Are we the next to leave the site?

OK I have to admit I'm not the most active member on coastercrazy.com. I've been on the site since 2004. I tend to not post when it not need to be said IMO but is still checking the forum out at least once a day. But a scary thought is a large amount of the members that joined the forum roundabout the time I did just vanished off the face of the earth.

Another group of members post rate dramatically decreases.

I guess the most reasonable explanation is the inability to multitask work, life, relationships, Facebook among other social networks and... well posting in CC.com once in a while.

Thus Looking at the activity of of the members like Real, Edge, SFMM Homie , Smer, SixFlagsFiesta and many more I guess eventually the life bug bites but does CC.com or roller coaster enthusiasm only last so long?

[GRIM.657]

I'm a member of another small online community that similarly is not nearly as active than it once was, and yeah people come and go, sometimes it does seem like it's in waves or groups. Like this site, that community is built around a genre of games that had their peak several years ago. There's still a small trickle of new accounts though, asI'm sure there is here as well.

To answer your question, no, I don't think coaster enthusiasm only lasts so long, but life changes, so do hobbies.

Maybe that fancy new theme park studio game will bring in some activity, eh?

I think NL2 will breathe some new life into this place, but not everybody from the past will come again. Some will come back because of its release I'm sure, but there will also be lots of new people. It'll probably be another cycle of growth and decay until NL2 dies or if NL3 comes out.

[Oscar]

That's the problem with niche sites. Its time to switch the focus off the dying game and into something evergreen.

I have also noticed a huge decline in ratings on the exchange. I know lack of ratings has been a problem for a while, but it seems to have magnified the last few months. Sure some rides probably do not need/deserve ratings, but, some sort of feedback; at least as a comment in the ratings section would be nice to see. As someone who uploads on the exchange, it would be nice to see feedback of what people liked or disliked about the ride, especially since most of the tracks are custom designs. For me to be the 178th person to download A113's new ride and the first one to rate it, is puzzling. As far as the forums are concerned, I was gone for almost a year and didn't really notice any change in the posts as far as content and topics, which was pretty cool.

I don't think this problem of "dying" is exclusive to CoasterCrazy. A site I go to that's dedicated to modifying SNES game(s) has also seen declining activity, tho not quite as extreme as CoasterCrazy.
I like having a place to upload my rides and have them noticed but I think some people here are kinda immature and go off topic way too much, including but not limited to speaking ill of the dead and being vitriolic fan haters of some things. I can't see that making a good impression.

Originally posted by spacemountainfan619

I have also noticed a huge decline in ratings on the exchange. I know lack of ratings has been a problem for a while, but it seems to have magnified the last few months. Sure some rides probably do not need/deserve ratings, but, some sort of feedback; at least as a comment in the ratings section would be nice to see. As someone who uploads on the exchange, it would be nice to see feedback of what people liked or disliked about the ride, especially since most of the tracks are custom designs. For me to be the 178th person to download A113's new ride and the first one to rate it, is puzzling. As far as the forums are concerned, I was gone for almost a year and didn't really notice any change in the posts as far as content and topics, which was pretty cool.

The feedback problem seems to be one of the worst around here. Fewer people upload because they know there won't be any feedback, and if there is feedback, it's completely biased. Some people upload and no matter what, always receive high scores. The rating is 99% of the time earned, because they produce high quality tracks and scenery. But if anyone else uploads, it's a low rating at best. Not to mention the fact that everyone wants to complain about shaping, but give no real advice on how to fix the problem. I've stopped making construction threads and uploading for the most part for this very reason. On top of that, you have people like myself that will occasionally make a thread only to receive generic comments like "looks good" or "I don't like the shape of that hill". I'm taking the side of everyone else and hoping that NL2 brings some new life into the forum.

