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This topic has moved here: Subject: The State of Bungie.net
  • Subject: The State of Bungie.net
Subject: The State of Bungie.net

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From the 7th Column Council Thread:
Posted by: Mabian
Posted by: Nedus
I'm inclined to agree with Shai here. There's been a "decline of personality", as he states that's been around since the announcement of Halo 2.


I'm not exactly sure what that is supposed to mean. That the majority of members don't partake in certain discussions? I'm lost...


No, I don't think that's what he meant.


Let me see if I can explain it from my point of view and air out some of the dirty laundry we have here.

We're languishing, and have been for some time now. I'll tell you my story, even though I'm a fairly young member here compared to some who lie in the shadows, wanting to stay but desparately looking for a reason to.

One reason is people. At the risk of promoting an elitist attitude, when I joined the Seventh Column chapters were designed around local gamer groups, designed around setting up LAN parties and contests, and a few larger groups that focused on bringing the entire Column together in central hubs, themed groups that dealt with a certain aspect of Bungie.net and the Seventh Column as a whole. However there has been an influx of people who never had a 'breaking in' period, who missed the point of the Column.

The groups started being about how many members you could get, rather than how decent the group managed it's niche. Way back whenever, the groups were good for something helpful, and one was so helpful, it got recast as a main forum section (The Septagon you're in now). Now the groups actually have become a problem, and a constant source of annoyance and spam for many.
Mjolnir Battle Tactics, for example, spammed the Wikipedia page for Bungie.net with group advertisements, Popular Fusion and they have this inane "Group War" going on, and people actually have "Do not send me group invites" in their signatures. This is retroactive for the column, and both of those groups are causing more harm than I care to see.

They've missed the point. Terribly.

I've gotten so jaded over these things that I've probably passed on several decent groups because I don't wanna be caught up in a mad bid for members. They don't care any longer about providing for the community, they care about being better than the rest of it, and that's the worst kind of elitism.


Seventh Column Council, great idea, horrible execution. Too many people wanted power over the site that they didn't need.

What do we need? Less concentration on silly things like Stat Tracking and whatnot. Yes, the Game Viewer is cool, but how does that help the Column? The most common useage I've seen for it is to brag about how good you are, or how bad someone else is. *yawn* I don't give a -blam!- how good you are. That's not why I'm here. We have MLG for hardcore stat mongers. Bungie.net is where I meet people for a friendly game. Where I discuss the finer points of the Easter Eggs, and theorize on the storylines of the games. It's where I come to check up on my friends, and see what's going on with Bungie.

Now I sit in the Underground and lament that people have gotten so selfish. People who completely crap on others for no other reason than liking another Bungie game more than Halo, or going into the Halo 3 Forum and seeing 400 replies to a topic berating the post starter for an idea or theory. Guess what, all ideas are equally valid, yours or the next guy's.

Look at Bungie.net's reputation on multiple gaming sites. It's frustrating for me especially, and I imagine others, because when we came here it wasn't like this at all. People were somewhat respectful, and even the spammers were on topic for the forum they posted in.

Look at yourself Bungie.net. You've gone from a tight knit gaming community to a mass of spam topics, elitism, and random hate. The forum used to be well moderated with only 5 or 6 moderators. Now we have close to 15 and we're still losing ground. It had to be said.

I long for the days where SketchFactor actually updates the 7thColumn page regularly. Or even the Council Idea would work if it could get people that weren't so worried about controlling aspects of the site.

This is likely to be inflammatory, and I want to apologize in advance:
Bungie, we have to know - do you give a crap anymore?
I've seen a site where the developers were frequent posters, especially Frankie back in the day, where the people had amazing groups that were amazing because they didn't try to be.

