I responded/clarified that similiar point above to Sundin. Conegamer then provided an excellent example of what I was talking about in his reply to me... 

You're not looking at this from a balanced neutral view.  obviously I shouldn't take the bait but it's not like I wasnt coaxed into it.  The blame is shared.  

I didn't just go after Microsoft,  you interpreted it like that. You see that's the whole them vs us perception these threads create.  I picked the ms section because Microsoft fans are in the minority here so having an active thread kills that section. That was my point,  the others obviously have the same effect only difference is the Sony and Nintendo forums stay active because there are more overall fans. 

The vita thread has a negative affect on the forum too for the same reason. 

Ps. I'm on mobile so forgive me for the lack of links.  It's too hard and time consuming.  

Well said padib.  That sentence you highlighted is a great example of what I'm saying.  This forum is better off with without attitudes like that. Nobody deserves to be ganged up on.

As long as those people have a valid argument and are not there just to cause trouble they're welcome and I've not seen any of them pushed out or such.

Enevitable when certain people act the way they do, you can't go outside and act in a real world equiv and expect a welcome response. Going into nation threads with a view just to cause trouble ect shouldn't be a reason to close any of them.

In one of the Nation threads I was recently told that I was being kept a close eye on. Made feel very unwelcome.  felt like bullying. I'm not a big fan of what this thread is about but over 90% of my comments in it are positive.  ironically some of the big fans in it are way more negative more often. But I'm not "One" of them so I get targeted by a select few.  Thankfully not everyone in then has that cult / hive mind attitude and I've been able to have some decent and constructive conversations.  The place would be fine with them if a select few acted responsibly.  But even if they do they still negatively affect the forum sections they are in as smeags was saying. 

As someone who still feels a bit of an outsider to this community, the Nintendomination thread feels like the most welcome place for me to post. That's not because I feel threatened anywhere outside that thread, it's just because the people who post in Nintendomination happen to share an enthusiasm for the same games as I do.

Even then, I only visit Nintendomination if there's something time-sensitive going on, like a Nintendo Direct. Since the thread is so huge, it's often frustrating trying to browse for whatever bit of news that happens to have been edited into the topic title, which is a shame.

I can't really comment on the other 'Nation' threads or how all of them affect the forums as a whole, because I really only read and cherry-pick from the VGChartz Buddy or whatever happens to be on the hot topic list when I visit the site. It means that I miss a lot of discussions that I would have otherwise liked to have joined in on, but I can't be on the forums all the time.

I wouldn't want to see the Nation threads go. They have their role, I think. I guess it's difficult to know where to draw the line on what topic should have its own thread or what topic should go in a nation thread.

With the discussion about done, I guess I should end with a few thoughts (as I've already said enough ).

• I think there's an interesting dynamic between veteran users who were here before the Nation threads took hold, and newer members who have come after the Nation threads took hold.
• I wasn't surprised by how each fanbase reacted to the thought of their Nation thread's fate. I get that these threads are complex machines of time, dedication, and "outside" circumstances, situations, and overall culture. I understand how important many Xbox members see their Nation thread, and why it's so important to them. So in that case I expected some empassioned (and even confrontational) replies in defense of it. And I was more than happy to read them and see the point of view from some folks on the inside.
• Culture is ever-evolving, but I believe that outside of extreme circumstances, culture only sees gradual changes at a time within its community. For example, VGChartz doesn't have the greatest amount of actual game discussion (we do reviews and sales discussion very well though...), but I think we'd be a better community if we had more game discussion. So recently I brought in a thread to help support gaming related topics. Do I think that the implementation of that thread will change VGChartz's discussion culture overnight? No way. Do I think the thread itself will solve all the problems? Heck no. But I think it's a step towards making changes in our own culture. And we have to take steps if we want to make changes towards the future. I critiqued Nation threads because I think there's some issues that need addressing. Do I think this thread will change things overnight or in itself solve every problem? Of course not, but I think the discussion is one worth having, and therefore I see it as a step towards something more posivite for the overall community.
• The biggest issue that I'm hearing from the Xbox crew is that once you leave the safety of the Empire, the rest of the forums foster a negativity that makes outside Xbox discussion toxic. And therefore the Empire is one if (if not the only) place to have positive, solid Xbox oriented discussion. I think there's truth to that viewpoint. But here's the thing, if you continue to only foster positive, solid Xbox discussion in the Empire... the overall problem will never be solved. If Xbox members can't go out into the greater forums with the want to foster a better community, then nothing will ever change. You will encounter opinions that may be critical, harsh, or even unsavory... but it's only out in the greater community that change can truly take place. So it's either being safe in the confines of your Nation thread and the overall outside issues stay the same, or you encounter pushback, criticisms, and trials outside of the Empire, but strive to cultivate a better culture. And we can argue whether mods should go first or the community should go first, but I do think that this is something that should me met hand in hand.
• Other than that, I once again appreciate the solid back and forth between the community here. I was a bit hesitant to post this at first, but I'm glad I did.

Don't really care if the Nation threads are open are closed. They can be shut down over 3-quote trees, so they're obviously not that important.

I don't really think I would be much on Vgchartz anymore without the xbox nation thread..(the PS nation thread is a bit to less active for my taste) ..Before I would check VG a lot for the numbers not it is mostly for the nations thread..