We are well aware that it's pretty easy to miss announcements right now, and that the front page and the forums are not very well integrated. There is a plan in place to address both of those issues. We're taking one step at a time, and we'll get there soon enough.
Oh, we have an updated main page! I don't count long delayed announcement of what the tournament maps will be as actual featured maps. I want to see some featured maps. It's a good thing everyone voted on the new site logo and background to be used! Man, those sure look great on the new page :squirrel_wtf:
I know what you're saying, but it wasn't a delayed announcement. Dust Up was completely dead. It was revived after the change of ownership/staff. While the submissions had been completed previously, testing was only partially completed, and a finalized list of maps had not been compiled. We could very easily have just dropped it completely, but we didn't want to see all of the time spent building and testing those maps go to waste. We know that features are an important Forgehub tradition, and we intend on continuing that tradition. There are non-tournament features on the way in the near future, and I feel safe in saying that you can expect them to continue regularly. As for the graphics that were submitted and voted on, I can't really say much. That was organized and run by the previous owner/staff. The members made some very cool stuff for it, and it really is a shame that the work done for that contest may go to waste. However, with the changeover, the plans for the website also changed. There is a major overhaul planned for the forums. As a result of that, I would say that it's fairly unlikely that anything from those contests will be used. There is a possibility that we will reboot something similar to coincide with the forum changes, but I can't say for sure right now. Hopefully everyone will be pleased with how the site turns out once all the changes are complete.
I know it's most likely not something in your personal control, but that's absolutely absurd. It's such an easy thing to accomodate that you know for a fact will earn some positive feedback, as opposed to alienating and belittling not only those who were passionate enough to spend time creating the graphics, but also the tons of people who voted for them (presumably the group of the most active, invested people still here). The forum may have been purchased, but the users still have to be earned. And abandoning something like this is ****ing amateur hour, in terms of community management. it's clown shoes.
I think it'd be a good idea to make use of the graphics that people submitted to the G&A homepage contest. I mean, the new FH logo is atrocious and there isn't even a background yet. You could save time by just pulling something that was submitted by a forum user. There's definitely some deserving entries.
Look dude, the current owner wasn't involved in any of that and has a different vision for FH. It's just something you have to deal with. There's nothing amateurish about it, it's just an unfortunate consequence of the change of ownership here. What was amateurish was for the previous owner to allow such contests (and much in general how the site was managed), while attempting to sell the site and not inform any of the stuff or members. Far worse things occur in professional mergers and acquisitions regularly, so why is Overkill being held to an unreasonable standard? Let's all put our big boy shoes on and just deal with it. I'm sure FH will be far better off in the end anyhow.
I'm truly sorry you feel that way. Upgrading the visual appearance and the functionality of our homepage and forums are a major priority. There will be further visual upgrades to the homepage, and there are major changes coming to the forums both visually and functionally. The fact that the contest itself is dead should not be interpreted as a slap in the face to either those who submitted work or those who voted (and for the record, I was 1 of the approximately 40 people that placed votes). We recognize that there are some very talented individuals here, and it's certainly possible that we may utilize those talents. It's even possible that some of the stuff that was submitted could be utilized, but I really can't say for sure whether or not that will happen.
I'm aware I have no power over the situation. That doesn't mean I can't make my opinion heard. You of all people should know that. It's not an unfortunate consequence. It's a deliberate decision (which happens to be the wrong one). That has literally nothing to do with what I'm talking about. Its old news, and is an awful way to try and make your point. This isn't a corporation. its a very small time forum that survives solely on member traffic. Traffic I'm sure the new owners would like to retain. The point I'm making is that this small, very easily-achieved act would actually go a long way in making the users who visit this forum (again, bearing in mind that user traffic is what makes this place worth the money the new owners paid for it) feel like this is a place they should actually give a few ****s about, or that they aren't taken for granted. I wasn't one who created any graphics for the contest. I'm not even sure if I voted for the background one. I'm not a jealous/pissed/neglected user. I've been here, part of the staff here, and been involved at high-levels of community management at multiple other sites to know how to take a step back and accept a win when I see one so plainly before me. It's such an easy slam dunk that I honestly think its strange I need to explain it.
Could someone post a link to this Homepage Contest? I can't seem to find it. I think that any... any changes to the current home page would be welcome...
Is there a reason that the main register button says "Click here 2 register"? Now that screams professionalism.