Advertisement
Please wait...

New Layout Being Tested Out Temporarily



Estimated reading time — 2 minutes

As you’ve probably noticed, there’s a new layout currently up and running. This was created in response to the frequent complaints that I was receiving about the white text on black being abrasive and hard on the eyes. This is my attempt to make things a bit more comfortable for everyone that was complaining. Please keep in mind that this is only a test run, so before you decide to sacrifice me to the lions and send me 10,000 emails about how I’m the most useless human being on the planet because I changed a theme, take a deep breath, calm down, and read the rest of the post!

If you absolutely hate it, please leave a comment on this post letting me know in a polite fashion. If you like it, but would prefer a specific tweak to the color scheme, feel free to suggest that as well. If you prefer this to the older theme, that is also something that I would like to hear about.

There are a couple things to note about this theme:

  • It is what you could call ‘responsive’ – it will automatically resize the site based on the size of the browser accessing it. So if you make your browser window smaller or, for example, visit through a phone or a tablet or whatnot, the site should be displaying proportionally to your screen. This way, mobile viewers can still see the various features – like popular posts and random posts – that were missing from the prior mobile theme.
  • The header image can easily be changed and we can even set it up to rotate through various images. The one up there right now is pretty much just a placeholder. If you guys decide that you’d prefer this theme, I’m not opposed to having reader-created headers up there! If it’s decided that we’re sticking with this theme, I may even run a contest related to the header.
  • The color scheme CAN be changed. So if you prefer this theme but with the old, darker color scheme, that is something worth telling me.

Now, before it’s suggested, unfortunately I have yet to find a ‘theme switcher’ plugin that actually works for our purposes. Most of them are either hopelessly outdated or have specific requirements (will only work on certain themes or will only display the theme switcher for admins) that make them out of the question. So for now, we have to make a choice.

Thanks for your time, and I look forward to hearing your polite opinions.

Advertisements

EDIT 10/5: Since most of the comments seemed to favor at least trying out the new layout with a darker color scheme, here it is. Let me know what you think! It’s light gray on dark gray this time, so here’s hoping that such a combination will be easier to deal with for those with sensitive eyes.

Advertisements

Also, the pumpkin ratings are just a cute thing since it’s October – don’t freak out if you dislike them, we’ll go back to the dark stars once Halloween is over. I just really like Holiday themed stuff, deal!

Also, in bold and reiterated since quite a few of you clearly either didn’t read or didn’t understand the first time: we HAVE to choose one theme or the other. Theme switcher capabilities CANNOT BE IMPLEMENTED right now. Suggest it until you’re blue in the face, but I can’t do it! Trust me, if it was an option, we’d be using it already.

Please wait...

Copyright Statement: Unless explicitly stated, all stories published on Creepypasta.com are the property of (and under copyright to) their respective authors, and may not be narrated or performed under any circumstance.

123 thoughts on “New Layout Being Tested Out Temporarily”

  1. i like the old theme,
    but i dont mind this theme
    the white writing on black backdrop is just cooler
    makes it creepy and if you read at daytime it looks like the room is darker

  2. Please put back the older theme! This one is so confusing! It literally took me 13 minutes to find what I was looking for!

  3. YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE USERNAME!

    Hey derpbutt, you should have different stars all the time! Turkeys for thanksgiving, clovers for st. patricks day, cookies for christmas, eggs for christmas.
    Also, can you make the titles for creepypastas less darker grey? I’m a bit colourblind, hard to see sometimes. Just suggestions.

  4. Now… I love the new look of the site!

    Just one little thing I noticed: when hovering over a headline it disappears (guess you chose the same color as the background). Just sayin’.

    As for the twitter / facebook login: I don’t care as long as one’s not forced to use it ^^

  5. Oh, I just realized that it has to be one layout or the other. Well in that case, I guess this new one isn’t too bad now that it’s grey on grey. I’ll get used to this new-fangled layout eventually, it’s a little too clean for my taste but the threaded comments are worth it.

  6. If most of you don’t like the back-ground/color of the website. Then go find the part you want to change the color of and right click, select “inspect element” then edit the css for the page. Sorry for grammar errors.

  7. I dont like the new layout. i just became part of this and just got used to the old one….. BOOM! Brand new stuff.
    and the colors hurt my eyes. the black and white is too much. i liked the brown.

  8. One suggestion, in this new lay out there is no obvious “read more” button for longer stories. If you click on the story title it takes you to the whole thing, but it is no longer readily obvious that there IS more. A reader might get to what they believe is the end of a story, rate it badly for such a horrible “ending” and walk away without knowing there was more.

