Forums not what they used to be

[Pelican]

Well said MrColossal. And I shall get on with making games as soon as NaNoWriMo is over. Honest. 

For the record, when I came across these forums for the first time, I was absolutely delighted. There was such a mix of interesting people with differing views, and differing ways of expressing those views. I did sense a bit of cliqueness and a bit of an anti-n00b sentiment, but not in a hugely negative way. It always seemed to me, that those who were sensible and willing to learn were treated with courtesy, and those who were not, received some light-hearted mockery. I don't think I've ever had a negative response to any of my posts. But, there was always a natural caution around new people - are they going to hang around, or just post several excited threads and then get bored? So, I was treated nicely by everyone, but I doubt many could say you know me.

Anyway, I disappeared for a year or so (damn addictive MMORPGs), and since I've returned, it just doesn't have quite the same spark.  Though it may just simply be my perception of things has changed (been through a lot in the past couple of years). I agree with Mods though, it does seem like people don't really express their feelings much here any more. Sure a thread of interesting opinions is very nice and all, but what made it great was the really interesting people who expressed themselves as they did so. May not seem it from my posts, but I love making bad puns, non-PC jokes, and lewd comments when I can get away with it, and I really don't mean anything by it. But it seems like there's a lot of over-tolerance now, and I don't think I, or any others with similar humour would get away with such, and its a shame. I always like those threads that hovered on the edge of descending into flames, because people were expressing themselves as well as their opinions. I came here to talk to and get to know people with a mutual interest. Can't get to know anyone if they don't put a bit of themselves into their post.

Addressing MrColossal's point: The point of this forum is that it is a place for people who make games to chat, is it not? And regardless of whether someone releases a game or not, it seems there are a lot less people actually working on games, but a lot more people mooching around and talking about them. More than once I've seen someone say they don't make or have any intention of making games. So why are they here? No offence to those people but there are plenty of adventure gaming forums which might suit them better. And ffs, if someone takes that personally I will spank them, it's just a suggestion!

Erm, enough rambling. I'll just get back into my lurking cave.

Pelican

P.S. When I say make, I mean make solo OR contribute to a team effort.

P.P.S. Keep Adventure and Gen Gen separate. I like it when a nice discussion of adventure game mechanics gets going in Adventure, like a few threads recently, and would prefer it separate to the varied discussions that go on in gen gen.

[RickJ]

I personally feel that, if anything, the sprite jams and animation challenges should go, anything that doesn't contribute towards making a game. MAGs, OROWs, code challenges, stuff like this goes towards the ultimate purpose of the forum. Yes, sprite jams are fun and all but it's a distraction. If you still want to make sprites but don't think you want to make a game... Really, that's what Pixelation is for. You'll get a ton more advice and exposure for your art on pixelation than anyone here can give you.

I have always thought that all entries in the Competitions and Activities forum should have some type of Creative Commons license that would allow them to be used in future AGS games in their current or modified forms.  They could be collected and published on AGS resource pages or websites for use by would be game designers. 

[Nikolas]

I personally feel that, if anything, the sprite jams and animation challenges should go, anything that doesn't contribute towards making a game. MAGs, OROWs, code challenges, stuff like this goes towards the ultimate purpose of the forum. Yes, sprite jams are fun and all but it's a distraction. If you still want to make sprites but don't think you want to make a game... Really, that's what Pixelation is for. You'll get a ton more advice and exposure for your art on pixelation than anyone here can give you.

Apart from what Rick says, in truth it is a brilliant way to practice. Why not really? At least, for me it is a major part of the forums, and although I don't take part too often (not anymore anyways) I sure enjoy watching the entries. And I do think that people do get back feedback, even from teh jams and competitions, etc.

[MashPotato]

I feel that the Sprite Jams and Animation compos do have their place here... everyone needs a break sometimes, and at least this way they're still practicing their skills

My personal experience: I lurked here for a few months before I joined, and the main reasons I eventually registered was 1)the CL (because it looked helpful), and 2)the Sprite Jams (because they looked fun).  I didn't really have any serious notions of making a game then, but after I had done a few SJs I received encouragement from a few members to make a game, started thinking about it more, and eventually did.  Like MrC said, now that I generally concentrate more on pixelart then game sprites, I visit more pixel-oriented sites, but I think the SJs and other activities make the forums more welcoming to newbies and might get them interested in game creation

[TheJBurger]

Thanks for that post Mr Colossal. It really set my mind back in my skull for a reason since I stopped using AGS probably for almost 6 months now. I forgot why I was here in the first place because I wasn't making any more games due to a number of random reasons that turn out to not be any real reasons at all. I think I'll try to pick up one of those random concepts that is floating in my head and try to put it together instead of procrastinating until AGS 3.0 comes out.

[Domino]

I haven't made or worked on any games with AGS. I do not plan too in the near future.

I work full time, and then come home and enjoy reading the forums.

Can i still stay  here?  Please say i can.

[blueskirt]

More than once I've seen someone say they don't make or have any intention of making games. So why are they here? No offence to those people but there are plenty of adventure gaming forums which might suit them better. And ffs, if someone takes that personally I will spank them, it's just a suggestion!

Not being interested in making a game doesn't mean we have no knowledges or ideas about game designing. It doesn't mean we have no ideas of what we liked/disliked and want to see improved/corrected in future games. It doesn't mean that we aren't interested in taking part in the giant discussions and debates that will determine the direction this community will venture next, which boundary will be pushed forward next.

And this forum also happen to the best place to compliment the game makers' work and a great place to discuss about the games themselves without falling into an annoying "AGS SUCKS!" argument. And before you spank me, no offenses were taken, and I do plan to make a game one of those day, or at least die trying.

