Specialize or Diversify

[Thunderfall]

A number of people have asked me why I don't make new sections for Master of Orion III and Rise of Nations. And my answer to them is usually

1) Time constraint & real life responsibilities
2) Haven't played any MOO
3) haven't really followed RON development

Personally I am pretty happy with CFC's focus on the main Civ games. This is something I know I can do well because I have great interest in Civ. I am not so sure about covering a game (such as MOO) that I don't know much about. If we do open MOO3 and/or RON sections, the most likely scenario is I would have anther webmaster(s) to cover those sections.

So what do you think: Should we continue to specialize in Civ or diversify to cover other related games?

 

[Darkness]

I don't play either of these games, so I would have to say no, I think...., but I can imagine that other people who do play these games would like those additions.
But, this is CIVfanatics, the focus should be Civilization, I think...

 

[Zwelgje]

Focus on civ!
People come to this site because of civ and not because of other games, you can find the proof for that in the popularity of the "All Other Games" forum.

 

[Kemal]

Like Darkness I opt for keeping this site just Civ-specific. I think it's enough to keep threads about other games in the "Other Games" section of this forum, and I personally don't think there's enough attention for these games there to justify special sub-forums (as has been done with RON before).

Since this site is called civfanatics center, there probably wouldn't be that many new people looking for RON/MOO3 forums here anyways I think. I certainly wouldn't fancy the namechange civfanatics center to MOORONcivfanatics center.

 

[col]

I will certainly be playing both of these game when they become available and I would welcome the chance to discuss them with the many civ3 experts that frequent this site.

However, this is a Civ site and not a strategy game site and if TF wishes to keep the site focus then thats his decision. Certainly I dont think it will happen unless someone has the time, expertise and drive to to take make it happen.

TF might think again if someone came to him with a clear cut proposal, a detailed layout and a clear vision of where and how the new area would interact with CFC.

 

[Turner]

Hmmm. . . so far everyone agrees. . . Keep it Civ Based. My reasoning is more or less that CFC is so big to begin with, adding more could clog the site even worse that it already is.

I have all the respect in the world for other games/gamers. . . but I think the focus here should be on Civ, et. al.

 

[Padma]

I would have to go along with the folks who have already posted: keep it Civ-based. This is CivFanatics, after all. I daresay the vast majority of the 26,000+ registered users are here because of Civ, not MOO, RON, or anything else.

While "one-stop-shopping" for all my game interests would be kind of nice, I would be afraid it would "dilute" the CFC experience. I know that when I come to CFC, I will be discussing Civ with other Civfanatics. If I want to discuss MOO, or RON, or any other game, I can go to websites for those games.

I think col has it right: the only way this could fly is if someone can go to TF with a clear-cut, detailed proposal, and a clear vision of how it will work. And probably also with the time, interest, and dedication to make it work.

 

[Switch625]

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

Keep things as they are!

 

[Zcylen]

the site is just fine the way it is now, I think.
maybe some people like those games but here we all are civfanatics, so dont bother TF, besides, having a real life sometimes is necessary

 

[cromagnon]

Keep it Civ-based, but I like the 'other games' categories where any random game can be discussed. The popular games you mentioned will be the more prominent threads, and everyone will be happy.

 

[floppa21]

People come here for CIV games... I don't. I bet plenty here don't. I DID.

And would it be wrong to have people coming to CFC originally, NOT for a CIV game? Sure the name is CivFanatics, but imagine TF buying 7 more computers because of the billions of hits he gets each day at his website that covers anything and everything better than anyone else. A spot on Good Morning America and TF quits his job because going to work is actually costing him money while away from CFC... Okay fine, maybe not quite, but you get my point. Diversification is not necessarily bad. More work yes. Ultimately TF choice. So do what I say TF!

 

[Dell19]

Diversification would be nice but alot of effort may be needed to make the new forum sections popular. Theres already a forum for RON which is pretty much empty and if its not appearing high on search engines then people are unlikely to come just on the off chance that there are detailed sections on other games.

 

[Alcibiaties of Athenae]

So far, I see little action in our RoN nation area, maybe when the game comes out it will be more.

I think the members should decide this one.

 

[morkaphi]

Originally posted by Padma
...keep it Civ-based. This is CivFanatics, after all.

Indeed!

 

[Aphex_Twin]

I see no reason NOT to expand. It would not be hard to keep the various sections appart. The expansion should only bring more visitors and members, and, what's more important, increased advertising revenue. Never say no to some $$$ ;-)

 

[philippe]

CIVILISATIONfanatics.
Not Moofanatics.
Or roSfanatics.
TF stick it to civving!

 

[Immortal]

Focus on Civs!

 

[Aphex_Twin]

I know I am swimming against the stream here, but would it be such a bad idea to make an all Strategy Games Fanatics Center? Of course, the Civ section should still be the ring leader...

 

[Thunderfall]

Thanks for all your comments. Most of you think we should continue to focus on Civ, and that's what we will do (at least for now) and let people who really like those games make the fan sites for RON and MOO.

However, I want to point out that the lack of activity in our MOO or RON forum is mainly because we don't cover those games. If we cover them and give those two games full list of forums, no doubt those forums will attract more MOO/RON users.

 

[Chieftess]

One thing I've noticed on another company forum (enix) is that when there's completely different games, and you tend to stay in one place, the other game forum seems "foreign" because of the 'new' names. Of course, that one doesn't have a "Who's Online"... Just an interesting tidbit.