Far too many negative threads

[Sid Soggybottom]

As a fansite, I really think there should be a balance maintained in the site with both the positive and negative threads. Ever since release, I've seen far far too much complaint and negative threads in this forum. How do you think it looks to newcomers? Not good I can tell you.

While trying to introduce my friend to GW, he asked me to refer him to their official forums so he can get a feel for the game...of course there is no official forum. So I made the mistake of directing him here. So needless to say, he's wary of the game because of all the negativity and hardly any positives. But fortunately, he trusts my word over a bunch of disgruntled forum goers.

The point is, this is a fansite. It really needs to be cleaned up. I dont mean this as a harsh criticism, since I know it's hard work....but it's gotten to the point where I don't even want to go to this forum just to see yet another thread about someone ranting about a complaint.

It's great that we can voice our opinions, but not everyone should be able to start yet another thread on a topic that's been beaten to death.

[Lasareth]

I fall back on the saying "those who enjoy the game are currently playing it."

I agree that too much negativity is a bad thing, but (maybe unfortunately) everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it is backed up by sufficient reasoning. We try to get the "OMG NERF" threads as quickly as they appear and we try to merge threads that are about the same thing, but a lot of people just enjoy complaining it seems.

So yes, the same dead horse should be beaten in the same topic, and that's what we try to do. Each topic that offers constructive feedback on a new idea, however, seems fine with me, as constructive criticism can often lead to improvements.

Also, tell your friend to look through the threads as well. For every complaint you can find at least one well-reasoned argument against that complaint. It's just that not a lot of people make "[game mechanic] is the best!" because it's hard to offer ideas for improvement if something is viewed as perfect already.

[Samuel Dravis]

Remember that if people didn't like the game they wouldn't complain nearly so much. They'd just move on to the next game.

So you see, everyone here loves it.

[Doomlord_Slayermann]

Originally Posted by Lasareth

I fall back on the saying "those who enjoy the game are currently playing it."

This is quite true. Moreover I think that for every new GW release/major update we have the whiners hit the forums first while the rest of the people are actually having fun playing. Eventually, most have finished and drift back on to the forums. In effect, we have a "spike" of negativity at each release.

That's how I see it.

[Xenrath]

How about: if you don't like it, don't read it? Sorry but the author of this post has done his fair share of extending certain topics (by quite a bit)

As already observed previously there seems to be a wideranging disquiet, as noted by Inde ages back, across all the GW forums. Perhaps instead of yet another "stfu" type of post, which is what the OP is really trying to say, there should be a moment to pause and ask why there seems to be such a disquiet across the boards?

As an observation I think probably the worst time was down to Factions, with Nightfall the complaints actually appear to have lessened somewhat.

Finally here's a thought: I guess it hasn't occurred to some people that maybe people make posts which aren't necessarily glowing in praise, wait for it, because they are fans and would like to see some things improved or fixed and such?? If nobody complained about anything, we'd still be living in the stone age.

I don't have anything against complaint posts, if anything they should be encouraged for the above reason alone, what I'm getting heartily sick of is the "whine" comment being thrown around and people wanting to stifle all criticism seemingly. Not to mention the trolling.

[Thom Bangalter]

Originally Posted by Lasareth

I fall back on the saying "those who enjoy the game are currently playing it."

I agree that too much negativity is a bad thing, but (maybe unfortunately) everyone is entitled to their opinion as long as it is backed up by sufficient reasoning. We try to get the "OMG NERF" threads as quickly as they appear and we try to merge threads that are about the same thing, but a lot of people just enjoy complaining it seems.

So yes, the same dead horse should be beaten in the same topic, and that's what we try to do. Each topic that offers constructive feedback on a new idea, however, seems fine with me, as constructive criticism can often lead to improvements.

Also, tell your friend to look through the threads as well. For every complaint you can find at least one well-reasoned argument against that complaint. It's just that not a lot of people make "[game mechanic] is the best!" because it's hard to offer ideas for improvement if something is viewed as perfect already.

I completely agree. No one is going to come onto one of the largest forums about guild wars and be like "omg the game is perfect". People love to point out flaws about, well anything. Mostly out of boredom. If something is too difficult or they have trouble thinking their way around an obstacle, a lot of players are bound to come complain about it. Sometimes other players will come and agree with them, and generally someone plays the devil's advocate, and someone plays the troll.

