| Revision as of 00:21, 5 November 2007 editRockMFR (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users28,801 editsm Reverted edits by 82.13.179.17 (talk) to last version by ABCD← Previous edit | Revision as of 00:23, 5 November 2007 edit undo71.34.132.162 (talk) ←Replaced page with 'CNET SUX! CNET SUX! CNET SUX! CNET SUX! CNET SUX! CNET SUX!'Next edit → | ||
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| {{Infobox Website | |||
| | name = GameFAQs | |||
| | logo = ]<!-- FAIR USE of GameFAQsLogo.png: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:GameFAQsLogo.png for rationale --> | |||
| | screenshot = ]<!-- FAIR USE of GameFAQs.png: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:GameFAQs.png for rationale --> | |||
| | caption = The GameFAQs home page during ] in October 2006. The day's match was ] vs. ]. | |||
| | url = http://www.gamefaqs.com/ | |||
| | commercial = Yes | |||
| | type = ] | |||
| | registration = Optional (required for contributing content and posting on the message boards) | |||
| | owner = ] | |||
| | author = Jeff "CJayC" Veasey | |||
| | launch date = ], ] | |||
| }} | |||
| '''GameFAQs''' is a ] that hosts ]s and ]s for ]s. It was created in November 1995 by Jeff "CJayC" Veasey and has been owned by ] since May 2003. The site has a large database of video game information and has been called a place where readers "can get almost any information" regarding game strategies.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arstechnica.com/journals/thumbs.ars/2006/3/6/3074|title=Think your job sucks? Try writing strategy guides|author=Kuchera, Ben|publisher=]|date=]|accessdate=2007-03-25}}</ref> The ] covered range from the 8-bit ] platform to the ], including ]. The FAQs, ]s, ]s, ], and ] are submitted by volunteer ]s, and contributions are reviewed by the site's two editors, Jeff Veasey and Allen Tyner. | |||
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| The site hosts a large and active ] community. Every game listed on the site has a board for discussion or ] help. Many of the boards are shared between GameFAQs and ], another CNET website. The site also features a daily ] and related tournament contests. | |||
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| GameFAQs is consistently cited by '']'' as one of the top gaming sites on the ],<ref>{{cite news | first=Jack | last=Schofield | title=Games watch | url =http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2000/may/11/onlinesupplement11 | publisher=] | id={{ISSN|0261-3077}} | page=11 | date=] | accessdate=2007-08-06 | quote=SPOnG, the Super Players Online Gamesbase, would like to become to games what the Internet Movie Database is to films. Since the IMDb is one of the world's best websites, that would be useful, though GameFAQs might be a better place to start.}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Rhianna | last=Pratchett | title=Web watch | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2003/feb/06/internet.onlinesupplement1 | publisher=] | id={{ISSN|0261-3077}} | page=8 | date=] | accessdate=2007-08-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | first=Sarah | last=Boseley | coauthors=Michael Cross, Tom Happold ''et al'' | title=Cream of the crop: 100 most useful websites | url=http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2004/dec/16/onlinesupplement.shopping | publisher=] | id={{ISSN|0261-3077}} | page=22 | date=] | accessdate=2007-08-06 | quote=GameFAQs lists game player-created walkthroughs, plus links to cheats, reviews and previews}}</ref> and the site has been positively reviewed by '']''.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,275310,00.html | title=Internet Capsule Review | date=] | publisher=] | accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> Additionally, GameFAQs.com is one of the 200 highest-] websites according to ].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.alexa.com/data/details/traffic_details?url=gamefaqs.com | title=Related Info for: gamefaqs.com | publisher=] | accessdate=2007-01-24}}</ref> | |||
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| ==History== | |||
| GameFAQs was started as the ''Video Game FAQ Archive'' on ], ].<ref name="about">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=42|title=About the Site|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-30}}</ref> Hosted on ], it originally served as a ] of ]'s ] FAQ archive.<ref>Andy Eddy's archive was formerly located at ftp://ftp.netcom.com/pub/vi/vidgames/faqs</ref><ref name="qa">{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=6&topic=20696917|title=The Great GameFAQs Q&A|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> The initial version of the site had approximately 10 pages and 100 FAQs.<ref name="radio">"Interview with Jeff Veasey" (]). ''''. WXBH AM-1190 (]).</ref> In 1996, the site moved to its current domain at gamefaqs.com and changed its name to ''GameFAQs''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.flex.net/~cjayc/|title=VGFA on flex.net|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-21| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010723115459/http://www.flex.net/~cjayc/| archivedate=2001-07-23}}</ref><ref name="about"/> At this time, GameFAQs listed less than 1000 FAQs and guides and was updated on an irregular basis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/|title=Video Game FAQ Archive|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-04-09| archiveurl=http://www.gamefaqsarchive.com/index.php?pg=1216|archivedate=1996-12-23}}</ref> | |||
