Why are newcomers not "sticking"?

[The Black Wolf]

I see newcomers come and go on this site and forums. They register, post a bit, and then don't blossom into active members. Why is this?

I don't understand it. I was on a forum that had 100 members active everyday, 7 days a week. Their news and the topics they covered in the news was narrower than PSU, yet the forum and site was very active.

Then, we've got old members leaving and thus less active members to keep the forums going.

Is there any way I can help or something we can do to help make newcomers "stick" to this site?

[adierolfe]

Boobs help.

[dc89]

Boobs help.

We has b00bs. In the subscriber section. More b00bs then you can shake a stick at.

[Lethal_NFS]

There are many people who just do not have the time to come on here every single day. Especially this time of the year.

And I bring the boobs everywhere I go!

[F34R]

I think it's the unfriendly nature of not being in a click when you join here. I've seen several new members try to break into the community and once they post an unpopular opinion, they are attacked, and subsequently leave. That is the main issue I think. The site has plenty of content and an abundance of discussion, so that isn't the problem.

[SchaffinOSX]

I think it's the unfriendly nature of not being in a click when you join here. I've seen several new members try to break into the community and once they post an unpopular opinion, they are attacked, and subsequently leave. That is the main issue I think. The site has plenty of content and an abundance of discussion, so that isn't the problem.

This is actually a great point. I remember when I first joined, I had a terrible time trying to find a place in the community. Things were wholly different then, and I was only 13 years old, but nevertheless, I can see why newer users sometimes find it hard to really find their place.

There's nothing wrong with having clicks on a forum, as its only natural, but we need to make sure that everyone is welcome to join in on the discussion and that we're not constantly shooting other people down when we disagree with them. This is the reason we're here; to discuss, and to debate. Shooting other members down isn't encouraging said debate, but hindering it altogether, because those newer users are simply walking away and deciding not to stay.

Great point F34R.

[Acid Snake]

Even though I've been here since 08, I don't know a lot of the members that well here.

[T0PGUN]

Get off my GRASS!!

[radgamer420]

I've seen several new members try to break into the community and once they post an unpopular opinion, they are attacked, and subsequently leave.

I agree. This forum has a small but very vocal group of insecure and fanatical PS3 fans that drive away alot of potential members who are looking for some good unbiased discussion. Until those people are dealt with I dont see the situation changing. People arent going to stick around a forum where theyre attacked just for having an opinion that certain intolerant people dont want to hear.

[SchaffinOSX]

How would some of you who agree with F34R's point think such users should be dealt with? We don't want to start throwing out long-time users, granted they've contributed a lot to the community and are very good at creating discussion, but we also don't want some of those members to be hindering the site's ability to gain new users.

If you think it needs to be fixed, go one step further and explain how ​something like this could be solved.

[AaronSOLDIER]

Or it could be the 360 fans who... shouldn't really be here... The people joining are mostly likely PS3 fans, when they see all the negative posts about the PS3 its clear whats happening.

[SchaffinOSX]

Or it could be the 360 fans who... shouldn't really be here... The people joining are mostly likely PS3 fans, when they see all the negative posts about the PS3 its clear whats happening.

I think it's possible for a 360 fan base to exist on a PS3 forum. In fact, I'll go as far to say that it's vital to the forums that a portion of our users are on the opposite side of the fence. An entirely pro-PS3 community would be somewhat boring, if you ask me. Everyone would constantly agree and there would really be very little debate to have. Having 360 users on board means there will be significantly more debate concerning the PlayStation 3 in comparison to other consoles, multi-platform titles, exclusives, and so on.

The problem we face here is that sometimes, the debates get far too heated and some users start getting personal and calling one another idiots. I don't think a new user would mind being disagreed with. The issue is the manner in which they are sometimes met with. I wouldn't be encouraged to come back to a place I just joined where I'm being called an idiot for voicing my opinion.

That's where we have problems sometimes.

[EatSleepAndPlay]

My shaved ass and I are still here.

Were "sticking" around.

[Ixion]

I think the whole "cliques" thing is BS to be honest. This is an internet forum. The easiest and most stress free form of social interaction in the world. I was never in a clique and never had any friends on here, unless you want to count the staff now. Yet I had no problem with this place.

Also, take a look at a forum like RealGM (the NBA forum I go on). They treat new members like shit. Even the mods do it. But it's crazy active and hell....it's part of the fun there. lol

If I had to identify the largest issue, it would probably be the slow speed of this site (and constant downtime). PSU is slower than every other forum I visit. I'm sure many people just figure there's other options out there and leave.

[Two4DaMoney]

I agree. This forum has a small but very vocal group of insecure and fanatical PS3 fans that drive away alot of potential members who are looking for some good unbiased discussion. Until those people are dealt with I dont see the situation changing. People arent going to stick around a forum where theyre attacked just for having an opinion that certain intolerant people dont want to hear.

