GR makes friends forever

Hello, bonjour, guten tag, ey up.

I have created this thread as a spill-over from a discussion in HDYFRN, as I figured there might be other folk interested in being friends! who might not read / check / bookmark that particular thread. And given the whole purpose of this particular endeavour, I really didn't want anyone who might be in the same situation to miss out.

So...

The purpose of this thread is, put simply, to make friends!

Convention dictates that you might have one of two "traditional" reactions to this proposition.

1) "Er, that's a bit weird! You are a stranger on the internet, I don't know you."

Wrong! Including GamesRadar, this place has been going for something approaching two decades. I DO know you, and you likely know me too.
This is the crux of the chat we had in HDYFRN - making friends as adults is harder. Unless you're lucky enough to retain your school friends indefinitely, it's tricky to make real friendships in later life, and if it's something you wish to pursue (if you move to a new area, for example) you're expected to engage with clubs or events that align with your interests. Often nowadays the only realistic way to explore these, is to look online, and initiate contact. So... we're talking about finding an online presence, and deciding to approach some "strangers" and see if you'll become friends with them through ongoing contact. Tell me: how is that any different to making friends through GR? (It isn't. Which is why I'm making this thread!)

2) "We're already friends, dude!"

Cheers! I appreciate that sentiment. And I most likely feel that way about you too! BUT. If we are completely, overwhelmingly, potentially inappropriately, honest about it: there is a difference. Most of the time, the first things you learn about a new person upon meeting (their name / what they look like / where they're from / what they do) are the things we shield from one another here, through a mutual community anonymity. That's cool - it's arguably part of the purpose of forums! - but it's the 'leap' that I'm suggesting we make here, if you'd like to: to get to know one another, outside of the forum, in whatever format that might take, in whatever form that may become.

We discussed in HDYFRN how the pandemic (and, prior to that, general modern life) has led to new ways of maintaining contact with friends, particularly those you're geographically separated from. Often this involves WhatsApp groups, Facebook messenger chats, Skype calls. Well, there's nothing stopping us (except prior social convention; but, y'know, sod it) from doing the very same.

It's completely possible (in fact I'm certain in some cases) that you've already taken that step with some people you get on with here, and you talk to them outside the forum, see them in real life, etc. That's great! This is, basically, an overt, deliberate, un-subtle attempt to do the same: let's be friends! If you're already part of such a group: cool! You can be part of this too, if you want!

(Disclaimer: this is not in any way intended to replace or undermine the purpose of the forum! I anticipate everyone involved will still have their "quick to GRcade!" moments. But likewise, anyone involved will have chosen to get involved, because they'd also like to engage outside of the forum with some people they've known long enough to know in detail their sense of humour, taste in gaming, and exactly how they'll react if shot by a vigilante in AYAW. In a word: friends!)

Here's how I see this happening:

If you want to be part of this, let me know! Either say so in the thread or PM me. My thinking is, I'll basically initiate "outside world" contact with anyone who does say they're interested. Then, I'll see what people are comfortable with, and bring the IRL contacts together as a shared group. More than likely, I see this happening in one of two ways: a WhatsApp group, or a Facebook Messenger group. But, I want to ensure we do whatever everyone is OK with. You might not want to give out your phone number; you might not want to share your Facebook profile! (But, being realistic, you will need to be OK with one of these things!) Hopefully, we'll reach a consensus, and go ahead with that. (Hey, if not, maybe I'll just create both!)

I was then thinking that we could use said group chat to discuss a potentially mutually convenient time to "meet up". Unless I've drastically underestimated our geographical proximity, I envisage this being a Skype (other video platforms are available apparently) call one evening sometime, or at a weekend. During LockdownV.1 I was part of a few Skype calls where we (a seperate group of friends, who I rarely see IRL anymore anyway) basically adopted a "pub quiz" format with a rotating quizmaster / host.* I'm happy to be host #1 and for this to be the first "meet". But this isn't set in stone - we'll discuss it. Like, say, a group of friends would!
(*Ironically the pandemic meant I saw more of these people than before or since!)

I'm sure at some point talk will turn to a potential IRL meetup. Great stuff! But that's not an obligation here! You don't have to sign up to the idea of making the trip to see everyone else involved; you can still be a part of this, but not actually meet anyone in person as a result. This'll be whatever you'd like to make it. If it leads to us all heading to the pub, though: that's good too! Please drink responsibly

Anyway - quoting the folk involved in the "plan" so far:

Jezo wrote:

RetroCora wrote:A GRCade whatsapp group could be wonderfully bizarre.

