Why does this forum seem hostile? Is there a group mentality to shun us new users? I might not be as old or experienced with portal and stuff, im only 14, but so far not very many people have been nice around here

Wow. Are you actually expecting an apology, or did you seriously think this online forum was going to drop everything and welcome you with open arms because they honestly didn't have anything better to do?

Pretty sure this is a troll thread.

We've been running this thing for years. We've seen people show up, talk big, demand things, and then disappear. We've seen pirates blatantly proud of their stealing of the game we all extoll.

What we respect is 1) clear thinking and 2) results. You have no results (i.e. maps, articles, tutorials, instances) to speak of, since you don't own a copy of Hammer. Sounds like you don't even own Portal 2, so you can't play most of the maps up here (otherwise you would have access to the Portal 2 SDK). Your forum activity also belies a lack of clear thinking. Your username is a hacked up version of our site name combined with Reddit, your (second) favorite website. Unoriginality indicates lack of clear thinking. Same goes for anyone with a name with "portal" or "aperture" in it. I can think of two exceptions, but such users are largely unoriginal and uninteresting.

Note, I freely admit I have never (and probably will never) release a map. My results are pretty slim (although I did some serious work back in the TWP Wiki days). But I stay around and became an esteemed member of the community because of my exceedingly clear thinking. You don't have to do both, but you have to at least contribute somehow.

Results are easy to measure. Clear thinking not so much. But if you want respect (i.e. kindness) around here, write clearly and insightfully, only post when you have something to add, and make yourself of use to the community. Otherwise, feel free to be an unique and special flower on someone else's server.

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(Locking before this becomes a wank and/or flame fest. This really is all there is to say about this one, unless one of the other mods wants to elaborate. Which they can do.)

Hober wrote:

Shorter version: This isn't reddit or 4chan, this is a real forum and there are certain just basic codes of coduct people are expected to abide by.

And if we find out you are pirating the game, we will ban you so fast that it will make Gabe's stomach jiggle. We support Valve and we do not tolerate piracy, period.

EDIT
It was brought to my attention that the thread is not about piracy, but about us being "unfriendly" to which I will repeat what was said verbatim: the "attitude" of the forum is justified by not spending all of our time coddling 14 year olds.

TWP is sort of a tough crowd. I know it is because I specifically cultivated it to be that way. Carry your own weight and you'll go far around here.