You should see this place just before a game launches...

Skyrim General will never be the same.

I hung around Skyrim General for a long time before I joined the forums and saw all the activity.. I'm not sure I ever saw it as
chaotic really, and I was even there for E3. I didn't register the forums until a few months ago though, after I'd been playing Skyrim like crazy.. I'd say the Empire vs. Stormcloak threads were a big source of arguing and I even started one myself because of all my conflicting thoughts between sides. I moved here after I got bored with being there though.. there really wasn't anything interesting going on anymore.
Community discussion is fine pretty much all year round, but the game sections can get really messed up. I've only been here for the NV, Brink, and Skyrim launch, but I'm sure the others just as hectic.
Most people here are mature, even if there weren't mods, but others, not really. Same people on a different forum, and you'll be horrified at how differently they behave.
I do slightly agree with the first part of this from what I saw in Skyrim General.
In terms of the second part: I suppose that would depend on the kind of forum it is though, and what they discuss there.. hence what's been forbidden here.
