Hailed a relativley out of control forum by some, I think it's time to revamp this forum and ask that people start posting games that actually are in production. To qualify for a thread you should have a couple of screenshots at least - no menu screens! ::)
There could well be an "Ideas Archive" forum in the future - it would make sense, (but would probably eat the bandwidth! <... ).
If you don't have any screenshots, then perhaps sketches, or an EXE of what you have to show already, etc.
If you object to this, please explain why.
:)
Wrong Forum! (jk)
Well, of course many people post about their games too early... but to be honest, I dont really think that hurts anyone.
I'm only a newbie, but don't the rules already say you should have a couple of screenshots? So all you'd need to do is be harder on those who break the rules.
I'm glad somebody
finally said it!!
I've been posting, "So ... no screenshots?" in [seemingly] every thread being opened in here (with some exceptions of course).Ã, Not being a mod I didn't want to start a thread like this, but I sure was hoping somebody would!
I think threads that say, "I'm working on this new game ... it's going to be so awesome." and have no screenies (more than 1 even) should straight away be locked.Ã, It would save bandwidth and irritation.
QuoteWell, of course many people post about their games too early... but to be honest, I dont really think that hurts anyone.
It clutters up the forums and wastes bandwidth (which comes out of CJ's pockets).Ã, The rules are there for a reason ...
I know (and understand) how it's inspiring and you just want to share with the community your great idea but PLEASE wait until you actually have something to show ... not just an idea.
If you want to share your idea, use the Critics Lounge to get feedback on the idea.Ã, An idea does not constitute a 'Game in Production' ... it's just an idea.
Hear hear!
I've practically memorized the URL to the Critic's Lounge due to the numerous times I've linked to it in someone's thread.
Can we also make sure there is no MAGS games? I've seen them posted a couple of times, not lately but..
I agree! with everything.
Agreed, If the situation gets serious maybe you could earn the right to post new threads. I believe theres an option in the admin section about that. Once a mod gets proof of production they can give rights, after the first game in production thread you should know the rules so there wont be a need to change anyones rights.
How bout we just burn all the n00bs in a large bonfire at the next Mittens?
Anyways, I think you're all right. I'm sick of seeing the 'Lol, OMG! I thought of a new game, and it will be 3D with 1000 rooms and everything!!1' every other post in here. I think asking the admins before you could post sounds good enough, as long as they don't get flooded with PMs everyday.
I like the idea of just having ideas in the critics lounge (as they should be) without making it harder for someone with a legitimate idea to get it posted. Just move all posts that don't have the screenshot or proof that they have something to go on to the critics forum and notify them to continue posting there until they have more to go on. I don't see a need to get mean about it, but that's just my opinion.
Quote from: ProgZmax on Fri 06/08/2004 03:39:10
I like the idea of just having ideas in the critics lounge (as they should be) without making it harder for someone with a legitimate idea to get it posted.Ã, Just move all posts that don't have the screenshot or proof that they have something to go on to the critics forum and notify them to continue posting there until they have more to go on.Ã, I don't see a need to get mean about it, but that's just my opinion.
I couldn't agree more with all of this. I've had the same feeling lately of this forum getting filled up with a lot of "ideas". It makes it annoying to sift through when I come here really just wanting to know what the upcoming games are, not the planned ones. It seems like there are 10 new games posted here every day and then you read them all and think, "Well, most of those were just ideas/had no screenshots or significant progress/etc".
What is the harm in it? If someone posts without any proper information or screenshots, it is usually locked or moved to the critic's lounge anyway. Where is the problem? To earn the right to post is the same as the current rules: 2 screenshots and a plot. Sure, there are all the n00bs who post with their incredible "idea", but they grow tired of it fast, and leave the thread to rot. It could then just be locked. Posting the game here is a great booster for a lot of unsure newbies. They work harder once they see that their idea is well received. I think a stronger enforcement of the current rule should just be placed, where the poster must have 2 screenshots (not the menu) and a plot, or the thread will be locked
An idea forum would be nice.. even though.. it should be a child forum in the critics forum, like that.
