Discussion Match Threads. Do We Need Them?

[Genghis Tron]

Obviously the answer is a resounding yes.

If I've learned anything in my time here it's that you should never question the sacred nature of match threads but let me say the following.

I don't think many of you, possibly any of you do your best work in match threads banter wise. I understand I'm not the arbiter of what is and isn't good banter, but the energy and effort never seems to match what I see from posters I enjoy when they are in media/various other threads and even outside of the SFA. Brilliant posters like Jesus, TiF, Mang, Turbs, Filthy, Testy, EJW so on and so forth never seem reach the heights they do outside of match threads (personally) and I can't blame them. Why use all your good material on the place where dreams go to die?

There are posters I very much enjoy the work of throughout the media threads who seemingly never post in match threads, so I assume I'm not the only one who doesn't dig them as much. I know the feeling that I had to engage in match threads to be part of the league was a big part of why I grew bored with the SFA for a time. The match threads felt like empty calories.

Obviously there are teams that make for a more entertaining match thread than others, but even taking the best match thread I can remember and comparing it to an average media thread, the match thread pales in comparison. I value the actual sim as a source of entertainment much more than the days leading up to it in the match thread, so I'm obviously not the target audience to begin with. I'm also aware comparing match threads and media threads is a little unfair, but they are both expressions of posters personalities so whatever.

What I was hoping to discuss with some of the people who are a little more in tune with the needs of the SFA is,

• are we as a "community" engaging in match threads to the level that we do purely out of enjoyment or do rules or a sense of commitment/responsibility to represent play a big part of it?

• Could reducing the days that a match thread is live help raise engagement in them, or help alleviate the feeling of a week dragging on? Could that have an affect on retention? Would reducing the "live" days have an affect on fixturing?

• How often are match threads spoken about amongst the commitee and in what regard?

I'm not calling for them to be removed or for mass boycotts by any means, if we removed them then we would miss out on the awesome OPs that often come with them. I'm just genuinely interested in people's honest thoughts on match threads. Pretty sure they are mostly positive, but still.

What do the rest of you think? What's the league's opinion on them?

 

[Pugsley]

 

[Test Tickle]

Obviously the answer is a resounding yes.

If I've learned anything in my time here it's that you should never question the sacred nature of match threads but let me say the following.

I don't think many of you, possibly any of you do your best work in match threads banter wise. I understand I'm not the arbiter of what is and isn't good banter, but the energy and effort never seems to match what I see from posters I enjoy when they are in media/various other threads and even outside of the SFA. Brilliant posters like Jesus, TiF, Mang, Turbs, Filthy, Testy, EJW so on and so forth never seem reach the heights they do outside of match threads (personally) and I can't blame them. Why use all your good material on the place where dreams go to die?

There are posters I very much enjoy the work of throughout the media threads who seemingly never post in match threads, so I assume I'm not the only one who doesn't dig them as much. I know the feeling that I had to engage in match threads to be part of the league was a big part of why I grew bored with the SFA for a time. The match threads felt like empty calories.

Obviously there are teams that make for a more entertaining match thread than others, but even taking the best match thread I can remember and comparing it to an average media thread, the match thread pales in comparison. I value the actual sim as a source of entertainment much more than the days leading up to it in the match thread, so I'm obviously not the target audience to begin with. I'm also aware comparing match threads and media threads is a little unfair, but they are both expressions of posters personalities so whatever.

What I was hoping to discuss with some of the people who are a little more in tune with the needs of the SFA is,

• are we as a "community" engaging in match threads to the level that we do purely out of enjoyment or do rules or a sense of commitment/responsibility to represent play a big part of it?

• Could reducing the days that a match thread is live help raise engagement in them, or help alleviate the feeling of a week dragging on? Could that have an affect on retention? Would reducing the "live" days have an affect on fixturing?

• How often are match threads spoken about amongst the commitee and in what regard?

I'm not calling for them to be removed or for mass boycotts by any means, if we removed them then we would miss out on the awesome OPs that often come with them. I'm just genuinely interested in people's honest thoughts on match threads. Pretty sure they are mostly positive, but still.

What do the rest of you think? What's the league's opinion on them?

I love game day with that sense of excitement and anticipation...and showers with mates.

 

[Genghis Tron]

I love game day with that sense of excitement and anticipation...and showers with mates.

Game day is the best. Just wish I could extend that for the whole week.

 

[Pugsley]

I love game day with that sense of excitement and anticipation...and showers with mates.

The spa is more intimate.

 

[Test Tickle]

The spa is more intimate.

So I heard

 

[Tigerturbulance]

I love game day with that sense of excitement and anticipation...and showers with mates.

oh yer, showers and hot tubs that's where being in the SFA is at its best

 

[Noobz0r]

What else would I base my beez voting on?

 

[Barrybran]

It's Tuesday of Round 2! Can't you wait a couple more months before you call the Gumbies shit??

 

[SweetD]

Match threads are the best part of this league tbh, it's a conversation, shit talk when needed, have a laugh, shit talk again.

