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I'm going to keep this pretty short this year, for a lot of reasons. For one, in some ways this has been a pretty long and trying year for CoN, and there's no reason to dwell on stuff that's not awesome. For another, I know that a lot of you out there reading this are borderline illiterate, so why should I make life any harder for you than it already is?

Half of that statement above is certainly true. If you're not sure which half, you're likely in the "illiterate" group. I know that, for me and a pretty significant number of my staff, the last twelve months have been pretty trying both personally and professionally. For me in particular, CoN is both; so when we have a bit of a quiet year, like the one ending right now, it feels like quite a blow to the gut. Now, that said, it's not all doom and gloom for the magical CoN crew. We did pretty okay—I mean, we're all still mostly here. Right?

Seriouly, though, we're still a vital and active site, lack of obvious illustrations notwithstanding. Our daily average hit statistic has been trending up for the last year, which is something that really has never not been the case. We still pull a ton of traffic, and we even have managed to pop into the Alexa Top 100k again recently, several times, in fact. We even reached as high as about 84,000. Many of you might recall from way back in 2004 how big a deal that was; well, now there are even more sites on the internet, and we're still reaching higher into those rankings than we ever have before. For the statistically-minded, and especially for me, that's kind of a big deal. As CoN's "competition" slowly continues to slide into obscurity, we continue to assert our place as the one place where you can still find good data, and not be surrounded by people who just don't care any more.

It was a pretty tough year for new Caves development, so I know those of you who ache for more game coverage are probably pretty disappointed right now. We did, of course, manage to blast out the highly-touted Final Fantasy IV upgrade last October, which frankly is a jewel among our coverage. It's technologically advanced, and covers fifteen years of FF4's life. It even gives us a toehold into the truly excellent Nintendo DS remake, launched just nine days ago in North America. If you're a fan of our visual arts offering, too, you should see our new fanart section. Launched just last week, this new section does everything faster and better than the old one, and it will allow us, as it catches on, to get more new fanart to you guys much faster than before, and from many more games. For a site that isn't necessarily "about" fanart, I think we've put together a pretty wickedly robust offering there, and with it being so easy to rate, comment and submit, we definitely want you guys to get more involved.

So here's what we're going to do for 2008-2009. I'm going to quit my job (well, actually, I might just lose it, but it sounds like it has so much more bravado to say "quit," right?), and we're going to streamline our operations to make things faster and more efficient. This will take place via changes to staff, a reorganization of how we handle our projects, and simply by taking more knowledge from what we've done in the past. Our problem has always been that there is just so much fantastic stuff we want to offer you guys, we get bogged down. It's time for us to refocus our work and really work with you all to give you what you want as close to when you want it as humanly possible. We know we're good, and we know you're good, and we all know the site's good. So let's reinforce that fact over the next twelve months, and let's make sure that for all nine of us out there who still enjoy Final Fantasy, all nine of us are thinking of CoN with regards of how to interact with the community.

You all can still help, too. While we might not be looking for full-time staffers for quite a while, those of you who can help collect data, or test things, or do lots of various stuff, can always help and I will try to give more of my time to welcoming you to do it. There's nothing we do that's truly difficult (well, at least not the parts that we'd let anyone touch anyway!), so all you need is a bit of free time and the willingness to understand how things are done, and preferably the opportunity to hang out in chat and not make an arse of yourself while doing so. And if you can't do that, there's always AmaCoN. Even if you have never shopped online in your life, I would wager that you know someone among your friends or family who does. Get them to use AmaCoN; if you're not sure how, just ask. It's not a lie when I say that CoN gets more done when more AmaCoN money comes in, because the more money brought in to pay the site's expenses, the less time I have to spend soliciting freelance work and the more time I can use on improving the site. We want your money, of course. Who doesn't? But at least we want you to get cool stuff from it. We haven't asked for handouts since like 1999. Seriously.

All in all, we still feel that we have a lot to celebrate with this site. We want you to celebrate with us. Every (decent!) post you make is a little bit of celebration. So is every line of chat. So is every rating or comment on a fanart, and so is every time you tell your Facebook friends what a cool place CoN is; heck, you can check out our brand-new Facebook page to make it even easier to share! Help us celebrate the truly one-of-a-kind thing that is the CoN for the next year, and we'll meet again in 365 days to discuss our progress. And one final note, the big news this birthday is not just here. We've got new contests that will be posted... well, posted just below!