I have also seen someone just posting ideas here, and asked us what we think about it.
Delete threads who are just ideas.
Let the mod speak!
No offence, but I think the bandwidth is mainly wasted because lots of people who are no moderators start discussing a lot with the newbies about the question wether they will be able to finish such a project or not. Such discussions never lead to anything and in the end everybody is feeling bad. And why shouldnt people be allowed to announce their mags game? Some mags games became real classics. Remeber Buccanneer?
It's problematic because, like someone already said, you have to sift through tons of postings before coming across a game that is approaching completion...or even in production for that matter.
I think it's fine and fun to share ideas, and maybe there should be another forum for that, but if everybody just shares ideas in the "games in production" forum...the games that are actually in the works are lost in the shuffle.
We don't need another "idea" forum. If people want feedback on plots and dialogues, the critic's will work fine.
I do think Mods is right on how to improve this forum, though, I myself got pretty tired locking threads showing up just crap, vague ideas and stolen screenshots.
People come to this board to take part of serious projects, and they don't expect to waste their time browsing through pages of n00bish ramblings about games with 1% chance of getting released.
Include the new, harsher rules in the readme-thread.
The moderators of this board should be more active to make sure people follow the rules.
PS: I don't want to be stalking, but I just noticed that neither Snake or Nellie has been on this board for several weeks.
Local moderating is a pretty important doing, so I propose we either install a new local moderator, or encourage Nellie and Snake to be more active (and strict).
Someone like Darth Mandarb could do the job well; he's more or less moderating already, and does it very reasonably. This is if he wants to, of course.
I think stricker rules are in order. This forum is fille with ideas time to time, and all the real games fall to the third page, and no-one spots them anymore...
(The screenshot comment of m0ds' was pointed in my direction aswell, but I have a techdemo there nowdays)
I'm against posting MAGS games. They're short projects, and the thead will "die" in a month. Of cource, if the game does not make it to the MAGS, and the author starts to work on it as fulltime project, is a diffrent matter.
I do read this forum as often as possible, and deal with any problems I notice. But instead of posting "OMG, u broke teh rools!!!!11!!" in the thread, hit the 'report to a moderator' button, that'll make sure the problem is dealt with, just moaning at the thread-starter won't...
I too am also sick of nothingness threads, although at one stage in my n00bish days i too was guilty of an idea thread. Needless to say the game never got completed.
I think at the top of 'Start new thread' field it should say:
Think about your topic:
1. Do you have at least 2 screenshots?
2. At least some characters?
3. Mapped and planned out the whole game?
Otherwise please don't post, it wastes CJ's money.
I don't spend much time in this forum so I'm not really qualified to comment, but if we are getting lots of threads that don't meet the forum rules then I agree we need to be more strict.
Darth Mandarb, would you mind being a moderator for this forum? Sounds like it's time we got tough and just locked any rogue threads straight away.
Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 06/08/2004 23:06:15Darth Mandarb, would you mind being a moderator for this forum? Sounds like it's time we got tough and just locked any rogue threads straight away.
I wouldn't mind at all!Ã, Sign me up.
Thanks!
Thanks! :)
I've also added a brief "THINK BEFORE YOU POST" bit to the Start New Topic page in this forum.
It's so nice when problems get solved ^_^ Thanks guys! (Gee, now I'm scared my games posts will be in trouble...)
Congrads Darth
darth did u fix up my thread because it was getting a bit out of hand?
if u did then thanks!! :)
Totally agree, I hate coming here, seeing "Day of The Jiji Lamp" and the person just ranting about how many rooms the game will have, and only having one character pic, or none at all.
Mandarb would make a good mod, as hes the one who gets mostly wound up with this.
I agree..mostly. Some people (myself no longer included, thank the lord...and my service provider) have no way to post screenies(no way to host them, AKA no website, or too small of a website). Just a thought.