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| During the following months, the site grew in content and in design; two different styles were introduced in early 1997 to accommodate the support of ] in ]s (or the lack thereof).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/home.html|title=GameFAQs (tables)|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19970218070909/www.gamefaqs.com/home.html| archivedate=1997-02-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/thome.html|title=GameFAQs (no tables)|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19970218070917/www.gamefaqs.com/thome.html| archivedate=1997-02-18}}</ref> Two key features of the site — the game search engine and the contributor recognition pages — were planned at this time. | |||
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| ===IGN affiliation=== | |||
| In 1997, GameFAQs became an independent affiliate of the ] (IGN), leading to the placement of affiliate links on the ].<ref name="pink">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-10-27| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19981212025143/http://www.gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=1998-12-12}}</ref> User contests were introduced during this period; the first monthly contest, which was held in 1998, received 253 entries.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c9810|title=October 1998: Select Fighter|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-29}}</ref> GameFAQs went through several design changes, including a pink color scheme,<ref name="pink"/> before arriving at the blue-colored layout that was used until 2004. | |||
| In November 1999, several changes occurred in rapid succession.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamefaqs.com/index.html|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19991128113006/http://gamefaqs.com/index.html| archivedate=1999-11-28}}</ref> On November 5, a search box was added to every page, at which time the site was celebrating its fourth ]. On November 7, the message boards opened in a ] testing mode.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=426|title=Second Anniversary Karma Bonus|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041012075244/chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=426| archivedate=2004-10-12}}</ref> The "Poll of the Day" was introduced at the end of the month.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=1|title=Poll of the Day #1|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19}}</ref> These changes marked Veasey's increased concentration on the site, and it was around this time that GameFAQs became his full-time job.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamefaqs.com/announce.html|title=The Big Announcement|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=1999|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-05-26| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/19991013083526/http://gamefaqs.com/announce.html| archivedate=1999-10-13}}</ref><ref name="davidson">{{cite news | first=Neil | last=Davidson | title=Stumped by a video game? Chances are Jeff Veasey can help | publisher=Canadian Press Newswire | date=] | accessdate=2007-03-13}}</ref><ref name="cnet">{{cite web|url=http://chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=224|title=The Future of GameFAQs|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041012074034/http://chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=224| archivedate=2004-10-12}}</ref> Until this time, he had been working as a ].<ref name="davidson"/> On ], ], the site received one million hits in a single day for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-03-13| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20000815053934/http://www.gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2000-08-15}}</ref> By 2001, the "GameFAQs Chat" (an ] chat server) had been launched;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgi.gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs Community|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010401131103/cgi.gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2001-04-01}}</ref> however, it was removed in May 2001 due to administrative issues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010512232132/http://www.gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2001-05-12}}</ref><ref name="radio"/> | |||
| ===2001–2003=== | |||
| On ], ], GameFAQs ended its association with IGN.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010118211300/http://gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2001-01-18}}</ref> To continue generating revenue, an advertising banner sold to non-profit organizations was placed on the top of each page. This lasted until ] became an official affiliate of GameFAQs; CNET ads ran on the top of the page and links to news articles from ] were shown on the home page.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20010418154308/http://www.gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2001-04-18}}</ref> In September 2002, the ad was moved from the horizontal ] to the vertical ]. This led to changes to the links on the side, as well as the creation of navigational links at the top of the screen.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAQs home page|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20020922025120/http://gamefaqs.com/| archivedate=2002-09-22}}</ref> Contributions to GameFAQs continued to increase, and Veasey, as sole operator and administrator of the site, dedicated significant portions of his time to ensure that GameFAQs remained updated and successful. | |||
