Check out the new wide GameSpot site design on http://beta.gamespot.com/. The beta site adds HD streams, a community hub, and a mini-feed tracking friends' updates. The major features are listed in this forum thread or stop by this feature page.

The new look will be available on the special beta link for a couple weeks before officially launching in mid-August to replace the current site. The beta is a near-final preview but we'll be regularly updating with fixes and enhancements to pages you see now in the beta look. And there are additional features to come in the weeks and months following the mid-August launch, including an update to the forums. In the meantime, tell us what you think via the survey form linked in the upper right of every page or in the GameSpot Wide Beta Discussion forum.

In addition, keep in mind that the forums will not be a part of the redesign at this time. We plan to take our time to roll out the Wide version of the forums in the future.

What do you know about current and former GameSpot staff? If you know a whole bunch about staff we hope you'll discuss your knowledge in a new feature we started in the GameSpot Live Union. Behind the Spot is an interactive project that gives everyone (staff and users) a chance to post their stories, pictures, discuss their favorite videos that the staff member have been in and the list goes on! If it's something we can link to the staff's bio we'll add it for future references. I have started with the current veteran staff members and plan to travel into the newer staff and former staff (Hall of Fame) territory in the near future.

The first two features include Ryan Mac Donald and Justin Calvert. Click on the discussion links on the bottom of each feature to discuss what you know about them or possibly link to any videos you have seen them in. We also have a poll in Justin Calvert's discussion thread for anyone to vote for the next featured staff member.

The Terms of Use agreement has been updated to ensure everyone is aware of the moderation procedures that happen on GameSpot.com. Don't be alarmed, most of these rules were actions already taken at the Admin's discretion since 2005. The biggest changes include the additional notes under Section 7:

- Foreign languages are now allowed in Unions ONLY. Unions can now have foreign language discussion as long as they are a regional Union. For an example, if someone creates a Japanese Union and this is in the name of the Union, this is a regional Union. If someone creates a DragonBallz Union and the name does not say it's focused on a particular region, they cannot discuss in any other language but English.

- Offensive material has additional notes to clarify how we have been moderating for years now. Note, the use of the word gay or retard in a derogatory manner has been clarified.

- Vulgar language has also had some additional notes added for further clarification.

- Trolling section has had an additional rule that talks about adding OTHER user's quotes in people's signatures. This one is important to read under the Terms of Use agreement.

- Illegal Activities has information about illegal content which include ROMs, copyright content, gambling, illegal drug use and more.

- Surveys and Petitions are possible to post in the forums as long as a GameSpot Admin approves this. In most cases, US.GameSpot does not allow petitions or surveys in the forums. However, UK.GameSpot and AU.GameSpot may occasionally allow this in their discussion boards.

- Disruptive Behavior has been updated with information about users who hi-jack a user's browser.

There are a few more updates but these are the main changes that should be read. Everyone that uses the community features on the site should review the Terms of Use agreement.

If an individual decides that they can no longer abide by the Terms of Use agreement (regardless of their subscription status), the way to opt out is by no longer using GameSpot.com for Profile content, blogs, forums and any other community tools. You can still use the site for downloads, news and other non-community tools. However, abiding this agreement is required to continue access to the community features.

Thanks for your cooperation. Please continue your regular forum browsing.

Wikia Gaming is sending two lucky gamers to the Penny Arcade Expo in Seattle, Washington this summer. To qualify, visit gaming.wikia.com and complete one or all of the puzzle challenges. Wikia Gaming is home to over 1000 wikis and 500,000 articles on everything from World of Warcraft to Metal Gear Solid 4.

The contest ends on Wednesday, June 25th at 7 PM PDT (10 PM EDT).

Remember when we used to have a pda version of GameSpot Mobile? It really only had some brief information about a game and it was difficult to read the news. Well, we have brought it back and changed it for the better! iphones and just about any other mobile phone with internet access can easily access the revamp of GameSpot mobile. If you have a mobile phone with internet access, stop by http://www.gamespot.com/, mobile.gamespot.com or m.gamespot.com. Watch this video to learn how.

GameSpot Mobile also allows you to check your GameSpot private messages! If you have feedback, stop by the Site Enhancements board. For any bug reports, stop by the Technical Support board. Be sure to also include the type of mobile phone you are using.

During the Semifinals matches, bragging rights, a trip to GameSpot's Studio in San Francisco, and a $700.00 gift card was all at stake. For this tournament, each match consisted of three players in a free-for-all setting. We wanted to see a real challenge because Super Smash Bros. Brawl isn't a typical fighting game. We wanted a BRAWL! We wanted to see people gang up on each other. To our dismay, we rarely witnessed players ganging up on an individual even if the player only had one stock remaining. The players seemed to target players who had a higher stock (lives). Maybe some of you can share your thoughts on why they used this strategy. On a related note, I have posted a run down of the semifinals matches on the Fight or Flight tournament page.

The main issue we had was some players admitting that they were underage during the tournament. While we appreciated the honesty, in every instance it was too late. We removed them from the tournament. We were even more surprised to find out two of the three semifinalists were under age. Neither of them could claim a prize because they did not meet the eligibility requirements. All of the effort and impressive play meant they could not be entitled to a prize package.