I think an ideas forum is out of the question. It would be too much work (and cash-deprivation) for poor CJ, and there is already another forum for those kinds of things (THE CRITICS LOUNGE).
Quote from: Blitzerland on Sun 08/08/2004 01:35:18
I agree..mostly. Some people (myself no longer included, thank the lord...and my service provider) have no way to post screenies(no way to host them, AKA no website, or too small of a website).Ã, Just a thought.
Well ... there is upload space provided for all AGSers by Neole
Quick Upload Space for AGS Game Screenshots and MIDIs (http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=3584.0) for just that sort of thing!
Not to mention the
How to POST SCREENSHOTS (http://www.agsforums.com/yabb/index.php?topic=6297.msg76680#msg76680) Sticky thread as well.
The problem is, as I see it, that most don't seem to read/notice them.Ã, Or, if they have a question, they don't think to check the stickies first.
You can take that a step further. The problem is, as I see it, that most are stupid.
Unless you want to be nice...
Just a question (purely out of ignorance) - do threads have to be locked? Can't they be deleted?
Quote from: Kinoko on Mon 09/08/2004 14:37:05
Just a question (purely out of ignorance) - do threads have to be locked? Can't they be deleted?
They can be deleted ... but I don't know if it's necessary.Ã, If I don't delete them, and a little down the road the person wants to show that
he's really working on the game, the thread can be re-opened and continued rather than having to start a whole new thread.
But, of course, this'll probably lead to duplicate threads as the person who's thread was locked won't read the line about reopening it when they have more to go on and will just start a new thread.
We'll see ...
I am not participating very actively in the community, but I agree. There are lots of threads here about things that not will be completed. Many people dream of being someone who makes games, but not to make games. Posting here puts you in the first position.
I'd say: moderate. This forum will lose it's use if there are lots of posting about games that aren't really in production other than in the posters mind. I worked six months on my game before revealing a single screenshot.
Don't forget that the ACR icons are in peoples profiles for a reason! If you want to share your game idea or get help with it, ASK some people through PRIVATE MESSAGE!!
:)
Where are the screenshots in this thread? LOCK IT! ;)
I've been inactive forum-wise and AGS-wise all together for personal reasons.
I agree that the rules must be more strict. I myself have made the mistake of starting to promote Leitor's Edge before the plot was even concrete. And the story was just a shadow. The game now is probably 70% different then what is was when I first posted. I should have waited until at least now to start promoting it. But even now is too early (anyone notice my sig?).
Here are my ideas for new rules:
-The game's entire plot and storyline are honestly finished and mapped out
-At least 3 in-game screenshots
-The game itself is at least a third completed
-MAGS games are defintely a 'go' since they'll be finished for that month anyway...
-When a game is cancelled it's thread will be deleted
-When a game is put on hold it'll be locked
-When a game is completed it's thread will be locked for let's say a month or so with a redirection link to the announcements forum. After that month the thread will be deleted...
-When a MAGS game is completed maybe we should delete them right after the awards since all submited games should be in the announcements forum anyway... Also, in the subjects line it should read, "MAGS:" in front of the game name.
-All threads that do not follow the rules should be automatically deleted instead of locked. Plus a PM should be sent to the creator.
I agree with the Ideas Forum idea being shut down, since the critics lounge is also there for that reason. It's not there for just pictures.
And welcome Darth :)
--Snake
I like Snake's suggestions a lot. My current project went through a ton of changes, and if I had posted about it months ago, the info would have been completely obsolete by now. Having a solidified plot/story-line is a must! None of this "I'm thinking it will be about blah blah blah crap. ::)
my 2 cents
-Logan
So what are we deciding on for new rules? Any more ideas? I'm only asking we get this finished so we can finaly update the rules thread and get this underway.