| On ], ], Veasey changed GameFAQs to "GameFAX" as an ] joke.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gamefaqs.com/|title=GameFAX|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-19| archiveurl=http://www.ksot.com/GameFAX.htm| archivedate=2002-04-01}}</ref> The site's colors were changed to green and black to imitate those of the ], with the intention of making users believe that GameFAQs was now dedicated solely to the Xbox, "the only system that matters." After clicking on any link on the main page, users were directed to the real GameFAQs home page. Nevertheless, Veasey reported receiving hate mail from users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=27283817|title= An important notice about the future of GameFAQs|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> | |||
| ===CNET acquisition=== | |||
| ], ]]] | |||
| On ], ], CNET Networks (the site's long-standing affiliate and sponsor) ] GameFAQs. The amount paid for GameFAQs and two other unrelated websites was ]2.2 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ccbn.10kwizard.com/xml/download.php?repo=tenk&ipage=2269604&format=PDF|title=CNET Networks SEC Quarterly Report|date=]|format=PDF|publisher=CNET Networks|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> On ], ], Veasey announced the merger to the users of the site.<ref name="cnet"/> He clarified that the user-submitted content (i.e. FAQs, reviews) remained under the ownership of the authors and was not (nor could be) sold to CNET; however, CNET acquired GameFAQs' rights to host them on the site. He assured users that GameFAQs would undergo no major administrative change and said, "The GameFAQs you see today is the one you'll see tomorrow."<ref name="cnet"/> This was true to a certain extent, as the only visible change over the next few months was the addition of a CNET ] to the bottom of every page. Additional changes included moving the site to new ] in ] (thus changing the board's time zone to ]) and merging the three board ]s (s1/s2/s3) into one (cgi). | |||
| From 2004 to 2006, GameFAQs witnessed further changes. In April and May 2004, GameFAQs implemented a large visual redesign,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chris.insder.com/newlayout/|title=New Layout/Boards Merger|publisher=GameFAQs Archive|accessdate=2006-09-20| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041009125141/http://chris.insder.com/newlayout/| archivedate=2004-10-09}}</ref> and the boards merged with the GameSpot boards to allow both communities to share the same game-specific boards (to the disdain of many GameFAQs users).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.petitiononline.com/mod_perl/signed.cgi?gfsvsgs|title=Gamefaqs vs Gamespot Petition|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> To facilitate this, GameFAQs converted its board code from ] to ], and GameSpot dropped its ] code. On ], ], a new design was implemented and the GameSpot ] was added to the GameFAQs logo on the header of every page. This change was initially greeted with general disapproval by users on the message boards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=27814467|title=Survey says...|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-22}}</ref> To satisfy those who prefer the earlier layout, the old board pages have been preserved for certain users.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=29712507|title=The v9 End of Life project|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> Shortly after the redesign, Veasey began using the ] ] to generate many of the site's pages.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=29230067|title=The first major code change is live... Whew!|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-22}}</ref> | |||
| ===Veasey's departure=== | |||
| On ], ], Veasey announced that he would eventually be leaving the site. According to his announcement, Allen Tyner, who has been employed with the site since 2004, will take over as editor of GameFAQs.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=36893099|title=The Long, Slow Goodbye|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-07-19}}</ref> | |||
| ==Message boards== | |||
| The custom-made GameFAQs Message Boards, coded by Veasey, began operation on ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cgi.gamefaqs.com/boards/faq.asp|title=GameFAQs: Message Board Frequently Asked Questions|accessdate=2006-12-21| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20000510142945/http://cgi.gamefaqs.com/boards/faq.asp| archivedate=2000-05-10}}</ref> Although the original purpose of the board system was to facilitate game discussion, other board categories have been added since the boards opened. Every day, approximately 20,000 ] and 200,000 messages are posted on GameFAQs' 50,000+ individual boards,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=30534588|title=Ask GameFAQs: How much?|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> and as of ], ], there were more than 100,000 accounts actively in use.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=31607751|title=Happy Birthday to Us... and to you!|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-11-17}}</ref> | |||
