The thread where we discuss YC's revival

[Blitzzoshi]

I think it's pretty evident that we need to do something around here to get this place back on its legs. Soooo, what can we do?

As I mentioned earlier, there are people who still visit the forums each day, but nobody's really posting. Let's change that. How? Well...

- Thread necromancy. I swear, I'm not kidding. We actually did something like this a short while back. For a short period we were actually able to pick up activity and it was a very happenin' place. And you never know what sort of interesting stuff you will discover. I actually tend to click on inactive users from the Birthdays pane on the index page just to see what sort of posts/threads they lead to. We do need to avoid pointless bumping though.

- Art trade/Secret Santa. We do it yearly. That's not enough. I'd say it should be bimonthly at the very least. Get people involved in something that they enjoy, and keep doing that. One of the best ways to keep community interest is to continuously provide new content, new events, new ways for members to participate. By limiting art trades to once a year, we're selling ourselves short. I swear, a lot of people will come to a community just because there's some event going on. Let them come. You might actually be surprised at the turnout if you can execute it well.

- Yoshi fangame/whatever. Yes, it's still in progress. The main reason it's taking so long is that I actually want to have a solid foundation, an original, high quality engine to develop on. But really, who says there need only be one project going on? I would be happy to assist others in creating fangames, or just computer games in general. Just say it.

- Roleplaying. We used to be pretty big on this. To do this, we do need a DM or two, as well as people who are actually willing to participate. Actually, I'm bringing this up because there's someone on here who does want to be part of an RP again. So the interest is out there, at least.

- Tournaments/Game fads. Something else we used to do around here. Some of the tourneys worked, some didn't. This was mainly due to the game being inaccessible to certain people. One thing to keep in mind would be to pick games that anyone will be able to access (EG. freeware or free software). What would be cooler, though, would be to somehow hook this up with the "make games/fangames" bullet point above.

- Posting. In general. Find something weird? Post about it. Something interesting happening in your life? Post about it. Can't resist the urge to show off that system you built/bought or project/artwork/whatever you made? Post about it. I swear, there are communities I stick around just because there is conversation going on. Post! When people see others posting, they're more inclined to do the same. It shows that we aren't in fact dead and it would also drive others to take part in activities, etc. I cannot stress this enough. One thing I should note: every once in a while, people sometimes tend to post in the Yoshi Journal when they have something to say. I think something like that would be better suited toward a new thread in the Yoshi Cafe. I posted a topic about the weather and it probably generated far more discussion than it would have, had I simply posted it in the Journal.


So really, we actually have quite a few options here. Of course, others are welcome to make their own suggestions as well (I strongly encourage this, simply for the sake of discussion and activity). We could be doing so much around here...

...But we aren't. Why?

[Shoe]

Thread Necromancy: If it works, why not? I suppose you mean adding to outdated topics that are still worthy for discussion, right?

Art Trade: I doubt I'd be much help here.

Yoshi Fangame: I'm trying to get one going, actually. Would you like details?

Roleplaying: I'm game!

Tournaments/Game Fads: Sounds good, too! I've only got a Wii, though. I wonder if anyone would be interested in Monster Hunter 3 (online four player monster-dinosaur slaying)? One thing I miss that we often did at the IRC was iScribble. There was also Minecraft. And that one online Tetris.

Posting: As long as we don't get Twittery.

Could be a few things. School. Job. Family. Self. Sloth. Lack of activity = lack of interest, too. But, we already know that.

[Blitzzoshi]

Thread necromancy: That's the idea, yes.

Art trade: Well, the idea for a summer Secret Santa was brought up once, with either teh_yoshi or Anjil being the host. Enough people gather for the Secret Santas. Why not make it year-round?

Yoshi fangame: Yes, please.

Tournaments/Game fads: Was actually leaning toward (free) PC games, though Wii could work if it's a popular enough title.

Posting: Better than being dead and non-Twittery.

Nice to see you here, Shoe.

