When was the last time you read an interesting discussion in the WABlist (Warhammer Ancient Battles Yahoo group)?
I really can’t remember. In the past couple of years all you get is someone asking something, and a looong list of replies by “the regulars” trying to outwit each other, hardly answering the request, and usually trying to be a smartass. Smartass is the word that usually comes to mind whenever I even try to follow a discussion.
By the way, if you ever get the feeling that these guys actually hate WAB, instead of enjoying it, then you’re not alone. WAB 2nd edition is coming, and sadly all you get is smartass comments and absolutely no real expectation. I doubt even a small percentage of the posters even played WAB a couple of times.
Yahoo groups and forums, specially those dedicated to one game or rules system, used to be wonderful places where to talk and learn. Lately you have to find small communities, usually not centered around one thing, to really get a conversation going. Places that are somewhat gaming club for the locals, and also online meeting point for the rest of us. The Guild comes to mind.
So WAB 2 is coming, and the designers will probably go to the WABlist to get some insight of how the rules are being played. I think that will be a mistake, and they will only find frustration.
oMAD 
January 28, 2010 at 2:19 pm
That’s the problem with any online community – it needs new topics to discuss or the regulars fall into clics, inside jokes and smartass comments. WAB 2 should cure the discussion problem, there will be plenty of talk. First the reviews, the shouts of joy and barks of disgust. Then the stream of rules interpretations and new army lists. Finally new supplements will come out and the community will have more topics to discuss than it knows what to do with.
Or GW will never publish anything again and the whole community will just fade away.
January 28, 2010 at 4:46 pm
I agree with you. At least I hope things will be better when the new edition is out. But it’s hard not to compare it to other communities about games that also do not release new material, such as DBA lists or Crossfire, or even Rapid Fire sites.