As a part of our continued effort to improve Game Trader World we occasionally release Update Packs to add features. Here you can read about the features added by our Update Packs released so far. If you would like to see a feature added, please let us know in the Suggestion Box.

• Profile Pages

  Profile pages have been added for Users, Games, Systems and Accessories. Each profile has several subpages that give more information about the topic which are linked in the profile for easier navigation.

• User Pictures

  Users can now upload their pictures to Game Trader World. Normal users may create up to 3 galleries with 30 pictures each, gold users can have up to 12 galleries. Control who can see you pictures on the new My Privacy page.

• New Logo and Site Redesign

  Our logo has been redesigned and the site name replaced the advertising banner. Each page now has a series of tabs on the top for easier site navigation.

• Other Updates
  • Image combination for improved pageload speed
  • Extended User Details
  • Gold User side module
  • Power Search searches for individual words, so entering 'the sims' will find 'sims, the'
  • Smileys converted to images
  • Thread and Message replies are on the same page as the thread/message

• Performance Updates

  Most of the development for this update was focused on improving the entire performance of the site. Every page was examined and updated to meet strict standards and backup all database changes. Ajax calls replaced every unecessary page refresh. Compression was added to every page to reduce load time. A new text editor was introducted that writes cleaner, safer code.

  • HTML 4.01 Stict standards compliance
  • Realtime Database Backup
  • More Ajax calls to replace page refreshes
  • Page Compression for faster page downloads
  • New Text Editor with HTML Purifier
  • Refined Style and Themes
• Thumb Weight

  Thumb weight has been added to give more power to those users who participate in the site more. Thumb weight ranges from 0.1 to 1.0 and affects how much power your rating has on posts, reviews and comments.

• Wishlist / Collection Search

  From each game you can now search to see what users have or want that game. Easily find other users that you can play or trade with, even if they don't have a listing for all of their games.

• Timezones

  By Customizing your account you can now set your timezone. Quickly determine how long ago something happend on the site (posts, messages, offers, etc.)

• Did You Know

  Tips to help users get more from GTW are now randomly displayed at the top of each page. The entire list can be viewed at any time and contains a detailed explaination for each one.

• Other Updates
  • New Users Since Last Visit
  • Custom Homepage only for Gold Users (and all users currently using it)
  • New Favorite Icon
  • Get Firefox Link (for non-firefox users only)
  • New GTW ads on homepage
  • Gold Member is now called Gold User
  • Improved Game Selector for creating listings
  • Updated Shipping Guide

• Custom Home Page

  With the new custom home page, you can add, remove, and customize the modules that you want to see. The homepage layout can be switched between 70% | 30% (default), 50% | 50%, and 30% | 70%. Modules can be arranged in any order and colored one of six colors that match your theme. Some modules have advanced options and can be added multiple times.

  The full list of modules with this update:

  • Forum Posts
  • Users Online
  • GTW News (formerly known as Trader Blog)
  • Poll
  • Community Points Leaderboard
  • Referral Links
  • Hottest Games
  • Monthly Giveaway
  • Inbox
  • Recent Trades
  • Thread Share
  • Moderator Menu (Mods Only)
  
  
• Message Center Update

  The message center has been updated to make it more compact and easy to use. Messages in the inbox and outbox now have small users tags and a preview of the message. In addition, messages can be checked an archived, marked as read, and deleted all at once. This functionality extends to the message archive.

• My Friends

  A My Friends link has been added 'My Menu'. Friend requests have been moved from the message center to the improved My Friends page. The My Friends page now displays 10 friends per page with additional details. When viewing a user's profile, if they have more than 6 friends, 6 are displayed randomly and the rest can be viewed on the Show Friends page.

• Game + Accessory Image Upgrade

  Game box images have been fixed so that black bars are no longer required for images of games with a non-standard box size. The resolution for game and accessory images has been increased from 120x170 to 160x220.

• Other Updates
  • Tagged Threads have checkboxes for group actions.
  • Listings with images display camera icons.
  • Free Shipping reminders.
  • Developers, Publishers, and Brands have an autocomplete when adding games and accessories.
  • Moderators can move threads between forum sections.
  • Moderators can edit posts.

• Power Search

  The Power Search is a new module that allows users to quickly browse through Games, Systems, Accessories, Game Listings, System Listings, Accessory Listings, Users and Forum Threads. Add a word to the box (or leave it blank) and all of those categories will be searched. Click on one of the categories to view the results and add filters to narrow your search.

