RPG Forum Organization

Post/Author/DateTimePost
#1

gamer_zer0

Apr 09, 2008 18:43:22		The RPG forums are a place for the discussion of any all all RPG related topics that are not specific to D&D or Star Wars. This will include dicussion of rpg design, open rpgs, etc.

I'd love to see some proposals on how these forums could be structured.
#2

Webster

Apr 09, 2008 23:23:04 		Will these be under Gleemax, or alongside the D&D boards?
#3

trappedslider

Apr 10, 2008 0:48:49 		Would they replace all of the d20 boards not counting d20 modern's boards?
#4

Webster

Apr 10, 2008 1:05:04 		You can have very broad topics for the boards.

RPG Mechanics- to discuss the various game mechanics/rules of different systems

RPG Plots/Settings- to discuss game settings/plots

RPG Characters- to discuss game characters, character generation and other character issues.
#5

gamer_zer0

Apr 10, 2008 1:15:50 		We'll be having sections such as:

RPG
Board Games and Miniatures
D&D
Axis and Allies

And so on.

WotC brands will have pages that are skinned with the brand (D&D, A&A, etc). The other forums (RPG, TCG, BG&M, etc) will be Gleemax skinned. (Remember that this won't affect those with custom settings)

RPG should include everything that isn't a WotC brand. d20 and d20 modern will be covered under RPG for now. When more d20 products are released by WotC we'll look into creating their own forums at that time.

If you have any questions about what should be included under here, let me know. Examples appreciated. (i.e. should Astrid's Parlor be included here? Answer: No, it's a D&D forum)
#6

gamer_zer0

Apr 10, 2008 10:08:14
Would they replace all of the d20 boards not counting d20 modern's boards?

d20 can have as many forums as traffic can support.
#7

trappedslider

Apr 10, 2008 19:27:42
We'll be having sections such as:

RPG should include everything that isn't a WotC brand. d20 and d20 modern will be covered under RPG for now. When more d20 products are released by WotC we'll look into creating their own forums at that time.

If you have any questions about what should be included under here, let me know. Examples appreciated. (i.e. should Astrid's Parlor be included here? Answer: No, it's a D&D forum)

Empaished mine:
So,when did D20 modern stop being a WotC brand?
#8

gamer_zer0

Apr 10, 2008 20:00:28
Empaished mine:
So,when did D20 modern stop being a WotC brand?

I'm not exactly sure when our last d20 Modern product was released, but we generally move forums to the legacy area 1 year after the last release. In this case, it seems better for the health of the forums to include them in the RPG section rather than to make them legacy.
#9

autumn_serene

Apr 10, 2008 21:41:29 		I'm pretty confused by this and the definitions.

Very much not sure what you mean by "not a WotC brand" and the answer to that question already asked didn't clear it up for me. As far as I can see, all of the examples are WotC brands.

Also, I think there will be a ton of confusion about an "RPG" area. D&D is an RPG and by having the two groups separate all kinds of questions come up.

I think it goes back to a comment I made about the d20 boards- there are umbrellas of definitions and I feel like they are getting very muddled right now.

Top level: RPGs
Underneath that: d20 Rule System and then other rule systems
Underneath that: Each individual game: D&D, d20 modern, Planescape, etc.
Under that: D&D Settings- Forgotten Realms, Eberron, etc.

As the VCL for the d20 Design and d20 Modern boards, I hope I will be able to have a say (through the community) in how these areas will be organized.

I've created a thread already about the redesign of the d20 design boards here.

I also still think that maybe there is some confusion about the intent of d20 Design boards. They can combine a few boards, but do serve a pretty specific purpose and host the single most trafficked board on the entire site.
#10

gamer_zer0

Apr 10, 2008 22:02:33 		The RPG area will contain all the RPG forums. D&D and Star Wars will have links from the RPG area to their own area.

It'll look like this:

RPG
- All RPG Forums
- Link to D&D
- Link to Star Wars

D&D
- All D&D RPG Forums
- Link to RPG

Star Wars
- All Star Wars RPG Forums
- Link to RPG
#11

trappedslider

Apr 10, 2008 23:47:00
WotC brands will have pages that are skinned with the brand (D&D, A&A, etc). The other forums (RPG, TCG, BG&M, etc) will be Gleemax skinned. (Remember that this won't affect those with custom settings)

RPG should include everything that isn't a WotC brand. d20 and d20 modern will be covered under RPG for now. When more d20 products are released by WotC we'll look into creating their own forums at that time.

