New Video Game Console Website - Feedback Requested

[Marriott_Guy]

Hello all.

I would like your feedback on a website project that I have been working on for the past few months - The Video Game Console Library.

This site is dedicated to both mainstream and the obscure video game systems, with technical data and reviews/ratings on each. Only about 20 pages or so have been uploaded and completed, but I would appreciate your feedback at this early stage nonetheless.

You will notice that this site is a collaboration between various individuals, including reviews from 98PaceCar and articles contributed by Dark Watcher and The Video Game Critic (all respected video game enthusiasts/website operators). The goal is to provide accurate and stimulating reading on the hardware that drives the games we love that both the collector and gamer would find interesting. We collectively own 99% of every system ever made (referring to consoles) and want to provide a first hand account of each.

As the site develops, multiple reviews on the same system will be displayed together, to give the reader a few different points of perspective on said system.

The link to the site:

http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com

Main feedback I am looking for is the overall look and feel of the site, ease of navigation and layout of the article and system pages. Please let me know how you like the reviews as well (either here or in the Comments section of each page). To avoid hunting through the menu for the pages that are 'live', please refer to the Site Map page which gives a direct link to them (I am still adding a ton of consoles to this page too, so this is under construction as well):

http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/main-map.htm

Thanks all and I look forward to your thoughts.

[JunkTheMagicDragon]

i've used darkwatcher's site (as well as ucd and vidgame.net) for reference many times. is this site intended to succeed his database?

as far as your site goes, i really like the way the menu bar splits everything up nicely but still allows for quick access to the page you want. your content (length of review/description, pix, flyers, etc) also seems to outclass other sites'.

i'm really enjoying what i'm seeing so far. can't wait to see the finished product.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks for the feedback Junk. To answer your question, no, my site is not being designed to succeed his database. I have been chatting with DW and we are collaborating on some items at this point, and we are both supportive of each other's respective site.

I am glad that you found the site easy to use and navigate. The goal is to have a crisp, clean and uncluttered look while still providing the eye candy people are looking for at times. The incorporating of video and some of the other's items was something that I thought was important to give a better first hand perspective of the system and games.

Thank you very much for the comments - it is greatly appreciated.

Terry

[tom]

Very nice website, very clean, that's the way to do it. But no handhelds?
CDi was not created primarily as a gaming device though.

[Marriott_Guy]

Hello Tom - thanks for checking out the site. Handhelds, children's and pc hybrids (TI 99/4A, etc.) will probably have their own section down the road - the main consoles will be completed first. Yes - The CD-i was not initially created to be a gaming device, but eventually ended up being one. The same holds true for the Memorex VIS. Both were intended to be interactive multimedia devices catering to all members of the household - edutainment, gaming, movies, etc. Their inclusion is not really optional and their place in the development of video game hardware is paramount (imho).

Thanks again!

Terry

[Cloud121]

Holy hell that's a nice site! I was looking at the 3DO section, and that alone is just incredible. If you can get all the other sections to match that one (or surpass it), I think you'll become my new favorite website.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks Cloud - glad you like. The 3DO page is the most extensive. I have to add more video for the obscure systems I have that are featured in action, but they are coming. Add me to your favs gamer :) The updates and uploads are coming every few days...

[Rev. Link]

Wow, what a cool reference site! It'll be nice when it's finished and I can finally learn the differences between some of those consoles. Very good!

[cyberfluxor]

Yes, love the template, color scheme, and flow of the site. Also it's nice that regardless of whether viewed in Opera, FireFox, or IE it is the same. That's a rough thing to accomplish sometimes depending on what tools your working with. Good job and keep it up, lots of potential there.

Oh, and are you a web designer or deal with scripting or graphics in some way? It's so professional looking that even if for some reason handling it gets out of hand it's a good resume piece.

[Mobius]

Just a minor quibble, but it seems your criteria for including a console on your site would exclude the Vectrex, since it has a built-in monitor, but it's vector-based instead of sprite-based.

[Vectorman0]

Just a minor quibble, but it seems your criteria for including a console on your site would exclude the Vectrex, since it has a built-in monitor, but it's vector-based instead of sprite-based.


Speaking of Vectrex, was I the only one to notice the resemblance between the website and Vectrex logos?

[PDorr3]

Looks great so far, navigation is simple and easy to use. If you can intergrate the same quality of images/information to each console page I think your site will become one of the best reference sites for consoles out there. Of course it still has a ways to go considering no handhelds are yet listed, but I look forward to watching the growth of the site.

[Marriott_Guy]

Wow, what a cool reference site! It'll be nice when it's finished and I can finally learn the differences between some of those consoles. Very good!

Thanks Rev - glad you like!


