On Tuesday we launched a wide view page!

On Wednesday PsychoGoldfish unveiled a Portal Preferences form that allows you to disable auto-play, or switch to a classic view entirely.

Today Goldfish has finished the second round of updates!

Authors can now disable the resizing option via the edit form on each of their individual submissions.

Goldfish has also added an "X" button, which allows you to turn the Flash off at any time if you want it to stop playing.

More to come!

At 5/28/09 03:15 PM, SeethingSwarm wrote: Nice update!
That play button is really ugly and bland, I wish somebody over at the NG office could pretty it up a bit... Other than that, I'm really impressed with where this wide thing is going and that there's an option to keep it classic as well. Thanks for being so awesome! Newgrounds just keeps gettting better and better :)

Stamper is saving the pretty for the redesign, so you get the "classic Tom" for now.

At 5/27/09 10:45 PM, SlashFirestorm wrote: So I assume the new layout will be done piece-by-piece, instead of the massive rush deal with the 2007 one? And would I be right in assuming that the lit and art portals will be part of this redesign?

The 2007 redesign took two years so we're trying to avoid that this time. We wanted to get the wide view page out ahead of the redesign so that we could work out the issues and prepare everyone for it, otherwise the "real" redesign launch would have been met with the sort of response we got this week.

The Art Portal will DEFINITELY be included in the redesign, as it is launching well before it. The Lit Portal is more in question at the moment, although it is definitely coming. We're only so many people. :(

The Art and Lit Portal were both intended to be part of the 2007 redesign when we started it in 2005, which is why most of the codebase for NG was overhauled to better accommodate more portals... As fate would have it, a lot of stuff is being built from scratch again anyway for further improvements and future flexibility.

At 5/27/09 09:42 PM, zimzap wrote: I fall into the camp of not a fan of the skinny header with wide body but I understand that it is temporary. I must ask why do you believe the change to widescreen is so necessary right now? I realize that it would be a nice change but I do not believe that wide screen monitors and submissions are the norm right now.

We aren't changing the layout for widescreen monitors. NG's current layout was made for 800x600, when just about every website nowadays is made for 1024. Our layout is getting smaller and smaller on most computers, not just people who have widescreen monitors. We would have gone wide with the last redesign but that redesign started in 2005 and there were still enough 800x600 users that we didn't want to alienate. Nowadays, the whole web is geared at 1024 and we're behind the times.

At 5/27/09 07:31 PM, Fleshlight wrote: ugh...I hate all this wide layout business. I like to get little bits of information in a narrow layout. The big side borders keep the site from turning into a chaotic mess of information, and I really don't want Newgrounds to become a clone of all the other flash sites.

can't image how I'll navigate through this site on my laptop after the next redesign...

GET THIS STRAIGHT... All the other Flash sites will always be clones of Newgrounds. That is the only way it will ever be.

And our Flash was in-page from 1999-2000. We changed it to accommodate people with low resolutions... Who somehow still exist almost a decade later.

That's a fun link BTW, you can read about how much people hated the change.

At 5/27/09 07:28 PM, Wurmy wrote: On an unrelated note, heres a couple of bugs. I'm using Firefox 3, along with adblock, and noscript if it matters (Which it probably does).

I want to say it's your fault for using adblock, but we'll be trying to fix that issue nonetheless.

There will be lots of adjustments in the redesign. We share most of the same concerns as everyone else but we had to start somewhere with this.

At 5/27/09 07:27 PM, Glaiel-Gamer wrote: but classic mode kills the cock joke :(
http://www.newgrounds.com/portal/view/49 7142
(i like the widescreen layout)

Oh shit we better get rid of it then!

At 5/27/09 07:20 PM, 14hourlunchbreak wrote: Oh, thank god. Classic mode it is then. The new layout is cool and all, but it was totally killing my computer. I did like to see all the different ads for the NG T-Shirts though.

