Design changes bring TGTAP to wider audience

01
Apr
2009
By Chris | 1st Apr 2009 at 02:22 GMT in General | 64 Comments

UPDATE: April Fools is over now so we're back to normal. Hope you got a bit of a laugh from the temporary redesign! Didn't get a chance to see it? Look here.

After spending a while here at TGTAP, you'll realise what a masculine place it is. Guns, vehicles, crime, and a whole lot of adolescent males. Well, we've made a few changes to help counter this awfully skewed demographic we've gotten ourselves into.

Over the past few years, TGTAP staff members have spent months researching ways in which we can make the site appeal to the fairer sex. After much deliberation, the conclusion was made that we should have a very pink layout incorporating typical female likes, including flowers, rainbows and unicorns. Apparently women love that stuff, so with that knowledge firmly engrained in our skulls, we committed to improving our design!

We hope you enjoy the changes we made, and in addition to that, the influx of female members who should now be clamouring to join the forums!

And don't you worry, we'll still be doing our best to bring you excellent coverage of Grand Theft Auto for years to come. At the moment just the default theme has changed on the homepage, but we should soon have the forums reskinned to match. Comments, feedback and any constructive criticism would be much appreciated.

Sherman's photo
Sherman 1st April, 2009 @ 02:28 - Permalink

My wimmenz that're with me right now find that insanely attractive, goodjob Chris. Maybe you'll meet someone from the UK and get laid now!

:awesome:

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 02:30 - Permalink

I suppose this is your April Fools then?

Harwood Butcher's photo
Harwood Butcher 1st April, 2009 @ 02:34 - Permalink
I suppose this is your April Fools then?

Of course not. Why would you think that? Do you realize how many more members this place will get with that layout?

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 02:36 - Permalink

Yeah, shit all, apart from people who study flowers and the colour pink of course.

Chris's photo
Chris 1st April, 2009 @ 02:42 - Permalink
Yeah, shit all, apart from people who study flowers and the colour pink of course.

Oh don't be such a party pooper. You know you love it. ;)

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 02:44 - Permalink

You're right, I do.

When will we see it?

WRX22B1998's photo
WRX22B1998 1st April, 2009 @ 02:44 - Permalink

Cant wait to see this :awexd:

Spaz The Great's photo
Spaz The Great 1st April, 2009 @ 02:46 - Permalink

Try going to the homepage?

Chris's photo
Chris 1st April, 2009 @ 02:46 - Permalink

Jesus Christ guys.

Please remember we DO have a website as well as these forums! http://www.thegtaplace.com/

WRX22B1998's photo
WRX22B1998 1st April, 2009 @ 02:56 - Permalink

lmao. i forgot that. told you before i just have the forums bookmarked, cos i dont usually have any reason to go to the homepage.

have to say good job, but you missed a bit up the top with niko shooting a gun :P

Little_Chestnut's photo
Little_Chestnut 1st April, 2009 @ 03:00 - Permalink

I like it, maybe it will be less of a sausage fest in here.

Hansui's photo
Hansui 1st April, 2009 @ 03:20 - Permalink

haha nice one Chris, lol'd at the unicorn.

I think its a lulzy idea but who knows, we might reduce the sausage fest here...

maybe we can consult our few female members here

MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu's photo
MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu 1st April, 2009 @ 03:21 - Permalink

I like it Chris. It's nice to the eye. Good job!

But I hope this won't make us gays.

EvoLuTioN's photo
EvoLuTioN 1st April, 2009 @ 03:22 - Permalink

The front page is so awesome, I have this urge to hump it.

MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu's photo
MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu 1st April, 2009 @ 03:36 - Permalink
haha nice one Chris, lol'd at the unicorn.

I think its a lulzy idea but who knows, we might reduce the sausage fest here...

maybe we can consult our few female members here

Yeah, maybe they can rate the new design since they're girls.

Let's wait for YJ or Bear.

Denise's photo
Denise 1st April, 2009 @ 03:41 - Permalink

This site is so lovely, I just joined here Hey guys! I <3 Unicorns and rainbows. Chris seems like a really hot guy I just want to have sex with him :wub: .

