On posting to the Community
At the outset, I will warn you this post is a little ranty. I just ask you read it charitably, and understand that the underlying sentiment I’m expressing here is a big part of what makes the Gauntlet special.
We don’t really have guidelines in place to govern what is and what is not appropriate to post to the Community feed. Honestly, we’ve never really needed it. But we’ve been growing, and so it might be worth having that conversation now.
Here are my thoughts on the matter…
1. I take the “community” in G+ Community really seriously. I respond negatively to posts that feel like self-promotion, or have little relevance to the Gauntlet.
2. So, what counts as relevant? ‘Relevant’ means directly connected to the Gauntlet in some way, or otherwise part of our Community’s ongoing conversation about games. I know that is super-fuzzy, but it’s a lot like that old adage about pornography: you know it when you see it. A good place to start is to consider whether the thing you’re posting has been talked about on one of the podcasts.
3. Social media and signaling. Let’s say you make an original post somewhere else on G+ and then you re-share it to us. To me that signals: “I cared enough about all of you to tell you about this cool thing second (or third or fourth or fifth).” Writing an original post here goes a long way, but please be mindful of #1 and #2 above.
4. None of this is to say you shouldn’t promote things here, but you have to be smart about it. Take the time to engage with the community, play some games with us on Hangouts, or straight-up ask someone about the best way of rolling things out to the Gauntlet. The reception you’ll get is so much better if you do a little bit of cultivation and maintenance.
Here is where all of this is coming from: over the years, we have had a number of bloggers, game designers, and other podcasters airdrop themselves into the middle of our ongoing conversation, and when they don’t get the quick payoff they were hoping for in terms of promotion, we never hear from them again. Well, you know what? I pay very close attention to that kind of stuff, and there are far more great blogs than I can read and far more great games than I can play and far more great podcasts than I can listen to, and so part of my personal triage process involves the question: Does this person give two fucks about what we’re doing in the Gauntlet?
I hope Fraser Simons doesn’t mind me calling him out here, but his involvement with the community is a positive example of what I’m trying to get across. Fraser actively engages with the Gauntlet. I know he listens to our shows, and he participates in our posts. I don’t have any reason to believe he’s doing it out of self-interest, but when his game The Veil comes out, I will definitely play it, and if it’s any good, it will likely get a lot of coverage from us because he has shown himself to be a member of the community.
I feel like such an asshole writing this post, because I value the people in this community so much, and I like to keep the conversation positive. But I’m also a long-term thinker, and I’ve got my eye on where we’re at three or four years down the road. There are G+ Communities that are four times our size, but are absolute wastelands in terms of activity and engagement. I think they got that way because their feeds became a free-for-all and people just started tuning them out. We’re not going to start aggressively moderating posts, because 90% of what gets posted is interesting and relevant, but please be mindful of what I have expressed here.
Also, these are solely my thoughts. Others may disagree, and that’s fine. Feedback is welcome.
Don’t feel like an asshole at all. It’s an issue of signal and noise and I appreciate your trying to keep the noise down. I like the “Noah Tax” concept. Not sure what Noah that is named after but the idea is you can’t just link something with an off-hand “this looks cool” or “have you seen this.” You have to say what it is you find interesting/neat about the thing, why it seems important, what you got out of it, or some such. Make your posts relevant to the community. Don’t just drop posts everywhere like you would scatter seed on a lawn.
Don’t feel like an asshole at all. It’s an issue of signal and noise and I appreciate your trying to keep the noise down. I like the “Noah Tax” concept. Not sure what Noah that is named after but the idea is you can’t just link something with an off-hand “this looks cool” or “have you seen this.” You have to say what it is you find interesting/neat about the thing, why it seems important, what you got out of it, or some such. Make your posts relevant to the community. Don’t just drop posts everywhere like you would scatter seed on a lawn.
I definitely don’t mind, in fact I am over joyed and teared up a little. I really, really like this community and can’t wait to play games with everyone. I love the podcasts, the atmosphere and the people here; I made up my mind ages ago to attempt to get in on some sessions here as soon as I return home. It’s agonizing seeing all these amazing sessions pop up that I can’t partake in! You and the people here should be really proud of what you have built.
I was actually planning on approaching you come September to see about setting up a couple hangout sessions for The Veil.
I am also going to be hard at work on the next game and was hoping to find players here to playtest that with me as well — if that’s something people will be interested in. That way the design process is open and accessible and hopefully encourages other people here to design their own games, too. There’s so many creative people here, I’m sure they would make some great content.
I definitely don’t mind, in fact I am over joyed and teared up a little. I really, really like this community and can’t wait to play games with everyone. I love the podcasts, the atmosphere and the people here; I made up my mind ages ago to attempt to get in on some sessions here as soon as I return home. It’s agonizing seeing all these amazing sessions pop up that I can’t partake in! You and the people here should be really proud of what you have built.
I was actually planning on approaching you come September to see about setting up a couple hangout sessions for The Veil.
I am also going to be hard at work on the next game and was hoping to find players here to playtest that with me as well — if that’s something people will be interested in. That way the design process is open and accessible and hopefully encourages other people here to design their own games, too. There’s so many creative people here, I’m sure they would make some great content.
