Im just 'wondering' so dont get angry or nothin' :huh:

I'm aware that Off-topic is very popular (but so is Celine Dion). It also serves to keep the game forums clear off junk not relating to videogames. But I still wish it didnt exist,

Has there ever been a gaming community without an off-topic forum? Could we try it for ...mmm I dont know. A trial period of 5 years or something? :P

I guess Im being an ass but my theory is a gaming community with no off-topic will be more focussed on gaming and will thus only continue to get attention from those interested in videogames.

Social meeting or functions could be posted in 'news and announcement'. 'Are you single' and "should gays be in the military', "Why should we pay for plastic bags", "Are U still single?" - all these could be posted in ..... AHH! Nowhere!!! That's the beauty of no off-topic.

Looking over at Hyper (post hacked Hyper) their Off-topic forum shows 153168 posts, compared to Nintendo general (the biggest gaming forum) which shows 74636. The other forums have considerably less. A strange balance for a gaming magazine's online community. Could it be that some people there arent interested in gaming? :rolleyes:

Now the most obvious response is ...'well crappy, if you dont like a forum just dont go in there'. And that's true. But Im suggesting that the off-topic forum changes the makeup and focus of a community and adversly effects the other areas.

If you were to start up a community to discuss orange growing and fertilizers only to have most people talking about 'Hand gun parts' in the small 'offtopic forum' you created - there's a problem. Your community population will increase over time. But don't expect much worthwhile orange & shit discussion.

Now this point falls flat on it's face (probably does anyway) if the community's focus isnt gaming. But my understanding is that Evolution is a gaming forum.

Well there's my small rant of little assumptions. Mmm... Maybe this should be posted in Off-Topic? :unsure:

Hmm, interesting, and your point was solidly backed up with that "orange and shit" example, but still.......where would the A/S/L thread go if there was no off-topic!?!

Interesting idea, but 5 years?

That's a bit much don't you think :P

5 years? :| Don't be daft, man.

And anyway, we can't spend all our time talking about video games.

Not all of us are hardcore gamers that spend all our time living and breathing videogames craptest. :P

As long as the meaningless and idiotic topics are cut out of Off-Topic I think it should be fine.

Whoa, that's quite an offbeat concept you've got there craptest. I'm really not sure if it will happen, we (Admin) definately won't dismiss it as an idea, we'll give it some thought and get back to you. :)

i'm shocked and amazed but i agree with crappy (in principle). I'm here to talk about games. If i wanted to yak on about crap (indirect dig at craptest) i'd hit an IRC channel or join a more social forum.

Although i know too many people would want an Off Topic forum to have an abolishment, but maybe a trial period (less than the five year suggested by crap) without one just to see what kind of thing happen.

Sooo...what you want is an "orange growning and fertilizer" forum? :P

I get what you're saying 100%, but how many of Hyper's "off topic" threads would be left if all the crap was removed? Suprisingly little I'd say. Obviously we have a fair amount of non-gaming threads in here already, but that's because some of our faves from Hyper have been recreated, like the Initial D thread, the Dave Letterman thread, and the Alias and 24 threads.

You could always just not use off topic, eh? ;)

Interesting idea crappy, but I have a few concerns.

1) An Off Topic forum does attract members that will inturn post in the games forums. I don't think that can be underestimated too much.

2) Evolution is most certainly a games forum first and foremost - that's why we have multiple gaming forums and then two forums for everything else. :)

3) No matter how hardcore a gamer is, I think there is a time when anyone wants to post on something else that doesn't fit into a game/entertainment forum - hence off topic.

Definitely something we'll have a think on though. It'd be good to hear a few more opinions on it.

Off Topic can be used for all game related stuff as well remember that. Along with the fact that not everyone can post about games, since not many people get every game, they would be left out of some conversations, simply because they don't want the massive spoilers, so post in off topic, keeping people aware of who they are.

I consider Off Topic to be my 'waiting room' where I browse as I wait for a reply or post in a forum like PC Central or XBOX Central, where it actually takes time to post an opinion or fact, as mostly users would have to browse websites to find information on a game or piece of hardware, or find a picture of a newly released game (albeit my Halo 2 thread).

