PSINext E3 Forum and Show Strategy

[xbdestroya]

OK well it looks about time to start talking about this. I've been thinking of what threads should be made stickied during E3, and it looks like VG, Hawk and some others have been doing the same.

We're open to sugggestions, and ideally we'd have it hammered out sooner rather than later. I think that any stickied threads should be open-ended in that any and all applicable information should be allowed to be posted within those threads, but I feel that standalone threads of interesting information should also be allowed, even if it results in the information being posted both in the sticky and outside of it. Redundant stand-alone threads should of course be locked, but I think it's asking a little too much of both members and visitors to limit all conversation to within the stickies alone.

[VG Aficionado]

Thank you for listening and preventing chaos xb :) I'll just post my idea once again and elaborate on that a bit.


Sticky threads (archive threads on their own, not discussion threads):

- PS3 E3 2006 video coverage, with audience or direct feed trailers and footage
- PS3 E3 2006 photo coverage, with hardware (console and controller, slides, etc) and software (games, online platform, etc) subsections
- PS3 E3 2006 news articles, with every other written media (interviews, live coverage, etc)

Every first post in the sticky threads would contain links with brief descriptions to everything (just an idea).


Standalone threads for topics covered in sticky threads must be allowed, albeit only one for specific topics. This might sound a bit restrictive, but bear in mind there will be an overload of new threads in the next few weeks, so a tougher policy might be necessary, with no hard feelings of course.


About the sticky threads: mods should ask people to send them direct links to footage, pictures, news and whatever else by PMing, or maybe they could let the sticky threads unlocked until E3 and its aftermath are totally over so that people can post links and relevant info, while keeping opinion posts out of these threads (that's what non-sticky threads for specific topics will be for). This way, we could discuss everything we want and we would always have a well organized full archive of PS3 E3 2006 coverage.


The same thing could be applicable to PS July meeting, TGS, PS3 launch conference, etc.

[cliffbo]

About the sticky threads: mods should ask people to send them direct links to footage, pictures, news and whatever else by PMing, or maybe they could let the sticky threads unlocked until E3 and its aftermath are totally over so that people can post links and relevant info, while keeping opinion posts out of those threads (that's what non-sticky threads for specific topics will be for). This way, we could discuss everything we want and we would always have a well organized full archive of PS3 E3 2006 coverage.


that would be chaos man. we need it seperating into more than three stickys, imagine the amount of posts in one sticky. before the days out it'll be hitting 3000 posts easy. Tech news, games news, tech demos, games vids, interviews, miscelanious. is my suggestion. anything that is posted outside that can be put into one of these is automatically put into the relivent thread. it may cut into the flow of certain threads at the time but it has to be done otherwise good threads could slide from view as new ones appear.

[VG Aficionado]

My intention towards sticky threads would be that people shouldn't post there to actually discuss their topics. No opinion posts should be there. Instead, let people create as many specific topic non-sticky threads as they want (while preventing redundant threads) to discuss about whatever they want while keeping a simple layout of single-post, summarized thread with all the info remaining centralized forever, or almost.

Think of sticky threads as permanent archives of links to videos, pictures and news, while non-sticky threads will be disposable places to discuss the latest and hottest topics.

[cliffbo]

My intention towards sticky threads would be that people shouldn't post there to actually discuss their topics. No opinion posts should be there. Instead, let people create as many specific topic non-sticky threads as they want (while preventing redundant threads) to discuss about whatever they want while keeping a simple layout of single-post, summarized thread with all the info remaining centralized forever, or almost.

i see what your saying. but that would just make the stickys slightly redundant because innitially the same articles would have already been posted. part of the fun is to watch and read the responses and sense the excitement. and like i said before, topics would just slip from view as new post appear every second.

Tech news, games news, tech demos, games vids, interviews, miscelanious.

six threads would allow the info to be spread a little thinner.

[cliffbo]

the mods need to enjoy E3 too. so make it simple for them. all they really should have to do in close a thread or move a thread.