Originally posted by NightwindElf

Originally posted by spacemountainfan619

I have also noticed a huge decline in ratings on the exchange. I know lack of ratings has been a problem for a while, but it seems to have magnified the last few months. Sure some rides probably do not need/deserve ratings, but, some sort of feedback; at least as a comment in the ratings section would be nice to see. As someone who uploads on the exchange, it would be nice to see feedback of what people liked or disliked about the ride, especially since most of the tracks are custom designs. For me to be the 178th person to download A113's new ride and the first one to rate it, is puzzling. As far as the forums are concerned, I was gone for almost a year and didn't really notice any change in the posts as far as content and topics, which was pretty cool.

The feedback problem seems to be one of the worst around here. Fewer people upload because they know there won't be any feedback, and if there is feedback, it's completely biased. Some people upload and no matter what, always receive high scores. The rating is 99% of the time earned, because they produce high quality tracks and scenery. But if anyone else uploads, it's a low rating at best. Not to mention the fact that everyone wants to complain about shaping, but give no real advice on how to fix the problem. I've stopped making construction threads and uploading for the most part for this very reason. On top of that, you have people like myself that will occasionally make a thread only to receive generic comments like "looks good" or "I don't like the shape of that hill". I'm taking the side of everyone else and hoping that NL2 brings some new life into the forum.

that is kind of where my train of thought was going, but, i didn't want to cause a thread of bashing my recent uploads. my nightstalker track is a prime example of what you mentioned.

I dont really build or upload for comments, I build for me and if you like it then fine, if not then fine. yes comments are nice, but not needed. my main problem is that I simply dont have the inspiration/ time

It just kills me that people will complain about trivial things and offer no real solution to the problem. For example: someone posts a picture of a zero-g on their current build when someone says "that zero-g doesn't look right". Instead of saying that, offer some advice, like "the apex of that should measure 0G" Give the builder some real advice instead of saying things like "loops should be tear drop shaped".

[Oscar]

but loops can be circles too o.O

Forums and sites go through phases. Been more of a lurker here for a long time and joined several years ago. Still more of a lurker than a poster. But I was a part of a disney-parks forum a long time ago. It was always on the small scale but had a constant crew posting. Then, I just stopped going. I didn't like it anymore, and I feel a lot of people did the same thing. There are always the members that ruin things for people on forums.

I guess the reason I don't really post on roller coaster community pages is because it's filled with the weirdest fan-base. People talking crap about roller coasters and having stupid arguments in that realm is the dumbest thing I've ever seen. But all hobbyists are the same, and in ever world of a subculture, there is the butting of heads. No biggie I suppose.

What I've just noticed with CC is that there are less people uploading, and less people rating. I'm also remembering a handful of people saying "When there is NL2, I'll be back." Hopefully that is the case.

Originally posted by NightwindElf

Originally posted by spacemountainfan619

I have also noticed a huge decline in ratings on the exchange. I know lack of ratings has been a problem for a while, but it seems to have magnified the last few months. Sure some rides probably do not need/deserve ratings, but, some sort of feedback; at least as a comment in the ratings section would be nice to see. As someone who uploads on the exchange, it would be nice to see feedback of what people liked or disliked about the ride, especially since most of the tracks are custom designs. For me to be the 178th person to download A113's new ride and the first one to rate it, is puzzling. As far as the forums are concerned, I was gone for almost a year and didn't really notice any change in the posts as far as content and topics, which was pretty cool.

The feedback problem seems to be one of the worst around here. Fewer people upload because they know there won't be any feedback, and if there is feedback, it's completely biased. Some people upload and no matter what, always receive high scores. The rating is 99% of the time earned, because they produce high quality tracks and scenery. But if anyone else uploads, it's a low rating at best. Not to mention the fact that everyone wants to complain about shaping, but give no real advice on how to fix the problem. I've stopped making construction threads and uploading for the most part for this very reason. On top of that, you have people like myself that will occasionally make a thread only to receive generic comments like "looks good" or "I don't like the shape of that hill". I'm taking the side of everyone else and hoping that NL2 brings some new life into the forum.

Since this thread went into this direction I'll start of by defending a bit here.

It goes both ways you know. Myself and other members apparently tend to downrate pretty badly and has been addressed personally by some of the members before on chat and IM. The technicalities are an important aspect for us and when trying to explain to some builders what the issues are, they criticise our point of view. When you reach Wing Over level and so forth you can get in the 9's but very few members have that great skill in the sim.

