Version 1.2 is about laying the foundation for a site that readers can be part of, not just read. The update brings together member accounts, public profiles, article comments, followed shows and the early moderation tools needed to keep the conversation useful.

It is still a foundation release rather than the final version of Reality Recap's community features. The goal for v1.2 is to get the basics in place properly, then build from there.

Member Accounts

The biggest change in v1.2 is the introduction of Reality Recap member accounts.

Readers can now create an account, choose a unique username, set up their profile details and sign in across the site. Once signed in, the header shows a cleaner profile menu with links to Profile, Settings and Sign Out.

Account settings have also been split into sections, with profile details separated from website settings. Members can update their username, bio and other details, and choose whether Reality Recap appears in light mode, dark mode or follows their system setting.

Public Profiles

Every member has a public profile at a simple username URL, such as realityrecap.com.au/@realityrecap.

Profiles are intentionally lightweight for this first version. They can show a display name, username, bio, member badge, joined date, comment count, followed shows and recent approved comments.

For privacy, public display names use a first name and last initial format rather than showing a full name by default. Profile pictures are also using a default Reality Recap-style icon for now, with room to expand that feature later.

Article Comments

Logged-in readers can now leave comments on articles.

Comments can be held for moderation before appearing publicly. Approved comments appear on articles, and a member's recent approved comments can also appear on their public profile.

Following Shows

Members can also follow shows from individual show pages.

A heart icon now appears next to a show's title. Tapping it follows or unfollows the show, and followed shows can appear on a member's public profile.

This starts simple, but it gives Reality Recap a useful base for future community features around favourite shows, personalised feeds or notifications.

Safer Community Tools

Because comments and profiles are public-facing features, v1.2 also introduces clearer expectations for how the community side of Reality Recap works.

New Community Guidelines, Privacy Policy updates and Terms of Use updates are now in place, covering member accounts, comments, public profiles, reports and moderation.

Members need to agree to the Terms of Use, Privacy Policy and Community Guidelines when creating an account. Users can also delete their account if they choose.

Show Pages Are Getting Smarter

Reality Recap v1.2 also includes improvements to show hub pages.

A new Top Stories section can appear above Latest Stories when one or two articles are marked as pinned for that show. If nothing is pinned, the section simply stays hidden.

The Shows area has also expanded with coverage for SAS Australia, Farmer Wants A Wife, My Reno Rules and Lego Masters Australia.

A Cleaner Site Structure

There are a few navigation and layout improvements in the update too.

Show navigation has been tightened so the most relevant shows appear first, while the full Shows page remains available for everything else. Desktop nav labels now work as direct links as well as dropdown triggers, Shows has moved earlier in the main nav, and Site Updates has been moved into a cleaner logo-hover dropdown on desktop while staying available in the mobile menu.

What Happens Next

Reality Recap v1.2 is the first step toward a more interactive version of the site.

The immediate aim is simple: let readers create an account, comment safely, follow the shows they care about and have a public profile that can grow over time.

From there, the community side of Reality Recap can keep expanding. More profile features, better show following, richer member tools and smarter ways to surface conversations are all easier once this foundation is in place.

Whether you have been here from the start or have only just found us, consider this your official welcome to the Reality Recap community.