Yes, love the template, color scheme, and flow of the site. Also it's nice that regardless of whether viewed in Opera, FireFox, or IE it is the same. That's a rough thing to accomplish sometimes depending on what tools your working with. Good job and keep it up, lots of potential there.

Oh, and are you a web designer or deal with scripting or graphics in some way? It's so professional looking that even if for some reason handling it gets out of hand it's a good resume piece.

Thanks cyber. I did test it extensively across the major browsers to ensure a consistent look/feel. Just a few table borders here and there that I have to tweak. No - I am not a web designer - I program software, scripting and web design as a hobby on the side.


Just a minor quibble, but it seems your criteria for including a console on your site would exclude the Vectrex, since it has a built-in monitor, but it's vector-based instead of sprite-based.

Mobious - you are dead on right. The Vectrex always to seem to straddle the line a bit when being classified. I would be remiss if this system was not included though (maybe I need to rework my criteria? )


Speaking of Vectrex, was I the only one to notice the resemblance between the website and Vectrex logos?
Hmmm... I hadn't thought of that Vector. The basis for the main graphic was to keep it clean and simple.


Looks great so far, navigation is simple and easy to use. If you can integrate the same quality of images/information to each console page I think your site will become one of the best reference sites for consoles out there. Of course it still has a ways to go considering no handhelds are yet listed, but I look forward to watching the growth of the site.

Thanks PDorr... Yes, handhelds will be have to be down the road, and this is an area that I definitely not an expert in. Thanks for compliments regarding the navigation and look.

__________________________________________________ _____________


Thanks again for the feedback, kind words, support and suggestions - it is truly appreciated!

[LGB]

Nice layout; "loads in about 2 seconds but still looks good AND you can tell what you are doing" kind.

[tag274]

I think the site is layed out well and will look good when its finished

[Andred]

Very nice site. The detail of the information is great and I especially enjoy the clear pictures of rare consoles/games. Keep up the good work.

P.S. You should use a screen of Maze Craze for your site map page :)

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks for the feedback LGB, tag and Andred - much appreciated! I am especially glad to hear the load time is optimal. I like the Maze ideo too :)

Question - Do you like the ability to add your comments in the bottom section of a respective console page? A better question yet - is everyone able to see the number of comments (listed below the console name), and the comments/control to add your own? Example:

http://www.videogameconsolelibrary.com/pg80-rdi.htm

Thanks in advance for everyone's continued feedback and suggestions - they are definitely assisting me.

Terry

[Berserker]

Question - Do you like the ability to add your comments in the bottom section of a respective console page? A better question yet - is everyone able to see the number of comments (listed below the console name), and the comments/control to add your own?

No, not for a reference site.

Actually, the more I've been thinking about it the more I'm against comments on just about any site. At one extreme, no one leaves any comments, and it indicates that no one really visits your site. At the other, tons of people leaving comments, making every page 30 screens long, with only 1/30th of it being your actual site content, and the rest being either random offhand comments, or flame-wars.

Also, you now have to actively police every page you've enabled comments on for spam, or spend money/time/both employing measures to try and block it.

And even if tons of people leave comments you'll likely still have no centralized community around your site to show for it, because the defacto comments system by its very nature is totally decentralized, and even great conversations, should they somehow occur, will be either lost in the noise or forgotten as clutter. At best, you'll have tons of people who come and go indifferently, kind of like vagrants.

There are ways to encourage a community around your site, but this is not really one of them, IMO.

[Marriott_Guy]

Excellent feedback and thoughts Berserker. The Comment section was the one of the most recent items I added to the design. I can understand fully your post - those are items that I have contemplated on as well. Your are correct - VGCL is a reference site, with rather static information once complete (with the exception of Expert commentaries being added - thanks goes to 98PaceCar for that idea). My goal was to incorporate user interaction - this might not be necessary on the individual pages, or at all for that matter.

Though the forum is built and complete for my site, it is not yet public. I am not sure if it is even needed or would be utilized with the communities like here at DP, RFG, Assemblers, et al have already established. My gut tells me that the forum is not needed - respective website communities do a much better job than I ever could hope to do. I did feel that I needed some sort of visitor interaction. I considered a simple rating poll at the top of the page under the Console Title instead of the Comments... maybe that is the way to go.

I am open to suggestions all. I was chatting earlier with 98PaceCar and we have a number of good ideas on how to both make the VGCL site better and to complete it within a reasonable amount of time.

As always, I thank you in advance for your assistance and feedback.

[Phosphor Dot Fossils]

Actually, the more I've been thinking about it the more I'm against comments on just about any site. At one extreme, no one leaves any comments, and it indicates that no one really visits your site. At the other, tons of people leaving comments, making every page 30 screens long, with only 1/30th of it being your actual site content, and the rest being either random offhand comments, or flame-wars. Also, you now have to actively police every page you've enabled comments on for spam, or spend money/time/both employing measures to try and block it.
I agree 2,897% on the above statement. Community is a great way to build a site, but for two things:

1. The community will have to be policed, and if the site does show any sign of growth, it will take more than you to do this.

