I noticed that some of you have created a website for your games in progress. I was wondering when is it opropriate do this? Is it benifitial to the board game inventor to creat a site describing a work in progress and is it apropriate to blog about it? By blog I mean separate from this site.
website for game?
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 19:37
Thu, 03/12/2009 - 21:22
#1
Motivation
On of the main reasons I would create a website would be to keep myself motivated. Giving up on a game that nobody knows about is easy. Giving up on a game that others have commented on and participated in is more difficult to do.
Fri, 03/13/2009 - 07:05
#2
What to do with little time
Considering I don't have much free time , I decided not to blog my games on BGDF because of the time it consumes and the content seems pretty thin.
My decision was to create a website for a game and explain the historical development of that game, when it's near finished so that I could try attracting people to the game before it gets published. Else I might just gives some news on what I am working on and what games could be coming soon for publishing or playtest.
Fri, 03/13/2009 - 18:47
#3
I set up a website because I
I set up a website because I am trying to get my game tested by as many people as I can. I website allows me to promote the game and get word out that I want testers and feedback. I'm not really keeping any kind of journal, it just gives info on the most recent build.
Fri, 03/13/2009 - 20:38
#5
exuse me! I did not suggest
exuse me!
I did not suggest you scheme to trick people, or make claims in an outright manner. I suggested you avoid very misleading claims. I also suggest you read up on business management, ethics, effective communication and anything else you deem necessary before blogging your game. I am vary disappointed to think anyone from this site would use sneaky subtle schemes to catch a sale.
Fri, 03/13/2009 - 22:15
#6
The Magician wrote:Are there
Are there easy to use web page building sites on the internet? I am vary much interested in blogging.
I would not recommend any automatic web page building sites, they are all mostly crap and they overcharge for the crap. Are you looking for a free option? If your just looking to blog you can create a free blog at any number of sites. If your looking for more of a custom site I would recommend a web host that uses C-Panel with the built in Fantastico system. This will allow someone with even minimal skills to one click install any number of popular content management or blogging systems. It's so easy a caveman could do it. I personally hand write all my code but I would never recommend any one do that. I'm just old school like that =P
Anyevers, http://websolvents.com/ is what I use for hosting, it's just $8.99 month, A+ Customer Service, and 0 Network lag. Stay far far far far away from Bulk Hosting companies like GoDaddy, great for domains, horrid for hosting. If you want a free blog just use Blogger or something.
Sun, 03/15/2009 - 12:44
#10
Build fan base. Receive fan input. Establish presence.
I've been putting up one free print-and-play game every month since January 2000 at www.invisible-city.com/play/ . Doing this has had the following benefits:
1) I've built a fan base: I don't have ravenous hordes of fans camping outside my house, but there are people who know me and my games. I'd like to believe that there are a few who will buy my first commercially published game simply because they want to say, "Thanks," for nine+ years of games, or because they like my game design aesthetic.
2) Fan input: I've received feedback on many of the games and incorporated that feedback into the games to improve them. That's feedback that I would not have had if I hadn't made the games publicly available.
3) Establish presence: This is kind of a corollary to (1). We've been on the web for over nine years. That's like... three generations in internet time, right? Having a web site has helped anchor Invisible City and the games there in certain parts of the board game community. If you have a website, it reinforces your presence in the minds of possible consumers, publishers, and collaborators. There's another thread on he BGDF right now about sand timers, and not trusting a company because of the flimsy quality of their web site. That's a great example of how your web site establishes your presence on the web. It's also worth noting that if that company didn't have a web site at all, the person looking for sand timers would not have found them.
4) Discipline and practice: Maintaining the website has forced me to practice design and keep at it every month. It's more than a personal commitment. It's a public commitment to everyone on the Game of the Month email list.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 00:49
#11
This was all excelent
This was all excelent feedback guys. I love your sites and would love to check out what other members of the community have done for there game website, expecially if others have created something for works in progress like I am working on.
I'm creating mine at the moment and am vary happy about it. I do have a feeling that doing this will help dedicate me as if posting on here wasn't enough. A lot of the reason is to eliminate that aukward moment when I'm telling a potential playtester about my game. I will be able to point to a website. Infact I had just a situation today where it was easier to tell the person that I will have a website that they can look at.
So, I do like this thread. I am open to any sugestions about content or points to consider when posting about a work in progress on a personal website if it makes any difference than posting on here.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 03:36
#12
Please don't misunderstand...
