Good Idea or Bad Idea?

Age : 28 Posts : 701

For those of you who play Mass Effect, do you all think that the creation of a Mass Effect forum is a good or bad idea? (If it is run properly.)

Age : 31 Posts : 2547

I can imagine it being pretty fun but I'm also doubtful in it's potential for popularity. Forums based on video games generally don't do very well member-base wise.

Age : 28 Posts : 173

Naruto is a video game
You can find loads, and I do mean LOADS, of Naruto websites all about information on the Video Games.

._. Just sayin'.

And I don't play Mass Effect, so i'ma not vote. Just pointing out an admins wrong. TEEHEE

Age : 31 Posts : 2547

The video games are based off the Naruto series. It didn't originate as a video game and anyone that's looking for an RPG didn't grow an interest from the games, they've either watched the anime or read the manga. Of course there's going to be websites with information about the games, I fail to see how that's relevant to roleplaying.

Age : 33 Posts : 44

Well... I just got Mass Effect 2 for my PS3 and I'm loving it. However as a forum I don't know. It could be a good idea but it would take a lot of planning on how to do it.

Posts : 1044

Forums that originate from series based on games have more difficulty because of the fact that people playing the games have become accustomed to the aids afforded by the game, like graphics, sounds, and certain kinds of feelings that come strictly from a structured game with all of the aforementioned aids. Without that, you run the risk of alienating the entire fan base, while many people might think that they would roleplay on such a forum, they underestimate the shift from the two kinds of stimulus afforded by both mediums, so even if they state otherwise the number of people who will stick around for a roleplaying site based off of a video game are minimal. This is, of course, applicable only to the smaller-scale games, such as the mentioned Mass Effect.

Series that have better established themselves are far easier since people are used to multiple kinds of stimuli and can adjust easier to a newer one, for example, Phantasy Star, a popular game series that has enough material in it to likely make a superb roleplay. Its been around long enough that its material base is very expansive and people are used to changes, the series has jumped around the place quite a bit, so fans of it would be more receptive to a forum. Plus, the inverse of the previous effect comes into play, they're accustomed to the graphics, sounds, etc. of the universe and have little issue translating that into forum roleplay.

However, even though Mass Effect is a popular game, it hasn't been around long enough and the original stimulus is still fresh in everyone's minds so you will have immense difficulty trying to supplant it. Of course, this becomes even more difficult if you use the same system, and this leads to the common thought that will wreck the site 'why not just play the game?' Its a very valid question, the answer to which is likely that forums offer more variety but think about it from the view of what a game has to offer. Its on and off at your leisure, it doesn't tax your mind, it doesn't demand time from you, you can ignore it for months and come back and the only thing you've lost is the instinctive control mapping that you can regain in a couple of hours. A video game offers things a forum can't, and even the most hardcore RP'ing would pick a game over a forum on an off-day.

Game nostalgia also comes into effect, and as many of us know, when you pick up a game you feel like you really want to play (no matter whether or not you actually enjoy it) you'll spend days playing it, and that will axe into forum time. Basically, you're running a lot of risks that can kill the forum for what amounts to something that you could accomplish with really ANY sci-fi built forum, it would be better to run Star Wars then Mass Effect for example, because almost all scif-fi is identical when it comes to content, the thing that separates them is storyline usually and a few select points. Its basically Mech and Non-Mech.

So, long story (its nowhere near as long as it could be, this is like the bullet-point list) short, no, its not a good idea. Now if you live in the land of rainbows and people about the same complexity as a dollar toy from your local gas station, sure, otherwise its hardly worth the effort considering what you have to overcome. Plus I personally don't think you're the kind of person to pull it off but thats just me.

Posts : 29

I see what you are all saying... except for the last post. I was too lazy to read that. (BTW, this is INi as well.)

But I am not worried about a LOT of members, I just want a group of dedicated members. Responses to that?

Posts : 487

I haven't played Mass Effect yet, but I've heard/seen/watched everything about it online and between my friends. I should be borrowing it soon!

I say go for it. What's the worst that can happen? You lose a free domain name? If you have fun doing it, even if there's only a few people, that's still worth any and all time put into it.

Age : 31 Posts : 8965

Zen wrote:: What's the worst that can happen?

He could get sucked into making it, become inactive here, have his site die and come back to see his rank removed. TEEHEE

Posts : 29

lawl! not gonna happen. I may not be the Master of Multitasking (Which I want as my title under my name).

But yeah, like I said, I just want a few active members, I could give a fuck less about having 202029310381308439439745495749574656955649564854024563853658 of them.

I'd be happy with 30 active. maybe 40-50.

Age : 32 Posts : 787

Dude, having 40 to 50 active members is a good amount of memebrs for a forum rp. Dont kid yourself. Thats not a few in this bidness. Re-evaluate some stuff before you even try to pull this off.

Posts : 487

Godaime Mizukage wrote:

Zen wrote:: What's the worst that can happen?

He could get sucked into making it, become inactive here, have his site die and come back to see his rank removed. Good Idea or Bad Idea? 651949

He can't do that, since Hugh owns his soul.

Age : 28 Posts : 701

he does? since when?

And good point Saint... this site has 50 or so active, and this site is amazing. I suppose 20 will do.... but that may be a bit few.

But if it was up and even somewhat successful, who would join?

Age : 31 Posts : 8965

I'm telling you that you'd struggle to get twenty active members on a forum based off a game like this, when the game is action/adventure like that, I don't think an RP would work. Look at Megans site though, although it isn't what you are proposing her set up and initial plan out was fantastic and a member base still didn't surface.

Age : 28 Posts : 701

This is true. All right. Bad Idea.