Interview No. 94

Interview By: @The-Great-One

Today we'll be talking with Tom Fulp once again. He is here to talk about the redesign as well as other matters pertaining Newgrounds. His full story can be found here, he was The Interviewer's 1st Interview, he was here a second time, and today he joins us once again. The creator of Newgrounds... @TomFulp.

Q: When it comes to this redesign, when did the creation begin?

A: Even during the development of the redesign that launched in 2007, we knew we wanted to make bigger changes and go wider with the layout. Actual visualization of the new site started in 2008 and went through several revisions until the final concept in 2009. From there it came down to addressing every single page, overhauling a lot of back-end systems, developing new features and rewriting all the front-end code and javascript.

Q: Many members including myself have been wondering where two things are. Where is the Lit Portal and Chat?

A: The Lit Portal is waiting on the existing portals to be in better shape and still more unified, since it will share a lot of elements with them. Chat has been waiting on the multi-user server and API PsychoGoldfish was developing a few years ago. Other projects have been keeping it on the backburner.

Q: When it comes to this redesign, a lot of it has been cleaned up and many different sections of Newgrounds were given well deserved attention. However, we haven't gotten many new features with this redesign. What other new toys will we get over time?

A: We're pretty secretive with features because companies with more resources can attempt them quicker than we can. What I can say is that we'll be accepting other formats for games and movies, which is why we removed the term "Flash Portal" in the first place. We'll also be expanding a lot on the feed data available to individual users, so it's easier for them to keep tabs on their favorite artists and responses to their own contributions.

Q: Where does Newgrounds stand as far as the Video Portal is concerned?

A: It's not a standalone video portal but rather the option to upload your animation as an MP4 file instead of SWF. The feature is ready to launch but we're holding off on the big premier. For the immediate future it's an invite-only option for animators; we want to avoid being a video dump and focus on animation and film with cool post-production. I know we'll get heat about "Everything, by Everyone" but that slogan has always had a dual-meaning anyway, as in everything you see on the site is the result of everyone here working together.

Q: When did your brother Wade join the Newgrounds team?

A: Wade came onboard in 2000.

Q: With this new design comes the Project System. Could you explain how this system to those who don't know much about it?

A: The project system addresses some things that have been long-term issues with NG. It allows artists and developers to fill out their information and preview their files ahead of actually publishing them. It also creates a space where teams can share assets and invite beta testers, while integrating the API directly into your project. Before this, people had to set up their API entry in advance and HOPE it linked up to their final submission, otherwise we had to manually link it. It has made it much easier to integrate ads, set up medals and make sure everything works before you publish.

Q: Will we be getting any new holidays or contests with this new redesign employed?

A: We have plans for contests and one-off events but I'm squeamish about additional annual commitments since they really add up.

Q: The Newgrounds Tank Awards are on the horizon. To celebrate Best Movie, Best Game, Best Musician, and Best User. Any new awards to be implemented?

A: There won't be any new award categories this year but I'd like to make adjustments in upcoming years.

Q: Randy Solem recently passed on. He meant a lot to different people on this site, he's how I came to find Newgrounds. What mark did he leave on you and how do you feel now that he is gone?

A: Randy was part of an exclusive club of early Flash enthusiasts and it's a wake-up call that we won't be around forever. Randy and I are almost the same age and he lived nearby in New Jersey, so the whole thing hits close to home. It's a reminder that there is limited time to get things done and I don't know when my own window will close so I need to keep pushing ahead. I want NG to be around in 100 years and I want people to know about Randy 100 years from now.

Q: People have wondered whether or not we would be getting Portal Moderators. With groups such as The Newgrounds Police Department and The Elite Guard Barracks keeping an eye out on the Movie and Game Portals for a good long time now, what would the implementation of Portal Moderators bring to these clubs? Will we be seeing Portal Moderators in the future?

A: We do intend to have Portal Moderators who can un-publish projects that break the rules. It means these clubs can have members with actual administrative power, rather than depending on the staff as much.

Q: Is there anything new coming from The Behemoth?

A: BattleBlock Theater is on the way and coming along great! I've been working with JohnnyUtah on what could be Game 4 but that is going to stay private until we're ready to show something.

Q: What can we expect to see from Tom Fulp and Newgrounds in the future?

A: More games from me and more features from NG, along with more NG everywhere. I want to be sure everyone who sticks around feels like their time couldn't have been better dedicated to any other website.

Tom Fulp is always a very chill and amazing person to talk to. A lot of us here know his story and what he wants to do for Newgrounds. The future is always out there and Tom is always wanting to find it and he is always looking towards others to help him on his journey. What else can be said?