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N4G V2 Open Beta

It’s been a while now since we last had a major update to the site, 5 years to be exact. We are finally ready to push the next site update and we are aiming for a launch mid December. Before that we need some help with breaking stuff so we are opening up beta versions of all 5 newsboiler sites today so that we can do some stress testing and sort out the last bugs. So for those interested in helping out...

tayz3809d ago

I like the current design better.

ajax173809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

The people have spoken! TABLOID VIEW SUCKS! Thanks for the bubbles, though. Sorry you guys took 5 years designing a site that nobody likes, lol.

mechlord3809d ago

thirded, fourthed and infinited. that layout suck balls. its just plain fugly. how could you even consider that??

uptownsoul3809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

Everybody got 10 bubbles!!! ...except I already had exactly 10(so no upgrade or downgrade in bubbles for me). I noticed that some people said they got more bubbles, but did any get bubbles taken away?

RedDevils3809d ago

Same here the beta view look suck, don't fix what isn't broken!

Bansai3808d ago

Whoa, I really don't dig that layout, I hope we will be able to use the old skin.

AnubisG3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

Yeah, have to agree. The current design is just a lot better. Just want to add that I checked it out on my "mobile" and it's not great. So I think it's pretty clear that you guys are headed in the wrong direction with this new design. Wanted our feedback... Well, there you have it.

nix3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

35th'ed.

N4G, you already had that tabloid-like format for years but i've never used it. we like this format.

just bring back the Open Zone. Let's have some laugh in this site instead of depressing same fights every time... and also with Open Zone, Septic can finally open up to us. be who he really is. lol. i kid. i kid.

@AnubisG,

the mobile version is good the way it is.. please don't ask them to change that. last thing i want is another data consuming mobile site.

That-Guy3808d ago

Retain this layout please. Update it to be more reactive (scaling with size) if you want one theme to fit all (mobile). Perhaps update some of the colors and icons for a more modern look. Comments are far more legible here in the current version, and content is king. If it's harder to read there's less audience engagement.

JackBNimble3808d ago

Nope, if I am stuck with that tabloid shit I will never come back to N4G, sorry but it's garbage.

FriedGoat3808d ago

The problem with Tabloid view and any other design that features squares/pictures, is that there just isn't enough information on the screen, have to scroll down so far to get all the news :/

UltraNova3808d ago

Ok...I need some time to get used to this but I'll admit its quite slick

G20WLY3808d ago

Yep, sadly not a fan of the new layout. The thing is, by and large I like the current format fine, barring some fine tuning. I think the back end stuff needs tightening and the format is pretty clear as it is.

The new beta format is very odd. I don't understand why today's top story (about Sony's potentially unlocked 7th PS4 core) is 7 or 8 pages down?! And it's a little box, while stories with less than half the community interest have a box taking up over half the screen.

If anything, maybe look at the 'heat' level denoting the size of the box (up to full page width) as well as the order, otherwise gamers will miss important news if they only manage to steal seconds one day to glance at N4G.

Gazondaily3808d ago

You're honestly gonna lose a lot of engagement in that tabloid style layout. The one as it is is fine.

But still looking forward to the other changes minus that.

breakpad3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

@tayz while i like more the current one if they modify a bit the new one it would be the same...change the background color to blue ,add the same comment section as here , add some colors to add-agree and keep the flash and graphics at minimum so it can be fast even at low spec Pcs

ThanatosDMC3808d ago

That was horrible. It was like a bunch of ads from the usual $hitty websites.

Perjoss3808d ago

I even prefer current design (classic) when I'm browsing on a small phone or tablet, don't like this new one at all!

Major_Glitch3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

Yeah...the new layout is a no go.
Edit: Holy crap! Where did all these bubbles come from?!

