Ideas for a Dreamcast game database [Archive]

Simon

03-04-2006, 04:31 PM

I am playing around with an idea I have had for a while now and need some help from the knowledgeable people on this great forum.

I want to make a Dreamcast database, but with a difference. I do not want to go into detail with it as I don't want the "hook" to be imitated just yet, however I am having trouble with the amount of potential information that I should include.

Bearing in mind I am only looking at including UK released games, the current list of contents includes (on a per game basis):

Publisher
Developer
UK Release Date
Number Of Players
Genre
Product Code
Barcode
60Hz Mode
Peripherals (I.E VMU, Standard Controller, Racing Controller)
Magazine Scores (from dedicated DC mags here in the UK)
Cover art
Mini Review (this is more of an overview than a proper game review)
Screenshots

As I am trying to make it a "complete" resource, does anyone know of anything else I have missed, or they think should be included?

Your help is appreciated.

Regards
Simon

Yago

03-04-2006, 06:28 PM

Maybe a little tid bit on cheats or codes or whatever for a particular game. Hints etc.

Simon

03-04-2006, 06:30 PM

Maybe how many players.

Got that bit already, as for the cheats, they will be in a seperate section entirely, but with a link from the main game page.

Here is a first draft and strictly WIP of what I am trying to achieve, your comments are appreciated.

http://www.retrorevival.co.uk/pics/AquaGT.jpg

Regards
Simon

Julio III

03-04-2006, 07:40 PM

Publisher
Developer
UK Release Date
Number Of Players
Genre
Product Code
Barcode
60Hz Mode
Peripherals (I.E VMU, Standard Controller, Racing Controller)
Magazine Scores (from dedicated DC mags here in the UK)
Cover art
Mini Review (this is more of an overview than a proper game review)
Screenshots

Add to that whether it supports the VGA box, either as stated on the box or can be done using a boot disk.

This looks excellent so far. Maybe a scan of the back of the box as well as the front would be quite good.

s1lence

03-04-2006, 07:58 PM

It seems like you are focusing on the UK releases. How about including US release date or unavalible if it was a PAL exclusive?

Simon

03-04-2006, 09:07 PM

Back art will be included too (forgot to add that bit), and yes I am concentrating on UK releases to begin with, but will include NTSC games that were not released in the UK eventualy.

Regards
Simon

Zadoc

03-04-2006, 11:21 PM

IMO is it a gross error to not include NTSC and Japan release info. It's not that hard to add three sets of box art and three release dates. You are siverely limiting your user base.

Simon

03-05-2006, 06:38 AM

IMO is it a gross error to not include NTSC and Japan release info. It's not that hard to add three sets of box art and three release dates. You are siverely limiting your user base.

I am limiting my user base to UK games players, which was the idea all along. There are a good many NTSC lists about, but really not that much for UK released games, hence the UK centric list, with the addition of the essential NTSC games that never got a UK release.

This will not be your "average" database, however I cannot go into much more than that at the moment, but lets just say that it is a visual improvement on what is already out there.

Thanks for your comments so far, and keep them coming.

Regards
Simon

CosmicMonkey

03-05-2006, 08:24 AM

Add info on VMU mini-games if possible. If you could include a short description of the game(s) and a screen shot or two, please.

I feel that the VMU games were a nifty extra and very much neglected. Also, what about the artwork displayed on the VMU whilst playing a game? Some games just display the game logo, whereas SoulCalibur has a little character swinging a weapon whenever you press a button. Very cool.

Thanks

Simon

03-05-2006, 08:27 AM

Add info on VMU mini-games if possible. If you could include a short description of the game(s) and a screen shot or two, please.

Would this be better attached to the game page as above or as a linked item from the game page to a VMU game page?

I was going to have a VMU game section, but am concerned about duplicating information.

Great idea though.

Regards
Simon

CosmicMonkey

03-05-2006, 11:53 AM

Yeah, a VMU section would be cool. Then just link to each game listed there from the main DC game.

Like in your Aqua GT review, on the right hand side where all the game info is given, instead of counting the VMU under Peripherals, give it it's own heading:

VMU

Save Game - x blocks.

Ayame's Ninja Stars - x blocks
Fokker's PLane Chase - x blocks
Gunrock's Slots - x blocks

With that Power Stone example, clicking each VMU game name would take you to that game on the main alphabetical VMU game list.

I'd be happy to help with this VMU section if you like?

