An Idea: Pick of the month + Underdog game pick

[Igor Hardy]

I've been recently reminded how much exposure "Pick of the month" gives to the game title chosen each month compared to the ones that aren't so lucky. It's obvious that many of the more casual adventuregamestudio.co.uk visitors download only the "Pick of the month" game from the newest releases. That includes game journalists that potentially cover those games later on. And with the very strong first half of 2011 in particular I feel many cool games get a bit left behind.

So I wanted to propose adding a 2nd "pick of the month" to the database page (if it's easy enough to code in). That 2nd pick would be different - it would focus on past games that perhaps weren't given their due at the time of release. My idea is that every month one (preferably volunteer) AGS forumite would be allowed to pick an older AGS underdog - one of his personal favorites - that in his opinion seems to be underrated or forgotten. A short note about his pick would be required too.

Anyone else would like to see a 2n pick like this added? Or a modification of this concept?

[Ali]

I'm not sure that would have as much impact as just cycling the games in the Games Showcase. As deservedly popular as BJ6 & ATOTC are, I'm getting sick of looking at them!

I guess that ties into the new website discussion going on next door.

[m0ds]

Something like that wouldn't hurt.

It's like when newspapers have "50 years ago to this day." And I like that

[Babar]

I always thought that "Pick of the Month" WAS exactly for this sort of thing?
Not something that everyone in the community has already played and enjoyed recently, but instead something that was fun, but maybe less famous, or something that was famous a couple years ago, etc.

[Igor Hardy]

I always thought that "Pick of the Month" WAS exactly for this sort of thing?
Not something that everyone in the community has already played and enjoyed recently, but instead something that was fun, but maybe less famous, or something that was famous a couple years ago, etc.

Right now "Pick of the Month" is a new game release that is considered the highlight of the previous month.

I'm not sure that would have as much impact as just cycling the games in the Games Showcase. As deservedly popular as BJ6 & ATOTC are, I'm getting sick of looking at them!

I forgot about Game Showcase entirely - I rarely visit the main page and don't even notice those 2 eternally BJ6 & ATOTC screenshots anymore. But perhaps you're right that cycling it would suffice. I'd move the showcase to the database browsing start point though - so that it's more noticeable to returning visitors.

[Dualnames]

SSH played along with the showcasing of games, and not always recent ones as well. Occasionally the big game was spotted as Pick of the Month, but not always. There was this month that for instance Annie Android was featured and the game was released like 3-6 months ago.

[bicilotti]

I always thought that "Pick of the Month" WAS exactly for this sort of thing?
Not something that everyone in the community has already played and enjoyed recently, but instead something that was fun, but maybe less famous, or something that was famous a couple years ago, etc.

That was SSH way of ruling things, and I have always liked it that way (it is always refreshing to play something which flew under the radar).
On the other hand CalinLeafShadesesque criteria are more prone to "hook" random visitors who happen to land here just in search for games.

Having both of those categories would be great! But would require some additional effort to run the joint! Calin, what do you say?

[Igor Hardy]

So, any more votes, opinions on this concept? Calin xor anyone?

I think the current 1-new-game version of Pick of the month is lacking compared to its potential for promoting AGS games. I mostly mean adding a little bit more in there.

[Stee]

I like the idea of x years ago today. Rather than an underdog of the month, how about quick pick of the month for shorter titles that generally don't get the privilege of pick of the month?

[m0ds]

I wouldn't expect this to be implemented in the current site, but put it within the new site and I think it'll work just great.

[Calin Leafshade]

Well I'm not really well versed in the AGS history so I couldnt do the job of choosing old games but honestly I think the system as it is now is fine.

In fact I do try to expose new games and especially new game makers if I can rather than those who have enough of a platform on their own. That's one of the reasons I elected not to pick Snakes of Avalon as a PotM since Igor has enough of a platform to advertise the game on his own.