AnubisG3808d ago

@nix

I meant to say the the new beta site design on mobile looks bad, not the current one. The current one is pretty good.

antz11043808d ago

Tabloid view is no good, it's just not fun to sift through on a tablet or a desktop. Keep it the same!

antz11043808d ago

If they wanted to do something right they would scrap the bubble system. Tabloid view is just annoying to sift through and now the threads are zoomed in way too close.

lociefer3808d ago

like some1 mentioned , pls also bring back the open zone section, some really funny stuff was going on there , we need to blow some steam every once in a while u no xD

subtenko3808d ago

Look, I think the layout is good, but the actual front page on the current layout looks better overall, the actual layout and possibly colors.

Everything else I think is slightly better.

The again I dont really dislike the current layout as well.

specialguest3808d ago

Wow, I've been an official N4G member for 9 1/2 yrs and a lurker even longer. I remember the first yr of N4G when the 2 separate Xbox and PS site merged to one. I also remember all of the updates which kept a similar layout making the site smoother and incrementally prettier.

However, with this latest update, its a drastic change. I dont like it, because each article post takes up an entire mobile phone screen of real estate. It makes scrolling passed each article post a pain. The current layout has always been mobile friendly, so why the drastic change?

amiga-man3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

Not for me, popped in then out again, if the site comes to that count me out.

ULTp0ltergeist3808d ago

Weeeeee free bubbles! ...i know off topic ;D

blackbeld3808d ago

The Beta looks pretty but tabloid sucks! The current view is clear so please don't change it.

Bathyj3807d ago (Edited 3807d ago )

Looks like the people have spoken. No one likes the beta layout. You have to look to hard to find information that used to just be there.

Also what's with all the bubbles? I earned my bubbles and it took years to get there. I also bite my tongue often so I don't lose them. NOW all the trolls have 10. I hope you going to reset that back to normal. Bring back the open zone if you want to give trolls free reign.

+ Show (24) more repliesLast reply 3807d ago
camel_toad3809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

Just checked it myself and quickly closed the tab. I also like the current form. A vertical list is easier and faster to skim through than random fisher price-sized blocks.

Relientk773809d ago

Can they have the top 5 news stories on top, then the news under it like they do now. Then update everything else but keep the layout, The current "classic" layout is perfect

uth113809d ago

Don't like the look, but if the current bubble system is gone, I'll take it!

lociefer3809d ago

please listen to us and dont go tabloid , leave it as it is, its practical and easy to get the stories

babadivad3809d ago

I like the new design. It's a little cramped but not terrible. Just will take some getting used to.

iliimaster3808d ago

lol by then how many followers would this site have lost?

choujij3808d ago

Quite a few I would imagine.

fenome3809d ago

I definitely like the current design better myself, I've never been a fan of tile formats. The list is much easier for me to scan and see the things that interest me personally, I always have N4G set to Classic View..

-Foxtrot3809d ago (Edited 3809d ago )

Kind of reminds me of when Kotaku gave their site a new lick of paint

All we really needed was to scrap the bubbles.

Main criticism...it's too white. Sides are a faded grey and the main section for articles/comments are white

Can they not implement a colour/theme option.

Oh and the "SPAM/Inappropriate" options. I know there isn't any bubbles but shouldn't the options we had like immature, trolling, bad language remain so you know what kind of punishment to give out. Well maybe not bad language, that needs to be thought out more. If it's in the nasty way to a user then fine but if EA decides to do something stupid then I don't see why a "I don't f****** believe it" would be as bad. I've starred that out but you know what I mean, even if you are 12.

I just tested this on someone who wasn't in violation by the way, not because I'm a dick but because I thought clicking inappropriate would bring up some options but it didn't...sorry.

Little disappointing with how long it's been in development. I was expecting it to use 3D holograms or something at this point

TheCommentator3809d ago

Wait, you mean bubbles are finally going away?

G20WLY3808d ago

RIP bubbles. The system is only partially broken, since there are some people that nobody can listen to, regardless of preference. On that front it actually unites those of differing opinions.