  9. i love the set up of the old theme, but the new one isnt awful either. we really love old color scheme, darker = scarier. and i really liked how the pictures at the topic linked to those types of storys, would like to see that again

  10. Old is much better!

    If the only problem is white on black text why bother with this crazy new theme? Just change the colour of the old one :/

  11. I’m trying to submit a pasta and it gets ‘stuck’ after hitting submit. The wheel just keeps spinning. I would have used the ‘contact us’ method to reach out to the fine people here, but that is having the same issue.

    Is there any other method I could use to get this submitted? possibly an email or anything?

    Thank you so much, and sorry for hi-jacking this comments section.

    1. It seems to be an issue related to the plugin the forms use – there was an update this week and quite a few people are reporting the same issue. I’ll look into it and see if there’s a solution yet when I get home. For now, just hold onto your submission, please.

      1. Update: The stuff is actually getting sent to me, it’s just not telling you guys that it’s finished the operation. Not sure why, but that explains why I’ve been getting so many people submitting stacks of one particular story over the past few nights. So for now, submit once and then just trust that it made it to me! Hopefully there will be a proper fix soon.

  12. How can you people read black (yes, black, not ‘dark’) background and white text websites? Did you just frequent so many in the 90s that your poor eyes adjusted to them eventually?

    I’ve come here for over a year because the content was good, but I had to use a plugin to be able to read without getting a headache.

    A darker, but not too dark, shade of gray would be nice, though.

  13. Well I like both layouts, but this one is better.
    One thing I would change about this is to have a deeper red. This one pops too much and kind of swims before my eyes.

    1. Yep, that’s what I thought, too. I like red in combination with b/w or greyish colors. But this red stands out a lot. A deeper red would also give me a more “bloody feeling”.

  14. Very good choice in color scheme. The site runs much better on my phone, not to mention, the site still keeps it simple. You cant always take requests, believe me, it’ll just end up making the site into a creepypasta itself, engulfing us into some nightmarish cyber hell (with robots.)

  15. its easy on the eyes but it loses its creepy feel. the white on black of the old layout allowed the words to open the door into your mind…but it left the door open and darkness creeps in. this darkness fills the mind making each story more intense. this new layout drains the stories of their power loosing the perspective the authors sought for.

  16. I prefer the old layout this makes everything a lot more confusing and look like a horrible the site….the old one made it look more experienced and better

  17. I don’t mind the new layout, but I’ve been reading some of the other comments, ans I agree with abrasiveness of the old layout. I suggest changing the colour of the side banners to black, and make the main part of the page a grey colour.

  18. The new theme is ok, I prefer the old one, but that is probably just me disliking change. I liked the old pictures at the top, this one is too bright.
    IMPORTANT NOTE: Selecting text looks REALLY BAD. It turns the words dark grey, and the selection is a darkish red so it is really hard to read when something is selected.

  19. I love the new layout. I didn’t have any issues with the white on black color scheme either, but this is a really nice look. Kudo’s

  20. I like the change to the darker colors but not the red. It’s way too bright and stands out a lot more than it should imo.

  21. I like the theme that there is now, but not the color scheme. Black and white seems more appealing to me when I read something creepy rather than different shades of grey and red.

  22. OHMYGOD, ILOVETHEPUMPKINS! I don’t care if it’s July, please don’t get rid of them. But, ooh, you could do snowflakes around Christmas and hearts in February, and so on. Pumpkins are more fitting though, of course. I’m overly excited about this.

    1. …because Reddit is an entirely different type of website. Something coded to work for Reddit would simply not work elsewhere. Um. I’ll leave it at that.

  23. I like the current layout a lot, its very neat and organised. I also noticed that the stars have transformed into pumpkins! Nice touch. :)

  24. I also like this theme much better than the old one. But I also have to agree to those saying the white background kinda kills the creepy mood even before reading.

    Short: I’d prefer the new theme with dark(er) color scheme.

    One more thing that bothers me a bit since I discovered creepypast: personally I like checking the rating of the newest pastas before reading. So if there’s a long story I have to scroll down what feels like an eternity to see the rating and in the end might decide not to read it at all. A “more-tag” after the first paragraph would definately be an option IMO. But maybe it’s just me…

  25. I thought I was on the wrong site. I had to check my URL twice before I was convinced. Only then did I scroll down and notice the announcement.

  26. Every time I accidentally click the page (smartphone) I get linked to amazon. I also cannot tirn the mobile theme off. I am only on this site before I go to sleep, so the bright white is killing my eyes. Phone brightness is all the way down, too. Ahh, but at least you’re trying. Hope to see good things very soon!

    1. Also, perhaps a toolbar could be created so people may choose any given color they please. Just a thought, but I’m no programmer.

