So I'm doing an analysis of this forum for an assignment

[Drathnoxis]

1) I came to the site for Yahtzee and joined the forums so I could vote in polls. I mostly lurk, but occasionally post when my opinion hasn't already been represented by someone else.

2) I like the focus on actual discussion, rather than the single sentence back and forth that a lot of sites have. I also enjoy the fact that most people attempt proper capitalization and grammar.

I dislike that it's quite common to see dismissal of criticism. I'm not saying actual counter arguments against criticism. Canned phrases like "Don't like it, Don't buy it", "corporations exist to make money", "vote with your wallet", "it's target demographic is kids/women/casuals not you", "your just entitled", etc. that are just used in an attempt to dismiss a person's argument out of hand rather than to actually refute any of the points that have been made.

3) The forums have definitely changed, since I came here. Countless frequent posters have either been banned or just stop posting. With the amount of regulars that have been switched out for new ones it's impossible for the discussion to have not changed. Other than the changes from having a different group of people, there have been several major events that have left permanent marks on the forum. Anita Sarkeesian, and Gamergate in particular have pretty much engraved themselves as permanent topics on the forums.

4) Moderation is far too harsh. If I were to attempt to list [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.404382-Lament-For-The-Fallen-Banned?page=1] all the good, energetic posters that have been banned I would be here for a very long time. The moderation is set up in such a way that it's very easy to get banned for a gradual build-up of very minor offenses. In particular I feel that low content should not be a bannable offense. Different offenses should carry different punishments. Low content posts should earn a 2 week suspension at most, or posters that only just barely cross the line in the heat of an argument should only get a temporary ban for a month or two for repeated offences. Permabans should be only be reserved for the most drastic cases.

Additionally there are certain rules that effectively censor discussion. The rule about piracy, which is particularly relevant to gaming, means that only one side of the argument can be represented on the forums.

5) No and no.

6) No, and I have the Facebook comments turned off.

7) Yes, implement a more nuanced system of moderation.

 

[Hero in a half shell]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

I think Yahtzee's Youtube videos brought me to the site, I usually just used them for reading nerd culture news and discussions.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

I like the heavy moderation. While it drives a lot of people away and can seem restrictive I like that the minimum character limit on posts means half the thread responses aren't just 1 word answers or people quoting someone else and adding nothing else to the comment, and the don't be a dick rule means people are generally forced to be more polite (although it makes the melt downs more spectacular)
I don't like the cycles of topics where one subject can swamp the forums occasionally, and the video adverts are invasive as all hell.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

Most of the regular posters from back then have gone (usually through permaban) The forums have also become a lot more serious, tackling feminism and the contributors videos are a lot more serious now, compared to the old video series of stupid cartoons and shows like "Apocalypse Lane" "Doraleous and Associates" "Unforgotten Realms" etc.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

As I said, it's one of the things that drew me to the forum as it helps conversations flow when it works, although it can lead to old posters being permabanned for silly infractions which is a shame

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

No, and probably not, because I'm a loner.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

No, for the same reason as previously stated.

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

It does quite a bit. More content and less click-baity news articles would be nice, also less intrusive ads, but I appreciate that those would all affect the profit margins quite badly.

 

[Scarim Coral]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?
I originally started out as a lurker (view the site but did not register) when Zero Punctuation were posted on this site. I read many interesting and funny threads that I feel I wanted to post my comment myself and I eventually signed up to start posting my comment. Also I pretty much post my comment as a way to pass the time.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?
Pretty much people opinion and the topic as this is under BOTH good and bad!

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?
Definitely! Back then when I was a lurker, the threads were more fun and interesting, now it's serious with real life topic but this site is not to blame but rather today social trends/ debate.

4) What do you think of the moderation?
I applaused their for their dedication to take action when needed, so many jerks are banned thanks to them!


5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?
Kinda, I notice someone was going to the same convetion as I was going to so we agreed to meet up during the convetion. As for the proper meet up, it depend on the location, cash and time to do so for me.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?
No

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?
No as I feel they are already done enough for this community.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

Spoilering this so this page doesn't stretch forever and because most people won't read this anyway.

Spoiler

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

Like many, I came here initially for Zero Punctuation. I stayed because it was a decent way to spend time and I learned a few things from it.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

I like that is uses unicode, and it doesn't have a lot of crap that clutters other forums: character limits, signatures, comment voting... some more things I forgot.

What I dislike is seeing the same five thread topics on the front page.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

Not really. Famous people leave, rules change, content creators come and go, fads rise, but it's still the same people creating the same threads saying the same things.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

It's honestly one of the better ones I've observed across the Internet. Even if you don't like the rules, you have to respect how close the mods are to following it, they casually post outside of mod duties, and they're normally receptive to repeals. Normally.

