Why I Created Gaming Furever and Where We're Going
11 years ago
I realized that I haven't really sat down and introduced myself to everyone and let you all know why I created Gaming Furever, and what I hope it is, and what I want it to be. At the end of this journal, there is a link where you can also let me know what GF has been to you, and/or what you would like it to be in the future.
Back in mid-2010, a few months after I discovered the furry fandom, I realized that there wasn't really a central place for furry gamers to convene or find news about games with a furry focus on influence. Being a newly-discovered fur myself, I decided to make it happen myself, since I loved my new friends and wanted to fill a need that I thought would help many in the future.
I spent the next year, during my 3rd year in college, to craft and fill GamingFurever.com with a furry game database, a customized framework, and a welcoming feel. In June 2011, I finally released it to the public. Since then, almost 2 years later, we've gained a member-base of over 1500, held interviews with a few game developers, helped promote furry games, and tried to create a welcoming and warm community. We do this with very little advertising money or donations. So far, we've probably gotten about $200 worth of donations/advertising dollars. (Note that it costs more than $200 to run a site for two years with all the stuff we have on it, heh.) So this really is my attempt at giving something back to the community that gives me such joy. I try not to ask for donations constantly, or to pressure people into writing for the site. Everyone on staff works for free and writes just because they love gaming. Everything is voluntary.
What do I hope Gaming Furever is, and can be in the future? I want it to be a haven for furry gamers, and lovers of games of all types. People can come to discover a new game to play in the database of furry games, or find someone to play with. Recently, we've been trying to push a more content-focused approach, bringing in review writers and weekly editorials. I want to continue this drive and see even more talent on display. Perhaps a focus on not just furry game news. People love talking about games of all types, and I see nothing wrong with helping this along if you guys and gals don't. With GF TV, I want to create a place where people can come to catch a nightly stream with quality hosts that make you laugh, with a variety of gameplay, along with a couple of weekly podcast shows. I recently redesigned the site, and will be looking for feedback on what you want to see changed, now that it's been out for a few months. I would love to see a renewed focus on more genres, and I will be reaching out for new writers and community ambassadors to help boost this.
I'd like to conclude with some personal thoughts and notes. Firstly, thanks to everyone who has joined, posted, commented, uploaded, or anything else on the site. There is talent all over the furry gaming community; writers, hilarious streamers, opinionated die-hards, and impressive artists...and I thank each and every one of you for deciding to commit any amount of your time to helping our site. The main reason I created Gaming Furever was because there is nothing I love more than seeing people have a good time, and it makes me feel good knowing that I could help in any little way with making great experiences happen. It's not for personal gain or fame. I could care less if people knew me. I hope, more than anything, they remember the insight, friends, and happiness they found from using the site.
I try to juggle this site, a college life, a relationship, a job, and my own social life, all while putting my best foot forward in all of them. Sometimes I fail at parts of these. I want GF to be all that it can be, and to do everything I can to help writers, game creators, and members to have an outlet for their writing, games, and opinions. If there is anything that you think we, and I, could be doing better for the site, I truly hope you'll let me know on the survey.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you all continue to enjoy GF. :3
~ jojojoshua
Here's the link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Hh.....av0jE/viewform
Back in mid-2010, a few months after I discovered the furry fandom, I realized that there wasn't really a central place for furry gamers to convene or find news about games with a furry focus on influence. Being a newly-discovered fur myself, I decided to make it happen myself, since I loved my new friends and wanted to fill a need that I thought would help many in the future.
I spent the next year, during my 3rd year in college, to craft and fill GamingFurever.com with a furry game database, a customized framework, and a welcoming feel. In June 2011, I finally released it to the public. Since then, almost 2 years later, we've gained a member-base of over 1500, held interviews with a few game developers, helped promote furry games, and tried to create a welcoming and warm community. We do this with very little advertising money or donations. So far, we've probably gotten about $200 worth of donations/advertising dollars. (Note that it costs more than $200 to run a site for two years with all the stuff we have on it, heh.) So this really is my attempt at giving something back to the community that gives me such joy. I try not to ask for donations constantly, or to pressure people into writing for the site. Everyone on staff works for free and writes just because they love gaming. Everything is voluntary.
What do I hope Gaming Furever is, and can be in the future? I want it to be a haven for furry gamers, and lovers of games of all types. People can come to discover a new game to play in the database of furry games, or find someone to play with. Recently, we've been trying to push a more content-focused approach, bringing in review writers and weekly editorials. I want to continue this drive and see even more talent on display. Perhaps a focus on not just furry game news. People love talking about games of all types, and I see nothing wrong with helping this along if you guys and gals don't. With GF TV, I want to create a place where people can come to catch a nightly stream with quality hosts that make you laugh, with a variety of gameplay, along with a couple of weekly podcast shows. I recently redesigned the site, and will be looking for feedback on what you want to see changed, now that it's been out for a few months. I would love to see a renewed focus on more genres, and I will be reaching out for new writers and community ambassadors to help boost this.
I'd like to conclude with some personal thoughts and notes. Firstly, thanks to everyone who has joined, posted, commented, uploaded, or anything else on the site. There is talent all over the furry gaming community; writers, hilarious streamers, opinionated die-hards, and impressive artists...and I thank each and every one of you for deciding to commit any amount of your time to helping our site. The main reason I created Gaming Furever was because there is nothing I love more than seeing people have a good time, and it makes me feel good knowing that I could help in any little way with making great experiences happen. It's not for personal gain or fame. I could care less if people knew me. I hope, more than anything, they remember the insight, friends, and happiness they found from using the site.
I try to juggle this site, a college life, a relationship, a job, and my own social life, all while putting my best foot forward in all of them. Sometimes I fail at parts of these. I want GF to be all that it can be, and to do everything I can to help writers, game creators, and members to have an outlet for their writing, games, and opinions. If there is anything that you think we, and I, could be doing better for the site, I truly hope you'll let me know on the survey.
Thanks for reading, and I hope you all continue to enjoy GF. :3
~ jojojoshua
Here's the link to the survey: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1Hh.....av0jE/viewform
I think it's cool what you do. I hope the site sticks around and can become a main stay. Hopefully I'll be able to write more when I can. In the mean time thanks for letting this furry critic post his ramblings. =3
And clarity has been achieved. This was a good read.
I should give the gamingfurever Twitter account a follow friday shoutout someday as I love the site and have been looking at the site and following the Twitter account for over year.
I personally like seeing what games have furry characters in them as well as hearing what other furry gamers have to say. (Even though I dont really post myself XD) I think it was a great idea to make a site where furry gamers can come together and speak about games they love. It must be quite a challenge running a site and dealing with life too! I hope the site grows.
And I still need to get you your prize! ^_^
Survey done. And tbh I have wanted to form a community, like a forumboard where gaming furs could connect, discuss, and play with each other.
I game but not so active as I use to. There is also gamerDNA.com that I signed into long before hand. I hope that there can be a gathering of all sorts of furries into gaming but also with troll block. Sounds like it may turn out to be a good website perhaps. Thanks.
Oooo this looks interesting, :3