The Decline of the ZU forums

I would like to know people's thoughts and opinions on exactly what things have changed on the ZU forums and why, and what can be done. I have only been here for a couple of weeks and am rather ignorant as to the whole situation and how long it has been going on. But I do think some people differ in their opinions.

ZU is definitely not the same, that's for sure. The whole atmosphere has changed. And people are leaving and expressing discontent with some of the behaviour here.

Please discuss here. I want the old ZU back.

Who wants to talk about Zelda every day?

If you really don't like it here anymore, I have a sound piece of advice for you.


Leave.

I think we're in the same boat Mrs Ganondorf.

I haven't been here too long either and there seems to have been a great deal of change during my short time here. Of course, like always some changes were for the better and others for the worse. People came, threads were made. People left and threads vanished into Zelda Universe History.

There has been a recent disturbance with a certain spartan_117 but most of the people here are fueling his little quest by merely acknowledging his existence. Sure it's a problem, but whose to say it's not a problem elsewhere? I'm not a very 'well traveled' user and this is my first forum.

The site itself has been burdened with the unfortunate loss of our dear Super Decimal. Beloved by all and considered the greatest of mods, his departure has left ZU feeling a little empty. But of course, this just gives the opportunity for another mod who might be just as infinitely awesome as he was.

But other than that things seem to be going as usual. There's always a debate going on in serious business, a character duel in the battle arena and a theory in the timeline section. People are always posting pictures in the scrapbook and having discussions in the community thread. The trolls do their trolling while the mods patrol and do as they must to keep the site from going to the dogs.

So for me, I haven't really seen such a decline in quality here.
But our more senior members have had more experiences here than myself.

If you really don't like it here anymore, I have a sound piece of advice for you.


Leave

I couldn't have put it better.

It was those damn pesky Jews.

The forums are pretty much exactly the same as they have always been. Older members tend to percieve a decline because they start to get bored and pissed at the newbs, even though they were once the same.

The only real difference is the number of members has exploded. This isn't neccesarily a bad thing. There was a time though when you could get to know practically everyone on the site, and those times have passed. Still, you can get to know plenty of people.

The main problem with the forums is the Serious Discussion board. The majority of ZU's members are not mature enough for decent discussion, and most of them don't know what the hell they are talking about. I think the forums were way better when topics like that were not allowed. This is why I avoid that section.

So, basically ZU is like a car. It was awsome when it was new, but now that its been around for a while it has a few dings in it and doesnt seem that great. It's still running strong though, and hopefully it will continue to for years to come.

I meant it when I said I would put in my two cents in a few weeks.

Power Shot as a Moderator.

That, I believe, is the strongest indicator that ZU has lost sight of what had once made it great. This new era of debauchery and intolerance is astounding!

It's because you all didn't support my mature forum.


I agree with Epyon, older members have talked about every subject out there. You can only post in so many OoT is the best, why? threads before they get boring.

I've been active pretty solidly for at least the past two and a half to three years. I've never noticed any significant changes. The problems people have now are the same problems others have had in the past. There have always been members people found annoying. There have always been members who have made several accounts after being banned. There have always been members leaving that people swore would cause the downfall of the community.

People are too nitpicky. People complain about all the problems but do nothing productive to "fix" any of them. People look at the past with rose-tinted glasses. As long as this place exists there will be people who whine and ***** and moan about how bad it has gotten. Get over yourselves and either live with it or leave.

Originally Posted by Mrs Ganondorf

I would like to know people's thoughts and opinions on exactly what things have changed on the ZU forums and why, and what can be done. I have only been here for a couple of weeks and am rather ignorant as to the whole situation and how long it has been going on. But I do think some people differ in their opinions.

ZU is definitely not the same, that's for sure. The whole atmosphere has changed. And people are leaving and expressing discontent with some of the behaviour here.

Please discuss here. I want the old ZU back.

It does feel different, and I would say it's mainly because of the users. New ZUsers are leaving their marks, and you may be missing some of those who have left. Then there are new things on the forum itself, like a separate forum for Zelda theorists and sig makers, and I think these bring them into greater prominence, and with it, new trends maybe.

