Merging of Gaming Discussion and First Play

[gunrock]

I like Neon's suggestion.

[Yakumo]

I guess we're talking about something similar to the simplified Era/GAF model:

-General Discussion
-Retro Gaming
-Off Topic
-Music, Movies and TV

As the four primary sections, then the rest would effectively be sub-forums

That works for me.

[charlesr]

I'm still mulling this over. The majority of you in this thread likes the idea of a merge.

I still like the idea of first play being gameplay specific. There does seem to get a lot of gameplay chat in general discussion (that should be in First play), so if we got more militant about where chat goes, would that help?

Is lower traffic really a valid reason for doing this merge?

[Brad]

I think the merge is a good idea. However, I don't care enough that I'd want anyone to spend any effort whatsoever actually doing it!

[Neon Ignition]

I think part of the issue with First Play is almost a feeling of effort. I've been doing a few chapters of Guardians of the Galaxy and tbh so far it's been really good, but not in the way where it feels like creating a dedicated First Play thread is worthwhile. It's easier to drop it in the GD thread, the what are you playing thread, or another thread and I think part of the issue is that games have become relatively similar to the point where that's all too often the case. We're all playing loads of different games but only about four are getting any movement in the FP section and it's from the same dozen or so people spread across them.

[Golgo]

I like Neon's suggestion too. But I do feel sorry for all those people who won't get the chance to comprehensively ignore my obscure 'first plays'.

[wakka]

I'm torn on this. My head says that, honestly, it would make complete sense to merge all of the forums in the 'Gaming' folder into a single one.

I think there would be two advantages to this:

1) It would raise visibility of threads and posts across the board.

Posts or threads that currently get lost in low traffic areas like 'First Play' and 'Online Gaming/Challenges' would receive more visibility.

New threads and posts are not created in sufficient volume that I think we would need to worry about stuff getting 'lost' or pushed off the front page.

2) It could help the forum to look more active and to encourage signups.

I know I for one sometimes run across forums that are relevant to my interests, but they have distributed their activity across a large number of subfolders despite a small community. This discourages me from bothering to sign up and join in as it seems that activity is low.

We have a vibrant, dedicated community here, but I don't think our current setup is advertising that to potential new members as well as it could do. Anyone visiting First Play is likely to see a lot of very old threads, for example.

On the other hand - I'm pretty content with the forum the way it is. It's the same way it has been for years. I have an attachment to that. So my heart kinda says, eh, leave it as is. And Charles, who would have to invest the considerable time to make this happen, does this on a voluntary basis. So there is absolutely no pressure from me to do any of this stuff.

Just my 2 cents.

[QualityChimp]

I prefer them separate, if I'm honest.

The news thread is good for info before a game is released.
If an update, patch or DLC are coming out, it's good to put it there so more people might see it.

If a thread then becomes first play info, there are spoilers and a thread is less appealing to dip into, but a place for sharing progress tips for people playing it, a FP thread is great.

[Neon Ignition]

Merge them and offer an NFT of their fave First Play thread

[MartyG]

Is lower traffic really a valid reason for doing this merge?

..No..

[Golgo]

I have to admit I do really like the 'First Play' thread where gameplay is discussed rather than release news, updates, etc., as evidenced by the amount of these I've thrown up over the years. But maybe the site's 'historic' commitment, where the first poster is expected to offer a fairly wide-ranging introduction/review that explains the core mechanics and offers an initial judgment, is a bit off-putting for some people. Maybe if that obligation was dropped (or made optional) and it was just framed as a 'playtest' or 'gameplay' thread we would see more threads started up and more traffic. 'Tis but a suggestion.

[charlesr]

[MENTION=3687]Golgo[/MENTION] that does make sense. Even if it's just to say "I've started this. Thoughts soon" would be fine by me

[Golgo]

@Golgo that does make sense. Even if it's just to say "I've started this. Thoughts soon" would be fine by me

Possibly worth a try, [MENTION=25]charlesr[/MENTION]. The amount of times I've read over the years, "I was thinking of starting a First Play on this, but I don't have time...," etc., is very considerable.

[charlesr]

I've amended the FP guidelines https://bordersdown.net/threads/4865...before-posting

[fuse]

Throwing an idea out there: what do folks feel about a stickied thread in First Play for people to ask for thread starters to come forward?

Example posts:
"I see Deep Rock Galactic is on PS+ this month, anyone played it and fancy saying a few words?"
"Every night I see @QualityStreetEater playing Just Dance 2022, is it worth it if I have '21, '20, '19 and '18?"