Used to be we didn't even have a web page.

Then some folks started making CF-based web pages (Zulg was one of the first - this was before he immed - or maybe after he immed the first time but before the second time).

Some of those pages started allowing forum-type stuff. One in particular stuck around and is still going today. And Imms would go over there and comment about stuff.

Which got hairy after a while, because the immstaff had no way to shut down a topic that revealed questy information, speculated on who played what, had character assassination, or spread misinformation.

We set up a forum of our own, and for a time tried to comment and respond on both forums, but the above issues didn't ever resolve themselves, really, so we made a policy that we do not post on any non-official CF-based websites (other than stuff like Topmudlisting and that sort of deal).

Also, one of the ways CF is funded is by our Premium Battlefield stuff. I imagine if we didn't have a forum where people could discuss things, that revenue would dry up.

Unfortunately, it does get very tough to take what the peanut gallery says with a grain of salt. As others have mentioned, what happens on the official forums is actually the least bothersome (again, because we have a modicum of control over it). Some of the stuff that was posted a few years ago on a "private" CF-based forum was really rather denigrating and tough to hear about.

While you make a good point about immortals and coding power lost, there isn't a simple solution - and nuking this forum would very much not accomplish anything positive in the long run.

I like having a place I can ask game-play questions and get an answer that I can be fairly confident is correct. It's like Snopes for Dio's.

gr