What's up with the RPGnet boards?

[Cyronax]

I've been a fan of the RPGnet site for a few years, but it was only until today that I went to their message boards. They definetely have a different atmosphere than the EN World boards. They definetely seem to have a lot of drama and more lively debate. I also noticed that even noticed that the "F" word was used openly without even having an asterisk to cover up a few of the letters.

Anyway, I was just wondering what the "relationship" with EN World boards is? What I mean by that is, what kind of history do the two boards have with each other? Okay, I'm not sure if I made this clear or not, but hopefully someone gets what I'm asking.

Okay, and just to preempt this thread and any possible slight someone takes to it, I just want to explicitly state that I'm in no way implying that EN World is better than RPGnet's message boards. They both represent a differrent segment of gamers (with huge overlaps I'm sure).

Lata,
C.I.D.

 

[R.X.DIEM]

Free speech ?, now that's just not civil!

I don't know what to tell you. Fear, apathy, Shame. If I told you I'd get in trouble. But I see what you mean and agree. But don't quote me on that.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

There is some crossover between the communities as far as members. A few people here are regulars there (or were), and many members of both communities drop in on the other boards occasionally.

The relationship between the communities is a distant one. That is, neither community praises or damns the other very loudly or often. Regular posters here like the somewhat more polite atmosphere, while regular posters there like the more rough-and-tumble atmosphere.

Other than that, the only real difference is that EN World is more focused on one game than RPG Net.

 

[clockworkjoe]

RPGnet's boards have quite a few trolls on there and they seem to relish in massive flamewars. however, I haven't seen any good flaming there. It's pretty bland and boring. But what they lack in quality they makeup in quanity.

They also seem to prefer 'rules lite' games over rules heavy games like 3e.

 

[Cyronax]

There are a lot more philosophical debate on those boards. It was really interesting reading through a lot of them. I saw one about the nature of evil in the typical German soldier in WWII vs. the Nazi higher ups. I think that the debate started in relation to the Godlike game. I had never even heard of that game before, but I checked up on it, and it looks like a truly impressive game. I loved the movie Unbreakable, and I think that Godlike at the top of my rpg want list.

Done rambling ,
C.I.D.

 

[Corinth]

I'm one of the more active folks at RPG Net, so I can comment.

Yes, RPG Net is a rough-and-tumble place. Profanity flows quite freely, and the netcops there do little more than move posts to the appropriate forum most of the time. Flamewars are common, and most of the time they revolve around D20 or interpersonal issues. It's a blend of Nutkinland and EN World, with some of The Forge mixed in to appease the indie RPG folks. I love it.

 

[Wolfspider]

I read both boards pretty regularly, although I only post frequently to ENWorld. I find that there's just something about the RPG.net message boards that brings out the worst in me. Although I've been involved in a few heated discussions here (especially over Star Wars), when I post to RPG.net it always seems to turn into a flame war. Here, where we have careful moderators, I feel the obligation to be polite and reasonable. There, where there are no content moderators, I lose all self-control. That's why I've all but given up posting over there, although I still do read through the threads, which can be very thought-provoking. (Although I have to say that it's getting harder and harder to find anything of quality with all the trolling and flaming going on.)

 

[BadMojo]

I also noticed that even noticed that the "F" word was used openly without even having an asterisk to cover up a few of the letters.

Oh, the horror! Is that kind of filth legal on the internet?

Ya know, I never did know what those letters in the middle were until I went to rpg.net.

Rpg.net & ENWorld interact just about as often as most other web communities. Message boards tend to be pretty insular little communities. Clearly, ENWorld forums are the place to go for D20 discussion. Rpg.net tends to be light on the serious D20 threads (excluded the flame wars), but chock full of other kinds of gaming goodness.

For me, at least, both places are valuable resources. I read & post to both message boards regularly. I enjoy both ENWorld & rpg.net for different reasons. Just for the record, I enjoy profanity and I'm quite good at it.

 

[Cyronax]

Re: Re: What's up with the RPGnet boards?

I enjoy both ENWorld & rpg.net for different reasons. Just for the record, I enjoy profanity and I'm quite good at it.

Yes as am I, but I do enjoy the civil and usually high brow comments made on EN World. Its nice atmosphere. I'm not that big on posting my thoughts on controversial issues. Debating is okay, but I usually don't do it if I don't have.

Rarely have I seen a person who changes there opinion in such online debate, and it seems like an exercise in futility. I love reading the debates though

Long live EN World!!
C.I.D.

 

[Jamko]

RPGnet's boards have quite a few trolls on there and they seem to relish in massive flamewars. however, I haven't seen any good flaming there. It's pretty bland and boring. But what they lack in quality they makeup in quanity.

They also seem to prefer 'rules lite' games over rules heavy games like 3e.

Trolls there are aplenty on RPGnet's boards. Anti-d20 people, too. It's hard to open a thread without someone taking a gratuitous swipe at d20.