Thanks for all the work on developing new solutions. Sorry it's not been well received, but at least the feedback should be invaluable to understanding what the community do and don't want.

Major_Glitch3808d ago

I would've liked the bubble system...if it worked properly.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 3808d ago
Export3808d ago

I like the reply system better

3808d ago
outsider16243808d ago

Agreed! I don't like the new layout. Maybe stick with the current layout but use different colors and different menu styles.

Ristul3808d ago

I dont want to shit on someones hard work but the new design is not great. When it comes to ui, simple is often better!

IanTH3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

Agree 100%. This has that PC Gamer typed layout that is infecting everything. Less intuitive to browse, things take up too much space, etc. They note that list view is coming, and I hope it comes with some improvements to the current list, but this would certainly be a no-go for me if it became their everyday interface.

Off Topic: You probably have more likes from this 6 word comment than I do in the history of my commenting lol.

rezzah3808d ago

I prefer the previous design, whatever that looked like.

I just remember liking it more than the current one.

TheSaint3808d ago

Seems like 99% of us like the old version better.

DOMination-3808d ago

I only use n4g on mobile so this update is very welcome. The current mobile site is very limited

Ahytys3808d ago

I don't like it at all! Useless change on a desktop PC

Clown_Syndr0me3808d ago

Agreed. New version on mobile is so crap can't find anything quickly.

Perjoss3808d ago

Don't change it, the layout of the current site (classic mode, not tabloid) is perfect.

bradleejones3808d ago

The current design is much better. If the new design was just laid over the current, then that would be great.

quaneylfc3808d ago

Have they removed the god-awful "agree, disagree" system?

Edito3808d ago

I'm with you, I think the actual website feels better.

3808d ago
SegaGamer3808d ago

What the hell is wrong with admins ? they always feel they need to change their site. Leave it as it is now, the new style is absolutely horrible.

UnHoly_One3808d ago

Yeah if this is the only option, I'm out. I hate literally everything about this layout. Even the comments section is terrible.

Thunder_G0d_Bane3808d ago

Agreed, the new design is terrible!!

SeanScythe3808d ago

Was anyone asking for the layout to change? No, so leave it alone. If it isn't broke don't fix it.

Spenok3808d ago (Edited 3808d ago )

The current design is definitely more comfortable, this new design is still nice. Personally I think the best part about the new design is the comments. It appears they got rid of the bubble system, which is super nice. I never dropped below the standard 5, but it's annoying when you're having a good conversation. I wish they would have added a button to respond to people regardless of where they were at on the comments section. It's annoying there's no way to notify them you've responded without some kind of tag or something. MANY other sites allow you to so you know when a conversation has continued without having to physically look at the thread to see if someone has responded. That is honestly my most requested feature.

N4G3RZ3808d ago

Design is not as good as the one on the OLD site.

FITgamer3808d ago

Agree. Not a fan of tabloid layout, also the overly white background is harsh on the eyes. Wonder without out the bubble system, will comment section end up like IGN's. Non-stop troll comments.

Silver_Faux3808d ago

It's safe to say that it's not gonna change any time soon...unless N4G pulls a Ubisoft/EA on us and tells us what we need

Silver_Faux3808d ago

What would be good if there was a 'filter' where you could set it so you won't see site you don't like come up on the news feed, ie Kotaku

3807d ago
Zhipp3807d ago

Yeah, the new design is too bright. Makes me feel queezy.

SynGamer3807d ago

Love the new design (same for animeshinbun.com as well)!

Erik73573807d ago

I think the newer one is nicer if your using a phone.

MehmetAlperTR3807d ago

i didnt like the Beta.. It's not nice.. I like the original one...

bradleejones3807d ago (Edited 3807d ago )

No sir, I don't like it.

crazyclown3806d ago

Same here, the new design is week and is actually way worse then mashable which is a similar design

+ Show (40) more repliesLast reply 3806d ago
Relientk773809d ago

"Site search is finally useful"

good lol

cplus3809d ago ShowReplies(2)
rkyounis3809d ago

I like the current design way better. The new one just looks disorganized and cluttered.

