Ape Apps

I am in the process of implementing cross platform/cross game friends lists and private messaging using the Ape Apps Account system. This messaging platform will eventually replace the in-game private messages in titles like My Colony, allowing you to compose/respond to private messages from outside of the game.

So I am looking for opinions on how this should tie in with the current "Conversations" function on the forum. Unlike private messaging, Conversations is more like a private forum thread set up with permissions for any number of users to participate in, whereas the private messaging will be more like a basic e-mail type system, with a single message sent to one (or several) users. Private messaging will be cross app/cross platform, where as the forum conversations are just for this website.

Do you think that the forum should support both systems, only the current conversations, or ditch the current conversations and only have the new Private Messaging system? My personal opinion is to lean towards having both, as the website is a good portal to be able to access your messaging across all games, but there might also be occasions where you want to have a conversation with multiple users. But I'm just wondering what everyone else's opinion is on the matter.

If it isn't too difficult to implement, it might be more functional and utilitarian to solely use the conversation system.

At first blush I'd lean toward both as well. I generally use the convo system here to let members know if a thread has been moved or removed and since the convo system is only for this website it seems appropriate to use it as a means of relaying forum specific information.

Why not just expand the conversation system to work across a users account where ever they are logged in?

As an aside thought, you could tie it into the launcher system like some others (Steam I think, and another i use do that). At least for PC users, they wouldn't necessarily have to keep a browser window open just to chat.