Removing "Forum Games" board

[Luigi1632]

I've considered removing the Forum Games board, due to the fact that I want to encourage posts in the on-topic boards(gaming,anime,etc.).

It also made the general discussion look like it had more posts than the boards to our niche.
As for now, I've moved it out of sight, but I haven't deleted it just yet.

Yea or Nay? Because I'm sick of seeing a lack of posts in the niche boards, considering there's enough topics to post in.

 

[CyberFreak]

Getting rid of the forum will not always mean that you will get more posts in the niche boards. It may have a negative effect as the forum games section must be quite well used for you to consider this and removing it may reduce the reasons why users will return again and again. I don't really see it making much of a difference in activity in all honesty.

 

[koz]

I find that forum games contribute to a lot of forum activity. If I were you I would keep it there because removing might cause inactivity on your board.

 

[Eternal]

Fowler brings up some good points. Just because it is removed doesn't mean activity in the main sections of the forum will increase, because if someone got on your forum just to post in forum games, and didn't post anywhere else, and you remove forum games, that doesn't mean they will post in the main section all the sudden 😛

 

[Migi]

What Fowler says, actually. You may want to give it a try; just hide the section but don't delete all the section and posts and see what happens from then. If it proves negative, you can choose to restore it back.

Personally speaking I think it doesn't truly matter. Forum games make members feel like they can have fun in the forums too. It can bring members closer with each other, which in turn can encourage them to try to browse more sections of the forums. I also won't consider it a bad point if general discussion and forum games section have highest number of posts since it is very general; but you should work hard so that your on-topic sections are the second position of section with highest number of posts to keep it balanced.

P.S.: This is my opinion as an user, not as a reviewer. 😛

 

[Luigi1632]

I mean, I'm even trying to follow the advice ftom that review I got..

The content on your forum is not very unique and the forum lacks anime content that we would expect from an anime forum. You really need to focus on getting more posts in the on topic boards and creating unique discussion as the current discussion looks exactly the same as any other run-of-the-mill forum. You and your staff really need to start working on content.

I mean, there's almost 200 topics to post in, with the gaming section and about 70 topics to post in with the anime section..

Plenty of topics to reply to, but yet everyone flocks to the general discussion area..
Hell, I might even hide the general discussion area for a while.

 

[Migi]

If that is the case, Luigi, then I'm afraid your members are not interested enough in gaming and anime then. If as you said there are many topics to reply to but they still go to general discussion section... Hiding the general discussion area will only make them stop coming to the forum, not posting on the other area. I'm afraid so.

Maybe you can try to talk to them personally, ask them to also post in the on-topic sections, or hold some kind of contest with posts specific at the on-topic sections only.

 

[Luigi1632]

Contest.. well I can't offer anything paid..

 

[Migi]

Let's see... How do you and your members like the idea of 'Member of the Month'? Or you can offer them advertisement slots on your forum, or free posts or comments if they own a website...

Maybe other members can give you better ideas, sorry. 😛

I think you can try to talk to them first about what you feel, ask for their cooperation to start filling the on-topic sections too.

 

[Hissae2]

Having members that prefer general discussion isn't really a bad thing in my opinion. But if your members only post in general discussion with plenty of good anime threads they don't seem to be interested in anime. I would suggest trying to get more members that are interested in anime - advertise more on other anime sites and places with lots of anime fans. 🙂

 

[Poopy Head]

Forum Games is one of the things that makes your users return for the silliness and the happiness. There is nothing wrong with keeping it there. If you ask the user's opinion, you will find that that forum is where users turn to again and again when they want to be entertained and be able to be silly carelessly. 😉

 

[Master's Online]

Maybe you can make some forum games about anime and put them in the anime section. Then they'll decide to do that one to, and everytime they try and find it they'll be reminded of the anime section.

 

[Acorn]

We just actually pulled our games board out to the front. It was a sub board for many years. But it was in the top 10 most popular boards so I decided it deserves a place in the sun. My members have spoken and I'm answering. Any time I can do it, they get what they want.

 

[Hotspot]

I actually hate Forum games, I don't know exactly why I put one on mine.... XD
It's just a bunch of pointless posts that aren't even fun, In my opinion.

I say it's up to you though....