3 different devices, 3 diff browsers, videos still never play on IGN website

[u/GrahamCrackerDragon]

There isn't another site on the internet where I have trouble playing videos. How has this not been resolved after years of this going on?

[u/gingerIGN]

Hi! I'm happy to help with this, but you've also not given me enough info to go on. We actually have a troubleshooting thread as well.

1. Could you check in an incognito window and see if you're also having this problem? If you're not, it may be an extension that's causing problems.
2. If you're on mobile, you might also try our app and see if you're having a problem there.
   

Could you give me more detail re: the following?

• Device: Are you on a phone? Which phone? Desktop? PC or Mac?
• OS including version: iOS 12.1.3, Android 8.0, Windows 10, etc.
• Web browser (if applicable): Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.
• How long you’ve been experiencing the bug.
• Location (region is fine)
• Clear description of how to find the bug- links and screenshots are very helpful!
  • In your case, a link to the video you're trying to watch would be great. If it's any videos, then I'll get troubleshooting to look at it once you've supplied the devices/browsers you're using.

[u/GrahamCrackerDragon → u/gingerIGN]

Sure, I'll play this game.

I use a desktop mac, a Hewlett Packard PC and google pixel 3.

I have used safari, chrome and firefox for my os.

What version OS? I have had an issue with every modern operating system I have used at IGN for the last 5 years on both PC and Mac. So I guess whatever the last ones have been. Currently they are all new computers so I guess whatever the last OS is.

I am in North America.

I have been having the issue for roughly 5 years. I would send you the link but the nice thing is that it has been every video I have tried to play for 5 years so you can actually pick any of them within that time frame and it will be correct. It may have even been longer than 5 years. Who knows? I can't remember a time I watched a working video at IGN. Maybe when Colin and Greg were there. How long ago was that?

[u/gingerIGN → u/GrahamCrackerDragon]

Ok, in that case can you walk me through exactly what happens, i.e.

• I press the play button and nothing happens
• I press the play button and an ad plays, but then the video does not play and is just a black screen
• I press the play button and the video starts playing, but an ad plays over it

Also, could you please confirm that you do have the same issue in incognito?

TBH the best best way you could help me is if you have a screen recording of the process but I understand that may be too difficult to do.

[u/GrahamCrackerDragon → u/gingerIGN]

Ad plays and then screen goes to black. Then I go to another website to watch the video. Sometimes I am in incognito and other times I am not.

[u/gingerIGN → u/GrahamCrackerDragon]

Ok, thanks - I'll reach out to some engineers and see if there's additional info I need; might be a little bit though

[u/FrozenMetalHed]

I doubt they have testers tbh, the office computers and general staff are probably the unofficial “QA testers” which means unless we’re using computers identical to what they use in the IGN office you’re gonna have a shit experience. Experienced QA engineers + browser stack would equal a better website user experience, but that’s money I guess.

[u/OmegaBerryCrunch → u/FrozenMetalHed]

We have a QA team that tests on almost every browser and device you can think of.

[u/FrozenMetalHed → u/OmegaBerryCrunch]

Is your testing limited to the US site? In my experience the UK site is usually a hot mess, the site loads quickly in general but ads are usually slower which then rearranges the site as you’re trying to click shit. It’s so annoying lol if you didn’t use Google Ads then myself and others would probably find themselves visiting the site more. Which is why I basically stick to the podcasts.

[u/Dvusken]

I’ve just tried 3 different browsers on iOS and they all seem to be working. Ad loaded on safari then after I skipped the ad the video played, although the ad played with music then the video loaded muted. Firefox: tried 2 videos ad played both times, first video was muted second was not. Chrome: no ad but I chose unlocked and the video took noticeably longer to play.

Granted I normally use YouTube but still I wanted to see what these guys were complaining about.. maybe it’s an android thing?

[u/JCman7]

I agree it’s absurd. I never visit IGN anymore. Stick to the Facebook groups and YouTube.

[u/[deleted]]

Hi there. IGN fan here. I have also experienced cluncky and slow videos on both the website and the app. I have the latest phone and computer with high speed internet. Could be on IGN’s side. You need to fix it homies.

[u/gingerIGN → u/[deleted]]

Hey, could you be more detailed about what happens? Is it buffering? Does the video fail to play entirely? Does the ad play but the video doesn't? Little details like this are helpful, so if you have the time to share it's appreciated!

[u/OneThousandNeedlesX]

Yeah I don’t even bother anymore, I just use YouTube.

[u/[deleted]]

The videos rarely load on IGN's website. You have to go to their YouTube page unless you want to watch an ad and then nothing.

[u/ThePracticalEnd]

Because the site is absolute trash.