Video game forums are fucking worthless.

[Cubsfan]

Every single thread turns into 360 vs PS3 vs Wii. Every single fucking one. It can be about a PC game and it will devolve into a console battle.

I realize that these are mostly kids but it's still fucking annoying. Go over to the IGN or Gamespot forums and any thread discussing the merits of a game destructs into a console battle thread within 3 posts. EVERY fucking time.

I just came from reading the review of God of War for PSP on IGN and the attached thread was debating PS3 vs. 360 Blu-ray vs HD-DVD. On a fucking PSP thread.

Aren't there any more mature game sites out there? Please recommend if there are.

[Really Not All That Bright]

Aren't there any more mature game sites out there? Please recommend if there are.
No.

Stick to Cafe Society.

[wendigo1974]

Try here www.escapistmagazine.com
I only discovered it via the now notorious Yahtzee Reviews (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation)
It certainly is no nonsense as it markets itself as a site for game reviewers; leet speek and console shitting is frowned upon.

[Lute Skywatcher]

Aren't there any more mature game sites out there? Please recommend if there are.VN boards at IGN (http://vnboards.ign.com/). 'Course they're mainly for MMOs. ;)

[Yumblie]

The SDMB is the only board I go to regularly, so I'm pretty spoiled. Whenever I take a short visit to other forums, I'm shocked and dismayed at what goes on at these places.

I used to frequent gaming forums when I was a teen, and I didn't know anything else. In those days it was always Playstation vs N64 vs Dreamcast, then it became PS2 vs Gamecube vs Xbox. I've always been a fierce Nintendo supporter, and although I'd hardly ever get involved in those "debates," I still got passionately riled up against any opposing attacks. Fortunately I eventually realized that these arguments were stupid, and got over it. When I was led to this place, I was amazed, and I never looked back.

[Justin_Bailey]

Honestly, this is why we need a games forum here. I imagine it would easily be several cuts above your average game board.

[Rysto]

Video game forums are fucking worthless? As opposed to the abundance of non-video game forums that are bastions of enlightened discussion?

[Amp]

Honestly, this is why we need a games forum here. I imagine it would easily be several cuts above your average game board.
Dude, this is a place where we argue about the proper way to hang a roll of toilet paper (over or under) or the proper way to wipe with said toilet paper (bunched or folded). I think a video game forum would devolve into PC vs. console gaming so quick that not even all the chocolate in the world would stop the Admins from closing it down.

[OtakuLoki]

Amp, I think that would depend on the quality of the chocolate in question, and the cocoa percentage in the chocolate. Get me some hard numbers there and we could actually start talking about the possibility of moderator bribery granting forum longevity. Until then we're just spinning our wheels. ;)

[Justin_Bailey]

Dude, this is a place where we argue about the proper way to hang a roll of toilet paper (over or under) or the proper way to wipe with said toilet paper (bunched or folded). I think a video game forum would devolve into PC vs. console gaming so quick that not even all the chocolate in the world would stop the Admins from closing it down.

Have you ever read some of the gaming threads we have had? They're all very civil and the last time someone tried to pull a PC vs console mentality, I called him on it and he apologized instantly.

That's a game forum I would want to be a part of.

[Amp]

Have you ever read some of the gaming threads we have had? They're all very civil and the last time someone tried to pull a PC vs console mentality, I called him on it and he apologized instantly.

That's a game forum I would want to be a part of.
I have participated in gaming threads here and some of them due tend to devolve into something like that. But I will say that they are very civil and still 100 times better than any other board I have encountered out there.

As long as we are wishing for forums I would like to have a gun forum. You know, a place to discuss anything from Second Amendment politics to whether or not I should buy the new Ruger Charger or save my money to build an AR-15.

[These are my own pants]

Personally I think the 360's online capabilties trump the PS3's supposedly superior hardware. The only big downside to the 360 at the moment is the reliabilty issue.

I just bought a DS though and I think a prefer it to my 360.

[Antinor01]

Have you ever read some of the gaming threads we have had? They're all very civil and the last time someone tried to pull a PC vs console mentality, I called him on it and he apologized instantly.

That's a game forum I would want to be a part of.

No kidding. Gaming is oddly one of the few things that can generally be discussed without flameouts around here.

[XT]

I just post in CS myself. I've had some very good gaming threads there with a lot of extremely interesting comments and insights. I have a thread active in CS right now about Wii games...and there hasn't been any infighting about various other console systems being Da Bomb! or any other fighting at all.

