Is gaiaonline.com Legit?

I love gaia - used it since 2006. It is one of the last bastions of old school forum culture and is still so relaxing to use in a sea of fast paced social medias that demand your attention. It's a shame the past ownership made it lose its community for a while and they're still trying to recover.Awkward moderation at times. Spam topics can sit for ages on the less popular subforums.Can't decide if it wants to be 13+ and kid friendly at times, I do wish they'd have an adults only subforums or something. Beautiful pixel art, fun community events, some nice hangout and games that are finally getting a modern face lift to make them more mobile friendly since flash died.It has so much potential and I believe with the right support it can still do well for years to come. Thanks for everything!

The admin/mod team now a days get to pick and choose what rules they want to enforce. Mods play favourites with their friends and trolls are banned one day but are allowed to VPN and IP address hop onto another account next day to continue homophobic, transphobic, racist, sexist, genderist and general hateful behavior. A slap on the wrist and they're back again next day.Don't speak up for yourself on Gaia! Mods will warn you to sit down and shut up or they will ban you for "flaming", when all you do is express an upset on a group of trolls that keep coming back.99% of Gaia announcements are for new Cash Shop items and sales!No new NPC lead events with correlating manga episodes.No new maps or NPCs or quests on zOMG, just shoddy patchwork.Gaia took a crash and it will never rise back up to the golden days now with less than 5,000 active users. Gaia is broke and filed for bankruptcy in 2022, and they are focused on a small percentage of users that can afford to spend hundreds or thousands of dollars on cash shop items.Lanzer is no longer the owner, just a shareholder and he does patchwork on the site.Flash games are working under an emulator.Zomg still works on Battle Air or Waterfox.

The moderation is immature and should not be in a position of power. When you question their decisions in a kind and curious way, they are unable to explain and will use rhetorics like "Because I said so!" as children would do it. It's incredible this game hasn't died yet as it has been run by children for a long while.

Weak moderation that bans permanently for no reason, also scammy practices that try to squeeze out money from your pocket every chance they get.Used to be fun, now it's a dead place due to the unprofessional moderation, keep away.

Since I paid my one year subscription I’ve had nothing but technical issues no customer service that would untie the knots of going from one dead end to the next. Nothing is getting resolved on no aspect of logging in signing in from verifications from not getting stop on tract because I’m still getting the free trail etc when I’ve already paid for a year. It’s been Hell instead of a peaceful transition. Gaia needs to call me so I can use an app I paid for already I’m waiting for the next step as to How to communicate with Customer Services

Great site. Been using it since 2007, great community. Great visuals and entertainment! Games, forums, events, conventions, and so much more. I've had a wonder 10 years on this site and don't plan on quitting anytime soon. Keep it up Gaia! Don't lose that mojo.

It like Myspace by with anime avitars that you can customize how ever u want and with the addition of zOMG be back online a mmorpg that fun for all ages I love this website syber_roxas

“Feedback”

If you criticize the admins of the site, they'll publicly humiliate you in front of everybody on the forums. In fact, they will do this on a weekly basis to beat you into submission for ever contemplating on doing such a thing in the first place. Products used:Virtual items from the cash shop. Service Value Shipping Returns Quality

“Site has gone 'full woke'”

Well. Gaia has hit a new low. I didn't believe was possible... Even for them. I saw with my own eyes an GaiaOnline Administrator on Site Feedback, of all places. The section of the site where your suppose to be allowed to give criticism of ideas users submit. And they decided to reprimand users for speaking out against wanting proper pronouns to be placed on the forums. My only advice to anyone that is left who is still using this site and you have conservative views, or you just don't lean left when it comes to things like political correctness? Get out! Just leave now! Because there is nothing left for you here besides head aches, heartbreak, and disappointments.

“This site went to $#*! after all the founders left...”

This site went to $#*! after all the founders left and the executives board was replaced with money greedy corporate $#*!s. Donation items from 10 years ago that were granted to those who donated a mere $2.50 to support the site in their initial days as a "Thank You" are now being re-released and sold for $100 ~ $1000 dollars for anyone who is willing to pay. The Site Feedback section of the site is pretty much yelling at a brick wall. Not a single $#*! is being given about the users. Their main focus is milking all their remaining cash cows -- who are also their most loyal users. Absolutely disgusting. This company, in its current state, needs to be reported to the Better Business Bureau.

“Honestly, if I could, I would give it a negative rating”

Honestly, if I could, I would give it a negative rating. Everything's gone down the drain since the new CEO took over. There's a great lack of creativity or appreciation of users anymore. I'm pretty sure that it's being used directly as a cash cow with no concern of bettering the site. In fact, most loyal users - who have been on the site for over several years - are leaving because of this horrible way of running things. For the 'free to play' side of it, gold is rapidly inflating, meaning that you need more gold to buy things that had once been very cheap.