[VG Aficionado]

We're just suggesting ideas here. I would do things the way I described since that would allow more people to learn more about more news (are you aware of how many people think there were only two new PS3 videos at TGS 2005?). I wouldn't want to prevent anyone from posting the latest news as non-sticky threads or posting as many new topics as they want. However, keeping things centralized is going to make these days less confusing for people who can't hack through the overload of information (tons and tons of opinion posts) and will allow everyone to have a handy archive of E3 coverage.

the mods need to enjoy E3 too. so make it simple for them. all they really should have to do in close a thread or move a thread.I'm actually suggesting quite a simple thing: keep relevant links centralized while moderating the forum as always and letting forum members have the same freedom as always.

I don't see how more than 3 sticky threads (assuming they'll serve the same purpose as any non-sticky thread, as you suggest) would make things more simple for everyone. Take a look at the "PS3 is a monster" videos thread. All the links are spread over the whole thread and it's quite hard for anyone to find every single PS3 video out there that way. Some organization and compilation work is needed.

[Coded-Dude]

a stickied, strickly maintained, POST YOUR E3 LINKS HERE thread, were everyone acan post their links with a bried description(cannot get off topic or into discussion though - links only) and the mods can distribute to the locked OFFICIAL NEWS/VIDS/SPECS etc. threads as necessary. Also, single topic threads about said topics open for user discussion woudl be a must.


......that is all

[cliffbo]

i think we need a separate thread just for Makeitlookreal as well. just call it 'told you so' and he'll be in his element

[chrismt]

hehe.

Good ideas, but I suggest what Dude said.

The stickies should have coverage simply by the PSINext team, that would close the topics and keep updating the stickies as newer things come out, similar to how it happened at GDC. That's all that's really necessary, as much else would stifle the E3 excitement.

[cliffbo]

it would also be helpful if people didn't take something that had been posted on someones thread and start their own thread with it. drives me crazy that!

[xbdestroya]

Here's the thing guys, I really want it to be as 'self-sustaining' as possible in the way it's set up. I appreciate that there's a move to have it be very much 'moderator' driven - normally I would be very much in support of that - but the fact is that I myself will be at E3, and Z and StanDarsh are in completely different time zones, and thus will not be able to provide 24/7 moderation. Some of the general E-mpire admins will be active here come E3 I'm sure, but I'd still prefer if 'we' at PSINext had a good plan in place to reduce the need of Viper or someone to come in here and straighten messes out, since they'll all be busy also.

[Coded-Dude]

will as much as that woudl own , I would hav eto argue that with all the new members not yet familiarized with the sites overall spedd of posting and day-to-day flow, I think without at least one person to help mold the direction of the news/events as they are released......the Sony section will turn into the Madhouse(literally).

Self sustained coudl work, but it will still ahve to be highly moderated for teh sake of sanity. IF you don't believe me I will take a penny for every dup/trip/quad/quit/sexlicate thread(Sexlicate - HA I liek that one) adn I will see how much money I have at the end of the event.

But again one stickied thread for people to post their news with brief descriptions and induvidual threads for each topic. THough if news flows as fast as i think, you guys(psinext) better be quick on posting it......or we will be 5 pages into our own version of the story and yours will likely get less attention. Iw oudl hate to see all that hard work go to waste! I actually read the PSINext articles and rather enjoy them.....!

[xbdestroya]

I agree Dude that it's going to be crazy in here - that's why I'm hoping we come up with something 'intuitive' so that people know how/where to post. I also want to make it easy for people who drop by the site for just two seconds to easily find what they are looking for. We'll have to work out something to ensure that moderation is adequate as well - we'll discuss that on the staff side of things I guess.

[chrismt]

Well possibly a forum wide announcement prior E3 would be in order, outlining the rules, and deputy mods for the event.

[Handycrap101]

I'm all for this idea but I think a new sub-forum should be created JUST for E3. I'm not sure how difficult that would be but I think it's more organized then cramming it al into a sticky. At the same time it also relieves some clutter from other threads.