I mostly go into CS for gaming info or to post about a new PC game I'm interested in and want the thoughts of fellow 'dopers on. Usually there is at least a few 'dopers playing the same games I am...and a lot of times 'dopers will spontaneously want to start an email or online game to play together. Check out the thread on Sins of a Solar Empire or the Wii thread I was talking about...very civil and very interesting insights and opinions.

-XT

[Tamerlane]

I'm not sure what sort of video game forums you mean. I mean are we talking just console games in general? But in terms of specialty computer game forums, mostly revolving around their typically rather deep history-based strategy games, I think the Paradox forums are pretty decent:

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php

[Airman Doors, USAF]

Consoles suck since the Atari 2600 anyway. PCs are much better.

[Justin_Bailey]

Consoles suck since the Atari 2600 anyway. PCs are much better.

Oh, it's ON now.

On like Donkey Kong!

[E-Sabbath]

On like Pac-Man, you mean. This is the 2600 we're talking about. Such a horrid disappointment.

[Derleth]

I hope PCs are used for gaming for a long, long time. Why? Because my hobby is programming and programming languages. As long as gamers keep driving the PC market, hardware makers will be encouraged to keep competing on the basis of performance-per-dollar (as opposed to pure economy, which is what would happen if the business world drove the market). That means I get faster and more interesting CPUs and coprocessors at a reduced price because I can buy them a generation or three after the gamers have moved on. Installing a PC-like development environment on a console is a lot more difficult, and often requires illegal hardware modification.

So, console fans: Don't flame your PC brothers too harshly, and I promise to never stand in front of you in line at a big console launch.

[BellRungBookShut-CandleSnuffed]

Video game forums are fucking worthless? As opposed to the abundance of non-video game forums that are bastions of enlightened discussion?
all x's are y != all -x's are -y

[Leah M]

Dude, this is a place where we argue about the proper way to hang a roll of toilet paper (over or under) or the proper way to wipe with said toilet paper (bunched or folded). I think a video game forum would devolve into PC vs. console gaming so quick that not even all the chocolate in the world would stop the Admins from closing it down.

I think we need a toilet paper simulation game to test these arguments!

(But should it be for the PC or the Wii?! :eek: I don't want to imagine the wiimote moves...)

[Sierra Indigo]

I think we need a toilet paper simulation game to test these arguments!

I think the 360 would be the premium platform for this game. The graphics and support would be top-notch.

[Derleth]

I think the 360 would be the premium platform for this game. The graphics and support would be top-notch.Bah. Clearly the PDP-1 would be superior. No other computer comes close to accurately modeling debris around Uranus.

[Leah M]

Bah. Clearly the PDP-1 would be superior. No other computer comes close to accurately modeling debris around Uranus.

And think of the texture mapping!

You'd really be able to feel the 2-ply.

[shijinn]

over here, threads devolve into something else altogether. :p

[bbs2k]

over here, threads devolve into something else altogether. :pMy favorite part is at the end when we've all sorted out the problem and everyone agrees and is happy!

[fluiddruid]

Honestly, this is why we need a games forum here. I imagine it would easily be several cuts above your average game board.Stay tuned. :)

[Stringer]

The SomethingAwful Games forum is my game forum of choice. Most threadshitters and other console war nonsense are banned.

[shy guy]

I think the Penny Arcade forums are great. I spend more time there than I do here.

[XT]

Stay tuned.

Don't tease us!

-XT

[Giraffe]

Don't tease us!

-XThttp://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=17

[fluiddruid]

And, since this thread isn't too Pittish, I'm going to go ahead and move this thread on over to the new forum. Mwa hahahahaha hahaha!

[Really Not All That Bright]

I think the 360 would be the premium platform for this game. The graphics and support would be top-notch.
Brings a whole new meaning to "red ring of death"....

Wow. Justin Bailey asks for a new forum and within 24 hours he gets it.

What exactly is TubaDiva doing in those pictures you've got, Justin?

[Zoe]

I was hoping for a new forum. But I thought it might be one in which we didn't have to post about impending death in Pointless and Mundane Stuff.

Guess I'll survive. Y'all have serious fun!

[Pithy Moniker]

http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=17

Excellent news. I've been hoping for just such a forum!

