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Post by jameseightbitstar on Feb 19, 2007 0:56:14 GMT -5
So kinda randomly last week, I started working on a web page of my own. This is it. I'm gonna add to it only sparodically--its basically something to resort to whenever I'm feeling, errr, burned-out. Still I'd like suggestions for improvements and ideas for articles and stuff. I'm writing down suggestions. Thanks.
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Post by vysetd on Feb 19, 2007 1:06:44 GMT -5
I tried starting a site over 5 years ago to spread my knowledge of games, but I was still pretty green back then. All this site business going around has inspired me to give it a second shot. It's not like I don't know a little about code, etc.
I think this is a great idea. What else are you planning on including? I saw a section about Hydlide too. I like Super Hydlide's music.
Suggestions? I think the most important thing about making a site is being true to yourself and your style. While constructive criticism is good, you don't want to do everything for everyone and lose the soul of your site. You can't please everyone, so make sure you have a fine balance.
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Post by jameseightbitstar on Feb 19, 2007 1:19:10 GMT -5
Yeah, the articles and content is going to be in my style--whatever that style is at the time--I'm looking more for organizational tips as well as article ideas, which I'm running kinda low on (though that's probably because I'm not quite so burned out right now).
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Post by kal on Feb 19, 2007 3:07:39 GMT -5
"... You find you've gotten less defensive of your opinions about video games. In fact, you find you don't really care if everyone hates your favorite video game or not. "
Personally I wouldn't call that a trait of being burnt out more just not being a fanboy/being laid back.
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Post by vysetd on Feb 19, 2007 4:24:16 GMT -5
Can I call you "Doctor" jameseightbitstar? ;D
I'd like to see an article on the Jaleco Rushing Beat games (Rival Turf, Brawl Brothers, Peace Keepers). They were a fun little diversion lost in the world of Beat-em-ups.
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Post by ninjarygar on Feb 19, 2007 5:24:00 GMT -5
You've got some nice articles on there. But being a site devoid of images can deter people from reading the whole thing. Maybe after a few articles are written, you should prioritize the design. Because what's the point of all those articles if nobody will read them? It's a fact: People like pictures. And when those pictures break apart oceans of text, people are more likley to read the whole thing.
I like the idea though. I have felt myself being in that boat. I'm still there... fighting games keep me coming back, but not much else.
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Post by steven on Feb 19, 2007 8:07:32 GMT -5
James, Cool to see your site. I agree with a lot of the points ninja made, having pictures will greatly help, but I know it's early in your site. Also, having an index and some kind of organization will make it look better I agree with Vyse too that you should mainly stick to your style and soul of writing. When I first launched my site, a fellow gamer gave me some consecutive criticism, such as "you include way too many pics, and pics of the later stages I might add." Well, I appreciated her input, and her overall opinion as we've known each other for a long time, but that's just my style. I like showing a ton of pics. For me, if I'm worried a game might be spoiled, I simply don't click on a review until I can get a chance to play the game. Anyway, that's just an example to back Vyse's claim of staying true to your style. Other tips, hmmm... throw the link in your signature, for sure Have fun with it. That's the key thing. EDIT: "Consecutive criticism" should be "constructive". Damn late nights =p
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Post by jameseightbitstar on Feb 19, 2007 12:57:11 GMT -5
Hey, at least it wasn't Cumulative Criticism! ^__^
Yeah, I'm working on getting pics, especially for the articles that focus on a specific game.
For any system above 16-Bits though, I'll have to ask for contributions when necessary. I like screenshots that: A) Showcase some feature about the game--IE you can look at it and get a general idea of how the game plays. B) Focuses on something that my review complains about. C) Shows something silly that I can make fun of.
Some things I was thinking of doing in the future...
Me and a friend have repeatedly discussed doing a write-up about Kingdom Hearts. One of my main complaints was that you end up facing basically the same "Heartless" enemies in every demm area of the game--the fat guys, the little orkos, and I forgot what the third type was--and I wanted a set of screenshots that showcased this, showing the characters in different settings but fighting the same enemies. Some boss battles pics wouldn't be too bad either.
I'm thinking of doing one for Elder Scrolls: Arena, mostly because I just got done beating it. I can collect screens for this one myself.
From there though its pretty much a roll of the die as to what I'll put up next. When I'm bored or frustrated I have all sorts of ideas and that's mainly when I add to this site.