—R51

CoN Summer CoNtests

And here's your contest information! This summer, starting of course today, we're going to be running two contests for the creative folks here at CoN. One will be for new fanfiction stemming from one or more of our currently-covered games, and the other will be for fanart of characters from any Square-Enix game, depicting them on a hypothetical vacation. Submissions are open now, and will be open for some time. If you are interested, or know someone who is, check out our main CoNtests page to get more information. Remember, the only prerequisite to enter is that you be a CoN member.

This post has been edited by Rangers51 on 8th August 2008 19:20

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Thanks for starting this site, R51. I know this is my first year as a forum member, but I went on this site long before I joined. The information here is incredibly helpful and I wouldn't have known where to find anything good in FF VI without it. When I tackle the PS version of FFIV, I'll be sure to help myself out using CoN.

I'm glad you guys encourage a place where everybody can be gaming geeks, because, if it were any other way, I wouldn't have any outlets to let my opinions and (little) knowledge of video games out, and that wouldn't be good. Yeah, there are people in my life who game, but the earliest FF they play is VII. In addition to all of this, there isn't a 99.9% percent population of jerks like there is on Gamefaqs.

And if you guys want to improve things 'round here, I'm willing to go with the flow.

Happy CoNniversity to you, too.



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I say what I wanna say, I play how I wanna play.

Long live CoN

dis site sux lolol

Just kidding. Keep up the good work, everyone.

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And have you found your joy, in this near dead world of ours?

Is eye tis illllliterate ur talking about?

This is one of my favorite game related sites. Lets keep it that way.

Since I joined (two years ago?), CoN has recieved a good chunk of my internet time. It really is my favorite place on the web. The walkthroughs are the best quality that you will find anywhere on the net, and the people here are (mostly) great.

I'm excited for another year of CoN and I'm completely willing to help with anything for the site.

Happy CoNniversary!

Edit

BTW, I've tried to enter chat (for better or for worse) but I'm running into issues... It says I need to download Java, but I've followed the link and downloaded it and I still can't get into chat. If someone could PM me with help?

This post has been edited by Death Penalty on 31st July 2008 15:49

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Currently Playing : Final Fantasy V
Most Recently Beat : Elder Scrolls: Skyrim
Favorite Game : Final Fantasy X

The newest CoNcast is up! Have a listen!

Quote (Death Penalty @ 31st July 2008 11:42)

Edit

BTW, I've tried to enter chat (for better or for worse) but I'm running into issues... It says I need to download Java, but I've followed the link and downloaded it and I still can't get into chat. If someone could PM me with help?

I'll be happy to help, you can PM me or find my instant messenger information here on the site; however, the best thing to do is always to get a standalone IRC program, as they're just better than doing it via browser in all cases.

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"To create something great, you need the means to make a lot of really bad crap." - Kevin Kelly

Why aren't you shopping AmaCoN?

Happy CoNniversary everyone.

Facebook... OMG.

So I don't know if this counts as a double-post, since I said it there too...

It seems people are just joining the facebook group, and anonymity is cool and all, but shouldn't we be able to meet the people behind the screen names now? Problem is, there is nowhere to post who is who. If you made the Facebook CoN a group, there should be a way to open some sort of rudimentary topic that ppl could just post in their names, which would be attached to their real names.

Maybe you guys like the anonymity, but I'm a curious fellow.

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If internal struggles were as enjoyable and glamorous as the self conflicted wars within video game characters, we would all be statues, reveling in perpetual self war. -Me

Play me on Rock Band 2, GH-WT, or any other Xbox GH!
Xbox Gamertag-MeanJerry

Happy birthday, CoN!



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Is PJ

Bravo. CoN always seems to grow up faster than I do.

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I find your lack of faith disturbing...

Quote (leilong @ 31st July 2008 12:25)

It seems people are just joining the facebook group, and anonymity is cool and all, but shouldn't we be able to meet the people behind the screen names now?

