Multiple former NeoGAF members, including moderators, told Polygon that as the implosion and exodus happened over the weekend, they felt stranded. The site went “down for maintenance,” and its members, many of whom had joined NeoGAF when it first launched 11 years ago, very quickly had nowhere to go. The platform they used to connect with friends was either ripped away from them, or they felt that the world they had once belonged to no longer existed, as Polygon learned to be the more common case.
By Sunday, many displaced NeoGAF members flocked to a new Discord server. The Discord, which Polygon was asked to keep anonymous, attracted good- and ill-intentioned individuals who began sharing screenshots on Twitter of conversations. Late Sunday night, the server went into lockdown mode.
One member of the Discord server told Polygon that there were concerns that trolls from popular GamerGate and alt-right forums — including the subreddit KotakuInAction, VOAT, certain 4chan boards and 8chan — were masquerading as legitimate NeoGAF members. The concern was that, once these people got into the Discord, they would leak member information and organize attacks.
Between battling trolls from some of the most nefarious online forums, including 4chan’s /pol/ section, and dealing with the fallout from NeoGAF’s drama, many of the former NeoGAF moderators announced they were working on a new website: ResetEra. Those who didn’t want to be associated with NeoGAF anymore could jump ship to continue chatting with many of the same names they recognized from the original site.
Many of the people we spoke to described ResetEra as an opportunity to redefine what moderation culture looks like from the ground up. Without worrying about Malka’s presence and reputation, they would be able to set their own rules and guidelines, operating under the internal rules they agreed upon in the earliest of planning stages. Big industry names and notorious ex-NeoGAF moderators, including Erren Van Duine, Emily Rogers, Nibellion and Shinobi602 all joined ResetEra with hopes of building a bigger and better forum for the community to thrive in — one that wouldn’t be associated with NeoGAF.
Shinobi602, a known member who stepped back from NeoGAF in March, told Polygon that, for the most part, ResetEra’s moderation and administrative sides will be full of new faces, alongside those notable to longtime followers.
“We see this as a fresh start and an opportunity to build our own moderation culture and aren't really looking for comparisons,” Shinobi602 said. “We hope to be genuinely fair minded, reasonable and transparent. We really want to shape a positive community for everyone. A few moderators may be familiar but for the most part the staff has no connection with other forum staff.”
Shinobi602 said the full staff will be announced “soon,” but he wouldn’t divulge the list at the time of this writing. Part of that is because one of the biggest concerns that many early ResetEra members have is personal security.
Shinobi602 told Polygon that ResetEra staff was prepared for the new wave of attacks on the site (once it goes live) and their community. Part of the way ResetEra’s team is looking to combat any serious harm is by sending out invites to the site in waves, vetting newcomers before opening it up to the public.
Although it’s not a permanent solution to the problem, which moderators are well aware will last for a longer period of time, Shinobi602 is hoping this strategy will at least let the site launch without too many problems.
“Obviously we knew there would be those who would want to harm our community in any way they can from the start, unfortunate as that is,” Shinobi602 said. “We've been working very hard to protect them and will have all hands on deck working to ensure that the launch proceeds as safely and smoothly as possible.”
It’s unclear just how strict the vetting process will be when ResetEra launches, but one member told Polygon that conversation with people on the outside is kept to a minimum, to stop other stories from getting out.
The effort to keep the conversation clean and members out of harm’s way requires an extraordinary amount of work, with one member of the locked ResetEra Discord telling Polygon that “those behind the new forum are putting in a ton of effort, the ‘not sleeping a lot’ type of effort.” Shinobi602 told Polygon that although it’s been a strenuous affair, they wanted to do it as a collective; to help house their homeless community.
“Thousands of members of the community were suddenly stranded without any place to go,” Shinobi602 said. “It's really a sight to see so many people gather to create something like this. That community has come together to make this happen.”
People were sad for the original NeoGAF community they lost, one anonymous member said, adding that “this was a community that, despite its issues, was a positive thing for a ton of people for over a decade.” That sense of loss didn’t stop people from coming together in the late hours of Saturday night and wee hours of Sunday morning to start working on something new.(https://i.imgur.com/lmC3akQ.png)
“People are super excited for something new and a change of pace,” Shinobi602 said. “We've had so many people volunteer to help and roll up their sleeves and that response has just been overwhelming. It's clear that we're determined to stick together and make this happen.”
