Filefront Going Down?

[Majestic]

I normally don't post such things but this does effect the community here. While I was visiting a filefront site today I found this:

Dear FileFront User:


We regret to inform you that we are forced to indefinitely suspend the FileFront site operations on March 30, 2009. If you have uploaded files, images or posted blogs, or if you would like to download some of your favorite files, please take this opportunity to download them before March 30th when the site will be suspended.


We would like to give a warm thank you to all of you who have been part of the FileFront communities we have built together. Your support has had a meaningful impact for all of us here at FileFront. Again, we want to give you a sincere “thank you†for your support over the years and wish you all the very best.


Keep gaming alive,

FileFront Management and Team.

Contact_us@filefront.com

http://farewell.filefront.com/

Does anyone have any further information on this? I am sure i'm not the only one who wants to know.

 

[Amateur]

From what I understand, the parent company (Ziff Davies Media) is having financial trouble and has filed for bankruptcy. As a result, they restructured their entire product base. Unfortunately, Filefront only really makes a profit from the ads it has; and the cost of the servers and hostings seem to make it run at a loss.

So, yes. It seems as if Filefront is going down. There are rumor's going about that this is an April Fools (as it's scheduled to end on the 30th - so that'd mean its off for one day before coming back up) but I don't believe them. A massive undertaking has been launched by most communities to save the files, and it looks as though the Armada staff have been looking at a few options to create a new site.

'Tis a sad day, the forums were the first to go - all that history and knowledge gone for good. They gave no warning - just shut them down

 

[Lord_Trekie]

If FileFront really is going down I'm going to offer to mirror as many Armada 2 files as I can on my server...

 

[Majestic]

It does appear to be the case that it is going down. I am waiting to hear from thestarfleetkid, the A2files admin.

Cause if they are unable to recreate the site (even under a new name with a new domain and server etc) perhaps he and we the staff here could work something out.

 

[CrazyFrog1903]

It does appear to be the case that it is going down. I am waiting to hear from thestarfleetkid, the A2files admin.

Cause if they are unable to recreate the site (even under a new name with a new domain and server etc) perhaps he and we the staff here could work something out.

I do hope something can be worked out. I would not want to see everything lost from it.

 

[Dan1025]

Yes sadly FileFront is closing due to financial trouble, the forums have already been shut down and the main site and all the download sites (a2files, bcfiles e.t.c) will go offline on the 30th of this month.

Just to let you all know whats been going on, IKS and the others have been working away and they now have the ENTIRE mod content from A2files backed up and safe (phew!) and they're working on setting up a new site for us called ModNetwork, which, once completed, will hopefully become a community hub like A2files was.

A temporary forum has been set up by TheStarfleetKid and TParis for us, to be used just as the FF ones were, at least until we have something more permanent, I won't post a link without Majestics permission, but anyone who wants it can PM me here.

Freyr and the other staff members have been talking with various site leaders from AFC and the various modders, and we've all agreed that its best to try and keep the community together, to avoid it fracturing across different sites. In the meantime its important that we all let people know that the community isn't going to just die out and that they should stick around.

Things seem to be going slowly but surely and according to Freyr "we have more options than we know what to do with" so with a little luck the community should survive this to mod another day

I will pass on more information as I get it.

 

[Majestic]

PMing links on the site is against site policy.

I will however allow the link to be posted here for our members on MSFC as many where members of AFiles and no doubt may not find the site otherwise.

Dan feel free to post the link the forum.

EDIT: I found the forum myself, http://sta2.ipbfree.com

 

[Paulhanselluk]

Thankyou everyone for keep the information flowing, I would'nt have had a clue other wise.

 

[Syf]

Well I can say this is tragic for the Armada community. While I would expect the community to slowly vanish over time due to other games and the age of the armada series games, I didn't expect A2files to be closing it's doors so soon. It is a sad day (sorry, but I wasn't online yesterday) for me when I read this.

Well, Majestic has posted the link, so everyone can fine the new temp site. I will add to Majestic's offer of support. Any members of A2files, BCfiles, etc that are members here that have made mods or are currently working on mod projects, are encouraged to host them here. MSFC is not going anywhere soon, as we are a privately funded site. For more information, feel free to contact Majestic or myself.

 

[StarBlade]

Everything Dan mentioned above is true. If anything, we're currently experiencing an outpouring of support from across the community --mirror offers, hosting support, all sorts of well-intentioned offers. And it means a lot.

At present, the plan of action is to transition from A2Files to IKS' new Mod Network, and it's my hope that once we're situated and the mods and forums and everything else we didn't lose in the transition has been reconstituted in its newest form, we'll be able to continue to maintain our proud affiliation with our friends at MSFC.