| Every game listed on GameFAQs has its own message board where both novice and experienced gamers can discuss game strategies and other game-related topics.<ref>{{cite book | last=Carless | first=Simon | authorlink=Simon Carless | title=Gaming Hacks | year=2004 | month=October | publisher=] | id=ISBN 0-596-00714-0}}</ref><ref>{{cite conference | first=Nick | last=Flor | year=2004 | month=July | title=The Architecture of the Symbol Engine in a Programmable Autonomous Business | booktitle=Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on E-Commerce Technology | publisher=] | pages=119–126 | url=http://ieeexplore.ieee.org/iel5/9218/29236/01319725.pdf?arnumber=1319725 | format=PDF | accessdate=2007-01-25 | doi=10.1109/ICECT.2004.1319725 | id=ISBN 0-7695-2098-7}}</ref> Since the redesign of May 2004, the game boards with enforced ] have been shared with the GameSpot community. Certain popular games may have additional boards for social discussion. Game-specific boards for certain older consoles do not have topicality rules and are often claimed for social discussion — these are referred to as "secret" or "dead" boards. Every system also has a general board for discussing ] and upcoming games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/boardlist.php?category=3|title=System Boards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-30}}</ref> | |||
| GameFAQs has boards made purely for the purpose of socializing ("Current Events" and "Random Insanity" being the largest),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/boardlist.php?category=7|title=Social Boards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-30}}</ref> some that cater to special interests (such as '']'', '']'', or ]),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/boardlist.php?category=5|title=Special Interest Boards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-30}}</ref> and some purely for users from a particular region (e.g. ], ]/]).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/boardlist.php?category=6|title=Regional Boards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-30}}</ref> GameFAQs also has boards for official announcements, contributor discussion, contest discussion, suggestions, and site help.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/boardlist.php?category=4|title=Site Boards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-30}}</ref> | |||
| ===Features=== | |||
| Posts made on the message boards are mostly ]. Some ] is used on the boards, including bold and italics tags.<ref name="boardhelp">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=18|title=Board Basics|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> Unlike many message boards, tags for images, ]s, and underlining are not allowed, ] are not used, ] are limited to two lines of text, and posts cannot be edited. Additionally, the forums use a ] to prevent the use of certain vulgar words.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/tos.php|title=Message Board Terms of Use|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-10-01}}</ref> Older posts are not kept indefinitely and depend on the amount of posts on a board. | |||
| GameFAQs users gain one "karma" for every day they visit the boards while logged in. As karma increases, new features become available, such as the ability to post more messages per day, visit high-level social boards, and view a post history page.<ref name="boardhelp"/> Registered users can choose between various stylesheets, search topics, and message display options.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/user/manage.html|title=GameFAQs: Manage Account (login required)|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-12-29}}</ref> Users can add favorite boards to a personalized list on the main boards page and can track specific topics (a feature added in 2006).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=20|title=Additional Features|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=6&topic=32250342|title=Topic Tracking|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-01-31}}</ref> | |||
| On ], ], advertisements on message list pages were moved from the top of the page to the middle of the message lists.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=6&topic=36197238|title=Ad Changes|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-06-24}}</ref> Shortly thereafter, the ads were moved to the bottom of the message lists. On ], ], an "ignore user" system was launched for users above a certain level. | |||
| ===Moderators=== | |||
| The message boards are managed by the site's ] and ]. Initially, Veasey was the only administrator and therefore had full control over the boards; however, more administrators have since been appointed. The two active administrators are Veasey and Tyner, who use the accounts "CJayC" and "SBAllen" (formerly "Sailor Bacon"), respectively;<ref name="about"/> other CNET ] and employees have administrator accounts but do not play an active role on the site. | |||
| GameFAQs' moderators are volunteer users selected by Veasey and are responsible for keeping order within the message board community. Because of the size of the boards, the moderators do not patrol every board and topic. Instead, messages that break the site's ] can be "]" by regular users, which brings the message to the attention of the moderators.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=19|title=Rules and Standards|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-20}}</ref> | |||
