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Today we added a new Site Rule (#9) regarding moderation of groups - specifically allowing us to close groups that are largely off topic to BioWare games and the studio culture.
You can read our official comments here in the forum update thread.
This thread was opened to discuss your thoughts to keep them from spilling into forum topics.
This marks the end of my relationship with the BioWare site.
I am sad to see this decision made. It is short-sighted. I believe it will do significant harm to the community, most of it irreparable.
I will take the week to prepare what I can to be moved off-site. I have enjoyed my time here immensely. This has been a wonderful community, and it's a shame that it has come to this. I used to feel very welcome here, and that the staff working on the site appreciated the presence and support of the members of the groups. Times change.
Oh well, understandable, sorta.
Guest_Puddi III_*
So why is the Lobby/off-topic section exempt from the 'BioWare culture' philosophy behind the new rule? Without a solid reason, I'm wary of that section eventually being closed down as well.
My thoughts about your leadership would get me permabanned. I would love to hear a damn good reason why BW would do this but I'm pretty sure that will not happen.
I completely understand some groups getting shut down because they're so over the edge but to close down all of them that are mildly off topic pisses on the community as a whole.
I agree with the sentiments of Jeremiah and NuclearTech.
So what this boils down to is Bioware feels the need to regulate all discussions on the forums, groups or otherwise, to only be relevant or related to Bioware games. It's understandable to a degree, but let me put it to you another way.
During a 9-5 shift, who works for the entire 8 hours? You have the typical "water cooler" discussions, where you talk about your personal lives outside of the workplace, kids, hobbies, etc. Of course, a majority of the time is spent working, as it should be. But to demand an 8 hour work shift to consist of nothing but work is outrageous.
However, this move has been in the making since the changeover from the old BSN. Not that I'm okay with it, but the writing's been on the wall since Bioware decided to take the "social" out of the forum, so I'm not surprised by this move. I'm more resigned to what this says about Bioware and the people in charge.
Great job guys. Way to put the players who make your company what it is first.
So why is the Lobby/off-topic section exempt from the 'BioWare culture' philosophy behind the new rule? Without a solid reason, I'm wary of that section eventually being closed down as well.
Prolly cuz it's easier to moderate.
Guest_Dobbysaurus_*
Rubbish is what I think about all this.
This marks the end of my relationship with the BioWare site.
I am sad to see this decision made. It is short-sighted. I believe it will do significant harm to the community, most of it irreparable.
I will take the week to prepare what I can to be moved off-site. I have enjoyed my time here immensely. This has been a wonderful community, and it's a shame that it has come to this. I used to feel very welcome here, and that the staff working on the site appreciated the presence and support of the members of the groups. Times change.
You can't go! You're one of the few people who post a lot who never do anything negative!
Prolly cuz it's easier to moderate.
It's going to be a nightmare to moderate. Without an outlet for off topic discussions people will have them in game related forums, which will lead to potentially good discussions about the game getting locked. This is a community of players that are passionate about the game of Mass Effect and the universe that bioware has created but that doesn't mean people want to discuss mass effect or bioware games all the time. So basically you're giving your community zero reason to stick around when content isn't new.
Guest_Puddi III_*
Prolly cuz it's easier to moderate.
Works for me! 
welp, I no longer have a reason to visit this site anymore then. I understand your reasons for doing this, but it's unfortunate since the ability to speak freely amongst peers on this and the previous BSN brought many, many, many people together as a community - all united under the love for BioWare games. so now the community is going to be largely broken apart because of this. way to build up something wonderful over the course of several years only to destroy it.
Prolly cuz it's easier to moderate.
Actually, I would argue that officers self-moderating a group with fewer members is, by definition, the most efficient, using a business management model.
But you are probably correct with regards to the perception behind doing it this way.
Well, I did say something about it and some saw it, so I will say it again. I saw some SPAM groups that got created in the feed, which I immediately recognised as SPAM, bot-like. Yes, they were there and yes, they do need to be removed. However, I do not approve of limiting the group functions to revolve around Bioware, funnelling all the members to the Off-Topic section of this place. There are members, I am sure, that may not feel safe posting there, in fear of harrassment, members of marginalised groups that may have an array of triggers to watch out for; they could use the safe space and you're taking it away from them.
Referring to them as "they" is a mistake though, seeing as I am a member of a marginalised group myself, which leads me to avoid many threads in fear of triggers and I have, in occasion, been triggered because of threads, even though I've never made a vocal deal about it. I didn't, so that I would maintain the distance between my offline life and my online endeavours. This doesn't mean that others that may have found themselves in a similar position couldn't make use of that function you're now limiting. Not everyone is me and they could use a safe place, but well, I guess they will have to look elsewhere now, huh?
TL;DR: I do not approve of this change.
You can't go! You're one of the few people who post a lot who never do anything negative!
Trust me... I have my moments! 
No one's perfect, but yeah, a lot of people who socialize in groups instead of the forums are specifically doing so because they experience less harassment and hostility. Even in Off Topic, a casual sharing of opinions can quickly blow up. I share my game knowledge in the forums, but I do my socializing in the groups, because of that.
But in any case, my links are all still in MP, and I'll probably create my own little thread for new players before I go. 
Since I'm sure I'll have to wait a long time to get a response from Jess with her busy social calendar of Bioware "fandom" activities, I'll throw this question out there. Has anyone gotten any indication why they're doing this?
I sincerely love that we got a thread to express our thoughts now that the decision is made.
It's going to be a nightmare to moderate. Without an outlet for off topic discussions people will have them in game related forums, which will lead to potentially good discussions about the game. This is a community of players that are passionate about the game of Mass Effect and the universe that bioware has created but that doesn't mean people want to discuss mass effect or bioware games all the time. So basically you're giving your community zero reason to stick around when content isn't new.
totally agree with all of this (except a ton of the community is also DA players, as well as other games) and most if not all off topic group discussions always lead back to or stem from "BioWare games and the studio culture" in my experience.
No one posting here is allowed to leave!
I guess its one of those ironic things that the people who make this a good community and have friendly discussions are those who will be driven away, while those who are here just to troll will probably stay.
There has to be some way to allow off topic groups that are somewhat relevant (i.e. groups of people who have joined together through their enthusiasm for *bioware* games)
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