A small CounterStrike community like this ( http://wristhax.com/ ) has way more activity than us. All they really have are a few CS servers.. they sell admin and promote their forum in-game. I always figured we could emulate that, especially with our TF2 server... but I guess that never materialized.

It'll be weird to think that this might be the last Christmas that RV will see.

Like a lot of others have already said, I don't really wana see this place go but maybe it is time to close up shop for good. If we cant put together a plan to really turn this place around, I guess it's for the best.

-Phat

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PoopbaLL`

>Reddit
>Ever

Make a Facebook group.

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Honestly, I've teared up a bit reading this. Deep down, I guess I knew the site was going to die, but I never wanted to believe it. As much as I'd hate to admit it, it's time to move on. I'm all for a facebook group or a subreddit. At the very least, if we can't talk here, we should still be able to socialize somewhere else.

RuneVillage has been a part of my life for the past five years now, and even if I had a rough start, I wouldn't trade any second of it. From fighting with Mord and the others, to reading Zamorak's Bane, and to anything and everything else. I've enjoyed every moment here. It's thanks to this place, this second home, that I've become the person I am today. I discovered my love for writing because of this site. I've made irreplaceable friends. Even if I didn't post, I checked the forums daily, even if I was grounded and had my computer taken away. (Heh, trying to write in RP's with my PSP. Good times.)

I love this site with all my heart.

__________________
Add me on Steam! Click this thingy!
If you're in the Runevillage group, it makes it easier to identify you!

Hidden: 

Kikori wrote:

Topsummoner wrote:

Riptide wrote:

I used to get you and J@n mixed up. Except your funnier. And nicer. Happy 21st bro!

Oh man Jan, you just got zinged by Riptide. How much does THAT suck?

Well, statistically speaking, slightly more than a giant suckusaur. A dire one.

PenguinGuy wrote:

Lets see if I remember how to play...

EX REX IS MAFIA SCUM FOURTHVOTER UNVILLAGE BLAH BLAH BLAH SCUM BLAH WINE IN FRONT OF ME BLAH BLAH META GAME BLAH BLAH BLAH SMELLS OF ELDERBERRIES BLAH

Right?

Tits or GTFO

Now back to RV, its sad to see Runevillage in this state as i have been here for 10 years but it is just a decaying husk of what it once was. Hardly any posts or new topics a day, once a week i find myself disapproving 10 posts all advertising websites by spam bots and no new members. At the same time the site is hemorrhaging members, with just a few still visiting on a daily routine.

For what this site is used for there are plenty of options be it face book or one of the many free forums that exist, there should be some type of place where we can still visit but i feel the website is a burden and has outlived its usefulness.

Summery
Runevillage the website is so dead that Rigamortis is about to set in, all we need is the pub or some type of variant where the members can still escape and keep in touch.

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Never argue with an idiot, they drag you down to their level and beat you with experience

Well, it's not entirely useless to have the website up at the moment, but as Jackstick pointed out, it's not as rewarding to the donors, or donor in this case either - most of our assets have been removed or vanished. Technically the only things remaining are our accounts, old posts and messages... and the nostalgic vibe of the forum - I think these would still remain if we had a read-only server. However, if that would not turn out to be viable.. financially, I've got another idea: what if RV had something similar to the "Download Your Information" feature of Facebook which lets each member download an archive of their past messages, posts, involved topics, friends lists etc...? Besides that, we'd only be missing the community... and in fact facebook pages/groups would probably do a better job and not 'depress' us as much as this place as others stated, i think it is the most feasible option here... I gave up making RV a successful website long time ago, and that was a pretty huge step for the extra detailed and extra stubborn me ;P So yeah, I believe it's time to bite the bullet and stop flogging a dead horse, and stop trying to make the website better, and instead find a more sustainable solution...

If we moved our community to facebook and made RV, read-only, how much would it save us? Otherwise, having an archive-download feature and giving people enough time to depart the website and then leaving behind a small read-only memorial webpage, with something like the history of RV and perhaps acknowledgement/credits and of course instructions/linkage on where to find the remains of our community with the facebook group link, might be good idea too.

