A bit of a lengthy post that doesn't adress everything but gives my thoughts on a lot of it.
Hey everyone,
It's been a while.
Recently, I've been reconnecting with some of the staff behind the scenes and I wanted to open the door for you to be part of this conversation too.
We all know the forum world isn't what it used to be.
Socials are fast, chaotic, and everywhere and yet some of us still come back here.
Why is that?
I'm not here to make big promises or launch a full rebrand today.
But we are here to listen.
So tell us, what keeps you checking in?
- What would make you want to post more?
- What kind of content, features, or vibes would make AB fun again?
- Are there things you miss (like RP, AMVs, SotW, GFX, theory threads)?
- Or the good old Social Groups?
We're also looking at some small structural changes (like reorganizing the forum layout) and want your input on that too.
Even if you're just lurking feel free to drop a comment.
This place was always built by the people who showed up.
Let's see what's still possible, together.
Cheers,
Versuvio
To answer the original questions ( what keeps you checking in/Are there things you miss? ), it's a bit of a mix. I first joined NB in early 2009 and have maintained some level of activity through most years so I've seen most of the eras the site has went through and times of low activity to peak activity during the Obito reveal chapters of the manga. It's been many ups and downs, but it's been pretty fun the entre time. I have some lifelong friends from the site that I still talk to near daily that wouldn't have been possible without the RP so I'm grateful for that. As we got older, I think RL took alot of our free time and what used to be fun became more of a chore to even find the time to enjoy those hobbies. For example, when I first joined NB, I was a teen who only had to worry about high school. Now, I have a job, juggling moving across the country and more responsibilities. I think a large portion of us have similar lives now - busy and looking for ways to unwind and the nostalgia of Narutobase and whatever we used to do on here ( RP, Contests, NDS, chats with old frinds, etc ) makes us return looking for those memories and fun again.
Some of the things I miss was how interactive the site was when I first joined; in 2009, it felt like the staff (really, the internet as a whole) was so friendly and there was a Scavenger Hunt event (oldies may remember it) that utilized the entire site to promote activity and interaction that was so fun, I still think about it as it was a really cool way to make new members feel welecomed and incentivized posting and being active daily. Some of the Advent Calender events did similar, it promoted activity and engaging with others.
As a sidebar, I miss the structure of vBulletin though Xenforo has some cool addditions. Most of the time I think of NB, I remember the old post format of vBulletin and I associate AB with Xenforo, which makes them feel a bit more different. I think many may feel similar - I remember xenforo wasnt liked particularly for RPers when we first switched.
Sitewide, I'd like to see more fun opportunities arise like the previously mentioned Advent Games and Scavenger Hunt. Things that promote both activity, rewards it and allows members a chance to have more fun. I'd liketo see contests return, though I rememberone of the challenges towards the later years being how to make them more engaging. Idk if that ever was figured out, but it's still a concern I remember. I'd like to see as expansion beyond a Naruto-centric site; though we changed in name and branding, a large portion of the site's identity still stems from "Narutobase", which makes sense as it's become pretty iconic in ways (something former RPers were doing was asking chatGPT about the site and some of the responses were pretty cool admittedly). Perhaps an expansion into more anime themed fields, allowing cosplay contests or even a virtual con type thing could work.
Some of the old RP group has Movie Nights weekly or biweekly where we watch films and just have fun together - maybe a weekly Anime or Movie night event could work too. Start with a oneshot Anime movie to gauge interest and if enough like it, have dedicated days for specific shows or films and you create a mini community that returns at least for that. I can't think of many other suggetsions on what I'd like to see done site wide but I do like a lot of the posts here.
Please God come back... I personally really appreciated you running the RP. You did a very good job and I am so glad to see you posting here. I am sorry for the tragedies you have suffered thru but I would hope you would make a return and we can all return to a healthy and fun RP again... I think a lot of RPers would love that and I would not choose anyone else to run it besides you.
Thank you and all the others for the kind words. I tried to run the RP as long as I could and as long as people were willing to return to the game under the premise of "as long as I'm actively improving the game and the community wants me around, I'm willing to try". Eventually, I felt like my activity and RL was holding things back and had to step away for a while. I've regained a lot more stability and comfort in life, but Idk if I'd still be the ideal head of the RP.
I think new eyes are always needed, a fresh mindset and ideas could go a long way and make a better game than what I was attempting. I've some great suggestions here that could help, though I genuinely and earnestly feel the RP needs a hard reboot with a Legacy system on the side that utilizes the original game's systems ( no AP, normal damage system, etc ) to allow people the freedom to start anew or go have fun, quick Battle Arena fights with their old abilities and systems. I think a reset that focuses more on characters and simplifies power loadouts (maybe even offering archetypes for newer members to make characters easier ) as well as reduces a lot of reliability on mods is needed. I suggested that the custom system be reduced as it comes with it's own set of issues on both mod and member ends that can't be curved unless the volume allowed or the complexity of them are reduced.
tl;dr thanks but Idk if I'm the right person to head the new direction. I fell off towards the end and may have made things worse.
Hey all,
Quick pit stop so this stays useful. Thank you for the thoughtful walls of text and the nostalgia. It helps a ton.
TL;DR: we are reviving AB with story-first RP, better customization, a tighter forum structure, and recurring events. Keep ideas coming, but let’s keep it actionable.
What I’m hearing loud and clear:
- RP reboot: simpler (less paperwork) rules, story arcs, limited ability creep, easy on-ramps for newcomers.
- Identity and cosmetics: banners, profile flair, badges, more reactions.
- Real-time hangout: chat that lowers the posting threshold, with a bridge to Discord if needed.
- Forum structure: highlight what is alive, archive the rest, reduce clicks to post.
- Events: writing contests, GFX/SotW, forum games to spark creative output.
- Tech and UX: Cloudflare friction was a buzzkill, we will look at safer but less annoying options. SEO and visibility also matter.
From here on:
- This thread = action only. Keep this thread clean and on-topic.
- Post concise proposals in this format:
Your idea
Why: the problem it solves
Steps or Example: concrete next step or quick mock
No back-and-forth here.
- I've therefor opened up a discussion thread!
- Ramen Bar megathread = discussion. Debate, nostalgia, questions, and back-and-forth live there.
Open questions I’d love quick takes on:
- Should AB stay anime-first or go broader into pop culture and gaming while keeping our roots?
- What 3 features would make you post this week?
- What event would you actually join in the next month?
Thanks for keeping it constructive and focused. Edo Tensei jokes noted.
I think expanding into more anime based lanes would work. I saw Xylon mention a trifold plan of Reddit, Forums and Discord implementation that I think has some merits. Three features I'd enjoy would be a reboot to the RP, and Anime/Movie nights. I can't say with direct mention because Idk how much of it is public but I remember there was a project being worked on some years ago by Zise, you and Horus (iirc). I think if it ever came to fruition, it would be a great way at making a new name for AB and allow it to stand on it's own outside of the former NB name.
I had made threads around Feb-April last year addressing some of the issues of the RP and polled the then community on what they'd like to see done and changed and we came to a decision ( I thought ) on what to update and change, though it seems like none of it came to fruition and the RP section died right after. I'd like to ask the community that was present for those threads and votes why and what happened to stall things. I see some of the suggestions in the thread were the same as before but Idk what happened. Also, to piggyback off of what V asked, what are some of the things you'd like to see done in the RP in the immediate future ( next week or two ) that aren't exceptionally large or time consuming to do? Even if I don't lead the next time, I'd still like to help them get set up into bringing the next era in as I still care for and like the RP and site.
after im done getting my ass whooped by pervy
The Ramen Bar: Open discussion about AB's revival
