Boards›Discuss the Boards

Would it be such a bad idea to integrate a minimum word count in the discussion heavy boards?

Electro522·11/29/2017, 8:16:44 PM·8 votes·2,968 views

For example, in Gameplay, we would set it to a 100 word count soft minimum. If the post is somewhere between 50 to 100 words, it would go to mods for review, and if it's something actually worth while, but didn't need the full 100 words, the mods could approve it. If it's something just like useless rage, they can deny it, and a notification would be sent to the user.

If the post ends up to be under 50 words, the system won't even let the user post it until they exceed the minimum. This would keep all of those threads with nothing but "title" in them and such from bogging down the system.

And, this would only be implemented in the boards that normally should have well thought out discussions, like Gameplay, SA&S, and even here on Discuss the Boards. Boards like M&G and C&C won't have this since a majority of their posts are meant to have minimal text.

14 Comments

Micbran11/30/2017, 1:39:15 AM3 votes

what happens when this is implemented: Post title: Nerf Yasuo!!!1!1!1!!1!! post content: a a a a a a a a ... until 100 is reached.

oOBestEveNAOo11/30/2017, 2:05:09 AM3 votes

I would actually vote no.

I know this comes as a shock. But I would. Sometimes a lot can be said with just a few words.

I would prefer a 14 page typed, single space, in depth essay for every thread on the boards. But its just my preference because I like to read. Some people find too verbose a topic not worth the time to read or understand. The key is finding an effective and efficient use of words to convey your specific point. Not too few or too many. Putting any arbitrary number cap on that can cause a topic to become less relatable or understandable as opposed to more.

DuskDaUmbreon11/29/2017, 8:26:36 PM2 votes

Great idea. Should stop the countless, pointless "nerf (x) posts".

ModAttysu The Poro11/30/2017, 3:41:07 AM2 votes

I like this idea! Specifically in Gameplay, PB, and the Art sections might be great for this!

Chermorg11/30/2017, 4:03:15 AM2 votes

I think this type of idea is great, however I really do doubt whether it's possible given the current boards software and architecture. That being said, this is already similar to our rules against spamming which prohibit most low-effort content - most content of <50 words will easily be considered low effort on boards meant for creative and constructive discussion such as Gameplay, S/A/S, Concepts/Creations, and even Player Behavior to an extent.

It is important to remember, however, that there is more to "constructive content" than just words. Someone could propose an idea quite succinctly in one sentence and fall afoul of a strict 50 word rule, but we may leave the post up if the post spurred good discussion in the comment. Sometimes a thread doesn't need to provide all the information, or even most of it. Sometimes a thread can serve its purpose simply by starting a discussion that would not have otherwise been started - and it doesn't take a certain amount of words to do that (well, you usually need at least 2-3, but).