Others have their plans, and I have been advised of several sites which are intending to offer their own mirroring and/or file hosting as a continuation of A2Files in the present sense. It's my hope that once things have been finalized with the new site, we'll be able to view it as the logical successor to A2Files and continuity of community interest will reduce the need for similar content in different spaces.

However, the A2 community isn't as great as it is to be a part of because of one site, and I sincerely hope that lots of mod sites and a new, regenerated interest in A2 modding will be the silver lining in this desperate hour. I think we'll come back stronger than ever before. I just hope we'll all be back together again, and soon.

 

[Atlantis]

Hmm, well this whole thing has shown that we were too reliant on a company that doesn't care about modding, let alone our own community. Therefore, it's kinda a good thing that this is happening, as it will give us the chance to stand on our own feet.

Of course, I fully support A2Files' replacement, however we should not concentrate solely on one site for our mods in the future. ArmadaFleetCommand, while an old site, and maybe outdated in its design, could very easily be brought up to date. And of course, the other communities, including MSFC, are going to be very useful in this.

My suggestion is that the mods should all be based on the smaller community sites, with their detailed information on them, and that the A2F replacement site be used as a kind of "meeting point" for all of the mods together, with their updates etc.

Of course, any mod I make will be centred on MSFC =)

 

[Majestic]

At present, the plan of action is to transition from A2Files to IKS' new Mod Network, and it's my hope that once we're situated and the mods and forums and everything else we didn't lose in the transition has been reconstituted in its newest form, we'll be able to continue to maintain our proud affiliation with our friends at MSFC.

I sure hope so, with you and your team in control of your own rules and regulations the site will be a lot better than it was previously as I personally as a modder and modeller had a problem with the filefront policy not the A2Files site itself.

However, the A2 community isn't as great as it is to be a part of because of one site, and I sincerely hope that lots of mod sites and a new, regenerated interest in A2 modding will be the silver lining in this desperate hour. I think we'll come back stronger than ever before. I just hope we'll all be back together again, and soon.

Lets do hope so.

Hmm, well this whole thing has shown that we were too reliant on a company that doesn't care about modding, let alone our own community. Therefore, it's kinda a good thing that this is happening, as it will give us the chance to stand on our own feet.

A very good and welcoming outlook on the situtation here.

Of course, I fully support A2Files' replacement, however we should not concentrate solely on one site for our mods in the future. ArmadaFleetCommand, while an old site, and maybe outdated in its design, could very easily be brought up to date. And of course, the other communities, including MSFC, are going to be very useful in this.

A AFC recontruction or update would be a major undertaking and in many ways a complete wipe and rebuild would in fact be easier. They are currently using a very poor forum software PHPBB which is very open to hackers and iffy at best. They would need to update to SMF or vBulletin in my opinion.

My suggestion is that the mods should all be based on the smaller community sites, with their detailed information on them, and that the A2F replacement site be used as a kind of "meeting point" for all of the mods together, with their updates etc.

That is something new and refreshing, but also a major undertaking as members would need to all have their own hosts for their mods. Something that modders either don't have the skills for or the time, some do but many don't and only want to focus on modding. But again another good idea and alternative.

Of course, any mod I make will be centred on MSFC =)

And you are most welcome and encouraged to continue to do so as is anyone else here, weather current members or future members.

I will add to Majestic's offer of support. Any members of A2files, BCfiles, etc that are members here that have made mods or are currently working on mod projects, are encouraged to host them here. MSFC is not going anywhere soon, as we are a privately funded site. For more information, feel free to contact Majestic or myself.

Indeed we are here to help.

 

[Jasoneagle]

Like the rest I am sad that this is happening and Hope as well that the New site will get the Community back on it's feet (so to speak). And lets all not forget that Many modders for may different games started Modding Armada and Armada 2, These two games were easy to learn on, Take those modding Legacy The File structure is almost the same as A2 and A1, as well as many other games, not to mention that though some may just want to Use (with permissions and such) someone else Help or Idea for Story and such for Newer Games.

I will admit I learned most of my knowledge of modding A2 from basically taking apart and looking at what others have done before me and learning from their mistakes, and that the Ideas as well as lessons learned (not to mention Friends made) have and will continue to last a long time.

 

[Syf]

I would like to point out that the BQ and I are undergoing the process to save as much of the files (Mods, etc) from A2files and BCfiles as we can. If anyone else is willing to help, the other sites of interest are LegacyFiles, Empires At War, Starfleet Command 3, Halo, and Halo 2. These are on my personal list to archive the files. However, I am limited in capability to download all those files in such a short remaining time. So for now, it's A2files, then BCfiles we am personally attempting to archive. And be warned, undergoing downloading that many files is time consuming. We have 2 days left.

