LDC271 | 14 Feb 2018 10:32 p.m. PST |
link Instead of opting to go with a more modern forum format (and update the bloody search option), they let their forum rot and told people to all get on Facebook. Looking for an answer to a question is going to be hell now we have to sort through a million pictures. |
Editor in Chief Bill | 14 Feb 2018 10:41 p.m. PST |
That's interesting, considering that everyone this week is saying that Facebook is for the older crowd, not young people… |
Col Piron | 14 Feb 2018 11:21 p.m. PST |
Facebook is for the older crowd, not young people That's OK as i bet not many young uns play FOW ,at a guess! |
TMPWargamerabbit | 15 Feb 2018 12:33 a.m. PST |
Will never use Facebook or any similar site. This will be the end of the Flames of War as it is reduced to the PC correct world of Facebook. Was a good 14 years on the forum……. R.I.P. P.S. Guess the flak they are taking about Ver4.0 is getting too close for comfort. |
LDC271 | 15 Feb 2018 3:35 a.m. PST |
Facebook is "the PC Correct world", lol. If by "the flak they are taking about V4" is that ONE thread of the same five guys whining about "oh why isn't any of the BF staff paying attention to our whining" then no. If anything, the echo chamber of their Facebook pages would only make their heads bigger. Something like Google+ might have been a better choice IMHO. Everyone has a Gmail, and it has a more forum-like layout unlike FB. |
Durban Gamer | 15 Feb 2018 4:30 a.m. PST |
Don't like Facebook at all. |
jaztez | 15 Feb 2018 4:53 a.m. PST |
Bf forums, warlord games forums, the guild…. Tmp is going to be last man standing at this rate! |
Rudysnelson | 15 Feb 2018 6:09 a.m. PST |
Money. It is cheaper to use the Facebook than pay for upgrades. For my simple site it was going to cost over a thousand dollars to just upgrade. For active forum monitoring the cost would be very high, IMO. |
Extra Crispy | 15 Feb 2018 6:13 a.m. PST |
Plus, forums attract bots like honey draws flies. I set up a forum for a rule set and literally within hours it was FLOODED with posts about online profiles and Viagra. Even the registering process didn't stop it. I'd ended up with hundreds of new users every day. Plus, with all those photos that's expensive hosting. Let FB do the work. Not as good, for sure, but the smoke to heat ratio makes it a no brainer. |
rhacelt | 15 Feb 2018 6:15 a.m. PST |
I second the thought that this is in response to V4. The fact that open discussion is no longer wanted will not kill FOW but their part of the market will continue to shrink. |
Bede19002 | 15 Feb 2018 6:37 a.m. PST |
Don't understand the hate for facebook. It's not as functional as forums but the vitriol makes no sense. Is this just a case of old cranky wargamers hating anything new? |
21eRegt | 15 Feb 2018 7:05 a.m. PST |
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Xintao | 15 Feb 2018 7:22 a.m. PST |
Facebook is great for sharing ideas and getting immediate feedback. It does not come close to the functionality of a message board. I think they both have a place. But one is free, one cost money…. |
Extra Crispy | 15 Feb 2018 7:34 a.m. PST |
Honestly, I find I have dropped off most other forums and have moved to FB. Even my time here on TMP is down by at least half. I dropped off Fields of Fire, GHQ, and LAF. I think the FB communities are great, easy to use and share pics. You can "join" Facebook and leave an empty profile. Ignore the news stream and just go for the groups (that is what I do these days). |
Old Wolfman | 15 Feb 2018 8:05 a.m. PST |
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emckinney | 15 Feb 2018 8:47 a.m. PST |
Can't do Facebook. Not "won't," but literally "can't." I'm not alone, which is what makes this a less-than-perfect decision. |
jaztez | 15 Feb 2018 9:02 a.m. PST |
Forum software isn't difficult to install, maintain or update. The claim it costs thousands to do? Ripped off if that's true. Spam can be stopped with sign up options if you use them rather than leaving the standard sign up, simple ad changing the location of it. Forums are easy, battlefront is closing them because they don't want to moderate them. |
PrivateSnafu | 15 Feb 2018 12:16 p.m. PST |
They forgot one thing in the announcement. Click here to discuss on the forum…. |
coopman | 15 Feb 2018 2:35 p.m. PST |
Shhhhh…..don't give Bill any ideas. |
jeffreyw3 | 15 Feb 2018 3:11 p.m. PST |
I'm with Mark…it's just a lot easier to work with. |
Axebreaker | 15 Feb 2018 4:11 p.m. PST |
@jaztez Well you might be pleased to know Piers created the Battlegroup forum which should attract a lot of Guild members looking for a new home. He did say it will of course focus on Battlegroup, but is open to other periods being included and so could end up being similar to the Guild if enough people move it that way I suppose. Anyhow I'm happy he made the forum and joined up. link |
Wargamer Blue | 15 Feb 2018 4:36 p.m. PST |
The Flames forum was a very negative place to visit. |
Col Piron | 15 Feb 2018 4:47 p.m. PST |
This should be fun .
