Request: Please remove off-topic categories from recent posts list

from GalCiv2 Forums
I'm sorry to have to post this, but I just cannot take it anymore. I come to this forum to discuss and read news about Galactic Civilizations. Increasingly, though, I find the list of recent posts saturated with threads that have nothing to do with the game; topics from religion to politics to songs to console games, everything except what I come here to read.

Right now, if you click the 'More Recent Posts' link, you get a list of 25 recent posts, seven of which (that's almost one third) are completely unrelated to Galactic Civilizations. This was not always the case. I have held my tongue for a few months,
but I feel that it has gotten completely out of hand. When I sign off of this forum these days, I feel like I've just been stuck a dank closet full of somebody's unwashed socks.

Almost all discussion forums in existence have an off-topic area where people can go to blow off steam or talk about topics that aren't related to the forum's primary subject matter. I think this is a great thing, but normally it is something the reader has to "opt into", i.e. go into the off-topic area to see what's new there, rather than having heaps of unrelated material scattered throughout the main portion of the forum.

I have refrained from expressing my opinions about the contents of the posts in question because I mean this request seriously. I don't want to disrespect anyone, or stop anyone from expressing themselves. What I do want is a place to go for news and discussion about Galactic Civilizations where I don't have to wade through a bunch of extraneous topics on which I don't care to read people's opinions.

Yes, I know the Galactic Core forum is such a place, and I am thankful that it is there and that it keeps off-topic posts separate from other topics. This forum, though, is the primary landing place for new players and remains an important information source for many of us who have been involved with the game for a long time. I want to see it remain relevant and informative, and it does not currently feel that way to me. I can't imagine what new players must think when they see so much time and space dedicated to non-GCII topics. I know it would make me feel that the game was probably getting old and people were losing interest.

I'm not trying to start a petition or anything, and I don't mean this as a rant. It is just a shout-out to the powers that be that I feel that the forum structure needs to be tweaked for the good of the community. I posted it here, rather than in a PM to the moderators, because I am curious if others feel the same way. Please add your opinions below, and try to keep it at least as civil as I have.


off-topic
82,827 views 82 replies
Reply #2 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Glad I could be of assistance.

I understand your point, but a lot of people come here not only for news about the game but also to just communicate with like-minded others. That's what the OT is for, and they will want to see the new posts without having to sort through the OT forum manually.

Maybe a compromise can be reached with a kind of subscription system? Each user would be able to select which forums they see in 'recent posts', so if they're not interested in modding, they wouldn't get the modding forum. Or the Metaverse. Or whatever.
ObjectDock - Access shortcuts and frequently used applications from an animated dock.
Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top
I'd like some way to filter which forums show up in the recent posts as well. Scrolling past religious nuttery is not my idea of time well spent on a gaming forum.
Reply #4 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I agree over the past few months the forum is becoming a board for individual to post their views with the purpose of influencing others, which I personally find offensive and not what I come to a gaming forum for. There are plenty of sites on the internet for people to discuss philosophy and religion so I don't see the need to bring them here, which is a gaming forum after all.

In addition I believe a lot of these individuals go from site to site merely copying and pasting the same rhetoric in the name of 'the salvation of others'... Gimme a break!
Reply #5 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Glad I could be of assistance.


I'm sorry, pndrev, I didn't mean to single you out - when I saw your post right above this one, I made the assumption that you posted it in response. If you didn't, please accept my apology!

I like your idea of being able to subscribe to the threads you want to read. It's much better than just removing some types of threads from the recent posts list. I wonder how hard that would be to implement? Like a set of preferences attached to your userid, I would imagine.


Reply #6 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I share the core complaint, despite the fact that I love a good OT digression and there were no OT threads in the Recent list other than this one when I hit the home page.

I like your idea of being able to subscribe to the threads you want to read.


I don't know what the UI terms are here, but I think you mean something like "forum area" and not "thread." If that's so, I also rather like that idea, although it might work best as an opt-out system so new folks don't throw a baby they might love out with the bathwater...
Reply #7 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would agree with the original post. I've nothing against random chatting but I come here to read about GalCiv2 and don't care about the off-topic stuff, and don't want to see it either.
Reply #8 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I would agree with the original post. I've nothing against random chatting but I come here to read about GalCiv2 and don't care about the off-topic stuff, and don't want to see it either.


