Pixel War: A Battle for Reddit’s Future
If you are an internet user, you may have come across r/Place, a collaborative pixel art canvas that allows users from around the globe to create artwork together. Recently, this unique platform has made a comeback on Reddit, but it has sparked controversy among both users and site administrators who see it as nothing more than a distraction.
Pixel War becomes a platform for users angry at Reddit’s management
Known as Pixel War or r/Place, this platform is renowned for its collaborative pixel art. In the past, it brought together French communities to create a massive French flag on the digital canvas. The previous editions of Pixel War took place on April 1, with a five-year gap between them. However, the 2022 edition was announced on March 28, just a few days in advance. This year, r/Place unexpectedly opened in July, only one year after the previous edition, and was announced just a day before. Many users suspect that Reddit strategically launched it to divert attention from the recent monetization of the Reddit API, which caused a rift between the management and the community. Consequently, Pixel War has become a forum where messages of disagreement and anger multiply.
“Never forget what was stolen from us”
At the center of this virtual rebellion is Steve Huffman, the president and co-founder of Reddit, known as Spez on the site. The r/Place canvas is now flooded with hostile messages towards him, such as “Fuck Spez.” This follows the “Reddark” movement, which led to the closure of thousands of subreddits in protest against the decision to monetize the Reddit API. Reddit attempted to calm the situation by relaunching Pixel War, but it only further fueled the anger. On r/Place, users express their frustration through insults and clear messages like “Never forget what was stolen from us r/Save3rdPartyApps.”
Reddit wants to go public, but its image is deteriorating very quickly!
Despite a period of apparent truce where users focused on collaborative art, the revolution is far from over. The r/Place canvas is now filled with protest messages and constant reminders that Reddit is prioritizing monetization at the expense of its users and administrators. Reddit’s attempt to divert attention failed, and it has only intensified the revolt started with Reddark. Users remain committed to defending the values that made Reddit a unique platform. While Reddit aims to go public, the users’ fight to preserve the essence of their community and platform continues, regardless of the shareholders’ interests.
The r/Place canvas is currently available on Reddit. You can participate by placing pixels or simply admire the artwork created by users from all over the world.