If you have any questions about what should be included under here, let me know. Examples appreciated. (i.e. should Astrid's Parlor be included here? Answer: No, it's a D&D forum)

then could you clarify this statement along iwth the above one

General RPG Category - Discussion for RPGs from other companies, homebrewed, or other. Includes forums on anything not WotC specific. (Autumn_Serene seems to have a good handle on this)

D20 - Any d20 forums that are wotc specific would go here. Otherwise, they all live under general.

#12

gamer_zer0

Apr 11, 2008 7:33:48
then could you clarify this statement along iwth the above one

The process is constantly evolving, so when in doubt, always follow the most recent update.
#13

autumn_serene

Apr 11, 2008 8:42:15 		Ok then, I think I'm getting a clearer picture.

The d20 boards, as well as some others, are meant to have content that could apply to any of WotC's RPG games, so I like that they are separate. Come to them to optimize your character from Eberron or Star Wars. Flesh out the personality of your Urban Arcana character or make a new BBEG based on your favorite horror movie for your Ravenloft game.

That being said, there are some boards spread out over other areas right now that would fit that definition. So, to think outside the box and at the risk of being controversial, I propose the following draft layout:

Other RPGs
  • RPG Community Business: formerly d20 General but expanded to include all of the sub boards
    • As the Die RollsThe off topic board for this section of boards
    • Looking for a Gaming Group? Will be linked to in the D&D area


  • d20 Modern
    • d20 Modern (general modern boards- includes Urban Arcana, Shadow Chasers, Dark*Matter)
    • d20 Past & Future


  • RPG Enhancement Could be linked to in both the DnD and Star Wars' areas
    • Character Optimization: 4th edition
    • Character Optimization: Other
    • Theoretical Optimization will change, but a placeholder
    • Rules Counseling Replaces the DM Rules Counseling board. Will get more traffic here as it now applies to all games and many of the misposted rules questions on CharOp will be posted here instead. Also benefits from close proximity to CharOp, who are self-defined Rules Layers and can really help answer questions
    • Character Development


  • RPG Experiments
    • Playing With Everything Now that it would be on a section of the boards that combines several RPG games, this may get the traffic it deserves. I'd like to see it given a chance
    • House Rules and Rules Variants will replace board under D&D as it can go for all games
    • Campaign Workshop will replace board under D&D as it can go for all games
    • Bringing media into your RPG many of the d20 Thinktanks would collapse into this
    • Just for Fun The "d20 For Grins" board revamped
    • The Horror! This thinktank doesn't fit with any others nicely and is the most popular of the bunch


  • Diversity in Gaming
    • Astrid's Parlor
    • Family Gaming
    • Mature Topics
#14

Zherog

Apr 11, 2008 9:12:55 		That looks pretty good to me, Autumn. Although I'll continue to say that I don't see the need for separate off-topic forums; the Rec Room is just fine for all that traffic.
#15

seTiny

Apr 11, 2008 9:15:34 		I like Autumn's proposal, though a direct link to the "Diversity in Gaming" to the D&D and StarWars boards might be a good a addition as well.
#42

autumn_serene

Apr 23, 2008 13:16:20 		Since this thread is specifically for the Other RPG section of the boards, I'd like to focus on that. It ties with D&D, obviously, but there is already a thread about the organization of the D&D boards here.

  • Other RPGs
    • RPG Community
      • Community Business (link)
      • Step Away From the Table (off-topic discussions)

    • d20
      • d20 Genre
      • d20 Modern

    • RPG Enhancement
      • Character Optimization
      • Character Development
      • Rules Analysis

    • RPG Experiment
      • Break This Game! (Theoretical Optimization)
      • Do It Yourself (House rules and home-brewed campaigns & Adventures)
      • Technology and Gaming

    • RPG Styles
      • Astrid’s Parlor
      • Family Gaming
      • Diversity in Gaming
      • Polyhedral Vice (reconstituted Mature forums)

    • Related Links
      • Find a Game Near You (link)
      • Gaming Marketplace (link)
      • Gleemax (link)
      • RPGA Forums (link)

Not quite sure why you changed up this area. It may seem minor to a non-regular, but the boards themselves and their location really make a difference. For example, Theoretical Optimization is just a branch from CharOp- putting it in a different section doesn't make too much sense. You've also deleted almost the entirety of what is now the d20 System boards... definitely not feeling that.