The atmosphere in the Zelda forums change, obviously, with the coming games. Back when I first joined, Twilight Princess was like a bright light on the horizon (for a long time), and now that the game is out, I can't help but slightly miss the anticipation.

But decline? I don't think that. People have always came and gone.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by Galedeep

People look at the past with rose-tinted glasses.

I think that's a very big part of it too.

I haven't noticed any changes...but then, I've only been here since January of this year...

Well from the time I've been here I can't say that I've noticed the great decline that others are apparently baring witness to - such as Windeh in his leaving thread.

Of course ZU isn't going to be exactly the same as you remember, and it's pointless to bang on about how great the boards used to be and how the threads that are made now are a complete waste of time. Your perceptions of the boards are bound to change, and if you're bored with the forums then that's *your* problem and nobody else's.

Just to let you know Mrs. G. this isn't an attack on you, although when people whine about how the boards are in decline, it's often interesting to think about what these people are contributing as of late. Windeh complained about how he was unhappy with the members, although I don't remember ever reading a particularly thrilling thread being posted by him; nor do I remember reading a post being made my Windeh that left me with a Buddha-like sense of profound enlightenment.

I don't find ZU to be as enjoyable as I once did, but that's *my* problem. I don't contribute anything more to this community than the odd Cher-appreciation thread that nobody could care less about. The difference between myself and some others however, is that I recognise that it's my problem, and I certainly wouldn't rant about how other people are ruining my ZU-experience by not meeting my high expectations with their posts. To be honest, I can't imagine ever being that narcissistic. :/

So, if you're bored with ZU then that's your issue. But please, if you decide to leave then don't bore us all with a sermon on how we mere mortals are not worthy of your time or attention. Either flood the boards with the greatest threads ever conceived or save the trite speeches for Sunday.

Float your yawns.

I blame the new generation.
Really, the products of the 80s are way more badass and coolified.

But, in all seriousness, as far as I have seen, the old posters haven't changed much in their posting ways. They have perhaps grown more mature or refined, but their styles and personalities are very much the same. Our territory is being slowly devoured by newer members, though, and so the community at large is not the same. That, I'd say, is the cause of your distress.

I'm not talking about the Zelda game and how "boring" it is to discuss Zelda.

Just had a convo with LexLionHart here. He agreed with me that ZU has become boring because people only talk about themselves. There are no real conversations like there used to be. When you're asked what's your favourite this and that and such, people post and never go back unless they want to talk more about what they like. I've tried to be sociable here and make people talk. But it's difficult.

This forum is no longer social because most people are talking only about themselves. They don't care what others say. The effort isn't mutual so it gets tiring rather quickly. I'm not picking on newbies and I'm not bored with them.

I see nothing wrong with the SD forum. The activity there isn't as great as it used to be and it's getting repetitive, even for newbies.

Secondly, it's the general way people talk to one another. Some have really lost respect for others and use bad names and words, creating a generally low and tense atmosphere. The old ZU was polite and had a stronger community feeling. It had respect and friendliness. So much of that is gone.

Originally Posted by GaleDeep

people who whine and ***** and moan about how bad it has gotten. Get over yourselves and either live with it or leave.

See what I mean? Is this how you talk to every one you meet? Just think about what you're saying.

And Vega, it's not just my problem. And at least I'm trying to make an effort to liven things up a bit here. So don't insinuate that I complain and don't try to do anything about it.

Originally Posted by 2 Dope

If you really don't like it here anymore, I have a sound piece of advice for you.


Leave.

That's the typical response of an unwise person. What ZU should strive to do is make all of it's members happy with the site, instead of not caring and simply dismissing their opinion about the site by saying "If you don't like it than leave"

ZU is a community site and because of that it should care about the thoughts and ideas of it's members. If slowly no one liked it and made a thread about what could be improved and people like you kept saying "Leave" ZU wouldn't be very large at all.

It is people like you who are making ZU a bad place to be.

I;ve been here for 3 1/2 years and i have noticed a bit of change in the forums. For starters, there have been at least 3 owners of ZU since i joined and many many moderators.

There are a few of the veteran members still about from when i first joined but some of them have left due to new members consistently spamming and taking the jacksy out of everyone and thing on the forums. I used