Artur's photo
Artur 1st April, 2009 @ 03:57 - Permalink

Lols, I saw it when I went to the website and I was like wtf? But then I realized it's that time of the year again for Chris' infamous jokes :P Nice one.

Harwood Butcher's photo
Harwood Butcher 1st April, 2009 @ 04:03 - Permalink
This site is so lovely, I just joined here Hey guys! I <3 Unicorns and rainbows. Chris seems like a really hot guy I just want to have sex with him :wub: .

Ok, this can't be real... :lolbounce:

Spaz The Great's photo
Spaz The Great 1st April, 2009 @ 04:08 - Permalink
This site is so lovely, I just joined here Hey guys! I <3 Unicorns and rainbows. Chris seems like a really hot guy I just want to have sex with him :wub: .

Ok, this can't be real... :lolbounce:

Way ahead of you, checked for other members with that IP address.. There are none....

Hansui's photo
Hansui 1st April, 2009 @ 04:08 - Permalink
This site is so lovely, I just joined here Hey guys! I <3 Unicorns and rainbows. Chris seems like a really hot guy I just want to have sex with him :wub: .

oh c'mon, japanese doesn't speak english like that. :hurrhurr:

josef8's photo
josef8 1st April, 2009 @ 04:27 - Permalink

did u see the PS3 is 9 now!!!! oh wai...... april fools

WRX22B1998's photo
WRX22B1998 1st April, 2009 @ 05:55 - Permalink

omg.

you made the news.. :P

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/slideshow_ajax....nname=aprilfool

go to image 10.

EvoLuTioN's photo
EvoLuTioN 1st April, 2009 @ 06:06 - Permalink
Gay theft auto?

The hormone-overloaded teenage boys who love the violent video game Grand Theft Auto were confronted with a new girl-friendly site, complete with rainbows and unicorns

:awecry:
Damjan's photo
Damjan 1st April, 2009 @ 06:34 - Permalink

YAY to unicorns.

Chris's photo
Chris 1st April, 2009 @ 06:48 - Permalink
omg.

you made the news.. :P

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/slideshow_ajax....nname=aprilfool

go to image 10.

Gay theft auto?

The hormone-overloaded teenage boys who love the violent video game Grand Theft Auto were confronted with a new girl-friendly site, complete with rainbows and unicorns

:awecry:

Lulz I r famous. I lol'd at their description too.

To be fair I would assume they simple keep an eye on http://aprilfoolsdayontheweb.com/ and just post their faves. We got submitted there fairly early on in the day. We were within the first 60-70 sites on there this year.

Back in 2006, we made #7 in their featured websites list which was pretty impressive.

Still pretty cool we randomly get featured on NineMSN.com.au though. Pretty big news site in Australia is it not?

Little_Chestnut's photo
Little_Chestnut 1st April, 2009 @ 06:49 - Permalink
haha nice one Chris, lol'd at the unicorn.

I think its a lulzy idea but who knows, we might reduce the sausage fest here...

maybe we can consult our few female members here

Yeah, maybe they can rate the new design since they're girls.

Let's wait for YJ or Bear.

My opinion doesn't matter? :unsure: I assure you, I may wear the pants, but Spaz still has the penis.

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 07:14 - Permalink

Arrrrrrrrrrrr...NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

How could you. :awecry:

steveplayer's photo
steveplayer 1st April, 2009 @ 07:18 - Permalink
omg.

you made the news.. :P

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/slideshow_ajax....nname=aprilfool

go to image 10.

Gay theft auto?

The hormone-overloaded teenage boys who love the violent video game Grand Theft Auto were confronted with a new girl-friendly site, complete with rainbows and unicorns

:awecry:

Lulz I r famous. I lol'd at their description too.

To be fair I would assume they simple keep an eye on http://aprilfoolsdayontheweb.com/ and just post their faves. We got submitted there fairly early on in the day. We were within the first 60-70 sites on there this year.

Back in 2006, we made #7 in their featured websites list which was pretty impressive.

Still pretty cool we randomly get featured on NineMSN.com.au though. Pretty big news site in Australia is it not?