Hello All, I hope you're doing well! We wanted to let you know that we are handing the management and organisation of the Battlefront official competitions back to Battlefront in the UK. It's been so great getting to run these competitions on behalf of Battlefront and seeing so many players come together from all over the UK and Europe, with some from even further afield. We have got to know you and hopefully introduced you all to some new friends. We are sure you will be as excited as we are to see what's next for such a great and event. It has been great working alongside Battlefront and as we draw a close on this chapter, we are confident that the next GT will be even better than the last. Thank you all for everything and we will still be running the Sturm events from Boards and Swords Hobbies in Derby for the foreseeable future. And, thanks again for being a part of making our time at the UK GT's such a great one! All the Best, Alex, Mick and Tommy (Your Reluctant Conscripts) As when they run the UKGT they almost killed it off , so that's why they had someone else run it . |
Puddinhead Johnson | 15 Feb 2018 6:10 p.m. PST |
They're probably mean to dogs and children as well. |
Lion in the Stars | 15 Feb 2018 10:18 p.m. PST |
@Axebreaker: Thank you for the link to the new Battlegroup forums. Shame about the BF site, but frankly 4thMedia can go die in a fire. That system is incredibly slow (and was slow on my machine when it was new 8 years ago!) |
mysteron | 16 Feb 2018 4:49 a.m. PST |
Well Battlegroup have a new forum . There is also a new Wargamers Forum as well . Both these have been formed from the Ashes of the Guild . I can see the rationale behind commercially backed forums closing. These tend to tie up staff in moderating them and with constant reminders to members not to mention competitors products etc . Not sure if sites like FB need as close moderation. So I think its possibly a cost issue. TMP is different as its advertisers and subscribers like myself and many others helps keep the forum going . Also I like to think that we are more sensible on here anyway and moderation isn't often required. |
Brian Smaller | 16 Feb 2018 11:38 p.m. PST |
Ha! I wonder if I would kicked off the Flames of War FB forum like I did from the Battlefront forum. Probably, but without a personal phone call from the owner telling me why. |
Col Piron | 17 Feb 2018 1:08 a.m. PST |
@Brian Smaller , do you think they would even let you join ? |
Old Wolfman | 20 Feb 2018 8:17 a.m. PST |
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RitterKrieg | 02 Mar 2018 4:29 p.m. PST |
Here's something to consider: where does BF REALLY make its money? Personally I think it is miniature sales. If that is the case, then all the resources spent on rulebooks and discussion is really just a side show from a profit standpoint. Maybe they are just tired of propping up a mediocre ruleset and want to focus on what makes them money – wargame miniatures. Thoughts? Cheers Troy |
takeda333 | 04 Mar 2018 6:44 p.m. PST |
With the BF closing despite it's critics their are some very helpful, insightful folks there and experience and knowledge will be lost,err moved. |
fingolfen | 05 Mar 2018 11:28 a.m. PST |
When it comes to the wargaming products, I have no doubt BF makes more money on the miniatures themselves than they do on the rulebooks / cards. That being said, without the rules, there's less demand for the miniatures. Part of me wonders if Battlefront is actually making MOST of its money through its licensed games on the GF9 side of the house… hence the minimalist approach to FoW V4… |
DrDeeNZ | 13 Mar 2018 7:07 p.m. PST |
End of an era, I remember putting up the first FoW PHPBB forum many, many moons ago. |
LDC271 | 15 Mar 2018 5:54 p.m. PST |
Update: looks like they have locked the forum. |
mysteron | 16 Mar 2018 2:16 p.m. PST |
Well I hope at the very least that they keep it albeit locked. At least it can be a source of reference . |
Tarriel | 16 Mar 2018 7:23 p.m. PST |
anyone know the forums that also have Battle group Kursk sections, someone linked it on the BF forums but I cant remember it for the life of me now seemed a decent alternative too as I hate using FB, it ok for quick messages but no good for a warme game rules page |
Thresher01 | 10 Aug 2018 10:46 p.m. PST |
Hmmmmm, not sure how I missed this. A pity. Seems like it might be a good opportunity to resurrect some of the old Yahoo Groups, or start some new ones. |
mysteron | 12 Aug 2018 3:05 a.m. PST |
There are official splinter groups that have been set up to replace the forum on Facebook. I am in the Fate of thr Nation group.I find the group very good and the members very helpful. I just wish BF themselves were a little more proactive with the group's as there are some questions directed at them which have remained and lacking their input. One the whole good but personally I prefer the forum format. |