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Do you prefer game forums, or public forums?

TheLizardbonesTheLizardbones Member CommonPosts: 10,910

If I can find the article on Massively, I'll post the link, but it seems like an interesting topic.

For games you are interested in, do you prefer the developers use some external forum software, like Reddit or MMORPG.com? Do you prefer that they make their own forums? If so, what are your reasons?

I think there are benefits and drawbacks either way. If they use something like Reddit, then I can use my existing Reddit ID and not have to create a new one. It's kind of nice. I also think, though I have no proof at this time, that the discussions will be more open, at least among the people posting. If a developer uses their own forums, it seems likely that the discussion will be more closed, and limited to players only. This is bad because I prefer openness. At the same time, I don't like @sshats, and when using their own forums, developers can get rid of the @sshats. I also feel that while the general public may have some good input to a game, it is the players that should have the most input, and the only way for that to happen is to limit discussion to the players themselves.

So I could go either way, but I think the most benefit occurs when using public forum systems like Reddit.

The Massively article hates Reddit, btw.

I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.

Comments

  • Vunak23Vunak23 Member UncommonPosts: 633

    Game forums.

    The answer is quite simple, because I don't have to go searching all over the place for different tidbits of information or discussion. My account isn't regulated by an outside source cutting off my communication with the company/playerbase and everything is in one location. 

    "In the immediate future, we have this one, and then we’ve got another one that is actually going to be – so we’re going to have, what we want to do, is in January, what we’re targeting to do, this may or may not happen, so you can’t hold me to it. But what we’re targeting to do, is have a fun anniversary to the Ilum shenanigans that happened. An alien race might invade, and they might crash into Ilum and there might be some new activities that happen on the planet." ~Gabe Amatangelo

  • LoktofeitLoktofeit Member RarePosts: 14,247

    It depends what I'm looking for.

    If it's a game I am playing, I prefer the game forums and game-specific fansites because they are usually more focused on the game and the details of what I'm interested in - guild recruitment, gameplay info, guides, patch changes, 

    If it's a game I'm just interested in, I go to the public forums and gaming sites, as they usually have less structure and are more geared toward the higher level info such as the latest interview and articles.

    I include the types of sites in my replies, as I don't just search/use the forums when looking for info on a game. 

     

    If we are talking solely about host for the official forums, I always prefer dev-run forums over external ones. They're easier to find, they're followed by the devs better, and it's easier to reach out to support. If nothing else, when returning to the game or new to the game, searching for where on the web the official boards are is one less problem.  

    Example: Hi-Rez communication channels

    That's useless to me. I have no interest in figuring out how to navigate Reddit to get the information that I want on the game, and I sure as hell am not going to use their FB page to try to look up player guides or gameplay info. 

    There isn't a "right" or "wrong" way to play, if you want to use a screwdriver to put nails into wood, have at it, simply don't complain when the guy next to you with the hammer is doing it much better and easier. - Allein
    "Graphics are often supplied by Engines that (some) MMORPG's are built in" - Spuffyre

  • pierthpierth Member UncommonPosts: 1,494

    In general I prefer game-specific public forums and if a MMO then server specific public forums. I find game forums to be too heavily moderated and the majority of posts made tend to be nerf this class or buff this one- whining.


    Case in point: In EQ1 we had a server-based public forum moderated by other players and imo it was about as fair as can be expected (of course no forum will be completely free of drama). Also, while I know times are completely different now I also kind of enjoyed Verant's stance of generally not caving into demands as opposed to what we see today but then with all the game choices out there today that's not really an option.


  • Quazal.AQuazal.A Member UncommonPosts: 859

    for me its 50/50 but mainly depends on the game

     

    my 2 fav games

    1 - EvE - I love these forums, and spend all day on that either LOLing at others misfortune or looking for a nice tidy deal on teh WTS

    2 - AoC - These forums were dead from start.