Most of us already in the CoNFB already know who is who, but there's always the wall for comments, if you want to make an announcement of that sort. I don't personally mind anyone from here finding my facebook. In fact, I encourage anyone here to add me. It'll make it easier for me to block you .

I say this every year, but CoN really is my home on the internet. It's been that way for years and I imagine it'll continue to be that way for quite some time. 11 years is incredible for a website of any standard, so congratulations! Now if only the CoN UT community would grow, because frankly the teams need a little more balancing! Personally, I blame Olly, but you know how that goes.

Here's to another 11 years (I hope that thought makes Josh cringe.) All the best.

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Okay, but there was a goat!

I've been around for a few months now, and in that time gotten to know the CoN community. And it's a pretty awesome place. Hope CoN continues to strive and grow.

Havvy CoNniversary all.

I can't believe it's been over 4 years since this site introduced me to the internet. I just wanna say thanks to all the staff and even just members. You all have changed me undoubtedly, and completely, for the better. CoN's still got it.

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"We're not tools of the government or anyone else. Fighting... fighting was the only thing I was ever good at, but at least I always fought for what I believed in." - Frank Yeager (a.k.a. Grey Fox)

Happy birthday, CoN! I may not be around as much, but it's still the first bookmark that pops up for me.

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"My impersonation of an ordinary person was flawless." - Neal

"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." - Dr. Seuss

im on this place like....every day. i made it my home page when i start up so i always see it. its my first bookmark and the first forum i really frequent. if im not here, im on facebook, and even then i go back to here. i just became a fan, so yeah...


happy birthday CoN!!!!

oh, im Tj Sullivan on Facebook, by the way.

This post has been edited by dont chocobos rule? on 31st July 2008 19:13

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Aujourdhui a commence avec toi.

Damn, a CoNtest that requires actual skill .

Happy Birthday to you, website.

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All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain. Broccoli to die.

Yay go CoN.

I don't want to be illiterate....

CoN's 11 years old? Groovy! A contest that just might compel me to do a (semi-)finished drawing (something I haven't done since May)? Double groovy!

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Console RPG Cliches

Ooo, I better get to work on my Garland bio (only got one chapter done , but I've been busy!). And I just wanted to say that this website was a blessing for me when I was playing FF I and I've had it set as my homepage since then.

Got-dang I made it by 2 minutes on time today to wish CoN a HAPPY CONNIVERSARY WHOOOOOO

Now to go look at what the CoNtest is?

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Squenix games completed:

FFIII
FFIV
FFVI
FFVII
FFIX
FFX
FF Tactics: Advance 2
Chrono Trigger
Dragon Quest 8
Dragon Quest 11
Super Mario RPG

Happy Birthday, CoN!

While not an active site, forum, or chat member, I do from time to time indulge in a little CoN time. Josh, through instant messenger, keeps me pretty up-to-date on the happenings of the site and its members.

I have thoroughly enjoyed watching some of the members of this site grow up.. I've watched as you graduated high-school, entered college, graduated, got your first job... I'm like that voyeur - that while never seen is always watching - that likes to keep tabs on everyone.

Thank you to Josh, and all the staff, that help maintain this site. I, of all people, know that it is both time and monetarily consuming to continually update and watch over a site of this magnitude. Great work, guys! Best of luck on the upcoming year! I’m sure we’ll see some pretty neat features!

- Matt


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You tell me.

OH NO!!!
I can't believe I was late for the CoN birthday....I'm disappointed in myself .

But CoN has brought me many good readings and whatnot. With many (apparently) friendly people as well.

But ANYway,
LOVE YOU CoN XD
CAN'T WAIT FOR ANOTHER GREAT YEAR
Keep up the good job everybody

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"Speak louder. I can't hear you over the sound of how awesome I am."

Expect to see at least one entry by me in the fanart contest. I think I have another idea brewing.

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kame, tortue, tortuga, schildkröte, tartaruga, turtle

"Arthur Dent?"
"Yes."
"Arthur Philip Dent?"
"Yes."
"You're a total knee biter."

Ah! CoN! You've been like my awkward cousin that I hang with in whirlwind spurts before leaving at the end of the summer. I blame that on my sporadic access to the internet, but I've got it now and oh how I've missed you.

This site is brilliant. Great coverage and people whose intelligence scores are over 9.