• Gold Users

  Anyone who makes a contribute of 2,000 credits or more will become a Gold Member. These members will have the following benefits:

  • Create your own forum section
  • No advertising displayed
  • 3 Free Trades
  • 5 Monthly Giveaway Tickets (the month you donate)
  • Upload 3 Images per Listing
  • Give other users more confidence when trading with you.
  • Search Filter for Gold Member listings only.
  • As new site features are added, some will be Gold Member Only Features.
  
  
• Listing Image Upload

  An image can now be uploaded to go with any new Game, System or Accessory listing. Gold users will be able to add up to 3 images per listing.

• New Forum Sections

  Three new sections have been added to the forums:

  • Gaming Deals - Post deals that you find for anything gaming related.
  • User Forums - A new place for Gold Members where they can moderate posts in their own section.
  • Moderator Forum - This super secret forum only shows up for Moderators.
  
  
• Other Updates
  • Thumbs Up will undo a Thumbs Down.
  • State/Province listed in user profile.
  • Total Link Referrals in user profile.
  • Rating Slider - optional text entry box
  • 5 more Newly Listed added to the Homepage.
  • Large icons on the user awards description page.
  • Press Releases merged with Blogs.

• Online Status

  When signed it, you may now set your online status (Online, Busy, Appear Offline). The Homepage displays how many users and guests are currently online and clicking on the number of users will display a list of all users online. A green, yellow or red dot is drawn on the User Tag to indicate the user's status.

• Buy Tickets with Credits

  Tickets for the Monthly Giveaway can now be purchased with credits, in addition to Pay Pal.

• Listings on User Tag

  Users with active listings now have a on their User Tag. Clicking on this image will show a list of all active listings, with the asking price and a link directly to the listings. This menu is also available for the top 10 users on the Community Points Leaderboard on the Homepage.

• New User Awards

  5 New User Award categories have been created. Each one has different color levels (bronze, silver, gold). The new categories are:

  • Posts
  • Reviews
  • Ratings
  • Database Entries
  • Trades
  
  
• New Systems

  4 New systems have been added:

  • Game Boy Color
  • Virtual Boy
  • Master System
  • Atari VCS
  
  
• Other Updates
  • Listing Details pop-up now includes the asking price.
  • Unlimited Post Editing Time.
  • Since Last Visit Reset Button.
  • Search Games Box moved to Page Title Bar

• Since Last Visit

  When you sign in, you will now notice a new user module called 'Since Last Visit'. This module shows how many accessories and games have been added to the database, listings added, posts made and reviews written since the time that you last signed in. Click on the link to see exactly what is new for each. This is a great way to quickly check out the latest changes on GTW.

• Remember Me (Auto sign in)

  When signing in to the site, you now have the option for the site to remember you. When checked, a cookie will be saved to your computer and you will be automatically signed in when you visit the site. This cookie can be cleared by signing out and will be invalidated when you sign in from another computer and check the remember me box. The 'Since Last Visit' feature will still work with 'Remember Me' enabled.

• For My Collection

  Wondering what games you could get for the ones that you have? Click the 'What I Can Get' button on your profile page, next to 'My Games'. All game listings requesting any game that you have in your collection will be shown. As our userbase grows, this feature will provide you with more and more game exchange possibilities.

• Contact Info.

  You can now add up to 10 different aliases and URLs to your GTW profile. Choose from a list or add your own. Give other users more ways to learn about you and earn trust.

• Other Updates
  • Last Login Date on User Profile.
  • Single Message Archive (Inbox and Outbox merged).
  • 250 Min. Character Limit for Reviews.
  • Community Points for Moderators for Game/Accessory Approvals and Web Review Approvals.

• System Listings

  Game systems can be listed and traded. A system browser has been added and systems can be rated and reviewed. With this release, systems can only be traded in exchange for credits.

• Accessory Listings

  Accessories can be listed and traded. An accessory browser has been added and accessories can be added to the database, rated and reviewed. With this release, accessories can only be traded in exchange for credits.

• Edit Post

  When posting the in the forums, you may edit your post within the first five minutes.

• Latest Forum Posts

  The last 4 forum posts are now displayed on the homepage.

• THEME: Black Ice

  This icy theme brings a cool new look to the site.

• Other Updates
  • Homepage browser modified to accomodate systems and accessories.
  • Previous / Next page added to forum posts.

• Alternate Offers

  When posting a game listing, users now have the option to allow alternate offers. When enabled, other users can suggest their own offer in the form of credits or a game +/- credits. All existing listings will have this feature off by default, but can be turned on by editing your listing... which brings us to the next update:

• Edit Listing

  Listings that you have created can now be edited at any time. This is ideal if you get a game that you wanted or think of a new one that you are interested in. For consistency, the details of your game cannot be changed, but the price, games wanted, shipping, response time and allowing alternate offers can all be changed from My Listings.

