Are we due for any new forums?

Galuf the Dwarf · #1 (**permalink**) 10-19-2004, 11:49 PM

Well, I thought someone would eventually have to ask this question.

Sure, new games will come and need to discussed about, but are there any serious aspects that may need to made into their own forum? Don't quote me on this or anything like that, but I swear there's some non-game concept that could (and eventually should) be placed into its own forum by the beginning of next year. There seems to be a (somewhat) intangible concept that may need its own forum sometime in the future.

What could be said about this?

BuckGB · #2 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Galuf the Dwarf

Well, I thought someone would eventually have to ask this question.

Sure, new games will come and need to discussed about, but are there any serious aspects that may need to made into their own forum? Don't quote me on this or anything like that, but I swear there's some non-game concept that could (and eventually should) be placed into its own forum by the beginning of next year. There seems to be a (somewhat) intangible concept that may need its own forum sometime in the future.

What could be said about this?

I have no problem with adding another forum or two, as long as there is support from everyone here. What type of forum are you specifically looking for, and how could we integrate a non-game concept that wouldn't already fit into Speak Your Mind?

Galuf the Dwarf · #3 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 09:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck Satan

I have no problem with adding another forum or two, as long as there is support from everyone here. What type of forum are you specifically looking for, and how could we integrate a non-game concept that wouldn't already fit into Speak Your Mind?

I was more looking for other members' opinions on this, but if you're looking for mine, I'd have to think... *scratches his bearded chin, staring spacily at the ground and whistling*

*snaps fingers* What about a 'personals forum' such as the 'Anatomy of GameBanshee' threads, 'favorite song' or what-not? The photo threads constantly get bogged down, so those could go there. It could be for threads dealing with members getting to know each other on a somewhat-intimate level.

That way, there's more room for the less personals-oriented stuff. Wish I didn't have to pull you out of your mega-busy lifestyle about this, Buck. You've got almost five (if not ten) times the responsibilties that I got!

Xandax · #4 (**permalink**) 10-21-2004, 11:40 PM

I see little to no reason for such forums actually - that aren't already covered by SYM or one of the others "non-game specific" forums.
I think it would be a bad idea to add to many of this time of forum, and one reason would be the added problem in placing posts in the proper forum.

Coot · #5 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 04:30 AM

As Galuf pointed out, some threads tend to disappear fairly quickly - especially since SYM is probably the busiest forum. So another forum that deals with specific threads, like, for instance, personal stuff, could be convenient.
Of course, like Xandax says, personal stuff is covered by SYM, but that goes for every subject.

Xandax · #6 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 04:58 AM

Well - my "worry" amongst others is the problem of placing threads (does this go in forum x or y or z)
The fragmentation of users - we already have it amongst SYM users and other of the subforums.
More (semi-)empty forums - which gives off a bad impression in my view. If to many forums are empty it looks as an empty board.
Loss of gaming focus - to many "Game Off-topic" forums could do that, have seen it happen)
and other things....

I fail to see any usage of a forum simply for posting "personal" stuff, and don't see much usage for many other types of non-game related forums, that aren't covered by existing. (Tech, SYM, Comics etc)

The question would also be - how many and why some over others?
What a music subforum; movie subforum - further divided into realmovies and cartoons divided into anime(sp?) and other cartoons; A introduce-your-self-subforum; A goodbye forum - and so on

It is a bad circle to start on in my view

fable · #7 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:17 AM

I think Xan's correct. I'd even prefer if several Action RPG and MMORPG forums we currently have were eliminated or combined: they're embarassing by their lack of use. These forums do no good to GB's image. They remind me of a large indoor mall nearby which has fallen on bad times: although it's being kept up very well, the sheer number of empty stores inside being used to display advertisements reminds you constantly of how poorly accessed it is.

dragon wench · #8 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 09:53 AM

I concur with Xan and Fable.
Also, posting in SYM over the last while has decreased, it is not the busy forum I remember when I first joined Game Banshee. So why reduce traffic further? SYM has a nice feeling of community, I fear additional forums dealing precisely with personal matters would seriously erode that.

And, as has been mentioned, I think that the spread out usage of some of the forums does not look great, so again, no need to amplify that situation.

Aegis · #9 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 02:28 PM

I'm with Fable and Xan. Especially on the point of closing some existing forums from lack of use. (I personally think we should have one forum dedicated simply to MMO's, rather then one forum for each game.)

BuckGB · #10 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 03:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aegis

I'm with Fable and Xan. Especially on the point of closing some existing forums from lack of use. (I personally think we should have one forum dedicated simply to MMO's, rather then one forum for each game.)

We could certainly combine some forums, but where do we draw the line between a forum that has enough utilization and a forum that should be removed?