As a publisher/community member/guest, I think this post rocks. I love that the Gauntlet leadership is engaged in long-term community building and it helps me think about how I want to contribute here and which contributions are on point. Thanks!
As a publisher/community member/guest, I think this post rocks. I love that the Gauntlet leadership is engaged in long-term community building and it helps me think about how I want to contribute here and which contributions are on point. Thanks!
I love how the Gauntlet is focused on playing the games that are discussed, and not just on discussing them. Heck, I love playing on the Gauntlet even more than I love the podcasts. And it’s totally legit to remind people to uphold that focus on the community once in a while.
I love how the Gauntlet is focused on playing the games that are discussed, and not just on discussing them. Heck, I love playing on the Gauntlet even more than I love the podcasts. And it’s totally legit to remind people to uphold that focus on the community once in a while.
Thanks Jason Cordova. Any growing community needs mindful conversations to keep growing as a community! It’s like that cooperative house that needs damn ‘house meetings’ to figure out who’s cleaning the chicken coops and whatnot. A necessary conversation and gracefully handled. 🙂
Thanks Jason Cordova. Any growing community needs mindful conversations to keep growing as a community! It’s like that cooperative house that needs damn ‘house meetings’ to figure out who’s cleaning the chicken coops and whatnot. A necessary conversation and gracefully handled. 🙂
Ha ha! You’re famous Noah Stevens. Thanks for setting the record straight. 🙂
Ha ha! You’re famous Noah Stevens. Thanks for setting the record straight. 🙂
Personally, despite the fact that three of my mini-games have received attention, I felt that I missed an opportunity this summer by not playing in more of the games being offered here. I played in the Age of Legends game and am setting up now to be part of Robert Ruthven’s Shinobigami game, but after next week my vacation is over and I won’t be able to put in the daily schedule that would allow me to play a lot of the offered times. Especially since my regular group is gearing up several games in the next little bit.
However, towards that end I’ve asked my brother for his schedule a few months in advance (so I know when I don’t have my Saturday game with him) and I hoping that way I have enough fore-warning to be able to know which games I can make and which I can’t in advance. The plan is to play more than run.
Overall, I find this community much more engaging than other similar ones I’ve tried and I like reading the play reports people give of their face-to-face games. And I’ve purchased at least one new game due to this community and have heard of a couple of others that I’d like to try. And…of course, the potential to get to PLAY MotW and Masks and other games I already know is a big draw.
Personally, despite the fact that three of my mini-games have received attention, I felt that I missed an opportunity this summer by not playing in more of the games being offered here. I played in the Age of Legends game and am setting up now to be part of Robert Ruthven’s Shinobigami game, but after next week my vacation is over and I won’t be able to put in the daily schedule that would allow me to play a lot of the offered times. Especially since my regular group is gearing up several games in the next little bit.
However, towards that end I’ve asked my brother for his schedule a few months in advance (so I know when I don’t have my Saturday game with him) and I hoping that way I have enough fore-warning to be able to know which games I can make and which I can’t in advance. The plan is to play more than run.
Overall, I find this community much more engaging than other similar ones I’ve tried and I like reading the play reports people give of their face-to-face games. And I’ve purchased at least one new game due to this community and have heard of a couple of others that I’d like to try. And…of course, the potential to get to PLAY MotW and Masks and other games I already know is a big draw.
*Standing and slow clap*
*Standing and slow clap*
I’m sorry that I just did this by posting my blog 🙁
I’m sorry that I just did this by posting my blog 🙁
Andy Katz I absolutely did not have you in mind, Andy. I can see why you may have thought that, given the timing, but this post has been under construction for awhile.
Andy Katz I absolutely did not have you in mind, Andy. I can see why you may have thought that, given the timing, but this post has been under construction for awhile.
Saffire Rainbo I’m really happy to hear that. One of the things I wish more people knew about the Gauntlet as a community is how exceedingly polite & respectful we are to each other. There are so many shitty, antagonistic spaces on the internet, and I’m committed to making sure we never become one.
Saffire Rainbo I’m really happy to hear that. One of the things I wish more people knew about the Gauntlet as a community is how exceedingly polite & respectful we are to each other. There are so many shitty, antagonistic spaces on the internet, and I’m committed to making sure we never become one.
This community is an island of calm and support in a sea of … well … the rest of the internet.
This community is an island of calm and support in a sea of … well … the rest of the internet.
Jason Cordova I’m just checking in and making sure that when I’ve posted links to my own blog, it has been appropriate.
I’ve done that when I listened to an episode and thought, “Oooh! I’ve thought about that same issue.”
Jason Cordova I’m just checking in and making sure that when I’ve posted links to my own blog, it has been appropriate.
I’ve done that when I listened to an episode and thought, “Oooh! I’ve thought about that same issue.”
Judd Karlman I’m totally cool with it. You drew a connection to the podcasts, which is enough for me. The stuff I’m talking about is the spammy stuff that is pretty plainly not connected to anything we’re doing, and has been posted in a dozen other places.
Judd Karlman I’m totally cool with it. You drew a connection to the podcasts, which is enough for me. The stuff I’m talking about is the spammy stuff that is pretty plainly not connected to anything we’re doing, and has been posted in a dozen other places.
Judd Karlman Also, I appreciate you checking-in about it. Thanks!
Judd Karlman Also, I appreciate you checking-in about it. Thanks!