Ditto. It's a gaming forum.
Reply #9 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Um...correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't there a "Game Talk" channel under forum links?
Reply #10 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I think you mean something like "forum area" and not "thread."


That is what I mean, thank you. I guess threads are looming large in my head and I was just a-skein for it "Subforums" is probably the technical term I was looking for.

it might work best as an opt-out system so new folks don't throw a baby they might love out with the bathwater...


A much better interpretation.

isn't there a "Game Talk" channel under forum links?


There is, but it goes to a single subforum which does not include the other game-related subforums like modding, metaverse, and bug reports.

What I was saying is that I want to be able to see recent posts from all of the game-related subforums in the Recent Posts list while excluding non-game related topics from that list.

I enjoy a lively off-topic discussion sometimes, but I would rather go to the off-topic area to see them, rather than having those posts scattered among the game-related discussions.

I really like the idea of setting options to opt out of seeing certain types of posts in my list. I am sure that there are non-Metaverse players who are just as tired of seeing Metaverse-related posts in their list as I am of the off-topic posts in mine. The opt-out system would be the best situation for everyone.

However, it would take a Stardock developer's time and effort to implement such a system. Stardock is probably better at listening to their customers and meeting their needs than any other game company out there, but this type of thing has to be planned and budgeted, both with time and money. I'm not saying it can't happen, but there are ramifications whenever new code is introduced into a production system.

So, unless there is room for a forum project at Stardock, I will stick by my initial request; to have posts from non-game-related subforums removed from the Recent Posts list.

As MottiKhan said, this is a gaming forum. There are other forums out there dedicated to the kinds of topics found in the off-topic area. I understand the desire to first find people with whom you have something in common (in this case, GalCivII) and then discuss other topics with them, but I believe that hanging all of that laundry out in the front page of a gaming forum seriously degrades the forum's ability to address the core needs of the customers.


Reply #11 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
100% Aggreance Marshall. A week or so ago I came on and and a not to be named person had bumped every thread posted in the last 6 months that fit into the category you mention. That was annoying and should be considered outright trolling. What I think is kind of strange is I've seen topics not unlike those around now that were removed before they even got started, yet some that have been allowed to stay are pure propaganda and trolling. At least I only have to actually open the thread once to know it's BS, then I just file it away to not open again.
Reply #12 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Right now, if you click the 'More Recent Posts' link, you get a list of 25 recent posts, seven of which (that's almost one third) are completely unrelated to Galactic Civilizations. This was not always the case.

Finally, someone I can relate to.


I have held my tongue for a few months,

I haven't....especially in those damn religous threads. Dude, I don't want to hear about your god(or disbelief in god). I just want to read about galciv2, or atleast games in general for god's sakes. (No pun intended)

One is bad enough, but if I am remembering right, there are three of those damn threads floating around. And they get bigger! Hundred's of posts high. Why don't the devs end these cesspools of nauseation!? I don't like to call to anyone in particular Kyro, but you need to take a stand on these threads. Lock these things down and keep a watchout for the guys who keep making them! You need to do this to save this forum. These threads are like a cancer in these forums. They seem to grow by the day!

topics from religion

Oops, haven't I already voiced my disgust with these threads? Moving along.


What I do want is a place to go for news and discussion about Galactic Civilizations where I don't have to wade through a bunch of extraneous topics on which I don't care to read people's opinions.*

Man, have you read my mind? I don't want to hear them preaching about hell either.

*Underlined for focus


Don't burn the place down!

Sorry Draginol, looks like Rome is on fire.
Reply #13 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Hi!
Request: Please remove off-topic categories from recent posts list

An excellent idea! Signed.