I'd really like to keep as close to my original suggestion as possible. Here's a slightly updated version based on comments:

Other RPGs
  • RPG Community Business: formerly d20 General but expanded to include all of the sub boards
    • As the Die Rolls The off topic board for this section of boards


  • d20 Modern
    • d20 Modern (general modern boards- includes Urban Arcana, Shadow Chasers, Dark*Matter)
    • d20 Past & Future


  • RPG Enhancement Could be linked to in both the DnD and Star Wars' areas
    • Character Optimization: 4th edition
    • Character Optimization: Other
    • Theoretical Optimization will change, but a placeholder
    • Rules Counseling
    • Character Development


  • RPG Experiments
    • Playing With Everything
    • House Rules and Rules Variants
    • Campaign Workshop
    • Technology and Gaming (Taking the place of Digital D&D? Not sure as to wrecan's thought behind this)
    • Bringing media into your RPG
    • Just for Fun
    • The Horror!


  • RPG Styles [G0 said these would go under Gleemax, but my feeling is, if there is any chance they are on the regular boards, since these boards are about gaming and WotC games, they should go right here)
    • Astrid’s Parlor
    • Family Gaming
    • Diversity in Gaming
    • Polyhedral Vice (though this name isn't final, but this could serve as a placeholder. If the RPG Styles doesn't go here, then I want this board to be listed under RPG experiments, not put somewhere else)


  • Related Links
    • Find a Game Near You (link)
    • Gaming Marketplace (link)
    • Gleemax (link)
    • RPGA Forums (link)
[/list]


Couple other questions though-- where are those related links actually being housed? RPGA?
#43

Zherog

Apr 23, 2008 13:51:55
[G0 said these would go under Gleemax, but my feeling is, if there is any chance they are on the regular boards, since these boards are about gaming and WotC games, they should go right here)

I thought Mike has said Astrid's will be remaining under D&D, even if it makes sense to everybody else to expand it out...
#44

wrecan

Apr 23, 2008 14:15:21
Not quite sure why you changed up this area.

To me, RPG Enhancement is for things intended ot enhance the playing experience. Rules discussions, optimization and development belong there.

RPG Experiment should be stuff that pushes the envelope. Theoretical optimization, technological additions to the game and house rules belong there.

I'm just not a fan of the myriad of little genre-related forums we've now got. I don't think they'll ever see increased traffic, and I find the names of the forums confusing and not inviting.

I think Digital Gaming and Media should be combined into a single technology forum. They don't have the volume needed to keep them separate.

Theoretical Optimization is just a branch from CharOp- putting it in a different section doesn't make too much sense.

I think it makes perfect sense. Optimization is for playable optimized characters. Theoretical is for seeing how far you can push things for the pure fun of pushing things.

You've also deleted almost the entirety of what is now the d20 System boards... definitely not feeling that.

In my opinion, they don't have (and won't get) the traffic to justify their continued existence.

Couple other questions though-- where are those related links actually being housed? RPGA?

  • Related Links
    • [forum=347]Find a Game Near You[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=266]Gaming Marketplace[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=672]Gleemax[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=457]RPGA Forums[/forum] (link)
#45

seTiny

Apr 23, 2008 14:53:17
  • Related Links
    • [forum=347]Find a Game Near You[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=266]Gaming Marketplace[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=672]Gleemax[/forum] (link)
    • [forum=457]RPGA Forums[/forum] (link)

What about adding:

Games: Message Boards
#82

wrecan

Apr 29, 2008 14:11:50 		Actually, it should be "and not". And good idea about the legal advice.
#83

Zherog

Apr 29, 2008 14:56:22 		[forum=810]Well, it seems any further discussion of forum layout is moot[/forum].

Glad to know our opinions and expertise actually matter...
#84

trappedslider

Apr 29, 2008 15:11:56
[forum=810]Well, it seems any further discussion of forum layout is moot[/forum].

Glad to know our opinions and expertise actually matter...

,well atleast the old ones still exist for now.....
#85

seTiny

Apr 29, 2008 16:29:04 		There are new threads in the linked that seem to suggest that wrecan's suggestion about the Char Dev (Workshop & Dev) and Char op (forum by itself) is going to be the new format.