Whilst Gumble is not here to cause ripples (ok maybe tsunamis), he has a few ideas that might help the site. Basically AoEH is not looking too healthy in the forums with only a few dedicated forumers left. However there does seem to be regular traffic of one time posters. If we could get some these posting regularly then it will be a real boon to the site.
A lot of possible members are people who upload campaigns or maps. In the old days there were always enough people around to see that many uploads got the proper reviews and attention that kept these people coming back. Gumble would like to see an option in the uploads menu that highlights the upload with a review request. That request is then automatically sent to a special forum thread like the reviewers board. This way we can have up to date notifications from interested designers. Links to this thread should also be provided on the page where the upload is. This allows the designers to have direct contact with other members of this site.
Also both the Age of Empires Heaven Designer’s board and the Age of Empires Heaven Reviewer’s board are looking sickly. Half of the projects listed on the designer’s board come from members who no longer frequent this site. And the last project release date is well, dated. The latest reviewer’s board does not fair much better either with many items missing or incomplete. Now Gumble understands that is not easy for the administrators to have the time to monitor these threads closely but as it currently is, is in a bit of a crisis. Ultimately Designers, fans, and players are the blood of this site. For its continued survival, we are going to need a more active interest in maintaining these crucial services. It’s basic communication bridges. The more communication between Designers, players, and fans, the better. Gumble proposes to combine these two threads into a single Design and Review thread to streamline communication between those who submit work, and those who are eager to play it. This thread needs a responsible admin to monitor it on a regular basis to keep it moving. Links to this thread should be prevalent everywhere.
Also a nice, corny, stickered, welcome thread for all new members or one time posters should be made. This again, is to build communication with the regulars and the possible-soon-to-be-regulars. This thread is for people who have quick questions for this site or are expressing interest in joining the community. The latest member, Posidon, (welcome to you) is a classic example of this. The thread would be a great tool to provide him with useful links and F.A.Qs related to the forums. For example the best campaigns and scenarios, the most used AoE designer tools, important threads, and other resources this site has to offer. In a way, we are going to be opening a new alehouse soon. Perhaps this is an opportunity to reform (change is good!), some of the traditional aspects of the forums to help keep it active.
A little while ago we all voted for what we thought were the best maps and campaigns for this site. We really should have a special thread providing links to these uploads, as they are one of our main selling points. Again with links to the other threads previously mentioned.
We also need greater communication with both our sister site AoK Heaven, and our main associated site, Game Ranger. Game Ranger especially caters for many AoE fans and we need to have some sort of deal to advertise one another for we both sell each other, and we both need each other. There are a huge amount of potential forum members just dying to find a site with the amount of AoE resources that we have. We need them over here! And AoK Heaven is an important sister site, as we have closer ties to her than to AoE3 or Mythology. Greater Co-operation between the two sites would help both of us. An idea would be a special AoE/AoK design competition where members from both AoE and AoK designed a scenario about a historical event that was of a similar historical time frame that both games could cover easily. This kind of friendly completion again helps build greater communication and life in our forums.
A regular community project/competition thread would be useful as well. Similar to weekend warriors but more lower key, and more easily manageable. Things like our current design competition, and the turtle RM Tournament could be held here. Again this about keeping our members here to stay.
Now Gumble is not being critical of the current set up so much is that he is expressing concern for the life of the forums and is suggesting alternatives and ideas to consider. Gumble would hate to see the best site IN THE WORLD for Age of Empires to slowly stagnate after such and enduring run. Because these current figures are not promising.
What are your thoughts oh friends and allies? What say you to change, to the future, to the long life of AoE!?
Too many people say far too much about Gumble. They also claim Gumble says far too much which isnt true.
One man's truth is another man's lie. Seek TRUTH to escape this moral mire.
'Experts' try to analyse human behaviour and the human condition and make grand conclusions. - Its the same as the guy who explains why a joke is funny and kills the joke.
A lot of possible members are people who upload campaigns or maps. In the old days there were always enough people around to see that many uploads got the proper reviews and attention that kept these people coming back. Gumble would like to see an option in the uploads menu that highlights the upload with a review request. That request is then automatically sent to a special forum thread like the reviewers board. This way we can have up to date notifications from interested designers. Links to this thread should also be provided on the page where the upload is. This allows the designers to have direct contact with other members of this site.
Also both the Age of Empires Heaven Designer’s board and the Age of Empires Heaven Reviewer’s board are looking sickly. Half of the projects listed on the designer’s board come from members who no longer frequent this site. And the last project release date is well, dated. The latest reviewer’s board does not fair much better either with many items missing or incomplete. Now Gumble understands that is not easy for the administrators to have the time to monitor these threads closely but as it currently is, is in a bit of a crisis. Ultimately Designers, fans, and players are the blood of this site. For its continued survival, we are going to need a more active interest in maintaining these crucial services. It’s basic communication bridges. The more communication between Designers, players, and fans, the better. Gumble proposes to combine these two threads into a single Design and Review thread to streamline communication between those who submit work, and those who are eager to play it. This thread needs a responsible admin to monitor it on a regular basis to keep it moving. Links to this thread should be prevalent everywhere.
Also a nice, corny, stickered, welcome thread for all new members or one time posters should be made. This again, is to build communication with the regulars and the possible-soon-to-be-regulars. This thread is for people who have quick questions for this site or are expressing interest in joining the community. The latest member, Posidon, (welcome to you) is a classic example of this. The thread would be a great tool to provide him with useful links and F.A.Qs related to the forums. For example the best campaigns and scenarios, the most used AoE designer tools, important threads, and other resources this site has to offer. In a way, we are going to be opening a new alehouse soon. Perhaps this is an opportunity to reform (change is good!), some of the traditional aspects of the forums to help keep it active.
A little while ago we all voted for what we thought were the best maps and campaigns for this site. We really should have a special thread providing links to these uploads, as they are one of our main selling points. Again with links to the other threads previously mentioned.
We also need greater communication with both our sister site AoK Heaven, and our main associated site, Game Ranger. Game Ranger especially caters for many AoE fans and we need to have some sort of deal to advertise one another for we both sell each other, and we both need each other. There are a huge amount of potential forum members just dying to find a site with the amount of AoE resources that we have. We need them over here! And AoK Heaven is an important sister site, as we have closer ties to her than to AoE3 or Mythology. Greater Co-operation between the two sites would help both of us. An idea would be a special AoE/AoK design competition where members from both AoE and AoK designed a scenario about a historical event that was of a similar historical time frame that both games could cover easily. This kind of friendly completion again helps build greater communication and life in our forums.
A regular community project/competition thread would be useful as well. Similar to weekend warriors but more lower key, and more easily manageable. Things like our current design competition, and the turtle RM Tournament could be held here. Again this about keeping our members here to stay.
Now Gumble is not being critical of the current set up so much is that he is expressing concern for the life of the forums and is suggesting alternatives and ideas to consider. Gumble would hate to see the best site IN THE WORLD for Age of Empires to slowly stagnate after such and enduring run. Because these current figures are not promising.
What are your thoughts oh friends and allies? What say you to change, to the future, to the long life of AoE!?
Too many people say far too much about Gumble. They also claim Gumble says far too much which isnt true.
One man's truth is another man's lie. Seek TRUTH to escape this moral mire.
'Experts' try to analyse human behaviour and the human condition and make grand conclusions. - Its the same as the guy who explains why a joke is funny and kills the joke.