Oh Snake...

I really like you man, don't leave. And don't care if some people are mean here.

Agreed.

I do actually like him, it's just times like this that he becomes insufferable.

*DEAD*

The reason why the "core members" are leaving is because this place is not as free as it used to .For instance, the off topic threads can't grow if they are not on the "All" section of the front page.That is why they will not be as big as they used to like in vgchartz heyday.Back in the day (late 07),mostly everyone knew each other.It felt as if the community was tigther.Then when the site begun to grow the owner decided to give it a more serious approach.He removed the off topic thread from the "All" forum section.Which means that they would not have a bigger audience as before.

In addition,the rules are much more strict that they were and the moderators are no longer flexible.Before they would participate more in the community and even fool around with the regular "core members".Afterwards they just did their job in a austere way.They would no longer be reluctant to ban members.Previously there were people that got many opportunities and kept on making the same mistakes.

In a way it is good that the site has become more "clean".Less spam or trolls.Even if this means that there won't be a feeling of community,where wit and more "creative" threads would arise.It all depends on  your point of view.

For instance,this "core" members are no longer indispensable.If somebody from the "old school" leaves it will not be a huge blow to the site.

Now, I know that I sound like a total insensitve douchebag.But you need to know the most people move on.And vgchartz is just like any other community.As with all communities it is meant to grow and develop and eventually new members will replace the old one's.

I too respected snake as a fellow member.

Edit:By the way bod was the greastest member of all time.Once he left I knew it was all over.

@ctk

I disagree

being a member for a long time now, I have hardly ever gone into the off topic threads

for me the life of Vg chartz is its Gaming/Sales/consoles forum

nothing else!

besides, offtopic is in the "hot topics" section when you click "Click for Hot Topcis" at the top of your recent threads. It seems like all the people who like to complain about off topic not being focused on don't really explore the website. And like darth says, the real meat of the forums is gaming/sales/consoles.

The offtopic was taking off the hot topic because it used to be so popular. It's been pushed to the side so the gaming section could flourished. Trust me, Darth goes after $VG and he knows where it's at now.

@Darth

I disagree.

I have been a member for as much time as you( even more).And I truly believe that the heart of the site was on th off topic section.But I aware that everyone is entitle to their own opinion.

@everyone else
What happened to bod?He was the greatest vgchartz member of all time/

I started out in 07 right when the console wars heated up and I think that is were most of the nostalgia-laments are coming from. With Wii and PS3 out of the gate the forums were on fire and threads/flamewars were created left and right.

This meant that the gaming and sales section filled up like Rosie O'Donnel in an all you can eat buffet with threads and members. New ones like me attracted by fighting, spurred on by the (comedic) older gents who knew their way around the forum and the flamewars.

Likewise, the Off-topic section was more of a save heaven free from fighting where everyone could get merry. Some of the most epic threads were created at that time (the tossing salad thread still brings a smile to my face) and so the off topic section grew in popularity if not in topics created per hour but rather in chatter and getting to know one another apart from being a raging fanboy.

Now that the console wars died down the forums have changed. It's more easy-going, with lesser new members going in and the vast majority of the old guard staying to discuss the details. This also has its effect on the off topic section.

Not to say this place is dead. In the last year, if memory serves me right the demotivator thread was created, RCT's "Most attractive user" threads lasted 4 frigging rounds and in general had between 500 and a 1000 replies. Both the signing up thread and the contest itself. The mafia threads are now still spurring replies etc... it's still kicking only not as heavy as it used to be. But as long as the occasional gem is created ("Need gay dating advice!") we certainly will live...