BR, Iztok
Reply #14 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Agreed on this. Until GalCiv2 has its own set of deities-- other than His Most Holy Frogboy of course-- I don't really care to see religion related topics being given featured status on the main page of a gaming site. Keep the Off Topic threads off the main page, and leave the Jack Chick proselytizing to Usenet groups. If those posters are looking for a real debate instead of just wanting to push people's buttons, they'll find more people to argue with them there than here. If the religious posts are coming from the same set of individuals with any regularity, I'd suggest it borders on spamming and trolling.
Reply #15 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I too would like the non-galciv stuff removed from the galciv pages. Quite frankly, I don't care what the religious nutters think about the way I lead my life, and I'd rather have the 'Recent Threads' list those that actually have something to do with the page they're on.
Reply #16 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
lets hold our breath as my spider senses tell me that a religious nutter may copy and paste some religious rhetoric on this thread soon
Reply #17 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
lets hold our breath as my spider senses tell me that a religious nutter may copy and paste some religious rhetoric on this thread soon


Anyone cared to tell the truth about heaven and hell? Hell in the bible is described as--   
Reply #19 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Wow, how it really sucks to be the other side of the planet and wake up and see a topic like this that has been going for a while already...anyway...

I applaud you Marshall. I cannot stand the inane drivel that is being posted these days on in the forums. Re-incarnation, god doing this, god not doing that, politics..blah, blah, blah...

Some months back this type of clutter really got to me and in the end i went on my own personal crusade to let those posters know how i felt. Obviously it got me no where and even with the help of Evil S we seemed to be just banging our heads into the wall. Eventually it lead to both of us being warned about hassling those posters and that they have a right to be here too. I am glad the fight is back on!

Now over the last few weeks all we see is religious...dare i say it..crap!! No, i am not very religious, but i except that people have a right to believe and write what they like, but This is a gaming site people!!, yes i know it is in off-topic but why is it here at all. Wouldn't it be better suited to have those types of conversations on a religious board??

I should not have to come on to a site that is the official site of GalCivII and be bombarded by religious content. That is not why i am here. If i was to start 10 threads all pertaining to the rights of indigineous women in the 1850's and bumped these to keep them on the recent list, i am sure i would be warned about this and the threads either locked, moved or deleted. I see no difference.

I agree that these poster's, although they are annoying and in no way pertinent to the purpose of the site, have a right to be heard. But yes could we please alter the prefs of the off topic board so it is not included in recent posts. I know i for one spend more and more time at the core, simply because i don't need to wade through all the rubbish that is building up here.

Request: Please remove off-topic categories from recent posts list


I support this.
Reply #20 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I agree completely with the OP on this. I am a Christian preacher myself, and certainly consider it important to speak about these important issues, but I come here to read and talk about GalCiv. It would be sort of like me standing up and preaching in a restaurant when everyone else is trying to enjoy their meals and conversation. It's not the right time and place.

I would point out to those who complain about "the religious nuts" that probably half of what we are complaining about is posted by "non-religious nuts," some of whom seem to simply be baiting the others.  And frankly, IMHO, the content level of these discussions is generally so low that even if they *were* in a religous forum I would be rolling my eyes and moving on to something else. That is why you have not seen me entering into these discussions, besides the fact that they seem intrusive in this context.

I feel the same way about the political threads.

I will be doing my best to share Christ in situations that are appropriate and effective. When we come here, let's talk about GalCiv.
Reply #21 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
It not even that bad if it appeared on Joeuser or something, but ideally we wouldn't see *any* of the Joeuser stuff on the galciv forums unless we explicitly clicked into them.
Reply #22 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Another "agree strongly" vote. I've largely given up on reading these forums these days, they just annoy me too much. They've become completely ridiculous.
Reply #23 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I agree. I've just come back to Gal Civ after a few months and just picked up a copy of Dark Avatar. I came along here to get back up to speed and learn whats new in the add-on. All I find is unrelated drivel. Please clean it up.
Reply #24 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
Along with the inane crapfest that this forum is turning into, i actually can't remember the last time i saw a dev journal or a reply from any of the devs concerning updates or bugs.....cept Kryo.

Has Stardock given up on GalCivII? They no longer care about this site it may seem, or at the very least feel Sins is more of a priority.

Reply #25 from GalCiv2 Forums Top
I agree with the OP, it would be nice if the off-topic posts are not shown in the recent posts list anymore.