| ===Life, the Universe, and Everything=== | |||
| ] ] based on the ] of '']'' featuring ] riding ].]]<!-- FAIR USE of LUEshi.png: see image description page at http://en.wikipedia.org/Image:LUEshi.png for rationale --> | |||
| "Life, the Universe, and Everything" (often shortened to "LUE") is one of the most well-known boards on GameFAQs. Its name is a reference to ]' '']'' series, and one of its earlier board numbers (]) continued the reference. Users on LUE refer to themselves as "LUEsers" and often attach "LUE" to popular fads and events on the board, such as "LUEshi",<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=388|title=LUE topic with many LUEshi's|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-21| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20041012075021/chris.insder.com/index.php?pg=388| archivedate=2004-10-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=2333|title=Poll of the Day #2333|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-03-08}}</ref> an ]work which depicts ] riding ]. Since its creation, LUE has caused problems for the administration (such as forum invasions) and has since been made into a private board. On many occasions, Veasey has said he will never allow new users into LUE.<ref name="qa"/> As of ], ], there are 17,205 accounts that can access LUE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boards.gamefaqs.com/gfaqs/genmessage.php?board=11&topic=29969812|title=Ask GameFAQs: Errata?|author=Veasey, Jeff|date=]|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-09-21}}</ref> | |||
| ===Spinoff websites=== | |||
| Due to the high popularity of the GameFAQs boards, many users have created ] forums based on the layout and general functionality of the GameFAQs boards. The first spinoff forum was the ] "GameFAQs Hell".<ref name="radio"/> One spinoffs is "LUElinks", a site originally created for members of LUE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.luelinks.net/register.php|title=LUElinks registration page|accessdate=2006-09-23| archiveurl=http://web.archive.org/web/20050311085204/www.luelinks.net/register.php| archivedate=2005-03-11}}</ref> It claims to have over 10,000 registered users and 20,000,000 posts.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://luelinks.net/stats.php|title=LUElinks - Stats|accessdate=2007-01-04}}</ref> Unlike GameFAQs, it is not open to the public. | |||
| ==FAQs== | |||
| All of the guides and walkthroughs on GameFAQs are contributed by volunteers.<ref>Mary-Kate and Ashley: Winner's Circle; '']'' (]); ], ]; Stuart Andrews; p. Doors.2 "Guides to completing thousands of video games, compiled by gamers worldwide"</ref> Most of the FAQs are not actually lists of ]; instead, they cover aspects of gameplay in the same way as ]s, with walkthroughs, item lists, maps, and puzzle solutions. Nearly all of the FAQs hosted on the site are in ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=28|title=Composing Your Guide|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> though GameFAQs does also accept stand-alone images, such as maps and puzzle solutions.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=11|title=Images (Maps and other graphics)|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-01-01}}</ref> In addition to FAQs, contributors can also submit reader reviews, cheat codes, developer credits, game release data, game saves, ]s, and images of ]. | |||
| When an author submits something to GameFAQs, it is screened by an administrator before being posted on the site.<ref name="submitted">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=31|title=After You've Submitted|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> The author retains the ] on the submitted material,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/help/?cat=29|title=Copyrights, Trademarks, and Plagiarism|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2006-10-26}}</ref> and their name is added to the site's "Contributor Recognition" section. GameFAQs agrees to host the guide only on their servers but does allow other affiliates to link directly to the guides (including ], ], ], and ]).<ref name="submitted"/> | |||
| GameFAQs features several ongoing contributor contests, including FAQ of the Month, Review of the Month, and numerous "FAQ ]", which reward contributors who submit FAQs for uncovered, high-demand games.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/faqbounty|title=FAQ Bounty|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref> The FOTM and ROTM contests are generally picked from comprehensive, complete guides or reviews for new games. Winners are sent a ] for an ], or can opt for a mailed ] upon contest entry.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/fotm|title=FAQ of the Month|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/rotm|title=Review of the Month|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-03-18}}</ref> | |||
| In 2004, ] published two commercial strategy guides with material from GameFAQs: ''The Ultimate ] Strategy Guide'' and ''The Ultimate ] Strategy Guide''.<ref>{{cite book|title=The Ultimate Xbox Strategy Guide|author=Cohen, Corey (ed.)|publisher=]|year=2004|oclc=60827530|id={{ASIN|B000E7URBQ}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|title=The Ultimate PS2 Strategy Guide|author=Amrich, Dan (ed.)|publisher=]|year=2004|oclc=60579744|id={{ASIN|B000E7URPM}}}}</ref> These guides were composed of FAQs written by contributors on GameFAQs. | |||
| ==Contests== | |||
| ===User poll contests=== | |||
