Censorship in its most shameless form- shutting down the public forum to avoid criticism. They know they did an awful job on the BDs and are just doing damage control.

I have a bad feeling about this.

It's not about the Blu-Rays.

It's something... elsewhere. elooosive.

Figures.

I do have a feeling that they have done something so bad to the OT that they know it will all blow up, so they shut the forums down before anything is seen. Probably something like completely replacing Sebastian Shaw this time with Hayden, replacing the puppet Yoda in the OT with a CG version or some other monstrosity.

It doesn't look good :(

Damnit.  I can't get the link to work.  Or is the link not working the sign that the forum is closed? =P

And is it closed now, or is it closing at some point in the near future?  Has there been any lead up or prior announcement in regards to this, or did thousands of Star Wars fans turn on their computer one morning only to find that their message board was dead?

EDIT:  Nevermind.  The link's working now. =P

Maybe they'll burn the original negatives of the OT on live television.

You're quite the Debbie Downer, no?

adywan said:

I do have a feeling that they have done something so bad to the OT that they know it will all blow up, so they shut the forums down before anything is seen. Probably something like completely replacing Sebastian Shaw this time with Hayden, replacing the puppet Yoda in the OT with a CG version or some other monstrosity.

It doesn't look good :(

I would hope that's one line that's never crossed. George has been on record about leaving OT Yoda alone. He thought Frank Oz deserved an Oscar nomination for his performance after all!

Between the Clone Wars and the upcoming Blu Rays, it seems a curious time to shut down an officially sanctioned message board. Even if things were less than lively, it can't be a big money hole for them?

Maybe that's it.  Maybe they are re-vamping the forums so members have to pay to get in.

EDIT:  Maybe I should have read their page first.  I remember the last time I took one of SW.com's polls of future features.  The forum was lame then (had it changed?) so I didn't vote it as a high priority.  So the SW forums go down, Sluggo will take all of the blame.  At least we have TFN, right?!  hehehe!

I find the idea that they're closing due to fears of backlash is asinine. We are far in the minority, you understand - even if respected internet/video quality critics agree with us, I can assure you the forum would be filled with gushers praising that it was finally on blu-ray.

I must have visited their forums once or twice before and don't remember being impressed with the layout. Perhaps they're considering an upgrade? Whatever. I've got you people.

bkev said:

I find the idea that they're closing due to fears of backlash is asinine.

Now I agree with you, these comments here make me laugh.

bkev said:

I find the idea that they're closing due to fears of backlash is asinine. We are far in the minority, you understand - even if respected internet/video quality critics agree with us, I can assure you the forum would be filled with gushers praising that it was finally on blu-ray.

I must have visited their forums once or twice before and don't remember being impressed with the layout. Perhaps they're considering an upgrade? Whatever. I've got you people.

I think that's it as well.  It's now common practice for companies to take their fan\marketing interaction into a more publicly connected venue, i.e. Facebook.

A James Bond board I'd been a member of for about seven years recently did the same thing.  No warning, just a sudden downing of the server and a replacement forum with a Facebook feel and Facebook connectivity - log-in through Facebook, click here to "like" this post or "share" this topic.  Years of discussions gone  in an instant.  No apologies, no real explanation.  Just a sort of cavalier "this will be better, you'll like it, it's social".  I didn't recreate my account and instead jumped ship to a different board, as did many others.

Social Media has become the powerhouse for uber-connected, real-time, target audience interaction.  On Facebook Star Wars, people will be free to gush, "like", share, and discuss to their heart's content.  It will be much more visible (better marketing), and it will be cleansed of negative comments daily.

It will be more of the "everything is exactly what the fans want" lie that Lucas still insists on vomiting.  It will be a Lucas\fanbase utopia.  It will be revised history - and best of all - it will be on Facebook, so it must be true.

2+2=5

Ziggy Stardust said:

You're quite the Debbie Downer, no?

We live in the 21st century. Every day is a little worse than yesterday.