I don't like what you are discussing and here are 100 reasons why...

[LeadAsbestos]

Mild rant coming: Why the sudden interest in joining into threads just to bash the subject matter, or to make your voice heard about elements you don't like, games you'll never play, things that are, in your opinion, wrong, etc? Not so much here, though it has been happening, but all across the net/forums.

What happened to letting folks enjoy their hobby their way? Don't like it? Move on. You'd play a game, but reason X prevents you from ever trying it? So don't, and let the rest of us try it. Minis not to your taste? Don't buy them.

Sorry, but the Gangs of Rome FB group, and to a lesser extent, the thread here, have got me all bothered. Sadly, over on FB it seems mostly my American comrades who think the whole damn world should be hand-crafted to their needs. Here, at least I see the reasons behind some discontent, though I completely disagree with them. But page after page of " Let me chime in to tell you why this sucks..." is just bad behavior.

[Sunjester]

This is the main reason I visit TMP far less than I used to!

It's not something I have particularly noticed here on LAF, long may that continue!

[Lowtardog]

Ignore them mate, if you react to their churlish behaviour they have won

[fred]

I think its uncommon here. I think it is most common on something new, when people have hopes and expectations for a new product, and then find that it is going to be different. Then there is understandable annoyance that the new thing you were wanting to really like, isn't going to be the thing you expected. And perhaps there is a hope to influence the design before its too late - or just to let off steam.

Complaining about established games, is a bit like shouting at the tide.

[Nord]

Yes. But also no.

A forum is a place for a discussion, so the nays have as much right as the yays to throw in their opinion. A whole string of yays would make for a pretty dull conversation. It would be like a North Korean party political broadcast. A bit of good natured and respectful rough and tumble adds to the forum, IMO.

[jamesmanto]

If you're frustrated with the dominant game in your preferred genre. Used to be WRG and then DBx were the only rules catered for in ancients. Or warhammer or 40k.
But now there is so much choice .

Of course a lot of it is the old "I think that all right thinking people should think the way I think!"

[Inkpaduta]

Pretty much the main reason I left TMP.
Someone would right how much they enjoyed game X
and immediately someone would start ripping them for it.
Live and let live. We are doing this hobby to have fun.
This is why I so enjoy LAF.

[Dr Mathias]

I think it is a cultural trend. "Don't like the things I don't like!"

I have no idea why this has become a 'thing'. Maybe something to do with what I'd call a 'hyper-individualism' shift... everyone's opinion matters and MUST be shared. It's pervasive on gaming boards, but it shows up for everything from pumpkin spice, to candy corn, to Pokemon Go. People waste their time making sure that everyone knows they dislike it, by posting or making memes about it.





That one cracks me up- beer and darts as a measure of self worth.  

My crackpot theory, and I hope I'm wrong, is that humans are cultural lemmings and reach a point where the proverbial pot boils over, and there has to be a huge conflict that resettles for a time. The 'civilized world' seems to be simmering along quite nicely from my point of view...

EDIT: I just remembered an event from TMP, about three years ago. New poster asked "Where an I buy the rounded edged slotta bases." John the OFM pipes in and almost attacks the person asking for the info, because "Why would anyone want to use those? blah blah blah!" The poster never came back- and I was going to send him some of those bases for FREE because I had extras. That might have been the moment I stopped going there regularly. 

[Cubs]

Yes. But also no.

A forum is a place for a discussion, so the nays have as much right as the yays to throw in their opinion. A whole string of yays would make for a pretty dull conversation. It would be like a North Korean party political broadcast. A bit of good natured and respectful rough and tumble adds to the forum, IMO.

This is pretty much my take.

All things in balance is my philosophy, so a bit of positive and a bit of negative, as long as they are courteously given and, where appropriate, reasons given maketh my little world go round. I confess I probably make the assumption that because someone has publicly posted something they are asking for honest feedback (or at least should be ready for it).

I'll try to be constructive if I feel a criticism oozing from me, but I'm not in the camp of 'if you can't say anything nice, say nothing', because that leads to those awful threads where you can see lots of views but no replies. Having been the instigator of some of those, it can grind the soul. I prefer a critical reply than nothing, so long as it's an invitation to discuss and not just a tantrum.

[Captain Blood]

Yes. But also no.

A forum is a place for a discussion, so the nays have as much right as the yays to throw in their opinion. A whole string of yays would make for a pretty dull conversation. It would be like a North Korean party political broadcast. A bit of good natured and respectful rough and tumble adds to the forum, IMO.

This.

Criticism or praise of products being promoted for sale is perfectly legitimate, provided criticism is reasoned and civil. There’s no rule in the forum that says we must all love everything that’s offered up for sale, and must never make negative comments if we want to express an opinion as to why the product in question doesn’t appeal or live up to expectations.

What’s not legitimate - and is the thing that generally leads to ruckuses - is criticising other people’s opinions, positive or negative.

So saying ‘I love/hate product XYZ, and here’s why’ is valid.

Saying ‘You’re wrong for loving / hating product XYZ and you should just shut up’ is not valid.

Discussion and debate are part and parcel of the forum, and as long as things are kept polite and proportionate, there’s no reason why it should be a problem.  Some people subscribe to the philosophy of ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’. Other people like to be free to express their opinions. The rules and ways of this forum have always been that people are free to express their opinions.

In summary, criticise products being marketed to us, but please try to hold back from criticising other members. Agree or disagree by all means, but please don't try to prevent people from expressing their opinion

[LeadAsbestos]

This.

Criticism or praise of products being promoted for sale is perfectly legitimate, provided criticism is reasoned and civil. There’s no rule in the forum that says we must all love everything that’s offered up for sale, and must never make negative comments if we want to express an opinion as to why the product in question doesn’t appeal or live up to expectations.

What’s not legitimate - and is the thing that generally leads to ruckuses - is criticising other people’s opinions, positive or negative.

So saying ‘I love/hate product XYZ, and here’s why’ is valid.

Saying ‘You’re wrong for loving / hating product XYZ and you should just shut up’ is not valid.

Discussion and debate are part and parcel of the forum, and as long as things are kept polite and proportionate, there’s no reason why it should be a problem.  Some people subscribe to the philosophy of ‘if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all’. Other people like to be free to express their opinions. The rules and ways of this forum have always been that people are free to express their opinions.

In summary, criticise products being marketed to us, but please try to hold back from criticising other members. Agree or disagree by all means, but please don't try to prevent people from expressing their opinion

 

Right... Stopping just short of accusing the creators of GoR of stealing the ideas of LAF members, and calling those interested in the game 'spoon-fed' is just perfect behavior. Such a gentleman. Tell me again what to think or say. Thank you.

[Captain Blood]

Right... Stopping just short of accusing the creators of GoR of stealing the ideas of LAF members, and calling those interested in the game 'spoon-fed' is just perfect behavior. Such a gentleman. Tell me again what to think or say. Thank you.

Well you’ve misrepresented what I said in that thread completely, but never mind.
As I say, reasoned criticism of products is within the rules of the forum. Having a go at other members for expressing their opinions isn’t. Mainly because that too often spills over into personal attacks.

I wasn’t telling you what to think or say. I was telling you that the forum rules allow criticism of products, so there’s not much point complaining about people criticising products.

[Lysandros]

polite critism should be allowed for non commercial posts . It can get rather bland mediocrity being celebrated  as if it's a Bill Gaskin set up .
This is a weakness with this forum as it can restrain good debate but of course bad behaviour should be punished .

[levied troop]

Funniest example I ever saw was on an obituary thread for Prince (on a wargames site’s general page) where someone joined in just to say they’d never liked Prince’s music.

[Lowtardog]

I think the GOR has had some rather extreme reactions (not on here though) with some rather bizarre reactions I have observed on promotions on face book   though I tend to think if you pay your money you take your chance.

Honestly ignore it Lead asbestos. I bought and painted up a shed load of gladiators thinking a set of rules long discussed on this forum would be released but never were. I sold them on and was happy with the price I got and enjoyed painting them. I could have used them for gangs of rome etc again too late  on cutting out bits of cards and stuff, I haven`t the time these days, I would have at one time but with only 4 hours at a club night would rather not Blue Peter my wargames time