Part of the reason is also that you get bashed by fanboys the instant you make a non-constructive comment. Civ 5 doesn't have too many fanboys right now, which I personally think is a shame. I actually enjoy playing the game. Can't say the same for current Elemental version, but I have higher hopes for this one. Just wish the AI didn't have to rely on a CEO working on it whenever he has time to spare... they've got a big team, but the most problematic area can't effectively be worked by that team.. 

I think there is a feeling that if you're lucky, you can improve the game by sending in suggestions.  That tends to foster a cooperative spirit.

I've seen forums where the devs post that it turns into a flamefest.  The important thing is that the customers feel like their opinions are valued.

These forums are civil?

You must meet a lot of barbarians for you to think that

I guess they are not  too bad.

This is not /b/, that's for sure.

If your so nice then why does Brad hate you so much?? I hear Brad perfected the Elemental AI before christmas but he is holding it back from all of us just to spite you Lord Xia.

He does seem to hate me, he only responds to me when I bitch and insult the game, and ignores me when I say something nice.  I just want to make you happy Bradly, love me!  LOVE ME, BRADLY!  OR I WILL CUT MYSELF!  Okay, I would never cut myself, it's a sin to put a mark on something as beautiful as me, but I will eat a cheeseburger and that cholesterol might kill me in 30 years!  Actually, I'm kinda hungry for a chicken salad...that's probably good for me, but I'll put ranch on it!  Eh, better be light ranch, or the girl will yell at me...

I want to win a contest to make Brad say something nice to me. 

The AI has improved a lot, he wasn't shitting with saying that 1.11 was a big improvement, I'm actually having to plan fights and not just moving forward with whatever I have available. 

This forum seems generally civil, although there was some net nattering over the whole Jon Shafer being hired thing. But pretty constructive mostly.

 Please recall your spider horde... I look particulary nasty covered in bug bites... ew. 

 (WARNING: do not try to visualize this scenario; it's disturbing)

I gotta agree. Not to many people have total freak outs here... (Diar checks his 'calming' I.V. drip to insure its working properly)

You also need to watch out for that giant bronze statue of a frog in front of Stardock headquarters.  The eyes have hidden cameras in it.

Oh...Diar, if you're having any problems with that IV drip, I know some really awesome doctors that can help you.  There's this one Dr., his name is Conrad Murray.  He's famous.  He was Michael Jackson's doctor.  You calm now?

You should try the game if you haven't already done so.

https://www.elementalgame.com/purchase

You'll see that the game itself can be quite pleasing.

-.-

The dev participation seems a likely important factor, but the net.geezer thing might be part of it as well. Couple of interesting Off-Topic threads:

https://forums.galciv2.com/117380 and https://forums.galciv2.com/397269