EQInterface/Ogaming Merger

[Cairenn]

As posted on the front page we have merged with Ogaming. Let me tell you a bit more about what this means for the site. Here are some Frequently Asked Question. Maybe this will help pre-answer som questions

Q. How does an affiliate join The OGaming Network?
A. Affiliates are assets of The OGaming Network. Under the terms of this agreement, EQinterface becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of The OGaming Network, and the MMOG user interface modification sites it operates become affiliates of The OGaming Network. The EQinteface sites – EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com. and WoWinterface.com – will continue under existing management to autonomously provide the same rich content, independent opinions and fan forums that community members currently enjoy.

Q. Will the content or services provided by EQinterface change?
A. No. The OGaming Network exercises limited control over the content and services offered by affiliate members. OGaming believes that the real value of both free and subscription-based fan sites – such as EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com – stems from their organic growth and their unique and compelling role in the game play experience of MMOG ethusiasts.

Q. How does The OGaming Network affiliate status of EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com benefit users of those sites?
A. The users of EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com will benefit from those sites joining The OGaming Network, as they will now have direct access to a unique set of proprietary database tools, free guild hosting and other OGaming features offered on the network.

Q. Does The OGaming Network now control EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com?
A. While in principle The OGaming Network does maintain ultimate responsibility for the content and management of its affiliates, full autonomy is strongly encouraged and excercised. The OGaming Network rarely gets involved in day-to-day affiliate operations, and EQinterface will continue to operate its user sites with existing staff and a minimum of OGaming influence.

Q. What does this mean for long-time, loyal users of EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com?
The OGaming Network was created by gamers and for gamers, and that remains the mission of the network and each of its affiliates. EQinterface.com, EQ2interface.com and WoWinterface.com will retain their current character, management and lively perspectives, ensuring that they remain the pre-eminent user interface modification sites on the web.

Hope that helps answer some questions. In short, we are still here, we are not going anywhere and we only see the site(s) growing with our new found support.

[MadCow]

Sounds great! thanks for keeping us informed

[Syxx]

Congrats.

If it makes the [insertgame]interface.com sites better, it's great and I'm really happy.

Sadly I've seen many of the "gaming network" sites takeover independant sites like the varies [insertgame]Interface.com sites and wreck them. Turning popular content into pay only, etc....
Of course it would be hard to do that here since the content is made by users and submitted.

So I watch with a critical eye but I'm also hopeful. I'm sure this will take a lot of stress off the staff for some stuff (not sure exactly what OGaming.com will be providing). So I hope it makes your lives a little easier and maybe you can even get paid or get a T-shirt or something.

I did have one question. Is OGaming.com going to require you to change the website for whatever reason or just add their logo somewhere?

Anyhow, grats again and I hope the [insertgame]Interface.com sites keep going strong!

6

[guice]

Doesn't OGaming.com do that bloody "ad splash screen"? As long as these sites don't follow suit, I'm cool with it. I hate ads and hate them even more when they block me from trying to get to the site I want to get to....

[Dolby]

Nope ogaming doesnt do the full screen ads and they dont plan to. Thats IGN and Gamespot your thinking of.

I hate those full screen ads too.

[guice]

Sweet! I knew a few gaming sites did, but wasn't sure on the exact ones. Thanks.

[Remelio]

Originally Posted by Syxx Sadly I've seen many of the "gaming network" sites takeover independant sites like the varies [insertgame]Interface.com sites and wreck them. Turning popular content into pay only, etc....

We all love these sites and just know that if it was gonna do something like that, we'd have rather closed the doors You'll barely notice any changes... well cept some upgrades that Dolby has in the works because he rocks like that

Originally Posted by Syxx or get a T-shirt or something.

*insert random "lousy t-shirt" joke here*

Originally Posted by Syxx I did have one question. Is OGaming.com going to require you to change the website for whatever reason or just add their logo somewhere?

Like I said.. things should be pretty unchanged... we'll have our affiliation with them posted of course (Dolby is workin' on integrating their logo, so we know it'll look good), but beyond that it'll be the same ole site ya know and love!

