Personally I worry this is sort of a chicken and egg problem. On one hand I get the idea, on paper, of automating a way to post more content to hopefully spark engagement in a small community struggling to grow.

OTOH, as a community visitor, few things will immediately tank my interest in engaging than when I see “bot” in the name of the poster. I’m not talking with a human—literally the entire point of hanging out in a community like you and I are, right now.

I think it’s a similar problem to what I see in r/blogging. People keep asking if they can start a blog and pump it full of AI content, then get admitted to AdSense or other ad networks and thus win the game of capitalism. But virtually zero ad networks will admit you that way. In fact, they all have a bunch of tech now to sniff out AI content and downrank or otherwise block it. The problem is: no one wants to read AI (bot) content because it isn’t genuine content from human beings. Which means no advertiser wants to place their ads next to AI content.

Speaking as a community manager: If you’re trying to build a community, I think the best solution is still to simply put in the time yourself. Find people who share your passion and want to help. Post the links and discussions yourself. Be the human you want to see in the community of humans you hope to build.

Huh. That’s a take I haven’t heard before. Do you know of any accounts of this I can read? I know little about this end of the process

Years ago Bungie gave a talk, I think at GDC, and basically said that a big reason for the vault was because companies like Activision have weaponized game install sizes. Those companies figured out that if they make their game large enough, it’ll force most gamers to choose which games they are able to install. You can’t even try another game if you don’t have room to install it.

Destiny being popular but not COD popular, Bungie knew they had to be careful about the size of the game. I don’t love the vault, but I also can see how Bungie’s hands are tied in a big way here.