Well you'll be happy to see they're still there. :)

Classic mode looks like old mode, but wide... Because wide is the way things will be going.

PsychoGoldfish just launched the first update to the wide view page.

You can now access this handy dandy form to set your view page preferences!

You can select CLASSIC mode and it will look just like it always did, only wider.

The second option is IN-PAGE mode, which includes three settings. You can disable the PLAY button on under judgment Flash and adult content if you like, but can also enable a PLAY button on all the remaining Flash if you don't like the current auto-play feature.

A series of additional changes are on the way. We do read your feedback, especially the well thought-out, well-written, non-inflammatory kind.

For those of you who simply don't like the aesthetic of the skinny header on top of a wide body, consider this a temporary step as we move towards a new wide site layout.

For those of you who don't like the results of the related content, this is not the final algorithm so hold-tight. We will also be re-examining the placement of this in the final redesign.

There will be growing pains, but we believe this is ultimately in the best interest of NG and everyone here.

Alrighty... The wide layout has launched!

The "Related Content" info needs to re-populate with proper results. Until then you will see a lot of content that doesn't feel very related... The end result should be much better.

If you want to test the "Max Size" button, which makes Flash fill the width of the layout, try it on these!

ultimate flash sonic, by Dennis-Gid Type: Game Rating: Everyone

Prowlies at the River, by chluaid Type: Movie Rating: Everyone

Chuck's New Tux!, by HappyHarry Type: Movie Rating: Ages 13+

You can still open Flash in a pop-up as well, and the moon icon dims the lights, like the lightbox layout we had before this. Give it a minute to soak in and let us know if anything is totally broken.

Everyone thank PsychoGoldfish, Liljim and Bob!

At 5/25/09 12:35 AM, Supadood wrote: Tom can you reply to this? :P Im trying to decide wether ur real or like a Big brother type thing or not :D

I'm real. REAL BUSY.

At 5/22/09 08:41 PM, cast wrote: Tom, will the wide layout eventually be a global style change, or just for the submissions page?

( I hope it's not just for the submissions pages )

The wide layout you'll see is temporary, because we've been so itchy to put Flash back in the page. Ultimately there will be a global wide overhaul and it is SEXXXXXXXXXXY.

At 5/22/09 07:32 PM, luka wrote: Fix the header and footer plz. Just kidding, I'm sure it'll look sweet.

Consider the header and footer temporary, we have better stuff in the works. :)

At 5/22/09 07:07 PM, Sir-Nuts wrote: Oh, is that the big think Rob was talking about here? Or is there something else...?

That's something else. :)

At 5/22/09 06:53 PM, DrClay wrote: I hope the wide layout still has the pop up option

It does!

Firstly, go buy a limited edition Alien Hominid plush! One hundred of these were hand-made by Nathan to help fund his documentary. Hand-made, individually numbered with a certificate of authenticity! Once they are gone, they are GONE.

If you guys noticed some server errors earlier, it's because we tried to launch a new wide view page with in-page Flash. Due to technical issues, we won't be launching today. But now you have something to look forward to later!

SO ANYWAY...

I keep updating the Power of Three team roster and it's giving me diarrhea with how out of control it's getting. There are so many dream teams, not to mention some SECRET teams you won't even know about until it's TOO LATE!

Because of the massive number of teams forming, I want to reiterate some points from the original post to make sure this is completely clear.

1) This event was organized to inspire people to team up and collaborate with the vast amount of talent on NG. It's a showcase of what we're capable of doing when we work together.

2) Side benefits are the lasting partnerships, ad revenue you make from your games, and the money we manage to raise for charity.

3) While you should naturally want to make the best game, this isn't a competition and there is no prize pot waiting at the end. There isn't a console game contract waiting for the best team. Don't come into this expecting anything other than the bonds you will form and the amazing game you will create.

The team you form and the company you keep on this list is bigger than any prize we can give you. I like to think the partnerships formed by this event will have a long-term impact on a lot of people.