[Samusfan90]

Yoshi fangames, we should unite or something. There is like three projects going on as far I have seen. ><;

[Moot]

All great points that I would have loved to have been able to articulate myself, from everyone, so at least we have some people here willing to try to turn things around here. Alas, I settled for a newsfader post instead.

On Threadcromancy: Since the v2 Rules it's been fine to post in old threads as long as it's an actual contribution to the post. I think maybe people don't post in old threads because bumping old threads in general is generally looked down upon on other boards.

On Secret Santas: Again, all for this because we usually see most activity on the art boards around this time, so holding one every two or three months would get some activity on the art boards. Hopefully some comments and/or critiques too. I know posting an art thread and getting zero replies would put me off submitting here (assuming I actually still scrawled out high calibre arts these days).

On Fangames: There always seems to have been a fangame floating around here at some point, which never surfaced. I'm pretty sure Graedius was working on a YC RPG about a million years ago, but I don't know what happened to that. Or Graedius either, for that matter. If we could get a game in production I'm pretty sure people would want to get involved in that, even if it was just ideas or suggestions. Assuming the guy making the game wants ideas and suggestions. A lot of the time stuff like this seems to get trapped in an endless stage of suggestions and the project dies, either from not being able to implement everything or the author getting tired of it, I don't know.

On Roleplaying: We used to be big on RPing, #ycrp used to be big on RPing, but for some reason the RP board is totally dead despite the number of people the IRC channel attracted. Another problem with the IRC channel - at least I thought was a problem - was that #ycrp seemed a bit cliqueish, not really open to newcomers. Mainly because there was no reference to it on the board, but everyone had well established characters who interacted in their little circle of friends. Maybe I'm talking out of my arse here but that was the impression I got from time to time. Like Zyph said, timezones were a problem in #ycrp as it can be difficult to get a big group together to go off and slay all the hobbits in epic fashion, or whatever you'd be getting up to. At least with a board based RP, people can all get their posts in and be a part of it instead of getting left behind in psudo-realtime. It's been a long time since I actually RPed around here so this might all be a load of bunk.

On Tournaments: Always a good laugh when one gets going, but the problem is always actually getting it going. I tried hosting a tourney a while ago but canned it due to a perceived lack of interest. Nobody asked if anything was going on with it so I was under the impression that nobody really cared in the first place. Again, timezones and other commitments don't help in organizing a tourney that everyone can get in on. Freeware PC games or otherwise freely available legal game dumps are going to be the best bet, I'd imagine. I recall the SNES Bomberman tourney going really well, but maybe that's because I won that one.

On posting: I think this thread proved we still have some life around here, it might just be convincing everybody else that there's life around here. I find people are more likely to post when others are posting - After all, who wants to be the only one posting on a dead board? I found myself a few times going to make a post in some thread or other but stopping thinking that "nobody will be bothered about this" and back out. I have no idea if anybody else does that but I dare say I'm not the only one. I'm probably not the best person to speak about posting though, only racking up just over 2100 posts in around 5 or 6 years.

If I had any points to properly make they're probably buried in that mass of words, up there.

[nitrostraggler]

I just want to revive the RPing board, but I don't think that is gonna happen. Some of the people that used to be in there are now gone. It wasn't really that big when I started, though there were a few people that I liked. Strangie, Gem, Kyral, Lazo were some of the people that were there, but not anymore.

[teh yoshi]

I don't want to sound like a downer, but I don't think it's a matter of trying to revive Yoshi's Corner specifically, but the general interest in Yoshi and the whole Yoshi fandom in general. Trying to revamp Yoshi's Corner alone can rub people the wrong way because even though there are many people who still lurk here and whatnot, it's not because they're still fond of Yoshi as much as they used to be. Try as you might, but lurkers will still lurk, given most of what was already mentioned in this thread. Yoshi's Corner isn't the only one suffering, what used to be the "Yoshi community" is.

