I’m a day late at posting this. Yesterday was the 16 year anniversary of Vizzed Board but I wasn’t able to get to this due to a combination of being stuck at work all day (I do 12 hour shifts on the weekend) and then getting home and being dead tired.

2020 has been a crazy year for every single person in the world. It’s also been one of the worst years in recent history for the world. However, for Vizzed, it was not a bad year. Traffic stayed consistent compared to last year (with 2019 having a significant boost compared to 2018), I got a lot of site issues fixed and also added many must needed features. I was also able to find ways to cut server costs by almost half without sacrificing anything, which resulted into many of the games downloading so much faster.

I should point out that Vizzed had a rough start to 2020 though. At the beginning of the year back in early March, most of the site’s database data was accidentally deleted. Thankfully I had a backup from 6 months prior, but it took me weeks and 100s of hours to restore as much of that data as I could. So, it was about a month long project and many site features were down for most of that time. It also took place the same month Minuano revived the classic VCS competition. After that incident was resolved, I continued to focus on fixing the site and adding those much-needed features, and there were a lot. And Minuano was able to successfully revive the VCS the following month instead.

As mentioned multiple times already, Vizzed had a lot of site fixes and improvements made. I wanted 2020 to be the year that I focused on fixing things (and replacing the RGR Plugin) so one of the first things I started with was the site’s layout. I had greatly improved the site’s layout to make it more responsive by making it so that the site can adapt to almost any browser size and device type. My personal favorite enhancement, which was so big it was practically its own new feature, was the Complete Revamping of the Video Game Music Room. Other fixes and improvements included:
-Vizzed.co Minecraft Server Fixed and Upgraded
-Some Old Post Layouts Getting Fixed
-Old Page Comments Got Restored
-Profile and Page Editing Issues Fixed
-Memberlist Search Updates
-Rebuilt a lot of the site’s logging system, which most of you don’t see but it adds better site security and makes content restoration easier
-Enhanced the load speeds of most pages on the site
-Fixed countless errors and bugs throughout the site
-Too many other things to mention here

There were a lot of features that the site needed or had but were severely outdated. One of the big ones was the new Image Uploader / Photo Album feature. Another new feature I started working on but haven’t finished yet (haven’t even posted about yet but will in the near future once finished) is a “page details” feature which not only shows lots of useful information about every page on the site, but also allows you to rate and bookmark any page on the site. Other new features included:
-Game Queue and Game History
-Video Game Characters Features Rebuilt from Ground Up
-A few site features for the Minecraft server, which are still in development but will soon be finished

2020 is also seeing the end of the RGR Plugin. The RGR Plugin relies on Flash technology but as of December 31st 2020, Flash will be discontinued in almost all web browsers. There’s still a possibility of a new plugin for the site that replaces the RGR Plugin but for the time being, I’ve been putting my focus on enhancing the RetroArch HTML5 emulator on Vizzed. It works on almost all operating systems and plays on almost all devices, including mobile devices, so it’s a great replacement. I’ve been customizing my own build of it for a while now by adding my own custom features, an on-screen touch controller for mobile devices, better playability for all devices, adjustable options, etc.

For the remainder of 2020, one of my goals is to get the remaining site pages that use the old site code/layout upgraded to the new site code and there’s really not many left. My focus in 2021 will be the community (I know that was suppose to be my focus for 2020, sorry ☹) and replacing the RGR Plugin.



Anyways, time for what everyone was waiting for…



AWARD CEREMONY

Like always, I’m going to start out by handing out my awards. This is something that I’ve been doing longer than the actual awards given out by the users. Most of these awards are based on statistics.

User Statistic Awards

Generous member of the year: tgags123
He donated $150 to the site in the past year!
2nd goes to camkunimura for donating $100
3rd goes to MeatAndPotatoes for donating $50.
Source

Most active member of the year: zanderlex
He made 1,266 posts. This is his 4th year getting this award.
2nd goes to SonicOlmstead for making 955 posts
3rd goes to Furret for making 902 posts
Source

Wordiest member of the year: zanderlex
He typed up a total of 115,601 words over the past year.
2nd goes to Kid Danger for typing 101,992 words
3rd goes to Furret for typing 77,289 words
Source

Wealthiest member of the year: zanderlex
He’s earned 3,220,947 Viz over the past year! His 5th year getting this award.
2nd goes to tgags123 for earning 1,742,321 Viz
3rd goes to cid789 for earning 864,963 Viz
Source

Most Contribution Points: EX Palen
He earned 17,809 CP over the past year. This is the 3rd year in a row that he got 1st place in this category.
2nd goes to Furret for earning around 8,558 CP
3rd goes to zanderlex for earning around 7,921 CP
Source

Most RGR 1st Place Scores in past year: ScarTheScarab
He has earned 1st place in 14 games over the past year.
2nd goes to blaze800000 with 12
3rd goes to nuggula1 with 3
Source









And now for the Member of the Year award....









