# \[Game\] tag for thread games. **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [October 1, 2014, 5:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062 "2014-10-01T05:48:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![voltaire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voltaire/32/313_2.png) [@voltaire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/voltaire)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/41 "2014-10-02T04:22:48Z")
> [@voltaire](#): > > … since the hamsters were but pups. Reading that back now, I wish I hadn’t ended my post with something so close to “… the hamsters were _butt plugs_.” :eek: GJ to all those involved in the clean up, much better! Baby steps… ---
**Author:** ![Jinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d9b06d/32.png) [@Jinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinks)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/42 "2014-10-02T11:24:09Z")
I just wanted to add my approval to the current system of labelling only thread games with prefixes. The number of thread games has been increasingly frustrating me lately and this makes it much easier to find content I have an interest in. I know I do not contribute much but I’ve visited the SDMB forums daily for years. To put my money where my mouth is I have finally paid to become a member. Special thanks to **Dex**. ---
**Author:** ![Turble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8dc957/32.png) [@Turble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turble)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/43 "2014-10-02T15:22:44Z")
The current cure is far worse than the disease. If you want to make the labels so _**[INTRUSIVE]**_ , how about you make them blink and jiggle. Since most people **WANT** to ignore the game threads and only a few actively seek them out, why not make the label something more subtle – easier for uninterested people to ignore but still available for those who want to play. Maybe something like starting the game threads with a lower case g or even a dash or a tilde or the like. This **[GAME]** is a government bureaucrat type label, huge and ugly, an eyesore, difficult to “not see”, but certainly ignored by almost everyone. ---
**Author:** ![ISiddiqui](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/97f17d/32.png) [@ISiddiqui](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ISiddiqui)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2014, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/44 "2014-10-02T15:41:45Z")
As someone who just comes in here for the discussions, let me say thank you for for this! It makes the forum much better, IMO. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 11:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/45 "2014-10-03T11:13:54Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > **[GREETING]** Hi there. > > **[SUGGESTION]** Label only the game threads. I suggest \*\*GAME: \*\*. It’s easy to type, and easily seen. > > **[CLOSING]** Thanks! Maybe it would have been more clear if you’d used Bullitt points. ---
**Author:** ![Aquadementia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aquadementia/32/555_2.png) [@Aquadementia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aquadementia)\ **Post date:** [October 3, 2014, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/46 "2014-10-03T13:46:48Z")
Which would you rather have? Another bad bank story… Is there a name for this hyper-annoying singing style? [GAME] SIX-Letter Word-Change one or two letters make a new [GAME] Seven letter words cjange one or two letter to make a new word Battle of Hastings [GAME] Made-Up, False and Flat-out Wrong Trivia Dominoes What city is this? Adult, legal Adderall use - long-term consequences? [GAME] Speak to me only in Movie Quotes We Have Pigeon Eggs Tiger sauce [GAME] Trivia Dominoes: Play Off the Last Bit of Trivia [GAME] Speak to me only in Simpsons Quotes MLB: Post-season [GAME] Speak To Me Only in Song Lyrics Elephants Gerald Brisket Porn, SDMB Poker 4th Qtr 2014 Or Another bad bank story… Is there a name for this hyper-annoying singing style? § SIX-Letter Word-Change one or two letters make a new § Seven letter words cjange one or two letter to make a new word Battle of Hastings § Made-Up, False and Flat-out Wrong Trivia Dominoes What city is this? Adult, legal Adderall use - long-term consequences? § Speak to me only in Movie Quotes We Have Pigeon Eggs Tiger sauce § Trivia Dominoes: Play Off the Last Bit of Trivia § Speak to me only in Simpsons Quotes MLB: Post-season § Speak To Me Only in Song Lyrics Elephants Gerald Brisket Porn, SDMB Poker 4th Qtr 2014 When I search New Posts the [GAME] labels take all my attention. It is so abrasive and cluttered that I find it hard to notice the threads inbetween them. It’s like these are suddenly the most important threads on the boards instead of some extra fun we have. Hey, I like games but you’ve just turned your board on its head. In the second set I used the [ASCII](http://www.ascii-code.com/) symbol §. Because it’s ASCII it will show in everyone’s browser. It’s a small eye bump instead of a brick wall. Instead of screaming [GAME] it casually drops a hint. If the objection is that people won’t know what § means, well, people on Straight Dope are not idiots. I trust everyone will pick it up in short order. Or we could go back to doing nothing. I thought things were fine as they were. Of course if you don’t like that particular symbol there are a few other rarely used ASCII symbols that could be used instead. Make a poll and let the users decide what they want. § ---
**Author:** ![Max\_the\_Immortal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/6de8d8/32.png) [@Max\_the\_Immortal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_the_Immortal)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/47 "2014-10-04T05:56:10Z")
The tags are a real eyesore, and they draw the eye. Besides, even if I don’t open 90% of game threads, I don’t want to ignore _all_ of them. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/48 "2014-10-04T20:01:03Z")
