Hello everyone

I'm a software dev who has a text based rpg running for 5+ years. Recently i decided to build a new game to replace one of my favourites that doesn't exist anymore.

I'm at the point where i need to put in communication systems like forums and messaging but I'm really torn between using a third party solution (Vanilla Forums) and building one from scratch.

Both sides have their advantages and I believe building it would be better but I just don't think i should write another 1000+ lines for a forum when I can have one out of the box easily ready.

What do you folks think?

Thanks for you input!

I support the notion to use third party software.

Don't re-invent the wheel, unless a) you have to (because of license issues, the wheel does not exist for your OS/Platform, or whatever), or b) your wheel brings some added value that you cannot add to an existing wheel (via plugins, mods, whatever).

If you rewrite the same forum with the same features that already exists as third party solution available for free, you should do it for your own learning or entertainment. That is the only reason to build something that already exists, with the two exceptions above.