Sigh... where is everyone?

[Glowsquid]

Kids used to sign-up on forums en-masse because that was the only way they could talk about their favourite vidcons. Nodaway, the Tumblrs, Youtubes and Reddits fill that void and people go on wikis for information, which have left the straight informational fansites without a niche to define themselves, just as straight sites and forums did Usenet in eons ago.

I think another big issue is the fact that people used to come to TMK for information, but now keep going to Mario Wiki instead (even though people with brains can tell Wikis are actually really stupid in practice!).

[There used to be something much more vulgar and mean-spirited here, but on further reflexion, taking it to PMs is a better idea.]

[Suffix]

Usenet, there's an interesting parallel.

[isoldmyname]

You know what TMK reminds me of? Tr's Rockin.
I just hope it doesn't suffer the same fate.

[Weegee]

In February 2011, TR Rose decided to close down the site, and is now focusing on her new website, MeowAbout Cosplay.

I somehow doubt we need worry about that.

[TheMightyThor]

People complaining about those lame ass clickbait websites should check out The Onion's new clickbait parody site, ClickHole.

As Suffix has put much better, I feel like websites like TMK aren't really "necessary" in today's climate. Just browsing TMK brings heartwarming nostalgia; it has basically the same layout as it's had for years (I remember this awesome black color scheme being here since I was 8, and I'm half-sure the format's exactly the same) and an old-fashioned forum with a community of jaded college students or even recent (or not-so recent!) graduates who were here in high school and possibly even before. (Except for younglings like me who were on this site way too young ;]) [dukar], TMK still hosts MIDIs! I have a really large MIDI and SoundFont collection on my computer, but I don't think anyone else on Earth does. Doesn't TMK still have one of those little official banners? You know, those really small gifs that Mario/Nintendo sites put on other Mario/Nintendo sites back then, so they could be like a network?

We aren't going to get many new members unless we do some kind of social media or YouTube thing. Like, a bunch of TMK users all post videos of them playing or showing off Mario games (spinoffs or otherwise) to the official TMK YouTube channel. Maybe Mario TAS stuff...pssh, like that would ever happen!

Just be glad TMK never went the way of NintendoLand, the ultimate old school Nintendo fansite that had a *****in' layout that fascinated younger me that's now reduced to just a forum. You can't even view it in the Wayback Machine without seizure inducing constant refreshes completely disrupting the experience! I'm glad TMK is what it is.

[Koopaslaya]

We aren't going to get many new members unless we do some kind of social media or YouTube thing. Like, a bunch of TMK users all post videos of them playing or showing off Mario games (spinoffs or otherwise) to the official TMK YouTube channel. Maybe Mario TAS stuff...pssh, like that would ever happen!

Well, that's the question, isn't it? What's the trajectory of this site? It's all a question of marketing and the integration of more contemporary media. And I don't think it's one that us regular members are able to answer. Far be it from me to order the staff about, but I do think somebody needs to have this conversation if the site is to remain relevant.

[Jman]

This man knows what's up. Granted, nostalgia's practically currency these days, but this site means a lot to me for that, if only because it represents things that meant a lot to me growing up. I still remember the chain of events that led me from searching for info on Shiguru Miyamoto for an elementary school class project to finding the ClassicGaming network, to checking out all the trivia and fan stuff in the TMK archives over several years, to finally joining the forums in 2007 after my old haunt "Nintendomain" tanked. I've seen a lot of fellow forums and favorite sites come, go, and get retooled in those years--for better or worse--so whether the Fungi Forums keeps attracting new blood or just becomes a ramshackle pub for aging Millenials to wax nostalgic, you can guarantee I'll be popping in on the daily until somebody brings the Super Mario Bros. 3-inspired curtain down on the stage.

Take out the part about the school project, and go a bit further back in time (to about '99 or so), and you basically have my journey to TMK in a nutshell.  I'd love to see this place once again become the juggernaut it (kinda) used to be. 

[CrossEyed7]

NintendoLand

That reminds me, did I ever publicly apologize for stealing the TMK articles about Doki Doki Panic and Panel de Pon and submitting them to NintendoLand back when I was like nine? Because yeah, I don't know what the hell nine-year-old-me was thinking.

If TMK ever does die, I hope we at least die a more dignified death than SMBHQ (actually, to this day I'm still not sure if the poker thing was a serious sponsorship thing or some kind of postmodern joke or what; i mean, in 2009, their April Fools joke was putting fake Viagra ads on everything).

[The Chef]

I've personally spoken to Metal Man. He says Kyle Orland completely went off the deep end after the site was left in his hands. The poker thing is dead-ass serious.

[Jman]

That's sad.  I got years of entertainment out of both Nintendoland and SMBHQ.  The "Neglected Character Deathmatches" were among the first webcomics I ever read and were part of the inspiration for SSB Live (a pseudo-fanfic I did presenting Super Smash Bros. in a professional wrestling format).

[Glowsquid]

He says Kyle Orland completely went off the deep end after the site was left in his hands. The poker thing is dead-ass serious.

 

The same Kyle Orland that's editor for Ars Technica? Huh.

[The Chef]

That much I wouldn't know.

[Kimimaru]

I really like this discussion. It's something I haven't thought much about previously.

I feel TMK provides its information at a much better quality than sites like MarioWiki. That is, it's clear, concise, and enjoyable to read. Although the quality of pages on MarioWiki aren't up to par with TMK, there's a lot more information available about the Mario series as a whole. On top of that, anyone can easily contribute to pages and share their knowledge.

In general, I think social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and whatever else is out there have for the most part dominated online forums. For example, SmashBoards used to be the premier site for organizing Smash tournaments, but now people have moved away from it and shifted to Facebook Groups/Events. Convenience may be the biggest factor, considering Facebook is many people's central hub for social activity online.

I don't post here very often anymore because I too am a game designer/programmer and prefer to spend my free time working on personal projects. I still browse the forums every now and then, though.

[ShadowBrain]

We're like the small-time electronics store being pushed out of town by encroaching Apple stores. This could necessitate an 80's inspirational sports movie-style mission or videogame-centric "Be Kind Rewind."

[bobbysq1337]

I'd try entering a SSB tournament as "[TMK] bobbysq" but searching TMK leads you to a company that makes pipes. Close enough? I'm also not actually affiliated with the site in any way except for being on the forums, but

But seriously, maybe we should look into a Twitch team or something.