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What do you think of GameFaqs?
- Thread starter LQX
- Start date
RumblingRosco
Member
This.
I cannot believe they still use what is basically .txt formatting for their FAQs. Makes no sense. With that said, I love their FAQs and still use them occasionally to this day. Also, LUE is what eventually got me to NeoGAF, so I will be forever grateful of that.
Burning Justice
the superior princess
You actually can make HTML guides on GameFAQs now, and embed images in them. The problem is that the vast majority of FAQ authors choose not to.
That's another problem with the userbase... it's so conservative. They hate any sort of change made to the site, and that's part of the reason why the site feels like it's stuck in the past.
Professor Beef
Banned
One of the Tactics Ogre PSP guides used HTML, and it was fantastic. I hope people learn to make the switch.
Forums for niche games there tend to be OK.
Haven't looked at a FAQ in years.
Haven't seen a single review that gave me any kind of new insight.
Haven't looked at a FAQ in years.
Haven't seen a single review that gave me any kind of new insight.
Speak for yourself.
The FAQs and walkthroughs are a Godsend in longer games where it really is likely you'll end up stuck. Recent example is Paper Mario Sticker Star. I like the game but if you get stuck on one of those puzzles, you're STUCK. It's helped a bunch with that.
The forums...game specific ones are okay, and I would just search for what you want and leave it at that. The retro system boards are VERY friendly and are the last hints there of what that site once was.
The forums for each system? It's a damn royal, deep mess on that side of the site. Those system forums make my head hurt and blood boil even more than this forum does and that's no compliment to them. Those system boards really are a "frat club" headed up by a few people and they've got their lil posse. I just don't think that's how it should be. I quoted your post Reiko cause I want to touch on the moderation/alternate accounts thing. The moderation there is beyond unacceptable. The moderation that HAS happened lately is the things that should damn well be moderated aren't, those things just slide. The stuff that's nothing and shouldn't be moderated is the bulk of the moderation lately IMO. The worst part is, the 2 kings and their posse seem to be exempt from modding. Nothing sticks with them. At least here I can say what should be modded is, and very quickly. The mods here don't play around.
Finally those damn alternate accounts..what's the point of having moderation there when a person who gets their account banned can just turn around in 2 minutes time and be back up and running with an alt? It's not right. I actually discussed this with the "mod team" if you even wanna call it that a year ago and gave them a friendly warning. That being things were way past out of control and it was just about to where they wouldn't be able to crack down on it at all. Sadly, they've reached that point. The guys that get banned are pissed and outspoken about it, claiming its where their friends are and they will not be kept away from those forums. Sure enough, the trouble makers have won out
the kings and their posse run that site now, not the mods. I don't believe they'll ever have the crack down so sorely needed there.The only way that sites forums can ever hope to be what they once were again lies in two things. One, they need a whole hell of a lot more moderators and heavy modding needs to start. Secondly, IP ban, IP ban, IP ban!! Start with those two jackasses who think they run the place and tell em game over. Ban those two accounts and IP ban those. Then repeat with their posse. Show these guys there are very severe consequences for their actions and that those consequences will be sticking, Once they do that a lot of good posters and discussion will return there but not till then.
It's very sad what happened there, when I signed up there were a lotta good people there who wanted to actually discuss the systems and games. Not the crap it's devolved into. I hope they can get that place under control but they've got a hell of a job ahead.
JustAnotherOtaku
Member
Has a bad reputation for being a forum full of kids and bickering, but I generally stay away from them and the walkthroughs are always helpful.
Given what the Vita board has become I think that was the right choice but that's all ill say about it.
ubersticky
Member
Pretty much. I visited some boards for the games I was playing at a time and was either trolls or super serious people, nothing in between.
I have never actually visited the discussion side of it.
lol no. A well written guide is more practical, less annoying and more in depth than some any walkthrough. Unless you enjoy watching someone else play the game and add amazing commentary on top of it :b
lol no. A well written guide is more practical, less annoying and more in depth than some any walkthrough. Unless you enjoy watching someone else play the game and add amazing commentary on top of it :b
Deified Data
Banned
Tell me you're joking.
The faqs are useful sometimes (though I've since moved on to wikia), but the forums are some of the worst I've ever had the displeasure of posting on. Just a lot of shithead troll "personalities" with a dozen alts each, zero moderation, and everyone has got to be under 15 years old (though that's an insult to 15 year olds).
Some people may take offense with GAF's stricter policies, but Gamefaqs serves as a perfect example of what happens when you let a gaming forum slip into chaos.
Wolf Akela
Member
I've been going there since 2002.