I remember my days on a magic: the gathering forum, and it was basically the same. People would complain that a card was too powerful, others would come and get pointers about their deck, and others would post really unconstructive topics.

The rules are slightly different though. Because this is a video game with live updates, instead of using skills at hand to counter a particular build, they can cry for a nerf instead of using the brain I know they have (we're on a video game forum for chrissakes, we're all pretty nerdy).

Furthermore, a lot of the main repeated threads I see on guru are things that can be of a legitimate concern but have yet to change (see: storage, auction house). Because there are elements of the game that aren't as good as other games and have yet to be improved, people generally complain in the hopes that someone will hear them and take note and eventually implement a desired feature.

[fallot]

Originally Posted by Sid Soggybottom

As a fansite, I really think there should be a balance maintained in the site with both the positive and negative threads.

I disagree. The purpose of this website is to serve the community, not show a nice face to prospective players. Your idea sounds like extreme censorship to me. There will be negative unconstructive topics, those will probably be closed. There will be negative topics with merit, those should remain open regardless of the impression they give.

When people are satisfied, they tend not to make any topics at all rather than ones filled with glowing praise. That kind of thing is reserved for shills and fanbois. I'd be worried if I started to see a lot of topics that praised ANet and GW. Perhaps you should show your friend some other official forums for established games. Try WoW, SWG and EQ2 forums.

[Sid Soggybottom]

I came back to this thread to say the mods are doing a great job closing a lot of the "garbage" threads that have been popping up and cleaning up a few others as well. You guys have a tough job, far too many people seem to hit the "create thread" button whenever they feel like ranting or flaming.

And to Fallot, notice how I said "A balance between negative and positive threads?" I never said there shouldnt be ANY negative threads. As long as they arent flamebait and address actual problems, I have no problem with them.

My gripe was that there was TOO much negativity and it was crushing anything that wasnt a complaint or a rant. Besides, forums ARE heavily censored, but only because they have to delete the flames, insults and just plain garbage from people. If you expected forums to be free speech and not censored, all you'd see are people bickering like kids with insults and flaming. Even more so than now that is.

And one more thing Fallot. Just because some people choose not to complain all the time and choose to make topics with glowing praise, does not make them "shills" and "fanbois"

Originally Posted by Xenrath

How about: if you don't like it, don't read it?

Then why have mods at all? How about let everyone spam and say whatever the hell they want as long as the people who don't like it ignore it?

Originally Posted by Xenrath

Sorry but the author of this post has done his fair share of extending certain topics (by quite a bit)

Yay. Came in here just to take potshots at me?

Originally Posted by Xenrath

As already observed previously there seems to be a wideranging disquiet, as noted by Inde ages back, across all the GW forums. Perhaps instead of yet another "stfu" type of post, which is what the OP is really trying to say

Yeah putting words in my mouth just to take yet another potshot.

Originally Posted by Xenrath

Finally here's a thought: I guess it hasn't occurred to some people that maybe people make posts which aren't necessarily glowing in praise, wait for it, because they are fans and would like to see some things improved or fixed and such?? If nobody complained about anything, we'd still be living in the stone age.

Yet another poster who can't read. Read what I said about a "Balance between negative and positive threads" Did I say anything about deleting EVERYTHING negative? There's a point where there's just too many rant threads and that's what I'm talking about. Go peek your head out and see how many closed negative threads are out there now and you'll see my point.

[fallot]

Originally Posted by Sid Soggybottom

And to Fallot, notice how I said "A balance between negative and positive threads?" I never said there shouldnt be ANY negative threads. As long as they arent flamebait and address actual problems, I have no problem with them.

I didn't get that impression from your post. What if all you see are negative threads with valid concerns ? Would there be any need to enforce some kind of balance there ? If the answer is yes I disagree with you.

Originally Posted by Sid Soggybottom

Besides, forums ARE heavily censored, but only because they have to delete the flames, insults and just plain garbage from people.

Yes, I actually couldn't find a word for what I was trying to express. Perhaps quality-control ? Maybe content-control would be more appropirate ? Label it as you wish as long as the point goes across, that's all I want.

