Random Community Thought

[Nybling]

:ideamunch:

So, I had this thought:

What about opening a forum under the 38 Studios section called: The 38 Community.

This forum could be a place where other fansite admins could come and post details of their content to the Watch so that the community can all get cool details and infos and I dunno, basically be more coordinated.

Maybe it's a crazy idea. I dunno. Figured I'd post it though.

[bonecarverpm]

Sounds like A good idea to me, that way info can be shared quickly and benefits everyone. Also we can support the entire community and strengthen each other!

[Union]

Thanks for the suggestion, Nybling! My initial thought was that a community subforum on a community forum was a little too meta for my design sensibilities. Alas, I kicked the idea around my Evernote cache and gave it my full consideration. I think that I'm going to hold off on adding any additional subforums at this point, and I'll do my best to explain why.

There are a handful of other really great 38 Studios fan sites out there, and I expect the number will increase exponentially with time. I'd welcome anyone to post any relevant content from any of those sites, here at 38 Watch. I think the current forum structure accommodates that well. We've always been an open community, meaning so long as you are posting information that is relevant and does not violate our (relatively mellow) forum guidelines (http://www.38watch.com/announcement-forum-guidelines), it doesn't really matter where it comes from. If you find an interesting article on another fan site, I think it would be far more beneficial to post it in the relevant existing forum, instead of an ancillary subforum where it may or may not be found by the casual browser.

I also need to consider the effect that opening a forum dedicated to the promotion of other sites would have on the amount of people who join the Watch, with the sole intent of spamming or advertising to our members. I wouldn't really be concerned about that right now, because the few 38 Studios sites that I have seen have been really unique, high-quality sites, run by people who have an equally genuine interest in the greater 38 Studios community. However, as the 38S profile rises, the villainousness element is sure to begin looming in the shadows outside of our city walls. Part of my job is to keep things simple, intuitive and pleasant for the 38 Watch community, in both the immediate and long view.

On a more-or-less related note (since you've got me waxing philosophic about community), one of the great things about a robust independent fan community is that, over time, multiple communities develop, each with their own culture and character. A certain amount of distinction is a good thing, IMO. For example, the culture of the Instance community (http://theinstance.net/community/) is much different than that of Elitist Jerks (http://elitistjerks.com/forums.php), but both serve as important pillars of the greater WoW community. The same goes for Tankspot, MMO Champion, Warcraft Hunters Union, WoW Insider and hundreds of other "fan sites" of all shapes and sizes. (Pardon the WoW comparison; the premise holds true for any robust fan community.) Ultimately, each admin and community wrangler is accountable to their membership as the steward and champion of their unique culture and group identity.

I've never thought of this site as "The" 38 Studios fan site (as evidenced by our banner). Eventually, there will be an official community site, which will serve as a larger hub, (hopefully) connecting all of the independent communities. So long as we continue to provide mature, intelligent, high-value discourse, we will be doing our duty in full to the greater 38 Studios/KoA community.

Consequently, I do plan on adding a creative community forum, where members will be able to show off their Amalur related artwork, fiction writing, costume design, et cetera. I think that this new world is bursting with potential for fan contribution (I'm looking at you, bonecarver :winkmunch:).

Sorry for the long-winded response, but this is the type of stuff I spend the bulk of my free time thinking about, and I rarely get the opportunity to yap about it. :blushingmunch:

[Nybling]

Hm, thanks for the info Union. I can see the Creative forum getting some nice activity down the road.

[Buuncha]

These are very sound reasons Union, good show as usual.

Keep the good ideas coming Nybling!

[Nybling]

Hm, I should get someone to make me a Munch avatar with a crown on it and redo my title to "Champion of the Watch" :P

[Buuncha]

More like Union's the Bulldog, Nybling's the small dog. :D
(fast forward to the 48 second mark)



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0prUMtBjko

[Nybling]

Buuncha, I am disappoint. :(

[Buuncha]

Come on Nybs, that there was funny :p

[Nybling]

Well, it was, but I can still be disappoint!