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

No and no.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

I used to, with the TF2 steam group, but that's all but disbanded.

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

More subforums, but I think the user base is too small for that.

 

[Username Redacted]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

Came here for the Zero Punctuation. Stayed for the Feed Dump.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

People seem to suffer from a chronic inability to use the search function and those who can use said function decide to necropost in years dead threads. This is overall a minor gripe and a common problem on forums such as this one.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

Yes. The discussions and community has, like most of the internet, become significantly more polarized over the last few years.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

What little I've seen of moderation here would lead me to label it unobtrusive but inconsistent. There have been a few (emphasis on few) instances where content creators seem to be above reproach or moderation for things that would get regular users warned or banned. Now perhaps the content creators got a stern talking to behind the scenes but without knowing if a stern talking to in fact happened it gives the impression that they can get away with stuff that others can't.

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

I have not met any user of this site in a offline capacity who I didn't know prior to registering for this site. I wouldn't be opposed to meeting people from here but I also wouldn't actively seek out such opportunities.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

Nope.

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

Could or should? Either way nothing really comes to mind.

I would also like to add that while I am interested in your project I have no idea how you're going to get anything resembling useful or coherent results out of asking questions as open ended as those that you've posed here.

 

[The Lunatic]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

4) What do you think of the moderation?

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

1: I was bored one day, and decided to post on a forum. I guess the video content was the first spark, but, my interest in this has since decreased to zero. I have a history of forum posting, so, yeah.

2. It's just a forum honestly. There's little to say about it. Forums are made by the community, what do I think overall of the community? Eh, some people are pretty bad, I mean, a lot of people whom persist to post aren't enjoyable people to spend time with.

Most can't separate individual views from their views of a person overall, so, if you disagree with anyone about anything, a lot of them hold that grudge overly firmly for some reason.

There's some okay people, but, most have left.

3. A bit. Issues are different. Groups I once liked are dead. It's essentially still the same forum though, just with a different paint job every few months.

4. This question could probably have it's own topic, however, the moderators don't like people talking about the moderation, if they say anything negative.

So, yeah, that should give you some idea of how the moderation is on the site.

The Escapist forums are known across the internet as being overly petty with moderation, if you search reddit, google, or whatever else for "Escapist" and "moderation", you'll see nothing but complaints.

Some moderators simply can't remain impartial and are known for mocking people they disagree with whilst turning a blind eye to other things.

As somebody whom has moderated forums for years, sometimes the forums of professional games companies, I'd really have to say the moderation is "Disappointing".

5. Nope.

6. I did at one stage, but, then I got an abusive email and death threats due to my opinions on a certain topic. I since switched to anonymity.

7. Hard to say really. Most people seem content, and I guess if the majority if content with how things are, I don't see much to add which could improve things.

 

[FPLOON]

Meh... I got 8 minutes...1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?
I wanted to enter a Pacific Rim-related quiz, but had to log in to do it... That's it... That was literally my first venture into the realms of forums in general...
2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?
Like: Sentences?
Dislike: Quote-scares?
3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?
I'm not sure? I wan to say it has since I spent WAY too much time in the "Forum Games" section of the forums in general...
4) What do you think of the moderation?
Pretty cool... with some of them having a great sense of humor... (No sarcasm required...)
5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?
I want to, since I know I'm basically less than 3 miles away from one of them... Maybe this year, it will happen...
6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?
Nope... Just a Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr., etc. for other stuff unrelated to the Escapist in general...
7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?
I thought they were... Then again, I have to remind myself that I'm a PubClub member sometimes... So, I'm not sure if that's the answer you're looking for...

Yahtzee sure is a massive draw for this place - I came to The Escapist through Zero Punctuation as well. It shouldn't surprise me considering how famous the show is, but I do wonder what percentage of the forums population were pulled in via ZP xD

Well, Yahtzee's the main reason I knew about the Escapist in general[footnote]And X-Play was the main reason I knew about Yahtzee in general...[/footnote]... So, there's that...

 

[T8B95]

Hey everyone. This is a little out of the blue, but I'm doing a Masters in journalism and one of my modules is Social Media and Community Engagement. For an assignment over the holidays we have to write an analysis of two communities online, one journalistic and one non-journalistic.

I've chosen The Escapist forums as my journalistic community, and I was wondering if anyone would be willing to talk about their experiences as a forums user? New, old, regular, irregular, anything is great.

Here are the questions I'm planning to ask everyone, so no-one is taken by surprise. You don't have to answer them in this thread - send me a Private Message if you're more comfortable with that.