As well, I'm sure plenty of us noticed the insane amount of Yoshi fans turning into fans of other things or just lost interest in Yoshi in general, but I'll save that for another day for the next witch trials.

Anyhow, if the interest in Yoshi can be revitalized, then places such as Yoshi's Corner and other forums suffering from inactivity will sure to follow and bloom with activity again. But that's the kicker... How do we even do that? A giant scale Yoshi fan game that can span across other communities would be nice, or crying out to Nintendo to make a 3D plat-former Yoshi's Island?

It's not something just within Yoshi's Corner, but we have to be able to reach further and outside of all that.

You must ask yourself: Why am I still here? At Yoshi's Corner?

[Blitzzoshi]

Samusfan90: Which three?

Zyph: Actually, my idea was that the art trades and the Secret Santa were the same thing. We would have them each on February, April, June, August, October, and December, with June being the Summer Secret Santa, and December being "the big one".

Speaking of fangames, please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers this: www.mfgg.net/index.php?act=resdb¶m=02&c=2&id=318

It was made back in the Windows 98 era, and it's more of a joke/novelty game than anything, really, but still worth playing through. Lots of glitches, and the enemies play an exploding animation when you eat them (probably unintentional). Has mild blood at the end. "It looks like you're fighting a boss! Do you need help?"

Edit: Oh, you'll need cncs32.dll, which you can find online through a quick web search.

Edit 2: Wahey, someone made a post while I was working on mine. Been a while since that has happened.

teh_yoshi: That's the basic idea, yes. If we can get people involved in projects, it would really improve the situation around here. I don't think it's merely interest in Yoshi. Super Mario Galaxy 2 is coming out soon, and lots of people are excited about that, but not on here. We could have had some discussion about it on here but we didn't. First step is to get this place active. Then we can see what to do about Yoshi. Remember, often times people will hang out in a community regardless of the subject material. Rather, it's the people and the events that bring them back. I think this is what we should aim for.

[Samusfan90]

Well, three project I have heard of at least... You seem to have one, there seems to be some minor one somewhere around here, and my group has one. These might not be too active ones, but still there as ideas. It would be a good idea to unite those who want to make a yoshi fangame, and make a bigger group for it.

But, I myself haven't been dragged away to anything else, I am a fan of space themed stuff like Gradius, but I still love yoshi the most and are a bigger fan every passing day.

[Swift]

I've always been much of a forum lurker than a poster. A lot of times when I come here, I do go to make a post, but either get distracted and change my mind or decide the post isn't worth it (kind of like what Moot said). That, or what I wanted to say has already been said.
I can try harder to make a reply to all/most new threads, but I cannot guarentee that.

I kind of agree with Teh; When I used to frequent Yoshi/Nintendo boards and run my old Yoshi website, there were a lot of Yoshi games coming out. Like Touch-and-Go, Topsy Turvey, Yoshi's Island 2... To be honest, Mario games aren't normally on my want-to-buy list anymore. I bought a PS3 a couple of weeks ago, mainly because I was disappointed at the game selection for the Wii.
Games featuring Yoshi are always nice, but I've always prefered to play as Yoshi, and unless I'm missing something there hasn't been much of that lately. Yoshi's sitting back in the minor-character slot and not getting too much action, so the general interest will be lower.

You must ask yourself: Why am I still here? At Yoshi's Corner?

That took me a minute, but I guess I would have to say I'm here because I like the people here. I can't think of a single person here that I dislike, which is rare for me since I've become highly critical and bitter. I guess I just want to be part of a small, friendly community that shares my interests, and Yoshi's Corner is just that (albeit inactive).

That being said, I would still be interested in some of these suggestions. I'd love to do more art trades here, and depending on the game/timeframe I may participate in tournaments. I may try roleplaying, but I really haven't been into that sort of stuff for years now. If I did, it would most likely be through the forum rather than the IRC. Truth be told, I've never connected to the IRC and don't know how to.

I will try to think of other suggestions, but at the moment I don't have any.