[Syxx]

Originally Posted by Remelio We all love these sites and just know that if it was gonna do something like that, we'd have rather closed the doors You'll barely notice any changes... well cept some upgrades that Dolby has in the works because he rocks like that *insert random "lousy t-shirt" joke here* Like I said.. things should be pretty unchanged... we'll have our affiliation with them posted of course (Dolby is workin' on integrating their logo, so we know it'll look good), but beyond that it'll be the same ole site ya know and love!

Excellent, thank you for the update.

Strangely, I do have faith in you guys but I felt the need to Devil's Advocate a little. I know it probably came off a little pessemistic, but the rate at which really good sites go bye-bye, I hope you can understand my skepticism.
I'm just happy it wasn't IGN. *shivers*

Again, congratulations. As I said before, hope it makes all your lives just a tad easier.

I look forward (and I always do) to Dolby's latest doo-dads.

6

[teddyboy420]

Umm, isn't Ogaming owned and operated by IGE? Or at least IGE's parent company, or something similiar. The link between IGE was established when people started questioning Thottbot and Cosmos, and how it was connected to Ogaming, which, in turn, turned out to be owned by IGE.

Now, I know IGE is a big advertiser and sponsor of yours, so I don't really expect a truthful answer about this b/c I know you won't badmouth the people that pay your bills. But how do you feel about what they do?? IE. contribute to cheating, and ruining the economy of servers and other such things?

edit: that sounded a bit harsh, and I don't mean to take shots at anyone's characters as I personally know that everyone involved with EQInterface and it's sister sites truly love the games they play, and the communities they serve.

[Marthisdil]

...for other people's work?

For those that don't know, OGaming is owned by IGE. IGE has been buying up fansites for a while now and are spending HUGE sums of money for sites. I can imagine they paid Cairenn 6+ figures for the XXXinterface.com sites. They've paid other fansites 6 figures for far less.

So, how much of that are you going to divvy out to the mod/ui authors, Cairenn? How much you going to share with the people who volunteered to help you with the site?

That's what I thought. Good riddance.

[Cairenn]

Actually, you are incorrect. OGaming isn't owned by IGE, as stated previously in this thread:

Originally Posted by Kudane OGaming is a Delaware Licensed LLC, It was orginally founded through IGE, but has since emerged into it's own company. You will notice there will not be IGE ads or links on this site. as we are owned by OGaming. /bow

And, in case you missed it previously, I'm an admin at all the sites. I'm not an owner, never was. I can tell you, I certainly didn't get any 6+ figures out of this.

[Kudane]

Originally Posted by Marthisdil ...for other people's work? For those that don't know, OGaming is owned by IGE. IGE has been buying up fansites for a while now and are spending HUGE sums of money for sites. I can imagine they paid Cairenn 6+ figures for the XXXinterface.com sites. They've paid other fansites 6 figures for far less. So, how much of that are you going to divvy out to the mod/ui authors, Cairenn? How much you going to share with the people who volunteered to help you with the site? That's what I thought. Good riddance.

Cairenn does not now, nor did she ever recieve a 6+ figure salery. Hell Dolby, Cairenn and I all put together would not clear 6 figures in several years.

Dolby and I were the partnership that owned the site. Cairenn has been a VOLUNTEER on the sites for over 3 years.

But that being said. let me straighten a few facts out..

IGE Was the chief investor of OGaming.com which is now its OWN LLC. Nothing on this site will ever "support" IGE or its buisness practices. ogaming is a stand along company who's cheif investor was IGE, starting OGaming (along with some of the site IGE had bought previously). But I promise you our sales contract says "OGaming.com Network, a Delware LLC". It does not list IGE.

With that cleared up, please understand this site is FREE to download without limits, and FREE to upload without limits. It is a place that authors can post their work FREE and get feedback and improve thier work.

All of that may sound like a "phat paycheck" but the reality is a very "phat bill" that we now do not have to worry about paying and we can concentrate on improving the site.

So please try to remember that we are here for the community, and if selling the ownership of the name to OGaming helps us be here for the community, then it is worth it!

/bow

Kudane

[Dolby]

Our decision was based upon survival and the need to keep doing what we love most. If you knew us from any of our other interface sites you would know we (including staff) love helping people and working on the websites. If you don’t know us I’m sure you’ll have trouble believing what I say and I doubt there’s anything I can say to change that.

[Inokis]

It's not you guys I doubt, its the sincerity of O-gaming that I doubt. What happens after 6 months when they decide, "hey these are our sites so thx for building them but now you all have to go."