Runevillage has been a very enjoyable, amusing, guiding and unique experience in my life, filling countless days in my teenage years. I will always remember all the good I gained and bad I learned from... the awesome people I met from all around the globe ) I thank you all for the good times I had. I am still a proud Runevillager, I greatly appreciate all the staff for trying to get the website going, however I don't believe in a future for Runevillage, and I can only wish the best for it, which would be to respectfully close it down, and 'seal it off' with a simple descriptive webpage... while enabling further contact via our facebook group.

We have one. Somebody needs to run the damn thing, however.

__________________

Imagine a perfect beach
Without a mermaid
Imagine a perfect hideaway
Without a time
Imagine a perfect Eden
Without a friend, without a serpent
"Feeling lonely and content at the same time,
I believe, is a rare kind of happiness"

Oh man is blaming Frank an option? Blaming Frank is always the best option.
<3

As is often the case, I agree entirely with Jackstick and Tweedy. (Tweedy hasn't posted but you can safely assume he would agree with Jackstick and I.) I've written up many a post in the past with my thoughts on this matter, and I wrote up another huge one less than two months ago that only two people have seen, but none of that is relevant because we're all on the same page here.

RuneVillage was a fantastic fansite back in its heyday. We were darn good at what we did and we all had a blast making it happen. We predate Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, and Kotaku. But now we're in an age where Google is practically omnipotent and there is a Wiki for everything ever. If we were in this situation in 2004 it would be tough but possible to turn it around. Now it is not.

Quick aside: people often mention the content of RuneVillage's top search results on Google and say we should either change our name to avoid it or do enough good works to push those results away. As someone actually taking classes on how Google works, let me tell you that's not a thing you can do. Computer's don't know things, they estimate things. Google says "Hey I bet these search results from September 2011 are probably relevant to your query of 'RuneVillage'" and then when you click on them, it goes "Oh you clicked on it, that means I was totally right, so I'll remember this from now on." That ship sailed and those results are solid.

Anyway.

The bigger question from here is what we should do overall. I agree with Kurt that we should not let the domain become available. Paying for something as small as that, especially when it's a yearly or multi-year payment rather than a monthly hosting one, is trivial.
1) Kurt's idea of a final locked archive page
2) Keep the forums open for whoever wants to stick around? It's not like there aren't plenty of options out there for free forums. The place where I host my webcomic has, like, unlimited web space and unlimited bandwidth and is apparently set up to easily make phpBB forums and I'm paying for the darn thing anyway for the rest of ever. I've wondered for years now if it's possible to just copy the forum over there, have runevillage's domain redirect to it, and piggyback on that for free.
3) I don't personally like the idea of a subreddit group or coalescing everything to a single Facebook page or something like that; I know I for one wouldn't use it. But it's an option as people have said.

I do like the idea of the forum staying around, not because it's depressing to view, but because it's fun to see all the old topics and pictures. There's a ton of Goten and Zxc's work in the pictures threads, and most all the old Mafia topics still exist. I think Zamorak's Bane 3, 4, and 5 are still viewable via the Literary Society, and every once in a while we chat about video games and TV shows or movies. What would be most depressing for me would be to see all of that immediately vanish. Even in a locked state it's a reminder that we did darn cool stuff here, once upon a time.

So anyway that's my two cents. I have extremely fond memories of what RV used to be, and personally, I do not enjoy the discussions on changing things around simply to attract new users. By doing that, we're changing what RuneVillage is in a desperate play at survival. RuneVillage is a community of friends that have grown up together, and you can't bring new people into that, not anymore. The time for that was 2004, 2006, or even 2011 in Market Man's case. I would rather see us decide our own end in 2014 than make desperate Hail Mary plans to the very last moment.

On a completely unrelated note, only two people noticed that I changed my username back, hah.

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.

.Legendary themed months are back! Maybe.

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not active enough to have a solid opinion on the state of the community; that being said, I stop in every few months to see how the Village is going and then disappear again. I think most people follow the same trend.

