Don't know if anyone is going to read this, but here is a random user's opinion.
Opinion based solely on memory and looking at the new style:
It might just be the fact that I have terrible memory, but with the new format in place I've sort of forgotten what the old one looks like. That's probably a good sign.
I like the fact that the envelope to interact with users is bigger than it was before.
I think I'm going to miss having the report button underneath a user's info on the left-hand side. It was just a weird feeling of "I'm gonna report this person! Woo~". However, that's just a weird thing that's probably specific to me.
I think the placement of the Post/Quote button is okay. It'll take some getting used to sure, but it doesn't strike me as terrible. Also, I do like the fact that yall (because I feel weird saying "you all") changed the "reply" button to a "post" button in order for newer users to more easily learn that in order to reply to a person directly it's best to quote them.
I think the fact that this forums update has come after the big front-page update is a main factor in deterring any sort of "RARA ERMAHGERD CHANGE IS BADDDDDD!" feeling.
With the change on the homepage I felt that as a whole the site was moving a way from having a very prominent blue color scheme, and this only seems to be a continuation of the pattern. Personally, when the change was first made I really didn't like it simply because I liked the heavy presence of blue on the website. I felt that it made The Escapist have character, if that makes any sense.
The badges thing was an oddly specific thing to change. I mean, I was really into badges when I first started, but now they're just kind of meh. It doesn't hurt though.
Overall I'm relatively okay with forum change. I know it'll probably take some time to get used to it, but I'm not particularly angry about anything.
Opinion after actually looking and comparing at the new and old format:
After looking at the previous and current forum styles the impression I get with the newer layout is that it seems to have made things appear...more organized? It's as if the old layout was very minimalistic to the point where it was fairly easy to miss a button or a feature if you didn't already know it was there. I think with the new format it's more apparent that yes, this is in fact an organized forum with a variety of functions available to the users. While some of the veterans of the site may find the change unnecessary or even intrusive (since they already knew where all the functionality can be found) I welcome the change and like the fact that functions such as the search forums button are more easily seen.
