Charas-Project
Off-Topic => Archive => Old Game Discussion => Topic started by: Meiscool-2 on August 16, 2008, 09:31:09 AM
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Hello. The Games section of the forum is designed for the promotion of amature game creations. The purpose of posting here is to gain constructive criticism from other game designers and forum goers. However, before you post your game to be advertised and viewed by your forum peers, we ask that you fulfill the majority of the below prerequisites. Not doing so will hamper your chances of getting a positive responce from the public.
Topics made specifically for advertising a new game (Meaning no lengthy playable demo is out yet or near being finished) should have the following:
- At least two paragraphs describing the game
- Two screenshots of in-game content (Fan Art, Title Screens, Game Over Screens, Menu Screens, and Mockups do NOT count.)
- Description of basic plot. This can be included in your two paragraphs.
- Character bio of main/player character. Every game has a main character; if you can't give a bio about him, then state why.
- Use the EDIT function for minor updates.
Topics made for releasing a demo or to create a hype for a soon-to-be-released demo should have the following:
- At least three paragraphs describing the game
- Four screenshots/gameplay videos of in-game content, preferable to be taken in different places (Fan Art, Title Screens, Game Over Screens, Menu Screens, and Mockups do NOT count.)
- Description of basic overall plot, with an additional description of what is going on in the demo.
- List of known bugs/flaws in the demo. Address each bug, or tell people how not to trigger the bugs.
- Working download link for your game.
- Character bios are liked, but not needed. At least list the most important characters.
- Keep all major information and updates in your first post by means of the EDIT function.
- Make sure to let the forum know which Game Making Program you used to make your demo.
By following all these rules, it greatly increases your chances of having a successful game topic that people will enjoy posting in. Enjoy the Games Forum.
Additional Tips from Prpl_Mage:
To the new members reading this and getting all scared!
If you get confused why noone is downloading your game or doesn't reply kindly. What is mentioned in this thread might be the answer.
Members on the internet is basicly too lazy to bother clicking a link to your webpage where you got your game.
Doing that is more or less just advertisement, you don't even bother telling us what it is.
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Actually explaining what the game is about is a perfect way to get attention and get members interested. You might have a great game, but a bad description greatly reduces your chances to get possitive replies.
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Screenshots show us how skilled you are with mapmaking and graphic handling. Some people want to play good-looking games, showing a screenshot will make them know what to expect.
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Character descriptions show the members how well you've planned the game as well as your imagination and creativity. This is another good thing to do so that people can quickly see if they can expect a serious, quick, lazy or beginner- kind of game.
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Writing a explaination about the overall plot is good as well, this is another good way to catch people's interest. Don't get all upset if someone says the story is cliché, it's very common. Especially when it is a question about a kidnapped princess, elemental temples and a nation starting a war for no apparent reason.
The overall explaination will show members what to expect of the game story-wise. Don't spoil your grand plot though.
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If you get negative replies. Take them to heart and use the critism to make the game better, we are not trying to be mean(although some members got it easier to appear that way than others).
Suggestions is what we should give you; but all members really doesn't have that gift to be educational, so some members may say it better than others.
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Good job Meis.
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Yes, this is needed. Good work, should be sticked.
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Now if this is gonna be stickied, one of the pointless stickies should be removed, my Threads being kicked to page 2 :O lol
good thing my game thread consists of 46000 characters of information :D
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Almost none of the links in the ~Completed Games and Demos~ topic work, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to unstickie that.
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Awesome, Meis , it's about time some one set the rules around here for posting games.
I'll do my best to abide by them. Good work.
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People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.
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People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.
What this topic does is prevents people from just making a topic saying "This is my game it is cool plz download it. Also, why has someone not stickied this.
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People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.
It's not set rules, they're just guidelines that are recommended to be followed if they want to have an attractive game thread and have it be played.
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Got that but when you emply "rules" you are setting boundries, boundries are the downfall of individualism and freedoms. Player made games are games spawned through creativity and indivduality.
By following all these rules, it greatly...
we ask that you fulfill the majority of the below prerequisites
Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions
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We arn't a dump site. All these rules are for are to help keep more quality games and responces in the forums. They are just like the rules of the forum. Flaming, for example, is against the rules, but we still do it and allow it from time to time.
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:P
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Almost none of the links in the ~Completed Games and Demos~ topic work, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to unstickie that.
I think a better option would be to wait until we can get those demos (Or the ones we can find, someone must have them) hosted on the site.
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We arn't a dump site.
No but we aren't a a dictatorship either, this is a public site. And people who dont
At least three paragraphs describing the game
Could have games just as good as anyone elses. This is a community where anyone can post thier games not just the ones you deem worthy.
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Yeah, Meis has just posted some guidelines. Calm.
Last i checked the guy didnt have power to enact new rules.
However, these guidelines are good.
Theyre also a bit of common sense.
