrow but am glad to see you guys sticking with you ideas on ads.

Thanks for the info.
 
On the topic of ads, I have a wondering... if I just sit here and click every ad that I see a hundred times because I have nothing better to do, will that help you guys?

There was another ad that was pretty hilarious that I saw earlier, but now I forget what it was. 

You should just skip ahead to step 4.

While I'm a paid user and intend to soon get the annual membership, it's good to see a gaming site give a damn about how to properly approach ads on their website. GameTrailers.com is a total separate hell and one of the worst sites I've ever been on for throwing ads down your throat endlessly.  
 
Keep up the great work guys and gals. 

Useful info, especially on the UK site = UK ads thing, I never knew that. Thanks Jeff.

I anticipate the day that Giant Bomb and Whiskey Media as a whole are successful enough to make Step 4 a reality.

Is Step 5 a rip on the community here?

We might need to add something like that, if only because now that I'm a member (and yeah, I actually paid for it), I don't normally see ads... and I probably should see what's hitting our site, just to make sure everything's running A-OK. "

I know it was in jest, but I would totally give you 50 more bones to see you set yourself on fire. 
 
..dance monkey, dance!

Honestly, i had no problem with the google ads. Whatever you guys need to do to keep the WM up and running.  

" Is Step 5 a rip on the community here? "

Alright that's good to hear
Although I wouldn't mind those kinds of ads if it brings in more money, because that can be the non-subscriber's way of supporting you guys

Giant Bomb doesn't need water!  Let the motherfucker burn!   Burn, motherfucker, burn! 
 
Oh, uh, good times.  Good times.

I saw an ad for sexy haloween costumes. I was pretty sure that that was either entirely unintentional, or entirely intentional. Thanks for clarifying.

Thanks for clearing that up Jeff!

I just log out to see what ads are running. I missed the myHalo stuff though, and that makes me a little sad.

" @Steve_C said:

 What makes it difficult to get ads out there to non-US residents?  

We'd need to set up an overseas ad operation to get that going. It's an eventual goal, I suspect, but nothing we're prepared to handle right now. If you've ever wondered why some other game sites have UK versions, even though all the content is the same... that's why. Dollarzzzzz.  And by "Dollarzzzzz" I of course mean "Poundzzzzz" or "Eurozzzzz" or "Ringgitzzzzz." "

Well I guess I didn't have to get the yearly to avoid those ugly ads. Huh. Oh well, I'm sure you guys will do dumb stuff that's exclusive to members.

I'm glad you addressed this, Jeff. Good to see that Whiskey still has it, with all of the great response to the negativity you guys are receiving from members.

And here I thought the UK versions of sites were just so they could add the word "Mate" to the end of every sentence. 

Thanks for the info Jeff. However, I really wish there was some kind of  "medium" plan for the subscribers. As a Canadian (we don't have ads) without a smartphone and with no interest in the T-Shirt, paying 60$ is kinda tough to justify. I would gladly pay 25-30$ simply to support you guys (and maybe HD video lol) tough.

Thanks for the response, Jeff. :)

Thanks for giving me more entertainment in a day than I get from TV in a year.

I was alright with the ads, at least they're didn't pop up and played some ridiculous movie with the sound turned way too high.   
 
Any updates on the Bombcast? Will it still be "split" as you guys said?

Thank god, I was honestly was thinking about taking back my subscription if this was on purpose.
 
I knew there had to be something wrong.

Good to hear that you guys and Whiskey are continuing to be smart about the ads on the site. The only down side is that after reading your five year plan I keep replaying a mental image of step 4 over and over in my head, wishing it was real. Seriously though, while the silly antics are a joy to watch I still love you guys for your excellent video game journalism above all else.

A weekly feature of you rapping against Hiphop gamer in Def Jam rapstar.
 
This is where all of my 50 dollars goes towards.

I payed as soon as I could.
 
Really happy that you guys are still being loyal to those that aren't able to afford the 50 yet.

" @Jeff said: 

We might need to add something like that, if only because now that I'm a member (and yeah, I actually paid for it), I don't normally see ads... and I probably should see what's hitting our site, just to make sure everything's running A-OK. "

I too would like to see the ads. I want to know how to further support you guys. I'd also love to buy more crap from a GiantBomb Store of some sort.  Also, I'm no Level 50 Internet Veteran, but why are so many people against Amazon links? I go to Amazon every day, and I go to GiantBomb many times a day. If you guys had some link where I could click on games that I want to buy via Amazon, and that would send you a few extra cents, I'd be more than happy to do it. If you guys just find it ugly, then hide it somewhere. Just tell me where to go. "

You are our savior, Jeff. 
 
Muchas gracias.

I totally care about your game coverage!

" @Duffyside said:

" @Jeff said: 

We might need to add something like that, if only because now that I'm a member (and yeah, I actually paid for it), I don't normally see ads... and I probably should see what's hitting our site, just to make sure everything's running A-OK. "

I too would like to see the ads. I want to know how to further support you guys. I'd also love to buy more crap from a GiantBomb Store of some sort.  Also, I'm no Level 50 Internet Veteran, but why are so many people against Amazon links? I go to Amazon every day, and I go to GiantBomb many times a day. If you guys had some link where I could click on games that I want to buy via Amazon, and that would send you a few extra cents, I'd be more than happy to do it. If you guys just find it ugly, then hide it somewhere. Just tell me where to go. "

Especially since Screened.com links movie pages to Amazon, Netflix, and IMDB. "