Since more and more games are getting online features, Wikis are becoming more useful because they're usually updated faster. The problem with Wikis is that they are such a mess. Try looking up Monster Hunter wikis. The data you can find per page is different from another, and can be incomplete.
Another issue I have is that incentives haven't really changed since I joined. I've made a good amount of contributions to the site though I never did them for the money.
Not sure why people say the moderation is non-existent though. The moderation used to be extreme. Say one offending word and you'll get moderated, and 99% of the time it won't get overturned. You used to be able to get moderated if you started a topic about something related to the game, but not strictly the game itself. They've eased up on the moderations starting 2011 ish, but it's still fairly strict. The problematic posts are the ones which totally sound trolly but doesn't really violate any of the rules.
I'd probably be a ? - Block by now if I didn't take over a year off the internet.
Since more and more games are getting online features, Wikis are becoming more useful because they're usually updated faster. The problem with Wikis is that they are such a mess. Try looking up Monster Hunter wikis. The data you can find per page is different from another, and can be incomplete.
Another issue I have is that incentives haven't really changed since I joined. I've made a good amount of contributions to the site though I never did them for the money.
Not sure why people say the moderation is non-existent though. The moderation used to be extreme. Say one offending word and you'll get moderated, and 99% of the time it won't get overturned. You used to be able to get moderated if you started a topic about something related to the game, but not strictly the game itself. They've eased up on the moderations starting 2011 ish, but it's still fairly strict. The problematic posts are the ones which totally sound trolly but doesn't really violate any of the rules.
I'd probably be a ? - Block by now if I didn't take over a year off the internet.
I have to admit this is 90% of the reason why I use gamefaqs these days
WrenchNinja
Member
Yeah. Okay sure, there are boards full of idiots or trolls but some of them are pretty funny and theyre easy to ignore and its not like GAF is immune to this. Most boards Ive been to have been pretty solid, helpful and no worse than any OT, sometimes better. Moderation is pretty heavy but the community gets a bad wrap around these parts.
The faqs and guides are super helpful. Still remember the first time I visited the site, needed to know how to get all of the Red Gems in Illusion of Gaia.
I think for me it is literally been forever. I'm at like 5000 karma.
Personally, I really enjoy the site, but I only visit the contributor boards which is about the only non-site board where you see more mods and admins than regular members. And it is quite a nice community there trying to 'complete' all games.
They now have 'HTML' FAQs, Wiki's and their own video walkthroughs. I'll be damned if I ever make one of those though. It is way easier and more fun to write text FAQs, even if I don't really do it anymore.
Muku
Member
I can't stand watching folks play a game on YouTube. I would rather read my way through to where I am in a game than listening to someone babble and then trying to speed through to get part I'm at.
GameFAQs is still my go to source if I'm stuck or whatever. I've never really participated on the board, and I think my log in predates my posting of guides/FAQs, but can't be too sure. But only reason I log in these days is to update them. No way I'd ever really bother posting on the board. By time I get to stuff it's already been answered somewhere anyway. But it's still great for the guides and FAQs.
I've enjoyed a time or two the HTML guides. Sometimes pictures are nice, but really I've never had a problem with creators sticking to a TXT format. It's not often, but some guides will be so vague that it's frustrating. Can think of one or two in my head, where the HTML version of it would be better for part I'm on, but it's nothing I can't solve with a quick Google search. Yeah, it's a little more complicated, but I have stuck with TXT format as well. Means I don't have to take horrible pictures of my 3DS screen or whatever I'm writing a guide/FAQ about. I don't have a set up for nice things like that and I sure as hell don't want to bog folks down with shitty pictures. I imagine easier for printing as well. Never tried to print one, but I don't want to waste a bunch of ink printing out pictures with the text.
GameFAQs is still my go to source if I'm stuck or whatever. I've never really participated on the board, and I think my log in predates my posting of guides/FAQs, but can't be too sure. But only reason I log in these days is to update them. No way I'd ever really bother posting on the board. By time I get to stuff it's already been answered somewhere anyway. But it's still great for the guides and FAQs.
I've enjoyed a time or two the HTML guides. Sometimes pictures are nice, but really I've never had a problem with creators sticking to a TXT format. It's not often, but some guides will be so vague that it's frustrating. Can think of one or two in my head, where the HTML version of it would be better for part I'm on, but it's nothing I can't solve with a quick Google search. Yeah, it's a little more complicated, but I have stuck with TXT format as well. Means I don't have to take horrible pictures of my 3DS screen or whatever I'm writing a guide/FAQ about. I don't have a set up for nice things like that and I sure as hell don't want to bog folks down with shitty pictures. I imagine easier for printing as well. Never tried to print one, but I don't want to waste a bunch of ink printing out pictures with the text.
