So...Does goatboy troll bols readers?

[Lord Azaghul]

No really:

Respectfully I'm asking the question,
Does he?
If so; Is it intentional?
OR do people just 'love to hate' him?

I've been reading this site for quite some time, and I know that BOLS needs/wants to generate ever increasing traffic or at least maintain good levels...

And no doubt goaty generates alot of responses...ie traffic...


Personally I feel, most of his articles are pretty much the same thing, over and over, but they do tend to have a very... aggressive or confrontational tone to them (?) (LOOK!) but its the internet, and text only...easily misinterpreted...

And of course there's the comic...that's the main one that makes me want to ask the trolling question (especially last weeks)

By all appearances goaty really love his 40k stuff and really doesn't like anything else (and that's cool its his preference)

BUT and its a huge one: I couldn't give a flying flip about more 'tactical' or 'how to play' or 'why you should all play GK' articles... 'cause I'm more interested in the hobby articles or what's out there (IE Gentleben & tabletopfix stuffs mostly)...and I'm pretty sure those guys aren't trolling the readership!

So I am I reading too much into goaties stuff? Or is he being inflammatory on purpose?

[Rissan4ever]

I admit that I don't know Goatboy personally - so take my opinion with about 10 pounds of salt - but from what I've observed about his behavior and the similar behavior of other people I've known (including my emotionally intense daughter and myself), the answer to all your questions is: YES.

Goatboy has a dynamic, colorful, exuberant personality, and he likes to expresses his opinions energetically. He can come off as confrontational and occasionally a bit of an a-hole, but I think it's just because he gets so damn excited about his love of the hobby that he can't help himself. I think he likes to get a rise out of people because doing so gets a rise out of himself, relieving the boredom someone with such an intense personality often feels in everyday life. He seems to enjoy the back and forth, not bitterly or angrily, but with a tremendous level of excitement and energy that most people don't reach on a regular basis.

Whether you love Goatboy or hate him, I think the one thing we can all agree on is that he is, if nothing else, very entertaining.

[wittdooley]

I just thought he was a crappy writer with some solid artistic ability that takes his minis to the local middle school for painting.

I hope the comic is a running joke; if he, in fact, believes it to be actually good, then I'm more concerned.

[Grailkeeper]

In fairness, the comic is improving. Whatever happened to the other comics by curis and TSOALR? Is there an archive where tehy could be viewed?

[A Barb]

Goatboy is a blast to be around! He is a great guy to talk to both hobby and other stuff.


Goatboy for President! ;)

[TheSnake]

You want great 40k comics than have a look at http://wobblymodel.weebly.com/
Not associated with it, just loving it :cool:

Sorry Goatboy but I can't say the same of Plastic Dudesmen ;)

[zenjah]

His critics seem far more confrontational, inflammatory, and trollish than he does.

[Zond]

I don't think he trolls anyone, but his writing style needs polish and some of his articles are very short on content. I think it's more likely he's bought into his own image as an "internet celebrity", for lack of better term, and it comes across in his writing.

[Schnitzel]

Trolls trolling trolls trolling trolls trolling trolls trolling goatmarinethings trolling trolls trolling trolls trolling trolls...

[Sure]

Does he troll? Yes.
Does he set out to troll? No.

It's just that when your listbuilding guides can always be summed up as:

Take 3 each of X, Y, and Z and a fun commander....

People who don't got better things to do (I've been guilty of this) get inter-net-irate.

[_Ian]

He used to only do painting articles. But once he started doing 'what I think' articles... And then the comic started, and at first most people liked it, but after some fubars he started getting more and more flak. To the point where it is now where it's just 'ohhhh goatboy...'

[wittdooley]

He did painting articles?

Huh... interesting.

[AbusePuppy]

A blank white page with the words "Grey Knights" or "Counts-As" could troll BoLS. It's not like you have to try very hard.

[Denzark]

He used to only do painting articles. But once he started doing 'what I think' articles... And then the comic started, and at first most people liked it, but after some fubars he started getting more and more flak. To the point where it is now where it's just 'ohhhh goatboy...'

At first people liked it... Which comic were you reading? Anyhow Goaty seems to have turned from cheeze 'n' spam to 'take-latest-army-give-goat-pun-theme' and this is a step forward.

He is far better a contributor than 'The girl' who is the most biased inconsistent moderator I have ever encountered - she reminds me of the witch in Harry Potter who makes him torture himself with a cursed quill.

[Lockark]

Goatboy is a very no-nonsense competitive player, who still gets that it's a game at the end of the day. He slaps some Goat heads on thows bad boys and he's good to go!

This brushes alot of people the wrong way because they either think he doesn't take the game seriously enough, or that he's a WAAC player.

I find his advice isn't the good, because he doesn't address or realy acknowledge the idea of Local Meta games being different from the "internet meta game." This realy is the most serious criticize you could level ageist his articles. I rarely read his tactical articles for said reason.


A blank white page with the words "Grey Knights" or "Counts-As" could troll BoLS. It's not like you have to try very hard.