Member of the Year: EX Palen
He's done a lot on the site over the past year, especially in the Retro Game Room and Video Game Room. He's also so well respected among the staff that when tRIUNE stepped down from his 10 year long RGR/VGR Admin spot, all of the Globals and Admins voted for EX Palen to replace tRIUNE.

Now for the user awards that you guys voted on…









THE USER AWARDS
(thank you SonicOlmstead for tallying these up for me)

Most Famous - (someone who appears very well known and popular)
1st. legacyme3 (4 votes)
2nd. Enzo Matrix (3 votes)
This award is unofficially titled the 'legacyme3 award'.

Most Creative - (someone who constantly displays creativeness)
1st. Slyshiyoshi (2 votes)
2nd. pennylessz (1 vote)
I'm always trying to create features that allow users to express their creativity.

Most Helpful - (someone who goes out of their way to help others)
1st. Minuano (3 votes)
2nd. Boured (2 votes)
3rd. zanderlex (1 vote)
These are the users who help save me a ton of time.

Most Controversial - (someone who has a strong opinion on everything)
1st. legacyme3 (2 votes)
1st. Enzo Matrix (2 votes)
3rd. Ema Skye (1 vote)
3rd. Neovitalism (1 vote)
It's good that no one won by a land slide.

Most Mature - (someone who acts the most mature, no matter their age)
1st. drag00n365 (1 vote)
1st. becerra95 (1 vote)
1st. Davideo7 (1 vote)
I think this is the first time I've been voted in this category.

Best Veteran - (someone who is active and registered 5 or more years ago)
1st. Furret (3 votes)
2nd. legacyme3 (2 votes)
3rd. Alexanyways (1 vote)
3rd. Davideo7 (1 vote)
3rd. senpai (1 vote)
I thought about changing the requirement from 5 years to 16 years so that I could gaurantee a win in this category (kidding of course )

Best New Member - (someone who has registered in past year)
1st. Jhaazy (2 votes)
We unfortunately didn't get many new active users this year.

Best Non-Active Member - (someone who is no longer posting or rarely)
1st. Eirinn (2 votes)
2nd. Alexanyways (1 vote)
2nd. Sweaty Baby (1 vote)
2nd. Jigsaw (1 vote)
2nd. geeogree (1 vote)
2nd. Pacman+Mariofan (1 vote)
I kinda miss JigSaw

Best Staff Member - (someone on the staff, site staff, local, global or admin)
1st. EX Palen (4 votes)
2nd. Furret (1 vote)
2nd. sonicmcmuffin (1 vote)
No surprise to see EX Palen get 1st this year.

Best Female Member - (someone who isn't male)
1st. Fyredove (2 votes)
1st. Minuano (2 votes)
3rd. fqur (1 vote)
3rd. LuckyCharms (1 vote)
Is it weird that we still have a category for this?

Wisest - (someone with great wisdom or gives good advice)
1st. Alexanyways (1 vote)
1st. Enzo Matrix (1 vote)
1st. Furret (1 vote)
1st. Minuano (1 vote)
1st. deggle (1 vote)
1st. pennylessz (1 vote)
Let's all share the wisdom...

Nicest - (someone who is nice to everyone)
1st. Clovertheclever (1 vote)
1st. SonicOlmstead (1 vote)
1st. becerra95 (1 vote)
1st. fqur (1 vote)
1st. Minuano (1 vote)
...and kindness while we're at it.

Craziest - (someone who is not sane or normal)
1st. Clovertheclever (3 votes)
2nd. Totts (1 vote)
What does it mean when you get most of the votes? I'm looking at you Clovertheclever while asking this question.

Insomniac - (someone who is always on)
1st. SonicOlmstead (2 votes)
2nd. Furret (1 vote)
2nd. Davideo7 (1 vote)
I'm not really sure when SonicOlmstead. Or if he does. He's the new mrfe.

Meanest - (someone who is usually mean to people)
1st. drag00n365 (2 votes)
2nd. geeogree (1 vote)
2nd. Minuano (1 vote)
2nd. ProbablyNotAPear (1 vote)
Perhaps this is another award we could discontinue? Or would one of these threaten to kill me if I did? Or threaten to kill me if I didn't? Nevermind, pretend I didn't say anything *quietly walks away while avoiding eye contact*

Best Username - (someone you think has best username)
1st. geeogree (1 vote)
1st. laundry (1 vote)
1st. SonicOlmstead (1 vote)
Finally nothing offensive.

Best Userpic - (someone you think has best user picture)
1st. Furret (1 vote)
1st. Enzo Matrix (1 vote)
1st. Davideo7 (1 vote)
I've actually been thinking of finally changing mine lately.

Best Layout - (someone you think has the best layout)
1st. Minuano (3 votes)
2nd. pennylessz (1 vote)
2nd. Kid Danger (1 vote)
This is basically an ancient art form.

Best Posts - (someone you think makes the best posts)
1st. Boured (2 votes)
1st. Enzo Matrix (2 votes)
I prefer quality over quantity.

Best Threads - (someone you think makes the best threads)
1st. zanderlex (3 votes)
2nd. Enzo Matrix (2 votes)
New and interesting threads are definitely lacking on Vizzed.