2. You've no guarantee that the aforementioned kind of growth will happen, which means you're stuck with comment areas or forums that are dead, which tends to look bad.

At the beginning of this year I retired as a DP mod/admin after nearly 5 years, mainly to lessen the obligation that comes with that position since I have a little one crawling around now, demanding my attention. I've occasionally had thoughts about starting a forum on my own web site, usually after the site's readers asked me if that was ever going to happen, but truth be told, I no more want to constantly police my own site than I do this one now - I've had my fill. I just want to write some articles, post 'em, and move on; if anyone needs to interact with me, I've got a blog for that sort of thing.

My best advice is to skip "comments" and just open a forum if you're absolutely dead-set on interacting with your audience. That way everything is in one place, and more importantly it can all be managed from one place. Make it easy on yourself.

[Berserker]

Though the forum is built and complete for my site, it is not yet public. I am not sure if it is even needed or would be utilized with the communities like here at DP, RFG, Assemblers, et al have already established. My gut tells me that the forum is not needed - respective website communities do a much better job than I ever could hope to do.

I couldn't agree more. Established communities like this one and others are basically going to form the bread-and-butter of your site audience at this earlier stage. My suggestion would be not to bring the forum public at this point, but also to NOT abandon it. Just keep it on ice for now. When the site grows into a large enough entity to easily warrant its own community, believe me you'll know. The demand for it will be loud, clear, and very hard to ignore.

Visitor interaction is important, but what's also important is to keep in mind why visitors will want to interact with your site -- content. Content is king, especially for a site like this, and should supersede all else, including visitor interaction if it comes right down to it. Know what I mean? Still, keep your contact information easily available, so that people can seek you out and tell you how awesome they think your site is. A simple user rating system is also not a bad idea at all.

By the way, I'm really digging the site so far, very nicely designed. Hopefully it'll become the next indispensable reference. It definitely has the potential. Good luck!

[Marriott_Guy]

Thank you very much Berserker and Phosphor for the suggestions and thoughts - I am definitely sold. You are both right - the main purpose of the site is purely reference. I, too, have limited time resources to devote to managing a forum or Comments section. Like you Phospher, I recently went on hiatus from my staff position at RF Generation due to this same reason (not enough time).

I have removed the Comments area from each of the pages and replaced it with the author information and date (for ease of visitor contact as suggested by Berserker). I also re-enabled the left mouse button context menu (suggested by many).

Thanks to Pdorr3 for actually adding one comment (Nuon) - I did appreciate it and did read it before removing the Comments section of each page on the site.

Thanks again all - your input is greatly appreciated and is not falling upon deaf ears.

[Ed Oscuro]

To be included in this site, a gaming system must conform to all the following:
o Must primarily be a gaming device
This doesn't make much sense to me. The CD-i wasn't marketed by Philips as a gaming machine, yet that's pretty much all it's used for now. My attitude is - if it can play games and has good unique titles (or at least the best of some multiformat title) then it's worthwhile.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks Ed for the feedback. There are a number of systems that were not directly marketed as a video game console in addition to the CD-i. As you pointed out, gaming is it's primary focus now. There are a few systems that I have included that could be considered 'tweeners', but the main purpose of establishing the general guidelines for inclusion is to make the distinction between handhelds and the computer hybrids. It is not an exact science, but I had to start from somewhere.

If you have any ideas on how to better these, please let me know (as well as any system that should be listed as a Main Console but is missing).

Thanks.

[Player-2]

Content is king. Nice layout. This is a thread I started last year. Please feel free to use this list to expand your site. This is my collection of consoles...I am missing about six of them.
PASTE:
I have put together my collection list of every gaming console and variant made and released for the USA market from the last century....1972 to 2000ish. This list includes gaming consoles and handhelds (that can play different games)...plus variants.
No dedicated machines were included except pong....cause it's pong.
I have left some of the "computer consoles" and most computer variants out. The list is mainly for gaming consoles, but I know it can be a fine line.
And no color variations for newer consoles.
Can you see anything I am missing? I want to make sure my collection is complete. Hope this list will be handy for other collectors!

Basic Criteria: was the console mostly designed to play an interchangeable game?