You know full well that it's not just pro ps3 members doing it. Even the "unbiased" multi-console owning members troll and harass members because despite of being so called "unbiased", they do have a system of choice. Take a look at the infraction section. It will back up that statement.

People do get in trouble for harassing other members. I was involved in a recent situation as such in the 360 section and the long time member did receive an infraction. The report button and very detail description does go a long way alerting the staff of a member's behavior. I don't recall reporting him but someone did.

It's been made aware that this is not the first time you have gone after another member like this. The user you are directing these comments at is perfectly on-topic it just happens you don't agree with that they have said but that is no excuse to harass and try and draw them in to a argument.

If you can't learn to agree to disagree then there is no point in being on a forum which is diverse and has many members who support and enjoy different platforms

Going by that report, it's obvious that if a member has a history of harassing members then he will be taken care of by the mods.

[BoyBettaKnow]

Wait until the PS4 is announced. There will be a huge wave of new people joining in. As others have said i'm not sure if there are any cliques on the forums to a full extent though. Some people agree on somethings and others don't. PSU is still far away from having separate 'tribes' of users.

[radgamer420]

You know full well that it's not just pro ps3 members doing it. Even the "unbiased" multi-console owning members troll and harass members because despite of being so called "unbiased", they do have a system of choice. Take a look at the infraction section. It will back up that statement.

True, they both do it but all the infraction section is proof of is that only one of the two groups is being punished for it. But I'm not going to get into all that again.

[podsaurus]

I think it's the unfriendly nature of not being in a click when you join here. I've seen several new members try to break into the community and once they post an unpopular opinion, they are attacked, and subsequently leave. That is the main issue I think. The site has plenty of content and an abundance of discussion, so that isn't the problem.

I remember posting about this last winter. I felt very isolated and had no one I connected with. Very good point.

[Lethal_NFS]

I instantly felt connected. And if I didn't, I made you connect with me!!!!!!

Connect with me bitches!

[F34R]

How would some of you who agree with F34R's point think such users should be dealt with? We don't want to start throwing out long-time users, granted they've contributed a lot to the community and are very good at creating discussion, but we also don't want some of those members to be hindering the site's ability to gain new users.

If you think it needs to be fixed, go one step further and explain how ​something like this could be solved.

I'll be quite blunt here. Fixing the problem was my intent as a staff member many moons ago. The direction Seb wanted to take didn't include me or the notion of getting ride of the problem members.

I guess I didn't fall into the rut that the rest of the staff at that time were in of getting rid of the black listed members. I was eventually demoted when I wouldn't go along with the master plan. Demoted under the guise of poor moderating, the dream of fixing the problems died along with my faith that this place could be the best community on the Internet for gaming enthusiasts.

My comments are backed up by history that goes back to several other staff being removed, the members I supposedly harassed have now been perma banned how many times now?

When I discussed the issues with the then admin who was in charge of my demotion (which communication I kept) and the other discussions I've been privy to, my theory of why I was demoted was confirmed.

Want the problems fixed? I'm the one who could do it.

[Vulgotha]

I think the whole "cliques" thing is BS to be honest. This is an internet forum. The easiest and most stress free form of social interaction in the world. I was never in a clique and never had any friends on here, unless you want to count the staff now. Yet I had no problem with this place.

Also, take a look at a forum like RealGM (the NBA forum I go on). They treat new members like shit. Even the mods do it. But it's crazy active and hell....it's part of the fun there. lol

If I had to identify the largest issue, it would probably be the slow speed of this site (and constant downtime). PSU is slower than every other forum I visit. I'm sure many people just figure there's other options out there and leave.

Oh posh. You and I were part of the theological front during many a debate and we've enjoyed a warm relationship.


@Fear

I know that feel bro. Under the old administration it happened to me too.

[Two4DaMoney]

True, they both do it but all the infraction section is proof of is that only one of the two groups is being punished for it. But I'm not going to get into all that again.

yea right. I see ps3 and 360 members in that section.

[AaronSOLDIER]

Usually its just PS3 fans being punished.

[F34R]

Usually its just PS3 fans being punished.

It's usually them breaking the rules lol.

[The Black Wolf]

You know, this forum doesn't have enough thread makers. We need to encourage people to make threads and others to reply to the threads.

Also, this site needs something more . . . interactive. The giveaways, contests and things like PSU Write army are good, but it needs something else. The old forum I was at had a BIG RPG game and whenever members posted, they got money. It needs something big and fun.

I have a question: is it wise to add new things to a site as it becomes more active, or do you add things to make it more active? I have an idea, and I guess you could say it's shooting in the dark.

Why not have a gamer profile like some other sites? It could list all the games, systems, and etc a person has.