[Kudane]

Originally Posted by Inokis It's not you guys I doubt, its the sincerity of O-gaming that I doubt. What happens after 6 months when they decide, "hey these are our sites so thx for building them but now you all have to go."

While I can not give details, this was one of our concerns and was VERY well addressed and covered before we would agree.

So trust me when I say "we are not going anywhere"... =)

[Marthisdil]

Originally Posted by Dolby Our decision was based upon survival and the need to keep doing what we love most. If you knew us from any of our other interface sites you would know we (including staff) love helping people and working on the websites. If you don’t know us I’m sure you’ll have trouble believing what I say and I doubt there’s anything I can say to change that.

Dolby,
I was an avid user of EQInterface while I played EQ. The concern we all have is that OGaming was an IGE front (and likely still is). IGE is spending a TON of money this year alone in purchasing websites.

And my question still stands (even if Cairenn can't answer it). How much of the money that XXXinterface.com received is going to the volunteers who helped run the site? To the mod/ui authors who MADE the sites what they are?

Or are you guys just gonna take the money and hold it, while the people who make your sites get nothing for their work you will have basically "exploited"?

[Inokis]

As a mod and an previous author at EQInterface, I don't expect anything, nor should anyone else. Whatever profits they make are their's. They created the sites for ppl to host mods, they run the sites forking out the dough to keep the servers up, and doing the work needed to keep the contracts up to date for their funding. Secondary staff and modding were voluntary acts (without pay, pro bono, etc...).

[teddyboy420]

Originally Posted by Marthisdil Dolby, I was an avid user of EQInterface while I played EQ. The concern we all have is that OGaming was an IGE front (and likely still is). IGE is spending a TON of money this year alone in purchasing websites. And my question still stands (even if Cairenn can't answer it). How much of the money that XXXinterface.com received is going to the volunteers who helped run the site? To the mod/ui authors who MADE the sites what they are? Or are you guys just gonna take the money and hold it, while the people who make your sites get nothing for their work you will have basically "exploited"?

You're kidding right?

I really hope you are b/c what you are saying makes absolutley ZERO sense. OGaming didn't buy the work that is on the site, they bought the site itself which is just a database of user uploaded content for the public to use which is managed by a few people. Just b/c you may have uploaded work here dosen't entitle you to anything except the credit for the work that you have done, and the communities thanks for contributing.

No one has exploited anyone, or anything. And for you to even suggest this is simply ludicrous. Why would you think you are entitled to some of the money recieved to purchase the site? Dolby and Kudane built this site for the community and have NEVER asked for donations or really anything from the community. They self funded the site for awhile and then sold advertising space to keep things going. Now, they don't have to worry about advertising anymore as they are part of a large network.

I'm sorry but even the question of "how much are the mod authors who MADE the site what it is going to get" is just so fundamentally wrong it isn't even funny. Mod authors certainly have contributed to the site, but it is Dolby, Kudane, Cairenn and the other moderators that made the site what it is. Basically the ***Interface sites are a place for players of the game to come and get UI mods FREE OF CHARGE, that are made by mod authors and uploaded for people to download, not buy. If you want to sell your UI mods go somewhere else. You aren't entilted to any of the money, the owners of the site are.

I just can't even believe how selfish and wrong your comments are. Worrying about IGE's interferance is one thing, but you are suggesting that by uploading mods you somhow are entilted to a piece of the site. These sites are for a community of people, and always have been

[Remelio]

Originally Posted by Marthisdil And my question still stands (even if Cairenn can't answer it). How much of the money that XXXinterface.com received is going to the volunteers who helped run the site? To the mod/ui authors who MADE the sites what they are?

We'll trade you free hosting for your UI mods for the past X amount of years. Fair? Oh and speaking as one of those volunteers, seeing a site grow and become a useful tool for the community is a lot of payment in itself.

I think others have said it better than I can, so thats the last I'm going to say on this subject. Please remember to keep the conversation civil everyone

[Sathanas]

Originally Posted by Kudane Nothing on this site will ever "support" IGE or its buisness practices.

Thats a relief.

The day I see gold selling ads and nonsense on here is the day I pull my mods. I hope you guys stick to your guns on that, I like this site.