3 years later... what happened?

[Latinidiot]

I think that the Forums used to be a tad more whimsical. The serious discussions and vitriol were always there, there was just more contrast. I think it's because there used to be a time when gaming news was less eventful. Less corporate schandals, less 'sellouts', and well, generally easier to be happy.

 

[Froggy Slayer]

I feel the forums have changed a lot on here. Especially since late 2011. I used to frequent this site all the time, post a lot and generally spend a good deal of time here.

Nowadays I can't stand a majority of this sites users and their attitude towards things.

This is also how I feel.
I pretty much come here out of habit and I spend most my time in one user group nowadays. More fun, less hassle.

I know dem feels.

I don't know what happened to the forums in the last 6 months, but I don't like it.

I can't even put my finger on it, something just changed for the worse.

I get what you mean; I've only been posting since mid-2012 but I've been lurking here since late 2010, and I've noticed that the people on here are getting more and more argumentative; not many of them appreciate having fun while discussing a subject, it seems.

 

[Nieroshai]

I think the soul-crushing misery train has long since jumped the shark in this thread...

I really haven't had an unpleasant experience here on the site, so take my naivety with a grain of salt

And just remember: No matter how bad things get, they can ALWAYS get worse!... If that helps at all >.>

It never does to say something doesn't happen just because you haven't experienced it.
...
Don't dwell on that, or this'll be sent to Politics and Religion. What I mean to say is, there's plenty of shit to wade through here. Mod wrath here is nothing like I've known on other forums, its automation lets people with careful wording get away with being dicks while some get swatted for (barely) low-content posts. There's a lot of unpleasantness to go around, it just hides in the grass to bite you when it feels like it.

 

[Nieroshai]

can somone tell me what it is?

It just seems that lately, hostilities and vitriol here have been pretty bad.

I mean, I can't create a thread thesedays without boatloads of passive-aggressive snark, no matter what the topic.
And I can't make a post, no matter how innocuous, without getting an inbox full of angry quotes.

That's how my time is here, pretty much. I can't for the life of me remember where from, but I remember people talking about how they love to see their inbox light up. Honestly...I don't. I've gotten to the point I like being able to post and not have people respond to me because whenever my inbox does light up, my first thought is "Great, who do I have to ignore or defend myself from, next?"

A lot of this comes from threads with political or philosophical implications, right? Sadly, few can discuss worldviews without pulling out daggers and insisting only theirs is acceptable.

 

[Irridium]

Oh hey, I have that badge too. Since... about a month ago I think.

And yeah, I'm going to agree with what others have said. This place feels hostile as all hell. However, I can't remember if it was always like this or if it changed or if I just started noticing it more.

It seems like you can't talk about anything without someone getting all venomous in your face. No matter the subject, someone with an agenda will charge in and start slinging turds in every direction. They may well be passive-aggresive turds or carefully aimed turds because the slinger wishes to avoid mod wrath, but they're still turds. Apparently nobody knows how to disagree with some or criticise a thing without being, well... a mean-spirited arsehole about it.

At this point I should probably mention that I'm guilty of this too. I've pissed on a few parades for no good reason. Although after seeing how obnoxious it is I've stopped.

Also, I'm trying to be less hostile in general. Although I still tend to break out the sarcasm more than neccesary. It can feel a bit pointless trying to hold yourself above the nastiness. It kinda rubs off.

Basically what he said. I'm much less active because the cynicism and hostility is just ridiculous. There was always some snark and cynicism, but back then there weren't so many people so it wasn't so pronounced. Now there's lots of people, and... yeah. They seem to have adopted the snarky cynicism of old. Same crap, only more people throwin' it around.

Also as Sassafrass said, I've seen quite a few users who've become friends come and go. Still talk to them, but they're not that active here anymore. If they're even active at all. Kind of puts a damper on things. Though I do still keep in touch with quite a few. Just not here.

 

[Exius Xavarus]

A lot of this comes from threads with political or philosophical implications, right? Sadly, few can discuss worldviews without pulling out daggers and insisting only theirs is acceptable.

Typically, yes. But not always. It could happen anywhere, your opinion means squat because it's always wrong. Doesn't matter who you are or what you say, unless your a mod or staff member. I've got friends who used to mess around here, but they've all since quit and occasionally remind me that this place has an utterly shit community. Now, I try not to be quite the misathropist I used to be, but with the passing of time, it's much more difficult to defend against their reminders...

 

[Pink Gregory]

The atmosphere on the escapist is just a little... l33t for me now. It's somehow a sorry cross between "two mainstream" and too "pompous".

'Pompous' I can understand. Mainstream however...I have to ask, what?

 

[crepesack]

The 2008-2009 community was probably the escapist at its healthiest. It has utterly devolved since then.

Ouch? generalization much? And people are surprised at all the hostility.

It is a simple fact that there was stricter moderation in 2008 than there is today. As such the forum community was much healthier. This is a black and white situation.

 

[Ashhearth]

I don't have the badge even though I meet the monthly requirement.... (my lurking is quite impressive) As for the current trend of excessive aggression I see it to and it makes me sad I would post more if it wasn't that I didn't feel the need to get leaped on for things I've said.

