This forum has only been open for about four days now, and it's already getting enough traffic that I think it should be split into a few subgroups to make it easier for people to use. I can easily add new subgroups, so I'm curious what subgroups you'd all like to see. Here's an initial list off the top of my head:

General Indie Forum
- anything indie-related that doesn't fit other forums (to replace this current forum)

Programming / Technical
- 2D/3D, programming, DirectX, OpenGL, SDKs, Windows, script languages, AI, etc.

Game Ideas / Design
- self-explanatory

Marketing / Sales / Business / Shareware
- registration services, order processing, registration incentives, designing web sites that sell

Announcements
- news items, new games launched, new gaming sites, calls for beta testers, help wanted

Again, this is just off the top of my head. It's extremely easy to add/subtract new groups, so if something doesn't work out, we can always change it. I don't want to create too many groups until the traffic warrants it, but I think somewhere in the range of 4-8 subgroups would be good.

Comments? Other suggestions?

Good idea, but I would wait a bit more before introducing sub-groups. Although the activity on these forums after 4 days is excellent and growing, it's early days!

At least wait another week; you wouldn't want to embarass other sites' forums would you? :)

Brian Azzopardi

Sounds good but don't get carried away. Too many subgroups could spread all the users thin and some of them will simply be unused. This is what happened at the Xtreme Games Bulletin Board (http://www.xgames3d.com/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi). They do have about 14 groups though.

Those sound like pretty good groupings to me, Steve. One question: do you have the ability to move threads once they've begun? If so, then you can always start up a new group when sufficient interest is being shown in an area. If not, well, it's going to be a bit more ragged.

As others have said, there is a balance between having too many groups with too little activity in each, and too few groups with too much (apparent) chaos in each.

But I don't think any of the topics you mentioned for groups are all that controversial; my bet is we'll get them going pretty quickly.

I agree with Fenix.

My advice is to first establish two subgroups:
1.Programming / Technical / Design
2.Marketing / Sales / Business / Shareware

and then try to give them a stable base (which ill be
happy to contribute to)

also, make the forums different from others.
offer a set of people who will try to resolve others
questions/problems.

I remember you've said that you enjoy a dev to dev
discussion in another therad. why not send 2-3
people to answer messages here? some sort of
king of the hill?

assign some people for each subject, lets say you
for marketing, and wait for answers from you or
other people on the small community here?
i think that it worked well in the codeguru forums.

just my thoughts

Honestly I say avoid the forum topics covered by gamedev.net.

Subgroups should focus on the business/lifestyle of indie developers. Otherwise you are just copying gamedev, and then the posts get split between the two sites.

Possible forum ideas:

1. Current indie projects - Post what you are up to.
2. Business side. (ok this copies the forum on gamedev, but maybe you can just take over that section here).


(And if you really want to be an indie help)
Possible web pages outside the forum.
1. Tools - a page dedicated to the inexpensive tools we indies use. Ratings, etc.
2. Active projects... People can update and show pics of what they are up to. It's been done, but hey.
3. Indie developers profile. Have the accomplished members create a detailed profile. Blurbs about how they started, maybe discuss how their projects have been financially. Just stuff to help motivate the indie developer (I mean if that dork can do it then I can :p )

I would also suggest waiting and seeing how things evolve. The topics that arise over time, the ones that people continually come back to or bring up, should natually suggest sub-forums.

Are there alot of business related threads? Programming or publishing related? When and if you start to see a trend developing ... BOOM! ... new sub-forum. :)

I have one. Oh great ideas by the way guys.

Help Wanted: Go here to recruit people to help you with your game (ok I copied that off of Gamedev.net but I think we should have it here, on a shareware game design forum)

Suggestions (has this been said?): pretty obvious, go here to tell dexterity your suggestions about the forums or the site or what ever. You guys have it on the site already but I think we should have it on here so that way people can post their opinions about it.

I like reading the Help Wanted forum on gamedev when ever I need a good laugh. It's likely the most flamed forum on gamedev.net

Originally posted by Dan MacDonald
I like reading the Help Wanted forum on gamedev when ever I need a good laugh. It's likely the most flamed forum on gamedev.net

yeah I know...I stopped going there, er the forums I mean. Reason being is because a lot of people on there are a bunch of preps, nerds, and flammers.

Hey Steve,

This might be a little out there, but how about a forum dealing with some of the motivation/time management/organization topics you've written articles about. I have found those to be extremely useful, and some of the other advice you've given (GameDev and personal email) have really changed things in my own life. I'm sure others could benefit as well.

Just a thought.

Take care,
Bill

I'd love to have a Business of Game Development subgroup. I personally have only slightly more business sense than my cat, and that's just because I've done game art for 12 years already. :)

--Ratboy
Irrational Designs