“Adolescent ignorance”

Literally the nesting ground for ignorant children and young teens. A place founded by a few comic book artists looking to create a place for anime/manga lovers to meet and discuss said topics. Now a germ ridden site filled with people eager to bully you, scam you out of real money, let alone the moderators do absolutely nothing on there. I was a member since its opening and im sadden to say I'll never log in again.

“Lots of improvements made”

Gaia has made a lot of terrible decisions in the last few years, it's true. However, I also see them making an effort to turn things around in the more recent past. Lake Kindred has become a good way to earn gold and items without having to spend a lot of cash. They've recently done a series of surveys, asking for feedback about different features. There are still things to complain about, which is why I don't give it 5 stars. It's getting better, though.

“Should be avoided without exception”

Should be avoided without exception. Caters exclusively to the ultra rich 2% of cash card whoring idiots. Gaia is done, nobody needs or wants the unending disappointment of having to go without decent pixel items, when a lot of us suffer enough let down, in the real world!

“Been there for over ten years”

Been there for over ten years. Some of the games are fun and the items are nice but they keep increasing inflation, constantly showering us with advertisements disguised as announcements, used some of the money we gave them to create an adult site and they keep constantly going back on their word... well at least Monthly collectables are 2.50 a month.

“Random billing months after a cancellation”

I tried them 4 months ago and after 1 trial month of. 99 and then one for $9.95, decided to cancel. Fine and no billings for 3 months, then out of nowhere they hit my paypal with a random bill, which went to a checking account I no longer use and bounced. I can't reach anyone because of course there is no phone number. Only an email complaint system. I just filed a paypal case so hopefully that will work. But who does that months after a cancellation?

“Long time member”

Long time member. Used to be great. Right now(June 2014), not-so-much.

“I used to spend a lot of cash to help make the site...”

I used to spend a lot of cash to help make the site better... back when they released new content that could be enjoyed by all users. I supported Gaia Online. But now Gaia has become incredibly greedy. The internet just isn't fun anymore. You really can't go anywhere and feel the kind of love you did back when Gaia was new. Tip for consumers:DO NOT SPEND YOUR MONEY ON THIS WEBSITE Service Value Shipping Returns Quality

“What can I say that hasn't already been said”

What can I say that hasn't already been said. Gaia used to be fun, and the staff and developers and artists used to really care about what went onto the site, events were well crafted and the plot was driven and inventive. Now it's just a bit of a wasteland, nothing it updated apart from constant reminders to buy buy buy! I feel like the new CEO is just trying to make as much money as possible before he closes the site up and runs. Gold sinks that would help inflation are just a joke as gold generators are released straight afterwards with even higher payouts so you can buy back that fake money you just dumped back into the site, worse is that people actually fall for it. If I could give it zero stars I would, I don't think it can be fixed at this point.

“Can't cancel subscribtion”

Signed up for the trial and once signed up I could not cancel, cancelled twice and they still keep on auto-billing me. I am fed up with companies who offer a free trial in order to get your CC info and then proceed to perpetually bill you even tho you have cancelled and NOT used their services at all, effectively they are stealing. Nothing but thieves.

“DON'T WASTE YOUR $$$$!”

The website itself is sub-par(garbage really) quality and for the amount it costs, the "content" is definitely not worth it! Don't waste your money and end up like me, locked into a second year(so $200 total) with no refund for a site I've used less than 5 times. Tip for consumers:DON'T WASTE YOUR $$$$!! The site is always crashing, the content is not worth the price and they do not give refunds! Products used:Annual Membership Service Value Quality

“The site used to be a lot of fun, but with the removal...”

The site used to be a lot of fun, but with the removal of direct feedback to those who run the site, constant sales that cost hundreds of dollars, terrible inflation from gold generators the site keeps releasing, and absolutely zero communication with users and their feedback, it's since turned into a terrible place to be. There's so much wrong that it's hard to get down. Just steer clear. This place probably won't last another two years.

“Been with Gaia a long time and after seeing Gaia develop...”

Been with Gaia a long time and after seeing Gaia develop and then abandon game after game and the forums/guilds not change much for years the site has just gone from an innovative site in 2003/2004 to unimpressive. Furthermore, the virtual currency has been demolished by hyperinflation by Gaiaonline allowing users to pay real money to buy massive amounts virtual currency (gold) which is used to purchase items your avatar can wear. Furthermore, new features to the site are required to pay for themselves, so updates are few and far-between or promised and never delivered. I also purchased virtual currency for use for a now-removed Heralds of Chaos game and never got a refund for money unspent when the game was removed. So yeah, purchase gaia cash at your own risk.

“Unfortunately their new 'business practices' have created...”

