Forum demographics

[The Legendary Joe]

I've always felt it odd to have a forum for an MMORPG where the majority of the community bonding is done in game. I've known many a guildmate who absolutely refused to join the forums, or if they did, they only have 1 or 2 posts at most to their name.

Back in the day, I used to be the same, only really checking the forums because the server was experiencing some downtime. I mean sure there's room for informative stuff like guides, but the majority of my active game playing days' posts were spent in the whining section. After a time, I've began to realize that most of my whines boil down to the same things, and I'd have to start reposting old threads with different words.

RAR! THIS REFINER/SLOTTER/STAT ENCHANTER HATES ME!

RAR! THESE MONSTERS ARE TOO STINGY WITH THE DROPS I WANT!

GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRR!!!! I AM NOT SKILLED ENOUGH FOR PVP/WOE/GENERAL COMPETITVE PLAY AND I NEED TO BLAME SOMEONE/SOMETHING ELSE!

OMBRFHBcyudshabxDYV THIS TASK IS TEDIOUS!

And eventaully "THERE'S NOT ENOUGH WHINE TO GO WITH OUR CHEESE!"

After a certain amount of playing, you kind of learn how the mechanics work and character guides aren't as relevant. Thanks to the wiki, guides on the quests aren't as prevalent (though it's always been kind of against the rules to post it where everyone can see it, the guild sections were almost always littered with guides on what items to farm for Zodiac and the Elemental Wings back in the day).

We have so many more convenient sources of information nowadays, it's kinda driving the forums to the land of the Obsolete. Technical problems aside (which we'd probably be directed towards sending a support ticket instead of opening a forum post), there's really not much reason to come to the forums anymore.