Helm: As long you are happy it's all that matter. I know I will miss your intelligent, insightful opinions and advices regarding game design and adventure games in general.

[Pelican]

Not being interested in making a game doesn't mean we have no knowledges or ideas about game designing. It doesn't mean we have no ideas of what we liked/disliked and want to see improved/corrected in future games. It doesn't mean that we aren't interested in taking part in the giant discussions and debates that will determine the direction this community will venture next, which boundary will be pushed forward next.

True. But it does seem like some people aren't even interested in the actual game making process, they're just lurking around waiting for new games to be released. If there really were that many people interested in discussing game design wouldn't there be a lot more activity in Adventure talk? If CJ is considering merging it with gen gen... doesn't say much for the volume of posts. Still, I can understand that a lot of stuff has been talked over before and there's nothing more to add to the debate (like GUIs etc.). I guess my point was that I want to see more talk about making games than playing them.

And before you spank me, no offenses were taken, and I do plan to make a game one of those day, or at least die trying.

Awww... but I like spanking.  :'(

[SSH]

There are people who "just" play games who are very helpful in the hints and tips forum. I think  it would not be fair to exclude them from the AGS community either formally or by some kind of elitism. This is one example of how AGS is more than just game making.

[Pelican]

Believe me, I'm not advocating any form of elitism. I'm just wondering why there are so many people on a game-making forum who are not interested in the game making process. That's all. Apologies if I sound like I'm telling everyone to bugger off, believe me I'm not! I'm simply making an observation, not suggesting a course of action. Personally, I would like to see more people interested in and talking about the game-making process, but I'm not saying they don't have a right to be here if they are not.

[SSH]

The AGS forums are not elitist or unfriendly, certainly by comparison with this shooting-down-in-flames

[Renal Shutdown]

Firstly, I rarely post.  This topic did hold my attention for long enough to warrant a response, though.

Let me explain the reasons for my lack of forumage.  I decided to stop visiting the forums on a regular basis, due to the various inane topics and stupid posters in the past.  I'm not blaming anyone in particular, and I'm the first to admit that those stupid posts were sometimes met with equally dumb responses on my part.  So I decided to leave until the situation improved.

I suspect I wasn't the only member to follow that course of action.  This is my theoretical reason to the decline in posts-per-day.

As for the drop in the game related board?  We have a number of factors here:

1.  Generally higher proportion of sensible users, meaning less people starting unnecessary threads like "What games have you played?" or "I like this game, tell me you like it too".  You all know the type.  You see the title and think "Oh dear, not another one..."
2.  Most discussions on games and game theory and whatnot has already taken place.  We discussed all the aspects of games at sometimes great length.  The opinions have been said before, for both sides of the various fences.  If a topic on say, GUIs, came up today, most people would think to themselves "Oh, I've answered that before, my opinion's the same as last time."
3.  The culmination of the previous 2 points is one simple thing.  The forum's "Search" tool.  The answer is there, and most of us have the commonsense and foresight to be able to use it.

The game related thread will most likely go back up in postings, it just needs a few really good debates to get people actively thinking about the games again, instead of just making/playing/whatevering them.  It's not a lack of posters, it's the posters we have become somewhat stagnant.

As to the folk who don't make games, that are on here.  I'll hold my hands up and admit I've not made anything so far.  The Critic's Lounge has been no end of help in the past, and it's allowed me to improve myself before I make a game.  I still plan to do something, but it's still a long term plan.  When I've got more drive and creativity to set that in motion, I know I'll be back here posting in the Tech and Critic boards as much as is necessary.

Note: If we are still plagued with inane posts and stupid members, disregard my comments.  I followed link to here, and didn't read the other topic titles.

[Domino]

I was just checking the member stats, and there are about 36 pages of people with 0 posts. I wonder why they would sign up for the forums and not post at all.

That is a lot of 0's.

Maybe we should offer them some cash and prizes to post. 

I still believe that the AGS community is stronger than ever despite the lack of new posts.

Domino

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I don't really see how they were unfriendly to you, SSH.  They just pretty much made it clear they weren't able/willing to do anything unless CJ contacts them first.  Or was your post meant to be jokey?

[RickJ]

I don't really see how they were unfriendly to you, SSH.

I'm sorry but their reason for not wanting to talk to him about this are just pure rubbish.  The AGS license terms make no claim or restrictions on what is produced by the AGS editor.  To assert that they can't even talk about the technical issues involved in implementing SSH's idea unless AGS is GPL'd  is pure rubbish and a poor excuse for lunacy.   They treated Andrew like he was a 15 year old who wouldn't know any better;  he is offended because he did know better as anyone with the slightest bit of technical knowledge would.

Sorry, SSH, but I have to agree with you this time, even if you do wear US flag as pajamas to bed at night.   

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[blueskirt]

I wonder why they would sign up for the forums and not post at all.

To easily see which thread received new posts since one's last visit. A must for any self-respecting lurker.

[RickJ]

I wonder why they would sign up for the forums and not post at all.

Well maybe they feel a bit intimidated but since we have proclaimed ourselves the friendliest lot on the internet it's hard to imagine why they would feel this way. 

[JimmyShelter]

I think this is a good example of too harsh moderation:

http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=33075.0

Ok, it's a parody thread, maybe it should have been posted in a different subforum, but I found it quit funny, why close it immediately?

[Radiant]

I was just checking the member stats, and there are about 36 pages of people with 0 posts. I wonder why they would sign up for the forums and not post at all.

Spambots?

[Nikolas]

with the 40 question quiz, I'm not sure, although I don't know in general...

But I've never seen any spam here (apart from those great porn PMs) and well, it's a small forum which doesn't invite much interest anyway...