I'm down.

Zilnad wrote:I'll be your friend, Herdanos.

And quoting those others who were also involved in the conversation before, so they don't miss this, in case they're interested:

DarkRula wrote:When it gets to summer, I'm sure arrangements will start being made to do a group meet.

Tsunade wrote: It would be lovely to meet up with you guys for a drink at some point!

poshrule_uk wrote:I also 100% agree on making friends through common interests.

Robbo-92 wrote:This place is great for socialising though, a lot of great people on here!

Qikz wrote:We're already friends.

Outrunner wrote: *quoting you too, Outrunner!* ~ OP

There is, of course, no obligation for anyone to be part of this... But at the same time, I wanted to ensure a bit more visibility (ie outside of the existing conversation in Howdyfern) in case anyone else reads this and thinks "hey, that's me!" in the same way I did when reading Zilnad / Cora / Outrunner / Jezo's posts in the other thread.

tl;dr - want to be friends? OK then!

Hell ye, add my number - 6

I'm in! It sounds like fun and I'd love to chat/meet more of you!

I'm also in Back in the day, I used to often speak to a few members over MSN and it was really nice

I don't really use Facebook anymore but I'm happy sharing my number for a WhatsApp group.

Thanks for taking the time to make the thread, Herdanos.

A greatly constructed thread.

We've definitely known each other long enough, and it really is all about taking that next step in progressing friendships. The Mario Kart Mondays are definitely a great first step towards that, but there's a whole lot more to explore. Video calls and the like are certainly great in getting more personal, as are IRL meetings. It would be great to meet some of you even over such a video call.

Also, I don't think I've ever been shot by a vigilante.

I don't have many real friends so would love to be involved, but I have pretty severe social anxiety and struggle with phone calls and zoom chats. But hi anyway!

Jezo wrote:Hell ye, add my number - *yoink*

Hey Jezo good buddy, not sure sticking your mobile number in a post is a wise idea. I might be over reacting and feel free to stick it back on if you so wish, but pretty sure that sort of thing can end in tears.

Albear wrote:

Jezo wrote:Hell ye, add my number - *yoink*

Hey Jezo good buddy, not sure sticking your mobile number in a post is a wise idea. I might be over reacting and feel free to stick it back on if you so wish, but pretty sure that sort of thing can end in tears.

You've just fallen victim to another classic JezoPrank™

© 2022 JezoPrank™, SONM™, GRCade™

I'll join in if everyone on WhatsApp uses their forum name so I know ow who the strawberry float they are.

My friends accuse me of always talking about this subject. I'd love to make more of an effort with a lot of you guys. Count me in.

Pedz wrote:I'll join in if everyone on WhatsApp uses their forum name so I know ow who the strawberry float they are.

Something I can actually guarantee.

Another potential could be a separate channel on the GRcade discord? I know I’m on discord but don’t really utilise it as much as I probably should, think a fair few other members are on there already though.

I’m in on whatever platform is most popular though, very unlikely I’d take part in any Skype events as I’d feel awkward as anything

Is there a link to the discord anywhere? I'm probably just blind, but would join that for sure.

D_C wrote:Is there a link to the discord anywhere? I'm probably just blind, but would join that for sure.

https://discord.gg/HnVfQbrwyZ

I'm in for this, but I'm not really one for video chatting. I'd be happy to chat on whatsapp and stuff though and discord when I'm around.

Jezo wrote:

Albear wrote:

Jezo wrote:Hell ye, add my number - *yoink*

Hey Jezo good buddy, not sure sticking your mobile number in a post is a wise idea. I might be over reacting and feel free to stick it back on if you so wish, but pretty sure that sort of thing can end in tears.

You've just fallen victim to another classic JezoPrank™

© 2022 JezoPrank™, SONM™, GRCade™

I have lived in the same village as LewisD for three years and never met him.

In but my identity must be kept secret. I'm kind of a big deal.

D_C wrote:Is there a link to the discord anywhere? I'm probably just blind, but would join that for sure.

The Discord isn't hugely active. For whatever reason I tend to find Discord isn't used so much for casual messaging even tho it easily could be since it's a phone app. Maybe it's the interface? Idk

Jezo wrote:

D_C wrote:Is there a link to the discord anywhere? I'm probably just blind, but would join that for sure.

The Discord isn't hugely active. For whatever reason I tend to find Discord isn't used so much for casual messaging even tho it easily could be since it's a phone app. Maybe it's the interface? Idk

It depends on the server. I'm in plenty of super active discord communities.

I have no friends. There are a few people I like on here, but I struggle deliver.