[Suggestion] Multi-Platform Forums - Page 2

I feel that keeping with the current structure would be best as it would keep the site uniform, but to modify it so that people who are not aware that they own a multi-platform game might be presented with an option once they've found their game as to which platform they are looking for. Possibly something in a drop-down format.

The idea that the forums that qualify for this suggestion would be significantly more active is a valid one, but I also think that site structure should be maintained on a consistent level.

If merged, couldn't the same ideology be pressed against the product database? That however, doesn't bode as well as the idea presented here.

I like that idea actually. No new section, but when you click on a game to go to it's forum in it's respective section, you're brought to same forum that somebody who clicked in a different system's section did.

Finding my own transmission in the storm

In the past I've agreed with similar suggestions that all game profiles that are essentially the same game except for what buttons the menu lists and the controller the person is holding should link to one forum.

The exceptions are easily catchable. If the game isn't the same then obviously it's an exception. If the Wii, PS3 and 360 versions are all the same and the DS version is some crappy sidescrolling knockoff then the DS version gets its own forum.

Depending on how its implemented it could introduce different issues. Moderation, for one. If one of the forums is chosen to be the host forum and gets redesignated to be the multi-platform forum and the others are just elaborate forward links then it has different section mods depending on which one we choose.
Of course it could always be implemented differently.

The idea is a good one. Combine communities on what is essentially the same game. Yes, some DLC is different. OOOOH! Huge difference! Obviously that will divert the entire direction of the forum's discussion. The largest differences will be graphical adaptation, controls, and possibly extra costumes. Not everything will be like LoZ: Twilight Princess where the entire world and all its dungeons, and even Link, from the Wii version were mirror versions from the GCN version. And even then I'm sure you could combine the forums and have useful conversations.

I'd support that, but some younger members might not know what a multi-platform game is. So if this get implemented, maybe the forums could be under their console section, and the multi-platform section.

quote Lorx

I like that idea actually. No new section, but when you click on a game to go to it's forum in it's respective section, you're brought to same forum that somebody who clicked in a different system's section did.

I like this idea ^
It would help build better communities in the forums and not leave some forums lying dead and un-used.

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An example I used in another thread is similar to Irish Gamer's ...

I've noticed that people who play the PC version of Final Fantasy VII sometimes come to the PSone FFVII forum to ask for help because the PC forum is dead. And their question will usually be answered straight away. (Even if their question is specific to the extras in the PC version, there will usually be at least one person who knows how to answer it).
Meanwhile, if someone posts a question in the PC FFVII forum, it can go months without being answered. Most PC players won't bother looking for the PSone forum. They would just see how dead the PC forum is, and leave.

But if the forums for both versions were to be merged, then it'd definitely help build up a bigger and better community (that also involves the PC players of the game).

That's just an example, but I imagine the same would apply to most (if not all) forums.

I personally think it's a fantastic idea to merge the forums.

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By the way, this was Redemption's response to the last thread that suggested this:

quote Redemption

As I've mentioned in the past, this sort of thing just isn't feasible yet with the current system.

It IS something I'd like to do however, I just haven't figured out how to implement, and also there's a couple of large obstacles I haven't figured how to resolve yet:

1. How do we link back to the profiles of individual platforms from within the combined forums? Currently each platform specific forum links back to a platform specific version of the game. It is very difficult, and undesirable to combine the individual platform versions of the games into a single profile each game, so that's not an option. I also want to keep the ability to link to specific feature pages of the games, eg the faq and walkthrough page, the cheats page, etc. There simply is no elegant way of doing this.
2. What do we do about the cookie crumbs and where the forums are located? Right now the entire forum system is split up by platforms. So where would the forum think it belongs? Would we have to completely re-organize the ENTIRE forums so that games themselves become platform independent?

_{I still think that's great news though. Eventually It will be solved, maybe not immediately but at one point. So I'm happy with the news update Red.}

So if this gets implemented, what do I win? Hard cash, I hope.

quote jackbergin

So if this gets implemented, what do I win? Hard cash, I hope.

You win a high five.