2015 is not a good year for the VGC

[LoganRuckman]

I don't understand the complaints about the VGC reviews getting too long. They take, what, 2-3 minutes to read? Are people's attention spans really that short, that they can't handle a couple of extra sentences? OP, you need to invest in Twitter, bro.

Also, I think it's a terrible idea to shorten your reviews because some people would like it. You do you. If you start altering your reviews just to please people, and don't go with what you like, your writing will suffer because of it. If you want to, do it, if not, don't.

[Tron]

I agree that the new format licks, but I don't think it reason enough to abandon the boards. Also the Critic was renting the old format. This one is entirely his so that's good right? Even though it licks it's his to lick.

I noticed his reviews were getting longer long before he switched formats. Maybe you're seeing something I dont. I like longer reviews as long as he stays on topic.

The conversations may feel stilted due to censorship. You have to be careful what you type, because things will get edited. Also I don't see any outrageous personalities on these boards anymore. I think they've all been banned. Waiting for mod approval is still a drag & it's kept me from posting on more than one occasion, but it's the Critic's site so he can do what he wants. Lump it or leave it. He seems open to suggestion so I give him credit for that, but he seems to have fallen victim to the very same political correctness which he despises.

[jon]

Maybe I'm crazy but I don't mind the new format. Sure the old one was better, but it could be a LOT worse. I think this longer review talk is ridiculous because the reviews are still a lot shorter than you'll find elsewhere.

[JWK]

I'm all for voicing your opinion on stuff, but I certainly hope the Critic doesn't take too many of these "issues" to heart. "I don't like the blue because I have to wear blue to work." Wow. That sounds like a you problem.

[Sut]

I don't see the problem with the colour scheme Atari Age is very similar.

Tron has a fair point about outrageous personalities and the mod approval.

I've noticed not a lot of new posters tend to stick around after their initial posts so something is making them not want to stay. I think we are a friendly bunch so unless I'm off the mark something else must put them off.

Personally I try to make a point of answering a new poster. I can remember first coming here and a nice comment from Scotland about my post and an acknowledgement from Sega-T made me feel accepted and part of the forums quickly and I've been posting ever since.

[Gentlegamer]

The only thing I don't like about the longer reviews is Dave cheats by making it one big run-on paragraph.

You need to break them up into actual paragraphs. If you refuse to leave the one paragraph format, you have to cut them down, make them short and pithy like the original reviews from fifteen years ago.

I also don't like that Video Game Mania seems to have been retired. I know it's a pain in the neck to host, but the yearly write ups were one of my favorite things about the site.

I also don't like that the forum is still on post approval. Dave, it's safe to let the established members post without pre-approval. You can trust us.

[ActRaiser]

The only thing I don't like about the longer reviews is Dave cheats by making it one big run-on paragraph.

You need to break them up into actual paragraphs. If you refuse to leave the one paragraph format, you have to cut them down, make them short and pithy like the original reviews from fifteen years ago.

I also don't like that Video Game Mania seems to have been retired. I know it's a pain in the neck to host, but the yearly write ups were one of my favorite things about the site.

I also don't like that the forum is still on post approval. Dave, it's safe to let the established members post without pre-approval. You can trust us.

It's almost as if I typed what you wrote? I couldn't agree more.

More Video Game Manias please! Paragraphs for long reviews would be nice. Although, I have to say increasing the width between each row has helped. I no longer get lost trying to read something. There for awhile I quit reading the wall of text entirely. It may have "looked better" but I couldn't read it without losing my place and getting annoyed. Now, it's not so bad.

And +1 vote on trusted users to be able to self publish.

[Rev]

I also support giving the tenured forum members insta-approved posts. I think it could really help revitalize the forums which have been a bit barren lately.

[BlasteroidAli]

So it goes like this. I just started a new job. I could not get to see any of E3 and the bit I got to see had the rare stuff in it. I thought I posted it in video game general all with the rest of e3 stuff but some bright spark put it in modern gaming I got the hump. After all it is not the first post I have put it that might interest us adult gamers to disappear.

Hence my reason for getting the hump.

On a personal note I was in extreme pain in my right leg. The joys of work. It is the amount of time I stand up for.

I still do not like the colour scheme. Did I mention that my house is blue? Also I have to wear blue or white shirts to work? I do not mind the length of the reviews I was just being a moany ****

On a positive note I am really looking forward to the Rare retro collection.

I wonder where this reply will end up?

[scotland]

Speaking only for myself, announcing you are leaving a community, giving a list of reasons why that community has declined, and that there is a much better community down the street is not constructive, and hurts feelings without doing anything positive.

However, if someone in a group leaves with a laundry list of reasons of why they are leaving, hurt feelings aside, that's an issue.

So, in that spirit, how do you make the forum community better?

Not we, not anyone else, but you yourself. How do you make this place better?

Once you figure how some ways, do them. Show, don't tell.