Merging similar threads into a Frankenstein's monster isn't always a good idea

[Another Iori]

Recently, I came across a thread started by @Spike with the title 'Extremely Weird And Obscure Games' and I was wondering how I’d missed 48 pages of content. Then as I read through it I realized that a Frankenstein's monster had been silently created by merging several similar discussions.

From one point of view, I admire the dedication in hunting down threads tied by a common theme, so they don't scatter like Dragon Balls, however, it seems the context of how we actually use this place called RGT hasn't been understood.

This is a specialized forum, not a chat.

Spike's thread was about discussing obscure games in general, while many of the merged threads were GitHub-style forks focused solely on specific ecosystems like the Famicom or the original PlayStation. They didn't have the same intent, yet they’ve been completely nullified and made difficult to find or read.

It's perfectly fine to merge identical threads like 'What music are you listening to?' with 'Post a music track here', however, it is completely wrong to merge into a single creature things like 'What music are you listening to?' and 'Share Japanese songs produced exclusively in the 80s'.

Among other things, I recently fell victim to this system myself.

In General Discussion, I started a thread called 'What startup videos or opening themes always pump endorphins into your brain?' and I chose the General section to allow for any type of media and even for gaming any era was welcome; however, suddenly without warning, I found it moved and merged into 'General Gaming Discussion', but it’s incorrect.

That section is focused exclusively on current-gen games, not everything in general (not even old games should be there, because 'General Retro Gaming' already exists).

I tried to report this error politely 3 times [1, 2 and 3] and 3 times I was ignored.

 

[BrawlMan]

I noticed this too, and most of it is not necessary. Some merges I get, but certain topics are from completely different sections or focused on something else, it makes no sense to merge them.

 

[Glimbo]

I think that was my suggestion to merge that startup video thread. I missed the General Discussion location and saw people posting video game related media at the time and made an assumption. I messed up and I apologize for that.

A while ago, after I saw someone else's suggestion to merge all hot takes threads from across the forum get accepted, it kinda evolved from duplicate hunting to similar thread hunting.

I'll be more careful about my suggestions from now on but maybe a mod can talk more about this.

 

[JustLooking456]

The Obscure Games thread was already a free-for-all, "post random games that are obscure" thread, so if multiple threads pop up like "What are some obscure GBA titles", or "What are some obscure N64 titles" etc. then combining them all into one Obscure Games Megathread helps cut down on the clutter.

I understand that it's jarring for a thread to shoot off in a different (albiet similar) direction, but for the Obscure Games thread it's just that: a thread to post obscure and weird games that may or may not get discussed in detail, and from the start of page 1 it's been entirely random.

 

[bjork]

I always figured merges are best used for multiple news threads posted on the same day, or when the 870th person comes in asking "what PS1 games should I play" rather than using search. But depending on how a thread goes, it may not even resemble its title subject a page or two in, so it's almost always gonna be case by case.

 

[Metroid_Hybrid]

Another one that happened recently was a thread to the effect of "What game have you played through more than any other?" was merged with "Games you replayed a hundred times?"
While I'd admit that they are similar topics, and several people's answers applied to both topics; they are not the same topic..

And before that there was a 'Film sequels that you preferred over the original' thread that was merged with "Overhated movies." I thought that this merge was just plain stupid..

 

[PhaseJump]

Merge the whole forum into one thread.

 

[PacGuy]

Merge the whole forum into one thread.

THE DIMENSIONAL MERGE IS NOW!!

 

[Fietto!]

Another one that happened recently was a thread to the effect of "What game have you played through more than any other?" was merged with "Games you replayed a hundred times?"
While I'd admit that they are similar topics, and several people's answers applied to both topics; they are not the same topic..

And before that there was a 'Film sequels that you preferred over the original' thread that was merged with "Overhated movies." I thought that this merge was just plain stupid..

Yeah exactly!

 

[medisinn]

Does anything get "lost" in a thread merge? There have been some threads like the date thread where I swear there were more pages before the merge, but I can't prove it. How does that work, anyway? If you merge two threads, I presume one is the master thread, so how do the posts from the other thread(s) get added in? Does it list the posts from all the threads in order based on time posted? That seems like it would make the most sense, but I'm just guessing.

 

[ArchienineArchienine's icon]

The only thing that i want to suggest here is a disclaimer that indicates that the main thread was merged with other ones since can be confusing or out of context having like 5 dudes starting the topic in cuestion when reading further into the thread.