No one would tell Polygon when ResetEra is launching, as the site staff is still figuring it out. But early members noted that as of the time of this writing, the forum is gearing up to go live between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET — around the time of Nintendo’s latest Direct. The near-simultaneous occurrence of these events isn’t lost on the community, which told Polygon that the coincidence was almost poetic in nature. After suffering through the loss of a home, lost NeoGAF members getting a new Animal Crossing game to animatedly discuss with friends on a website built in the original forum’s image seemed just right.
one member told Polygon that conversation with people on the outside is kept to a minimum, to stop other stories from getting out.
You think I'm gonna read all that shit?This is a new era free from the burden of history. Embrace your new home, believe in its livelihood, and relish in this occasion. Do not fall victim to the false comforts of the past.
Do any of these people work? have ambitions outside of posting on a fucking board? these people are fucking scary as fuck.Nope
Just want to point out that we are in fact not "alt-right" like some people suggest. Just putting that out there. It's facebook official now.
Just want to point out that we are in fact not "alt-right" like some people suggest. Just putting that out there. It's facebook official now.
Fuck white people.
:rejoice
:ohyouJust want to point out that we are in fact not "alt-right" like some people suggest. Just putting that out there. It's facebook official now.
Fuck white people.
:rejoice
:confused :bobby
How does the reporting on this even happen when there's like 30 discords all trying to scrape together whoever is in ear shot to create a new gaf?Step one: Gather a bunch of people.
lol Lore just opened up the OT Community
Everyone here comes from somewhere else and we mustn’t cling to our nostalgia. Do not fall victim to the false comforts of the past. Remember why we are moving forward and do so with pride.
Just want to point out that we are in fact not "alt-right" like some people suggest. Just putting that out there. It's facebook official now.
I'm not even on the right
I do so love that they're doing this YearZero thing when that's the title to a metal song about the end of the world where the chorus is basically hail satan.Gonna have to stop you there breh, that's just my fake hashtag for it because of the language in their manifesto.
A better alternative?
This is gonna be like Atheism+ isn't it?
A better alternative?
This is gonna be like Atheism+ isn't it?
I think it will be uglier than that. GAF was atheism+. This is like "get rid of the atheism and focus on the plus".
I do so love that they're doing this YearZero thing when that's the title to a metal song about the end of the world where the chorus is basically hail satan.Gonna have to stop you there breh, that's just my fake hashtag for it because of the language in their manifesto.
And it's a reference to the Khmer Rogue's philosophy that led to Cambodian Genocide. And I can't believe I'm explaining this to someone who posts as much about politics and the left as you do man. :lol
It was basically the same idea as the Cultural Revolution and "Back to the Countryside" Movement that China did under Mao, only turned up past 11 to like 50.
Unlike China there wasn't anybody like Deng Xiaoping and others to go "maybe we shouldn't slaughter everyone who's attended or taught in schools; just half of them or so that won't get on board with us" and other such ideas to keep the bodycounts down.
It's both the "Reset" and "Era" parts of the name that led to me "YearZero" instead. Also the fact that it's a tiny little spin-off that's cutting itself off from the outside world just helps with the imagery.
People volunteered for struggle sessions to prove their bonafides.
My god, the website they like to talk video games on went down. It's not like they'RE refugees
Just want to point out that we are in fact not "alt-right" like some people suggest. Just putting that out there. It's facebook official now.are people actually saying this lol wtf
Those hats were nifty tbh
(http://www.msnbc.com/sites/msnbc/files/styles/ratio--3-2--770x513/public/li660825b_copy.jpg?itok=t3Q-ZMI9)
For a site that hasn't even opened yet, that is way too many mods and admins. That place is going to suckdon't worry, they're making sure they won't be overwhelmed with users too:
BronsonLee is a pretty cool guy.I hate him because he has a great name that I want. Bronson Lee, Champion is one of my favorite films: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PrYnvTZ03E.