You don't go into a match thread for mediathread-quality posts, you go for a spur of the moment insult sesh, a clevor one-liner, some shit photoshops etc.

Some people need to just appreciate it for what it is.

 

[NaturalDisaster]

Obviously the answer is a resounding yes.

If I've learned anything in my time here it's that you should never question the sacred nature of match threads but let me say the following.

I don't think many of you, possibly any of you do your best work in match threads banter wise. I understand I'm not the arbiter of what is and isn't good banter, but the energy and effort never seems to match what I see from posters I enjoy when they are in media/various other threads and even outside of the SFA. Brilliant posters like Jesus, TiF, Mang, Turbs, Filthy, Testy, EJW so on and so forth never seem reach the heights they do outside of match threads (personally) and I can't blame them. Why use all your good material on the place where dreams go to die?

There are posters I very much enjoy the work of throughout the media threads who seemingly never post in match threads, so I assume I'm not the only one who doesn't dig them as much. I know the feeling that I had to engage in match threads to be part of the league was a big part of why I grew bored with the SFA for a time. The match threads felt like empty calories.

Obviously there are teams that make for a more entertaining match thread than others, but even taking the best match thread I can remember and comparing it to an average media thread, the match thread pales in comparison. I value the actual sim as a source of entertainment much more than the days leading up to it in the match thread, so I'm obviously not the target audience to begin with. I'm also aware comparing match threads and media threads is a little unfair, but they are both expressions of posters personalities so whatever.

What I was hoping to discuss with some of the people who are a little more in tune with the needs of the SFA is,

• are we as a "community" engaging in match threads to the level that we do purely out of enjoyment or do rules or a sense of commitment/responsibility to represent play a big part of it?

• Could reducing the days that a match thread is live help raise engagement in them, or help alleviate the feeling of a week dragging on? Could that have an affect on retention? Would reducing the "live" days have an affect on fixturing?

• How often are match threads spoken about amongst the commitee and in what regard?

I'm not calling for them to be removed or for mass boycotts by any means, if we removed them then we would miss out on the awesome OPs that often come with them. I'm just genuinely interested in people's honest thoughts on match threads. Pretty sure they are mostly positive, but still.

What do the rest of you think? What's the league's opinion on them?

You bring up some very good points in here.

I was discussing similar with TheInjuryFactory the other day, the best part of the SFA always occurs outside of match threads, the drama and the controversy that occurs. That is not to say there aren't good match threads, there are, but if people listed their top 5 moments in the past few seasons, I would almost guarantee they will not name a match thread.

I don't mean to sound like a "back in my day" type, but match threads have declined in overall quality over the seasons. People are in general more interested in their post count, activity and insular team mate banter than they are actually engaging with the opposition. We got accused of being inactive in our match thread this week despite being one of the most active teams in the league. Honestly, this says a lot about the mentality and attitude of many in the league where having 5-6 getting over 100 posts every week seems to have become to "standard" for being an active team.

imo, this sort of mentality is a huge turn off for rookies. I remember when I was a rookie and thinking I had to keep up with akkaps and his spammy posting, I can only imagine how many rookies look at their spammy teammates, or opposition and go "Shit, do i seriously have to keep up with this?" and turn off and not post again.

I don't think the match threads themselves need to change. The time frame for them is fine and the great thing about the SFA is you don't have to post every single day (or even every week) in order to keep your spot on a team, it's what you make of it really. The attitude of "bigger post count iz better" needs to stop though.

Sorry to turn this thread into another "Is the league too spammy" debate, I'm not as anti spam as some here, but some in the league do need to chill the **** out.

 

[Genghis Tron]

It's Tuesday of Round 2! Can't you wait a couple more months before you call the Gumbies sh*t??

Jokes aside, the Gumbies are shit, get me out.
Jks, plz don't drop me skipper

You bring up some very good points in here.

I was discussing similar with TheInjuryFactory the other day, the best part of the SFA always occurs outside of match threads, the drama and the controversy that occurs. That is not to say there aren't good match threads, there are, but if people listed their top 5 moments in the past few seasons, I would almost guarantee they will not name a match thread.

I don't mean to sound like a "back in my day" type, but match threads have declined in overall quality over the seasons. People are in general more interested in their post count, activity and insular team mate banter than they are actually engaging with the opposition. We got accused of being inactive in our match thread this week despite being one of the most active teams in the league. Honestly, this says a lot about the mentality and attitude of many in the league where having 5-6 getting over 100 posts every week seems to have become to "standard" for being an active team.

imo, this sort of mentality is a huge turn off for rookies. I remember when I was a rookie and thinking I had to keep up with akkaps and his spammy posting, I can only imagine how many rookies look at their spammy teammates, or opposition and go "sh*t, do i seriously have to keep up with this?" and turn off and not post again.

I don't think the match threads themselves need to change. The time frame for them is fine and the great thing about the SFA is you don't have to post every single day (or even every week) in order to keep your spot on a team, it's what you make of it really. The attitude of "bigger post count iz better" needs to stop though.