Oh god yes.

[Night System]

I think that he knows how much some of his articles wind up the BoLS crew, yet carries on regardless. All the more power to him. But in that respect i suppose he is trolling as he refers to how much nerd rage he gets in some of his comics.

Better him than me, i wouldn't still be able to make articles with such comments :D

[GoatboyBOLS]

I doubt it as I don't constantly comment on anything to push people to getting mad. I don't really want people to get mad. It isn't healthy and really - it is just a game. And for tactics- look the game is getting long in the tooth - if you don't know some basics by now I am not going to help you with anything I say. There are a lot more in depth writers that do a better job (3++) as they have the ability to create something much more in depth. I for the most part write editorials. Love it or hate it that is what my role has become at BOLS. Which is fine - as really I just like talking about the hobby in whatever direction my brain likes to take me too.

On the comic - look it is for fun. If you don't like it - awesome. I draw it and Wyatt writes it. I think the art is pretty good a lot of the time which is better then a lot of comics out there art wise. I guess it isn't what everyone wants, which is fine. Wobbly mini is pretty funny and TSOLR had some moments. Still it is a very niche comic and I am trying to push out a bit more in places by just not sticking to one thing. But I am not stopping the comic. No matter how many people seem to want to rip their eyes out, hunt me down, or call me lovely names online.

So am I a troll? I don't think so as I just post what, twice a week and don't jump into the comments to start an internent fight about whatever nonsense is getting someone mad. If you met me you know that I play this game because I like the hobby itself - painting, playing, and conversating. So if you want to give me crap in real life or whatever, go for it. I am just another guy who likes to play with plastic dudesmen on a table top and talk about how cool unit a is to unit b. But again isn't it cool to hate Goatboy?

[Xenith]

He doesn;t mean to, but i nthe end, as far as GB is concerned, it counts as trolling.

[Lord Azaghul]

Goatboy is a very no-nonsense competitive player, who still gets that it's a game at the end of the day. He slaps some Goat heads on thows bad boys and he's good to go!

This brushes alot of people the wrong way because they either think he doesn't take the game seriously enough, or that he's a WAAC player.

I find his advice isn't the good, because he doesn't address or realy acknowledge the idea of Local Meta games being different from the "internet meta game." This realy is the most serious criticize you could level ageist his articles. I rarely read his tactical articles for said reason.


I'm not sure goaty understands that it IS just a game...

To me, WAAC people treat games as MORE then just a game, and goaty seems to fall into that trap.

I don't thing GW games shouldn't even be played by 'no-nonsense competitive players' the game just isn't 'fair' enough to do that, and ends up not being fun.

And yes, I've stopped reading almost all BOLS tactical suggestion, (I still skip for pics) they're either too much of table top 101, IE target priority, or spam the OP unit. But when a writer starts every paragraph with 'LOOK'...I just stop paying attention, period.

And if goaty is trolling on purpose - the end results just don't be good for bols.

[Duke]

Wow, an entire thread about a writer trolling the company they work for?

Under this same premise Anderson Cooper Trolls CNN, Jim Cramer Trolls CNBC, and John Stewart trolls Comedy Central.

This thread is ridiculous...asking if an employee is trolling their workplace. Come on.

You don't have to like his articles or his comic, but nobody forces you to come here and read anything.

Threads like this are what is wrong with the hobby, not his comic. he is a player doing what he enjoys and sharing it on the net with seemingly likeminded individuals and the hobby is better for it. If you don't like his articles don't read them. If you think you can make a better blog than BoLS then try it, even if you fail the hobby will be better for it because you got out there.

long story short, it is cool to hate the Goat but seriously, stop and as Ghandi said "be the change you wish to see in the world." Stop complaining and do something, write your own comic...Start your own blog... run your own GT and when you're done hopefully you will have a little more empathy for those in the trenches of unpaid labors of love with you.

Duke

[Lord Azaghul]

No disrespect Duke, but I think you missed the point of the thread.

I should have clarified: I'm asking if goaty trolls the readership, merely to generate MORE site traffic.

And I personally feel that IF that's the case, its very bad for the hobby was a whole, especially because he has given the impression of being a WAAC player.

[GoatboyBOLS]

Sometimes it is discussion of something bad that needs to be fixed and other times its rumors and other nonsense that might be true or somehow interest me. That is really about it as I write editorials most of the time. The last big comment fest ended up not dealing with what I talked about and just went on and on about how GW is this and that.

But really all I do is chat about the game - whether you like it or not is up to you. Just the same with liking my paint style, art style, or "writing" style. You could say that Darkwynn's last post was much more trolling then the stuff I write about - but again that is his style of discussion.

[fuzzbuket]

i just think that goatboy dosnt give a fudge.

[JxKxR]

I used to think Goatboy was a troll until I had a long discussion in the disqus with him and it turns out I don't hate him I actually like the guy. (Crazy right) Turns out he is just a fun loving guy with a nerdy sense of humor and damn I love him for it.