On our end, we'll be working to maximize exposure for your games, both during production and after release. We'll have a release schedule so game launches don't conflict, and the top of the front page will be dominated by a Power of Three promotional space when the games come out in the fall.

Yesterday I mentioned that future teams should have at least two award winning members on them. What everyone needs to understand is that for every team submission I get, there are another 20 PMs from people trying to form teams, asking questions about teams, etc. My big fear is that too many non-serious teams will consume too much energy from the project, when I want that energy to go into promoting and supporting the teams who are serious and made up of long-time members of the community.

HOWEVER, if you have a serious team with serious talent, you are still welcome to apply. At the least, I'll ask that each member has a SUBMISSION on Newgrounds and that you have made the effort to upload user icons and post on your blogs (so I can find your user icon).

And for the love of god, someone invite Bjra to be on their team, he's amazing!!!! This song alone makes me want to make a game with him right now:

[DjBjra] Battle of Old Friends, by Bjra Type: SongGenre: Video Game

Only contact him if you're a REALLY GOOD and SERIOUS team though because he deserves the best.

OTHER NEWS:

New Monthly Writing Contest!
The Fourth Annual Newgrounds Idol!

Johnathan Wrathborne is speaking about NG at Fanimecon in San Jose on Saturday.

Newgrounds booked booth 408 at Wizard World Philadelphia on June 19-21. Come meet the team, along with Luis, The Swain, Afro-Ninja and Egoraptor! Happy Harry might be there Friday, and PsychoGoldfish on Sunday. Liljim will be visiting from the UK as well. This is one crazy summer in NG land!

I mean seriously we could take over a small country at this point.

That... Is awesome.

Here is a preview copy and paste from what I'll be posting later this afternoon:

---

Yesterday I mentioned that future teams should have at least two award winning members on them. This upset some NG upstarts who want their chance to play with the big dawgs. What everyone needs to understand is that for every team submission I get, there are another 20 PMs from people trying to form teams, asking questions about teams, etc. My big fear is that too many non-serious teams will consume my energy all summer, when I want that energy to go into promoting and supporting the teams who are serious and made up of long-time members of the community.

HOWEVER, if you really have a serious team with serious talent, you are still welcome to apply. At the least, I'll ask that each member has a SUBMISSION on Newgrounds and that you have made the effort to upload user icons and post on your blogs (so I can find your user icon).

---

I don't want anyone to feel snubbed and call this an elitist event. So far I have added every team application to the roster. Just be aware that some of the teams that seem least likely to actually make anything are already the ones with questions, special requests, team problems, etc. There are over 100 people on that list who have been long-time NG contributors, so if you think focusing efforts on 100 of NG's best and brightest is a popularity contest, well SORRY.

My main goal is to make sure no good games slip through the cracks and they all get lots of attention. This summer will be the true filter and determine which games will ultimately get the most spotlight. Even if a team misses the team submission deadline, if they still manage to make an awesome game under the Power of Three guidelines, they could still earn a spot in the event as late-comers. Similarly, teams that get stuck in the mud may find themselves off the list midway through.

At 5/20/09 01:40 PM, Zombie-Pimp wrote: I think a better filter would be "please do not submit a team application unless two of your team members isn't still using the default tankman avatar. Seriously, half that roster are tankmans!

That's actually a secret criteria I was gonna use for the first round of cuts....

At 5/20/09 12:28 PM, joabos wrote: The team with Adam Phillips, Weasel and TBD are with their user links messed up.

Thanks for pointing that out!

At 5/20/09 08:39 AM, JonBro wrote: I was expecting to see Law of Talos up there because the first four of them were submitted recently, but they appear to be deleted along with the unknown-prson account. Were they stolen?

Yeah, sadly. :(

At 5/19/09 10:00 PM, evan210 wrote: why isn't our team on that list?

i'm the artist, lillefyr is the musician, and either cool901 or makeshift are the programmers (TBD).

I was behind on team applications when I posted that list, it will probably get updated in the morning.

