'Forum Game' threads in OI

[Sentinel]

As per the new guidelines (http://www.revleft.com/vb/opposing-ideologies-forum-t165421/index.html) against non-political threads (except the offtopic sticky) in OI, I'm a bit undecided on how to handle these threads. They clearly violate the rules and should either be moved to Chit Chat or trashed.

The starting of such game threads is however from now on indefinitely forbidden in OI.

On the other hand I can see that a lot of people have put a lot of effort in them over a longish time, and while I am an asshole, I'm not a total asshole. So for the time being I'm consulting the BA about this. and going to let the two longest ones continue their course until a decision is made.

A question: If they were moved to chit chat, would they be ruined for the regular members taking part, or could they continue playing?

[TheGodlessUtopian]

I believe the rationale for them being in OI is because in case the restricted people want to play.If they were moved elsewhere this would be ruined and less people would play them.

I am firmly against them being moved.

[mrmikhail]

I believe the rationale for them being in OI is because in case the restricted people want to play.If they were moved elsewhere this would be ruined and less people would play them.

I am firmly against them being moved.

Yes if they are moved to chitchat, they will lose all restricted members, and thus be destroyed undeservedly.

[Aloysius]

They are only games, but it's up to you (Sentinel) and the BA.

[Sentinel]

I am firmly against them being moved.

I understand, but I'm also afraid that isn't very relevant, they are non-political and we have a new policy against that in place (please check the new guidelines). But as said, I will allow the longest ones to go on ..for now. And no new ones may be started from now on.


They are only games, but it's up to you and the BA.

They are only games indeed, and that constitutes a problem as this is a forum is meant for political discussion. The rest of the Internet, on the other hand, is sprawling with game forums.

[SocialismOrBarbarism]

Maybe you could make an OI chit chat subforum?

[Die Rote Fahne]

100% against them being forbidden in OI, and I would like to see something done to prevent it.

The history of the forum games, dating back to 2008 at the very least as far as I know, have taken place in OI. The rationale is that it isn't easy to get players, let alone dedicated players, and a lot of the time we have "Restricted" forum members taking part.

I am sure that the forum games were not discussed or thought about in the discussions leading up to the new rules, so I can give you guys a break on that. However, If this rule stands, I will have serious reservations as to the priorities of the BA.

I agree with SocialismorBarbarism. an "OI Chit-Chat" would be a good way to deal with it.

[Ismail]

If the actual OI posters have an issue with them, then they should express it in the thread.

If they do have an issue with them, then there should be discussions on a possible subforum.

[Sentinel]

I agree with SocialismorBarbarism. an "OI Chit-Chat" would be a good way to deal with it

That idea has been brought up in the past and firmly rejected. A subforum for these games only might be a possibility as I see it but that's up to the BA to decide. Please check the new guidelines sticky I made to understand the point I'm trying to make.


If they do have an issue with them, then there should be discussions on a possible subforum.

If they indeed are that popular, that could be a possible solution I might support -- even though it kind of goes against the spirit of these reforms.

Please check my thread in BA.

[SocialismOrBarbarism]

Well if the spirit of the reforms is to "increase the quality of this forum" I'm not sure how you're supposed to do that with reforms that no one likes. I don't see who else quality can be directed at but the actual users of the forum...I'd think users would at least deserve a poll. :|

[Le Socialiste]

As Die Rote Fahne has said, I see little point in banning role playing games to Chit-Chat (or banning them in their entirety). I find it incredibly hard to believe that these games seriously disrupt the everyday business of the site, nor do I think their non-political nature warrants their elimination. I'd seriously like to see these rules discarded, or at the very least have what SocialismorBarbarism or DRF proposed about the "OI Chit-Chat" be considered and put in place. Otherwise, this just comes across as overly controlling.

[Ismail]

Those forum games hosted by others. Out of them all only a small amount came from OI, but OI is also public, which allows potential new players to join. Chit-Chat isn't public, which is why forum games were moved from it to OI.

Also the games themselves do incorporate a fair amount of politics. Balance of Power for instance is a simulation of Cold War geopolitics. They have some educational value. Obviously distant-future games don't have that, but still.

[Sentinel]

As I see it the only viable options would be an exception for the threads or a subforum for game threads only, accessable for restricted members too. I see the latter as much more preferable as those threads clutter up the forums and give the impression that offtopic discusion is generally accepted.

The idea of an OI Chat Forum has, as said, always been voted down and I'm personally firmly against such an idea. So, the BA will discuss the options presented. Until then the threads stay.

Closed.