  27. I like this new layout but I prefer the white text on a black backdrop. I think it gives a more creepy vibe, and it’s said that white text on black background is better when you’re reading at night, which I tend to do when reading Creepypasta, seeing as it gives a creepier feel in the dark. :)

  28. Here’s the way that I put it. I do like the new theme. Mostly because it seems easier to navigate to me and also allows me to find the popular topics so I don’t have to sift through the five second stories. The theme is great. However, the color scheme does irk me a bit. Creepy pasta just became a little less… Creepy and more like just pasta… The black background was excellent and possibly what I suggest is an outline around the pastas submitted that allows for a different color scheme behind the letters so it remains ambient, and still allows for no eye strain.

  29. I like the other theme better. It’s been up since I started visiting this site, so it feels a bit necessary to me.

  30. I like it, the only problem being it’s a tad to bright for me personally.

    I find it easier to get in the creepy mood with a darker setting is all.

  31. I much preferred the old appearance of the site, both the black background, and just the simplicity of it. Not only did it contribute to the creepy reading experience, it had character and was distinctly CreepyPasta, whereas this layout kind of looks like just any old website. HOWEVER, I must say threaded comments are an awesome feature. My two cents is, put it all back the way it was, except keep the threaded comments.

  32. I much preferred the old appearance of the site, both the black background, and just the simplicity of it. Not only did it contribute to the creepy reading experience, it had character, whereas this layout kind of looks like just any old website. HOWEVER, I must say threaded comments are an awesome feature. My two cents is, put it all back the way it was, except keep the threaded comments.

  33. I don’t like the new format that much, but I can get used to it in time. I’d prefer the old format, though.

    However definitely revert back to white text, black background, please. This new color scheme just does not fit in the slightest.

  34. Well, I like the color scheme of the old one, white text, black backround. And if this layout had that color scheme, it would be awesome.

  35. Eh, I preferred the old one, to be honest. But I think that’s more due to the colour scheme than anything; I don’t mind the layout, but the colours just don’t fit the creepy atmosphere.

    1. Posted early on accident, sorry.

      But what I think would be really neat, is if you gave it two different colour schemes; one white text on black, the other could be something lighter that doesn’t put as much strain on the eyes.

  36. I honestly preferred the older layout, as many have said, for the sake of the fact it made the stories being read a bit more creepier. Plus, it was a bit easier to find all the info on one side of the screen (The Top Pastas and the Random) rather than two separate places.

  37. I like the organization of this layout, it looks pretty neat. I would rather have something a bit darker. I know that a lot of people don’t prefer straight up black and white but at 2 am, a completely white background is not good.

  38. Edit: I did find the top viewed/rated now, but they are at the very bottom, and it takes a looooong time to scroll down. Why can’t there be an option to choose a layout?

  39. I liked the old color scheme and everything, but if too many people say no, then whatever. Do what you will, just as long as it isn’t majorly unreadable like red on orange or something. I just thought the white-on-black was definitely scarier, like reading reddit: nosleep with the lights off theme. And all I’m going to say, is that if you’re complaining that the old scheme hurt your eyes after you read for an hour or two, maybe it isn’t the color scheme so much as it is the fact that you’ve been staring at a computer screen for two straight hours. That fucks with the eyes more than some fancy colors.

  40. I have an IPhone and I have got to say, this is very, VERY unsatisfactory. The color scheme was fine, and tge navigation was fine. In this layout I have to do A LOT more scrolling and it becomes very difficult to browse. The comment section (which I love) is now very stretched and unappealing. I vote to keep the old layout.

    P.S. I can’t even find most popular or most viewed anymore!

  41. The page doesn’t automatically adjust when I change my window size, so I’m confused on thwe whole “responsive” site thing.

  42. The new layout looks nice (if a bit too simplistic) but I would absolutley love to have the old color sceme back. Honestly I have no idea how the old one could have hurt anyones eyes, but i know this one does mine. If there needs to be a middle ground, I would suggest a dark gray backing white text rather than a flat black, not as harsh a contrast that way and still dark enough to fit the mood of the site, which you’d proably do well to preserve for the sake of the more avid pasta goers, such as myself.

  43. I actually like this new layout better but I loved the old dark color scheme. I thought the white text on black background was a lot more fitting for this type of site.

  44. Make it an option, so that people don’t complain if they liked the original format or if they liked this one.

    Wouldn’t that be better than only having one format that some are going to snub their nose at?

  45. Oh my god thank you so so so much. The old white on black text would make my eyes hurt very quickly. I had to copy+paste stories into word just to read them. This theme is fabulous, please keep it!

  46. I miss the old one! I guess I don’t care either way, but I like the old one better, It’s good that you’re trying this out though :) It shows you care

  47. Tottally hated it but I cant blame you for trying to please the visitors.Yet I prefer the old one since the website looked dark it improves the improves the story making the reader get effected easier by the story.It creates a better mood for the story and I suggest that you should go back to the old one. And I reccomend you to take a look at that thing which says I have posted the same comment before. I am quite sure this is the first time I have ever posted a comment on this site.