[Autumn Almanac]

It's funny. Kotaku.com, even though the actual site content is really unprofessional, usually riddled with typos and errors, etc., the comment threads are great. They're heavily moderated and you actually have to "audition" to even get posting privileges. On the other hand, Joystiq.com is really well-written and professional-looking, but the comment threads are atrocious. I've never read the Penny Arcade forums though, I'll have to head over and check them out.

[Least Original User Name Ever]

There are a couple of sites that I visit that aren't so evil. One is here (www.thexlc.com) and the other is here (www.2old2play.com). Both sites tend to cater to the older gamer.

[Justin_Bailey]

Wow. Justin Bailey asks for a new forum and within 24 hours he gets it.

What exactly is TubaDiva doing in those pictures you've got, Justin?

Eh, no pictures. I've been bitching about a games and sports forum for months now. The admins were probably just sick of hearing me whine about it, again, in another thread.

Or maybe I really do have pictures and wouldn't you like to see?

[Fuji]

I'm not sure what sort of video game forums you mean. I mean are we talking just console games in general? But in terms of specialty computer game forums, mostly revolving around their typically rather deep history-based strategy games, I think the Paradox forums are pretty decent:

http://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php

That was precisely the forum I was thinking of when I opened this thread. I've been a member of that board for 7 years now, and their games and fora are both top-notch in terms of professionalism.

Are there any other Paradox gamers out there? They make just the kind of games that history-minded Dopers should really get into.

[Illuminatiprimus]

I'm a Paradox gamer. Well, was - I was heavily into EU/2 and Crusader Kings but kind of died off after that. I was looking forward to EU3, installed it and played for about an hour and haven't played it since. Oh, and Victoria is way beyond my ability to understand, let alone master.

You are right that the forums are very well behaved. I don't think I've ever seen threadshitting or even pointless waffling.

[Johnny Angel]

I've found that gaming forums often break down into disagreements over who's "teh gayest." Here at The Straight Dope Message Board, we don't need an intermediary subject. We can have civilized discussions about who among us is teh gayest without having to involve video games at all.

[Gukumatz]

I've found that gaming forums often break down into disagreements over who's "teh gayest." Here at The Straight Dope Message Board, we don't need an intermediary subject. We can have civilized discussions about who among us is teh gayest without having to involve video games at all.

We also have actually gay people, rendering the whole contest point kind of moot.

[Jayn_Newell]

We also have actually gay people, rendering the whole contest point kind of moot.
Yes, but who's gayer? Sampiro or matt_mcl?

[RandMcnally]

That was precisely the forum I was thinking of when I opened this thread. I've been a member of that board for 7 years now, and their games and fora are both top-notch in terms of professionalism.

Are there any other Paradox gamers out there? They make just the kind of games that history-minded Dopers should really get into.



I agree. I started with their games with Hearts of Iron, then just kept on going with their releases. Victoria is my favorite. I have never seen a gaming forum that had so much sway with the developers.

[Ponder Stibbons]

Yes, but who's gayer? Sampiro or matt_mcl?If only there was some video game that could determine this once and for all! ;)

[Illuminatiprimus]

I agree. I started with their games with Hearts of Iron, then just kept on going with their releases. Victoria is my favorite. I have never seen a gaming forum that had so much sway with the developers.

When you make niche games then consultation with fans (especially the more hard core) is particularly important.

[Justin_Bailey]

If only there was some video game that could determine this once and for all! ;)

matt_mcl takes it in a squeaker

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=sampiro+gay&word2=matt_mcl+gay

[Ludovic]

I think we need a toilet paper simulation game to test these arguments!

(But should it be for the PC or the Wii?! :eek: I don't want to imagine the wiimote moves...)That would be a good video game -- for me to POOP ON!

[Really Not All That Bright]

matt_mcl takes it in a squeaker

http://www.googlefight.com/index.php?lang=en_GB&word1=sampiro+gay&word2=matt_mcl+gay
You are quickly becoming my favorite poster.

If I could somehow breed you and Vinyl Turnip I could produce The World's Funniest Post Ever.

[Justin_Bailey]

You are quickly becoming my favorite poster.

Awesome, I thought I was pretty invisible around here. :D

[Illuminatiprimus]

Awesome, I thought I was pretty invisible around here. :D

Not from where I'm standing, you're one of the few posters whose name I can actually remember. :) Seriously, it's like being in a forum populated by Culture vessels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_%28The_Culture%29) .

[Amp]

Yes, but who's gayer? Sampiro or matt_mcl?If only there was some video game that could determine this once and for all! ;)
Viva Piñata

[Pithy Moniker]

Viva Piñata


Ok, I'm laughing my ass off at that one.