Just throwing my opinion out there.

[Leedogg]

xb have you guys thought about temporary mods???

Cause E3 will be a pretty busy time, and its alot of pressure on Z and Standarsh to moderate, like you said.

(I'm not talking about myself, there are plenty more members that are more qualified than me)

[Junox50]

Not a bad idea.

I mod at a couple forums, myself. :)

[xbdestroya]

I've thought about temporary mods, but at the same time I'm not sure how that would be handled - not trying to create the sense of a police state afterall. :) An E3 sub-forum would sort of defeat the purpose of the Sony forums to begin with, and as for rules during E3, well we'll probably post something but honestly I don't have much confidence in those being read.

[Kiosko]

Maybe we can have a seperate sticky thread for each person who's actually going to be at E3 to post there stuff then we can break the non stickys down into a couple of threads.

[cliffbo]

Tech news, games news, tech demos, games vids, interviews, miscelanious.

you can post outside but it may be placed eventually into one of these catagories. its going to be chaotic XB. let it happen!

[xbdestroya]

It's going to be chaotic no matter what happens, but there are degrees. We're trying to avoid total anarchy here.

[cliffbo]

z and stan-dash will cope as long as people (including myself) try to avoid double posting. if the name of the thread was taken directly from source then there would be less confusion.

[xbdestroya]

Cliffbo generally me, Z, and StanDarh operate under totally different time periods. I wish you'd understand what I'm trying to say with that, because it's not them I'm worried about so much as the daytime in the United States when I'm normally moderating. There's a difference between some mods and *no* mods, y'know?

Like I said I'm sure some of the E-mpire admins and such will be in here helping out during that time, but...

[Sephiroth_VII]

Okay, my idea is to create 5-6 temporary sub-forums. After the end of E3, the news in the sub-forums will be compiled in one locked sticky per sub-forum, and the sub-forums will be deleted.

Here's my idea:

Game trailers and hands-on videos

New PS3 hardware (controller, eyetoy2, HDD, etc...)

New PS3 game info.

PS3 software and OS

The Sony pre-E3 conference.

Live reports and feeds. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v604/Sephiroth_VII/MatrixSystemFailure.jpg)


If we just make stickies from the start, people won't take time to look through them, and there will be many more Sexlicated threads, than with my setup. To supplement this, I agree that the forum needs temporary mods. If the forums has to become a policestate to control the flow of information, so be it.

[Z]

I have a great idea that is full proof and is absolutely guaranteed not one single problem will occure till things cool down:

lock the entire forum! d--O_o'--b

okay...since that may not be a wise decision, then time to move to plan b: play dead!
-

but seriously, I am with XB all the way on this and totally agree with him.

it would be that much helpful if posters will be a little more careful when starting new threads. don't start one then check if it was already posted. make a quick scan in the front page and see if the same topic has been made under a different title.

that is another thing; make your thread titles very clear, objective and indicative of what is the subject discussed. don't start a thread called "new info" or "guess what...?". specifically mention what it is about.

of course, we have great members here that do not need to be told this. I am more worried about our freshmen and new members registering during the show.

[Coded-Dude]

I am more worried about our freshmen and new members registering during the show.
I am worried about you Z..............so you better just wathc yourself! :look:

:err:

[cliffbo]

I have a great idea that is full proof and is absolutely guaranteed not one single problem will occure till things cool down:

lock the entire forum! d--O_o'--b

okay...since that may not be a wise decision, then time to move to plan b: play dead!
-

but seriously, I am with XB all the way on this and totally agree with him.

it would be that much helpful if posters will be a little more careful when starting new threads. don't start one then check if it was already posted. make a quick scan in the front page and see if the same topic has been made under a different title.

that is another thing; make your thread titles very clear, objective and indicative of what is the subject discussed. don't start a thread called "new info" or "guess what...?". specifically mention what it is about.

of course, we have great members here that do not need to be told this. I am more worried about our freshmen and new members registering during the show.

if people copy and paste the thread title from source instead of inventing one of there own we could easily check if what we're about to post has already been posted. doesn't always work though, check the forum already. Z your going to be a very busy person

[xbdestroya]

Yes but the idea is *not* to post anything and everything, rather to post new things. So if there are five articles on Devil May Cry 4, either put the new articles in an existing thread, or don't post them at all. Afterall, the threads are topic-related, not article-specific.