    So you see it really does depend on the game, I think why it works so well in EvE is becuase every person on the forum, is a real person your likely to run into in game. Its not server based / location based / time based, Its simply an extension  to their one universe.

    I will and do (see my posts on here for examples) use pubic forums because i like the banter but i WOULD NEVER consider this my only outlet for any given game.

    In fact extension of this topic would be, (good area for a MsC or somet) Is there a corralation between an active forum, and a long lasting game, an out of game communication is the best way to build up any form of identity in a game, often you wont speak to enemy / different faction in game, but on forum you can, and thus even though they are the other side you can build up a forum of camaradarie, only have the ingame communication doesn't allow this in many games

    This post is all my opinion, but I welcome debate on anything i have put, however, personal slander / name calling belongs in game where of course you're welcome to call me names im often found lounging about in EvE online.
    Use this code for 21days trial in eve online https://secure.eveonline.com/trial/?invc=d385aff2-794a-44a4-96f1-3967ccf6d720&action=buddy

  • upsizeupsize Member Posts: 5
    I vote for the game-specific forums as well. That way my account is uhh...not varied...or something like that. Also what was mentioned before, gathering of info won't be as difficult if it were a public forum...unless that game forum can't provide the info I need then i go elswhere...still, I vote for the game forum.
  • delete5230delete5230 Member EpicPosts: 7,081

    To find a new game........................ public forums.

    There is a lot of crap games as of the last few years. This is how you can weed out the bad ones. The negativity could be used to your advantage.

    Negativity is not always wrong....Have to read between the lines.

     

    Example :

    When one player is bitching about an mmo being too instanced and chopped up and ten fanboi's reply saying that the game is fun.....Then the game is still instanced....Right ? 

  • aspekxaspekx Member UncommonPosts: 2,167

    for information about aspects of a specific game, or in order to become involved with a community surrounding a particular game, i prefer the publisher/developer's own forums.

     

    for discussing upcoming games, new games, looking for games, or gaming in general i prefer public forums like this.

     

    occasionally i will go to a public forum like this in order to post a question or news. but primarily the game company's forums are the ones i frequent.

    "There are at least two kinds of games.
    One could be called finite, the other infinite.
    A finite game is played for the purpose of winning,
    an infinite game for the purpose of continuing play."
    Finite and Infinite Games, James Carse

  • immodiumimmodium Member RarePosts: 2,610
    Originally posted by delete5230

    Example :

    When one player is bitching about an mmo being too instanced and chopped up and ten fanboi's reply saying that the game is fun.....Then the game is still instanced....Right ? 

    Sure, but the fanbois could also be right.

     

    I prefer game specific forums for info, public for 'shits & giggles'.

    image
  • SirPKsAlotSirPKsAlot Member Posts: 224
    I definitely prefer game forums specific to the game I'm playing, preferably with a forum account tied to my character account so that my level / class is in my forum profile info or whatever.

    image
    Currently playing: Eldevin Online as a Deadly Assassin

  • TheLizardbonesTheLizardbones Member CommonPosts: 10,910

    It sounds like the optimal answer is "both". For game specific "how to" information, then the developer's forum is the right place to host the information. For general discussion about a game, including public comments, it seems like public forums are the way to go.

    What about when a game is in the pre release state? Do you prefer developers give information out on their own forums that they host themselves, or would you prefer the give the information out in public forums like Reddit or MMORPG.com?

    I can not remember winning or losing a single debate on the internet.

  • ViperDragonViperDragon Member UncommonPosts: 101
    I always prefer forums that are unregulated by the developer; you get, I think, a more honest - and diverse - perspective.  Now, of course, forums like MMORPG.com and others rely on affiliate income, but even in view of this I see the forum members as a valuable commodity: the knowledge and opinion they impart help to keep me informed and make better buying and playing decisions.

    A great list of free games (mostly MMORPGs): http://www.mytop10games.com/

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