I don't want to sound like a jerk, but something very important has gone unsaid. If one wants to draw people into a blog, and have them return, they should seriously put spell check into the "mandatory" column.
I've been reading these forums (foura?) for a little while, and I must tell you that some people's posts range from "distracting" to "maddening." This has nothing to do with what they have to say, but rather how they say it.
If the purpose of the blog is to wet people's appetites for an upcoming game they haven't seen, the blog itself becomes your product, for the time being. If visitors perceive a casual attitude toward the preparation of this product, what are they to think of the next one?
However, spell check will not reveal the misuse of homonyms. While you may spell a word correctly, it may not be the correct word for the context. Don't write "vary" when you mean "very." don't use "there" when you mean "their," or "they're." and don't confuse "its" for "it's." Learn the difference between "affected" and "effected." These are all legitimate words, so spell check will not alert you when you're (not "your") using them incorrectly. (I was called on at least two of these mistakes, which I abused widely throughout the rulebook for 18EZ.)
That's my $0.02
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 04:10
#13
drewdane, lol I'm totally
drewdane, lol I'm totally guilty of major typos and flat out dislexia. I really let it slide in the forum. I would never get by if I worried what people thought of my retarded spelling here. I am really glad you called me on it though because you're right. This can not pass on a website or blog. At least the blog I have in mind. I often catch consistant typos though that I always find when I reread a post. For some reason I am always mistyping "especially" I always for some reason hit the x and type exspecially. That's a common typo of mine. Thanks for bringing this up. It's true though. I can't spell a damn. I feel sorry for the people who put up with it reading my posts. It seems many have been very patient about it.
It's not being a jerk to bring this up. It helps.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 04:36
#14
Thanks for seeing that for what it was.
You're not the only one. I won't mention any names... But I'm looking at you, Magician! :p
I am a little lysdexic myself, and I have already confessed to homonym abuse. If my BlackBerry didn't have autocomple, my posts would be much more painful to read. :D
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 10:12
#15
Dude...it's the same guy.
You're not the only one. I won't mention any names... But I'm looking at you, Magician! :p
ROTFL!!!! End of Time Games IS Magician. EOTG = Magician. He created a new account. LOL
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 16:52
#16
drewdane wrote:I don't want
I don't want to sound like a jerk, but something very important has gone unsaid. If one wants to draw people into a blog, and have them return, they should seriously put spell check into the "mandatory" column.
I've been reading these forums (foura?) for a little while, and I must tell you that some people's posts range from "distracting" to "maddening." This has nothing to do with what they have to say, but rather how they say it.
If the purpose of the blog is to wet people's appetites for an upcoming game they haven't seen, the blog itself becomes your product, for the time being. If visitors perceive a casual attitude toward the preparation of this product, what are they to think of the next one?
However, spell check will not reveal the misuse of homonyms. While you may spell a word correctly, it may not be the correct word for the context. Don't write "vary" when you mean "very." don't use "there" when you mean "their," or "they're." and don't confuse "its" for "it's." Learn the difference between "affected" and "effected." These are all legitimate words, so spell check will not alert you when you're (not "your") using them incorrectly. (I was called on at least two of these mistakes, which I abused widely throughout the rulebook for 18EZ.)
I've been reading these forums (foura?) for a little while, and I must tell you that some people's posts range from "distracting" to "maddening." This has nothing to do with what they have to say, but rather how they say it.
If the purpose of the blog is to wet people's appetites for an upcoming game they haven't seen, the blog itself becomes your product, for the time being. If visitors perceive a casual attitude toward the preparation of this product, what are they to think of the next one?
However, spell check will not reveal the misuse of homonyms. While you may spell a word correctly, it may not be the correct word for the context. Don't write "vary" when you mean "very." don't use "there" when you mean "their," or "they're." and don't confuse "its" for "it's." Learn the difference between "affected" and "effected." These are all legitimate words, so spell check will not alert you when you're (not "your") using them incorrectly. (I was called on at least two of these mistakes, which I abused widely throughout the rulebook for 18EZ.)
That's my $0.02
The funny thing is that spelling really is not all that important to get your point across, case in point...
I cnuoldt blvei ee taht I culod aulaclty uestdnanrd waht I was rdanieg! The phaonamnel pweor of the haumn mnid Aocdcrnig to rschecerah taem at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer in waht oredr the ltteres in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the ftsit and lsat lteter be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a perblom. Tihs is bcuseae the haumn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by isltef, but the wrod as a wlhoe. Scuh a cdonition is arpipoately cllaed Typoglycemia :) Aamnizg,huh? And you ayalws tuohhgt taht slpinelg was irnmopatt!
