Rule 1: Don't be a dick

Instead of wagging fingers at the whole community, how about targeting the offenders?

I mean, we all know this is almost completely directed towards Soulfinger.

Agreed. I bet others think differently.

I for one appreciate those who can be brutally honest; rarely do I see any member step out of line, with the one exception of our "perfectly balanced RPG" friend...and who didn't honestly at least somewhat enjoy going through THAT pile of troll turd?

I've been given brutal honesty here, and have improved thanks to it. I have the benefit of being in a creative profession, where good enough doesn't deliver and ideas are regularly put through the ringer, and it's up the the owner of that concept to back it up, take criticism and improve it, or ditch it for not being good enough.

That said I try and be kind in my criticism here, as I assume most enjoy game design as a hobby, and I know how sensitive people can be about their "babies" when they're not used to harsh criticism...it's instantly taken as offensive. I wish these people luck with their games, but if anyone has any real hopes of publishing their work and seeing it succeed past their immediate circle (anyone can sell a dozen copies to friends and family), they're going to have to learn how to take criticism.

Imagine someone puts their game out to the public...you think hyper-sensitivity will be placated by the internet public? I know this much, what has been offered up to some here is NOTHING compared to what the outside world will put your game through...better to get some focused dose of reality here and improve than ignore it all, go on about your way and face the court of public opinion. Of course the worst criticism is none at all...being completely ignored because your work can't even elicit a response.

I agree, we should all be helpful, kind and supportive...and I think overwhelmingly that s just what this community is. Those who feel the sting from some of our community, frankly in some way or another deserve it. Joining just to plug your game on Kickstarter and then vanish, never contributing to the community; ask for criticism and then cry when you get it...it's a tough world out there...bring a helmet or stay home.

I want to comment your opinion mancini. I understand your point of view but it depends many time what someone interpret of something that read.

One can say a thing in many different ways. Someone can be crude in many different ways. I understand that learn to discuss and criticize is something that people learn through the whole life.

But to learn we need to fail. My opinion about this is that if someone feel bad for something that he read it is good to say it. And of course a bit of moderation prior to write something is a good practice.

Anyway is impossible to be "perfect" all the time. Discuss these things are good. If some discussion happen about how crude is some critic in some thread is fine. It is better to be clear about this.

Personally Im a bit more rude (not very much) in my opinions that I write here. But anyway I know how to write something properly to evade any kind of "damage" in the other side. I noticed that in this site people tend to have some values different of my country but I understand and I adapt.

Anyway I wrote some time ago something slightly rude, being ironic about religion or politic, and I feel that for some people very sensitive can be disgusting. You notice if you are so rude depending on how the people react, and then because the intention is not to be harmful one must adapt for a more clear communication.

We're all here for one main reason...because we love games, and have a dream, whether it be currently realized or not, of designing and publishing one of our own.

It takes a lot of courage to post ideas, especially for new members who are just starting out and learning how to go about things. That's what makes this community so special; the amazing amount of advice, support and collaboration to be found here.

Sometimes we need a little check...I think this post from our awesome admin and community leader is a good reminder that we are all dreaming of achieving, or continuing to achieve, the same thing.

Thanks Rich for all you do, and thank to the community for being there to offer honest opinions and valuable guidance, whatever the tone in which it's offered.

I don't know if there's something that was posted that was since deleted (along with those many many other posts that were deleted) that was aggressive.

But none of the posts that I *did* see were aggressive.

@radioactivemouse (Jay) and they flamed each other back and forth while I watched as a Moderator ... Not wanting to LOCK the thread (which eventually happened) prematurely. But somehow Jay & Joe made peace and actually found some common ground and an "understanding".

Of course Joseph's $1000.00 USD for his "Perfectly Balanced RPG" did create some curiosity ... But nobody in their right mind would pay that especially if it COULD be filled with "garbage" or hard to read mumblings.

There was nothing nobody could do on the forum... He was looking to SELL his "Perfectly Balanced RPG" and nobody wanted to buy at that price point. TBH I would have maybe offered $20 USD for the digital PDF... But that was the TOPS that I would/could offer.

He eventually moved on to the LuLu Lounge and started selling his book there ... again for $1000.00 USD ... Again probably no buyers either.

BGDF.com did try to be understanding and reasonable with him. But I guess he was not well... TBH.

Over 18,000+ views! That's some serious viewership and many, many DIFFERENT designers chipped in and offered much constructive support and criticism.

The thread is now LOCKED and for good reason... Rich and I at the time were watching the thread to ensure things would NOT get too much out-of-hand.

For all those curious about our "headbanger friend", here is the LOCKED thread in question with so many contributors:

https://www.bgdf.com/forum/game-creation/publication/worlds-first-perfec...

And again, $1000.00 USD was the price he sold the books on LuLu lounge ...

Note #1: The problem is most need to be hospitalized and re-habilitated. Bring them back to THIS world ... Not in some world where they are controlled by illusions of "grandeur". Many of the children's fables and nursery rhymes were written by people affected by mental issues and you wonder how Fantasy blends into Reality... And how dissociated they can become with the Real World...

In some way these people need medical help and a place in this world. You can't go around pointing fingers at such people... Because if treated correctly they can be just as effective and capable as any other person. It's sad that many don't get the right type of help... Some of these people are indeed Great Thinkers and could share their vision of another World. It doesn't mean that because of their "weakness" that they are less intelligent and knowledgeable ... and could become GREAT people too.

When I say GREAT, I mean "influencers" in their own mind... But if left un-treated ... Sad are the outcomes in many cases.