Aside from underage users, this tournament provided additional insights. The unique SSBB tournament format challenged our tournament tools. The Nintendo Wii was a fun platform to host matches with, even if the SSBB friend code has a variety of digits to enter for each match we hosted. Going forward, we are optimistic on ways to improve our system to continue to support future Wii tournaments. From entering many numbers all week, I can still recall seeing them in my sleep. :/

Another concern we had was the SSBB in-gamer time. This caused a variety of delayed matches because some people wouldn't join the game in time before the game started. Many restarts later we would finally have a match happening with or without noticeable lag problems and the server would disconnect everyone. In those circumstances, the Admins had to make calls if too many disconnects occurred because we usually had two matches happening every half an hour. I understand that the timer is great for playing for fun but having a way to set your own timer would be a great enhancement for this game in particular.

I had noticed early on that the feedback we received the most was why GameSpot's first Wii tournament didn't allow the ESRB rating requirement or Canadian residents to participate. The answer? GameSpot Staff desired to have the final match showcase real life players on Tournament TV.

When we have people register for tournaments, they accept that they are eligible and agree to the conditions and rules that we have put in place. When they accept this agreement to participate, and do not read or follow the rules, they cannot claim a prize. Tournaments were put in place for a competitive experience with other GameSpot members. When prizes are offered we are required to give the details to our Legal department to know what we can and cannot offer to a certain demographic. This is how the eligibility requirements are formed to enlist how old a person must be to receive a travel prize package, to receive a particular prize or where a player may reside. We never want to exclude anyone from participation of tournaments but we always have to consider the ESRB rating and prizes that are offered for the tournament. In addition, if a particular tournament is sponsored, we also have to abide by the sponsor's requests and what their Legal departments may require. Many of these factors add up.

Because GameSpot Tournaments have always offered prizes, we do not plan to exclude prizes in order to allow participation to everyone. Why? There are many reasons why. Players from other countries have issues getting on the same server and will ping people out. This would require much more effort for the Admin to disqualify a player for not being able to connect to a server or if they disconnect everyone. We'd have to do a lot adjusting to matches and time zones which would be very difficult because of GameSpot's Pacific Time office hours. We would have less participants showing because there are no prizes offered. Many of you have experienced no-shows, haven't you? You participate in a tournament not to receive a default win but to win a match! Another thing to consider is the time and effort many departments at GameSpot put into having tournaments. Tournaments require that we put in everything into them, which means we will offer prizes and a Tournament TV production.

However, Tournaments aren't the only way GameSpot members can experience competition. Some Unions offer their own competitions but the most talked about competitive experience is Community Game Night. Every Tuesday nights, the GameSpot Community staff, Editorial team and other GameSpot staff are known to stay later at work to play with GameSpot members. There are no prizes at stake other than bragging rights and an emblem. If anyone is looking for competition, they should give the Community Game Nights a try. Anyone who does not live in North America should also be aware that GS UK or GS AU occasionally hosts Community Game Nights. Try adding the AU discussion and UK discussion boards as a favorite forum if you do not live in North America.

When it comes down to it, laws and money are two things that hold many businesses back from offering tournaments and sweepstakes world wide. GameSpot is based in North America. We have resources to offer these tournaments to residents of North America. GS UK and GS AU are working hard to offer similar tournaments, hopefully more frequently, in the future.

It is, by now, no secret Vinny Caravella is leaving GameSpot. We will miss him. Some people have had the pleasure of working with him for years. I have had the honor of associating with him for months. He is talented, positive, and a great guy to have on your team. He's got great ideas and makes fun features. All of what he brings to the GameSpot office will be missed. In honor of his final episode, GameSpot is changing up the page.

Thursday, May 08 (today for most people, except those who read this in the far-flungfuture where asparagus shoots are the size of redwood trees) will mark the release of two new pages for the community to use:

A new design of the On the Spot page

A new page dedicated to GameSpot's Community Game Night

Lest you freak out and post a long string of OMG's WTF's and other assorted acronymical inquiries of astonishment, I have taken some screen shots to prepare you for the experience:

Notice how the trivia, Ask a Question, and Win Prizes modules are all in the page. Also notice how the video plays in the page! (if you are having trouble seeing this image,click here).

That's high technology. You will still have access to the various stream qualities you have come to know and love (sometimes wait for as well). Subscribers will have access to chat in a stand-alone window. It is neat! If you aren't a subscriber, I can recommend it. If you still choose not to be one, I canrespect your right to miss out on awesome chats, tournaments, downloadable game guides,and even better features coming later this year. . . but I digress.

For those of you who regularly use the comments section as a chat substitute, notice we have not done away with your chance to comment:

Keen-eyed observers will also notice something else interesting on the screenshot above. That's right. The page changes dynamically. The video should automatically start playing for you when the stream starts. We paid extra for that.

Hopefully you will be able to see our new page tomorrow when you visit us for On the Spot. Be sure to stop in and say hello and wish Vinny a bittersweet farewell. We will miss him.

Shaun here. I've got an important message courtesy of my friend Alex Sassoon Coby of GameSpot UK fame. It reads as follows:

It's been a while, but GameSpot's UK Community Game Night is back, and we're making up for the long break.

At 8pm BST this Thursday (that's April 17) we're going to have a multi-platform Rainbow Six Vegas 2 session, with special guests the UK Frag Dolls!

We're going to be playing on PS3 and Xbox 360, so if you want to take part just send me your gamertags or PSN IDs before 5pm BST on Thursday and we will do our best to get as many of you in as possible.

I look forward to seeing you (or at least the fading view of your heels as I slump to the floor) there!

The god Mitra has gone missing and the prayers of Hyboria go unanswered! Our friends over at AoCWiki have put together a nifty scavenger hunt. Follow the clues on the Age of Conan wiki to find Mitra. After finishing the clues, players will be picked randomly. The prizes bundle includes beta keys or a 3 month pre-paid game card.

Further details can be found on the official contest page on AoCWiki.