Too many chiefs, not enough indians.Typical bubble people, they think everyone is actually going to jump over and they need 3000 staff lmaospoiler (click to show/hide)problematic alt-right proverb :gddr5[close]
People have been sitting around in a Discord for like 4 hours, only to be told it's not happening tonight. :lolThis has been the best gaming-related site launch since Polygon.
People have been sitting around in a Discord for like 4 hours, only to be told it's not happening tonight. :lolThis has been the best gaming-related site launch since Polygon.
For a site that hasn't even opened yet, that is way too many mods and admins. That place is going to suckdon't worry, they're making sure they won't be overwhelmed with users too:
(https://i.imgur.com/7Yth6ps.jpg)
With all the vetting of making sure only properly conditioned former GAF members make it in they barely need mods for the time being.
With all the vetting of making sure only properly conditioned former GAF members make it in they barely need mods for the time being.THERE'S ALREADY A GATOR RUSSIAN JONTRON WHO HAS INFILTRATED THE BOARD AND LINKED SCREENSHOTS
my favourite thing about the bore is that it captures that late 90s/early 2000s essence where anything you take seriously about yourself will be used as evidence against you.
If the invite will be a link that anyone can use then that first wave is gonna be like 80% 8chan/KiA trollsThey were last discussing sending them only to pre-screened people I think.
They're telling people when they should and shouldn't go to sleep.this is like the tenth time in two days i make a joke and then...
"they recommend if you need to sleep to sleep right now since they don't know how long it will take"
"feel free to get rest if it is super late for you guys"
GEE THANKS ALMIGHTY DISCORD/RESETERA MODS FOR LETTING ME KNOW I CAN GO TO BED
I'm sure approved reading materials and kool-aid packets are being sent out as we speak.
i'm afraid all i can proscribe legally is watching an internet forum implode suddenly...but i also have some pamphlets about what hopefully is more cult and less internet forum #ResetEra #YearZero
Morrigan as mod? As in Morrigan Stark? That forum is going to need its own thread here. :rofl
Is ResetEra an ARG ?Creepy Stalker? :ohhh
yeah, i just made this because of the polygon article for our people who are avoiding the GAF thread for the lulz, any #YearZero stuff if it ever actually happens will go in the dumpster for sure, on principleMorrigan as mod? As in Morrigan Stark? That forum is going to need its own thread here. :rofl
for all intents and purposes the gaf thread is also the resetera thread
Is it me or is that too many moderators and too many admins? GAF had a big number because GAF got that big. What are they expecting when the site launches and is "closed off" from people joining in?oh wait until you read why they delayed the scheduled launch for last night
I honestly don't see this working at all. Less so than I did earlier.
"We're going live tonight!"
*screenshots show up on 4chan or whatever*
"THE GAMERGATORS ARE INSIDE THE HOUSE, LOCK EVERYTHING DOWN, ABORT ABORT ABORT"
Is it me or is that too many moderators and too many admins? GAF had a big number because GAF got that big. What are they expecting when the site launches and is "closed off" from people joining in?oh wait until you read why they delayed the scheduled launch for last night
I honestly don't see this working at all. Less so than I did earlier.
I can see them having the potential numbers. I just can't understand why they're so terrified of 4chan trolls that they delayed the launch over it.It's their whole philosophy.
He kinda went nuts over/after the election. I'd have to check but I feel like he was one who joined in the whole group that was trying to ferret out all the Russian infiltrators on GAF.
Wait, what's wrong with Kagari? I've only interacted with her on the Dragon Ball Super thread and she seemed alright, other than the fact that she was a Gohan fan.
(https://i.imgur.com/pXpSa1A.png)
:rofl
Should I mention that a lot of those mods vehemently disagree with each other on certain issues and tend to be the big ban bait posters so you'll see a lot of fuckery out of the gate.I believe I saw a quote somewhere from one of the fee-male admins that they had a system in place to prevent all that. By requiring posters to not bring up anything from NeoGAF or anywhere else.
We'll definitely push for more warnings and leniency first and foremost. People need to have a chance to understand mistakes before slamming down an auto-banhammer. Common sense should really prevail first and foremost. If someone doesn't get the message once or twice well..
Should I mention that a lot of those mods vehemently disagree with each other on certain issues and tend to be the big ban bait posters so you'll see a lot of fuckery out of the gate.I believe I saw a quote somewhere from one of the fee-male admins that they had a system in place to prevent all that. By requiring posters to not bring up anything from NeoGAF or anywhere else.