To reiterate:

1) While you should have a natural desire to make a better game than the other teams, this isn't a traditional competition where one team wins. There isn't prize money.

2) In terms of money, the teams will be splitting their revenue from Flash Ads and from their view page on NG. They'll also be promoting their individual user pages.

3) We will work with the teams to distribute the games across the web, which will maximize your Flash Ad earnings, like ten to thirtyfold+ what you can get from appearing on NG alone.

4) Your games promote the Power of Three hub, which serves three purposes: to promote the other games on the list, to raise money for Child's Play, and hopefully to help spread the word about NG!

And when it's all over, at the least you'll have formed some lasting bonds and opened some new doors.

This is meant to be a culmination of how far NG has come over the years; the extremely talented community, the Flash Ads system, the ability to promote content and the ability to share revenue, whether amongst users or with charities.

First, go DIGG this so we can get front page:
SF COLLAB ON DIGG

Some other website recently made Digg's front page with Mike's Doom Triple Pack, just like how some site snagged front page with HappyHarry's Watchmen spoof when NG had already submitted it. WE CAN'T LET THAT HAPPEN AGAIN.

Be sure to read up on The Power of Three!

I have been putting together a preliminary TEAM ROSTER based on the team submissions. There are some heavy hitters (cough Adam Phillips) who are ALMOST on that list but I'm waiting on final team confirmations. It's already an impressive list, though!

The plan is to update this page throughout the summer, with screen shots and interviews from the teams. As the games take shape, we'll develop a fall release schedule to maximize the excitement over each release.

NOTE: I am still going through PMs and logging team info. If your team isn't on this list, I will get to it soon!

NOTE 2: I have been digging up programmers and making a list of those who are interested. If you're an artist who has won awards on NG and you can't find a programmer, please mention it here and I will try to do some match-making!

TEAMS: Someone (I think RubberNinja?) recommended having team names, which sounds like a lot of fun! So PM me with your team name and I can include those.

BIG POWER OF THREE UPDATE:

I'm updating the team list and we're approaching a size where I may have to start cutting teams that don't show a lot of potential. I also need to set new rules for any future applications:

Please do not submit a team application unless two of your team members have won awards on Newgrounds.

I'm sorry to have to limit this event, but if it gets too big, I feel that participating teams could suffer. I may be imposing a cut-off of 33 teams, so that we have a manageable number for the release schedule and ongoing publicity.

Also, we will be encouraging the integration of medals in the games!

40 Diggs... Can we get 40 more????

Gotta do it before another site does! :)

Think we can do it....?

http://digg.com/comedy/Street_Fighter_Co llaboration_NSFW

At 5/16/09 09:59 AM, JPGarcia wrote: Hey Tom could you give us a few extra weeks? Three month ain't much when you are at achool/university and some of us are also working on a madness game/movie (20 sept).

Since the games will be on a release schedule, teams that lag behind could potentially get a few extra weeks - they shouldn't gamble on it though and will get better publicity at the front end of the schedule.

At 5/15/09 01:17 PM, JTricks wrote: When you say original characters, do you mean completely new original characters which have never been seen before outside the game, or could we use original characters which we created before the contest started?

You can use characters you created previously, you just can't use characters created by other people.

At 5/14/09 04:19 PM, LazyMuffin wrote: I have a lot of ideas about Sonic if someone wants a storyline for a Sonic game.
But you better be good at drawing naked porcupines.

I know you're joking but ON THAT NOTE, I should include that all games must feature original characters. :)

At 5/14/09 04:01 PM, mongoid wrote: I really like the idea of a small panel of accomplished artists and NG employees to decide the relevance of a submission's quality.

We COULD make it ranked by administrators, although my fear is of being accused of favoritism... Where with the community score, at least it's "democracy in action"... But we do have a few months to decide on that once and for all. Maybe we could launch it ranked by score, but switch to manual rank it if the order doesn't feel right...?