Wow, what a wall of text. Seriously, it's that bad? I haven't noticed, which might mean I read and participate very selectively on here, which I kind of do. Or it might mean moderators are working their asses off keeping things civil and I just don't even have time to see it. Or maybe I have a higher tolerance for raw, unfiltered opinions.
I mean it's not good if it sucks for some people, of course.

I don't mind a little poking for the jest of it. And that's how I experience it. I don't think I ever read anything that I would call Toxic on these pages. But then we are all different with different tolerances and perspectives which is a good thing.

Comments in articles are definitely worse than the forums themselves. There are also people who will take the opportunity of big news to post potshots that under most circumstances would absolutely be moderated.

For example the recent physical news is obviously going to be very polarising but in articles not even related to that we have people going F Sony etc lol.

I'm sure I'm on this list of "fanboy warriors". Let me be clear. I'm not anti-Xbox. I just want companies to make good exclusive games and keep physical going. Xbox has been attacking both of those things for the past decade. And while Sony has supported physical releases for a long time, they just dropped an atom bomb on collectors, so they are just as bad as Xbox now IMO.

Also, it doesn't help that the main news guy for vgchartz is overwhelmingly in favor of one console over another. If vgchartz had nothing but constantly misleading pro-Sony news you would see a lot more anti-Sony comments from me.

Edit: I also hate microtransactions and MS has pioneered that BS with the XB1. 

Double Edit: Also, while I like Nintendo, I'm not going to pretend that they are so much better than the other two. They are *just* good enough to keep my business for now. They have serious problems that I flat-out do not like. 

1. Game-Key-Cards

2. No Virtual Console on Switch 1 or 2. 

3. Joy-Con Drift. 

4. Amiibo becoming $30-$54 each. (Even an Amiibo double-pack or Air Riders edition should only be $40 at the absolute highest.)

What I'm trying to say in this second edit, is that I can't do console wars when all three console makers are disappointing me. If OP doesn't like me talking about the supioriority of physical and retro games then that's another story. I will always be a strong advocate for physical ownership and playing retro games on original hardware. 

I really appreciate this thoughtful, sincere post, and I appreciate all your contributions as a member and leader, @Shadow1980

I hope you stick around!

I feel like this plea comes many years late, however, at least in relation to this community. Most of the trolls, bigots, and bad actors have been banished to the land of wind and ghosts; and the members who remain — those who have stuck by VGChartz during this extended fallow period — are generally sincere, passionate video game enthusiasts invested in the long-term viability of the forum. Sure, there are a handful of partisans who post only when their favorite brand is under attack or when a rival fandom is enjoying itself too much, but they're in the minority. And, honestly, a bit of partisanship isn't the worst thing for a video game forum, as long as it's respectful.

Your points are well taken, though. We should all continue to be respectful, kind, and honest with ourselves and others.

It's paid DLC. But there is a free version of ignoring which is just... ignoring.

I haven't seen any of this type of behavior as described in the OP

Since N4G closure to user comments... are people worried that this will become like they were?

Haha.

Never occurred to me that maybe some old buddies might flock to here.

While it can get annoying fast I do think a small amount of toxicity can make things more entertaining at times. It's easy for it to go overboard though and transition from banter to outright hostility. Things are good with that here but on places Twitter there's a notable amount of fools who act tribalistic over video games.