Over all I understand what you are saying to a point. Some people who read web sites, forums, and blogs are bothered by misspelled words. But according to studies done in the past, only about 5% of the average internet user cares. These people are normally referred to as Grammar Natizs. 95% of people surfing the net could care less if words are misspelled and a vast majority of those don't even notice it.
However, It could be said that spelling is important if your using your website to advertise your game to potential publishers. As this group is much more likely to care about spelling and grammar errors. But if your site is geared more as a hobby and is meant to appeal to the general public, spelling mostly a non-issue in my opinion. With that said, spell check is really easy and fast to use and can't hurt..
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:13
#17
Speaking of website
Speaking of website, I am almost refinishing my own site. I will post a message when it's done. There is not that much material yet, but at least the structure would be setted up to that I could add stuff when I need it. It will go according to my mood and free time.
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:30
#18
I completely agree
I must say I completely agree with what others have said about having a website. I'm designing board and card games that have an LDS/Mormon theme to them. I had a hard time finding other people with this kind of interest (I assumed that there were others out there). I mean, I enjoy working with others, collaborating. Anyway, I started a blog (mormongamedesign.blogspot.com) just to post what I was doing, you know, games I've been working on and different avenues I've been pursuing for publishing (there really isn't much when it comes to LDS/Mormon themed games, but hopefully we'll be changing that). I found that I was getting some hits (Google Analytics), but not a whole lot of comments and what not on my blog (maybe it was because I wasn't really writing about things that people could comment on). So I decided to start a Google Group. The group is about 3 months old and there are already 9 of us that can now communicate with each other and share ideas and perspectives. Anyway, setting up a website (a blog and Google Group in my case) has really helped me find others who share a similar interest. And, ideas have been sparked and hopefully we'll get our foot in the door and get some quality LDS/Mormon themed games published!!
Tue, 04/21/2009 - 17:35
#19
BGDF does not have spell
BGDF does not have spell check.
What BGDF does have is an international user group and an expectation that posts will be written in English. For some users English is their second language and a few spelling mistakes should be forgiven.
When a post is sloppy (littered with half written words) I get the impression the author is passionate about their subject and hasn't bothered to proof read. Grammar is another thing and for those who believe they are more learned than I, am welcome to correct me - it wasn't taught in our schools.
Professional web sites do have spell check and it should be used.
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 00:32
#20
shazzaz wrote:
For some
For some users English is their second language and a few spelling mistakes should be forgiven.
lol I've had a hard time with a few people in the past that ask if English is my second language. I said " no, it's my sixth. I was kidding". In my life, I have had one or two people every week, since ten years ago, ask me if I am British or Australian. I have never been to those countries and have been speaking English the way I always have here in U.S. I guess you'd have to hear me in person. Till this day, I still have no idea where the perceaved accent comes from. But I always have plenty of oportunity to play with my responses to the questions.
My main modivating factor for a website for works in progress are that I have too many aukward moments telling people about my game to have them playtest. It's not officially ready for one to begin with. I will tell somebody though they canot see it and it's hard to interest them with words. The painful realisation for me is that most people probably could care less about the game until it's on the store shelf. I figure the website is an easy way to get people to see what they can playtest. Get playtesters interested.
A feature that I want to include on my site that is a natural thing for me to include is a blog section for things not necessarily relating to games.....about my other passions and ideas. I can't recomend this for anybody else, but I'm doing it partially as a release. I'm vary passionate about what's going on in my consciousness and require to release it in some way to the world. I think my blog/website is the apropriate place to do that especially because it's only a hobby website. The other side of that in my opinion is that it may attract more people coming back. People may get bored visiting my site and just seeing projects sitting there changing over a period of time. But, if I add some other things.....that they happen to find interesting.....blogs......interested links....I think that will cause them to come back. And while they are engaged with my blogs and everything, "oh what's this game your working on?"
I think members of this community should use this thread to post there website links because it is inspiring to me to see what others have done to show there game to the world.
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 02:36
#21
Oops... he he.
ROTFL!!!! End of Time Games IS Magician. EOTG = Magician. He created a new account. LOL
Whoops. I missed that one :blush:
I will add a recommendation for Google groups. We started a Google group for people to download and discuss our game before we got http://nodice.net up and running. To tell the truth, the Google group is more useful than our own website, in its current form. The site is just 3 placeholder pages, right now. Basically, until I have more time to work on it, all anyone can do is find out where to find out more.