Personally I think an archive wouldn't be worth the work and effort; once the interaction is gone fewer still would look at the site. I would like to see the domain maintained in case anyone ever has the grand idea of a revitalization but for now maybe backup all the material possible and maintain ownership of the domain with a basic letter of thanks and apology for anyone who is trying to stop in and catch up. I'd also put the full list of anyone who had supported the site in the past, admins, mods, really just a summary of what it was, who it was, and why it was so great.

Years ago the village was where I went when I had no where else to go, when I needed anyone to listen or to talk to, I'd rather see it die on it's own terms then continue shrinking away.



But, as I said, I'm not active enough to believe my opinions are valid. So, to the village and its young, old, and retired villagers, all the best. I'm out.

Thought we only had a 'page'?

Still.

A group works well.

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I think a FB page would be the best way for all of us to maintain any sort of contact with one another. Plus it's entirely free and little to no maintenance would be needed.

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Awesome sig made by Goten!

Ohey

I think we all knew this was coming. I have been going back and forth for a long, long time on whether or not to make a 'I'm leaving' topic and force myself to never visit this site again. But I think everyone here and myself know that I could never really leave.

I had entertained an idea that with the most recent rash of mafia games I participated in we could encourage activity on this site, but it was never to be. That said, anyone who thinks we can drastically alter the site and carry on is delusional. Who is actually going to do the work? No one here. It's the sad truth of things.

I will give a very special shoutout to the rp and lit forum and to everyone who played mafia. My time spent in those games will always be some of the most fun of my entire life. I also really, really enjoy reading over those mafia topics as well as my old debate declarations to see how I've changed. An archive or something would be ideal, for me. Certainly at least something to the effect that vent is saying, a memorial page with a little bit of info about the site's past. Along with where to find a facebook, reddit, or free forum page, or at least, the name of a well-connected villager and how to get in touch with everyone. My lurking level on Facebook is 99, I will post maybe a few times a month and like things perhaps weekly, but I spend A LOT of time just reading everyone else's statuses and posts. I am not on Reddit and will have no affiliation with 4chan. I try to stay away from the internet's sexual orifices. I would like to offer my services to run/administrate a FB group devoted to RV (if indeed no one else is already doing this). It shouldn't take a whole lot of effort and as I said, I spend a lot of time on Facebook.

I think we're all in agreement to an extent here. If you had asked me this a year ago, or even maybe six months ago, I would be appalled. But perhaps it really is time to lay RV to rest.

My name is Branden Bearup and I live in Virginia, if you've ever considered me your friend here, feel free to find me on Facebook (if you haven't already). My name on RS is, has been, and always will be Landerpurex. I get on almost every day, even after ten years.

That said, have any of the 'scaping RVers moved on to more successful clans? Because the RV lounge is depressing and the fact that we let our citadel die is kind of pitiful. Any advice on where to move for clan/rs related things would be great if there are villagers there.

Also, is anyone here active on any other rs sites? Runehq, tip.it, zybez, etc? Can anyone tell me which one/s is the least lame?

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Awesome Squall sprite courtesy of Goten! Check here if you'd like a runescape or game-themed sprite!

So, random thought. I've decided I'm going to draft a business plan for starting a publishing LLC. o.O

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and this is me testing fun stuff.

It was always going to be a sad day when the village died, years ago I remember thinking about it and back then I couldn't even imagine it, now it has become a reality.

This place has meant to much to many of us for such a long time, but even if the village does have to end that doesn't mean that the experiences we have made here, the memories, the laughter and the friends have all been for nothing, to fade away with the site.

I haven't been around since Hiker's departure, simply because Hiker WAS runevillage, whether some people think that is for the best or the worst that is the truth of it. It does not mean runevillage has left me however, I still have my archive on my computer of all the fun things we have done here, I still regularly talk to rvers on skype (even though some of them are jerks ZAC) Hell it is through rv that I got to make so many strong friendships that would never have existed otherwise.

It would be nice if we could archive some of the most important posts, but I believe that as a huge expensive site our time is over, if there was some way we could save money and still comunicate with everyone that would be great, there is still a community here, it just doesn't have the interest in runescape anymore (though y'all are welcome to join us on ffxiv!)