Should I mention that a lot of those mods vehemently disagree with each other on certain issues and tend to be the big ban bait posters so you'll see a lot of fuckery out of the gate.I believe I saw a quote somewhere from one of the fee-male admins that they had a system in place to prevent all that. By requiring posters to not bring up anything from NeoGAF or anywhere else.
I wonder if NeoGAF in turn will ban all discussion of and all links to ResetEra.
After long discussions among the staff and with the community, we have decided, together, that we want ResetEra to be a real, tangible fresh start. We’d like to look to the future and leave any baggage behind. That’s why towards that end we humbly ask you not to post threads or repeat posts about NeoGAF or its owner. You all know me especially, for the most part. I always love and welcome free thought and free discussion. So from the team, this is in no way meant to shut that down, but instead a path to avoid unnecessary complications with other parties. I think most will understand what that means. We hope you understand. Thanks all. heart
big industry names
Emily Rogers
What is the eggplant about?
Now I want Baba Ganoush.
But...the topics will come up.As we adapt and recreate the homes we’ve lost, we must be conscious and leave certain things behind. We must shape them in a more perfect vision. If we aim to create someplace respectable and dignified, we must individually uphold those values.
this is going to be one hell of a shit show.
But...the topics will come up.As we adapt and recreate the homes we’ve lost, we must be conscious and leave certain things behind. We must shape them in a more perfect vision. If we aim to create someplace respectable and dignified, we must individually uphold those values.
this is going to be one hell of a shit show.
As you post and get acclimated with our new forum, channel your energy into reconstruction. Do not fall victim to petty arguments, do not capitalize on every opportunity to be negative, and remember that everyone here is a refugee. Seek positive conversation. Remove your ironic veil and speak honestly. Post thoughtfully and thoroughly and remember everything you contribute is a building block. Do not let our menagerie collapse under the same heavy-handed negativity that defines other forums we find distasteful.
If someone doesn't get the message once or twice well..
As we adapt...I knew it was crazy when I first read it, but every time you quote it, it sinks in more and more. :doge
Strength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith
~Cerium, ResetEra
Is that what they're actually writing on their Discord? Boy, it really sounds like they think they're about to set into Noah's Ark or something.their manifesto (FOR INTERNAL EYES ONLY)
I knew it was crazy when I first read it, but every time you quote it, it sinks in more and more. :dogeAnd soon you will know it by heart and be ready to pledge yourself to give up your earthly things and join the positive excitement of #ResetEra.
Didn’t someone from the other thread quote from a discord announcement about the delay, something about “In the meantime enjoy the procreational activities”?I knew it was crazy when I first read it, but every time you quote it, it sinks in more and more. :dogeAnd soon you will know it by heart and be ready to pledge yourself to give up your earthly things and join the positive excitement of #ResetEra.
Is that what they're actually writing on their Discord? Boy, it really sounds like they think they're about to set into Noah's Ark or something.their manifesto (FOR INTERNAL EYES ONLY)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQeAayBDKm2kliUxuA3qmBoplEbfTb8a_h3METSXILq3zin-fG70ix8g0g1SD0HzcxugU5-2AJ2h_0O/pub
Remember, we really are the last of us.is basically the definition of cringey.
It's still not up yet? :lol
It's still not up yet? :lolIt has been delayed until tonight or tomorrow possibly. In the meantime remember to read your ideologically appropriate works and participate in mandatory positive community development activities.
Is that what they're actually writing on their Discord? Boy, it really sounds like they think they're about to set into Noah's Ark or something.their manifesto (FOR INTERNAL EYES ONLY)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQeAayBDKm2kliUxuA3qmBoplEbfTb8a_h3METSXILq3zin-fG70ix8g0g1SD0HzcxugU5-2AJ2h_0O/pub
Wow. It's not often that the word cringe comes to mind for me, but that last part, especiallyQuoteRemember, we really are the last of us.is basically the definition of cringey.