UserNameIsNotTaken3809d ago

It's like the Tabloid version of this site :/
Which I don't like.

Insomnia_843809d ago

That was horrible! Came back to the current version right away!

Show all comments (313)
40°

Games Done Quick is coming to Europe for the first time with 3 days of Gamescom speedruns

The charity event will be streamed live from Gamescom in August.

Read Full Story >>
videogameschronicle.com
50°

Microsoft Lowers the Price of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate And PC Game Pass, But What’s Next For Xbox?

Xbox Game Pass Ultimate is getting cheaper but Call of Duty is leaving day-one access. Here’s what we think the price drop means for Xbox, PC Game Pass, and the future of the service.

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theouterhaven.net
3d ago
VaNdAl3d ago

Phil Spencer killed the Xbox Let It Go move on to PC

Jingsing2d ago

They would be better breaking up what valued assets they still have and put them out to auction for the competition.
There is no more financial gain for them on any trajectory in the entertainment space.

180°

PlayStation Confirms New DRM, Digital Games Will Vanish If Players Don't Log-In For 30 Days

Tech4Gamers writes: "A PlayStation Support assistant has confirmed that the 30-day timer implemented by the new DRM policy is part of an update and isn’t a bug. While responding to a fan’s query, PS support revealed that all games purchased digitally after March 2026 will be affected by this time limit.

If your PS4 or PS5 does not connect to the internet within 30 days, the game’s license will expire, and it won’t launch on the console unless the connection is restored. Hence, every digital game you purchase from now on will require an online check-in, or else you will lose ownership."

Read Full Story >>
tech4gamers.com
Goodguy014d ago

That is wild lol. Steam already does this for some games depending on the developer...but man...all digital games on ps5...

Eonjay4d ago

FYI, it hasn't actually been confirmed. This is just a lot of assumptions. If this is the case i would expect Sony to come out and say so. Chat bot response doesn't count as official confirmation.

People are also saying this is also an inadvertent mistake. If this is the case Sony and its customers would be best served by coming out and saying so.

If this isn't a mistake I think they need to confirm it and Playstation gamers should complain.

darthv724d ago

Sounds like Sony quietly did what MS openly said they were going to do with the once a month check in... and MS got so much flak they had to change course.

People need to give Sony even more flak if its true.

blacktiger4d ago

If the response is from Sony whether irresponsible employee or chatbot. That's from SONY until Sony reiterate

Dandizzle4d ago

seriously, a large company like sony wouldnt do that without an announcement or else it would result in bombardment of customer service

BlackOni4d ago

Sony's chatbot is notoriously garbage at providing even basic information and functioning properly. I wouldn't take anything it says seriously.

That said, if this is true, this is serious af. Major L for gamers across the board.

1Victor4d ago

It’s no mistake someone got paid to code that in the update and it wasn’t just for the lol

+ Show (2) more repliesLast reply 4d ago
phatak4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

This is beyond nuts, this was pretty much the exact thing that the playstation execs during the ps4 era mocked the xbox one over and xbox never recovered after it, this is why you need stiff competition folks, Sony high on their own supply just like the early ps3 days where we apparently needed 2 jobs to afford one, I was a massive Ps3 fanboy mainly due to the fact that the xbox 360 pushed sony into a corner resulting in them actually trying real hard to get market share back and as a result we got crazy good exclusives, just for old times sakes like I used to do back in 2012 right here on n4g ill relist some of the major exclusives of ps3 again