It's a fairly big one yes. lol @ Gay Theft Auto :hurrhurr:

Bear's photo
Bear 1st April, 2009 @ 07:28 - Permalink

My ovaries thank you Chris :hurrhurr: Haha its like My Little Pony has thrown up on the homepage. Maybe add some fairies and cuddly bunnies with more PINK! You can never have enough pink.

Earthbound's photo
Earthbound 1st April, 2009 @ 08:29 - Permalink

Simply epic! I'm ashamed to admit this, but it looks excellent! I almost prefer the pink.. it's rather appealing to my feminine side I guess.....:(

Chris's photo
Chris 1st April, 2009 @ 08:40 - Permalink

NineMSN just changed the caption from Gay Theft Auto to Girl Theft Auto...

Some up-tight gay guy must've got offended or something :/

That or they realised we targeted girls anyway, not gay guys :P

And yeah Joe you aren't the only one.

On a slightly related note, my Mum saw this and loves the design! :P

Harwood Butcher's photo
Harwood Butcher 1st April, 2009 @ 08:43 - Permalink
NineMSN just changed the caption from Gay Theft Auto to Girl Theft Auto...

Some up-tight gay guy must've got offended or something :/

That or they realised we targeted girls anyway, not gay guys :P

Good thing I took a print screen of it before they changed it. :P

Chris's photo
Chris 1st April, 2009 @ 08:47 - Permalink

Yeah I already had a screen of it, not because it said "Gay" though, I just tend to screenshot/scan anytime I'm featured in a magazine or professional website.

LilyLightly's photo
LilyLightly 1st April, 2009 @ 09:35 - Permalink

Oh I love it!

Pink & pretty is perfect!

Bear's photo
Bear 1st April, 2009 @ 09:37 - Permalink

It does look cool, I have to admit, considering I don't like pink much and unicorns scare me. But who doesn't love rainbows? Add a purple dragon :hurrhurr: then it will look even more pwetty.

GTA Don's photo
GTA Don 1st April, 2009 @ 10:01 - Permalink

Can this design be permanent? I have a unicorn fetish and it would make me really happy horny.

TM™'s photo
TM™ 1st April, 2009 @ 10:05 - Permalink

When I went onto the homepage, I was like LOL.

The only thing that still has some masculine bits in is the ads, such as the Crank ads. :P

Nice design though.

Huckleberry Pie's photo
Huckleberry Pie 1st April, 2009 @ 10:11 - Permalink

You know you should've consulted me for making some drastic changes to the site... Me and my mates have a mother lode of Strawberry Shortcake pics, you know... :P

MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu's photo
MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu 1st April, 2009 @ 11:36 - Permalink

I see, girls loved this very much.

Little_Chestnut: You're a girl too?

Lol Chris, you have many victims in the first day of the new design! :thumbsup:

JustADummy's photo
JustADummy 1st April, 2009 @ 12:14 - Permalink
Lols, I saw it when I went to the website and I was like wtf? But then I realized it's that time of the year again for Chris' infamous jokes :P Nice one.

Ya' said eet. ITT, Chris is like Google :)

Still the homepage looks like GTAF's VC skin...

Huckleberry Pie's photo
Huckleberry Pie 1st April, 2009 @ 13:28 - Permalink

No, Chris, you're DOING IT WRONG:

2ym7qli.png

:hurrhurr::coolthumbup::rofl2:

Gycu's photo
Gycu 1st April, 2009 @ 13:31 - Permalink
:lolbounce: I did expect an April Fools joke but didn't anticipate this. It's very cool. Waiting for the pink layer for the forums :)
Huckleberry Pie's photo
Huckleberry Pie 1st April, 2009 @ 13:42 - Permalink
:lolbounce: I did expect an April Fools joke but didn't anticipate this. It's very cool. Waiting for the pink layer for the forums :)

I would like to volunteer on improving the banner... :hurrhurr:

Mpilk901's photo
Mpilk901 1st April, 2009 @ 13:59 - Permalink

Haha this is awsum! :awesome:

Little_Chestnut's photo
Little_Chestnut 1st April, 2009 @ 15:24 - Permalink
I see, girls loved this very much.

