So here's a thing that you may or may not know: twitter is being left in ruins. The stock is tanking to depths lower than ever before, "Shadowbanning" is running rampant leaving an entire user-base unsure where the tweets from those they are following have gone in their timelines and even fearing what to post next unless they end up as next on a blacklist/ blocklist. Other social media platforms are seeing similar tarnish to their reputation; as Facebook moves to censor political opinion and Tumblr... well, I think most internet users are aware of the stereotype prescribed to the typical user.
It can leave people feeling a little left out in the cold, even from beneath my 100w heat lamp. Many people are turning towards new social media platforms, from Periscope and YikTak to "Tsu", but all of these will be a free-for-all of everyone from your best friends, work colleagues to your Grandma who isn't going to appreciate your spamming of trailers for Mass Effect: Andromeda later this year.
Haven't you wondered; what if there was a social network made by gamers, FOR the gamers, that wasn't quite as NSFW as /v/. Well, now your prayers have been answered! Meet:
The League for Gamers. A brand new social media site that's steadily gaining popularity among the video game obsessed subcultures of the internet. It was created by Mark Kern along with a team of unpaid volunteers. Who's Mark Kern? Only the former team lead for World of Warcraft as well as a key contributor of several Blizzard projects who, though now retired is advocating for video games, and most importantly, you; the gamer.
The League for Gamers is still in a Beta stage and as such some features as still being developed, but it works essentially much like a combination of Twitter, Facebook and Linkdin. You can post updates with a total of 512 characters (a vastly more expressive number than 140) including links, follow other users and create groups to discuss and share ideas... much like the newly added group for this blog as run by yours truly. There are also facilities to advertise/ search for skills that are used by indie game developers.
But here's the rub, the reason why this - in my opinion - sets it apart from other efforts:
There is no draconian speech policy.
Nothing is off the table so long as it falls within the bounds of the law, no pandering to hurt feelings, no safe-spaces and especially no Blockbots allowed. In fact they actually provide a checker to see if your Twitter account is already on one.
So please, head over, show your support. Create an account and join the group for all the keks and info, share with your friends and get posting, but most importantly...
Gamers,
Let's Play.
Authors Note: Hi I'm The Bearded Dragon. I'm a contributor here who'll be helping Scott produce content for this kick ass site. Want to hear me write about something in particular or just want to call me a Shitlord? Head to my Twitter and drop me a line at: https://twitter.com/TBeardedDragon oh and btw, don't forget to check out the interview with Mark himself:
