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How much do Online discussion forums influence game developers?

April 24, 2008 in News comments 6

NeoGAF is proof that, though ancient by Internet standards, message boards are a vital part of the gaming ecosystem, providing an outlet for passionate players to be heard by and influence industry taste-makers, creators, and deciders. It also allows them to indulge in that most cherished of Internet traditions: thumbing your nose at authority.

Tyler Malka is the 24-year-old owner of one of gaming's most beloved Internet stops. On any given day, thousands of game fanatics -- and a sizable number of developers, marketers, and journalists -- take a break from whatever they should be doing to log in to the message boards at NeoGAF.com, a no-holds-barred WrestleMania of breaking game news and snarky commentary. "I like to think of it as a nexus of fandom, media, and industry," Malka says. "GAFers take gaming news and issues very seriously, and you'll often see big names jumping into discussions and flame wars with everyone else."
Deathsythe via 1up.com »
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  • 0
    Final Blade Apr 25, 08
    I guess a little, but i doubt most have time to browse them.
    • 0
      Gogetenks Apr 26, 08
      You'd be surprised. Big companies like EA and Ubisoft don't check much beyond their own official boards, but employees from many companies (especially smaller ones) can be found browsing forums every once in a while, and those are just the ones who openly speak about it (I've talked to a couple of designers that way). Forums are perfect for research, and many companies admit to having a number of employees who read message board posts, anonymously. Millions of people post on message boards, so this gives them access to millions of opinions.
      • 0
        Final Blade Apr 26, 08
        Well they better be looking at this site, we have some good ideas; like better Nintendo marketing that they desperately need.
  • 0
    Chekkaa Apr 25, 08
    Yeah, there are hundreds of message boards out there, but at least some of them will be read. There are too many good ideas to be read for them not to be.
  • 0
    Chris7689 Apr 26, 08
    itd be smart for all companies to get all this feedback and info so that they can improve on what the majority of the public wants with it, rather then just doin what THEY think is best.
  • 1
    Bale Fire* Apr 26, 08
    You have to admit though that suggestions on forums are not always from the right people. Some people will just suggest stuff that is simply not possible and makes no sense at all. Go to Myresistance and check out the Resistance 2 discussion. Every second thread is someone saying "Would'nt it be cool it you could take cover?, Would'nt it be cool if you could call in a helicopter? Or wouldn't be cool if Hale had a sword?"

    The stupidity is astounding

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