I've seen that site degenerate, I've seen over-commercialization of an intellectual property. Yes, some of that stuff is very cool, but do we need a movie? A Comic Book Series? Are we going to do a machinima show on Adult Swim next? When is enough enough? I don't mind these things, actually, it's the thought process behind it. You seem to have ignored the fans that kept Bungie Lore alive in their hearts, in favor of the cash cow of the daytrippers. Making money is forgiveable, even encouraged! I would love for you to have more money to expand and develop. But to do it at the expense of a core fanbase is not considerate.
Halo 3, great, I'm all for it. But remember that we are not walking wallets. We have feelings, and most of them are benevolent to Bungie's interests. Don't forget us in your search for money.

My brief history at Bungie.net was setting up a group for my clan down in Florida, meeting a few people, having a blast with the various stories and activities in the Off Topic forum, working out theories on Halo 2 in New Mombasa with Eagle and chaplain and Wra7h, among others, talking with various people around the 7th Column and forging friendships.
The personality of the forums is dying, and I want to do something about it. But it's gonna take a lot more than a Council. It's going to take employee interaction, and a vast willingness of the members to change for the better.

I sincerely apologize for any personal offense anyone takes, and do not wish to lose my status here as it helps me do a little good for the forums, but your decisions are your own.

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 8:55 AM PDT
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Posted by: mr poopoo232
its like a large force of win going through fusion, thus creating a chain reaction of a huge asplosion of win destroying any fail within its awesomeness.

-Nevermind-

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 9:00 AM PDT

I stand by you GJJ and I agree with what you have said.

  • 08.01.2006 9:01 AM PDT
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Posted by: impurity
I have nothing to add except that I agree with every word of this.

I remember when I first joined b.net(can't believe it's been 2 years now) I joined wanting to just find info on my favorite game, Halo, I came across something else, a community of gamers who had the same interests as me. B.net has changed ever since i joined, it used to be a cool place for me to come check out Halo 2 theroies and maybe read the flood topics. Nowadays i've stopped coming here, I stopped coming when I noticed the trend in the Halo 3 forums was to "bash the other guy because he has an idea", when I joined a fan site of a video game I never expected to see "ur idea suks noob gtfo" I expected to see "Wow man I don't agree with your idea but I respect you for sharing".But this obviously isn't happening anytime soon and I think other peaople need to realize this too.

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 9:02 AM PDT

To Make Posts is Glorious

Some threads will get posts before others and it is the duty of the Leadership to ensure that posts are made that best suit the public welfare.

"heh"

Agreed. A lot of the things done here now are stupid. People take this way too seriously, they start forum "wars" and try and destroy others groups. This is not what the Seventh Column is about; it is not about compitition. The Column stands for unity, and in this state it fails in that category and in many others.

  • 08.01.2006 9:05 AM PDT
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I agree too, Game Junkie Jim is taking a stand for what he personally thinks, and that is good to see from someone with a higher rank than most here. I have been with Bungie for a while on a few other accounts, but you are right. The community as a whole doesn't do anything new anymore, and it is all washed and wrinkled. The only place that isn't turning into a spam pool seems to be The Septagon and believe it or not, The Flood. There are more logical posts in The Flood than New Mombasa. You can't come here without seeing complaints to the maximum, and I think that the blacklistings need to be done more.

  • 08.01.2006 9:05 AM PDT
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the 17th Title on the 17th of June, 2008

Posted by: impurity
I have nothing to add except that I agree with every word of this.


ditto.

  • 08.01.2006 9:06 AM PDT

Posted by: WolfmanMaverick
You people have just sent my sides into orbit. A bunch of MLG try hards sucking the dick of some supposed pro half the thread hasn't even heard of. Classic.

I haven't been here as long as you or some of the other members and I already have started to lose interest in the site. The main thing I come in here for anymore is to see whats going on and to touch base with the friends I have made here. The sad thing is that all but one person on my friends list was made on this site. I still regularly get together with most of them. Some being on the other side of the pond or the world it makes it a bit difficult but I still enjoy their company on here.

I hope that after the passing of Halo3 and the Halo franchise in general Bungie could go back to the way you and others talk about how it was. To me it sounds like I missed out on some of the best times this site had to offer. I would like to be in a community the way you described how this one used to be.