| {| class="wikitable" align="right" style="margin: auto 1em" | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Contest | |||
| ! Winner | |||
| ! Runner-up | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c02sum|title=Summer 2002: "The Great GameFAQs Character Battle"|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle II<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c03sum|title=Summer 2003: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle II|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Best. Game. Ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04spr|title=Spring 2004: Best. Game. Ever.|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| | '']''<!-- STOP! (HammerTime) Chrono Trigger was the runner up here, not Ocarina of Time - this is the BGE tourney, not the top 100 games list --> | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle III<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/c04sum|title=Summer 2004: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle III|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | Link | |||
| | Cloud Strife | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Got Villains?<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/spr05|title=Spring 2005: Got Villains?|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | Sephiroth | |||
| | ]dorf | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle IV<ref name="cbiv">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/sum05|title=Summer 2005: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle IV|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | Mario | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Tournament of Champions<ref name="cbiv"/> | |||
| | Link | |||
| | Sephiroth | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Best. Series. Ever.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/bse|title=Summer 2006: Best. Series. Ever.|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| | '']'' | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle V<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/cb5|title=Fall 2006: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle V|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | ] | |||
| | ] | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Battle Royale<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=2566|title=Poll of the Day #2566|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref><ref>Note: Two different spellings were used — "" and "".</ref> | |||
| | Link | |||
| | Cloud Strife | |||
| |- | |||
| ! Character Battle VI<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/cb6|title=Fall 2007: The Great GameFAQs Character Battle VI|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| | colspan="2" style="text-align: center" | In progress | |||
| |} | |||
| Since 2002, GameFAQs has hosted annual (or biannual) ] contests consisting of daily ] in which visitors to the site choose between competing ], games, or series. Registered users can submit prediction ], and ]s are awarded to those who score the highest. The contest polls are shown in place of or in addition to the regular Poll of the Day and have always been accompanied by an image depicting the entrants in the match. The smallest margin between any two choices in a contest poll was three votes — this occurred in the match between ] and ] on ], ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/poll/index.html?poll=2882|title=Poll of the Day #2882|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| The annual Character Battle has been the subject of two ]s — '']'' featured the Character Battle in their comic on ], ],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.penny-arcade.com/images/2002/20020823h.gif|title=''Penny Arcade'' comic|publisher=Penny Arcade|date=]|accessdate=2006-12-17}}</ref> and Creative Uncut's ''Inside the Gamers Studio'' strip mentioned the Character Battle in their ninth comic.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.creativeuncut.com/comic/whit009.html|title=''Inside the Gamers Studio'' comic|publisher=Creative Uncut|year=2003|accessdate=2006-12-17}}</ref> | |||
| ===10 Best Games Ever=== | |||
| During the 10-Year Anniversary Contest in 2005, GameFAQs users voted on the 10 best games of all time (and tried to predict what the top 10 would be). '']'' was selected as the best game ever, followed by '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gamefaqs.com/features/contest/top10|title=Fall 2005: 10-Year Anniversary Contest - The 10 Best Games Ever|publisher=GameFAQs|accessdate=2007-09-23}}</ref> | |||
| ==Notes and references== | |||
| <div class="references-2column"> | |||
| *'''Note''': This article uses posts to message boards as references. These posts are from the site's staff and thus can be contextualized as official announcements and regarded in the same light as announcements on a corporate website. | |||
| <references/> | |||
| </div> | |||
| ==External links== | |||
| '''Official''' | |||
| * | |||
| * | |||
| '''Unofficial''' | |||
| * — archive of topics and announcements | |||
| * — information about the message boards | |||
| * — a ] with GameFAQs-related info | |||
| * — information about the user poll contests | |||
| * — a list of spinoff boards with downloadable ] | |||
| {{CNET}} | |||
| {{featured article}} | |||
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Revision as of 00:23, 5 November 2007
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