Many of you might be wondering what's been happening over the past 3 months: reviews have been sporadic, news items have been virtually non-existent, and various site features like the video section and message forum have vanished without a trace. Does this mean the end is nigh?

No, definitely not. There may be some changes ahead however.

Ten years is a long time in the web publishing game, and it's a thankless task. The time required to keep the site up and running while also squeezing-in days jobs, sleep, gaming, masturbation, and social drinking binges has taken its toll on many of us, and exhaustion and frustration is running rampant at DR Towers.

The main issue at the moment however is money. Yes, the GFC is taking a bite out of everyone and it now has its teeth firmly in our cyber arse cheeks. While we have had advertising support from local companies like Monster Pictures and Accent over the years it has never been enough to cover our operating costs and unfortunately it has now reached a point where the website operator can no longer adsorb the annual expenses required to keep Digital Retribution running as a full-fledged web publishing operation.

So what are our options? We can either improve Digital Retribution and keep it running with all the trimmings like a message forum and streaming video, or we can strip everything away and become a simple, inexpensive review blog like so many generic WordPress platforms. The generic future is one we'd prefer to avoid, so over the next month we'll be propositioning local distributors and studios in the hope of raising enough cash to cover our annual costs. If that fails we may consider some sort of public fund-raising appeal.

So, to avoid a bland Blog-like future what do we need?

• Advertisers! As previously mentioned, funding is our primary issue at the moment. We need the support of studios, distributors, publishers.... basically anyone that contributes anything to the local genre scene. To learn more about advertising on Digital Retribution please click here.

• Contributors! To be more than just another Blog we need to post fresh content regularly. Reviews, news, interviews, features, rants... if you can write it, we can publish it! Please click here to learn more about becoming a member of the Digital Retribution team.

• Your feedback and support! Yes, a few simple words might be all it takes to help Digital Retribution thrive. A great deal of work goes into this site and it's nice to know someone is noticing it. Do you read our reviews? Post a comment! Do you use social networking? Interact with us on Facebook and Twitter. Share our articles. Spread the word! We're not asking you to kiss our arses – just let us know you're out there.

For almost 10 years now Digital Retribution has supported genre fans and the local genre scene, and while the site has come to a crossroads it still has much to offer. Whatever happens over the next month or so Digital Retribution will live on – hopefully for another decade – and continue to deliver honest reviews of a professional standard. We're also planning to enhance the site with an improved layout that will include mobile friendly browsing and more user interaction with published content.

The tone of this article might be somewhat grim but we'd like to think the future is bright.

For now, both the video section and message forum will remain offline while we assess our options.

Toad on 02/14/2012 @ 13:37 Comment # 31 of 31 Craig how much does it cost to run DR on a monthly basis? This site has been one of the anchors of my life for some years, and I really miss the camaraderie and discussion, and am thinking about more than a donation, but rather a longer term commitment to funding (some of it from my own pocket) with a business plan and sponsorship from areas you may not have thought of yet. Get in touch mate. Cyclone82 on 02/13/2012 @ 19:09 Comment # 30 of 31 This is very bad news. I have important PM's i need to access from people and have no way to contact them? 'Sexecutioner' can you please contact me. i think you would have my details Meg on 02/12/2012 @ 11:26 Comment # 29 of 31 I'll happily donate some $ to keep the site going who do I PayPal this to? I like it here and have been given some wonderful recommendations in regards to movies and the like. Offaleater on 02/11/2012 @ 23:18 Comment # 28 of 31 I have no idea what a banner ad costs, but when my website I am working on at the moment (for sales) I would consider getting one (if i can afford it), but certainly would pay to list items for sale in the right section at the very least. Last comment I forgot my email address, so anyone wanting to keep in touch IF the forum disappears, I am at : aririchards@yahoo.com.au Thanks, Ari the Offaleater vincent von fuhkk on 02/10/2012 @ 15:04 Comment # 27 of 31 I too hope DR gets back on track. It's been a great source to films, have met some great friends & there's plenty of worthy opinion with no bitching (well, not much) to be found. Not too whether an actual Monthly Subscription would work but whenever I have spare $$$$ I'd be more than happy to chip in to keep the site running. TND on 02/06/2012 @ 11:07 Comment # 26 of 31 This is terrible. I'm at work and I'm so bored I'm at the stage where I'm going to do some actual fucking work, please bring the forums back. Voorhees on 02/06/2012 @ 06:22 Comment # 25 of 31 Im happy to donate,pay a yearly description whatever no problem :) by the way as there isnt any message forum i cant access Hungus address to send him so stuff anyone have an email for him? Toad on 02/06/2012 @ 00:07 Comment # 24 of 31 I'll also chip in on the dollars front. And perhaps we should charge a few bucks for people selling stuff through the 'trades etc'' board, or at least encourage a donation. Whatever it takes Craig. I haven't been around as long as some but it has been a fair few years now and feels like home. And shit I've met some blokes who are now really cose mates in real life here. Sec on 02/05/2012 @ 22:13 Comment # 23 of 31 Well everyone has already said what needs to be said here - I miss the forums and would chip in a few bob to bring them back. The Tenant on 02/05/2012 @ 21:19 Comment # 22 of 31 This is very distressing to hear. As many people have similarly expressed, DR is a big part of my online experience. I may be a relatively late adopter of the site, but evidently there's a reason I, and many others, have stuck around. Having the site gone would be a sad day. I agree that a subscription fee just isn't viable. A donation drive/option would probably be a more realistic choice. Either way I just hope this isn't the last I see of DR. Start Previous Page Name E-mail (Optional - Will not appear online) Comment