  • 08.01.2006 9:07 AM PDT

With B.B. gone, the passion of Bungie.net has lessened.

I hope Column supporters read this... it'll explain why their efforts are sadly a waste of time. The idea has merrit, but it's an unrealistic one at best.

  • 08.01.2006 9:09 AM PDT
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Boston Red Sox - World Champs (04'/07')
Boston Celtics - World Champs (2008)
After 22 years another championship flag is up in Boston,
the 17th Title on the 17th of June, 2008

Posted by: Achilles1108
I haven't been here as long as you or some of the other members and I already have started to lose interest in the site. The main thing I come in here for anymore is to see whats going on and to touch base with the friends I have made here. The sad thing is that all but one person on my friends list was made on this site. I still regularly get together with most of them. Some being on the other side of the pond or the world it makes it a bit difficult but I still enjoy their company on here.

I hope that after the passing of Halo3 and the Halo franchise in general Bungie could go back to the way you and others talk about how it was. To me it sounds like I missed out on some of the best times this site had to offer. I would like to be in a community the way you described how this one used to be.


I wish the same, I remember the way it was.

'01-late '04 was a great time, epic in most cases. I wish the Column could go back to the "Good O'l Days" :)

  • 08.01.2006 9:10 AM PDT

-Quaere verum.

Got a report? Use the report tool or send a pm.
Chairleg Productions presents: 'Console Wars' and 'Games as Art?' (also on Halo Waypoint).

I long for a day when the Column is loved by all again and GamejunkieJim is completely right; i think it has been over-looked for a little too long now. I understand people are busy with things, but i sincerely hope we do not have to wait too much longer until this place is made that bit better.

Recently we have seen the community doing things such as contests etc and that shows us that the support is there and people are determined restore the Column and the general website attitude to something even greater than it's "glory days".

The way is forward, but right now i think the problem is some feel we have come aground.

  • 08.01.2006 9:11 AM PDT
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Posted by: impurity
I have nothing to add except that I agree with every word of this.


QFE.

  • 08.01.2006 9:11 AM PDT
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I agree 150%. I used to spend hours a day on the forums, but now I've nearly lost interest in the site as a whole.

  • 08.01.2006 9:11 AM PDT

Go Chiefs

I've been around this site for a while now...don't pay attention to the member since date this is my fourth or fifth handle...and I completely agree with you.

Community issues are one thing but as for Bungie corporate I blame Microsoft. Although I really do believe Bungie has tried to remain as independent as possible the bottom line is it's all about the bottom line. Bungie is now part of a public company who's only goal is to increase the price of their stock. Exploiting the Halo series for everything its worth helps Bungie meet their numbers. Does it dilute the value of the franchise? Does it come at the cost of Bungie employees caring more about making money than helping the community? Absolutely.

This is the cost of doing business.

  • 08.01.2006 9:12 AM PDT
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Location: Outlaws' Summit.

What we need to do is Re-Vamp the site. Scrap the forums that aren't being used, and add new features. People are starting to get tired of the "mundane" bungie.net.

I'm sure that if we can freshen the site up a bit, there will be more interest, less wars, and a overall better community.

I'm with you Jim.

  • 08.01.2006 9:15 AM PDT
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Posted by: mr poopoo232
its like a large force of win going through fusion, thus creating a chain reaction of a huge asplosion of win destroying any fail within its awesomeness.

Mjolnir Battle Tactics, for example, spammed the Wikipedia page for Bungie.net with group advertisements, Popular Fusion and they have this inane "Group War" going on, and people actually have "Do not send me group invites" in their signatures. This is retroactive for the column, and both of those groups are causing more harm than I care to see.

I would hug you right now. Slap some sense into these people. Being the group leader I am, it has become the race to the biggest. It's stupid, and MBT and Popular Fusion fail to see the harm they cause. It's just plain selfish. Hell, I tried to stop it. I put Guardian Hunter and m00z in a AIM chatroom, to try to solve the issue. I caused more damage than I tried to solve. I have the whole conversation, of them accusing and flaming each other, it's quite a laugh, to see how fed up people can get over such an immature matter. As for PM invites, though, are simple to take care of. Just block the person, no need to whine or change your sig. But I agree with all GJJ has to say.