As far as hosting them, I will do what I can, but the primary issue is permissions to host the files. Anyone who knows the mod artists and would like to help out in that way, help us secure the permissions for their mod files to be hosted and they will. All mods are propety of the artist as far as I am concerned. Artists that can no longer be contacted, let me know. If they are "gone" from modding, we will host them for the sake of the community. I will not host files before trying to contact artists of each file (which will take years by myself).

 

[Amateur]

Well I know for a fact that at least two back-ups of A2files (including PotD and file screens) have been made and are in the hands of the former staff. Bcfiles was one of the first sites to be backed up as far as I'm aware (BCC hosted and stored all of those files within an hour of the closing declaration).

SFC3files has battleclinic, so most of the individual mods will be okay (at least for the moment) and I believe that IKS has dealt with Legacyfiles.

Just don't want you to waste your time

 

[Syf]

Well that's great. I would like to know where those files are when they are made available once more.

I will download all the things I want.

 

[Amateur]

I think they're still trying to work that out - but last time I heard AFC was going to host the files in the interim...

But then again, that was awhile ago - so can't really assist in your downloading spree

 

[Dan1025]

Well that's great. I would like to know where those files are when they are made available once more.

I will download all the things I want.

It shouldn't be too long now until a new download site is put up, and as Amateur said at least 2 copies of everything from a2files exist so thats all safe.

Putting some of the mods here is also a good idea though, and you hereby have my permission to host any of my mods here if you want them. A few of my mods were made using other modders content though (all the info on that is in the readmes) but if you want something to host of mine without having to worry about contacting anyone else I'd reccommend my Cardassian ships, since the only other content they use consists of Zorgs textures, and he's not around anymore (again, all the credits needed are in the readmes).

Up to you though lol

 

[Majestic]

Thanks Dan, we will take this offer up once we upgrade in a few weeks.

 

[StarBlade]

I would like to point out that the BQ and I are undergoing the process to save as much of the files (Mods, etc) from A2files and BCfiles as we can. If anyone else is willing to help, the other sites of interest are LegacyFiles, Empires At War, Starfleet Command 3, Halo, and Halo 2. These are on my personal list to archive the files.

I would only recommend doing this if you intend to use the mod content within the next month or so, or if it's something you really, really wanted and didn't attempt downloading before. Hopefully by the time a month has passed, we'll be in a position to simply see what other mod sites have FileFront's mod content available.

Part of me thinks FileFront management WANTS us to massively download as much as possible as freakishly fast as possible. After all, it inflates site traffic and increases the price they can ask from another corporation to purchase the servers and infrastructure. I don't think for a second FileFront is just going to close without the ownership trying to make some money out of re-selling or parcelling out the assets they've already got-- and mods are just one of many parts of the greater whole.

So unless you're building a personal archive, the whole mod site contents have been fully backed up and extracted for something like 80-90% of the available games. The more popular a game (like Halo, Dawn of War, EAW or C&C) the more likely you are to see new and previous mods together again, on some other site (probably Mod Network) in very short order.

We're still sorting out the "what to do with new mods in the meantime" situation. I think we've reached an agreement with AFC, although MSFC's position on the subject has been noted and greatly appreciated. But I have to get the details on that from Freyr and IKS before I can say anything for certain.

 

[Syf]

As a matter of fact, yes, I am building a personal archive. And I have noted that fact that the files are "safe". So now I'm just gathering what I want personally speaking. The entire idea is there is a lot of content available for A2 (as well as the other games I'm focused on). My reasons are simply personal use.

That aside, We stand firm on our offer to assist the community in this dark hour. Dan1025, we will gladly host your files. Like Majestic said, we are having to run an update to the site soon, and right after that, we will have the files up.

StarfleetKid, you just let us know what we can do to help. While we've had issues in the past with a few members of the greater community (as in Majestic and myself), we are willing to push those dead bones aside. If our services are wanted or unwanted, then just let let use know. Also just a hint here, we have something going right now that might be of interest to some people within the A2 community.

 

[Cylon]

I am still hoping this is some sort of odd april fools joke.

In any case if you want you can host any of the mods i have made for Armada 2

Has anyone heard what the reason is they are closing?

 

[FahreS]

As far as hosting them, I will do what I can, but the primary issue is permissions to host the files. Anyone who knows the mod artists and would like to help out in that way, help us secure the permissions for their mod files to be hosted and they will. All mods are propety of the artist as far as I am concerned. Artists that can no longer be contacted, let me know. If they are "gone" from modding, we will host them for the sake of the community. I will not host files before trying to contact artists of each file (which will take years by myself).

You are the first one that I hear of who thinks about the permissions. Seeing all the ideas of new hosting sites made me think about that too.
I dont think any modder is against uploading his/her files on a new a2files home, but is against uploading the files on sites which claim to be the new home.

