making your own game forum?

Dominus Nox · March 14, 2007, 04:09:07 AM

How hard is it to make a game site? I'd like to do a small one with a few subforums. If possible I'd like to have it outside of america for legal reasons.

C.W.Richeson · March 14, 2007, 07:24:42 AM

At the base level, very easy. Even I have had my own local board. Just buy a domain, get service from a hosting company, and copy over a free message board.

Local boards are easy to attract folk to as long as you're willing to do footwork and post fliers at the local colleges, libraries, and other places.

General boards like theRPGsite, though... growing this is tough stuff.

Monster Manuel · March 14, 2007, 07:55:23 AM

It's also fairly easy to run a site for any other specific audience, like fans of a given game or game company, as long as you don't set your hopes too high. I've run a successful forum for fans of a specific game product, but a close friend was never able to get his general rpg forums off the ground. In my experience it's hard to get a critical mass of posters vs. lurkers on any forum, so you might be best off with a focus that invites a lot of specific conversation about things like new products, rules clarifications, metaplot (if any), etc.

Balbinus · March 14, 2007, 08:21:52 AM

I'd rather you simply continued posting here to be honest. what does another forum add?

Mcrow · March 14, 2007, 09:12:30 AM

outside america for legal reasons? What do plan to do, sell crack over your forums?

anyway, try out Proboards, its free and easy to setup and there are a lot of easy to install addons and RPG options, like a die roller.

If you plan to use your own domain, the easiest way is to get a plan through yahoo. They give you a domain name and have forum software that is just a few clicks to install.

C.W.Richeson · March 14, 2007, 09:18:14 AM

Quote from: Mcrowoutside america for legal reasons? What do plan to do, sell crack over your forums?

I was wondering that, too. America actually has less restrictive laws involving internet regulation, due in part to our obsession with capitalism. This is why we'll never be on the EU's list of approved nations (for getting around E-Commerce bureaucratic issues) and have special rules applied to us for businesses engaging in internet business that are based in America. It largely revolves around a concern the EU and other legal bodies have over privacy rights in data collected through online transactions, which the U.S. doesn't pay much attention to.

James J Skach · March 14, 2007, 10:53:19 AM

Quote from: C.W.RichesonIAmerica actually has less restrictive laws involving internet regulation, due in part to our obsession with capitalism.

hehehe...classic....just classic...

Sorry sorry sorry...back to getting Nox his own forum.

obryn · March 14, 2007, 11:11:29 AM

Ask yourself...

(1) What could I do that every other site can't?

(2) Will I have an audience?

A forum without members is just a sad, sad thing. If you have no active user base you're better off not having it at all.

-O

C.W.Richeson · March 14, 2007, 11:23:42 AM

Quote from: James J Skachhehehe...classic....just classic...

I don't understand. The United States doesn't protect consumer information (except in the case of children) except through enforcing agreements individual websites choose to create (which few people read). The reason of this is because the country is just fine with businesses selling personal information, which is extremely profitable.

James J Skach · March 14, 2007, 11:27:32 AM

Quote from: C.W.RichesonI don't understand. The United States doesn't protect consumer information (except in the case of children) except through enforcing agreements individual websites choose to create (which few people read). The reason of this is because the country is just fine with businesses selling personal information, which is extremely profitable.

Really, I'm sorry I posted it and potentially derailed the thread.

I'll just leave it as read what you just wrote, with all the of the qualifiers and exceptions. And if you still have a problem with my calling out the "obsession with capitalism," we can take it somewhere else. Fair enough?

blakkie · March 14, 2007, 11:30:30 AM

Quote from: Mcrowoutside america for legal reasons? What do plan to do, sell crack over your forums?

Don't ask, don't tell.

Maybe he thinks it'll provide some sort of protection from civil litigation? I wouldn't count on that though.

Koltar · March 14, 2007, 12:59:50 PM

There are already at least 4 or 5 gaming forums that I can think of out there, (The Big Purple & Pink, The Orange & Friendly, The GenCon Forums, Forge the forum, this one that we're on...) MORE forums , if I consider localized ones connected to game stores or smaller science fiction conventions.

So who would join this hypothetical forum?

What would entice people to register and join it ?

- E.W.C.

JongWK · March 14, 2007, 01:04:58 PM

Why are you discouraging him?

Koltar · March 14, 2007, 01:13:11 PM

Quote from: JongWKWhy are you discouraging him?

Who's discouraging? {{:-)

Those are pretty valid questions for anyone who is thinking of starting a new gaming forum.

- E.W.C.

James McMurray · March 14, 2007, 01:27:52 PM

If you need it outside America for legal reasons, do a lot of research. Don't assume that just because your server is in Mbutu you'll be able to post pictures of .