Demons souls
Metal gear solid 4
uncharted 1,2,3
infamous 1,2, festival of blood
little big planet 1,2 & little big planet karting
gran turismo 5 and 6 & ridge racer 7
killzone 2,3
twisted metal
journey
ratchet and clank tools of destruction, quest for booty, crack in time, all for one, into the nexus
resistance 1,2,3
last of us 1
god of war 3 and ascension
motorstorm collection
ico & shadow of the colossus collection
folklore
modnation racers
warhawk & starhawk
sly collection & jack and daxter collection
Puppeteer & comet crash & tokyo jungle & rain & gravity crash & Echochrome & the last guy
Heavenly Sword
3D Dot Game Heroes
Playstation All-Stars Battle Royale
Mag & Socom 4
Fat Princess
Ni no Kuni, Valkyria Chronicles, Yakuza 3,4,5 (these all came to pc later )

But just think and compare this catalog of games to ps5 ?
Saros, astro bot, demons souls remake, ghost of yotei, I would have included gran turismo 7 but that came on ps4 as well so not really an absolute exclusive that one needs to buy a ps5 to play like the other 4.

We are almost in the 6th year of the ps5, the 6th year of the ps3 was around 2012 and almost all the games from the list above were already released on the ps3, now if they are really pulling this online crap every 30 days non sense its only because of a lack of competition from xbox and so they have console players by the ba**s, now I don't know whether this is confirmed or not but regardless if this is in general where their headspace is at it seems like we should be worried, its the real playstation gamers that will be affected if its true, Im not even a playstation gamer anymore but my recommendation is put your money where you mouth is and really abandon playstation if this ends up being true.

Extermin8or3_4d ago

No it isnt. The xbox one require you to check in online every 24 hours. Also alot has changed in terms of Internet infrastructure and provision globally since 2013.....

hiawa234d ago

Looking at what consoles cost now, many need 2 jobs.

cytricks4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Not quiet. Xbox wanted to do DRM for physical games so they would be locked to your account and not sharable

Zerobalance4d ago

Most of those games are trash. Deal bro🤣 Ponies gotta pony up. Muma Sony wants some more cash. PC bro! Good ol' games. Look it up.

Ashunderfire864d ago

O man you remember that PS3 statement from crazy Ken Kutagri whatever is last name is, was so cringe for saying,”Your gonna want PS3 so bad you need 2 jobs!” That guy overhype the crap out of PS3, that was the most expensive console, an a lot of misinformation about the graphics and performance delta over 360.

Kyizen4d ago

Xbox drm was for physical games also and 24 hours with no sharing

vTuro243d ago

Yeah stuff like this is why competition is needed. The ps360 era was peak gaming. Microsoft and Sony waging a full on war and Nintendo just kinda doing their own thing. The gamers only benefited from that. Then Microsoft shot themselves in the dick with the Xbone and that gen felt like a step down from the previous (imo), though it wasn't bad still.
Then you have the current gen, which honestly feels like one big nothingburger. Barely anything interesting gets released while prices keep going up which to me is just insane. Astro Bot is basically their only exclusive that I'd be interested in buying, but I'm not buying an console just for that. Especially not one as expensive as the ps5... I would add Demon's Souls to that, but I already played the original. Loved the game, but a remake isn't a system seller for me.

+ Show (4) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
Loktai4d ago

@darthv72 Yeah LIKE 14 years ago. Its like saying "Give sony flak for raising game prices, because it would have made you mad in 2012"

PRIMORDUS4d ago

Pirate on PC what you can, you will own it, nothing will be taken from you. I feel like your just throwing money away and have nothing to show for it, with digital games.

1Victor4d ago

Well all I’m going to say is I’ll vote with my wallet and keep refusing to buy digital and will cancel my ps extra this is bs and you all that still think digital is the future should take note because once the servers goes down so does your digital game library. Good luck and good bye

+ Show (3) more repliesLast reply 3d ago
Jin_Sakai4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

This has to be a mistake.

“Received word from an anonymous insider. The Sony DRM issue is unintentional. From what we gathered, Sony accidentally broke something while fixing an exploit. They've known about the confusing UI for a while, but didn't see it as urgent. Hoping for a clarifying statement now.”

