Layout Suggestion

[Kik]

After being around for a little bit now, I think reworking the layout a bit might help the forum. There are some areas that aren't used very much and trimming the fat so to speak, might give a better impression of activity. Here's what I suggest with some explanations/ideas.

Category, - Regular Forum, (subforums)

AG Base
- The News Station
- The Newbies
- Suggestions

For the first two categories I'd suggest merging announcements with general site discussion - and then getting rid of the tech support. Some of those topics could be posted in the Suggestions forum, and others within general area I'll explain further on.

The Lands of Gaming
- General Gaming (subforums: Handhelds)
- Nintendo
- Microsoft
- Sony
- Computer (subforum: Online Gaming)

Here I'm suggesting to open up the gaming forums. Trimming down the other areas should give room for this to be expanded. Since gaming is a focus here, it should get the space and attention it deserves! The big three companies can be as they were, just not subforums - but the general gaming could contain topics like Console Gaming parent forum. Move Handhelds to general, since it's not too popular and doesn't need it's own forum on the index. Oh, and changing the name to "Lands of Gaming" like the anime category would fit with the forum name really well =]

The Lands of Otaku
- Anime
- Manga
- Popular/Ongoing Series (subforums: Bleach, Naruto, One Piece)
- Otaku Zone (subforums: Convention, Cosplay, Battlefield, Touhou/Project Diva/VNs)

Nothing much to change here! The subforums within Otaku Zone aren't too active right now, but they seem pretty essential and has potential. I have no idea what the "Touhou/Project Diva/VNs" is though? =p

Artist's Square
- Art Showcase
- Literature Showcase
- Art Battles
- Roleplayers Realm (subforums: Sign Ups, OOC Corner, Character Chest)

There are some changes here, mainly with getting rid of the subforums which don't seem to necessary. Requests could maybe be a pinned topic somewhere and fan art and others could easily fit there too. Change the SOTW to Art Battles so you can include more battles if you want to, including writing contests. For the roleplays area - it doesn't seem too popular right now, so the training grounds isn't really necessary and it doesn't need it's own area. It would fit perfectly in the Artist's Square imo.

The Hotspot
- The Chatterbox (subforum: Debater's Room, Spam Central)
- Entertainment & Technology (merge tv, movies, music)
- Members Hideout (subforums: Journals, Interrogation)

This is relatively similar with some minor changes. The first is merging the Movie, TV and Music subforum - condensing and grouping the discussions under "Entertainment and Technology" would definitely help with making the one forum look more active. And tech support and discussions can be posted there too! Then, swap that for the Spam Central. You don't really want spam to be a focus, so tuck it away as a subforum instead!

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I realize that's kind of long winded and a lot to take in, but if you have any questions about what I posted just let me know xD Like I said, I think condensing the stuff that isn't too active right now and expanding the focus will help the forum quite a bit. It will give it a fresh look too!

[SpookyMaiden]

Lmao.

I agree with everything you said.

Especially for spam central.

One thing that has been bugging me a bit is the amount of subs the RP section has.

I dont think it needs 2 different sections as that will only provide clutter.

It would make a bit more sense to just have the 1 main section and then 3 subs for character sheets, RPing and OOC.

Maybe you can change that section around for right now and make it a bit smaller.

I'm typing with phone right now so once I get to a compy I'll let you know what I think of everything else. <3

[Ambient-Symphony]

My deepest apologies for the late reply. ^^;
I completely agree and understand everything you pointed out.
Since the site's primary focus is on Gaming and Anime related content, I feel that would be the best course of action.
You are more than welcome to make those changes as you see fit.
For the Gaming section, The Lands of Gaming was the first thing that popped into my head before the site was launched 4 years ago, but I didn't want any of the section titles to be too similar to one another. XD
Your suggestions make perfect sense though.

[Kik]

Thanks Skipper I'll try to work on the changes.

EDIT: What do you guys think of the changes?

[SpookyMaiden]

I like the new changes.

But the RP section seems out of place to me.

It looks like it would be better under the The Hot Spot.

[Kik]

I figured it's kind of like art, like how the literature showcase is there too. But it could fit in either one really - I'm good with moving it back =]

[SpookyMaiden]

I see what you mean.

LOL.

I just thought it would fit in better under the General area.

[Kik]

Alright, I moved it ^_^

[SpookyMaiden]

LOL.

I see it now.