Interesting point Craptest. It's true that in my experience of a lot of forums that it is often the 'Off Topic' forum that gets most of the attention.

However, I feel that Off Topic generally allows a community to form stronger bonds with one another, posting on the one general subject all the time doesn't allow a huge amount of insight onto one's deeper facets of their personality, thus bonds aren't as easily formed. Off Topic allows us to see other's attitudes to things beyond gaming.

We all enjoy gaming, that's why we're here. But I don't think anyone wants to be talking about it all the time.

Terrible idea Craptest.

*adds craptest to the revenge list*

But seriously, off topic is the best forum! Back at Hyper, it's the only forum I visit.

True. I guess Im saying that when I come to a gaming forum I actually want stuff related to videogames. But I guess there are a number of 'social issues forums' with healthy 'off-topic' areas where parents and teachers discuss what level of HALO theyre stuck on.

Realistically I know off-topic isnt going anywhere. But I thought I'd float my opinion. Back at Hyper I posted in off-topic on occasion but found it a fairly empty exchange. How people can spend so much time in there I do not know. But then again I spent more than 10 minutes in Nintendo general so who's more easily amused ...probably me :rolleyes:

I just thought I'd ask the question. I appreciate the thoughtful replies.

I agree with you (in principle), as I'm mainly here for the games. But the Off-Topic area does create more of a community-minded forum, where we get to know each other better. It's an interesting idea, but I think it would be better to keep it.

I'm damn opposed, damn, damn, damn opposed! Over time as I've become less interested in gaming and as a result I spend most of my time in Off Topic. Off Topic is the forum equivalent of a spa or sauna, it's where you go to kick back, relax and have a bit of fun.

<whips Gnomey's buttocks with a wet towel>

I agree, Off Topic is great part of the forums. While is isn't strictly necessary to have it in order for these to be gaming forums OT presents a good place to get your mind off games, get to know new people, and organise pissups :D .

I pretty much only post in off topic. I would go find another forum if it was deleted.

All forums have an off topic because it is a good idea. You forge relationships with people with a similar interest - ie video games - and then you get bored and start to discuss a wider range of issues - or like me you begin by discussing a wide range of topics that actually interest you ;)

I agree with you craptest, but there are forums out there with a lot more 'off topic' boards (as much as 5 or 6 I've seen on a couple of forums). These forums still have a pretty good focus on gaming (admittedly they have a lot more members though).

Admin has provided a good ratio of gaming to non-gaming boards, so it is really up to the members to choose what their focus is. I'll just stick to mostly talking about games.

Not allowing certain types of conversation is the same as not allowing "certain types" to join. It's counter-productive to making a friendly community.

Well Ive never claimed to be friendly. So far some forum members here seem pretty keen on choosing 'the types' that are allowed to join. Not me. Let em all come I say. I'd just prefer they be gamers.

And as far as tolerance is concerned, Off-topic wasnt always the nicest place for some back at Hyper.

I come here to talk about games. But Off-Topic does draw me in because it gives me an opportunity to talk about stuff which I do not frequently talk about in "real-life". Also, I don't spend much time on the net, so it's good to have a "social" forum and gaming forum all in the one handy package.
Leave her be!
I'd say get rid of Film, Television etc., as very few people like the same stuff I do :P

No.

A thoughtful and imaginative Off Topic would be nice. At Hyperactive there was mainly stupid "which handbag should I buy threads?" Which only drew one word or at best one sentence answers.

I enjoy the different forums and basically spend the most time in Off Topic/Film & TV.

Although thats not to say I don't like discussing games. You just need some variety...

I guess it would depend what you want a forum to be. It actually makes a lot of sense to me. You'd still probably need a "general gaming" topic for discussing things like "game theory" and the like. I think it would mean that while a lot more posts would be directly game related, there would be a lot less posts.

I don't really want evolution to become a videogame only forum, but if that was the aim it'd be ok. If we want evolution to be a community for people who enjoy playing video games I think off topic has an essential place and a lot of value.

Gamers do have other interests besides games though. I'm a gamer and I certainly do.