To be fair, I think that part is a joke about a GAF thread of game quotes
Definitely not a joke.Is that what they're actually writing on their Discord? Boy, it really sounds like they think they're about to set into Noah's Ark or something.their manifesto (FOR INTERNAL EYES ONLY)
https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vQeAayBDKm2kliUxuA3qmBoplEbfTb8a_h3METSXILq3zin-fG70ix8g0g1SD0HzcxugU5-2AJ2h_0O/pub
Wow. It's not often that the word cringe comes to mind for me, but that last part, especiallyQuoteRemember, we really are the last of us.is basically the definition of cringey.
To be fair, I think that part is a joke about a GAF thread of game quotes
It's still not up yet? :lol
It's still not up yet? :lol
No alt-right chan-trolls can inflitrate it if no one can register.
:rollsafe
Which kinda defeat the purpose of advertising it everywhere on GAF and twitter at the moment. Shit isn't even up, and nobody can register, so who cares?
It's still not up yet? :lol
What you do is create a dedicated thread or sub-forum for discussion on what happens in other forums. Most people will ignore those threads because they're an emotional dingleberry and you can ban/warn posters when they drag that discussion into the normal off-topic forum.No, that was the old way, this is a way to an opportunity to redefine what forum and moderation culture looks like from the ground up.
You build a community by letting them discuss and share ideas. Not by delaying everything to dial in a perfect fucking mission statement.
They just released their official motto. I little longer than "Believe" but...This is a cult. This is a fucking cult :lolQuoteStrength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith
~Cerium, ResetEra
They just released their official motto. I little longer than "Believe" but...This is a cult. This is a fucking cult :lolQuoteStrength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith
~Cerium, ResetEra
Hopefully ResetEra enforces a word filter on "Neogaf" and assorted words to help enforce thegag orderpositive behavioral guideline, for maximum both sides (:trigger) comical juxtaposition.
You did, chubs. I see you in that Vita thread
Also : odds on spotting a benjipwns post in ResetEra on its first week ?
They just released their official motto. I little longer than "Believe" but...QuoteStrength Through Purity, Purity Through Faith
~Cerium, ResetEra
(https://i.imgur.com/PDZjZ24.png)
What's this schreier thing you guys have going on? I don't really follow gaming media outside of upcoming games but his articles on game development were about the only ones worthwhile to read.
What's this schreier thing you guys have going on? I don't really follow gaming media outside of upcoming games but his articles on game development were about the only ones worthwhile to read.
What's this schreier thing you guys have going on?what do you mean "you guys"?
But early members noted that as of the time of this writing, the forum is gearing up to go live between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. ET — around the time of Nintendo’s latest Direct. The near-simultaneous occurrence of these events isn’t lost on the community, which told Polygon that the coincidence was almost poetic in nature. After suffering through the loss of a home, lost NeoGAF members getting a new Animal Crossing game to animatedly discuss with friends on a website built in the original forum’s image seemed just right.
But digital media limits the potential social benefits of moral outrage in several ways. First, ideological segregation online prevents the targets of outrage from receiving messages that could induce them (and like-minded others) to change their behaviour. For politicized issues, moral disapproval ricochets within echo chambers but only occasionally escapes. Second, by lowering the threshold for outrage expression, digital media may degrade the ability of outrage to distinguish the truly heinous from the merely disagreeable. Third, expressing outrage online may result in less meaningful involvement in social causes, for example through volunteering or donations. People are less likely to spend money on punishing unfairness when they are given the opportunity to express their outrage via written messages instead.
It is alive.
http://resetera.com/threads/welcome-your-new-admins-and-mods.12/
Don't take it from me, but I heard on the grapevine that one ResetEra mod is keeping tabs for Evilore. Also heard another one is planning to fan the flames of fights for laughs. Not sure if it's two different persons or one and the same ?
Also : odds on spotting a benjipwns post in ResetEra on its first week ?
It's okay to not post: it is fine to see a thread about a subject that you absolutely don't care about and to not post in it. It's absolutely fine to let people celebrate tiny successes without dropping a snarky comment between posts. We are not asking of you to not be critical, but to be aware that your opinion is just one among many and not necessary for every single thread.:mindblown :ufup :pacspit :bolo :crazy :stop :jeanluc
and wow so much activity, they might actually pull this off :leontbd. There are a lot of potential pitfalls moving forward.
Rename Joe to Benedict