Posting a rough storyline to an idea is lame if you have no work to back it up. Nobody takes it seriously
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I'm not going to lie that I completely disagree with the screenshot rule. I have seen fantastic games posted on the Internet that have provided no screenshots. While screens may be nice, they're not entirely necessary. A fully detailed description of the game will suffice when no screenshots are provided. Sometimes screens simply don't do a game justice, and I don't believe they're absolutely necessary to legitimize a thread. Even with my game, for instance, although it isn't an RPG, screens just make it look bad. My game isn't about eye-appeal, but fun music and arcade action. I believe screenshots would actually turn most people off to it.
I think this is especially true when a download link is provided, as most game threads have no sort of playable content anyway.
As for the other rules, I agree.
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Not doing so will hamper your chances of getting a positive responce from the public.
Yep, dictatorship. Complete hampering of creative thought. Definitely not:
suggestions for attention grabbing.
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To the new members reading this and getting all scared!
If you get confused why noone is downloading your game or doesn't reply kindly. What is mentioned in this thread might be the answer.
Members on the internet is basicly too lazy to bother clicking a link to your webpage where you got your game.
Doing that is more or less just advertisement, you don't even bother telling us what it is.
-----
Actually explaining what the game is about is a perfect way to get attention and get members interested. You might have a great game, but a bad description greatly reduces your chances to get possitive replies.
----
Screenshots show us how skilled you are with mapmaking and graphic handling. Some people want to play good-looking games, showing a screenshot will make them know what to expect.
---
Character descriptions show the members how well you've planned the game as well as your imagination and creativity. This is another good thing to do so that people can quickly see if they can expect a serious, quick, lazy or beginner- kind of game.
--
Writing a explaination about the overall plot is good as well, this is another good way to catch people's interest. Don't get all upset if someone says the story is cliché, it's very common. Especially when it is a question about a kidnapped princess, elemental temples and a nation starting a war for no apparent reason.
The overall explaination will show members what to expect of the game story-wise. Don't spoil your grand plot though.
-
If you get negative replies. Take them to heart and use the critism to make the game better, we are not trying to be mean(although some members got it easier to appear that way than others).
Suggestions is what we should give you; but all members really doesn't have that gift to be educational, so some members may say it better than others.
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Prpl_Mage has it right. I think you should start a new thread and add what you said to it. THAT should be stickied. You could really learn somthing from prpl Mies, take some notes.
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Okay. We need a Prpl Appreciation Day. Now.
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I'm not going to lie that I completely disagree with the screenshot rule. I have seen fantastic games posted on the Internet that have provided no screenshots. While screens may be nice, they're not entirely necessary. A fully detailed description of the game will suffice when no screenshots are provided. Sometimes screens simply don't do a game justice, and I don't believe they're absolutely necessary to legitimize a thread. Even with my game, for instance, although it isn't an RPG, screens just make it look bad. My game isn't about eye-appeal, but fun music and arcade action. I believe screenshots would actually turn most people off to it.
I think this is especially true when a download link is provided, as most game threads have no sort of playable content anyway.
As for the other rules, I agree.
Graphics are part of a game. They deserve the same spotlight as story, sound, playability, and are just as key of an advertising function as telling someone your character bios, plot, battle systems, etc.
And Rahl, Prpl put basically the same thing as I did only in a nicer and less direct way. I will, however, edit my original post to include his, as it is valueable.
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Just got back from vacation. Stickied.
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Graphics don't play as much a part as you say Mies. Some of the best games have had the worst graphics and mapping.
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Listen dude, don't argue. If you want to post your own guidelines, the ones that you feel people should follow, then do so and I will make a place for them in the first post so that people can read them.
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Or just make a game thread following nothing of what meiscool has posted and make him cry... CRY I TELL YOU!!!
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That sounds great Rock
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It's not so much of an argument as it is a suggestion. I'm just saying that saying you HAVE to post screens is a bit extreme. Technically, no one HAS to do anything, I know, but I'm talking in terms of the guidelines here. I think it would be better if you said they were STRONGLY SUGGESTED.
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Find where I say you MUST show screenshots and I'll say you win.
You won't find it, because these are guidelines. I tell people what they SHOULD have. Yes, several games have been successful without showing screens, but far more have been successful WITH them shown. Almost everyone can honestly admit that being able to visually see what a game has in store helps to better clearify if it is the type of game a person would be interested it. If you disagree with that, you are either stubborn or ignorant.
EDIT - To the below, you will notice edit times of this post and original post and such and blah blah :)
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Ninja edit!! you sneaky lol
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Ninja time edit!
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And this is why you should vote for me as a mayor. I have no life and can take care of bots or people lacking a few brain cells kicking old topic at five in the morning.
A vote for Cerebus is a vote for strict dictatorship.
Vote for me.
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No, vote me. I'm the only one who bothers throwing those bot posts together in a single threar and junk binning them.
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Hey, Cerebus, that also counts for me.
I haven't slept normally in like three months.
Go being nocturnal!