As I spent my time this afternoon looking around the various gaming sites on the internet I noticed that the hot topic of the day seemed to be the aftershock of CNet's decision to dissolve the GameCenter Alliance. This is a major let down not only for us since we are apart of the alliance but other major gaming sites out there such as Stomped, and our host site Crossroads. 

The cries on the different messages boards across the internet blamed economic slow down to global warming (Well maybe not global warming). Seriously though, the complaints ranged from sub-sites hosted by Crossroads and Stomped being blamed, to the lack of advertising funds, and scheming on the part of CNet to raise their hits and then drop those that brought the hits after raising their hit base. I saw sensible arguments to semi lucid ranting that made no sense.

Well in the aggressive spirit that has helped put our name on the map and achieve astounding growth in the few months we have been around, we decided to go to the source and ask a few questions ourselves.

We first talked with Josh McCloskey, a spokesman from CNet,  who answered a few of our questions and then Cody Ellsworth the CEO of Crossroads to get his feelings on the recent developments and to see what direction this is going to send online gaming fan sites.  

We'll start out with the Spokesman from CNet Josh McCloskey

<PCShooter> There has been a lot of speculation in the gaming community about the reasons behind dissolving the gaming alliance. We have heard reasons from too many sub-sites on the main sites to economic slow down. What was the determining factor in dissolving the alliance?

<Josh M>  CNET has decided to re-dedicate resources from the alliance right back into Gamecenter and Gamespot.  We want to concentrate on making Gamecenter and Gamespot the strongest gaming sites on the Internet.

<PCShooter>  People say that CNet will make money either way from advertising with or without the gaming alliance is this a fair assumption?

<Josh M> This is true.

<PCShooter>  Is there a chance the alliance will be reformed in the future?

<Josh M>  Anything is possible.  We do not anticipate reforming the Gamecenter Alliance in the immediate future, but anything is possible in this industry.

<PCShooter>  There are a lot of people taking about saturation in the market with hundreds of gaming sites. Has the number of sites made advertising more difficult and less profitable for advertisers.

<Josh M>  There is no question that the advertising market is tough these days. Ultimately, there may be some consolidation, but the strongest sites will thrive.  There is a large market of gamers who buy a tremendous amount of gaming software and hardware.  Advertisers will always looks for the most effective way to deliver their message to these gamers.

After speaking with CNet we spoke with Cody Ellsworth the CEO of Crossroads. We wanted to get a feel on how this would affect his gaming site and what his feeling were about CNet and the other gaming sites on the Internet. 

<PCShooter> As a major member of the Game Center Alliance how is the move by CNet to dissolve the alliance going to affect Crossroads and your affiliate sites? Also how do you think it will affect other members of the alliance?

<Cody E> It's a little early yet to tell exactly how this is going to affect our company and its affiliates. My expectation, though, is that things will continue as before, at least as far as our readers are concerned. I'd expect the other Alliance members will carry on as well.

<PCShooter> There has been a lot of speculation on the internet about CNet's reasons for dissolving the alliance. Speculation has ranged  From talk of economic slow down to, sites like Crossroads, or Stomped taking on too many sub-sites, and CNet not being able to handle the number of page impressions. One person went so far as to accuse Game Center Alliance sites of breaking their contracts by bringing on sub-sites. In your opinion why do you think CNet decided the alliance needed to go and what are your feelings on hosting sub-sites.

<Cody E> CNet communicated to us that the reason wasn't due to monetary issues. It was simply a program that was no longer needed, due in part to the acquisition of ZDNet. As far as Alliance members being the cause, due to taking on too many sub-sites, I believe that to be false. I know for a fact that, in some cases, Crossroads and other Alliance members, including Stomped, attempted to bring on additional sites and were turned down by CNet. And in the case of Crossroads, at least, no sub-sites were brought on without prior approval from CNet.

<PCShooter> What is your feeling on independant game sites and the sub-sites people claim ruined the Game Center Alliance?

<Cody E> I don't feel anyone is to blame for CNet's decision to dissolve the Game Center Alliance. I believe it was simply a wise business decision on their part. Am I happy about it? Of course not. Our business plan was built around the expectation that CNet would continue supporting us through the duration of the contract as promised. Those expectations turned out to be false.

<PCShooter> What is the future of internet gaming sites in general including those not directly affected by CNet's latest move,  and what does Crossroad plan to do to insure their future?

<Cody E> I believe we'll see newer, less-established sites either disappear or be absorbed by larger networks. Those that have been around for a while, like Stomped and Crossroads, will continue to be a presence in the gaming scene. How we ensure our future will largely be based on continuing to do what we have done all along: provide the fans with high quality news, content and services.

Well after speaking with CNet and Crossroads the issue has been significantly clarified.  Although the untime death of the GameCenter Alliance is going to have a resounding and unfortunate impact on the gaming community, game fan sites will continue to thrive. Smaller ones will come and go and the best sites will continue to grow. You will see Crossroads move to a new home as will many others. 

PCShooter will also remain unaffected by these recent changes. We will ultimately move with Crossroads. Several other options are also available which will insure our longevity.  To those game sites who don't survive your presence will be greatly missed as will be your contributions to the gaming community.