Forgotten Internet: Newgrounds (The Origin & Decline)
TL;DR
This video chronicles the origin, evolution, peak, and subsequent decline and resurgence of Newgrounds, a pioneering website known for its user-generated content, Flash games, and community features.
Key insights
Newgrounds' origins trace back to a fan magazine for the Neo Geo console.
- Initially called 'New Ground', it was created by Tom Fulp in 1991.
- It started on the subscription-based service Prodigy.
- The name was a synonym play on 'Neo Geo'.
The transition to a website and the rise of Flash content were pivotal.
- Evolved into a website 'New Ground Remix' by 1995, with significant updates in 1996.
- Flash games like 'Club a Seal' gained attention for their violent nature, leading to community interaction.
- The site underwent several name changes, including 'New Ground Atomics' and finally 'Newgrounds'.
Newgrounds pioneered several internet features and achieved significant popularity.
- Introduced user voting, hosted viral videos, and utilized ad monetization.
- Reached peak popularity in the summer of 2005.
- Tom Fulp personally funded the site's hosting for a period.
Despite a decline, Newgrounds found renewed life due to its stance on NSFW content.
- Experienced a slow decline in visitors after its peak.
- Gained new attention in December 2018 when Tumblr stopped hosting NSFW content.
- Newgrounds' commitment to allowing NSFW content brought new life to its community.
Key moments
- 00:00The video begins by introducing the concept of Newgrounds, tracing its origins back to 1991 as a fan magazine called 'New Ground' for the Neo Geo console, created by Tom Fulp.
- 00:35By 1995, the project evolved into a website, 'New Ground Remix', with significant updates in 1996 featuring early Flash games like 'Club a Seal', which garnered attention for its violent content and led to community engagement.
- 01:17In September 1996, Tom Fulp was contacted by Inside Edition, leading to a website makeover and the adoption of the domain name 'Newgrounds', though the news program never followed up.
- 02:08Newgrounds transitioned to user-created content, becoming the first website to feature user voting, host viral videos, and implement ad monetization, reaching its peak popularity in the summer of 2005.
- 02:40Following a period of decline, Newgrounds experienced a resurgence in December 2018 after Tumblr's policy change regarding NSFW content, with Newgrounds reaffirming its long-standing allowance of such content, revitalizing its community.
- 03:10The video concludes by questioning the future of Newgrounds in light of the decline of Flash technology and poses the question of how much longer the site will remain relevant.