Unfortunately their new 'business practices' have created such an outcry among their users... Who they aren't even listening to. It's sad to see how far down this site has gone. I doubt it will be around much longer if it keeps up at this pace. If you're looking into joining Gaiaonline, don't. Your money is better spent elsewhere.

“It's like a dying puppy”

It's like a dying puppy. You see it there on the side of the road taking its last breaths. And then you kick it. That's what Gaia's new management is doing. Since i last logged on towards the end of last year til now, prices of items have increased hundredfold. The market has inflated impossibly due to gold generators bought using real money that dole out billions to trillions of gold. Yet, starter funds for new players? Still pretty much the same. Unless you buy in-game cash, it's impossible to buy items you want to create an avi you want; keep in mind Gaia is heavily focused on avatars and stuff. Advertisements for in-game cash abound; you're hounded by it wherever you go on the site. Until recently they've even been sending private messages advertising in-game cash. Users are treated like money pigs. People are leaving. Old forums being abandoned. It's a ghost of what it once was. Folks, do not come to this site. Mark my words sooner or later it'll be closed.

“Unhealthy and dangerous website”

This site has devolved into a cesspool of predators, and it needs to be exposed. I have had run-ins with cult-like groups who meet on other sites where they can discreetly post pictures of people they got from GaiaOnline, then hack, blackmail, and harass them. I've had their victims find me and reach out to help them, and they told me things that correlated with my encounter with the group. I have never had a stalker till I joined the site. I must stress, please do NOT give out your real name no matter how friendly you've gotten. A relationship was destroyed, my safety was threatened, and I felt trapped because I was found offsite, having to threaten to call the police. Everyone I've met on there is horny, aggressive, or looking to stir up trouble with strangers. There is nothing rewarding to the site for me now. Please exercise discernment with everyone you meet and don't give out your personal information.

“Good site with fun games to play and lots of nice people...”

Good site with fun games to play and lots of nice people to meet. I also like the pixel art and the regular art from the artist & members. The only bad things is the inflation, customer support(filing tickets takes forever), and games not being updated or being worked on. Tip for noobies crying about inflation: make some mules(other accounts) and dumpster dive every 4 minutes. People are so rich that their dumping items worth millions. If you don't like the item sell it and buy the items you like. Also stop complaining about them being greedy. Gaia needs money to keep the site running and to pay their employees. I wish Playdom had sales like this, but they didn't and closed most of their games in less than a month.

“This site used to be fun, but now it's horrible, don't...”

This site used to be fun, but now it's horrible, don't bother registering. Ever. It went from a fun and caring community, to a money-grubbing capitalist machine. The Admins now randomly ban people for no apparent reason, and so on and so forth. The original direction of the site is no longer there what-so-ever. Not to mention the recent survey they released, it was extremely offensive especially to young insecure teens. As many have said in their reviews, they claim to have a PG-13 rating, but the forums are RAMPANT with sexual content, offensive language, and disgusting images, some of which are outright pornography. Some people have said though, that the Moderators/Admins regulate what is posted. They DON'T. Very few of the offensive forums are ever taken down, let alone acknowledged. Don't bother.

“Customer service is nonexistant”

I've been a member since 2006 and in the last month I've spent over $300 because I saw that the site was picking itself back up from the crash it had a few years ago and I wanted to support them. And then they suspended my trading pass / marketplace store because of "Suspicious payment activity". Fair, it's to prevent fraudulent payments and a possible hacker. But it's been over three days, the charge on my card has already gone through and I've already paid for it. My pass is still suspended. I've emailed customer support and have not gotten a single reply. That's so rude, especially to a supporter. They try to shove premium items down your throat so that you'll keep shoveling more money, and then they block you and refuse to reply to you. I'm not supporting them anymore.

“Heart is crushed”

I remember when i made mine when i was about 11. So ive had mine for about six years. I saw it when it was at its prime. I took a break, came back and it had died. WHY on earth did they decide to advertise Gaia Cash so much? It was the WORST mistake made ever. The economy crashed. I want the old gaia back... this breaks my heart...

“Fun for the longest time, then you crash on it”

Fun for the longest time, then you crash on it. The users are... Just don't bother, The clothes and avatars are amazing, nice forums, bad games and towns. Also, the "Manga" is stupid! Try it, you'll love it... for a fre months or a year or so.

“Complete turn around expected during 2017”

As a member of Gaia since 2004 I have been a loyal Gaian even during the 3 years span where the site took a temporary turn for the worst. Recently, the site founders have usurped the position of management, as the previous responsible for the disaster has been removed. All Gaians are joyus at this moment as they plan to make responsible changes to correct any issues and concerns that Gaians previously had. This site will soon again be safe and fun for users of all ages. There runs the possibility of seeing zOMG back in action, time will tell if it is possible. Future Gaians, current Gaians, past Gaians, look forward to a wonderful experience on this site that I have called home for the past 13 years!