Little_Chestnut: You're a girl too?

Lol Chris, you have many victims in the first day of the new design! :thumbsup:

Yep, very much so.

Patty-T's photo
Patty-T 1st April, 2009 @ 15:26 - Permalink

You had me for a second when I saw the pink background, but the unicorn and rainbow made me realize what was up.

rappo's photo
rappo 1st April, 2009 @ 16:41 - Permalink

Much better Chris, finally you display your true skills as a web designer. The GTA Place is much more appealing now and I will be recommending it to all my friends!!

Ghettokid's photo
Ghettokid 1st April, 2009 @ 16:56 - Permalink

Is this web site skin staying on here or is it just a April Fools? Lol it's cool :awesome:

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 17:02 - Permalink

I actually like it now. :aweclosed:

The Bossman's photo
The Bossman 1st April, 2009 @ 17:06 - Permalink

PLEASE keep the new design, looks great. :)

MrLlamaLlama's photo
MrLlamaLlama 1st April, 2009 @ 17:57 - Permalink

I keep thinking I've opened a porn site when I see the pink theme....

Spaz The Great's photo
Spaz The Great 1st April, 2009 @ 19:38 - Permalink
On a slightly related note, my Mum saw this and loves the design! :P

Lol. That's quite amusing. My mom saw my April Fool's joke and she fell for it.

Little_Chestnut: You're a girl too?

ROFL. Serious question?

ceedj's photo
ceedj 1st April, 2009 @ 20:56 - Permalink

Cute. The unicorn was a nice touch. :lolbounce:

Connor's photo
Connor 1st April, 2009 @ 20:59 - Permalink

It's really lol in front of Niko shooting someones face off.

Chris's photo
Chris 2nd April, 2009 @ 00:25 - Permalink
I keep thinking I've opened a porn site when I see the pink theme....

Well, you did come to a site filled with horny teenage boys.

Judging by some of the comments here, am I to anticipate a large petition to keep the theme on here past April 1st? :P

Harwood Butcher's photo
Harwood Butcher 2nd April, 2009 @ 07:10 - Permalink
Yeah I already had a screen of it, not because it said "Gay" though, I just tend to screenshot/scan anytime I'm featured in a magazine or professional website.

That's cool. Yeah, the only reason I took a print screen was because it said, "Gay". :hurrhurr:

I'm wondering how many people here actually want it to stay. I'd have to say the majority of the people saying that they want it to stay are just going along with the crowd. At least that's what it seems.

Chris's photo
Chris 2nd April, 2009 @ 07:30 - Permalink

It's 2nd April guys. Do you see taking the layout down? Nope.... I like how everyone thought this was our April Fools joke. This design is here to stay :awesome:

EvoLuTioN's photo
EvoLuTioN 2nd April, 2009 @ 07:40 - Permalink
1232622794492.jpg
Bear's photo
Bear 2nd April, 2009 @ 07:43 - Permalink

Yay! We may get a lot of 8 year old girls joining thinking its a My Little Pony forums :P

Add a skull, thats girly to me. But it should have a nice bow on it. Any other ideas Chris that can make it even more pretty?

MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu's photo
MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu 2nd April, 2009 @ 10:22 - Permalink

Lol Chris, this must stay here forever.

I think there's no forums without horny teenage boys. It's a permanent part of a forum. Meh. :coolthumbup:

Alvas.'s photo
Alvas. 3rd April, 2009 @ 17:14 - Permalink

I dunno why the theme was only seen on april fools not now ? :(

JustADummy's photo
JustADummy 3rd April, 2009 @ 17:43 - Permalink

Check here: http://www.thegtaplace.com, read the first paragraph of the article :P

It was sooo cute lolz

MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu's photo
MeZaMe YuMe_MoMoKu 4th April, 2009 @ 01:04 - Permalink

It was over? :(

This forums will be dominated again by boys. No girls will come to this site again. lol :nope:

MrLlamaLlama's photo
MrLlamaLlama 4th April, 2009 @ 01:41 - Permalink

If you're really that bothered, go ahead and set this as your TGTAP bookmark.