Necroposting & Spam Options

[Holder]

Well I said we'd be bringing some changes and this is the first of more to come.

This announcement concerns two things so I'm going to break it down into two parts, surprising isn't it?

Necroposting

Something that a lot of people mentioned is the way we handle people posting in topics that are old, well we're dropping this rule from all but a few sections which wouldn't need it. The list will follow. This means that if you've found a topic via a pinned topic then it's fine for you to continue that discussion (Like topics from a Theory and Design Discussion) if a script submission is something you've always wanted then you're free to reply giving loads of praise for their hard work, also topics within general/serious that have some more points you'd like to bring up or even reply to previous points made, sometimes topics within the Game Lounge fall down the list and people are still interested in them then don't fear bringing them back and getting people talking about it again is now fine.
Just remember to add relevant content into your post and not simply 'bump' these topics up.

Now I mentioned forum sections which are exempt from this, necroposting is still in effect - though it's going to be extended, within the following sections:

[Show/Hide] Don't revive topics from

• Introductions and Farewells
• Site / Forum Feedback and Help
• Games Under Construction
• RPG Maker VX
• RGSS2 Script Requests
• RGSS2 Script Support
• RPG Maker XP
• RGSS Script Requests
• RGSS Script Support
• RPG Maker 2000 / 2003
• Game Maker
• Resource Requests
• Fun and Games
• Noteworthy Topics
• Topic Disposal
• Ad Plaza

So it's basically the help/support/instant sections which don't need bringing back from the dead.


Spam
We're now also going to be more relaxed on what we consider to be spam. Sometimes in the past people have pointed out that moderation has been too harsh and warnings served, so we're going to ease up and allow general conversation along the lines of the Original Topic without warnings - though a moderators duty will be in place to inform people when to get back onto topic if it drifts.

General comments for a topic are now also fine, by this we mean if someone is offering to do music tracks for people and someone posts saying how great they are and recommends them, this wouldn't be spam. Praise, Thanks, C&C, general responses like this are fine.

This can be used as a dual announcement because finding that script/resource/tutorial you've liked then you can freely comment and thank the original creator without fear of the bluenames

Use common sense, don't be an idiot.

[amerk]

First, I'm liking these change of rules. While I've always enjoyed this site the most out of the most common game making sites, these changes will make the environment feel more relaxed and hopefully encourage more people to stop on over.

However, Rob points out a good question, at least in terms of necroposting timeframes. Unless that's still being debated. I also have never understood the need for necroposting guidelines in game topics, but I definitely understand why they are needed everywhere else. For me, putting necroposting rules in a game topic (Games Under Construction, Long Demos, Completed Games) drives the game further out of reach from the rest of the community. By this I mean, there are hundreds of games in these sections, many of which I may have missed myself, unless I'm willing to scour through the many pages of game titles. So when a person becomes scared or unsure whether to post their input in regards to a game, regardless if it's passed the threshold of a necropost or not, this keeps the game in the dark, never to gain fresh eyes or a new perspective, and the game potentially dies.

If we were to allow necroposting within the game topics, even if it's simple praise, this helps new people to also see the game for the first time, as it's been brought back out of the shadows. While this may do nothing for the game itself, it could encourage the developer to continue work on the project, knowing people out there are still playing and offering their praise and feedback.

One question I would like to ask, only because I'm not sure what it would take to manage. Is there really a need for necroposting rules in the first place? My thought is in regards to all topics where necroposting applies, with the exception to the game topics. If it's passed the deadline for a posting, wouldn't it just be easier to automatically lock the thread?