Originally Posted by Sig Soggybottom

And one more thing Fallot. Just because some people choose not to complain all the time and choose to make topics with glowing praise, does not make them "shills" and "fanbois"

I admit that was an unfair comment to make. If I saw a large amount of such threads I'd be worried though, perhaps its the skeptic in me

Originally Posted by Sid Soggybottom

Yet another poster who can't read. Read what I said about a "Balance between negative and positive threads" Did I say anything about deleting EVERYTHING negative? There's a point where there's just too many rant threads and that's what I'm talking about. Go peek your head out and see how many closed negative threads are out there now and you'll see my point.

That kind of reminds me, the fan forums are the place where ANet directs you to voice complaints and concerns with the game, its natural that there be a lot of grievances expressed. This is the home for rants. It's the moderators' duty to filter those that have no substance, but not to "balance" the content IMO.

[Sid Soggybottom]

Originally Posted by fallot

I didn't get that impression from your post. What if all you see are negative threads with valid concerns ? Would there be any need to enforce some kind of balance there ? If the answer is yes I disagree with you.

If the threads aren't just rants and arent duplicate threads of existing threads, I have no problem with it.The problem is when there's a million threads of the same topic (negative or not). For example, the A.I. complaint has been beaten to death by tons of different threads. Do we really need that?

But as I said before, the mods seem to be getting a handle on closing the redundant negative threads now.

[fallot]

Alright that's fair, I misunderstood your stance.

[OlMurraniKasale]

Redundant threads sometimes come about because the search feature . . . lacks vibrancy (<-- I'm thinking other words actually). I search all the time, and it takes real talent to dig out the dirt.

As for forums with too much negativity, well, its a forum. In marketing, people love to complain to others but often won't tell people about the good things. If you want more balance, make more positive posts. Don't let the moderators hack at the posts all by themselves.

Be the change you want to see in the world.

[Former Ruling]

It'd be dumb to have threads like "OMG, I love [part of game]" over and over again, where the only responses are "Me too!"

A forum is a good way to show your concerns about the game. Remember as you look at the rants though...They wouldn't be trying to make it "better" (in their eyes) is they weren't Already Playing It - So rant threads are a great advertisement IMO.

[Sergio Leone]

Just repeating the obvious -

Like in the media, people here dwell on the bad and remember it for ages. When someone does something good it's usually just a pat on back and a Good Job from a friend. Unfortunately this is just society.

Personally I believe criticism is a positive thing. Too much is bad but the mods and admins do a fantastic job. So compliments to you all.

As far as new members getting a bad impression, the sites still growing =)

[Sai Rith]

Originally Posted by Sid Soggybottom

. I've seen far far too much complaint threads in this forum.

Like this?

And also, negative threads HELP ANET more than positive threads. They can see where they need improvement and what doesn't.

[Omega X]

Originally Posted by Sai Rith

Like this?

And also, negative threads HELP ANET more than positive threads. They can see where they need improvement and what doesn't.

Nonconstructive complaints doesn't help anyone.

85% of negative threads here are whining and griefing. Yet many of them never get closed for some unknown reason.

*que Inde*

[Liv Von Stantvoort]

The reason for negative threads is because players who have paid money to play guild wars are unhappy with the product.

What sort of fascist forum would stop those players from having a voice? Thankfully not this one.

Chief concerns:

instability compared with other mmos (play eve or wow to see how its done right)

poor product (factions)

poor support (no gamemaster, untailored auto-response, see wow)

poor progression (reused skins, unimaginative weapons, ai, see wow)

immature PR (compare Gaile Gray to Any other PR in Any other company)


the list is endless.

Point is, some people want the most out of everything they do/play. some people settle. The latter don't complain.

[Malice Black]

GW is for the average joe who plays for a couple hours a week it was never really intended for hardcore MMO players.

[Cow Tale]

there really are far too many negative gw haters on here. i wish the moderators would ban gw haters on sight. this is after all a Gw fansite, not a hate site. i swear people make accounts on guru just to b*tch about gws.

[Malice Black]

Can't ban people for expressing their opinion if it is done in a constructive and civil manner. Granted there has been a lot of retarded posts lately one of which was recently deleted. There is a few more in Riverside that need deleting.