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Post by Shellshock on Feb 19, 2007 14:00:00 GMT -5
If you are serious about it (like I told Steve), I can help you out with any code/design you will need. I suggest you steer clear of reviews with scores, because unless you are a recognized entity in the business that tends to push people away. Also, go for original articles. Like compilations of various titles that have things in common, full series, or original ideas like game ads, themes, strange systems like the Satellaview, etc... If you are even more serious: lose Angelfire hosting and go with better options. Good start though. You have taken the first step. Just follow your impulses.
Again, let me know if you need anything.
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Post by savagepencil on Feb 19, 2007 14:25:49 GMT -5
Any possibility you could move off of Angelfire?
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Post by jameseightbitstar on Feb 19, 2007 14:58:36 GMT -5
I'll have to eventually--in addition to WOTBOG I'm also working on a non-gaming related comic and I know Angelfire's 20 MB limit won't be able to handle that. But right now I don't make a steady income so I have to stick with a free service.
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Post by papersquadcontrol on Feb 19, 2007 15:04:34 GMT -5
Do an article on your views regarding video game's artistic integrity (or lack thereof). This is an issue you seem particularly passionate about, and would fit very well on that site.
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Post by Shellshock on Feb 20, 2007 9:49:23 GMT -5
I'll have to eventually--in addition to WOTBOG I'm also working on a non-gaming related comic and I know Angelfire's 20 MB limit won't be able to handle that. But right now I don't make a steady income so I have to stick with a free service. Just so you know, GoDaddy.com offers free hosting with domain registration (which is 7 bucks a year). Although I don't know exactly what the space limit is, I suspect it's unlimited. I definitely recommend registering a domain. You don't want the name of your site being part of a free host's huge, confusing URL for various reasons (like geocities, angelfire or tripod). Also make sure you know how ads will be implemented in it. Try to avoid Flash ads (the people that make them are very irresponsable and these tax your CPU like you wouldn't believe), pop-ups and full ads that require you to skip them to get to the page. We all hate them and they are unprofessional. Banners are the fairest you can get in exchange for not paying. Hope this helps.
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Post by jameseightbitstar on Feb 20, 2007 18:14:36 GMT -5
Well, I just added another article to the site. This one's called "Five Reasons Why Video Games Suck" and was inspired partly by papersquadpatrol's suggestion (the first part, "Lack of Reprints" was originally meant to be its own article relating to games as art, but I thought it worked better here) and partly from a bad experience with Elder Scrolls: Arena.
I think I'm gonna take a break for awhile though. See, thing is I'm trying to moderate how much effort I put into the site--a few years back I ran a page called "James Classic Quests" (which was the polar opposite of WOTBOG) which... well, it got to the point where if I had any thought at all, I would immediately want to make an article about it for the site, and every time I played a game I thought of what I would say in reviews etc, and it took time away from things I should've been doing. Also, with this article I'm starting to feel like I'm getting "too angry" and taking the site's concept too seriously (which was also a problem with Classic Quests).
So, pretty much, for WOTBOG, I want it to grow and evolve... but I also want to pace it, so it doesn't end up being a repeat of Classic Quests. I'm still accepting suggestions, but I'm going to limit myself to only writing a few articles a month.
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Post by ninjarygar on Feb 21, 2007 2:20:44 GMT -5
Hmm.... honestly I don't think I enjoyed that last article.
You're definately too angry. You're article isn't so much "why videogames suck" but more along the lines of "Why I think everybody who plays videogames suck." Within the article you suggest that anybody who plays videogames is anti-social, uninteligent, lazy and a waste of life... totally incapable of living a meaningful life. You claim they have no skills and are ignorant to the outside world. That's too harsh. That's unfair. And it's not true.
Try to take it easy with the insults. It's true that there are some gamers out there who I don't enjoy talking to... and it's true about spending fortunes on gaming systems for status... but it's ALSO true that it's just entertainment. It's media. Getting obsessive and living your entire life for it is meaningless and a waste of time... of course it is... but writing angry articles about it and insulting them is the same thing. You see?
Explaining why the person who couldn't understand the difference between a long sword and short sword in videogames is stupid makes you and him the same. Really.. it sounds to me like he was suggesting something about the game's engine and you blew it completely out of proportion.
You know... there are other things I didn't really like. Like complaining about why games aren't republished, but then insulting people who collect thier games. They collect them because they're not republished.... And calling Zelda, Final Fantasy and other genre leaders the "weakest links". Even if there are better games in the genres... it doesn't mean the most common ones are the WORST. That's certainly not true.
I don't want to start an arguement... but rants like these are contradictions. Claiming that videogames are a pointless waste of time... when really.... whining about it is even more of a waste of time. My point is you can get your complaints across without looking like you're just begging for hatemail. Your next article should be less angry and less insulting. Take a look back at it and remember what your purpose is.
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