As a recovering lurker myself, I feel I should offer my input here. I viewed these forums often way back years ago, but never joined until now being inspired by Oddworld's new project - an inevitability which some of you have predicted. But I think one way to spark new life into these forums is to look into ourselves and think about why we loved this place to begin with, and where the most fun came from.
For me, during my time as a stupid little lurker I read the fan corner more often than any other section. Specifically, my favorite memories was from reading your various fan fictions and RPG games - especially the old Work at Rupture Farms by the legendary dripik. And the times when I stopped paying attention to this place coincided with when the fan corner slowly began to lose activity (though it still has some love here and there today, like Fennec's comic). This makes me wonder if maybe what we need is more original creativity, not just random spurts of off-topic discussions combined with super-topical discussions such as project Soulstorm's weird PR stunts or "gameplay guides" for age-old oddworld games for which everything has basically been said and done for. To be active and to attract a younger generation of posters we'll need to have something to talk about, and playing more games together is a great way to make people feel involved. I strongly agree with Kjjcarpenter's ideas for game night, or at least some variation of it, because I think we should find more involving ways to form bonds - something especially important for newcomers. This goes for both actual multiplayer gaming (I.E TF2 night, Cards against humanity, Call of Halo Modern Gear, minecraft ect) and forums games as mentioned by the OP.
I also strongly agree with most other ideas thrown around here, mainly the ones compiled by Manco back there. But still, in looking at my own past and why I loved this place in its prime was its fanfiction and RPG community, which seems all but dead now. I think we should motivate ourselves to start exploring our creative sides once more to maintain a strong and lively image to new members.
He says as he has never contributed to anything here ever and is too lazy and untalented to start anything himself
It's a great friendship-builder, and it's a great way to keep the spirit of Oddworld alive regardless of how often we get actual games from the series. One way or another, we should interact with each other often.
We must bond my brothers and sisters
Bond with me.
BOND WITH ME
Especially following Soulstorm's release