Furthermore, what are we going to do about past threads? Us mods should go through and filter them, this way we can save some bandwith and organize this place. Also, should we give some sort of warning about this if we do it? For example, my thread can definately be deleted, but I'd like to keep the story and everything else the same. A warning would give everyone time to copy stuff down if they want before we go deleting (for threads that need it I mean).
--Snake
Dont clean every forum, Leave the tech ones as is, I search it daily.
lol, have you read this entire thread? We're talking about THIS forum... ;)
--Snake
Yes, I have been reading this threads evolution over the past days.
QuoteFurthermore, what are we going to do about past threads? Us mods should go through and filter them, this way we can save some bandwith and organize this place.
That line threw me off as when I think mods I think global.
Um I don't think it is a good idea to delete threads that hace been locked due to cancellation. Sure some games, like really small ones, that you don't expect to make an impact on the community should probably be deleted if they get cancelled. A game like By The Sword has a big thread, and it probably wouldn't be good to just delete it. Thats jus my opinion. The problem with that is how do you decide what to lock, and what to delete. Personally, I vote that you lock the threads, as we do currently, but don't delete them.
I thought we already settled this by saying that the current rules would be enforced more strictly.
If we were to change the rules, we can't really go back locking/deleting threads that were perfectly fine when they were first posted, so it would have to apply to new threads only.
Well I was referring to Snakes post about what the new rules should be.
I think it's under control now.
With Snake back, and AGA helping out too, I think it'll be fine just being more strict on the current rules.
I don't really see the point of going through older posts and locking them up.
If they get dug up from the past (and don't meet current rules) we should lock them.Ã, Because most of those are "Hey, hows this game coming along?" and in most cases (I would guess) they're abandoned games anyway.
Okay, same rules, just more strict. Alright :) For some reason I thought someone said we needed some new strict rules.
--Snake
Is there some way of locking a thread or moving it that doesn't leave a thread on the front page?
Locked and moved threads still make a mess of the forum...
Yes, actually there'll be a redirection post after moving a thread only when you told it to do so.
However, I think such posts would move down the list soon if when people post new topics or in other threads anyways, so they should not be a large problem.
I think this forum needs to have really strict rules, that are enforced with an iron fist! It's crazy in here. I used to love checking in here for new games, but there's so much trash in here... And I know I'm guilty of it two, I've posted two games before that I eventually gave up on.
I know it'd be a bit of work... but why not have each new game thread has to be reviewed by a mod first. So the creator PM's a mod, and gives them the lowdown, the details, the screenies, and if it's sounding okay (Okay as in - it's actually being worked on, and will continue to be worked on)... then let them post about their upcoming game.
Snakes rules are good, as we ll.
I agree with most of what's been said here, this forum definetly needs new rules, to make it more appealing for everyone. MAGS games should be allowed to be posted in my opinion, but personally i wouldn't post them since they'd be so near completion they'll just be posted in the Completed forum soon after.
One thing I don't like is the idea or deleting threads, especcially those of completed games. Both the developers and the players may be interested in reading a GiP thread for a completed game much later on. Locking them 1 week or so after the game has been finished is a better idea in my opinion. As for cancelled games, if they were cancelled by the developer but the thread was legitimate and followed the rules, I think locking is enough, while if the thread didn't follow rules it should be locked and deleted after warning.
Just my 7 cents. ;)
I agree, I don't think they should be deleted & should be kept for reference - for example, I wanted to find a link that was posted in a GiP thread from a few months ago the other day, & I searched back for it, and luckily it had not been deleted.
Just my 7 whatever-currency-you-are-usings
I think the sight of may lock icons on the front page of this forum is beautiful. I say the moderator's are doing their job realy well. :)
I believe that the topics that are locked should be deleted instead of locked to free webspace in the forums thank you. Eliminate my topic also because I am still a newbie. Thank you.
Stop digging up old threads! LOL
But; sweet! I made the screenshots suggestion all those years ago. Awesomeo :)
Wow, things that go "bump" in the night.
I remember this thread from way back when.