  48. Tottally hated it but I cant blame you for trying to please the visitors.Yet I prefer the old one since the website looked dark it improves the improves the story making the reader get effected easier by the story.It creates a better mood for the story and I suggest that you should go back to the old one.

  49. I think this new layout is pretty slick. I didn’t have a problem with the old one, but this one certainly looks cleaner.

  50. i like the new layout but the color scheme feels wrong. if people didnt like the white on black thats fine, but the black on white just feels bland.

  51. oOSolemn-SilenceOo

    Please change it back to the former theme. It gives it a better effect for the desire of reading Creepypastas.

  52. Hello there. I do not like this layout. It is excessively bright and hurts my eyes. It also reduces the level of creepy-ness when reading stories.

  53. Yea this white color scheme is a little bright and heavenly for my taste, I need the site as dark as the subject content.

    However I kinda like this new format. So darker colors please!

  54. I hate this theme :P
    Maybe bring back the old one but let people choose which theme they want.
    I thought I was on the wrong site at first and not to mention it’s too bright for this kind of sight..

  55. I like this layout better. The white on black was really too strenuous on the eyes. I’m not crazy about black on white either though. Maybe darken up to a grey. The strong contrast between white and black is going to be stressful to peepers no matter which way you go. When all is said and done though, I come here for the content, not for the eye appeal. :)

  56. I felt like my heartbroke when I found out you had changed the theme. I mean, changes are cool but the “creepy” atmosphere that I used to is all gone now. Sites like these aren’t supposed to look like this. Maybe you should add an option where one can choose the theme they want to use.

    1. I agree. A way to change the way you read the stories to suit the person. Whether that’s my personal favorite, (Black background, white letters) or the other’s request of the now white background and black text.

    1. This, exactly.

      I love the idea of the header being changeable (as much as I loved the mouseover sections), but changing this layout to white-text-on-black would be best, in my opinion at least—and not just to cater to us eye-hurty people, but also because I agree with 99% of the comments I’ve read so far that the white-text-on-black suited the creepy ambience.

      Now I just feel like I’m reading regular short stories, and that’s… disappointing, to say the least.

      Again, though, just my opinion. :D

  57. This is good but i like dark background with white text cause it gives a creepy and dark feeling & would suit best for creepypasta.

  58. Ah! My eyes!
    But seriously, I preferred the older layout and theme far more, but I have a feeling that this layout will be kept 5ever…

  59. I like how clean this one is but I liked the white text with black background….made it a bit more creepy while reading.

  60. I much prefer darker colors but the layout is acceptable, but this really deducts the eerie factor when indulging into the stories I read. The features should be kept though, it really useful especially for mobile users like me.

  61. I liked the original format. Like other users have noted, it gave a creepy element to the readings, and this white format just makes me feel like I’m reading recipes.

  62. I want it back in black! The black background certainly added to the mood and ambience of the creepy stories on this website.

  63. Love the new layout, but prefer the black background. It (black background) certainly added to the mood and ambience of the fact that this is a website for creepy/scary/spooky stories meant to scare you and give you chills.

  64. yup i agree with the pook i like this new layout but prefered the older colour scheme p.s please warn us next time your going to do this !! i was going skitz thinking the site had crashed !!

  65. I like the old layout better. its better to read with the white text and black background. the new layout is also really bright and i had to look to see if it was the right site i typed in

    1. By old theme with same layout, you mean the current look but with darker colors, right?

      Yes, that can absolutely be done if you guys decide it’s what you want.

      1. That sounds like the best option – The old colour scheme added to the atmosphere and somehow put more emphasis on the text. (In my opinion)

  66. I prefer the new layout, but with the color scheme of the old one.

    This new theme is cleaner and better than the other one, but I want the dark background back!

  67. I like the old layout. The white text black background puts me in the creepy mood while reading. It’s actually better for me. I am blind in my left eye, so I don’t know why people were straining to read. Its easier having the dark background and light text because it doesn’t cast shadows or give me double vision. I’m not jumping lines and losing my place as I do with most books. Also, this loaded horribly on my windows phone. So from someone who is legally blind, the old way works.

        1. What the heck Jessica, this new gray layout one is way better than that old fashion eye straining layout. You sure must not know about the good stuff if you prefer the old eye straing head burning layout. This one also looks neater.
          If they do cahnge it though (preferably not), I hope they don’t revert it to the previos old terrible disgusting boring layout that was even more terrible than the worse crappypast in crappypasta.com.

Leave a Reply to Kat Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top