Night_Trekker
Member
I've used it almost exclusively for game help since I discovered it. I love me some FAQs.
The forums are a wretched hive of scum and villainy.
The forums are a wretched hive of scum and villainy.
The moderation is bizarre now.
You can post a bare naked ass and not get modded unless the privates are exposed.
It also blew my mind when one of the mods admitted to being 16...
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Pretty much this. I was REALLY addicted to the GameFAQs boards back in the days though. I kept visiting the site multiple hours every day for 4-5 years.
IdreamofHIME
Member
I use it less now, as when I get stuck on a section I usually check a youtube video guide.
but back at the turn of the millennium it was my browsers homepage, loved that site. The forums have always been awful though.
but back at the turn of the millennium it was my browsers homepage, loved that site. The forums have always been awful though.
BurnOutBrighter
Banned
Great guides. Avoid the forums.
However I am turning more towards YouTube for things like collectible guides, where you can see the exact location of something without the vague wordy descriptions.
However I am turning more towards YouTube for things like collectible guides, where you can see the exact location of something without the vague wordy descriptions.
I like it, I use it when people on gaf isn't interested in discussing about certain games.
The board is similar to gaf, and since it has high traffic you could usually find people talking about whatever games you're interested in, but the problem is the lack of moderation and people making shitty threads, as long as you're able to ignore them, it's fine, but it's the equivalent of avoiding those hundred "lol protect lara" posts and dogpiling on gaf.
One difference is that Gaf official threads are a lot better after a game is released and the speculation threads are garbage because people rather jump to conclusion and dismissing a game, while on gamefaqs there are a lot of "trolls" after a game is out making the board unusable while there are posters posting information and discussing them in speculation threads.
The board is similar to gaf, and since it has high traffic you could usually find people talking about whatever games you're interested in, but the problem is the lack of moderation and people making shitty threads, as long as you're able to ignore them, it's fine, but it's the equivalent of avoiding those hundred "lol protect lara" posts and dogpiling on gaf.
One difference is that Gaf official threads are a lot better after a game is released and the speculation threads are garbage because people rather jump to conclusion and dismissing a game, while on gamefaqs there are a lot of "trolls" after a game is out making the board unusable while there are posters posting information and discussing them in speculation threads.
This. I was even more hooked back when there was a chat at the beginning and you could talk to cjayc. Then when there were social boards and then the LUE explosion and all the hidden boards... good times.
Karsticles
Member
I like that the guides have no pictures. Keep it quick and easy to load those 200+ page guides.
Hahahahaha.
br0ken_shad0w
Member
Video walkthroughs have its uses, but it is a poor, poor substitute for the FAQs. Same with wikis. You know what they can't provide? Spoiler-free guides.
As for the boards, once they merged with Gamespot and imposed their super ugly ass layout, I never went back. If there's one thing that can immediately turn me off from a website, it's putting useless empty space on a layout.
I won't deny the community wasn't great, because I was one of the those who did troll on NGG back in its heyday (when Nicholas23, Link316, drsmoo, etc roamed about). Lue was overrated though, but was worth the ticket price to get into Luelinks before it went to shit when links weren't allowed anymore. I do have fond memories posting on the boards. It was one of the first major videogame boards I've visited and it's where I've gotten banned more often than any other forum I've joined put together.
I still remember...
As for the boards, once they merged with Gamespot and imposed their super ugly ass layout, I never went back. If there's one thing that can immediately turn me off from a website, it's putting useless empty space on a layout.
I won't deny the community wasn't great, because I was one of the those who did troll on NGG back in its heyday (when Nicholas23, Link316, drsmoo, etc roamed about). Lue was overrated though, but was worth the ticket price to get into Luelinks before it went to shit when links weren't allowed anymore. I do have fond memories posting on the boards. It was one of the first major videogame boards I've visited and it's where I've gotten banned more often than any other forum I've joined put together.
I still remember...
Night_Trekker
Member
This explains quite a lot.
Canis lupus
Member
Only use it for walkthroughs but its slowly being replaced by trophy sites.
Never bothered with the forums, it was terrible.
Never bothered with the forums, it was terrible.
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Straight up crazy shit happened in those boards.
