I think the lack of discussion has less to do with the bidding system and has a lot more to do with how the TSE forums are structured. Right now the forums are split into one official perpetual thread for each game, plus one for each console and publisher, plus the general and help threads. This sounds like it should be plenty, but in practice it's not, especially for the general thread.
This format kind of limits the discussion in each thread to one topic at any given time. If more than two groups of people start talking about different topics in the general thread, things can get confusing fast. Eventually one topic wins over the other while everything else gets pushed down and maybe forgotten until the current discussion peters out.
The current format makes it a chore to follow a discussion and their perpetual nature makes it almost impossible to follow old topics since it's difficult to figure out where one discussion starts and another ends.
I'd kind of like to see a more traditional forum format here on TSE. I think there would be a lot more discussion if we were able to create our own separate threads, maybe within a general forum. We could still keep each separate game thread as the 'official' one where news, reviews, and information regarding each game can be posted. A system similar to NeoGAF's might be good idea, one forum for gaming plus all the official threads and one for off-topic discussion.
Of course a change like this would be a lot of work and we would eventually have to have some sort of moderation here beyond the bidding system.
I am not blaming the bidding system entirely it is just that at times it probably does not help. The bidding system can be seen to be positive in other areas as it rewards good activity. It is also a lazy way of making your point if you do not necessarily agree which I do not think is its purpose.
It is interesting to hear reasons why we use the site. Obviously the stock side is one. I am happy to use it as a repository of gaming news and getting insights into the gaming community normally through discussion.
I just find at times and I admit we have two recent new starters who basically took the Michael but I honestly believe the system should be preventing them from flooding the boards. I also believe negative bidding should be curtailed if being used against an individual on some sort of vendetta. The bidding system is a pretty blunt instrument that probably just needs to rules to curtail its more flagrant misuses.
The reason posted my original comment is I have actively attempted to stir debate or discussion but I normally only manage to illicit the same few individuals in the discussions in the last month. Now it could be I am in the minority in my interests as I am more interested in the console twists and turns than a wide spectrum of games.
The other more disturbing (just joking really) thing is I find myself more drawn to the topsy turvy world that is the VGC forum boards with its drivel and insightful posts. I find I enjoy them both and the drivel stirs others to post more insightful comments.
I really don't think the bidding system is to blame for lack of community.
Generally, posts that don't sound like they were written by a 4-year-old won't get slammed with downbids, even if people disagree. It's the people who spam news posts or write like a child who get rampant negatives.
Not sure why there's a lack of community, though. I know I don't come here for thoughtful discussion, I come here to trade fake stocks. I assume that's how the majority feels as well.
Also, the site is pretty small compared to others, so that doesn't help much either.
A lot of talk about bidding systems and DKP and all these lovely things but is that the real problem? Or is it the lack of community or probably more accurately access to a community for all.
Whoa there horsey...
I know we have a community but I think it is a daunting one for beginners in particular as the community can be pretty much up itself with its own importance at times. Certainly the phrase "patience grasshopper" springs to mind.
The bidding system is used as a weapon to beat folk into submission which in actually discourages discussion. I say this because everyone is worried about how the comments will be received the upside of this is that they do not comment. This is a real shame, as I for one would like to see more discussion. Take the bidding aside and discussions from various points of view are very rare and normally quickly come to an end and generally only involve 2 or 3 members.
Is it just me or do others feel this is a problem or maybe I am wide of the mark.
By the way a response "you are wide of the mark" is not a discussion.
Dude...mommi_khi you gotta be so negative on bids right now...stop posting Garbage in mass amounts please! A little bit is okay. But you're absolutely flooding the wire with it...
I'll be leaving for 2 weeks while the consoles drop to normal ( chuckle ) and while a certain group of newcomers get their post everything and see what sticks out of their system.
Coming here and seeing no insight or commentary but just a bunch of random posted articles (4/5ths of which are for game that are never going to get listed) is not 'fun'...I can read an RSS feed for that kind of news.
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I would second a more traditional forum, it would certainly make a difference.