This thread is addressed to the more senior members of the forum (the "oldbies" if you will). Those of you who have not been around so long, please feel free to add your input as you see fit in accordance to your attendance to the forums.
I recall the days of RMXP.net which some could call one of the first forums to primarily focus on RMXP amateur/commercial game design. I came around about a year or so after .net was created, since then I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of not only RMXP games but forum mannerisms as well. I'll pass on the history lesson that led from .net to .org, but some of you remember the events that took place to get us where we are in "The Kingdom" (a reference for those of you who recall "Erk stole the kingdom") of RMXP.org.
The actual purpose of this topic? I would like to know how you guys feel about RMXP.org as it is today.
Has there been a significant change in the way we design our RMXP games?
Has forum behavior altered?
How do you feel about the current moderation staff?
Overall has the forum improved?
Disclaimer:
Please take thought in what you post as there may be some controversial issues, and I'd hate for administrative action be carried out on someone on my behalf. I am simply curious in what your opinions are. I am no undercover moderator, nor have I ever been part of the staff. I am not "in tight" with any of the staff members, so do not feel intimidated in any way. I would also like to state that this is no attempt at "trolling" or telling the staff how to do their jobs.
My personal thoughts, and I'll try to keep it short and sweet:
As far as game designing goes (excluding VX as I've never dabbled with it) I've definitely seen and improvement over the years in RMXP games. I've seen some very innovative ideas, which have even made me open my editor and play around. Yet at the same time, there still seems to be a consistent pattern of games that should never see the light of day and it would appear that critiques and support are not being taken to mind by some of the stubborn creators of today. I look back at the times when a side view battle system with static sprites and a few gradient bars use to blow the minds of some of the users. Today we've uncovered advances in how the engine itself actually works and have manipulated it to make games that could things we thought RGSS was completely incapable of doing.
Forums themselves have changed drastically. When I first came around there was a massive serving of humble pie in all of us, yet now I see a lot more arrogance. I've also notice a change in the way forum humor is conduct and judged from the looks of it. Sarcastic humor has always been a part of the forums. This is no secret. People like Despain taught us to laugh at ourselves, although at times he took a harsher hand then we could tolerate. It seems now this humor has been rather tasteless and extremely offensive where it was once subtle. Perhaps I missed the memo, but is it the new trend to call people "faggots" now? It's probably an inside joke, so I'll leave it be. It seems that a small percentage of the forums has form this group that consistently stick up for each other in discussions often resulting in teaming up against someone outside of the circle. I would think that such behavior would scare away users, but this being the community that it is, it continues to thrive. Personally, I don't feel quite as comfortable posting as I use to, but I still try to add my two cents in when I can.
Moderation has changed a bit too. There was a point where everything was strictly rules and regulations, but now it seems that there is some form of opinionated moderation. Now that's not to say that the staff makes bad decision, nor is it saying that mods aren't sticking to the traditional way of doing things. There have been cases where I've seen two people do similar actions and the moderation reacted in two opposite ways. For the most parts the mods continue to carry out their tedious duties and although a bit more unconventional than usual there are times when it has been very effective.
I can't say whether or not the forum has improved as the good and the bad kinda pull at each other with equal force. Perhaps we come to a stand still and are waiting for a revolution of some sorts. This forum is still a place I visit often and I enjoy reading most of the discussions (even some of the overly crude ones) and occasionally playing a game or two. Just thought I'd voice my opinion and maybe get a little feedback from my fellow users.
Please don't take offense to anything I've typed. I am in no way trying to call out anyone or bash the forums.
~Sincerely
I recall the days of RMXP.net which some could call one of the first forums to primarily focus on RMXP amateur/commercial game design. I came around about a year or so after .net was created, since then I've seen the good, the bad, and the ugly of not only RMXP games but forum mannerisms as well. I'll pass on the history lesson that led from .net to .org, but some of you remember the events that took place to get us where we are in "The Kingdom" (a reference for those of you who recall "Erk stole the kingdom") of RMXP.org.
The actual purpose of this topic? I would like to know how you guys feel about RMXP.org as it is today.
Has there been a significant change in the way we design our RMXP games?
Has forum behavior altered?
How do you feel about the current moderation staff?
Overall has the forum improved?
Disclaimer:
Please take thought in what you post as there may be some controversial issues, and I'd hate for administrative action be carried out on someone on my behalf. I am simply curious in what your opinions are. I am no undercover moderator, nor have I ever been part of the staff. I am not "in tight" with any of the staff members, so do not feel intimidated in any way. I would also like to state that this is no attempt at "trolling" or telling the staff how to do their jobs.
My personal thoughts, and I'll try to keep it short and sweet:
As far as game designing goes (excluding VX as I've never dabbled with it) I've definitely seen and improvement over the years in RMXP games. I've seen some very innovative ideas, which have even made me open my editor and play around. Yet at the same time, there still seems to be a consistent pattern of games that should never see the light of day and it would appear that critiques and support are not being taken to mind by some of the stubborn creators of today. I look back at the times when a side view battle system with static sprites and a few gradient bars use to blow the minds of some of the users. Today we've uncovered advances in how the engine itself actually works and have manipulated it to make games that could things we thought RGSS was completely incapable of doing.
Forums themselves have changed drastically. When I first came around there was a massive serving of humble pie in all of us, yet now I see a lot more arrogance. I've also notice a change in the way forum humor is conduct and judged from the looks of it. Sarcastic humor has always been a part of the forums. This is no secret. People like Despain taught us to laugh at ourselves, although at times he took a harsher hand then we could tolerate. It seems now this humor has been rather tasteless and extremely offensive where it was once subtle. Perhaps I missed the memo, but is it the new trend to call people "faggots" now? It's probably an inside joke, so I'll leave it be. It seems that a small percentage of the forums has form this group that consistently stick up for each other in discussions often resulting in teaming up against someone outside of the circle. I would think that such behavior would scare away users, but this being the community that it is, it continues to thrive. Personally, I don't feel quite as comfortable posting as I use to, but I still try to add my two cents in when I can.
Moderation has changed a bit too. There was a point where everything was strictly rules and regulations, but now it seems that there is some form of opinionated moderation. Now that's not to say that the staff makes bad decision, nor is it saying that mods aren't sticking to the traditional way of doing things. There have been cases where I've seen two people do similar actions and the moderation reacted in two opposite ways. For the most parts the mods continue to carry out their tedious duties and although a bit more unconventional than usual there are times when it has been very effective.
I can't say whether or not the forum has improved as the good and the bad kinda pull at each other with equal force. Perhaps we come to a stand still and are waiting for a revolution of some sorts. This forum is still a place I visit often and I enjoy reading most of the discussions (even some of the overly crude ones) and occasionally playing a game or two. Just thought I'd voice my opinion and maybe get a little feedback from my fellow users.
Please don't take offense to anything I've typed. I am in no way trying to call out anyone or bash the forums.
~Sincerely