Wolf Akela
Member
GameFAQs boards already detached from GameSpot since 2011 ish.
a cesspool of stupidity, bigotry and other bs but the FAQs were damn good
pretty much my home for 15+ years though
i guess you could say it was like school? neogaf would be the post secondary level education in that case haha
EDIT: hands down the worst moderation team i've seen on any forum. i can say with certainty
pretty much my home for 15+ years though
i guess you could say it was like school? neogaf would be the post secondary level education in that case haha
EDIT: hands down the worst moderation team i've seen on any forum. i can say with certainty
Sir Ilpalazzo
Member
GameFAQs was the first site I ever registered on. It used to be my homepage and favorite gaming website; I was on it all the time. Like a lot of other people here, I started to get sick of the forums after I found GAF (and SA). I don't think the forums are a complete shithole (if you go to the right ones) but it's true that almost none of the active forums are worth reading at all.
They used to, but it was only reserved for the absolute biggest rule-breakers (like people with massive amounts of banned accounts or people who abused exploits on the boards). I have no idea if they still do that.
They used to, but it was only reserved for the absolute biggest rule-breakers (like people with massive amounts of banned accounts or people who abused exploits on the boards). I have no idea if they still do that.
Dark Octave
Banned
I use it for the occasional walkthrough when I'm impossibly stuck.
I had no idea it was more than that.
I had no idea it was more than that.
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
Oh really? They're no longer connected in any way?
br0ken_shad0w
Member
I wouldn't even say the GameFAQs community is even bad especially when you compare it to the likes of Reddit. Moderation was just all over the place though. Like Wolf Akela says, one uncensored word or bad link, and you get moderated, but word your post correctly and you can pretty much post just about anything which leads to the troll posts or the creepy topics everyone's familiar of. GAF is just a fraction of the size though which makes moderating here easier I imagine.
The FAQs and walkthroughs are a Godsend in longer games where it really is likely you'll end up stuck. Recent example is Paper Mario Sticker Star. I like the game but if you get stuck on one of those puzzles, you're STUCK. It's helped a bunch with that.
The forums...game specific ones are okay, and I would just search for what you want and leave it at that. The retro system boards are VERY friendly and are the last hints there of what that site once was.
The forums for each system? It's a damn royal, deep mess on that side of the site. Those system forums make my head hurt and blood boil even more than this forum does and that's no compliment to them. Those system boards really are a "frat club" headed up by a few people and they've got their lil posse. I just don't think that's how it should be. I quoted your post Reiko cause I want to touch on the moderation/alternate accounts thing. The moderation there is beyond unacceptable. The moderation that HAS happened lately is the things that should damn well be moderated aren't, those things just slide. The stuff that's nothing and shouldn't be moderated is the bulk of the moderation lately IMO. The worst part is, the 2 kings and their posse seem to be exempt from modding. Nothing sticks with them. At least here I can say what should be modded is, and very quickly. The mods here don't play around.
Finally those damn alternate accounts..what's the point of having moderation there when a person who gets their account banned can just turn around in 2 minutes time and be back up and running with an alt? It's not right. I actually discussed this with the "mod team" if you even wanna call it that a year ago and gave them a friendly warning. That being things were way past out of control and it was just about to where they wouldn't be able to crack down on it at all. Sadly, they've reached that point. The guys that get banned are pissed and outspoken about it, claiming its where their friends are and they will not be kept away from those forums. Sure enough, the trouble makers have won out
The only way that sites forums can ever hope to be what they once were again lies in two things. One, they need a whole hell of a lot more moderators and heavy modding needs to start. Secondly, IP ban, IP ban, IP ban!! Start with those two jackasses who think they run the place and tell em game over. Ban those two accounts and IP ban those. Then repeat with their posse. Show these guys there are very severe consequences for their actions and that those consequences will be sticking, Once they do that a lot of good posters and discussion will return there but not till then.
It's very sad what happened there, when I signed up there were a lotta good people there who wanted to actually discuss the systems and games. Not the crap it's devolved into. I hope they can get that place under control but they've got a hell of a job ahead.
Agreed.
Burning Justice
the superior princess
Yeah, the forums were "un-merged" about a year ago. You can still view the GameFAQs boards from GameSpot, but you can only post in them from GameFAQs now.
Yoshichan
And they made him a Lord of Cinder. Not for virtue, but for might. Such is a lord, I suppose. But here I ask. Do we have a sodding chance?
That's actually a really, REALLY good change. Did it cause a lot of hysteria?
Earthpainting
Member
I love Gamefaqs when it comes to guides, and I've only grown to appreciate the website more with the dawn of the smartphone. Having its walkthroughs easily accessible at all times is a blessing. I should note though that I don't really venture beyond its guides section and occasionally mock its front-page polls.