For those who don't play D&D (or its clones), what keeps you engaged with EN World?

[Morrus]

I won't cap tho: I like how some other ttrpg forums have D&D in its own sub-section with its own threads separated from the general discussion of ttrpgs. I think the other games need their own space because D&D can hog the spotlight. It's cool to discuss Mythras and Delta Green and Mutants & Masterminds and games other than WotC's.

Just like here, you mean?

 

[Theory of Games]

Yeah, like that @Morrus I forget I'm usually browsing the whole site. There's just a lot of D&D and that's expected.

 

[J.Quondam]

Is it the long-form, discussion forum format, or mostly just better moderation. Come to think of it, I think good moderation is more effective in discussion board systems. I've been on well-moderated Reddits, for example, but it just doesn't seem to have as much of a positive effect as with a traditional discussion board.

Yeah, I appreciate the familiar format, and find the moderation to be generally very good.
But for me the main draw (aside from the general topic) is the size: there's probably just a few dozen really regular posters, plus a couple hundred other semi-regulars. It hits a "comfy" sweet spot preferable to the big sprawling chaotic messes of big social media platforms.

 

[soviet]

I do play a lot of D&D (the same campaign since 1990!) although not the 2024 version and I'm not very interested in the disourse around it.

BUT

Some of the discussions around Gygax/old school play and geek media are interesting.

The moderation is pretty good and I think it helps create a space for honest debate and discussion without feeling like one must tread on eggshells all the time or accept abusive comments.

There are some interesting debates about general principles of RPG play that do often boil down to two sides but I have still found many insightful posts (from both sides) that have helped inform and refine my understanding of them.

Snarf's essays. I don't read them, enjoy reading them, or agree with them after I've read them, but it's nice to know that they exist.

 

[MNblockhead]

Snarf's essays. I don't read them, enjoy reading them, or agree with them after I've read them, but it's nice to know that they exist.

What?! Snarfs an EN World treasure! What are you, a bard lover?! ;‑)

 

[payn]

What?! Snarfs an EN World treasure! What are you, a bard lover?! ;‑)

Or an elf enthusiast?

 

[Autumnal]

I’m both a bard lover and elf enthusiast, and imagine Snarf gesturing and saying that it’s okay, I’m one of the good ones, I’ll get purged late if not last.

As for me being here as a non-D&D player, it’s the same as others say. I like the news, the pace of traffic is very manageable apart from a literal handful of most active topics, there’s a bunch of comments where I can engage meaningfully, it’s not Discord, and all that.

 

[aramis erak]

Just curious what keeps people who are not interested in D&D participating in discussions on EN World?

It's one of a handful of forums with general RP sections.
Here, RPGGeek, RPG.Net, TheRPGSite.com, Reddit, 4Chan, 7Chan, SJG...
I fond RPGnet's moderator staff capricious in the 00's, and have not seen evidence of it getting better.
TheRPGSite is notoriously toxic.
SJG is low content outside GURPS.
4Chan and 7Chan have a lot of pirates.
Reddit has highly variable moderation, and poor organization.

 

[MichaelSomething]

Enworlders are smarter, brighter, and dare I say, sexier then the average interneter by a wide margin so of course it would attract high quality posters like myself!

 

[Campbell]

Mostly inertia these days. Been coming here since 3e was new.