If locking or moving the thread, perhaps also update the description of the General forums section and maybe add a stickie that describes what this section is meant to be in clearer language. Right now the General section is still framed including labels like "concerns, speculation" and also "heart's desire." The Feedback section mentions "praise" and "cheese." One of my first ever threads on these boards was moved from the General section to the Feedback section which is how I started to figure out what the difference was meant to be. I also didn't touch the General section at all for like 4 months after that lol.
The note about spoilers indicates that the General section is meant for subjects that are more of a gloss and non specific i.e. nothing that might spoil the game for someone who just purchased it or is considering a purchase, whereas Feedback seems appropriately much more EA spoilerish.
The impression I get is that the General section is meant for enthusiasm and levity, also descriptive rather than prescriptive, not for judgement or debate really. The Feedback forum by contrast seems to be all gravity, and judgment and debate. Put yet another way, the General section is supposed to be Fun and humorous like play at recess, whereas Feedback is meant to be more serious and not fun, like graded schoolwork I guess. But this could be clearer. Subjects tend to drift back and forth between these two sections, with a fair bit of reduplication and overlap. For that reason we probably have half a dozen threads on any given subject (say "Origins") in each section, with similar talking points, but different participants.
Most threads in the General section are framed as Questions, whereas most threads in Feedback are framed as declarative Statements, but this can also lend itself to confusion, since an open question in General tends to drift into Feedback territory. General should perhaps be seen as watercooler or polite small talk, also brevity. I always seem to fail on that last one hehe.
I think moving the thread is probably more productive than locking it, even if it was hijacked. I think I may have been too feedbacky and too speculative in my initial reply on page 1 once the door was opened. Apologies there. It's too much my mode I suppose. I'll still vote for Lae'zel in the multiple choice here, since 'none of the above' seems a bit too fraught for this section. Also appreciation for your efforts at moderating, it's a tough gig and often doesn't get enough appreciation either. But yeah, Lae'zel for sure! Why not! Hehe
Last edited by Black_Elk; 24/11/21 05:29 PM.
