MetaPost comments and questions about the messageboards and other parts of EN World. If you have a problem, this is where to go. Moderator email addresses are posted here.
This is an appeal to please stop posting "4th Edition News" on the front page news feed.
Reasons:
Everything listed as news has, so far, has been unsubstantiated rumor, and claimed as such by the people who have reported it.
Everything listed as news has, so far, has been nothing new, comprised of the same predictions that have been discussed many times over in the forums.
Everything listed as news has, so far, has been utterly useless. "4E might be like this. Or not." "4E should be this way." "People will treat 4E differently." Even if what was posted was true, it still is not news.
WotC has emphatically denied, several times, not only the lack of veracity of said rumors, but also the fact that there will be a 4E anytime soon. Not that I entirely trust corporate businesses, but until WotC admits it, anything else will remain rumor.
So, please end the "4th Edition News" until there actually is real news.
Personally I'm happy to let people talk about what they want to talk about. I don't have to read every thread.
As am I. I have as much fun reading the 4E prediction threads on the forum as anyone else. The only issue is posting it as "news" on the front page of EnWorld.
1) Only a small percentage of people read the forums; just because you've seen the info a million times doesn't mean that everyone else has. Most visitors just check the news page.
2) It's all clearly marked as to what it is - opinion, rumour or what-have-you. Opinions of people like Monte Cook and Ryan Dancey are, in my opinion, interesting reading - which is what defines "newsworthy" to me.
3) Presumably Ryan Dancey's thoughts on the front page today are what prompted this thread - you'll note that it is not rumour, etc., but an industry professional's viewpoint on edition trends. I found it fascinating.
So, in short - sorry, it's gonna continue as long as I find it interesting.
I like the rumor-mill news flashes, particularly from people in or around the biz. I've been in and around game-makers enough to know that rumors are true more often than not... but that a lot can change behind the scenes, so that the public might never know how true a rumor was at one time. Anyways, as long as the news indicates its just back-alley whisperings, I think its all in good fun.
Just to let you know, I love the site, Morrus, and in the several years I have been visiting, this has been my only pet peeve.
The Ryan Dancey News did not specifically prompt this thread: I've been mulling it over since the first 4E News post.
I also understand that my opinion is extremely unlikely to change how the site is operated, or what is or is not posted under news. But I thought I'd at least make it known, and see who else might agree.
With that said, I would like to respond to your points:
The essence of what you wrote seems to be that 4E stuff and industry professional opinions are interesting, and allow visitors who do not go to the forums to see these things.
I completely agree, and I have appreciated how you have approached this exact issue in the past. Usually, a thread will be started, or a post made on someone's blog, and you post a link under "News." "Monte Cook has spoken about his observations on the gaming industry at his personal website. You can read about it <<here>>." Or something similar.
I would have far preferred a thread to be started regarding the "Eric Noah" info, and see a brief blurb on the main page. Something like "Eric Noah has run across a rumor that looks somewhat credible. You can read about it <<at this link>>."
I do find 4E rumors and industry opinions interesting, as well. I just don't think it should be regarded as "news."
Considering the origins of the website, saying that rumors of a new edition aren't wanted is kind of, well, ironic.
Having said that, what we don't want is one topic taking over, say, the entire General forum. As long as it's not "excessive" (and Morrus will define what excessive is), then it's fine.
Considering the origins of the website, saying that rumors of a new edition aren't wanted is kind of, well, ironic.
You know, I started thinking the same thing myself. If someone could clarify, or direct me, that would be wonderful.
Because when the recent "nostalgia" post was made that gave a couple links to Eric Noah's first posts, I was under the impression that all of the "3E news" was after playtesting and such had begun. 3E had been announced, and the information that Eric Noah brought was all actual "news" and not "rumor."
Of course, that's just my impression. Did Eric Noah start the site when all we had was unsubstantiated rumor of 3E? Or after it had begun playtesting and announced in some circles?
It's all clearly marked as to what it is - opinion, rumour or what-have-you. Opinions of people like Monte Cook and Ryan Dancey are, in my opinion, interesting reading - which is what defines "newsworthy" to me.
Thing is, though, was it? Certainly, for all the hoo-hah about Eric Noah's info following it's front page repeat, it not only turned out to be unsubstantiated but also that Eric didn'#t want it to be a big deal: it was a passing comment that was thrown on the front page and has spawned all manner of imitating threads, ignoring the doubt now cast on it's contents.
I agree that 4E rumours might be worth paying some attention to: but if you're going to throw it up on the front page, I really think it needs to be something more substantial than "a man in the pub told me".
So I'm guessing that not many people in this thread would be too pleased if they woke up to find the logo below at the top of the site?
I would! Hilarious.
__________________ Bring on the Funk.
Talk hard. My internet connection sucks. Wanna run a game? Try EN World's own PbP boards! It's loads of fun. Here are my games so far.
Other stuff:
Spoiler:
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemrain
- Kemrain the Medicated for Your Pleasure.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kemrain
I pity the thread that talks about Mr. T.
- Kemrain the Sigged.
Manamana.
Hey Houston EN Worlders! Interested in Getting together? Let's meet up and have lunch or something!
So I'm guessing that not many people in this thread would be too pleased if they woke up to find the logo below at the top of the site?
Go for it! Maybe toss in some obviously fake "news" blips as well.
Once a year isn't often enough for April Fools Day, and a yearly Gen Con Fools Day could be a lot of fun.
__________________ I've got a clan of gingerbread men / Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men / Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish ~ Syd Barrett
So I'm guessing that not many people in this thread would be too pleased if they woke up to find the logo below at the top of the site?
Morrus is in an ornery mood, and I like it.
Maybe missing GenCon is getting to him.
__________________ "I urge you to make up a simplified version of the D&D game for play with as many of [your children] as are now willing and able to play. The thrill of the adventure and rolling of the dice is likely to make them devoted gamers ever after."
- Col_Pladoh's advice to me, and my advice to you.
More likely all the complaint threads lately. It's probably time to declare a Morrus Appreciation Week.
In fact.... [Wanders off to hit the New Topic Button]
__________________ I've got a clan of gingerbread men / Here a man, there a man, lots of gingerbread men / Take a couple if you wish, they're on the dish ~ Syd Barrett
I have to admit that complaints about rumors of edition changes being a focus of E(ric)N(oah) World is quite amusing.
__________________
"We create joy." - Pirate Cat, 2006 ENnies
"...the worse thing that can happen to players is not to have their characters die. The worst thing that can happen is to have a boring game." - Mike Mearls
Considering the origins of the website, saying that rumors of a new edition aren't wanted is kind of, well, ironic.
Quote:
I have to admit that complaints about rumors of edition changes being a focus of E(ric)N(oah) World is quite amusing.
Okay, someone please correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't Eric Noah's original site established after 3E was announced? His news updates included information from people working on the new edition as well as playtesters.
Eric's original site, as far as I can tell, did not include unsubstantiated rumor, as the 4th Edition so-called "news" posts currently are. I hardly consider the two scenarios to be similar.
Hilarious.
Linear Mode
And yet another word from our sponsors
