The Forum Has Been Dead Lately Is There Something To Liven Things Up?

[oldgamerz]

 I want to encourage some of our forum Newbie's and fellow Junior Members to say what is on their minds as well as the rest.

The forum has been pretty much dead lately, what could we common posters or newbies do to liven things up a bit? I am not trying to steal the show. and I am not going to not complain if anyone repeats a topic I started, in fact I will admit I may post too often.

The other forum I belonged to was somewhat strict, and some of the senior members of that forum would complain if you started a new topic without searching, but I want to tell the rest of the non posting members, that the members here are loose and don't mind anyone posting or starting a discussion.

 as long as you don't come on this site just to sell something quick and leave. Or only come only one time, to promote your YouTube videos or to annoy or insult someone

I would like to encourage all of our later members or to bring other newer people on VGcollect into the forum spotlight 

PS I am not trying to be a Forum hog

[bikingjahuty]

Probably a combination of collecting/retro gaming dying and also it's Spring Break time.

[telly]

The internet forum has been on the decline for years now too especially with the advent of Discord

[rayne315]

lol sorry I have basically disappeared. I just recently bought my first house and that is keeping me plenty busy. in the last 2 weeks (time ive owned the house) we've blown a capacitor in our garage door opener, snapped off and replaced the anchoring bolts on the upstairs toilet (thankfully it didn't break any of the water lines), fully disassembled our dryer because it wasn't adequately drying cloths (I thought the heating element was going out but the blower motor just wasn't properly seated in the assembly and was leaching air, also cleaned out 2 grocery bags full of lint trapped in the belly and exhaust pipe), and installed gutter guards.

on the list for this week is to clean the leaves off our half acre property and get grass seed started on the holes (leaves have killed the grass underneath), string a cloths line, till and re-fence the garden, and locate the thermal expansion joint for our ductwork (it bangs every 5 minutes when it heats up or cools down)

[Warmsignal]

I agree I think that this hobby is reaching a point of maturity where most topics have been thoroughly researched and discussed to a point where, there's not a lot of need to consult a forum on it. Seasoned gamers/collectors are a bit burnt out or have said all they care to say, and the hobby has become so mainstream that most basic information is readily available in streamlined and spoon-fed video form elsewhere.

That just happens when something new and interesting, like game collecting/retro gaming, is done to death. It's too bad, but all good things do eventually end. And just like that, it's gone... just mwah, like an angel's kiss.

[hoshichiri]

I've no issues starting topics when the mood strikes, but it's a matter of having something to bring up that can warrant a few posts at least. I mean, I was super stoked/surprised when I found the blue lander in Golvellius the other day- I thought he was only in The Guardian Legend. Turns out he's Compile's company mascot. That's not a topic though, it's just a cool story (bro).

Sometimes it's also a matter of best place to post- there's plenty of collector's here, but not so many people who could answer my question about repairing my Channel F. (Unless someone here can change a button on those?)

I will say, for the newbies & lurkers- if you think you've got a topic, don't be afraid to post! This is a pretty chill place, you're not gonna get blasted for "bad topics". Speak up!

[aliensstudios]

This has got to be some kind of record for seether not posting too, like half of the topics were started by him.

[telly]

This has got to be some kind of record for seether not posting too, like half of the topics were started by him.

I think he got banned but he can still view the forums. I see his name in the users online from time to time.

[Cartagia]

This has got to be some kind of record for seether not posting too, like half of the topics were started by him.

I think he got banned but he can still view the forums. I see his name in the users online from time to time.

He updated his signature to say as much, acting like a fucking pariah, but I see him on occasionally as well.

[bikingjahuty]

I agree I think that this hobby is reaching a point of maturity where most topics have been thoroughly researched and discussed to a point where, there's not a lot of need to consult a forum on it. Seasoned gamers/collectors are a bit burnt out or have said all they care to say, and the hobby has become so mainstream that most basic information is readily available in streamlined and spoon-fed video form elsewhere.