 

[Another Iori]

The Obscure Games thread was already a free-for-all, "post random games that are obscure" thread, so if multiple threads pop up like "What are some obscure GBA titles", or "What are some obscure N64 titles" etc. then combining them all into one Obscure Games Megathread helps cut down on the clutter.

I understand that it's jarring for a thread to shoot off in a different (albiet similar) direction, but for the Obscure Games thread it's just that: a thread to post obscure and weird games that may or may not get discussed in detail, and from the start of page 1 it's been entirely random.

I don’t know if you’re purposefully denying the horrible mess that was generated or if you simply skipped this input, but regardless, here it is once more shorter and to the point.

however, it seems the context of how we actually use this place called RGT hasn't been understood.

This is a specialized forum, not a chat.

Spike's thread was about discussing obscure games in general, while many of the merged threads were GitHub-style forks focused solely on specific ecosystems like the Famicom or the original PlayStation. They didn't have the same intent, yet they’ve been completely nullified and made difficult to find or read.

It's perfectly fine to merge identical threads like 'What music are you listening to?' with 'Post a music track here', however, it is completely wrong to merge into a single creature things like 'What music are you listening to?' and 'Share Japanese songs produced exclusively in the 80s'.

It’s as if someone started a thread titled 'What do you usually buy when you go grocery shopping?' And then another one is created called 'Which toothpaste is actually the best to get at the supermarket?' Yes, they’re similar, but one is generic, while the other addresses an extremely specific interest and shouldn’t be watered down.

Forums should be used to allow common questions to be voiced and to ensure that the effort of those offering solutions isn't wasted by being hidden behind closed walls or tons of contextless messages. Today Reddit survives because it’s the anti-chat.

Another one that happened recently was a thread to the effect of "What game have you played through more than any other?" was merged with "Games you replayed a hundred times?"
While I'd admit that they are similar topics, and several people's answers applied to both topics; they are not the same topic..

And before that there was a 'Film sequels that you preferred over the original' thread that was merged with "Overhated movies." I thought that this merge was just plain stupid..

Yes, I confirm that in both cases merging them was a truly horrible choice.

In the first case, the goal is to transcribe the ultimate obsession: meaning exceeding 100 repetitions, which is a rather precise and non-negotiable number.

In the second example, the aim is to take a precursor as a base and think of sequels you like better; however, the other one lacks any comparison and is quite generic (as if it were some RPG Maker product made by your cousin during an uninspired summer).

Merge the whole forum into one thread.

THE DIMENSIONAL MERGE IS NOW!!

Basically like any internet relay chat used today (I always feel sick when I watch a YouTube video and it ends with 'if you want I also have a WhatsApp group' NO! At least Telegram has a channel option which is more organized!).

Does anything get "lost" in a thread merge? There have been some threads like the date thread where I swear there were more pages before the merge, but I can't prove it. How does that work, anyway? If you merge two threads, I presume one is the master thread, so how do the posts from the other thread(s) get added in? Does it list the posts from all the threads in order based on time posted? That seems like it would make the most sense, but I'm just guessing.

It seems there's a maximum threshold of messages that cannot be exceeded. If you have time to waste, the only example that comes to mind is this original and its degenerate offshoot.

 

[JustLooking456]

I don’t know if you’re purposefully denying the horrible mess that was generated or if you simply skipped this input, but regardless, here it is once more shorter and to the point.

I read through the entire thread once it was merged. Random game suggestions the whole way through. We didn't need multiple threads about the same thing.

 

[Glimbo]

In the first case, the goal is to transcribe the ultimate obsession: meaning exceeding 100 repetitions, which is a rather precise and non-negotiable number.

I suggested this merge too. You're looking too deep into the title.

"Games you replayed a hundred times?" is just hyperbole. The first line in the post says "What's that game you replay again every once in a while?"

Both this and "What game have you played through more than any other?" are just different ways of saying "What's a game you replay alot?"

I didn't suggest merging the one about the overhated movies so I can't comment on that one.

 

[bjork]

I tried to report this error politely 3 times [1, 2 and 3] and 3 times I was ignored.

So, you had your answer already before this thread.

I'm not trying to be rude here, but they can run the forum however they like whether anyone disagrees with it or not? It's a lot easier to deal with when you don't take it so seriously.

 

[waterxwraith]

The only thing that i want to suggest here is a disclaimer that indicates that the main thread was merged with other ones since can be confusing or out of context having like 5 dudes starting the topic in cuestion when reading further into the thread.

Seconded.

@ op:
I get the take here, and I agree with your sentiment to a degree but you're also taking a gaming forum really seriously imo. A notice that two threads were merged with the title of each thread should suffice to combat confusion I think.