[VG Aficionado]

I'd be happy as long as most people, including myself, wouldn't have to read a huge amount of posts in a turmoil of threads and dive many pages back inside to find the links to the stuff we all want to see and hear. Dedicated threads where moderators will post relevant info only, an spartan external web page containing links to pics, videos and info only... think of the simplest thing to feature a centralized index to the most important information and content from E3 and thus we've got the reference we all want and will love. Let the rest of the forum dedicate to discussion, and post the links again if you want when needed (not that I mean multiple threads for the same purpose), but do not let the content get lost amidst an avalanche of excitement. There will be so much news and content, and I mean mostly what the PSINext crew is going to bring us, that the forum will need a different moderation approach, specially with all the newbies that are going to appear very soon.

I don't want anybody to miss anything as with TGS 2005 (the example I have already mentioned). Just how many of you know there were some 15 new PS3 videos in September?

[cliffbo]

I'd be happy as long as most people, including myself, wouldn't have to read a huge amount of posts in a turmoil of threads and dive many pages back inside to find the links to the stuff we all want to see and hear. Dedicated threads where moderators will post relevant info only, an spartan external web page containing links to pics, videos and info only... think of the simplest thing to feature a centralized index to the most important information and content from E3 and we've got the reference we all want and will love. Let the rest of the forum dedicate to discussion, and post the links again if you want when needed (not that I mean multiple threads for the same purpose), but do not let the content get lost amidst an avalanche of excitement. There will be so much news and content, and I mean mostly what the PSINext crew is going to bring us, that the forum will need a different moderation approach.

I don't want nobody to miss anything as with TGS 2005 (the example I have already mentioned). Just how many of you know there were some 15 new PS3 videos in September?

yes i see this as the problem myself, if 5 to 10 people start new threads, some will sink from view and some nice vids may well be lost

[Infernal]

Why not just designate a person to watch each news site that day, and have those and only those people post. That way only those (most likely highly experienced) posters would be posting news and 1000 people wont be posting the same article?

[LaLiLuLeLo]

...how did E3 coverage go last year?

[curryking1]

I'm loving how our wonderful forum's members are discussing the best ways to go into E3, good job you guys lol.

I also think that it is the responsibility of the members to keep their own forum clean, the forum that gives them the oppurtunity to share ideas and information (not to mention without charge).

As long as we keep check on ourselves about posting old news, there is no reason why the forum won't be as or more organized than if we 'pre-made' general topics to discuss everything.

Without the general topics, each thread can be a bit more specific and it would probably be easier to find things than going thru a 150 post thread, especially during the events b/c the news will be flooding in.

P.S.

I think new members will be the coming of the devil during E3, we won't know what to expect from each new user lol.

[frosty]

I'd be happy as long as most people, including myself, wouldn't have to read a huge amount of posts in a turmoil of threads and dive many pages back inside to find the links to the stuff we all want to see and hear. Dedicated threads where moderators will post relevant info only, an spartan external web page containing links to pics, videos and info only...

It's already being handled, it's called e3xperience.com, though the DVD order form is all that is up now. Check the forums also for other news that may have slipped through the cracks though.

Also guys, I figured I'd go ahead and let this one out. I will be making 3 other DVD's (not free though) that are specific to sony, MS, and ninty, which will contain all the goodies like full press conferences and such. 3 hours dedicated to Sony gaming... you know you want it! Still order the free one though!

[LaLiLuLeLo]

So we just fill that thing out and it'll be in the mail? @_@
It's almost too easy. No wait, it is.

