Choose the AGS Website of the future!

Peter Thomas · Fri 09/04/2004 12:02:35

I like Vel's entry.

It's very clear and concise. No mix-up about it being the 'home-page' for his game or what-not, PLUS it looks pretty groovy.

The only other thought I had, was that if it's only a limited number of banners submitted (5 or so), then it's quite possible for the SAME banner to be thrown up repeatedly using the random method. Would it be possible to 'sequence' them, so that every time you open the site, a cookie remembers what the last banner was, and selects ANOTHER one?!

Vel · Fri 09/04/2004 12:06:20

People who finish games are many. People who finish games that are actually worth playing are few.

Peter Thomas · Fri 09/04/2004 12:15:51

yeah - that's what I mean. I assume CJ would only want to put up games that reflect the true potential of AGS, which would cut the number of banners significantly, because most people are just out to 'make a game', as opposed to 'make a GREAT game'.

With such a limited number of possible banners, surely SOMEONE out there would have the problem of it's-always-the-same-banner-and-it's-annoying. no?

It's almost like over-promotion for one game, and under-promotion for another. I'm not saying that this will be a big point of debate, but there must be a fairer way to select which banner shows, rather than just randomize it...

Vel · Fri 09/04/2004 12:20:45

I disagree, Peter. For me, it was make a game first. I made one(although not with AGS), finished it and I never released it, becasue it was crap - it's not that I didn't put effort in it, I just guess that a 11 year old cant do better :

. Then came the challenges, make a mags-winning game, make an award-nominated game, and now it is make an award-winning game. People should start with little so that they can progress.

Peter Thomas · Fri 09/04/2004 14:00:01

point taken

But, despite best efforts, first-time games rarely make the 'astounding' grade.

Or is that just me ?!

Vel · Fri 09/04/2004 14:17:26

First time games often show only the graphical potential of the creator; since you think"ok, Im gonna make a game with the first plot that comes to mind".

Pumaman · Fri 09/04/2004 17:15:47

I think the best plan would be to use a single montage-style banner on the actual website, but then to have random rotating banners here on the forums. So each time you click around the forum the banner changes.

Czar · Fri 09/04/2004 18:33:02

Quote from: Vel on Fri 09/04/2004 12:20:45
Then came the challenges, make a mags-winning game, make an award-nominated game, and now it is make an award-winning game. People should start with little so that they can progress.

Like you were talking about Apprentice

Vel · Fri 09/04/2004 21:01:27

I was talking about apprentice a few posts above, Czar

Darth Mandarb · Fri 09/04/2004 21:04:39

Quote from: Pumaman on Fri 09/04/2004 17:15:47
I think the best plan would be to use a single montage-style banner on the actual website, but then to have random rotating banners here on the forums. So each time you click around the forum the banner changes.

I think this is the way to go.

Once a person reaches the forums, they know what's what. But it could be confusing on the main page.

Squinky · Fri 09/04/2004 22:00:17

I have noting more to add this this conversation except to say that all you cool bastards that put my games into the banners will have a special place in squinky's funky loving afterlife....

Duzz · Sat 10/04/2004 03:04:05

Quote from: Squinky on Fri 09/04/2004 22:00:17
I have noting more to add this this conversation except to say that all you cool bastards that put my games into the banners will have a special place in squinky's funky loving afterlife....

I concur most vehemently =)

InCreator · Sun 11/04/2004 00:57:49

Rotating banners in forums is good. If it doesn't work, there's another idea:
On games page we have already a thing called "Pick of the month". Think...

AGS_guy · Mon 12/04/2004 19:45:51

In my personal opinion, I like the one we've got now

Rui 'Trovatore' Pires · Tue 13/04/2004 16:12:33

InCreator's made a very nice point. A banner whoch reflected the game of the month.

Or... here's my sixpence. What about a banner which included something from all the games that won awards in the current year? (new award giving=new banner, of course).

Oh well. If not, the rotating banner idea is wonderful, although I also think it'd need a mention of AGS somewhere in it, like, I don't know, ADVENTURE GAME STUDIO with the initials in bold in the lower right corner, out of the way but not to be missed...

Pumaman · Sat 17/04/2004 22:18:05

Ok, well I've finally got my finger out and updated the website. The tutorial pages are not yet converted due for technical reasons, but I'll get them done later.

Other than that, if you notice any problems please do let me know.

Finally, I've added a new Forum FAQ here:
http://www.agsforums.com/forumfaq.shtml

designed to cut down on the number of repetitive posts we get. Let me know if there's anything you think should be added/changed on that page.

remixor · Sat 17/04/2004 23:19:35

Is there a reason the page is displayed in a frameset? I don't really like that if you are browsing the site by way of adventuregamestudio.co.uk, the address bar always shows the root address rather than the specific address of the page you're on.

Pumaman · Sat 17/04/2004 23:24:49

It has always been that way and is by design, to show the adventuregamestudio.co.uk is the main URL to browse through. Otherwise, going via .co.uk would immediately redirect the address bar to agsforums.com. Since agsforums.com is just a temporary domain name I don't want people using in their bookmarks, etc.

remixor · Sat 17/04/2004 23:27:51

For some reason, I don't remember even noticing that before. Well, carry on then.

InCreator · Sun 18/04/2004 02:40:50

Hm. FAQ is very clear and explaining. But I think there's one thing missing: "How do I ask for help and where".

Like, people are still posting into tech forum to ask how to do this or that in some game...
And Beginners tech is at the moment a place to get yourself a free storyline for sci-fi game.
There could be some stuff in FAQ which explains how to ask for help, how to explain the problem, provide a problematic script if needed and so on. So far, many questions are like "I want to make Gabriel Knight 3! Where do I click?" and yeah, go and answer that....