• PC Games

  By popular demand, we have added PC games into our list of systems. Because PC games have more copy protection and CD key issues than console games, we ask our members to be extra cautious when trading them.

• Other Updates
  • Add Games to Collection/Wishlist from search results
  • Bulk Trades require a purchase of Credits

• Monthly Giveaway

  We had a lot of fun with our Playstation 3 Giveaway in December and have decided to make it a monthly affair.

  This time, to make it even more exciting, you can buy and earn tickets. Simply interact with our website and achieve Community Points. For every 100 points that you earn, you will get a ticket for the giveaway (up to 10 tickets per month). Of course, to further improve your odds, you can purchase tickets as well.

• New Systems (6)

  We've added six classic sysetms to our lineup:

  • Nintendo 64 (N64)
  • Super Nintendo (Super NES)
  • Nintendo Entertainment System (NES)
  • Game Boy (includes original + color)
  • Sega Saturn
  • Sega Genesis (includes 32x + CD)
  
  
• THEME: Clean

  We've redifined the classic look of the site and called it 'Clean' for its crisp look and sharp edges. For those that loved the original 'Classic', it is still selectable, renamed to 'Space'.

• Thread Share

  The Thread Share is a way to exchange forum threads with your friends. If you find a topic interesting, you can share it by clicking the 'share' button at the top of the thread. When a thread is shared, a link with the title shows up in bold on your profile under 'Thread Share'. The link will also show up on the profile page of your friends, so they can check it out. The more friends that are sharing the thread, the larger the font becomes. The number in parentheses () indicates the number of friends (including you) who are sharing that thread. After 7 days, the link will no longer be displayed on your friends' profiles, but will remain on your profile. Un-sharing and re-sharing will reset it.

• Personal Message

  In your profile you can now display a personal message. You can tell us a little something about yourself, what types of games you like, your Wii Friend Code, or whatever you have to say. The message will appear under your picture on your profile page and can be changed in the Customize Section.

• DS Friend Codes

  If you have DS games in your collection, you can now add your friend code for that game. Just go to My Games and enter your friend code for any DS game that you have. It will be displayed with the game in your collection on your profile page.

• THEME: Gamer Girl

  Video games are for girls too and this new theme is sure to delight the girly gamer (and maybe some gamer guys). Pink, purple, yellow and blue will show you the softer side of Game Trader World.

• What Can I Get For?

  With our new reverse search, you can find listings that request the game you have. Just click the 'What Can I Get for This?' button in the Game Browser. This is great if you have a game that you finished, but are not sure what game you want to have next.

• PS3 Giveaway

  We were able to get our hands on the Hottest Holiday Gift this year and are giving it away to one of our members, with tickets starting as low as $2. (Valid From 12-01-2006 until 12-10-2006).

• THEME: Xbox 360 Dashboard

  Sony and Nintendo fans got their new consoles and themes last update pack, now it's time for Xbox fans to rejoice. This theme is based on the colors and style of the Xbox 360 Dashboard. Try it by Customizing your account.

• THEME: Christmas

  It's that time of the year and the stores are decorating for the holidays, so we are too! Get in the spirit with white, red and green with a dash of snow! Try it by Customizing your account.

• Other Updates
  • View all Listings
  • View all Listings per System
  • Getting Started Guide

• Xbox LIVE Link

  Link your Xbox Live GamerTag to your Game Trader World account to enhance your reputation! Each account is genuinely owned by the user that it is linked to because we require an Xbox Private Message to be sent to us. Search the member directory by Game Trader World usernames and now by Xbox Live GamerTag as well. Trade games with Xbox Live friends that you already know!

• My Profile Page

  The user profile page has been updated to include a larger user image, the Xbox LIVE Link, the user's latest forum post and game review. Now, when you view your own profile, you will be able to go right to the customize account page, your listings, games, wishlist and friends list.

• Simplified Side Menu

  The side menu on the left hand side of the screen (when signed in) has been simplified to 3 modules: My Menu, Rank Progress and Feedback. In conjunction with the My Profile Page, you can now navigate the site even easier with less complication.

• THEME: PS3

  You've waited in line all night for it, now have a Game Trader World theme to go with your new system. Black and red define the sleek new console and this sleek new theme. Try it by Customizing your account.

• THEME: Wii

  You've waited in line all night for it too, now have a Game Trader World theme to go with your Wii. Light blue and white make this a theme that screams sexy and new. Try it by Customizing your account.

• Other Updates
  • PS3 System and Games
  • Wii System and Games
  • Cash Out - Convert your credits into cash
  • Blog Archive
  • View 10 Random Users in the Member Directory