I've not read all this thread as I've neither the time nor patience. All I'll add is that the adverts here impact my enjoyment of the site, and often force me out, sometimes for a few weeks at a go.

In general, I have no issues with adverts as long as they do not interrupt my use of a site. Indeed, sometimes they can even be informative or useful, and I click through if applicable to me (so, not white teeth adverts, or weight loss adverts, but maybe for one telling me of a limited edition Mass Effect 2 digital sale). What I hate is adverts that block content; adverts that pop up, limiting my browser space; adverts that make noises without my input (I HATE this with a passion); or adverts that in anyway demand that I must interact with them to continue use of the site. I've had, and still have, all of the above issues with adverts here. To me, as a user of a site, this is intolerable, no matter how much I may enjoy the site itself.

Most recently, just two days ago, I clicked through to a topic on the forum and was presented with a full-page advert that I had to click through to read the page I requested. This was from a page which already had a pop-up at the bottom of the screen that had got in the way of the topic I wanted to click on. I left the site instead, quite annoyed with the saturation of adverts.

For me, such adverts are a big issue. I used to run a stickied thread here about Metacritic, but the adverts became such an issue for me that I did not want to visit the site. Initially, I slowed my updates to once a month from once a week, then I eventually gave up the thread altogether, even though many asked me to return. In short, the adverts drove me away as they were so intrusive, meaning the forums had one less informative thread (not much of a loss, I suppose, but I received enough emails to know that it was a loss to some).

Might I suggest that ad-blockers are not the problem here, if, indeed, anyone believes they actually are. The problem is the ads themselves, and how they are integrated into the site, and how they make people react. Blaming the casual browser for not liking how content is presented, and attempting to filter the content as it does not meet with their requirements, speaks volumes to me, and saddens me. As I mentioned already, I have no problems with ads, I have problems with intrusive ads.

That said, will I return here? Almost certainly, assuming things remain as they currently are. I like the site. I keep my complaints to myself on the most part as I've no desire to cause any issues. However, if the intrusive adverts get worse, or I just get too many one day, I will leave permanently at some point. But the loss of just one chap is hardly much of a loss to a large site such as this...

You and the ad networks being the other part to blame, yes?

oh and for those saying "they get the point", the point of this thread is to INFORM us of the damage we are doing using Adblocker. the fact that many of you took this on as a personal attack is just hilarious.

You should report it to ioi if you find an intrusive ad. Just send him a PM about it.

Just coming into this forum, there was a big bright red ad for something that opened up a secondary window and covered up all the 'Headlines' section.  That's the kind of annoyance and controlling I'm talking about.  Keep refreshing the main page and I'm sure you'll see it.

Thinking back in recent history, I can remember the Evony ads, Progressive ads, that 'Gamer Print' add that took up the WHOLE screen with the 'FF7 T-Shirt offer' and something for a major game (something like Resistance), and many others that popped up in an alternate window over both the main page and the forum.  Most either wouldn't go away without pressing on the ad itself scrolling past the ad.

Since my post is now buried under two pages of "Adblocking is my right" "Nuh-uh" "Yu-huh!", I'll ask again.

How much does the site earn from a single page view with all ads loaded? Or does it vary?

I never block the ads but i am tired of seeing the evony ones and was considering getting an ad blocker before i saw this.

I suppose I could, but...

...I don't like to intrude. It's not like I know ioi.

...It happens so much that much of my time on this site would be PMs to ioi. He'd soon learn to hate me.

That aside: Hey, Rainbird! Long time, no-type. I hope all is coolio in your world. Perhaps best left to PMs...

As I'm sure you are aware the ITV network is free-to-air here in the UK. It makes a lot of its money from advertising that people do not have to watch. I suppose people don't need to read the adverts here either. I certainly don't get influenced by them though I am thinking of pimping my profile after having got massive abs in a few weeks.

Some people have been calling others thieves for blocking adverts which personally I think is a bit out of order. A quiet word is probably needed for that as all it has done is caused rather needless anger and defensive posts.

Oh great, name calling and lists

• You should take it seriusly, its your business. I agree. 
• - ill do a count when i have the time. UPDATE. I counted 18 people expressing their hate towards ads and/or blocking ads atm. And i only went through about 60 posts.
• Im not trying to lecture you on business. Ive told you several times, do what you want its your business. What i do have a problem with is VGC calling me a theif out of the blue.
• Your staff called us thiefs, and you stated that its not within our fundamental rights to block ads. Disagree. If i dont want to expose myself to the kind of ads shown on this site, atm, i dont have to. If you later will do a subcribtion model or force your way around adblockers, fine by me. Go for it.
• Agreed. Informing the users is a great way for teaching people of what they're doing has an effect on the website.
• Where am i personal, and not constructive?
• And so you should. If its ruining your business plan, enforce it. I agree.
• My attitude? Ive said im sorry if i steped on anyones toes, and been nothing but civil. In return im called a thief, thrown names in my direction and been threaten of being banned. And yet again.. im NOT (capital letters) trying to teach you anything. I have a problem with the way you and your staff is calling people thiefs for not wanting nudity, viruses, diet pills and 1.000.000 lottery ads in our face. And as of late, for being threatend of bans when im just talking with you.

So basicly.. i agree with everything your saying. All the points besides the ones that claim i have a attitude problem and i dont like being called names and a thief when im not doing anything wrong.

If you'd go "thats enough", im blocking you all out. And changed the terms of use, and i still forced myself into this site.. then it would be wrong.