Thanks, everyone!

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

4) What do you think of the moderation?

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

Just sent you a reply in PM. Hope it helps. Best wishes on your Masters.

 

[Fox12]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

There was an article defending silent protagonists as good characters, and, since I'm a snotty writer, I decided to create an account so that I could discuss it with everyone else. I usually use this site to keep up with gaming news, and to discuss my hobbies with other. Most of my friends can't carry a conversation about Berserk, Evangelion, Persona, or Silent Hill 2, so I get my fix here. Adult conversations are nice and all, but sometimes I want to geek out.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

I dislike a few content creators for having biased or sensationalist news items, but this is a minority of the content. I like the community, and I like the overall maturity of the forums. Both the users and staff handled GG surprisingly well, I think, compared to other sites. I also feel like the users here are generally more sophisticated then other sites.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

Maybe? Gamer Gate changed a few things, I think. It brought in new people, and , more importantly, it divided the user base more than anything else. GG, feminism, and Anita Sarkeesian seem to be the big hot button issues here, when they pop up from time to time. Even when they disappear for awhile, they seem to topics that are simmering just beneath the surface. I don't think that's unique here, though.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

It's fantastic. This is probably why the forum is so healthy. There was only one incident where the mods were clearly in the wrong, and that wasn't really their fault per se. It was also a long time ago. So, a shout out to those guys and girls, I guess.

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

No, I haven't. Would I? Sure, I guess, but they all seem to live hundreds of miles away, so that would be difficult, and I can't be bothered to figure out logistics.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

Nope.

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

They could use better content. Losing Extra Credits AND Jimquisition was a heavy blow, and I haven't seen anyone fill the void. All they really have is Yahtzee.

 

[PsychicTaco115]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

I didn't start posting to the Escapist, the Escapist started posting to ME

I usually post to the general forums sometimes but more on the user groups

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

Like: User groups, friends, posting

Dislike: Constant sexism/racism threads, overall negative atmosphere,

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

Yes

4) What do you think of the moderation?

Pretty good. I think adding a few more would help lessen the workload but that's just my opinion.

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

I have attended the Escapist Expo for both 2012 and 2013. Would love to attend more!

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

I'm linked with Facebook but nothing much really

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

I would love to see more user-staff interaction because it feels barren as shit.

 

[Elfgore]

1. Like everyone and their mother, Yahtzee drew me here. My friend showed me his video in about early 2010. I accidentally clicked on the forums one day and say a topic that was awesome. Cut to four years later and here we are. My main use for these forums is to talk about things I cannot in my offline life and to met and talk to my friends in the Usergroups.

2. As many others have said, and I'll admit I've done it to, cynicism. Way to much of it. Combine that with some grumpy people and these forums may not seem very welcoming. I don't really like that. I do enjoy Usergroups and forum games. Rack up that post count while having fun!

3. Oh hell yes.

4. I've seen some people slip by things that I think should have been warnings and others where people got a warning for things I didn't agree with, but other than that I'm content. My three warnings were all deserved.

5. Negatory. I'd love to, but most live in Australia or California and I'm stuck in Ohio. If the chance did come up, I would without a doubt do it.

6. Linked to Facebook, but I don't do anything with it.

7. The staff needs to talk to use again. I let out a pained chuckle when I see how low the Community Manager's post count is. One would think it should be quite high, not in the triple digits.

 

[The Squid King]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

I started posting in these forums after spending a couple of years lurking them and watching the site's content such as Zero Punctuation. I spend a lot of my time on these forums playing forum games but I'll occasionally post in the general forums.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

I like the somewhat heavy moderation on stuff such as low content posts and jerky behavior. It's great not having to dig through a pile of 'this' comments and obvious bigotry (generally speaking ) in order to discuss video games.

I dislike the overall negativity of these forums.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

The forums seem have gotten more bitter and hostile over time, issues such as Gamergate are certainly not helping.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

See question 2

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

No. If I had the chance, it would depend on the people I would be meeting up with.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

No

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

The staff could interact with the forums more, some of the former staff like Jim Sterling did but those that remain tend not to.

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

1)Someone on the old Black Industries forum posted Yahtzee's review of Guitar Hero III. I lurked for an age, then made an account and posted. Usually offtopic or news/featured content.

2)Like: Forum wise (& the site in general) you get a decent variety of topics, I'm not massively into gaming so off topic being pretty active is good.
Dislike: Nothing particular, things I'm not interested in I ignore, because I'm not interested in them.

3)Since I joined yes probably, since I started lurking, watching, waiting...yes it seems to have got a lot more po faced, especially recently, I think the rules coming in about low content posting, memes etc killed off a lot of the funny shit that used to go on. Much bigger user count as well.