Simon

03-05-2006, 12:00 PM

I have a designer doing the page template for me as I speak, incoprorating some ideas I have had here and other places. When that has been finalised I will be looking for a person or persons to help me out with inputting the info, so any help will be appreciated.

Regards
Simon

Austin

03-05-2006, 12:49 PM

Add to that whether it supports the VGA box, either as stated on the box or can be done using a boot disk.

This looks excellent so far. Maybe a scan of the back of the box as well as the front would be quite good.

Can't agree more. Definitely need to know what can be played with a VGA box.

Also, I love the layout. I'm really looking forward to this.

Arcturius

03-06-2006, 05:58 AM

I do not want to go into detail with it as I don't want the "hook" to be imitated just yet

Sounds like 'your' hook has already been used my friend This is pretty much what my DC Archive website is for.

Example Page:
http://dcarchive.segaonline.nl/212.html

Main Site:-
http://dcarchive.segaonline.nl/

It's been a Labour of Love/WIP for the last few years for me.

Steven

03-06-2006, 06:04 AM

Arcturius

03-06-2006, 10:12 AM

*chuckles* Sure thing, it's always glad to see the DC getting the good lovin' :) Seriously though If they need any info on the games or anything (other than what's on my site already) I hope they'll feel free to ask as I have a complete set of the UK release versions here.

Always glad to help out fellow DC fans :)

Simon

03-06-2006, 12:31 PM

Sounds like 'your' hook has already been used my friend This is pretty much what my DC Archive website is for.

Hi mate, good to see you about again, been after you for a while now.

I want to have a chat with you regarding what I am trying to acomplish and what you have already done as there are a few major differences in the two.

Anyway find an email / PM on its way :)

Regards
Simon

fishsandwich

03-06-2006, 12:46 PM

I'm all for the PAL list. You guys got some games that we in the States didn't get, including a few notables (Rez, Shenmue II, Fighting Vipers 2, HeadHunter, Evil Twin.) I think you should make special mention if a game was only released in PAL territories.

BTW... you might want to mention the consoles where Wave Race was a great game... the GameCube and specifically the N64 come to mind. I didn't much care for the Gameboy one myself.

Simon

03-06-2006, 12:49 PM

BTW... you might want to mention the consoles where Wave Race was a great game... the GameCube and specifically the N64 come to mind. I didn't much care for the Gameboy one myself.

It was filler text, and only there to fill the space, took me all of 2 seconds to write and will NOT feature in the final version.

In fact I am not sure if reviews of the games will feature at all. I suppose that depends on the people using the resource.

Regards
Simon

Arcturius

03-06-2006, 05:19 PM

Anyway find an email / PM on its way :)

Gotcha :)

Simon

03-21-2006, 09:49 AM

Sorry for the wait fellas, but here is a little update to the template I am going to be using for this project...

http://www.retrorevival.co.uk/pics/aquagt.jpg

Comments and suggestions are appreciated. Is there anything I am missing?

Regards
Simon

fishsandwich

03-21-2006, 12:32 PM

Hey man... that format is AWESOME! Totally professional and full of info. Definately keep the reviews! I hate when I just get the blurb from the back of the case.

I'm especially facinated by games (like Aqua GT) that never made it to the States (other notables include Evil Twin, Shenmue II, Fighting Vipers 2, HeadHunter, Taxi 2, et all.) It would be awesome if you made a bigger deal of the PAL (or at least non-USA) exclusives... maybe give a special link that would give a separate list of these games? Didn't this game also come out of the PSone? We didn't get that one, either.

Anyway, I think it's suberb. Let us know when it's up and running!

:popcorn:

Simon

03-23-2006, 02:01 PM

Anyone got a spare few moments to write a game review / overview?

Any game as long as it is in the PAL release list will be fine.

I have all the other info, screenshots and cover art, so its just the reviews now.

Your help is appreciated.

Regards
Simon

Hammy

03-23-2006, 03:37 PM

if you are struggling for barcode numbers, part numbers/box art i have about half of the released uk dreamcast games and can check/scan for you.

Simon

03-23-2006, 04:01 PM

I have all the barcode / product codes for all the UK released games, thanks anyway.

In fact I have all the info I need apart from the reviews, so if anyone has a spare minute :)

Regards
Simon

lostchild

03-26-2006, 08:54 AM

I have over 100 PAL DC games - including all PAL only releases. I would love to write a review or two... please email me or speak to me on MSN at martin_irwin@hotmail.com and we can sort something out.

Martin

PS I am new to the forum. I love SEGA and have 4 Dreamcasts, special editions for 3 of them, and 3 Sega Saturns and a load more!