Sorry to turn this thread into another "Is the league too spammy" debate, I'm not as anti spam as some here, but some in the league do need to chill the fu** out.

I'm glad you brought up the point of it being a possible turnoff to rookies. I didn't want to further my reputation of being a rookie ********er/coddler anymore than I have.

I know the initial pressure (pretty much all internal) to have a high post count had me posting when I wouldn't have otherwise felt a need to post. It does feel like you could wipe 50% of match thread posts and the quality wouldn't dip in a lot of cases.

Solid point on match threads not being the thing that needs to change. I think you're right in that it's the spammier aspect of the league and not the match threads themselves.

What could be done to reduce the "spam" though? Chill out is probably the best advice, but I suppose those that enjoy it have every right to engage at the level they see fit and it's on those that don't to deal with it.

I just wish the brilliance we see outside of match threads was more prevalent in them, but when you're dealing with 6 weekly threads getting around 1000(?) posts, the quality is most likely going to be spread out.

I've been enjoying my time much more with the added benefit of being recruited with zero expectations.

 

[Kennedy Parker]

Lock all match threads until Sunday when the game gets posted.

If you want to banter with the opposition, create a media thread attacking them.

 

[Genghis Tron]

Lock all match threads until Sunday when the game gets posted.

If you want to banter with the opposition, create a media thread attacking them.

Can you run for admin?

 

[Agent93]

We got accused of being inactive in our match thread this week

Yeah that was weird. Especially since at the time there seemed to be five Warriors conversing with one Hawk.

The time frame for them is fine

I disagree. Having these go up in the middle of the afternoon on a Monday causes the threads to start to merge. You don't get that clear day where teams actually talked amongst themselves for a bit before getting back into it on a Tuesday arvo.

 

[NaturalDisaster]

Yeah that was weird. Especially since at the time there seemed to be five Warriors conversing with one Hawk.

Huh? We are playing the Dragons.

We played you last week. That was a good match thread.

 

[ClarkeM]

You bring up some very good points in here.

I was discussing similar with TheInjuryFactory the other day, the best part of the SFA always occurs outside of match threads, the drama and the controversy that occurs. That is not to say there aren't good match threads, there are, but if people listed their top 5 moments in the past few seasons, I would almost guarantee they will not name a match thread.

I don't mean to sound like a "back in my day" type, but match threads have declined in overall quality over the seasons. People are in general more interested in their post count, activity and insular team mate banter than they are actually engaging with the opposition. We got accused of being inactive in our match thread this week despite being one of the most active teams in the league. Honestly, this says a lot about the mentality and attitude of many in the league where having 5-6 getting over 100 posts every week seems to have become to "standard" for being an active team.

imo, this sort of mentality is a huge turn off for rookies. I remember when I was a rookie and thinking I had to keep up with akkaps and his spammy posting, I can only imagine how many rookies look at their spammy teammates, or opposition and go "sh*t, do i seriously have to keep up with this?" and turn off and not post again.

I don't think the match threads themselves need to change. The time frame for them is fine and the great thing about the SFA is you don't have to post every single day (or even every week) in order to keep your spot on a team, it's what you make of it really. The attitude of "bigger post count iz better" needs to stop though.

Sorry to turn this thread into another "Is the league too spammy" debate, I'm not as anti spam as some here, but some in the league do need to chill the fu** out.

 

[SweetD]

Huh? We are playing the Dragons.

We played you last week. That was a good match thread.

The Dragons are just kinda goofy.

 

[Santoz]

Playing the Hawks this week.

I was offline for 30min, returned and had missed 6 pages of content.

It's a ****ing chore playing against spammers.

 

[SweetD]

Playing the Hawks this week.

I was offline for 30min, returned and had missed 6 pages of content.

It's a ******* chore playing against spammers.

Just move on, find a new point to join in the conversation, start something new.

You don't need too, and probably shouldn't, read every post in a match thread.

 

[Santoz]

Just move on, find a new point to join in the conversation, start something new.

You don't need too, and probably shouldn't, read every post in a match thread.

Thanks for the advice mate.

Noted

 

[Callums_Guns]

Much like SweetD match threads are the best part of the league but im sure in seasons to come my opinion may change

Voiced it in threads the past couple of seasons especially for long weekends but my suggestions for minimum 3-4 rounds a season if not more have the following ;

Match threads to be 3 days only or start Tuesday / Wednesday pending week game time

Matches to be rolled across the weekend

Times are just a guide but have blockbuster games at night in which a lot of players are on, especially at the moment

1. Thursday night 7:30pm
2. Friday night 7:30pm
3. Saturday afternoon 2pm
4. Saturday night 7:30pm
5. Sunday afternoon 2pm
6. Sunday afternoon 4pm

If there is a public holiday on the Monday use the long weekend Friday - Monday

If expansion is on the cards again for S31 and only 1 team is entered the team with the bye can assist with the posting of the games

 

[Marlowe]

yes, imo.

 

[BLUEALLTHRU]

Should some threads also come with toilet paper..

 

[Callums_Guns]

Should some threads also come with toilet paper..

and a SFA mask