Player-2 USA gaming console and handheld list:

3D0 goldstar frontload
3D0 panasonic fz-1 topload xxxxxxxxxx
3D0 panasonic fz-10 frontload
action max
advanced game player handheld
adventurevision
apf m1000
apf mp1000
arcadia 2001
arcadia 2001 clone intelligent game mpt-03
arcadia 2001 clone tryom
astrocade
astrocade bally computer system white
astrocade bally computer system woodgrain
astrocade bally professional arcade Mont Wards xxxxxxxxxxxxx
astrocade bally professional arcade woodgrain
atari 2600 4 switch black
atari 2600 4 switch promotional unit
atari 2600 4 switch woodgrain
atari 2600 6 switch woodgrain
atari 2600 6 switch woodgrain heavy sixer
atari 2600 columbia home arcade xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
atari 2600 gemini
atari 2600 junior long rainbow
atari 2600 junior short rainbow
atari 2600 telegames sears 4 switch
atari 2600 telegames sears 6 switch
atari 2600 telegames sears 6 switch heavy sixer
atari 2600 telegames sears video arcade II console
atari 5200 2 switch
atari 5200 4 switch
atari 7800 w expansion port
atari 7800 wo expansion port
atari jaguar
atari jaguar cd addon
atari lynx
atari lynx version 2
atari XE
cd32 amiga commodore
cdi consoles
cdi portables
cdtv commodore
channel f
channel f II
channel f itt telematch console xxxxxxxxxxx
colecovision
colecovision dina by telegames
colecovision dina telegames 2in1 by bitcorp xxxxxxxxxxxx
computer atari series
computer coleco adam
computer commodore 64 128 series
computer commodore vic 20
computer mattel aquarius
computer socrates
computer ti-99 4a beige
computer ti-99 4a silver
computer tomy tutor
computer trs-80 coco series
game.com pocket pro
game.com pro system backlit black
game.com system
intellivision 1 mattel
intellivision 1 sears telegames super video arcade
intellivision 1 sylvania/gte
intellivision II
intellivision III
intellivision super pro-system
intellivision tandyvision one
laseractive nec
laseractive pioneer
memorex vis microsoft OS
microvision 1 battery
microvision 2 battery
neo geo
neo geo cd
neo geo pocket black and white
neo geo pocket color
nintendo DS
nintendo DS mario kart edition
nintendo DS lite
nintendo gameboy
nintendo gameboy advance
nintendo gameboy advance gold NYC pokemon edition
nintendo gameboy advance SP
nintendo gameboy advance SP version 2.0 (backlit)
nintendo gameboy advance SP NES look-a-like
nintendo gameboy color
nintendo gameboy color pikachu edition (gold unit with pikachu on screen)
nintendo gameboy color pokemon edition (blue / yellow unit with pokemon and pokeball on screen)
nintendo gameboy micro
nintendo gameboy pocket
nintendo gamecube with one video out
nintendo gamecube with two video outs
nintendo N64
nintendo N64 pikachu
nintendo nes frontload
nintendo nes topload
nintendo nes messiah
nintendo nes yobo
nintendo nes snes FC twin 8-16 bit
nintendo super nintendo
nintendo super nintendo compact
nintendo Virtual Boy
nuon enhanced console samsung dvd-n2000 (1st)
nuon enhanced console samsung dvd-n501 (best)
nuon enhanced console toshiba
odyssey 1 run A
odyssey 1 run B
odyssey 2 detatchable controllers
odyssey 2 wired controllers
playstation 1 grey w/av jacks (1st)
playstation 1 grey w/o av jacks
playstation 1 ps1 compact
playstation 2 compact topload
playstation 2 frontload
playstation PSP portable
pong c-100
pong super pong
pong telegames
pong ultra pong 4 way
r-zone headgear
r-zone superscreen
r-zone xpg xtreme pocket gear
sega 32x
sega cd cdx
sega cd frontload
sega cd topload
sega cd xeye
sega dreamcast black
sega dreamcast white
sega gamegear black flatscreen
sega gamegear black rounded screen
sega gamegear blue
sega gamegear majesco
sega genesis 1 version A altered beast
sega genesis 1 version B "high definition grapics"
sega genesis 1 version C
sega genesis 2
sega genesis 3
sega genesis nomad handheld
sega master system
sega master system II
sega pico
sega saturn oval buttons
sega saturn round buttons
select-a-game
studio II rca
supervision watara
supervision magnum
telstar arcade
turbografx 16
turbografx 16 cd rom addon
turbografx turbo-duo
turbografx turbo-express
vectrex
xavix
xbox
xbox halo edition

END PASTE

[Marriott_Guy]

Thank you very much Player-2 - much appreciated! I am still working on adding all the variations/additional models to the Site Map page and this will definitely assist me. There are a few of the variations that you have listed that I don't have - I might hit you up for a few pics and feature them (you would of course receive full credit).

Thanks again all.

[Viraneth]

It's a nice, professional looking site. I like the premise, it's a good reference tool. I'd be more than happy to help with the site.

[Marriott_Guy]

Thanks Virneth, both both the comments and the PM. Thanks for the assistance!!

Terry

[Player-2]

I would be happy to help with the pix....I don't need any of the credit. It's great to see a site dedicated to this specific hobby.