I think people who just contributed regularly and made good posts left for more well-run and well-organized sites. Lots moved off to discord where they could chat faster and more regularly. After that you were left over with what the forums were designed for: people who asked questions about specific games and software, rather than people contributing to a community.
What changed? I’ve always seen them as a cesspit but even from a distance I can tell they’ve gotten lots worse lately; been using since 2009 or so.
I think people who just contributed regularly and made good posts left for more well-run and well-organized sites. Lots moved off to discord where they could chat faster and more regularly. After that you were left over with what the forums were designed for: people who asked questions about specific games and software, rather than people contributing to a community.