Eonjay4d ago

I find their communication to be very poor. If this is an error on their part why let people get worried about it? I understand they don't respond to rumor but sometimes they make it worse by not responding and this is an unforced error on top of and apparent unforced error.

Kribwalker4d ago

There’s people that talked directly to people, not chat bots, that confirmed it’s real 🤷‍♂️
I expect those fans that were so against Xbox doing it to eat a whole lot of crow

Outside_ofthe_Box4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Damn, we having diehards coming out of the woodworks for this. 😳

But you're right this is literally what led to the demise of the Xbox One and led to some calling it the Xbone.

There is literally no need for this and Sony has been doing just fine without it. If I don't turn on my console for 30 days and want to play offline I should be able to play the game that I paid for, no if and or buts about it.

Jin_Sakai4d ago

If it’s real it won’t last long. Almost every PlayStation YouTube video is full of revolt comments about it.

CrashMania4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

The screenshot from the article is from an AI chat bot, there are plenty of screenshots floating around from actual human chat reps stating the opposite.

SkilledGamer4d ago

It's also worth noting that the text stating a 30 day license seems to only be visible on PS4, PS5 users aren't seeing it at all.

Warrior944d ago

It this is real then I will never buy digital again and if the PS6 is digital only then it will be the first Playstation Console I wont buy

VersusDMC4d ago

"Games will vanish" is click baity as hell...all you have to do is log in and the license is restored.

phatak4d ago

@ VersusDMC The entire goal for us gamers is to want to avoid that lol, what if sony's servers are down or having some maintenance, many times ive just played my installed games without even signing into psn, from now one it means every 30 days I have to at the very least sign it to psn to even play my installed games, cannot even play single player games without singing in, so for example if sony just decides to ban me from psn, I cannot even play the games locally already installed on my drive that I purchased after march 2026, you don't think thats insane ? you just want to accept that ? abandon playstation right now if this story gets confirmed.
we officially have started renting games from march 2026, it was a good run we had 1994 to 2026.

VersusDMC4d ago

Maintenance doesn't last 30 days

Who doesn't sign in to psn for 30 days? Missing out on game updates, new games, messages, demos, etc...

You already lost all your purchases if you got permanently banned from psn so that's not new.

And if for some reason you don't have internet for 30 days you can use your smartphone as a Hotspot to connect your ps5 to the internet.

phatak4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@VersusDMC my point isn't not about the 30 days maintenance man, the fact that you are willing to accept this 30 days sign in means they totally OWN you now, what if they change this later to 7 days, im sure you will be making the exact same point right " who doesnt sign into psn every 7 days" ? eventually say it becomes every 24 hours you cool with that too ? by psn banning you I mean to say if I get banned on psn right now for some weird reason that they decide, but I have 20 installed games already downloaded and ready to play just by clicking X, basically all the exclusives from ps4 and ps5, even if my psn is banned I still get to play the games already installed right now same like putting the disc into a banned console, from march 2026 will I be able to play my locally installed games with a banned PSN ? Its not about the length of time, its the fact that the corporation gets total control over how I choose to even play my single player offline games with mandatory sign ins, a simple thing such as forgetting my password would mean I cant even play ghost of yotei offline without signing into psn.

You ever heard the phrase "give someone an inch and they will take a yard", thats what will happen here, it doesn't just end at 30 days sign in, that's just the start

cytricks4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

Is it that difficult to sign in for one second every 30 days? Especially if you are ps plus member who wants to get their free games?

phatak4d ago (Edited 4d ago )

@cytricks You are focusing again on the 30 days too, "oh sony said its only 30 days so we are safe" While its not a probability YET, just know that your playstation turns into a brick if sony decides to turn off those servers.

Sony's lack of communication is telling my conspiracy filled mind lol that they're testing to see if they can get away with this. If it was truly a mistake, they would have acknowledged it, apologised, and stated they're working on a fix.

+ Show (1) more replyLast reply 4d ago
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