I think any game that hasn't been released yet should have its own forum in case it draws a large community. But for those games that have been released already, I'm not sure how to determine which ones should go. A few of our MMO forums have more traffic than some of our regular RPG forums like Beyond Divinity, Freedom Force, or Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. Should those be combined as well? And what if Dungeons & Dragons Online turns out to be of great interest to the community here? Then we'd have a general MMO forum that is overrun by D&D Online posts.

Xandax · #11 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buck Satan

We could certainly combine some forums, but where do we draw the line between a forum that has enough utilization and a forum that should be removed?

I think any game that hasn't been released yet should have its own forum in case it draws a large community. But for those games that have been released already, I'm not sure how to determine which ones should go. A few of our MMO forums have more traffic than some of our regular RPG forums like Beyond Divinity, Freedom Force, or Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance. Should those be combined as well? And what if Dungeons & Dragons Online turns out to be of great interest to the community here? Then we'd have a general MMO forum that is overrun by D&D Online posts.

Well - the issue with MMO games are that their communities are often gathered in a very few select forums, simply because people that game together are likely to post together.
Thus for instance the DAoC forum will never get much traffic, and thus I feel that is maybe a wasted "slot" for a potential game so to speak (I know that it isn't a slot per se, but in an abstract sences)
Reason is that US players of the game mostly post on the VN boards (IGN) whereas EU (english) players mostly post on something called Freddys House (don't know about german, french, italian or korean, but would suspect they have their own gathering spots).
Similar for City of Heros which seems to get next to no traffic.
There is nothing wrong with creating games for upcomming games, but when forums for existing games aren't getting any traffic (almost at all), then I don't think there should be forums for them.
Who knows D&D Online community might be here, but if it isn't then another empty forum that can be closed if there is no traffic. The same goes for WoW or DnL (Which there isn't a forum for here yet, but also has some major forums elsewhere at the moment)

The same - in my view - goes for other games as well. Forums for upcomming unreleased games are fine, because we don't know what traffic might be generated, but once a forum has showned to not be posted in for a significant periode of time, then possible it is worth thinking about the validation of said forum.

I'd rather have fewer more general and used forums then many less used.

Personal view and in my opinnion and all ...

fable · #12 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 06:46 PM

Freedom Force has 12 posts. Deus Ex has 17, and Deus Ex: Invisible War has 20. These games have been out for a while, and if they haven't generated traffic and interest here in the forums by now, it's not going to appear in the future. This can also be said for Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (8 posts) and City of Heroes (11). If these ostensibly popular games are receiving attention on boards, it's not at GameBanshee. People are going to take their questions elsewhere in order to get 'em answered, in forums that are well-attended by players--where you can get replies within hours of posting.

BuckGB · #13 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fable

Freedom Force has 12 posts. Deus Ex has 17, and Deus Ex: Invisible War has 20. These games have been out for a while, and if they haven't generated traffic and interest here in the forums by now, it's not going to appear in the future. This can also be said for Forgotten Realms: Demon Stone (8 posts) and City of Heroes (11). If these ostensibly popular games are receiving attention on boards, it's not at GameBanshee. People are going to take their questions elsewhere in order to get 'em answered, in forums that are well-attended by players--where you can get replies within hours of posting.

So how do you think we should consolidate these? Create forums called "Divine Divinity/Beyond Divinity" and "Deus Ex Series"? Or move all posts to a generic RPG forum?

fable · #14 (**permalink**) 10-22-2004, 07:31 PM

I think consolidation by series is the way to go, for now. If none of the games get any real attention in a few more months, though, I'd suggest killing the categories.

This also applies to the Freedom Force, if the title under development does draws as much interest as its predecessor. I know you like it, Buck.

So do I, frankly. But it's just hanging out there like a ghost town at the moment.

I'm not too sure about the value of a generic "RPG questions" forum which deals with all other RPGs not given their own forums. I can't see it really drawing much attention except by the few rabid fans who just want to trumpet their faves, and don't have any questions to ask; or by advertisers who want to post links to titles they choose to promote. If you had a question about a game, would you think you'd get answers in a generic RPG forum? You'd probably go to the developer's website, and search for a forum from there.

Luis Antonio · #15 (**permalink**) 10-31-2004, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coot

As Galuf pointed out, some threads tend to disappear fairly quickly - especially since SYM is probably the busiest forum. So another forum that deals with specific threads, like, for instance, personal stuff, could be convenient.
Of course, like Xandax says, personal stuff is covered by SYM, but that goes for every subject.

Perhaps adapting one of the forums, such as the fan fiction, to something that includes those threads. I guess the SYM photobook is nice and that we should have a thread with links to the personal pages and interests of the board... but only if it dont generate real chaos, with tons of posts saying the same thing.