Netplayer - (someone you think is the toughest netplayer)
1st. Foxyman113 (1 vote)
1st. M4g1cW4rr10r (1 vote)
A feature that has slowly died and will possibly be discontinued soon

Game Streamer - (someone who has the highest quality streams)
(no votes, most likely because the stream page is down)

Reviewer - (someone who writes the best game reviews)
1st. lolid23 (4 votes)
I need to find new ways to encourage game reviewing. It's great content for the site.

Guide Maker - (someone who writes the best game guides)
(no votes)

Article Writer - (someone who writes the best game articles)
(no votes)


THE THREAD AWARDS

Greatest Thread - (the greatest thread in your opinion on vizzed)
1st. What Is Favorite Characters From Dragonball Series (1 vote)
1st. Tour de Vizzed: Winter 2020 = SonicOlmstead Wins! (1 vote)
1st. What are You Listening to? (1 vote)

Greatest Post - (single greatest post containing the best content or quote)
1st. https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=103254&ppp=20&page=0#1387502 (1 vote)
1st. https://www.vizzed.com/boards/thread.php?id=103003&ppp=20&page=0#1383434 (1 vote)

Greatest Old Thread - (best thread older than 5 years)
1st. pizza time (1 vote)





I want to say thanks to everyone who has helped out vizzed board and the site over the past 16 years! I also want to thank the staff, both the current and former staff members who have helped the site become what it is today! I'm hoping everyone sticks around and helps revive this community

Feeling nostalgic? Here are some links to Vizzed Award threads from previous years:
2019 (15 year)
2018 (14 year)
2017 (13 year)
2016 (12 year)
2015 (11 year)
2014 (10 year)
2013 (9 year)
2012 (8 year)
2011 (7 year)
2010 (6 year)
2009 (5 year)
2008 (4 year)
2007 (3 year)
We didn't do awards for the first 2 years of this Vizzed Board but we did do mid year awards for 2005 as seen here.



Happy 16 Year Anniversary, I hope to see you all here next year

Congrats on member of the year Palen! I'm happy to finally win some awards even if I tied for first on some but me winning Insomniac really got a chuckle out of me I mean I've done some MC meetings where I've been awake over 24 hours so I can't say it's to surprising but I find it funny regardless. I hope we can have an even better 2021 on the site

Davideo7 : Indeed, 2020 was certainly the worst year due to the introduction of what I would name it: "The Covid era". This is a big problem for many of us who like to go outside or to get supplies as such but at the same time ironically, it also increases use of the computers and this funny enough, is a boon to many websites that would like to have a lot of visitors including this one though netherless, no on wants to live in fear of getting it or to have their live cut short understandably enough.

There's another thing I want to mention David that I didn't ask before. Some months ago when I returned to vizzed after not visiting it for so long, I noticed my notifications telling me I got traps to use and while it does say (username) caught a (level insert) (username), what is the purpose of it if that's ok with you bub?

One more thing to mention is, we've all been there getting tired and all from work so I hope your fine getting rested from those tiring hours and such ha ha!

Uhhh why was I voted for nicest? Who voted for me in that category I want an explanation :/. Mature yes but nicest? Lmaooo good prank whoever.

Shame we didn’t get more people to vote for me but it is what it is. I congratulate the people who deserve the nominations, (me especially except nicest), and hopefully 2021 things get better and more active

becerra95 :

I don't think I've ever won an award, and I wouldn't have it any other way. Congrats to drag00n for technically winning first in two categories. I'm also glad Clover and Slyshi got in there.

I appreciate the vote I got that got me in 2nd for best non-active member! For those who might not know, I'm still around but I fit in the "rarely posts" category. I plan on being slightly more active now that I'm done with my college semester.

Furret : I hope your furrets get burned, poisoned, paralyzed and frozen before they go to a permanent sleep

Congrats to everyone.

If it wasn't for the stuff with the database, the numbers for the top 3 in both CP and Viz would have been much higher. I remember so many people worked so hard in January only to lose the CP and Viz that was earned.

Wow, member of the year and best staff. I thought I was mostly an unknown hard worker lad around this place, but looking at where I am right now it clearly wasn't the case. Even the worst of years can yield some good news after all.

The ton of support I've received, both from the Global+ for voting me without hesitation and from the rest of the userbase, including former staff and even admins, makes me even more motivated for the upcoming year and the many challenges it will bring. It's time to return that support in the only way I know how.

Congratz to everyone else who got awards, and long live those comments David makes about each award, they're the life of this thread.

zanderlex : Yup, those numbers would be much higher without that crash. I think that some posts were also lost, but I ignore if it was really to the same extent as CP or Viz.

EX Palen : I think people only lost like 3 or 4 posts.

Yet I didn't even get back to the amount of CP that I had at the end of January and the amount of Viz I earned was closer to 7 million.

Will be honest, didn't expect to get most creative or anything honestly. I've been sorta stalking Vizzed for the past few months due to thing and I haven't had the time to really do much on the site. Regardless, glad to see there are still some people who care enough to put my name in for a vote. Hopefully I'll be more active around next year and all.