If anyone is a troll it's the people who keep going back to his stuff that they know they're not going to like. Really the front page of BoLS catches all the trolls that's why I would rather discuss things here in the lounge since we have an outstanding group of fun loving individuals here and minimum trolls. (Thanks Duke, and personally I think John Stewart is a troll)

I might not care for Goatboys articles but Goatboy the guy I would throw dice with. :D

[GoatboyBOLS]

It is hard to get a person personality just out of articles that are written, "editted" and then read without any way to get how I am saying it. I don't take myself seriously - this is a plastic model wargame. If I did then my wife would put me a few pegs down hah. As well as my friends. This game is about having fun and getting out of the house. If somehow I am upsetting people so much that they are not looking at this as a game - then people need to think about why they even waste their money on this stuff.

I play this as it is a social exchange and isn't just me sitting in front of a computer, clicking a mouse, and collecting the most digital bytes I can. Not that doing that is wrong - it is just not for me and this game covers what I like - cool design, cool models, artistic direction, and a somewhat ok set of rules that we all can play. I hope 6th does a good job of creating a new environment that we all have to relearn and enjoy. Will see.

[Lord Azaghul]

It is hard to get a person personality just out of articles that are written, "editted" and then read without any way to get how I am saying it. I don't take myself seriously - this is a plastic model wargame. .


Thanks for the response goaty....that was majorly why I was asking (not to troll or counter troll)...the internet is hard to place to interprate someones intentions unless you actually know them.

One small favor, can you leave 'Look' out of the next few articles! Thanks :p

[GoatboyBOLS]

I agree haha - I noticed it after I wrote it and have strived to drop it as much as I can. I am sure I will find another word I can spam :).

Monday's article is me building a Necron list. I don't think they suck - have stepped back from my initial lack of investment in the codex and thanks to reading other people's thoughts I think the book is going to be an interesting one for the game. Will see what the FAQ does for the army - I feel most rules will not really change the power level - just how you play the army. I still think it is an interesting - shorten the game type of army - ie making you pay attention to something for 2 - 3 turns and thus limiting your opponent from having the time to actually keep you from winning. Still will see.

[Zond]

What about "neat"? Can it be dropped from the next set of model reviews?

[GoatboyBOLS]

I will try my best!

[wittdooley]

On the comic - look it is for fun. If you don't like it - awesome. I draw it and Wyatt writes it. I think the art is pretty good a lot of the time which is better then a lot of comics out there art wise. I guess it isn't what everyone wants, which is fine. Wobbly mini is pretty funny and TSOLR had some moments. Still it is a very niche comic and I am trying to push out a bit more in places by just not sticking to one thing. But I am not stopping the comic. No matter how many people seem to want to rip their eyes out, hunt me down, or call me lovely names online.


I really enjoy your art, actually. I get very confused though, because your artistic talent doesn't, to me, seem to translate to the minis your paint. Why is that?

This is intended as a serious question that I'd love to get an answer to, as I didn't really expect you to post something in the forum.

[Caldera02]

Because most of the things GB paints, he paints fast. So the talent doesn't come out onto those mini's as much. When he takes his time, they look good and......well goaty! :P

[GoatboyBOLS]

You either like it or you don't. My art style bends towards cartoonie with broad strokes etc. My painting is also broad strokes and photography doesn't work the best for it. I really am more a painter painter if that makes sense. Kind of like Blanche in that I look at the colors as a whole instead of just trying to paint the proper highlight line that a lot of miniature painters go for. So I really like the very emotional figures you see with multiple glazes that try to go for a muted style and design. My stuff doesn't always convey that.

I do need to upgrade my photo kit to have better lighting and other options. That is one of my plans for next year which should help amp up some of the pictures and quit making them look like a muddled mess.

[Faultie]

I really am more a painter painter if that makes sense.This is why I have always liked your style, and even painted up an entire army (with some help) in the same fashion. It seems more authentically artistic in my mind, although I will admit that the perception of motion and emotion is perhaps not to everyone's taste.

[wittdooley]

You either like it or you don't. My art style bends towards cartoonie with broad strokes etc. My painting is also broad strokes and photography doesn't work the best for it. I really am more a painter painter if that makes sense. Kind of like Blanche in that I look at the colors as a whole instead of just trying to paint the proper highlight line that a lot of miniature painters go for. So I really like the very emotional figures you see with multiple glazes that try to go for a muted style and design. My stuff doesn't always convey that.

I do need to upgrade my photo kit to have better lighting and other options. That is one of my plans for next year which should help amp up some of the pictures and quit making them look like a muddled mess.

That actually makes a lot of sense now that I look at them again. Still dig the hell out of your bag art.

[GoatboyBOLS]

I am looking at other options on bag art to try and bring other things to it. More shading - seeing if I can find markers that do a decent grey on the bags etc. Will see. I will most likely be drawing the whole time at Wargames con and trying to find a day to do it at Adepticon (If I lose on Sunday, if not during trade nights).

And really a lot of perception of people are messed up due to not really talking with them - just reading etc. I am just a chubby ******* who likes to throw dice hah.