Numerous gaming subreddits are collaborating for the Reddit Blackout, where various official gaming subreddits like Dota 2, VALORANT, Overwatch, Magic the Gathering, Minecraft, PUBG, Destiny 2, D&D, PokƩmon, and others will either shut down or go private. This action is a response to recent changes announced by Reddit. The blackout is scheduled from June 12 to June 14, and some subreddits may remain closed until desired changes are implemented by the platform.
The cause of the Reddit Blackout is Reddit’s recent announcement of significant price increases for its Application Programming Interface (API) starting from July 1. The API allows third parties to access Reddit without using the main interface. Previously, API access was free, enabling developers to create various tools like automated modding tools, unofficial mobile apps, overlays, and accessibility tools.
However, developers of third-party mobile apps, including Apollo, have expressed concerns about the new API pricing, considering it unreasonably high and unsustainable. They argue that these costs would make it impossible for them to continue operating. For example, Apollo estimates annual costs reaching up to $26 million, which is unaffordable for most small third-party app developers.
Apart from Apollo, other Reddit apps like rif (formerly Reddit is Fun), ReddPlanet, and Sync are also shutting down due to these changes. Developers argue that the hurdles imposed by Reddit on third-party apps, such as the removal of explicit content, unreasonable pricing, short notice, lack of responsiveness, and unwillingness to compromise, indicate Reddit’s intent to eliminate all third-party apps.
The main groups affected by these changes are users who rely on third-party apps to access Reddit. According to r/pcgaming, at least 22.4% of their subreddit users primarily use third-party apps. Moderators will also face significant consequences since many third-party mobile apps offer better moderation tools than the official Reddit app. This will result in longer durations for tasks like post approvals, report submissions, and moderator emails.
Visually impaired redditors will be particularly impacted by these changes. The official Reddit mobile app fails to adequately address their needs, leading to issues such as missing elements, broken navigation, and confusing labels. This poses challenges for visually impaired users to effectively interact with the site. Although efforts were made by third-party apps like Dystopia and Apollo to address accessibility concerns, their closure due to pricing changes will leave visually impaired redditors with limited options.
Communities like r/blind, which provide essential support, information, advice, and tools for visually impaired individuals, will be forced to shut down due to Reddit’s recent changes. Subreddits like r/transcribersofreddit and r/descriptionplease, which assist visually impaired redditors by providing text descriptions of visual content, will also be significantly affected. As Reddit is the only major social media platform lacking support for alternative text, these volunteer-driven communities play a crucial role in serving the blind community.
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