Zam.com Q&AFollow

I have pointed everyone discussing this issue to this thread so that we will have a single place to answer the questions of all the communities we serve. Please post your questions or comments here and we will try to answer them as best as we can. Since I anticipate that this thread will get pretty long, I will try to move anything important to the top to make it easier for you.

(for those of you who don't like the style sheet, just add your site to the beginning and it will change. i.e. make allakhazam.com into ffxi.allakhazam.com)

First for those who don't read the front page, the news post we made:


Allakhazam is pleased to announce that we have added several new sites to our network and have joined them together to form the Zam.com Network which is now instantly the leading content destination for all MMO gamers.

The new Zam.com Network will consist of newly expanded and improved versions of Allakhazam.com and Thottbot.com. In addition, the assets and content of OGaming.com (and the interface sites) and L2Orphus.com will be integrated into the existing Allakhazam network. This will add multiple new games to our site, more than double our personnel and give us the flexibility to add more features, better service and expanded coverage.

In the coming months, we will be upgrading our server infrastructure, expanding our news and editorial coverage, adding sites for more games, and designing even better database services. We are committed to making this the premier destination for the entire MMORPG community.


Now the Q&A


Q: What does this mean for the Allakhazam network sites? What changes can we expect?

A: Expect a major expansion of our current services. By adding these new sites to our network, we are gaining resources and flexibility that we have never had before. The plan is to make Allakhazam.com and the Zam.com Network the only place you need to go to get any information about your game. Any changes we make will only be positive and will be ones that we think will make your site better.

First off, expect to see the site speed issues disappear. We have ordered a whole pile of new servers for us to handle any capacity and are installing them at a newer and better ISP than the one we are currently at. Also, expect to see more features get added to each game site. Our existing part time programmers are soon going to be full time, and will be joined by several newly hired programmers. This will allow us to develop many new features for our existing sites and also add sites for games we don’t yet cover.

Look at what we have accomplished now and think of what we will be able to do with ten times the brainpower working on our database features. On top of that, by merging OGaming into Allakhazam we get an instant experienced staff of writers and community managers that allows us to expand our service as never before. Expect to see more and better information faster, plus more features like news, editorials, interviews, guides, etc.

I want our network to always be the first to have new game information. I want to be the destination of choice for anything having to do with any game we cover. There have been many cool things we have discussed doing over the years that we have just not had the ability to do without stretching ourselves too thin. Now we can do all that and more. We have loads of exciting new plans for making your experience even better than before.


Q: How are you paying for all this? Who really owns Allakhazam now?

A: Combining the sites into the new Zam.com Network means that we can allocate resources in a more useful way and create additional services. Because of contractual obligations, I am not able to say much more about our financial situation. The details will come out over time. Suffice it to say that I am still completely in charge of this network, including the newly added sites that form the Zam.com Network.

Q: What does this mean for my premium membership?

A: Your membership just got significantly more valuable. If you play World of Warcraft, your Allakhazam premium membership will soon allow you to use some exciting new features on not just our site, but Thottbot as well. We also have some amazing plans in the works to expand our offerings and features for many of the games we cover. Our sheer size and diversity will now allow us to bring you features and offers that we would never have been able to make prior to this happening.


Q: I remember Allakhazam when you were just a small Everquest site. I hope you haven’t grown too big to remember those of us who got you there.

A: It has been an amazing ride, and it is still accelerating. We want to make sure you keep up with us and enjoy the ride too. Our site has always been about community first and business second, and that will never change. Keep in mind that every one of us is a gamer too. We understand your needs because we want the same things you do, and we value your continuing feedback and commitment. This is just the next step in our development. We appreciate your continuing support.


Q: What does this mean for OGaming.com and the other sites in the new Zam.com Network? Will they be shut down?

A: Initially, OGaming.com and the other sites in the new network will continue to operate normally while long term plans for integration are made. Over time, you will see additional changes that will create a more seamless online experience for visitors to all of the sites. Existing sites and content will remain available and in most cases even be improved – so you’ll always have access to the great tools and services you’ve come to rely upon.



Edited, Wed May 3 16:09:13 2006 by Allakhazam

Edited, Jan 26th 2007 11:27am by Allakhazam

when does it go live?

Go live my foot. when does it become life and take over? WTG guys..Looking forward to all this.

I don't like change. That's just me, though. I've always have issues with change once I got used to something.

We'll see. Hopefully, I don't have to adapt too much.

Gratz Allah on the business move! So.... no more lag on Tuesdays when WOW is down? Promise?

Is there any plans for a change in premium membership fees?

I'm sure this isn't a high priority but with the inclusion of the other sites, will there be an option to customize the Toolbar on the left? To add Custom links to FFXI, Wow, Zam.com and still keep the back ground to whatever style sheet we want?

All of the ogaming network sites are included, but we have not decided what to do with many of them. This will take time. RPGexpert will definitely not be part of the network. It may just exist on its own somewhere depending upon the contract it has. Not really sure.

We have talked about raising premium fees for a while now since they haven't changed in 5 years, but if that happens it would be further down the road, not right away.

Could you also perhaps tailor the fees on a per game/forum/option basis? I don't give a flying fart about anything other than forum=4. Can you have a package for people who have no interest in the games but are interested in giving you some money? Perhaps have a base fee, then an additional fee for each game you would like to have tools access for? It makes sense...

out of curiosity, will this also help increase the gaming info for EQ2? Sadly this site has been a bit lacking. It would be great to see a revamp and continued updating for that game as well as the more popular ones

Great move Alla. Grats on gittin R dun!