And Justin Bailey, you're one of the few posters I can remember. I just think of Metroid!

[Hogwash]

Video game forums are generally fucking worthless because they mostly consist of kids, and people that can do great impressions of kids. I was there once, a zealous 15 year old salivating over every Xbox press release in the lead up to the launch, 'bashing' the PS2 fans with all my factoids about developers and polygon counts. Looking over old posts makes me sob with shame. I even spelled it 'definately'...

[Jurph]

Happily, we now have The Game Room, where calm and thoughtful adults can answer each other's questions about games without having to endure a horde of illiterate thirteen-year-old meth fiends speaking in tongues.

[XT]

Agreed. Now I can get my fix of endlessly talking about Total War and Sins of a Solar Empire with people who are actually worth talking to. :)

-XT

[E-Sabbath]

True. Here, I can talk about the new 2008 Deathtrack, and there might be someone who actually played the '89 version.

[Jayn_Newell]

Viva Piñata
You mean they're whacking each other with their sticks? I'm suddenly reminded of a Greek play that was put on at my school once...

[Least Original User Name Ever]

Agreed. Now I can get my fix of endlessly talking about Total War and Sins of a Solar Empire with people who are actually worth talking to. :)

-XT


I have legs.

[tanstaafl]

Seriously, it's like being in a forum populated by Culture vessels (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_ships_%28The_Culture%29) .
You know, I never thought of the names of Culture ships as being equivalent to board names, but that fits, doesn't it. You know the Culture Minds have their own version of the SDMB.

And I've always wanted to see a GSV named I'm Sorry, Was That Your Planet?.

[Fuji]

I'm a Paradox gamer. Well, was - I was heavily into EU/2 and Crusader Kings but kind of died off after that. I was looking forward to EU3, installed it and played for about an hour and haven't played it since. Oh, and Victoria is way beyond my ability to understand, let alone master.

You are right that the forums are very well behaved. I don't think I've ever seen threadshitting or even pointless waffling.

(Sorry for the delayed response)

If you've got $20 for the EU3 expansion, Napoleon's Ambition (NA), I'd heartily recommend picking it up. Like you, I was really looking forward to EU3, then when it came out, I was greatly disappointed in the released product. However, with NA installed, it's almost like a different game.

Not only have they optimized game performance, so that the game runs much faster and hogs fewer system resources, with the latest patch (2.2), the AI is actually the best I have seen in any of their games, all the way back to EU1. It now plays without cheats and can be very cunning on a tactical level. Definitely the most challenging Paradox game I've played (though EU2 was still the most fun).

[Fuji]

I agree. I started with their games with Hearts of Iron, then just kept on going with their releases. Victoria is my favorite. I have never seen a gaming forum that had so much sway with the developers.

Hmm... Victoria, you say? You must be a micro-management masochist. :p

I kid, I kid. Vicky's a great game, but it is definitely deep and with a near-vertical learning curve. Certainly not a beer-and-pretzels type of experience like EU or HoI.

Love those pops!

[Really Not All That Bright]

You know, I never thought of the names of Culture ships as being equivalent to board names, but that fits, doesn't it. You know the Culture Minds have their own version of the SDMB.

And I've always wanted to see a GSV named I'm Sorry, Was That Your Planet?.
I always preferred the Affronter ship names. I use Kiss the Blade as my handle for most online action games....

L.O.U.N.E.[/B]]I have legs.
Do y'like... bread?

[Illuminatiprimus]

I think Really not all that bright would be a good name for a Culture vessel, personally.

Fuji - it wasn't that I disliked EU3 particularly, it's just that it didn't really wow me. I clocked up so many hours playing EU2 and then just seemed to not really care that much about EU3. I think I'm into other things now as none of Paradox's products really turn me on anymore.

[RandMcnally]

Hmm... Victoria, you say? You must be a micro-management masochist. :p

I kid, I kid. Vicky's a great game, but it is definitely deep and with a near-vertical learning curve. Certainly not a beer-and-pretzels type of experience like EU or HoI.

Love those pops!


Yeah, I've been playing this game since it first came out and I'm finally starting to not have to cheat that much. It takes a lot of effort to learn, but hey, I'm an alternative-history geek, so this game is right up my alley.

[Least Original User Name Ever]

I always preferred the Affronter ship names. I use Kiss the Blade as my handle for most online action games....


Do y'like... bread?
I have a French loaf.