 

[Syf]

Well permissions is important to us here at MSFC. We're not going to host something that someone might not want hosted here, as hard as it may sound, there may just be one or 2 people that would be against it. That is one thing Majestic and I firmly believe in, is protecting the artists. Artists have rights to say where their files should be hosted. That is the only reasonable and respectable way of doing things. And I would expect that all other sites that host the files will see things this way too.

 

[FahreS]

Well permissions is important to us here at MSFC. We're not going to host something that someone might not want hosted here, as hard as it may sound, there may just be one or 2 people that would be against it. That is one thing Majestic and I firmly believe in, is protecting the artists. Artists have rights to say where their files should be hosted. That is the only reasonable and respectable way of doing things. And I would expect that all other sites that host the files will see things this way too.

I dont think that you can expect that from other sites, but it should be so.

 

[Syf]

I'm afraid your right. But we are not saying that is the case with any site that will attempt to replace A2files, right guys.

I believe well enough that StarfleetKid and the others that were the staff of A2files will do everything in their power to secure permissions, or at the very least, have a publicly visible announcement informing anyone that wishes a hosted file removed (that is, if the artists decide they don't want it on the new site). StarfleetKid and the A2files staff members are good people. So people should not worry, nor be opposed to them on their quest. They have our full support. We'll do what we can from here if they merely ask.

[fieldset=Edit]

Notice: Filefront file downloads are now disabled!
I just attempted to download a few files and keep getting this error

The following error has occured:
This is not a valid File Category!​

It looks like they are shutting down the servers now - Farewell Filefront!​

[/fieldset]

 

[FahreS]

I'm afraid your right. But we are not saying that is the case with any site that will attempt to replace A2files, right guys.

I believe well enough that StarfleetKid and the others that were the staff of A2files will do everything in their power to secure permissions, or at the very least, have a publicly visible announcement informing anyone that wishes a hosted file removed (that is, if the artists decide they don't want it on the new site). StarfleetKid and the A2files staff members are good people. So people should not worry, nor be opposed to them on their quest. They have our full support. We'll do what we can from here if they merely ask.

Oh Im sure that the a2files saff wont do something stupid. Ive just seen other sites popping out and dont know what their plans are.
Anyway the next days will give all the answers we need, thats for sure.

 

[Paulhanselluk]

I'm afraid your right. But we are not saying that is the case with any site that will attempt to replace A2files, right guys.

I believe well enough that StarfleetKid and the others that were the staff of A2files will do everything in their power to secure permissions, or at the very least, have a publicly visible announcement informing anyone that wishes a hosted file removed (that is, if the artists decide they don't want it on the new site). StarfleetKid and the A2files staff members are good people. So people should not worry, nor be opposed to them on their quest. They have our full support. We'll do what we can from here if they merely ask.

[fieldset=Edit]

Notice: Filefront file downloads are now disabled!
I just attempted to download a few files and keep getting this error

The following error has occured:
This is not a valid File Category!​

It looks like they are shutting down the servers now - Farewell Filefront!​

[/fieldset]

The time in the UK is 15:37, and as far as I can tell at the moment, the USA download links are still online, but who knos for how long?

 

[Majestic]

Well I just discovered today the forums are back up so does this mean it was an april fools joke?

If so I see Filefront loosing many members because of this and to be honest I find it a rather sick joke as I am sure many more will as well.

Making a joke saying the site is considering closing is a lot different from actually pulling down downloads and forums. I know that if this was a joke the higher ups had something do do with his and not the individual network admins and staff members such as the A2Files staff.

Weather it was a joke or not has yet to be confirmed by anyone but in the following days I think the truth will be revealed.

 

[Knight]

Well, the following announcement has been posted on the A2 forums:

This is NOT an April Fools joke

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I assure you all that the forums being online at this time is not a joke or something that is temporary. What information I have is that there will be more information to be expected sometime tomorrow. I myself am not entirely sure what is going on and why the forums are back online. I'll know when you know really. I was just instructed to let you know that this is for real and not a joke by any stretch of the imagination. I know many will not believe me because of the terrible timing, but the persons that I had talked to about this would never joke with me about this sort of thing.

More to come as I find it out.

Jeff
__________________
Jeff 'n0e' Mills
Community Manager - FileFront.com
Ziff Davis - Media Game Group

I'm curious as to the first line: not a joke, or temporary?

I know Freyr had made a post on the transitionary forums saying that it was possible another company would be taking over the sites and keeping them running, but that he didnt know for definate that it would happen.

I guess we can only wait and see. I'm of the opinion that if this turns out to have been a bad joke, i hope the a2 files staff continue on with the new site they were planning in the "wake of closure" of filefront.

EDIT: It appears that all the downloads have been restored as well. This looks more and more suspect.