My Nolimits rating method.

Firstly I rip all the scenery from the coaster. Yes you can actually get a high rate without it. Myself and many of the people on the site use scenery to add an extra effect to the ride but really isn't a requirement. I don't rate on eye candy myself except for the track layout.

I check the technicalities first:
Forces,
Length of time big forces are applied,
Transition speed.
Check weather the supporting looks promising,
Ensure brakes, lift, launch and transport track are correctly orientated for the type of coaster and track selected.
E-stop test in multiple situations.
Wheel hit test for rides with fast transitions. (Some might be overlooked due to the limited train design.)
Building method used AKA tool built or hand built. I expect an FVD ride to be great compared to a hand built design.

If needed I then add all the scenery back.
Tunnel Test
I check the pacing
I check wether the ride might roll back. (Launches are different, But I will test e-stop)
I try to think if it is possible, probable or even worth the effort for an actual park to build it.
The track layout. Does it look good?
I rate the ride on colour (Not my favourite colours always but coasters that use B 255, R 255, G 255 or all three to create perfect white or 0,0,0 for perfect black will get downrated.
Head choppers, arm Choppers will add adrenaline and pacing but it can be over used.
This list can go on and on depending on how original the ride is.

For me the site is not just about Nolimits and rating coasters, I like the members here a lot more as enthusiasts. Yeah maybe NL 2 and Theme park studios might up the activity. I sure Hope so but generally I believe the forum has a good bunch of coaster intellectuals. I'm just afraid of these people dropping away and we'll all end up with a crappy exchange.

By now, everybody that knows NL has somewhere to go if they need assistance. Compared to just 3 years ago when I joined the site, very few people are looking for help. There is no way that NL2's release won't bump up activity! People exploring the new program will have questions and other reasons to flock to forums. I can't see CC not bouncing back after the release!

What about the people that don't jump on the NL2 bandwagon? Where will NL1 players go?

[Dirk_Ermen]

Even tho I'm not always active here anymore. I still come occasionally. Sometimes just lurking around, and other times with some mild activity.

I assume activity among the older and newer members will pick up again when NL2 is released.

I know I'm still new here and don't post much, but I do look around a couple of times a month. IMO, CC is slowing down because of the lack of what once was a rich environment. That environment is coaster games and theme park visiting in general. Today sites like facebook gobble up the news of theme park infrastructure such as new rides and such. The game developers web page is now the place to discuss that game. For a good sample of this is the new game TPS (theme park studio ). I found out about it here, but that's where it stopped.

A huge part of NL2 is scripting. I'm sure after a year this place will be booming with those making great discoveries and inventions with the open nature of the program.

Also: full theme parks if you have the patience.

Originally posted by AJClarke0912

Also: full theme parks if you have the patience.

Or if my PC can handle it.

Well, you probably won't be seeing much of me around anymore. I'm not leaving, but a major life change has kept me completely 100% booked for the last 7 months or so, which I won't get into. And although I still love riding coasters, I've just lost the motivation to build them anymore. Too much work nowadays for not enough payoff, and I have a very precious limited amount of free time ever since starting a full-time job.

I've made like what, 8 forum posts in the entire last 2 years? Wheras back in high school when I first joined this site, in January of 2003, I was posting an entire roller coaster almost every 2 weeks.

Same for me, most of the time i was reading here sometimes posting, ut might upload something soon.
Hope that there are at least some more raters with helpful comments. who knows...

[Staff]

yup, Im leaving now. Going to bed xD

Nolimits 2 will definitely rejuvinate the forums. I have been wanting to get back into nolimits but plan on waiting until nolimits 2 is out to start a new project. Its been like 5 years since I have really made anything.

Same thing with me. I finish school next year. I always wanted to make a coaster like Plutonium (vanilla NL), something absolutely over the top and huge. I'll wait till NL2 is out and maybe even get a new graphic card. And there's a collab project with Ibanez that we always wanted to do, but I never had time for it.
BTW, what happend to Slosprint?

It's because of me.

Honestly.