Sites for intelligent (or at least smartish) discussion of PC games?

Cafe Society
1

Pretty much like the subject line says. Where’s the smart discussion of games going on?

So far the only site I’ve found is the terrific Rock Paper Shotgun blog, which offers intelligent, insightful and (best of all) funny news/commentary on PC releases. The writers’ obsession with Peggle is hilarious.

As much as I enjoy blogs, I prefer message boards when it comes to discussions. Are there any where relatively mature people congregate and interact? I don’t mean to sound like a snob … though I’m sure I do … but when visiting game forums I see very little except mindless chatter. I know they’re just games, and I further know I’m far from the intended demographic (a 40-year-old female), but screw it, I likes me some good PC gaming and I’d like to see what others have to say. There’s gotta be some other hangout for adult gamers who enjoy discussing some of the genre’s bigger picture issues, instead of (or at least in addition to) focusing on Alyx Vance’s ass.

So if you Dopers know of any forums – or even more blogs or other commentary sites – please start recommending some!

2

Good luck with this one - in my experience all computer game forums are populated by <15 retards.

3

I know, you’re probably right. All I’ve found are sites where the kiddies throw around insults such as “gay.”

Or, um, “retard.” :dubious:

4

My husband, a former Doper, loves the forums at www.Beyond3D.com . Both makers and users of games discuss the games there. He also likes http://www.neogaf.com.

5

Thanks, Maastricht! I’ll give those links a try. The first one seems quite industry-oriented, but the game section might be just the ticket.

Is your husband in the gaming industry?

6

No, but he is a programmer and can appreciate the technical know-how behind a good game, and how such tecnical aspects (both in the graphics, the design, and the “feel” and story of the game) influence the game-experience.
He also says the board is well moderated, with users awarding creditpoints to valuable posts and posters.

He also likes Beyond3D because of the “general discussion”-section, which reminds him of SDMB.