Holy, this is going to be one mother of a bomb dropping update, I'm honestly not sure you guys are prepared! First off however, let me say happy fathers day to those of you who have little ones (especially you Transactionzero and your damn cute baby). If you aren't a father (being that you are 15), make sure to tell your beloved old men to have a good day. Now, with that out of the way lets bring you up to speed on some of the things we're going to talk about in this update. As many of you know, the annual E3 conference in LA just wrapped up. We've seen some pretty impressive stuff, from space battles to firefight 2.0 and games that have nothing to do with Halo (as well as things that should have nothing to do with gaming; damn 3D and Motion Controls). However, despite the awesome that was witnessed this past week we honestly don't have any time to talk about it here and now. So all I'm going to say about E3 is: if you missed it, check that stuff out. Most of the videos and interviews can be seen in our Halo Reach Discussion thread.
Speaking of Reach, if you've been following the updates for the past little while you would have notice a few lines talking about the Hub becoming Reach-ified. Well with this update we're ready to unveil some of the things we have planned for Operation Best Damned Forging Site of Halo that will be coming to a Hub near you very shortly. First however, lets knock out of the way some typical Site Update banter.
Promotions, promotions..
Some heavy news to mention here in this category. Two big names have donned some new threads. Many of you may have noticed that long-time Journalist Pegasi has taken a step back and slipped on some purple shoes. Pegasi, once known as Pegasi Delta, was an integral part of the development of Forge Hub and we are sincerely sad to see him go. We truly thank Peg for all the hard work he has done for us, as well as the six volumes of encyclopaedia-sized posts he has left for us in the staff forum. So long Peg, we hope to see you back when Reach is in full swing.
However, despite our sadness there is some very positive news. Many of you will recognize Black Theorem, a very popular member of Forge Hub (highly voted in the Most Famous Greys thread). Or maybe you won't. Theorem has been cloaked in some strange, purple veil which hides his true stature as a grey member. He may also have noticed a couple new buttons of his forum that will make some of his friends a little sad. Black Theorem, for all his hard work and dedication to the site, has been promoted to the rank of Guardian to help keep the forums clean. Make sure to stop over and say congrats to Theorem on his profile page.
Where the f*** are the Favorites! (Insert Angryface!)
Yeah, I know, I know you hear the same story from me every week. Well guess what, the BB Code isn't nice to me! I don't like it! But in all seriousness, the postponed FHF from a few weeks ago will be up TOMORROW! As well, the new voting thread is up so make sure to throw down your opinion. You can expect that thread to be on time!
More from a Forge Hub classic...
Those fans of Forge Hub RPG will be excited to hear that act II is up and running. The classic game from member FBU has been taken on by member Mongoose. For those who couldn't get enough of the original, you should most definitely check out this thread for all the information on how to get into the game. Also a picture:
I dun get it? Cuz he's in the water?
Foreign Treasures deadline approaching
Well, not really. As is fashion with all Forge Hub contest, we've opted to extend the deadline by a week. By request of some mapmakers with damn awesome maps, the contest will now close on July 1st, 2010 (Yay Canada!). If you are unfamiliar with Foreign Treasures, check out this thread. If you wanna check out some of the already submitted maps, or submit your own you should take a gander here
Review Hub is making you cry
Last update we showed you some of the fantastic reviews written by Forge Hub's finest reviewers. I know you all thoroughly enjoyed the reading material and were overjoyed to have your map rated a 2/10 because it gave you the opportunity to rebuild the map you spent three months working on. Since I'm a really nice guy I figured I'd provide you with some more word food for your brain. Check out this sessions reviews below.
Multicog : 8.8/10 - Insane54
Shogun v4 : 4.8/10 - MickRaider
Reconstruction : 5.5/10 - Bloo Jay
The Overhang : 7.2/10 - Insane54
Impervious: 7.3/10 - What's A Scope?
Hysteric : 7.8/10 - MickRaider
New Argos : 6.7/10 - RedNeck
Criteria : 7.6/10 - RedNeck
Sircewtory : 5.9/10 - What's A Scope?
Time for some Reach
For starters, lets talk about Forge Hub's new look. Many of you may have seen the awesome that was created by a talented member named Miraj. Well as many of you may have both hoped and expected, Forge Hub will be adopted that damn sexy skin for the default layout of this now stale-looking Hub. Miraj's dark Reach skin variant will be available to all members in the coming weeks, with a non-default, similar Light variant available as well. If you haven't seen the prototype skin Miraj has made, check out this thread.
Ready for a Purple-themed earthquake?
This guys, is what we are truly here to talk to you about. This is news that will offend some, will excite others and will likely have a torch-lit mob at our doors by nightfall (west coast nightfall, it's already night here). The purple wonder, the glorious violet-colored name, the prestige of Forge Hub, yes that is correct, the loyal rank is undergoing some earth-shattering changes. Jeez, that was a lot of build up. Now I bet you're wondering what those changes are right? Well tune in next week to find out!
Yeah right, we wouldn't ever tease you like that. But now it's time to get serious. Below is a detailed description of what is happening with the current loyal members, as well as what is happening with the rank itself and the factions that are to be associated with it.
For starters, the loyal members. While it is to the dismay of us, as well as the members in this position currently, the staff have elected that the best course of action to take with the rank involves that rank being completely reset of all members who currently hold it. At the beginning of June 28th, 2010 all members with the rank of "Loyal" will be reverted back to general users. The loyal rank has given us a lot of great people, helped the site in numerous ways and given us some of the best staff members we have ever had. It is not pleasurable for us to remove many of those who are close friends, but in the essence of fairness and the prosperity of the site, it is the best decision we could make. We hope that all current loyal members will still be very active in the community and visit Forge Hub regularly.