On the Google group we can post files, follow discussion threads, and generally interact with our playtesters.
Count on the vast majority of people just to window-shop, though. We currently have about 120 group members, but only about a dozen or so participate in discussions. If your intention is to use the group as a first step toward a full website, make it public. If you specifically want people to print and play your game, and provide feedback, consider having people request membership in your group.
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 03:32
#22
drewdane wrote:NativeTexan
ROTFL!!!! End of Time Games IS Magician. EOTG = Magician. He created a new account. LOL
Whoops. I missed that one :blush:
I will add a recommendation for Google groups. We started a Google group for people to download and discuss our game before we got http://nodice.net up and running. To tell the truth, the Google group is more useful than our own website, in its current form. The site is just 3 placeholder pages, right now. Basically, until I have more time to work on it, all anyone can do is find out where to find out more.
On the Google group we can post files, follow discussion threads, and generally interact with our playtesters.
Count on the vast majority of people just to window-shop, though. We currently have about 120 group members, but only about a dozen or so participate in discussions. If your intention is to use the group as a first step toward a full website, make it public. If you specifically want people to print and play your game, and provide feedback, consider having people request membership in your group.
That's a fun little website Drewdane. Thanks for sharing! I say I would be happy to see more on the site as far as content. It's interesting you partnered up. I was going to post a thread about this at some point. I recal a piece of advice in a board game magazing that encourages partnership. With the reasoning that it's better to share royalties than none at all. Is it dificult to share board game creation? Well, I guess it's no more difficult than participating in a working band. Couldn't seem to keep a band together so my past experience doesn't hold promis for that potential venture proposition. No I wouldn't do it anyway because no one could be agreeable or compatable with my schedual of daily activities. I imagine partnerships are fore inventors a little more serious than casual hobby.
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 06:25
#23
Thank you for the compliment.
Like anything, designing games as a team has it's advantages and disadvantages. The obvious benefit is that two heads are frequently better than one. Between the two of us, one will generally be able to come up with a creative way out of a whole. The potential problem lies when we come up with different solutions. We both try to have enough humility to playtest each other's methods when we have a disagreement, and agree on which one works better.
Unless two partners have a high degree of respect for one another, and for the project, this has the potential to blow up very badly. But from every challenge comes reward. Since we have to run ideas past each other, we are rarely "married" to any of them. It's good not to be emotionally attached to a particular mechanic, or idea because when you find out it doesn't work, it'll be easier to cut out.
At times I think it would be good to have a third "tiebreaker" vote. But that would have it's own pitfalls. When Clay points out that something I came up with won't work, it seems like constructive criticism. If I had TWO people telling me my idea won't work, it may feel like they were ganging up on me.
There are also times I think it would be good to be designing solo. But if it wasn't for the fact that I don't want to let the team down, I probably would have lost momentum long ago, and eventually given up.
I think your comparison to a band is very appropriate. When people try to collaborate on a creative venture, there is potential for hurt egos. But if you get the right combination, it can work very well.
Regarding the website, thank you for the kind words. I'm doing all of the work myself, since we're completely broke. The front page was designed after I had spent the better part of a day finding a hosting service, learning what html was, and deciding to give it a go. It took me all of 30 minutes, to an hour to come up with what is there (except for the navigation buttons, which I added later.) I literally woke up that day having no idea what html was, and went to bed having built a website.
I did most of it in OpenOffice once I learned what a wysiwyg interface was, and that I already had one installed on my computer. :O I never pass up an opportunity to tell everyone how awesome OpenOffice is. It does everything, and it's free!
Having played with it a little, I'm going to spend some time improving the site when I get some free time. (ha!)
Wed, 04/22/2009 - 14:26
#24
drewdane thanks for the tip
drewdane thanks for the tip about OpenOffice! I will have a look at it. Cheers
Intristin your site is vary good looking.
I don't have web page design or any other technical computer skills so I would have to have a friend do it. Are there easy to use web page building sites on the initernet.
I am vary much interested in bloging. That is for sure. This is mostly to expand my target audience or draw people into my game. There is a relaticely narow audience for my game. Though it could be larger than I think. I am sceming a way to not need to make any outright cliams on the box like Shazazz was sugesting. I have some subtle plans to sneakily have the player performing the skill I am teaching them without telling them what there going to do. Then once I got them doing it there putty in my hands. Hahah hahah ha hahh ah Oh behave Magician!