4)Overall good, I just don't like some of the rules the moderators have to enforce (see above, plus the 8 strikes and out thing, seen too many veterans get taken down for things like low content postsand feel the 6 months to clear a strike could be halved)

5)I haven't, I might if I had the chance. I might feel a bit out of place,but I'd probably give it a go if I happened to be in the area when Escapism UK happens.

6) Nope, I don't have any other platforms, the escapist is the only "social" internet thing I do.

7)Kindap the LRR crew and force them to perform for our amusement on livestream, relax the aforementioned rules, maybe more staff interaction. Susan Arendt used to post quite a bit. Doctorpuss...you've changed man, too good for us scrubs now eh? ;_;

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

Captcha is a piece of fucking shit. Ignore plz

 

[Zykon TheLich_v1legacy]

Captcha is a double piece of fucking shit, ignore plz

 

[Skatologist]

1) How did you come to start posting on the Escapist forums? What do you normally use them for?

Came for what a friend/user [user] username sucks [/user] recommended as a good forum community that was well moderated, spent much of my time in Forum Games early on until about last summer where I went into other subforums for posting and got more acquainted with the site and other users. Now I spend most my time checking the chats I'm in and Off Topic. I'd personally like to make more threads, but I can't help feeling ones that would get a lot of views would get ugly and all others I'd make wouldn't make it past 2-3 pages tops.

2) What do you like and dislike about the forums?

You see post 20? Essentially that. I'm kind of on board with another subforum to hopefully clean up R & P because despite what many of those say in Off Topic and the other subs, it was getting better before August and I hate that it essentially is acting like a trash can now for LOLing at certain people or straw persons. But again, I like the content of the site, like the rules, and like many of the people I've met here.

3) Do you think the forums have changed at all since you joined?

It was a lot more pleasant before August, but that might just be me and a false memory or the fact that I was fixated on Forum Games during that time and ignored things that resembled debate and discussion. I'm really only worried about R & P though, since the other subs seem unscathed in terms of poor behavior on behalf of users.

4) What do you think of the moderation?

They're all a bunch of baby dicks! Actually they seem pretty sociable and nice people following guidelines that I heavily agree with. But again, post 20, I'm not too big a fan of admin decisions in the past few months, even if I can understand some of them.

5) Have you ever been to an offline meet-up linked with the Escapist, or met fellow users offline? Would you if you got the chance?

Yes, the person who recommended the site to me, and we did use the UN chat to schedule a movie date if I'm not mistaken. Also have plans for an October meet up where he and I can meet up with users [user]FPLOON[/user] and [user]Blow_Pop[/user] for a Halloween event. I'd personally like to meet and see a lot of people on this site if given the chance, so that is a definite yes on the last question as well.

6) Do you use any other platforms (Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr etc.) to connect with the Escapist community?

I don't know what counts technically. I know a few peoples' profiles for accounts and friended or did similar things there. I'm part of the Escapist and UN group's steam groups if that's what you're concerned with. Other than that, not too much.

7) Do you think The Escapist should do anything more to give its users a good community experience?

Again, see post 20's answer to this. I might also like the staff, excluding mods because they do it well enough, to be more active posting too, either for just calling out poor behavior or participating in the fun of their site.

 

[IceForce]

4) What do you think of the moderation?

Just a quick heads up, OP. You're going to get very one-sided answers to this question, because saying anything bad about the moderation here nets you a warning from the mods.

 

[xynnia]

4) What do you think of the moderation?

Just a quick heads up, OP. You're going to get very one-sided answers to this question, because saying anything bad about the moderation here nets you a warning from the mods.

Do they read PMs as well? I originally intended for people to PM me with these answers, but I guess the mods must be looking over those, too.

 

[Eclipse Dragon]

4) What do you think of the moderation?

Just a quick heads up, OP. You're going to get very one-sided answers to this question, because saying anything bad about the moderation here nets you a warning from the mods.

Do they read PMs as well? I originally intended for people to PM me with these answers, but I guess the mods must be looking over those, too.

They are capable of taking constructive criticism[footnote]Especially now that the rules have been relaxed[/footnote], if they weren't this thread (and this one [http://www.escapistmagazine.com/forums/read/18.868970-Poll-A-Proposal-for-Better-Moderation]) would have been locked already.[footnote]A mod even posted in the linked thread, participating in the discussion, so it's not like they haven't seen it.[/footnote] Just don't call out individuals, insult them, or otherwise do anything that would warrant moderation of any other forum user.

Also, you can get moderated because of things you've done or said through PM or within user groups.