Now for the rank itself. The rank of loyal, as many have picked up over the years, was a rank for those deemed "dedicated to the site". But what does this really mean? Is it a good poster, a regular poster? A long time member or a high post reporter? Was it Testers Guild? Was it Graphics and Arts? Did the member just have a certain charisma? Nothing was ever solid about the rank. It lead to many heated arguments, debates, loss of friendship, smiles and tears. The rank had so many bumps and dips and in the end was a large headache for those involved. This doesn't mean the rank was by any means useless. As said above, the rank provided us with great members, great feedback and great staff. This is why we are keeping loyal, but with some major, major changes.
From this point forward, Loyal will have set requirements. Members will know the road to the rank and will only achieve it through hard work and dedication. No longer will the rank be a permanent badge of old activity. Only the most dedicated members to the hub, the true loyal members, will remain in the rank. Loyal will now be achieved through one of a few ways; that being through the Testers Guild, the Review Hub and coming with the launch of Reach, the Customs Lobby. It is also very likely that we will see more paths to loyal when more is known about the operation of Reach. A specific section of the forum we are looking into is the Graphics and Arts community, who's hard work we most specifically appreciate.
But you want to know more about the road to loyal right? Well lets start with the Testers Guild. You may have noticed that the Testers Guild recently disappeared from the TRC Guild. Well, it wasn't gone - it was only hidden. Transactionzero and myself did one hell of an overhaul on the Testers Guild, making it more Tester friendly and with big rewards. In order to reach the Loyal position in the Testers Guild, you must be active for a total of six weeks. Activity is based on testing at least one map per week, and if active you will be awarded a star. With three stars, you will be promoted to the next rank. Which means after six tests of one per week you can be a loyal member of Forge Hub. Once loyal, you will receive a purple rank with a rank image displaying that you are a Testers Guild member. However, as simple as it sounds there is a catch. You must remain active at a test a week once you are loyal, or the rank will be forfeited. Lenience will be given on a lack of available tests basis. Joining the Testers Guild is as simple as just signing up with your name.
Another route to loyal is the already established and well active Review Hub, run by Insane54. In order to reach loyal through this route, you must pass an interview with the Guild Leader, as well as remain consistently active at a review per week for at least four weeks. After achieving loyal, you must continue with the same consistency, or the rank is forfeited. This is also not as easy as it sounds, as the interview process can be quite difficult to pass, and for every review you must play at least 3 games and respond with a wordy piece on the map. Apply for the Review Hub here.
The third option, Customs Lobby Leader, is not currently available. This option will be based off of hosting Customs nights, as well as TGIF. Due to the TGIF factor, this option will not be available until the rebirth of TGIF with the launch of Reach. More specific details will be available as Reach approaches.
The new Loyal will come with all the same benefits as the old. Access to the Hub Pub (which is undergoing some changes of its own), the colored name, the custom title, etc. Rank images will state however, your faction. So if you are Review Hub, your rank image will display this rather than displaying the word Loyal. We understand this is quite a drastic change and a shocker to our long standing members. However, we believe this change will promote better quality custom games and tests, as well as higher activity and a true definition of who is a loyal member of the Hub. We hope to see many of you out to the Review Hub and Testers Guild today.
The complete Loyal shift will happen on June 28th, 2010
More on the Testers Guild
Before we wrap up here, I thought I would talk a tad more about the Testers Guild and what we're going to work towards now. The Testers Guild has been a long standing part of Forge Hub history. When I look back on it, I like to recognize both myself and Transactionzero for its initial and continued success. While we thank the great members who continued on with the Testers Guild after we departed, it was quite difficult for them to maintain the guild at a quality level without the tools of a moderator at their disposal. Thus it is that Transaction and myself have opted to step back up to the plate with a whole new outlook for the guild. Take a look below at some bullet point changes to the guild.
Members who require their map to be tested no longer have to take part in the test if they do not wish to. Testers are able to mobilize and test on their own schedule.
Testers now receive true stature for their hard work, a loyal rank, but must continue work in order to retain their stature.
Progress will be effectively tracked and members will receive advancement stars on the basis of activity, not bias. Likewise, inactivity will be tracked and marked without bias as well.
No more interviews. Anyone and everyone is welcome to the Testers Guild. Your success if your own to make. If you want to work hard and be dedicated, you will achieve loyal, even if you only have 25 posts and joined two months ago.
Feedback is now require, but is more concise. Threads will be made per map, not per day.
I do however, have to announce that the Testers Guild has been completely reset. Every single member (sans What's A Scope?, who is staying on as a leader) has been removed. Everyone is welcome to reapply, and can join today. We would like to specifically thank members RedNeck and Silent OO Death for all their continued hard work in the guild. We hope to see you all back around for the Testers Guild 2.0
My Carpal Tunnel just got worse..
Well, that was one hell of a jam packed update. I do apologize for the lack of hidden gems, but you must forgive me this time. With E3 behind us and Reach fast approaching, the Hub is getting on board for some integral changes. Despite this update wrecking your mind, we aren't done with the bomb dropping news yet, but you can't hear about that stuff quite yet. Stay tuned for more Forge Hub news and Operation Best Damned Forging Site of Halo next week!
tl;dr: Go read the stuff about the loyals ya lazy ass!
This post is dedicated to the retirement of Pegasi