[Blitzzoshi]

I love how a new RP just suddenly sprung up out of nowhere. Keep it up, guys!

Samusfan90: Care to spill some details on the game your group is working on?

[Yoshiken]

Actually, I have discussed many of these subjects with other people over MSN and whatnot, and I am glad and commend you for bringing it to the public. A thread like this should have definitely been made long ago.

As for bringing back old threads, I think it is something of a priority that should be set to look back at old topics that have relevance to us, and bring them back to the limelight.

A few weeks ago, Anjil and I also discussed hosting some art trade/secret santa things on the Y.C. on a quarterly basis. I will talk to her about this again tonight, and try to set one up soon.

Like I have said many times before, I would love to aid in creating a yoshi fan-game. I am willing to help in any way I can. I think something like this, when spread across the yoshi community and not just the Y.C., would really help in bringing everyone together.

I will definitely join that roleplay that was just set up when I have more time tomorrow.

I was on my mission when the online game tournaments were going on, and so I never really got to participate. I would love to join up in one of these as well.

I think what is truly important though in reviving the Y.C., as well as every yoshi community out there, is for all of us to act more like a family. Too many times, I have seen members come to me and tell me how they hate a certain other member, or relate to me a verbal attack or argument had between two others. We need to stop acting so distant from each other, and start treating each other like true friends. Communication is a big part of growth. If an idea for an activity or thread comes up, then make sure to share it. So many more people in these days have an idea, but don't go ahead and post it because they are afraid that people will bash whatever it may be, which has been caused because of the distance we put between ourselves. I don't mean physical distance either.

We need to communicate more with each other in friendlier terms, and with the whole yoshi community as a whole.

Its time for a great change.

[Shoe]

Apr 11, 2010 15:17:33 GMT -5 teh yoshi said:

A giant scale Yoshi fan game that can span across other communities would be nice, or crying out to Nintendo to make a 3D plat-former Yoshi's Island?

(bold added)

I wish I would've seen this earlier. Anyway, I wonder if we can't fashion some game where it's a fully explorable Yoshi's Island, in glorious 2D, with weather patterns and seasons and day and night, etc (all right, that might be a little too optimistic). Lots of people could play together, fans could customize their own Yoshi (scale color, and maybe boot and saddle color) and have their own adventures on a virtual Yoshi's Island. It'd kill two Birdos with one stone--fangame and RP. Might answer the "tournament" problem, too.

Probably not, but, yeah, it's fun to dream.

Meanwhile, yeah, I'm up for a Yoshi's Island 3D petition.

[andrevus]

Thread Necromancy: Yea im totally up to that last year there were a TON of over a year old topics i'd wanted to revive but i didn't since topic revivals were always a big problem on all foums i've been so far...

Art Trade: Im out of that one...im not too artsy myself sadly

Yoshi Fangame: Now THAT would be awesome.Im kinda tired of romhacks of the first game just to give it a new look...

Roleplaying: Now for THAT im up to anyday

Tournaments/Game Fads: Well as long as it only required a PC i would be in it my Wii died last week......R.I.P.

Posting: Kinda like a few of the others im more of a lurker myself but whenever i have something to say i do try my best to post about it.

But the problem so far is that its all just opinions

[Matoking]

Thread necromancy : Well, if we have to resort to it, then be it.

Art trade/Secret Santa : Now, it necessarily doesn't need to be an art trade of any kind. Just a collaboration of some kind that would also attract those who've never drawn Yoshi/any art before, something creative that doesn't necessarily have to be art. I've never drawn Yoshi because I haven't had any inspiration or ideas on how to do it...

Yoshi fangame/whatever : I have never thought it is a great idea to spend a large portion of time onto something that isn't a completely original idea. If we were to create a Yoshi MMO or something similar to what Shoe thought about, there would be a danger it would be taken down by the Nintendo itself, it recently happened with a Pokemon-themed MMO :
www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/nintendo-shuts-down-fan-made-pokemon-mmo/

I don't think the problem exists with a simpler single-player games but still...

