WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT RIGHT NOW?

I must say, I'm disappointed with some of the negativity towards this site and the staff lately. I'm speaking from the point of view of a forum-goer, not a moderator (which really isn't considered actual staff anyway). I fail at fully comprehending some of the thoughts floating around here, but I'll try.

First, the political buzzwords, like WIPocracy, Holbocracy, dictatorship, what have you. Staff = community. That's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. There are several forums, within them threads, and within those messages all created by this community discussing various things; from game design to favorite colors. Did the staff remove everyone's ability to post? Do they in any way dictate when you can or cannot converse with another? Of course not; the community lives, breathes, and thrives on its own. Moderators are put in place to keep things from getting ugly or to uphold the rules (yes, every forum has rules, deal with it). But, very little moderation is needed.

Second, and more prevalent, accusing site staff of not caring about the community or its input. I have difficulty wrapping my brain around this cesspool of a sentiment. Guys, removing forums or removing signatures are not community decisions. They are site creative decisions and they don't belong in our hands. The staff has allowed, and welcomed, discussion on these policies and hearing the "voices of dissent," DESPITE the fact that these changes have not removed or in any way detracted from the community aspect of this site. It's childish, and selfish, to argue that the staff doesn't care about the community when all the staff has really done is hindered your ability to exploit server resources and forum real estate to your own personal ends.

I don't even mean to say that advertising your game is wrong. Everyone should want to advertise their games. The site staff is trying as best they can to offer everything they can to game developers (and they do offer a LOT more than most other sites), while being friendly to forum-goers and mindful of bandwidth usage, which is so very generously paid without ever asking for a cent from any of us (at least as of now, heh). To me, if that means they have decided to require people to click on a user's profile to see what they have made instead of allowing that information to be thrown in your face several times per thread, I'd say the site staff is even enhancing the community experience.

You don't have to see things this way, but I beseech you, please don't accuse any staff member for not caring about the community.

SFL casts ultima on the topic. 9999 damage, dead, ff victory jingle, level up.

Seriously. Be happy with the fact that the staff is so actively engaged in the site, and constantly thinking about how to improve it. You never, ever see that.

SF you sure have a big brain thinkin' 'bout all that stuff

bahleted

...if only I had more power...

I am the invisible hand that guides the good ship RMN.

Flanders: With great power, comes great responsibility.
Homer: Who said that?! I'll kill them with my power!

redacted

geoduding is a sacred art

Geodude is a troll ::) I have told him as much!