[Homeru]

xbdestroya, since your the only mod who is going to e3, how much are the tickets. I heard they were $500 and please i would like to come with you, ill be your helper monkey, yeah.

[Smokey]

how do we order the specific one frosty ? :)

[frosty]

So we just fill that thing out and it'll be in the mail? @_@
It's almost too easy. No wait, it is.

For the free one, yes. That's it. The others will be up for order soon.

And E3 is a media and industry only event. The general public cannot attend, they don't sell tickets to anyone else.

[Smokey]

cool :)

[8_Bit]

Just do two threads for Monday's press conference:

One, a live update, news-only thread, that only those reporting live updates from the conference can post on. No comments allowed in this thread from people who aren't reporting the conference.

The other, a live comments thread, where we can all post our comments about the news as it rolls in in the other thread.

[VG Aficionado]

It's already being handled, it's called e3xperience.com, though the DVD order form is all that is up now. Check the forums also for other news that may have slipped through the cracks though.That's the problem: people actually miss many news because the forums can't be clear enough for everyone!

I am well aware of e3xperience though!

Also guys, I figured I'd go ahead and let this one out. I will be making 3 other DVD's (not free though) that are specific to sony, MS, and ninty, which will contain all the goodies like full press conferences and such. 3 hours dedicated to Sony gaming... you know you want it! Still order the free one though!I am willing to pay a reasonable amount of money for Sony's and Nintendo's DVD's plus expenses to Spain :) Keep us updated!

One, a live update, news-only thread, that only those reporting live updates from the conference can post on. No comments allowed in this thread from people who aren't reporting the conference.

The other, a live comments thread, where we can all post our comments about the news as it rolls in in the other thread.Sounds good, although there may be so much new information that one single thread for everything E3 may be a bit too little.

[frosty]

Rss.......

[FantasyGhost]

The idea of VG Aficionado is good to have like 3 stickied threads but they have to be open, because:

I think it's best if there are these sticky threads being made by a member, not in the same timezone as Z and Standarsh. That way he can edit his own 1st post and fill it with the links refering to these things. If it were closed he wouldn't be able to edit it right?

Also for the refering links part if it is open people can still post all of it in there. The member/moderators can refer to the specific post by "right-clicking" the mouse on the postcount and "copy shortcut" that way he can refer to someones post in the actual thread. After the link some explenation where the link is taking you to, off course.

example: h**p://forums.e-mpire.com/showpost.php?p=1069604&postcount=1

And when someone posts news or something alike as said before PM the mod/member to change the 1st post, or something, as said before. That way it'll be quicker refreshed.

[Z]

I'd be happy as long as most people, including myself, wouldn't have to read a huge amount of posts in a turmoil of threads and dive many pages back inside to find the links to the stuff we all want to see and hear.
that isn't as much of a problem as you may originally think. due to the special circumstances, it is okay to post links and news tid-bits that have been posted already. during GDC, we had a couple of pics posted a few times in the same thread. we just have to go through it. if the pics are more than an hour old, you know they have been posted already so don't bother. lol.

one simple trick to know if it was posted already or not is to read the posts. you'll know if members are refering to a pic that it has been seen. so there is no reason to post it again.
if you didn't see it, or you want to make sure you've seen it, check either in the thread or in the major news sites (including our main page).

I don't mind a picture link being posted a number of time. I am worried about pictures hosted on the forums. so if you are not sure, just use the URL link instead.

there are good ideas being suggested. keep it up :)

[FantasyGhost]

The idea of that subforum was nice too i think. That way members could become "junior mods" just for that particular forum. Standarsh and Z got more time to relax... The problems with that are:

Noone will post/read what's going on in any of the Sony subforums. Or there will be people double posting, because they didn't see it's already been posted on the other forums... And off course there will be mods that'll maybe go "overboard" in moderating: Meaning get to hard on new members, deleting threads that don't really need to be deleted (because it was worthy of it's own thread). and other stuff.