That just happens when something new and interesting, like game collecting/retro gaming, is done to death. It's too bad, but all good things do eventually end. And just like that, it's gone... just mwah, like an angel's kiss.

Beyond the evidence of it dying (declining prices on most retro games which indicate a decrease in demand), there has been a definite zeitgeist over the last couple years of interest in the hobby just disappearing. I've seen a lot of local collectors leave, retro games have been sitting way longer on store shelves, barely anyone I know actually goes out to hunt for games anymore, and prices, while declining, have been a huge deterrent for newcomers to enter. Essentially the hobby is losing interest faster than people are gaining it, and as you mentioned much of the mystery has been taken out of the hobby at this point due to information on essentially any game being readily available via youtube or other outlet.


I'm actually pretty happy it is finally dying as it means people who didn't jump in because it became trendy will likely be the only ones left when retro games flood shelves again and are significantly cheaper than they are now. I feel like the only games to be spared, at least partially from the changing tide will be those few super rare games that will always be hard enough to find where if even a few people really want them they'll stay pretty high.

[mark1982]

This forum is definitely slower than other forums that I frequent to. However this place is the most non-toxic forum for gaming that I have seen, no console war bullshit, no harassing of other members and no negativity surrounding gaming.

I sometimes have to take a break from other forums because its just too toxic at times, but people seem to flock to gaming forums to be part of the hate bandwagon and drama. I feel this place is a safe haven to come to and relax, chill, talk about the hobby we love and collect retro games. I do believe there is a decline as others mentioned however there will always be a demand for the up and coming collectors (well hopefully ).

Probably why this place is not so lively because there is no drama, only the love for collecting games.    - But yes, I agree, if you're a new member come on board and join in the conversation, this place is a lot more chill than other places. No one here is gonna bite your head off for liking a certain genre or console, the other forums I've been to, sheesh they have their knives out at all times...

[kashell]

I don't mind that the forum is slower than others. It's easier to keep track of the topics you're interested in.

And, if there are new folks here, then feel free to make a topic. Conversation is always fun.

As for the hobby itself, I hope interest is waning. I want to play the games I've missed out on for one reason or another without paying crazy high prices.

[telly]

I feel the same way, I'm friends with several people here on FB and certainly we all have other duties and responsibilities in our lives. So it doesn't bother me that the forum activity waxes and wanes from time to time.

[marvelvscapcom2]

I hate to be the guy, and every forum has one that brings people down. I don't want to always be negative and only try to come on when I have a very positive and thought provoking topic to share. I feel so bad it's been a while. I just feel lost in life and things are getting a bit down.  I lost a very valuable job oppurtunity out of anxiety holding me back and I had a relapse of sorts with social anxiety.  I feel despondent again and fearful of criticisms from others. So I have become a recluse.  I have clinical mental issues I struggle with for years. But things are getting better and maybe I will be able to get the happiness back soon.       

[atarileaf]

Interesting topic since I just happened to check this site out again after not really being here for months and posting for probably a lot longer. The main reason is, frankly, I found many of the topics "odd" and I'll leave it at that but I'm sure many can figure what I mean. I just got tired of scrolling through nonsense topics and questions.

I barely use the database and collection management either. The reason for that is that as many have noticed, collecting has gone down and I'm one of those who don't hunt anymore. The only thing I really buy are Atari homebrews and am on the pre-order list for the Collectorvision Phoenix and as such, have reacquired a few Colecovision games.  Other than that, I don't really buy anything gaming related.

As for forums in general being down in use, the only forum I still frequent is Atariage and it is still running strong with lots of new threads and discussions on a daily, even hourly basis. It has a very strong user base and the site is very well supported. One of the best gaming forums IMO. For me this forum and its members are mostly younger and lean more to consoles and games that aren't of interest to me. The only other forum I used to frequent was Digit Press and that really is a pretty much dead forum and I was never a fan of Nintendo Age so that only leaves Atariage for me but I also post and follow many gaming groups on facebook.

I can't think of a way to liven it up. These things have a natural ebb and flow. It's like trying to force a conversation - it just becomes awkward and uncomfortable.