[Crimson Wizard]

What about actually picking some of the older games for the showcase monthly? Not the ones that are super popular, like Trilby or Ben Jordan series, but the ones that were not spoken much about.
I was reviewing my own AGS games collection lately and found several very nice little games there made by people I rarely or never see on these forums, like "Automation", "Duty and Beyond", "Mourir en Mer", "Murder in a Wheel" - just a few samples - these games were quite popular back in previous years, according to their ratings and awards. Who knows, maybe there are other, not much known, yet well made and worth mentioning. Everyone has its own taste, and sometimes people may like the game that AGS panel did not like
How about choosing randomly a game made, like, >=4 years ago?

[Igor Hardy]

Well I'm not really well versed in the AGS history so I couldnt do the job of choosing old games but honestly I think the system as it is now is fine.

In fact I do try to expose new games and especially new game makers if I can rather than those who have enough of a platform on their own.

This year alone, the current system failed to expose such stand-out games as:

Death on Stage
Beacon
King's Quest III
Technobabylon III
Dinner for Pigeons
15 minutes
Night of the Testicle

In the past we didn't have such concentration of high quality games released monthly (and there were quiet months when SSH could return to a bit older, underappreciated games), but right now I'm 100% sure one slot is not enough. Especially given how much interest this pick of the month showcase creates.

That's one of the reasons I elected not to pick Snakes of Avalon as a PotM since Igor has enough of a platform to advertise the game on his own.

Calin, I'm fine with any choices you make for the Pick of the Month, because you have only one game slot per month to fill, and in case of Snakes of Avalon I understand you felt I care about my game enough to put extra effort into spreading it around myself. However, your reasoning above about Snakes having its own "platform" is misguided, and if everyone thought like this, there simply wouldn't be any coverage for the game at all.

I'm starting to worry people have the wrong perspective: HardyDev isn't an "advertising platform" for my own games - it's focused on covering other indie games and related stuff. It's also a very niche site that could really use more talk and traffic itself - I can't make my games popular through it, even if that was my goal for the blog. And finally, just the author recommending his own game doesn't make for a particularly convincing recommendation, and it doesn't bring much interest.

Sorry for the off-topic rant about my site - the term "platform to advertise" just didn't sit well with me!

[Atelier]

Pick of the month could be a game with moderate but not high amount of downloads. Games with highest downloads for that month won't need anymore exposure, and lowest obviously won't be contenders for pick of the month. APP-PACK for example. I say this because a good game really is reflected in its download count, it's an accurate gauge to popularity.

Either that, or you nominate your own game for PotM (providing it was added to the database in the month in question of course). The Picker chooses one of the nominees that shows original gameplay/creative flair, but has not got much exposure previous. For a new website, the picker could always choose a second or third one so it becomes "Picks of the Months".

I have no problem with PotMs currently buuut it would be nice to have more than one.

[Snake]

Something like that wouldn't hurt.

It's like when newspapers have "50 years ago to this day." And I like that

I only skimmed this thread, but personally, I really love this idea, m0ds. Even if it wasn't just pointed to an AGS game, but AGS history as well. On this day in 2001, blah blah...

I love that. It wouldn't be a wasted feature that's for sure. I'd bet my AGS life on it.

[Dualnames]

Something like that wouldn't hurt.

It's like when newspapers have "50 years ago to this day." And I like that

I only skimmed this thread, but personally, I really love this idea, m0ds. Even if it wasn't just pointed to an AGS game, but AGS history as well. On this day in 2001, blah blah...

I love that. It wouldn't be a wasted feature that's for sure. I'd bet my AGS life on it.

I WOULD LOVE TO BRING OLDIES FROM THE PAST IN YOUR DAILY LIVES. For instance, who remembers "RICHARD LONGHURST AND THE BOX THAT ATE TIME" ?

[Atelier]

I like the idea of x years ago today. Rather than an underdog of the month, how about quick pick of the month for shorter titles that generally don't get the privilege of pick of the month?

Wouldn't an on this day feature change the PotM to a PotD? Moreover there are only 1275 games in the database which leaves countless days unanswered for.

[SSH]

Of course, the chooser would have to make sure that the game is still downloadable and playable on e.g. Windows 7

[Ponch]

Of course, the chooser would have to make sure that the game is still downloadable and playable on e.g. Windows 7

Windows 7? Heresy! After the miserable experience that was Windows Vista, I'm sticking with XP until they pry it from my cold, dead hand!   8)