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Liveleak is dead. Long live Itemfix?
Liveleak is a site I used to visit on an almost daily basis, and was full of great content, even if it has gone a bit downhill in recent years. It spawned off the back of ‘Ogrish’, which really did have some bizarre and gory videos, including certain content I really don’t want to get into here, so I’ll just name one: “Russian Soldier, Chechnyan Rebel”, and it did not end well for the latter.
Starting up on October 31st 2006, Liveleak has had its fair share of controversy, including showing the execution of Saddam Hussein in 2007, and in 2008, the anti-Quran film Fitna, directed by Dutch politician Geert Wilders.
However, in 2021, freedom of speech is no longer allowed, and if you were to make a video on certain sites which go against the mainstream mediathink, then it’ll be hidden in the algorithms and suppressed big-time.
In its heights, Liveleak used to be a fantastic site to embed Youtube videos into, but it appears that Itemfix will be a whole different kettle of fish. I tried embedding a couple of videos on day one, and it would only physically upload them. When I realised what it had done, I then couldn’t even remove them! I sent a message through the website, and had a reply from Hayden, who said that things will settle down with the new site over the coming days, so the ability to modify and delete videos will come, but… the embedding of videos will no not be an option.
I’ve asked if they can reconsider, and if I get any news, I’ll update this, but that is a real pisser if things stay as they are.
Today, if you try to view Liveleak, you’ll come to Itemfix and see at the top of the screen, “Dear Liveleak Visitor – Welcome to ItemFix. Click here to find out how you got here.”
Doing that will give you this message from Liveleak’s co-creator, Hayden Hewitt of Manchester:
- “Dear LiveLeakers,
I’m sure you’re wondering what’s going on right now so it’s only right and proper that you get a full explanation.
Fifteen years ago we felt the project we were working on had peaked and it was time to move on, LiveLeak was born. Although it’s an overused analogy the last fifteen years have been an insane rollercoaster for all involved. Highs, lows, and some rather worrying bits where it felt like we were upside down. The thing is, it’s never been less than exhilarating, challenging and something we were all fully committed to. Nothing lasts forever though and – as we did all those years ago – we felt LiveLeak had achieved all that it could and it was time for us to try something new and exciting.
The world has changed a lot over these last few years, the Internet alongside it, and we as people. I’m sat here now writing this with a mixture of sorrow because LL has been not just a website or business but a way of life for me and many of the guys but also genuine excitement at what’s next.
I hope some of you will enjoy ItemFix and find it useful and entertaining. It’s something completely different, completely fresh, and something we feel energized about tackling and whilst I know many of you will be upset, possibly angry, about our decision I do hope you also understand our reasons and appreciate that, alongside you, we have walked together through some interesting times and some crazy ones. Sometimes it’s just the right time to chart a new path.
I’d like to wrap this up with thanks. Thank you to all the team past and present, the “inner circle,” the admins, the mods, the coders. You guys helped make the impossible possible for so long it’s unreal. If people truly knew what you’d put into this…they probably wouldn’t believe it. But I know and I can’t thank you enough.
To the members, the uploaders, the casual visitors, the trolls and the occasionally demented people who have been with us. You have been our constant companions and although we probably didn’t get to communicate too often you’re appreciated more than you realize. On a personal level you have fascinated and amused me with your content.
Lastly, to those no longer with us. I still remember you.
On behalf of the LiveLeak team and myself
Cheers,
Hayden”
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.