I'm using this thread to begin discussion of how content in the wiki could be organized. I think it makes sense to "zoom out" to the high level of what main content areas will be present, and then zoom in on each to explore what they could contain.
So, at the highest level, ie, what one first sees when entering the wiki, perhaps we'd have:
Game Design The centerpiece of the wiki: the distilled knowledge and wisdom about how to design good games, including definitions of game types, mechanics, and examples of great games.
Game Prototyping Methods and techniques for producing game prototypes: making boards, painting pawns, etc.
Game Publishing Taking your game to the next level: info on self publishing, how to approach publishers, and lists of publishing companies that are out there.
Game playtesting How to playtest, how to form a group, etc.
FAQ The most common questions, but mainly the answers will link to content in the other areas of the wiki.
Ok, there's some high level stuff. Are other major areas needed?
Zooming in on each, here are some ideas of what could be included. Please add more!
Game design
This area will have various articles about how to design good games. I think that all content should be objective, have an undercurrent of keeping an eye on player experience. ie, the article about "roll and move" should not bash bad roll and move games, but rather, should explain what kind of player experience commonly is created by such games. Some content areas could include:
-- "Scopes" of games (eg, party, beer and pretzels, wargame, etc)
-- Description of game mechanics (eg, roll and move)
-- Descriptions of common game problems (eg kingmaker, etc)
-- Exemplary games
-- Descriptions of kinds of player goals (eg, VP, race, etc)
-- Descriptions of game categories (eg set collection, area majority, etc)
Obviously, there will be some overlap between some of these. I'd also like to see entries cross-reference each other. So, entries about "kingmaker" should also link to mechanics that commonly give rise to this problem.
Game prototyping
-- How to make game boards
-- How to make cards
-- Where to order bits
-- Tools that every designer should have
-- Helpful software for designing
Game publication
-- Defining goals for your project (ie, why seek to publish?)
-- Self publication resources: printers, experiences of other self-publishers, trade shows, etc.
-- Licensing resources: how to seek publishers, how to pitch your game, how to increase chances of getting your game published, etc.
So there's some ideas to get the ball rolling. Feel free to add other content you think should be included, or ways of creating inter-relationships between these categories!
-Jeff
I should clarify my post. All along, I've been envisioning the Wiki as a sort of "Game Design Encyclopedia", but it appears that the vision for the Wiki actually goes beyond this. I suggest that we restrict this thread to discussion about the "Design Encyclopedia" aspects of the wiki, and maybe have an even-higher level organization discussed in a separate thread. I can rename the thread if that would make it easier to keep organized.
Just a suggestion,
Jeff