The question has been asked a few times.  What exactly is 4PP?

Are we a video game website? What’s our focus? Reviews? News? Are we an internet show? Or are we a podcast?

I’ve heard people complain that we’re all of those things but we don’t really do any of them particularly well. So today I’d like to “Announce” what exactly we are and clear up any confusion.

We are a Community. Plain and Simple, that’s what we are.

We’re a group of video game players that came together because of a common interest. Maybe that doesn’t sound glamorous enough for some, but for me and the many who have stuck around, we’re part of something we can call our own.

What makes us unique?

We’re real people you can meet. You can see us on a daily basis. You see our best and our worst. And then you see us get over all that to do what we love. We’ve been real lucky to have kept this band together as long as we have and every day is another chance to keep it going. I hope that you can find some sort of inspiration as we take on the next challenge.

Why would we want to come here?

Here at 4PP you learn our personalities. I’ll recommend you a game because I think you’ll like it, and you think I’m full of shit because my game choices don’t match up with yours. So then you go to play the games Brad talks about.

I’m confident that there isn’t another video game website which, as a whole package, has worked to broadened people’s game experience as we have. This goes to say about our own experiences as well. When someone emails me and tells me how they’ve tried so many new games because of 4PP, that’s when I know we’re doing something right. If that’s not what you’re looking for, by all means find something that can fit your needs. Either that or….

Help make 4PP better.

Unlike any other site I feel that 4PP has been built on its Community. Sure all other sites rely on their traffic and viewership. But literally 4PP exists and is able to move forward because it is Community contributed. You guys donated so we could go to our first E3. You guys voted and won us the podcast award. And then you guys took it upon yourselves to better the forums and create a wiki.

I am serious. If there is something you don’t like about 4PP, you have the ability to change it. As a Community you are able to mold this site into what you want it to be. Maybe it sounds like we’re asking for help and that’s frustrating. But people asked What is 4PP?

And I’m telling you, we’re a Community. For better or for worse, we’re a Community and we’re only going to get where we want to go by working together.

Comments

  • Avatar
    VagrantHige
    12 years, 1 month ago

    Well said David. I am glad you put this up here because I think it answers some questions some people have had (even asked me when I've showed clips or posts over the last 3 years or so I've been lurking). You guys built this out of passion for the industry and the people who get that are the ones that are coming here every day.

    While I may not be big in the chat and the forums (I prefer to sit back with a drink and watch while playing something myself at night) I have been coming back to the site and the feed almost every day because 4PP has become a place that is about the love of the game and that is something hard to build.

    So to the 4PP staff and to the community at hand, Bravo kind sirs and madams. Lets keep this ball rolling and see how far we can go.

  • Avatar
    Sickbrain
    12 years, 1 month ago

    So this is not a gay porn site I was promised by the link?

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    jon2435
    12 years, 1 month ago

    It's been a long road, let's keep it going. No sense stopping now. Thanks for the great article David.

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    Carlo
    12 years, 1 month ago

    David, like you mentioned in your article, there are many games I have played due to being exposed to them on 4PP. I don't think I would have ever played games like Bayonetta, Shadows of the Damned, and Catherine, if I didn't see them played and discussed on this site in great lengths. Thanks David and 4PP, keep up the great work!

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    pjunk
    12 years, 1 month ago

    That's an interesting take on the situation. I guess, in general, other things similar to 4PP tend to be treated more like a service of sorts. One group provides the entertainment, and the other group constitutes the fanbase, and it doesn't really go beyond that. In this case, if I'm not mistaken, you're saying that we're all essentially part of one group that works together, where 4PP just happens to be the center of it all. I think that's a lot of the reason why some members want 4PP to have a greater presence on the forum and to join in the discussions that happen there rather than just showing up when you need to administrate it, to further reduce the separation between you and the fans. You guys have told us many times, of course, that you're simply too busy with work, life, and the other parts of 4PP like broadcasts and podcasts to post more often than you do, and we understand that. It's a perfectly valid reason. Unfortunately, until we find a way to work around that, the forum is always going to feel - to some members - more like a fansite dedicated to 4PP, rather than something 4PP itself is a part of. With that said, you guys have definitely taken steps forward, such as posting forum threads to Facebook and improving the layout. It shows that you do pay attention, even if you don't always participate, and that effort doesn't go unnoticed. Things are good as they are, and always getting better, so I look forward to the next big step in improving the 4PP community. That's my two cents, at least.

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    cookiemonster31
    12 years, 1 month ago

    nice article David. I can def agree that everyone at 4PP has basically made me create a huge backlog of games and also put me onto many games that I never before would of gave a look at i.e Tactics Ogre, Vanquish, Enslaved, Alpha Protocol, Saw (Hi Nick), etc.

    a lot of sites would never talk about some of these games because they just go by what the masses want. I like knowing about ALL GAMES not just call of duty, grand theft auto, madden, etc.

  • Avatar
    Herns
    12 years, 1 month ago

    This.

    It actually wasn't until about 6 months ago that I actually began actively following the 4PP podcasts. Nonetheless, from watching the live feed, highlight clips, occasionally checking out the forums/announcements, and just getting to know Brad, David, Nick, Travis, Nolan and all the rest, I got to know what 4PP was like. Then once I actually started following the podcasts and getting to really know the crew's respective preferences for games and thoughts on the games industry, I really began to appreciate 4PP as not just a group of people whose opinions on games and thoughts on the games industry I value, but a group of real guys, not like some aloft group from a faceless gaming press website.

  • Avatar
    pioshfd
    12 years, 1 month ago

    4PP changed some of my views on games and what makes a game good. You guys don't take making podcasts all serious and professionally and it's what has kept me coming back these couple of years. I've given plenty of games a try after hearing about them from podcasts and some of them have ended up being some of my favorite games out there. Thanks for the countless hours of entertainment I've gotten out of the wiki, both from podcasts or archives!

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    RebornRevolution
    12 years, 1 month ago

    You're all quality people. Haters gonna hate. I got hook on this podcast and these live shows not just because I stumbled upon some of your funniest highlights, but because 4PP is a place for all types of gamers, I hear you guys critique a game or dissect a series and say things that actually RELATE to ordinary people, not just to the hardcore gamers. For the past few years I've been able to come to the site and learn something about some of the games I play, and what kinds of games are of good quality and worthwhile beyond bad ass characters and epic graphics (though, those help :D). So thank you guys, because honestly I know how hard you all work to make this site the best it can be, and you're human beings. Keep up the good work :)

  • Avatar
    Rendrak
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I try and leave a comment on every article that interests me (and some that don't) because Brad is scary when he's mad.

  • Avatar
    DalishCassassin
    12 years, 1 month ago

    I owe a lot to you at 4pp, I definitely have tried way more games that I would have normally, especially those outside my comfort zone because of all the good I've heard of it on here. Constantly I find myself up to date on new games that other people haven't even heard of because you value games for quality, not for their popularity like a lot of other sites.
    (Also when I applied for University I referenced 4PlayerPodcast when talking about why I was interested (Its a game technology course) & I got in to one of the best Unis in the UK! So technically I owe part of that to you, or my grades, but either way I thought it was cool to add you into my statement xD)
    Well actually to be honest, I do owe a lot of my gaming knowledge to you, because before 4pp I never really knew the ins & outs of the industry, I barely knew the names of anyone who worked behind the games, & its definitely helped me to become a better gamer.
    The best thing about 4pp is the passion you have. Thanks for all the fun!