I am pleased to be able to announce some changes to the organisational structure of Game Maker Blog.
In October I wrote quite a comprehensive post about running this website on my personal blog in which I tried to imagine a viable future for Game Maker Blog without it being so reliant on one person.
Following my post a number of people stepped forward to offer contributions, in various forms, to the site. Given some time to consider these I have, together with current and prospective volunteers, mapped out a plan to take the site forward.
Firstly there is to be a much-needed reorganisation of the membership hierarchy. Over time contributors come and go but many of those who are long gone remained in positions of power. User permissions have now been bought up to date.
As an employee of YoYo Games Andrew McCluskey will not be able write on topics relating to the company. He has stepped down from his role as reviews editor but remains a contributing author. Taking his place as Reviews Editor is Jack Brockley – responsible for ensuring that good reviews of Game Maker games appear reguarly on the site, be they playable on PC or any mobile devices.
We are also welcoming some new members aboard. Matthew Bowden joins us as an editor and will be focusing on future site development and in an effort to encourage user-submitted contributions from a wider group of people we have decided to re-open registration at Game Maker Blog.
All registered members will now have access a new feature – the ability to create a new blog post which they can submit to be published on the main site. We feel that this will encourage people to become casual contributors to the site without feeling the need to dedicate large amounts of time to the project in much the same way that many readers enjoy commenting on our articles. If you are already registered with Game Maker Blog to comment your account should have been upgraded.
Submitted content will be reviewed by our editorial team with only high quality articles making publication. More details on writing for Game Maker Blog.
To reflect the hopeful reduction in workload that will fall on me I will be separating the finances of the site from my own so that any funds generated remain available to improve the site. The site covers its costs but does not make a significant profit. In the future perhaps revenues can be shared amongst contributors, but this is a decision for another day.
May I also take this opportunity to thank everyone who has written blog posts, reads articles, contributes to discussion and sends news tips our way – the site would not be possible without your support.
I use a keyboard when i’m using my ps3 – it’s impossible to type otherwise.
I use my PS3 to play games.
Question: How do you expect them to get Firefox with a new installation of Windows? They have to use IE for a few minutes to download an internet browser, at the very least.
Well, that’s not fatal..
Actually, doesn’t windows come with a program that lets you choose now?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/what-is-the-browser-choice-update
Seems like IE is still the default, though.
Microsoft makes less-than-optimal programs in general, I feel (Hotmail, Messenger, IE). I generally prefer Google’s approach to things. I love their browser, Chrome, for example.
I love Chrome but I’m too at home with Hotmail and Messenger to switch to the Google alternatives. D:
@Mordi I can definitely agree with Google’s things. I was a little unsure when I wanted to ditch my crappy-looking Hotmail email for a cleaner, updated one with my own domain, and it was set to Gmail. But I’ve grown to love it for everything. Just have to try Chrome OS some day now!
And on the subject of the Browser Choice thing, that’s only for people in Europe. That link, by the way, reads like the person writing it is doing so through gritted teeth haha.
@Jack, I’m using chrome in combination with hotmail and messenger.. What’s the problem?
Blue, the problem is that Hotmail and Messenger are allegedly crap.
Looking forward to working with the blog =)
Looking forward to seeing what you come up with. 🙂
I’m just hoping I can spare enough time 😀
There’s still hope. 😛
http://www.mozilla.com/firefox/
Users still using IE should be banned from the internet! 😛
Or just ignored.
@Mordi – I was only on IE because I was using my parents’ computer, if I was on my computer, I’d be on Firefox (Though my computer dosen’t have internet access, I’m using my PS3 right now and it’s a pain typing).
Registered. 😉
IE8.0.6001 with JS enabled.
Sorry for the delay in getting back to you but upgrading to IE8 required a system restart and the installation of a load of security updates.
Using the same version as you list with JS enabled the reCAPTCHA shows absolutely fine to me. Do you see a reCAPTCHA on http://www.google.com/recaptcha/learnmore ?
Hey, I can’t sign up, it says fill in the CAPTCHA but there isn’t one?
Can you give me some browser specs? It’s just a standard reCAPTCHA which shows for me in Chrome, Firefox and IE even if I have JavaScript disabled.
That’s great news. I can see lots of interesting posts coming up with this, and I thank all the GMB team and future contributers for giving me a great source for checking GM-related news (and sometimes videogame industry-related content), with no cost whatsoever.
And congrats to Jack and Matthew for their GMB positions. 🙂