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 9:15 AM PDT
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Uh-huh.

I've always blamed the descent of the community on the chapters. I got into Bungie.net through the chapters, and consequently began to participate in other areas. But the chapters themselves were always the most interesting thing, with the hacks and features and ways to personalise them, and sharing ideas in a hub like Chapter Founders always gave people something to talk about.

Of course, interaction between different segments of the community has hit rock-bottom. I haven't seen Sketch post in months. Groups are shut off from the rest of the community - private forums, and also a real lack of chapter-orientated member interaction. It's all about the competition now, and there's no real way to recruit members apart from spamming their PMs. Granted, that's pretty much always been the case, but I remember that people used to check the Classifieds. People create new groups all the time, but I don't want to join them because it'll be more of the same, since there's no major way to customise them any longer. This lack also means there aren't (m)any original ideas out there, and thus there's nothing to talk about on the subject of the column.

I know there's probably a lot on the web team's plate, but I'd rather be told "screw you" than be given empty promises. It's approaching two years since the column upgrade, and there's still no sign of anything major happening to it. Which is a real shame, because there's so much potential.

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 9:16 AM PDT

MY LOVE FOR YOU IS LIKE A TRUCK...
Posted by: Langley
--on another note, I think MLG Chewhatever is an idiot.

Posted by: Achronos
There is a reason I am user ID 1 and my account creation date is before this site came online.

I agree....it seems that the "community" aspect has fallen somewhere along the wayside. Now most people flee from the main forums to their respective groups to try to find solace. Don't get me wrong, groups are great for having more personal and detailed discussions, but I'd much rather see something much more grand happen here in the main forums. I think that a step in the right direction came when Psyched tried to institute a 7th Column Halo 2 team tournament. However, even this got mixed around and people had difference of opinions...even down to whether or not the thread should have been allowed in the Septagon.

Anyways, I agree that it seems that the 7th Column seems to be losing that "community" feel to it, and rather it is just becoming random posting by random members. I, however, do not have a good answer and how to change this trend that we are seeing developing. I don't wish to stand idly by and watch the 7th Column slip into being mundane....but I am open to ideas on how to change it for the better.

Jimbo, it is nice to see that someone feels that the 7th Column is worth saving and that it can be a much better place. Here's to hoping...cheers.

~B.B.

  • 08.01.2006 9:16 AM PDT
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The community just isn't the same. That and the threads have gotten progressively less enticing.

  • 08.01.2006 9:18 AM PDT
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Yeah check out The Spotlight Every month or so we will be adding a group that excels, blah blah, martys army woohoo 2 years ago

  • 08.01.2006 9:18 AM PDT

Devil is Double is Deuce and Joker always trumps Deuce.

Alot of the problems with excessive hate between members won't be solved until Bungie either hides/removes Join Dates.

  • 08.01.2006 9:20 AM PDT
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Location: Outlaws' Summit.

Posted by: Captain K Mart
The community just isn't the same. That and the threads have gotten progressively less enticing.


Then let's Change It. We are the community. This site is here because of US. Now that we all agree that there's a problem, lets do something to fix it.

  • 08.01.2006 9:21 AM PDT
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Posted by: mr poopoo232
its like a large force of win going through fusion, thus creating a chain reaction of a huge asplosion of win destroying any fail within its awesomeness.

Posted by: ICEMAN ASSASS1N
Posted by: Captain K Mart
The community just isn't the same. That and the threads have gotten progressively less enticing.


Then let's Change It. We are the community. This site is here because of US. Now that we all agree that there's a problem, lets do something to fix it.


I think I have a solution...which just might work.

*Works*

[Edited on 8/1/2006]

  • 08.01.2006 9:26 AM PDT
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A year and a half ago the Flood was cool... now it is just spam...

  • 08.01.2006 9:26 AM PDT