> [@Aquadementia](#): > > When I search New Posts the [GAME] labels take all my attention. It is so abrasive and cluttered that I find it hard to notice the threads inbetween them. > […] > > In the second set I used the [ASCII](http://www.ascii-code.com/) symbol §. Because it’s ASCII it will show in everyone’s browser. It’s a small eye bump instead of a brick wall. Instead of screaming [GAME] it casually drops a hint. > > […] > > Of course if you don’t like that particular symbol there are a few other rarely used ASCII symbols that could be used instead. > > Make a poll and let the users decide what they want. > > § But the ASCII character would need to be easy to type if you want people to use it. It doesn’t need to be that infrequently used, either, as long as it’s one that wouldn’t usually start a title. Heck even “$” would work since you are following it by a space. And we can always experiment with two things put together, like, say, (). Also note that, as long as there is something in the title we all agree on, it shouldn’t be that hard for someone to write a script that would hide or grey out game threads to make them stand out less. I’d write one myself if I wasn’t having issues right now. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/49 "2014-10-04T20:13:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > Maybe it would have been more clear if you’d used Bullitt points. I’ll give you 5 **Bullitt** points for that one. ---
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [October 4, 2014, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/50 "2014-10-04T23:45:23Z")
FWIW, I think the obtrusive Game tag is superior, because it’s easier to see and filter out. A less obtrusive tag by definition takes more cognitive load to notice and is therefore slightly harder to filter out. ---
**Author:** ![Dendarii\_Dame](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bbce88/32.png) [@Dendarii\_Dame](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dendarii_Dame)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/51 "2014-10-05T22:43:58Z")
I don’t mind the GAME label as it currently stands, but a less-obtrusive one is fine with me. I thoroughly enjoy posting to these threads, and usually don’t read the discussion ones. Maybe a separate forum for each would be a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2014, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/52 "2014-10-05T23:28:07Z")
> [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](#): > > FWIW, I think the obtrusive Game tag is superior, because it’s easier to see and filter out. A less obtrusive tag by definition takes more cognitive load to notice and is therefore slightly harder to filter out. \>\> cognitive load… Two reactions: Either (A) Hmm, never heard thst phrase before. Or (B) When I hear ‘cognitive load’ I think it’s early morning, I’ve got the sports page in hand, and I’m walking to the throne and telling my wife don’t bother me, it’s gonna be a while. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2014, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/53 "2014-10-12T03:07:52Z")
I’d rather have a separate forum for the thread games but the GAME label isn’t too bad and let’s me immediately move past a thread without having to decide its subject. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/54 "2014-10-16T02:35:38Z")
i never minded game threads, and have occasionally posted to some, but has there always been this many? is new content dwindling or does it just appear to be so? ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/55 "2014-10-16T13:22:32Z")
They’re kind of snowballing. A lot of these game threads have an effectively unlimited shelf life, so they pile up over time. ---
**Author:** ![DKW](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dkw/32/3118_2.png) [@DKW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DKW)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2014, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/56 "2014-10-17T06:23:43Z")
Okay, I see where the problem is now. Mostly I want there to be as little friction and stepping on each others’ toes as possible. The main reason I’ve stuck with this message board for so long is that it’s always been cool. Basic courtesy is an absolute requirement, everyone has rights, and the moderators want to do what’s best for everyone. If one subgroup is causing headaches for everyone else, I say put a stop to it. And to that end, if it reaches the point where the game threads are cluttering up the front page too much, they should get their own forum. I don’t think we’ve reached that point yet, but from what I’ve heard here we’re nudging perilously close. Should at least consider it as a future possibility. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2014, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/57 "2014-10-18T14:42:20Z")
i was actually referring to the “new posts” search but come to think of it, due to the nature of the game threads being constantly posted to, i guess it’s no surprise they’re appearing constantly. the uniform tags also draws attention to it, and make it seem to be more numerous than it already is. ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2014, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/58 "2014-10-23T16:09:04Z")
> [@shijinn](#): > > i was actually referring to the “new posts” search but come to think of it, due to the nature of the game threads being constantly posted to, i guess it’s no surprise they’re appearing constantly. the uniform tags also draws attention to it, and make it seem to be more numerous than it already is. Actually the tags don’t make it seem more numerous than they already are. The tags are just making it more obvious to people browsing the Game Room that “Wow, those guys that were bitching about this weren’t making this up after all!”. On my screen right now I think there are close to 30 threads showing and only 2 are non-thread games. Funny thing is that if you look at them it’s the same 10 posters or so keeping all of the GAME threads alive. They never just post to 1. They always run down the front page and post to most/all of them at the same time. Then the next guy does the same thing etc… This is why they never fall off the top and just seem to increase in number, because they never end. Either way the GAME tag does let me scan through to the non GAME threads quicker than before so whatevs. ETA: Actually not 30 threads. More like 23-24 with 3 non-game threads showing. ---
**Author:** ![Alicira](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ea666f/32.png) [@Alicira](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alicira)\ **Post date:** [January 26, 2015, 8:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/59 "2015-01-26T08:22:55Z")
I just wanted to add my approval to the current system of labelling only thread games with prefixes. ---
**Author:** ![Idle\_Thoughts](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/838e76/32.png) [@Idle\_Thoughts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idle_Thoughts)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2015, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062/60 "2015-01-27T19:20:42Z")
With the adding of a new forum, this sticky/rule set becomes redundant. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/game-tag-for-thread-games/700062.md?page=2)