Roleplaying : Never tried so I can't say anything about this.

Tournaments/Game fads : Variety to this people! It necessarily doesn't have to be only Brawl.

Posting : This is obvious, let's just post stuff.

Apr 11, 2010 15:26:53 GMT -5 Blitzzoshi said:

Speaking of fangames, please tell me I'm not the only one who remembers this: www.mfgg.net/index.php?act=resdb¶m=02&c=2&id=318

It was made back in the Windows 98 era, and it's more of a joke/novelty game than anything, really, but still worth playing through. Lots of glitches, and the enemies play an exploding animation when you eat them (probably unintentional). Has mild blood at the end. "It looks like you're fighting a boss! Do you need help?"

Edit: Oh, you'll need cncs32.dll, which you can find online through a quick web search.

I've played that before! Or, the updated version of it :
www.mfgg.net/index.php?act=resdb¶m=02&c=2&id=289

I found it somewhat amusing in it's own little way.

[Shoe]

Apr 12, 2010 12:18:47 GMT -5 Matoking said:

If we were to create a Yoshi MMO or something similar to what Shoe thought about, there would be a danger it would be taken down by the Nintendo itself, it recently happened with a Pokemon-themed MMO :
www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/nintendo-shuts-down-fan-made-pokemon-mmo/

Whoops!

Well, as I said, it's fun to dream.

[YoshiAgent]

You know, Super Mario Galaxy 2 is coming out soon. It's not focused solely on Yoshi, but Yoshi has a decent role in it.
That should provide a boon in the community.

All these ideas are good though. If the next wave comes into the forum with the things you described, it'll make them want to stay.

[dama682]

Times like these make me wish that the fanbases would just merge together.

[andrevus]

Apr 12, 2010 12:18:47 GMT -5 Matoking said:

There would be a danger it would be taken down by the Nintendo itself, it recently happened with a Pokemon-themed MMO :
www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/nintendo-shuts-down-fan-made-pokemon-mmo/

/offtopic Screw you Nintendo!!!!!!! I loved PokéNet T_T aside from the movement lag issue

[emvee]

Apr 13, 2010 12:09:32 GMT -5 dama682 said:

Times like these make me wish that the fanbases would just merge together.

You know, considering the userbase of this board, that might not be such a bad idea. I mean, Yoshi did bring us together, but while some of us have moved on to other interests gaming seems to keep us tied together. It's a broad topic, but it's still one that links us all. Maybe we need to drop the Yoshi overtones and simply become a community founded around gaming.

Apr 11, 2010 12:33:31 GMT -5 Moot said:

I think this thread proved we still have some life around here, it might just be convincing everybody else that there's life around here. I find people are more likely to post when others are posting - After all, who wants to be the only one posting on a dead board? I found myself a few times going to make a post in some thread or other but stopping thinking that "nobody will be bothered about this" and back out. I have no idea if anybody else does that but I dare say I'm not the only one.

You certainly aren't the only one, and I don't think that's the only problem either. While we may not have a lot of activity, we have a lot of archives about said activity in the past. Most everything that can be said or topics that can be started have already been started. What I propose is a board reboot. Remove all the old topics and start anew. It'll give people new things to talk about, get rid of thread necromancy, and clear out the cluttered boards of year-old, never touched topics.

Apr 11, 2010 12:33:31 GMT -5 Moot said:

Again, timezones and other commitments don't help in organizing a tourney that everyone can get in on. Freeware PC games or otherwise freely available legal game dumps are going to be the best bet, I'd imagine.

I've seen some pretty good ideas around the Interwebs concerning tournaments and competitions. Maybe we can work some of those into tournaments for the YC crew or something. It'd be a bit of a stretch, but I can try to get some things going. I know a TrackMania tournament is going on right now, and it doesn't require the participants to be online at the same times. I wouldn't mind getting a random server started up for that either, to be quite honest.

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