“Never forget what was stolen from you.” Starting Thursday, July 20, Reddit launched its “r/place” event: a blank page where users of the platform can place colored squares, called “pixels” or “tiles.” But the message posted by the members of the subreddit (understanding the subforum) “r/save3rdpartyapps” remains.
Last year, many communities fought a battle to impose their drawings on the gigantic digital canvas. But the third edition does not arouse -for the moment- the enthusiasm generated in April 2022 by the already famous “Pixel War”.
A strike movement in mid-June
If there are indeed some flags forming (French, German, Turkish, American or Ukrainian), it is a more personal message that is spread across the fresco. Everywhere, “Fuck Spez” are needed. A way for users to protest Reddit’s recent decision to get more revenue from their API (programming interface). Because “Spez” is the username of Steve Huffman, the president of Reddit.
Recalling a similar strategy by Elon Musk on Twitter, this decision sparked a strike in many communities in mid-June. A movement that has led to a kind of “blackout” of content. Because the different thematic forums have hidden certain conversations, eliminating the possibility of posting comments.
In this tense context, the opening of the interactive device “r/place” should calm people’s minds. But by giving space to its users’ creativity, Reddit seems to have shot itself in the foot. Because all the resentment towards the president of the platform is expressed on the web.
The “r/place” event is scheduled to end on Saturday, July 22. It remains to be seen if a fight between the French and Spanish communities will take shape again. Twitch had served as the command base for the previous edition. But for the moment, the main French streamers have not taken part in the long-awaited “Pixel War”.
Source: BFM TV
