Forum culture has changed dramatically since its golden age. Back then, people would check threads daily for replies, post “looking for clan” messages, or share game screenshots. Today, those conversations have largely moved to Discord, Reddit, and TikTok. So, are forums dead? Maybe. But not completely.
Read the Norwegian version here: Er forum dødt?
Norwegian forums still exist – just smaller and more niche
In Norway, the major gaming forums have shut down. What remains are a few large general-purpose forums and some niche communities. The biggest survivors include:
- Diskusjon.no – Once Norway’s go-to forum for tech, gaming, and general discussion. While still online, it has lost much of its momentum and feels more fragmented than it used to.
- forum.kvinneguiden.no – A massive forum originally tied to a women’s lifestyle magazine. It’s now one of Norway’s most active communities, with discussions ranging from parenting to personal dilemmas. Imagine a Scandinavian version of Reddit’s r/AskWomen with a splash of tabloid energy.
- Reiseforumet.no – Forum focused entirely on travel. Users exchange advice about hotels, flight bookings, destinations, and personal experiences. What makes Reiseforumet stand out is its lasting value: you can find useful hotel tips weeks or months after someone posted them. That kind of evergreen knowledge is rare in today’s faster-moving platforms.
While these forums vary in tone and focus, they show that forum culture isn’t entirely gone – it’s just more specialized now.
Discord is fast – but fleeting
It’s easy to see why Discord became dominant. It’s fast, social, and designed for real-time interaction, especially in gaming. But the downside is clear: if you’re not there when the conversation happens, it’s already gone. New users can feel left out, and smaller communities often fade without structure.
In the past, you could post a question in a forum, wait a day, and get solid responses that stayed visible for years. Today, you often have to ask the same question again, somewhere else, just a week later.
Reddit is huge – but not quite a forum
Reddit remains a massive hub for online discussion. Gaming subreddits like r/GlobalOffensive and r/leagueoflegends pull in more traffic than most old-school forums ever saw. But Reddit isn’t built for permanence. Threads vanish quickly, good answers get buried, and the atmosphere lacks the personal identity forums once offered.
You don’t build a “forum rep” on Reddit the same way you could with a detailed post history, a recognizable avatar, or a long-standing signature. It’s valuable, sure – but it’s not the same.
What we’ve lost
Forums let you build a reputation over time. You had a username people remembered, a profile with hundreds of helpful posts, and maybe even your PC specs listed in your signature. You could find a clan, write a guide that helped others long after you quit the game, or share screenshots that sparked long discussions.
Today, the fastest and most viral content wins – especially on Reddit, TikTok, and other modern platforms.
So, is the forum dead?
No – but it’s no longer the default choice. For many, forums have become a deliberate alternative to the fast pace of Discord and TikTok. They’re slower, deeper, and built for knowledge that lasts. That’s true for gaming, but also for travel, photography, and niche hobbies.
Sites like Reiseforumet.no show that forums still play a role in 2025 – offering structured discussions, long-term value, and a break from the noise of real-time feeds.
Bonus thought: Link culture is fading too
One last thing I want to explore further: link culture seems to be dying. Back in the day, people would regularly link to other threads, guides, or tools. That’s how communities grew. Today, sharing context feels rarer. If you’ve noticed this too, I’d love to hear your take.
