It would work great for our deck list section, but then again, we don't really have much trouble in our deck list section.

Ymtc is a pretty tight knit group and most of us have known each other your years. It probably helps for newcomers though.

Well in some ways, that's what this whole thread is about: creating a positive environment where newcomers will feel welcome, and ideally, helping newcomers adapt quickly/easily.

Obviously, we spent a lot of time talking about the environment, but that's just part of the point, IMO.

Pretty hard to evaluate. It's been there since the beginning, but I have no idea whether people use it or not. We don't direct new people to it, at least. Probably doesn't hurt though.

You know, some of this might be alleviated if instead of having their own off topic thread, they (dotP) instead post in the off topic room, as to interact with the wider community, that way they are introduced to a wider selection of users.

NGA's mewest member is "No More Lutionary". Probably should look into that.

Two things:

1) This is something you should have sent to a mod via pm if you think they should look into it.

2) They already knew.

Agree 100%

All that would do is exacerbate the current problem of off topic discussions spilling over into other threads.

It's also a case that multiple subforums, not just DOTP, have such a thread, and it would not be fair to single out a specific forum this way if you weren't going to do it to all of the others.

For what it's worth, in my experience off topic threads generally help community cohesion more than they hinder it.

I think the practice probably started with Flavor and Storylines about six years ago and it's always worked very well for us. Each group does have their own community.

That doesn't solve the problem of people not leaving their own backyards though. It's hard to pry people loose--I know that just from being one of the barnacles so to speak

Why is "people not leaving their own backyards" a problem? Yes, you should try to find ways to lure people out of different forums and into other parts of the site, but you should not force them to. It is desirable for people in the Duels subforum to visit other parts of the site. It IS NOT a problem if they don't, and they shouldn't be forced to do so.

While I do think it's nice for people to mingle with other parts of the community, I don't think it's something we should be forcing.

I think the barriers of entry between sub-communities is a separate issue altogether and if we really wanted to tackle it, it would be more appropriate to do so in a separate thread.

Well, I mean as i noted back on page 6 or 7,when I said that something looked like baiting to me (an outsider) looked like joking to those who were in the know, there be less outsiders to the "in the know" if they posted elsewhere in the community at large, thus they would be able to see what does and doesn't look like baiting to someone on the outside. ( I hope this makes sense)

I think I get where you're coming from, but I think doing something like that would probably damage their sense of community more than it would help things. I could definitely see the merit in encouraging them to go there if they're interested in interacting with the greater forum community, but if they're just here for Duels and they want to talk to people who also like Duels, I certainly think it's reasonable for them to have a place to talk with other members of their community about off-topic stuff.

I think the spirit behind what you're saying is good, though. Encouraging (not forcing) more interaction with the rest of the board in both directions might help ease tensions a bit. Eliminating their off-topic thread is probably a bit too much, though.

also, no matter what, we have to worry about what things look like to outsiders because new posters are always gonna be outsiders.

We do just fine with new posters IMO. Generally, they show up, we welcome them, help them with their decks, etc... I don't think they feel unwelcome. New posters aren't the problem, and I don't think they are having problems.

It does seem like of all the boards Duels is having the best luck attracting new people... which is a problem from the perspective of other boards but one of a very different and not particularly relevant sort.

Duels is having the best luck attracting new people because right now it basically seems to be us and the subreddit, and the subreddit at least knows about us. We also made several big stinks about this place on the mothership before it went down, on a repeated basis.

For MTGO, paper, and all other sorts of products, there is A LOT more competition, and the site probably isn't as well known in those communities. Even then, it's not like Magic Duels is getting a ton of users. We're only getting a small trickle compared to what the subreddit gets.

I agree DJ. I know myself and a lot of members of the 'clique of lynching evil-doers' are quick to greet new members and make them feel comfortable/welcome. Barney (who is skeptical about coming back) takes their decks and playtests them for them. Kryder, Babs and I provide theorycrafting advice.. kindly I might add (since that can be an issue that makes people butthurt) offer ideas for card swaps, etc. If we can keep the regulars from getting butthurt, and keep the negativity out of threads.. it can be extremely welcoming for new members.

The subreddit is more active.. but the format of the place is pure garbage.

Plus also, the subreddit gets the majority of the 'this game sux, hear me, I'm important.' posts, and frankly I'm glad we don't. Lol

Thanks be to Ulamog that wotc never sent anyone here to ruin our community with their presence.