 

[Daystar Clarion]

I feel the forums have changed a lot on here. Especially since late 2011. I used to frequent this site all the time, post a lot and generally spend a good deal of time here.

Nowadays I can't stand a majority of this sites users and their attitude towards things.

This is also how I feel.
I pretty much come here out of habit and I spend most my time in one user group nowadays. More fun, less hassle.

I know dem feels.

I don't know what happened to the forums in the last 6 months, but I don't like it.

I can't even put my finger on it, something just changed for the worse.

And it shows, even from some such as you Daystar. Ever since your community spot light, you haven't posted as much (I mean comparatively. I swear last summer you were in the teen-thousands and then you hit 21,000 or so and have slowed down a bit).

Though maybe it has to do with some sort of external factors? Idk...

The atmosphere on the escapist is just a little... l33t for me now. It's somehow a sorry cross between "two mainstream" and too "pompous".

Well I was in work shortly after the Spotlight, so that's the main reason my posting rate has slowed down.

 

[thebobmaster_v1legacy]

Congrats on your 36 month badge! As for the off-topic topic, I've noticed people here are perfectly friendly, as long as you agree to everything they do and don't show them evidence against what they believe. Then again, I spend a lot of time afraid to post in the gaming forums, because every time I even obliquely mention something nice about EA, or especially Bioware, I get at least 10 people quoting me, telling me that I'm an idiot who supports the downfall of the gaming industry, and that I need to support the ultimate gift of gaming called Valve to forgive my gaming sins.

Well, not in those words, but that's the general gist of what happens. It's gotten to the point where I've stopped being annoyed by it, and started just shaking my head in humor at how zealously people attack EA for talking about something. Or publishing a game. Or laying off employees. Or existing.

 

[F'Angus]

1. Congrats on the badge.

2. Hell yes 4-0 win over Wigan. Get in Suarez. YNWA

3. I can't say I've really noticed much agression here...but I don't come here every day, tend to have periods of lots of posting. But then again I also live in a world of Rainbows and Marshmellows.

 

[Jedamethis]

I never posted that much to start with, but there was usually at least one interesting thread a month...then less. And now less.
Where've all the amusing threads gone?
*grumbles and sits in comfy armchair rather than actually doing anything*

 

[CManator]

Yeah, i'll admit things have changed. I don't post much, but still lurk when I can.

It seems to be all about the hot button topics these days, and while I'm glad my preferred medium is getting more attention, I fear it's the wrong kind. Gamers are taking up arms, taking sides, turning on eachother. It's not just gaming either. The next few years will be interesting if nothing else.

It's not just here though, I think gaming and the internet in general are in for some rough times. It's hard to stay interested anymore but I have little else to fall back on.

Not really sure where i'm going with this, just sharing some loosely related thoughts. Carry on.

 

[Froggy Slayer]

every time I even obliquely mention something nice about EA, or especially Bioware, I get at least 10 people quoting me, telling me that I'm an idiot who supports the downfall of the gaming industry, and that I need to support the ultimate gift of gaming called Valve to forgive my gaming sins.g.

YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES FOR THIS HERESY; DEATH OR EXILE

 

[Skops]

I just got the badge today myself (whoo! Go me!).

I rarely post here anymore, I did frequently in my first year but after that I went back into lurking as I do now. I see a lot of hostility in the forums, in the last year or so. It seems like the gaming community can't go 3 weeks without declaring something "Officially the worst" or exploding the forums with the new nerdgasm like Skyrim. Other things I've seen a lot lately is people advertising their Let's Plays Youtube channel, or technical issues, which aren't even discussions. I should just stop looking at the Gaming Forum in general I guess.

 

[Guffe]

2. Hell yes 4-0 win over Wigan. Get in Suarez. YNWA

Dude!!!¨
Getin here
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/groups/view/Barclays-Premier-League
NOW!!!

I never posted that much to start with,

*looks at your writing*
*looks at your post count*
*looks at your writing*

Guffe is confused...
...Guffe hit himself in his confusion!

 

[Jedamethis]

I never posted that much to start with,

*looks at your writing*
*looks at your post count*
*looks at your writing*

Guffe is confused...
...Guffe hit himself in his confusion!

Aha, yeah, well...it's all relative!

 

[Woodsey]

New here. The hostility I've seen so far defies logic. People will get in your face, even if you agreed with something they said.

Yes, we KNOW they fucking will. Jesus!

OT: I just kind of click my Escapist bookmark out of habit. I don't know if anything's changed particularly, just seems like I've seen every topic known to man.

 

[Darks63]

Grats on the badge just got mine recently too.

On the Derail maybe the community is responding to the changes to the overall gaming community which at this moment is under attack from forces of which most of us cant really fight. Such events is bound to provoke anger and cynicism in people.

Also it seems like as games get more mainstream maybe (this is just an observation not my true view) People arent liking the implications of games becoming more mainstream with all the negatives that it brings. Gamer used to put you in a subculture now its just a thing most people do hell with the rise facebook games and tablet games even my mom plays games as much as I do.