Anyone is welcome to hit me up on skype anytime, just search for sarah perkins or my email frizoid@hotmail.co.uk.

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Runevillage member #46

If we're no longer a RS fansite and Jagex has done enough to kill RV already, why are we still exodusing Hiker anyway? Surely there sod all anyone can really do if he comes back, and it's not like he has or will ever have any convictions younger than most RVers...

I say bring him back. for the 3 months RV will be online for

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There is a village, which is hidden in the shadow of a mountain.
Everybody is suffering from a lack of light.
One day, the eldest of this village leaves for the mountain with a teaspoon in his hands.
The others ask him what he intends to do.
He replies that he is going to move the mountain.
"But you will never succeed!" they cry out.
"No, i will never succeed, but somebody has to start."

~~~The Wising Up Song - Misty's Big Adventure

Hidden: 

Kikori wrote:

Runevillage the forum is pretty well much done. Runevillage the group will eventually die, but as long as we're still friends with each other in the end, it's still a pretty big thought in our heads. Runevillage the family is forever, no matter where we settle down. If absolutely nothing else ever comes of Runevillage in the future, that alone is a pretty damn awesome thought.

I have no idea what you are saying, but no. If you think Hiker was removed to try to appease somebody, you wildly missed the point.

__________________

Hidden: 

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought that'd be the response lol

__________________
There is a village, which is hidden in the shadow of a mountain.
Everybody is suffering from a lack of light.
One day, the eldest of this village leaves for the mountain with a teaspoon in his hands.
The others ask him what he intends to do.
He replies that he is going to move the mountain.
"But you will never succeed!" they cry out.
"No, i will never succeed, but somebody has to start."

~~~The Wising Up Song - Misty's Big Adventure

Hidden: 

Kikori wrote:

Runevillage the forum is pretty well much done. Runevillage the group will eventually die, but as long as we're still friends with each other in the end, it's still a pretty big thought in our heads. Runevillage the family is forever, no matter where we settle down. If absolutely nothing else ever comes of Runevillage in the future, that alone is a pretty damn awesome thought.

I knew we should have elected Frank as President instead of Jack.

I was primarily a dweller of the RP and Literary forums, from back when they were their own separate forums. I have extremely fond memories of the Battlefield and Mafia games, and my primary concern is the preservation of what Battlefield and Mafia topics remain archived in that forum.

My most valuable online friendships were formed through this site, and I keep in touch with who I can through Skype, Steam and Facebook.

I'm not really sure what the point I'm making is.

__________________
Feel free to add me on Steam: http://steamcommunity.com/id/Topsummoner

Join us at the RV Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/DgtPWPM

There was an election?....

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and this is me testing fun stuff.

I would have assassinated him if he won, anyway.

No one comes in the way of the Jackstick & Jaron presidency. Nothing stops this train.

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Heheh, this is the kind of stuff that makes our time here enjoyable.

I'd gladly take care of the RV facebook page alongside whoever else wants to. My name is Jarrett Chamberlain, and yes, my profile picture is a laptop. Feel free to look me up on Facebook, but tell me who you are first.

Also, if I recall, we have a Steam group leftover from our old TF2 team. I'd gladly take that over as well, and see if we can organize get-togethers on some games.

__________________
Add me on Steam! Click this thingy!
If you're in the Runevillage group, it makes it easier to identify you!

Hidden: 

Kikori wrote:

Topsummoner wrote:

Riptide wrote:

I used to get you and J@n mixed up. Except your funnier. And nicer. Happy 21st bro!

Oh man Jan, you just got zinged by Riptide. How much does THAT suck?

Well, statistically speaking, slightly more than a giant suckusaur. A dire one.

PenguinGuy wrote:

Lets see if I remember how to play...

EX REX IS MAFIA SCUM FOURTHVOTER UNVILLAGE BLAH BLAH BLAH SCUM BLAH WINE IN FRONT OF ME BLAH BLAH META GAME BLAH BLAH BLAH SMELLS OF ELDERBERRIES BLAH

Right?