Author Topic: Feedback for new site (Read 501 times)

Chakan · « **on:** September 19, 2006, 11:06:15 AM »

Hey guys, I was wondering if I could get some early feedback on an idea I've had for a site. Usually, when I start getting into something, I read up on it a Lot. Eventually, I end up with a lot of notes and have started a number of websites in this manner. I started SegaFans back in August of 1999 after spending a summer with my "newly" purchased Saturn, and it looks like it's the PC Engine's turn now. ^^

The basic idea behind it is to provide some general info on PC Engine and PC Engine Duo games for English-speaking gamers. This means some plot, explanation of Japanese menus, controls, screenshots, and whatever big secrets or cheats that are available. This example page was just kind of thrown together to provide a few ideas, but I'm sure I'd take more time with the real deal.

Dracula X

Let me know what you guys think.

In addition to game information, I'd also include some hardware help, like how to operate the Tennokoe Bank, internal memory, etc. Some of this stuff isn't completely obvious if you're clueless.

Just so you know, I'm not fluent in Japanese or anything. I can hunt and peck through my resources and do plenty of trial and error. I figure if I can save myself and other gamers time and OMFGIFORMATTEDMYMEMORY trouble, it's worth it.

Keranu · « **Reply #1 on:** September 19, 2006, 11:23:42 AM »

I like the layout of the site and the layout of the Dracula X review as well, though I'd like two make a couple suggestions for the screenshots: 1. ) This might just be me, but I think it would be best to size the screenshots 2x the size of their original resolution. Since most PCE games' resolutions are 256x224, you could double their size to 512x448; that way you get a bigger image size and the pixel aspect is the same. 2. ) This is very minor, but centering the screenshots in the middle of the page might look nicer.

Keep up the good work, looks to be a promising site.

EDIT: By the way, your Dracula X page came in handy for me since I wasn't aware of how to unlock Maria

. Very cool tips you have on that page.

Chakan · « **Reply #2 on:** September 19, 2006, 11:29:48 AM »

Thanks, Keranu. The screens that I tossed up were stolen from another site. I will fire up Magic Engine when I get to revising and expanding the Dracula X page and will make better use of the horizontal space at that point. I will use either bigger images or thumnails. Will know when I experiment, I guess.

Dracula X isn't exactly the best example of what I intend to do, as it's not Japanese-heavy.

Keranu · « **Reply #3 on:** September 19, 2006, 11:41:35 AM »

Ahh I gotcha. I think thumnails would be best, as you posted.

Black Tiger · « **Reply #4 on:** September 19, 2006, 01:53:56 PM »

Looks good. I really like how you opened with a translation of the evil intro.

I like single pages for games with all the available data together and I also like sites that keep everything short and sweet while still being informative(like vgden).

I also love personal, opiniony, non-formal, talky kinda commentary. Basically, the way you talked about the game, instead of just listing everything technically. Too many retro sites read like dictionaries.

I was going to mention the screen shot thing that keranu did. My personal preference is original sized gifs. If you do end up blowing them up, I not only recommend sticking to 2x, 3x, etc... but also not to use any filters, since it pretty much destroys the original image(damn you Capcom Classic Coll Vol 1!

).

I also like all the game-related links on the same page. Altogether, you'll get people coming back when they google a game and find everything like that on the same page.

Odonadon · « **Reply #5 on:** September 19, 2006, 04:47:14 PM »

This is great and something that is definetely needed. I myself try to stay away from Japanese heavy games so I don't waste my time trying to figure out what's going on. A site like this will give me some good info to read and let me try some of the games I've been avoiding. Keep going man, don't stop with Drac X

As for screenshots and whatnot - doesn't matter to me. As long as I have some semblance of an idea of what the game is like, I'm good. I don't want to see gameplay videos or anything like that - 3 or 4 screenshots (even at ~100x100 IMHO) is perfect. I find gameplay vids spoil the game - I'd rather play it myself then watch someone else play it, so if you could avoid those I'd take it as a personal favour

OD

sunteam_paul · « **Reply #6 on:** September 19, 2006, 11:39:44 PM »

It would be very valuable if you concentrated on RPGs and other games that are very menu-driven, especially those with a lot of kanji in them.

Chakan · « **Reply #7 on:** September 20, 2006, 12:06:27 AM »

Thanks for all of the positive feedback, guys. I just wanted to be sure I was taking a unique enough approach and providing something useful.

One of the features I was looking for in the CMS I chose (Drupal), was the ability for regular users to submit articles. Eventually, anyone will be able to mimic what I end up doing and coverage will, eventually, expand exponentially. Mmm... alliteration is hot! So, yeah, be sure to register guys!

I'm happy my host has decided to help me fix my database problem that has resulted in any errors you guys saw yesterday.

Does anyone know of a place where I can get clean images of NEC hardware? I don't necessarily want to take them from someone else's site without asking.

FM-77 · « **Reply #8 on:** September 20, 2006, 02:26:05 AM »

It kinda looks like some kind of support site or something. "Download Linux updates here." A new skin would be nice.

lkermel · « **Reply #9 on:** September 20, 2006, 05:14:09 AM »

This is a great idea, very promissing site Chakan. I agree with most of the comments here, especially regarding snapshots. I'd avoid filtering them at all costs.
There're so many obscure RPGs and Simulation games for the PC Engine system, your site could easily become a reference !!!
Do not hesitate to contact me in the future, I'd be delighted to add it to my list of links at VGDen

Odonadon · « **Reply #10 on:** September 20, 2006, 08:19:37 AM »

Quote from: "Seldane"

It kinda looks like some kind of support site or something. "Download Linux updates here." A new skin would be nice.

Do I really need to comment on that dude? It IS a support site.

OD

Chakan · « **Reply #11 on:** September 24, 2006, 06:29:40 AM »

Well guys, my host has fixed that issue for me and I was terminated from my job just the other day. Looks like I'll have a little bit of spare time to flesh this site out and "open" it properly.

Feel free to register your favorite nicknames, etc.

SignOfZeta · « **Reply #12 on:** September 24, 2006, 06:56:18 AM »

I would be very interested in contributing to a site like this. I've been toying with the same idea for...a seriously long time.

The PC Engine has a lot of really unique games that will baffle gaijin utterly, but could be enjoyed quite a bit with a few tips. An excellent example of this would be Dragon Ball Z. DBZ for PCE was one of the best DB games ever released at that time but it was a very unconventional fighting game that people have a very hard time trying to figure out. The load times make it much more frustrating. Once you know what to do though, its a very good title for a DB fan, or just for anyone that wants something original.

The big question for non-Japanese speakers when looking at a text heavy games they know nothing about is, "Is this thing going to get played, or will it be a waste of money that just sits on my shelf until I put it back on eBay?", and a site that helps with that would be a great resource for the community.

Chakan · « **Reply #13 on:** September 24, 2006, 06:57:33 AM »

I will be wide open for contributions. ^^

Just give me a little time to get things ready.

SignOfZeta · « **Reply #14 on:** September 24, 2006, 07:04:53 AM »

Cool.