I'd be interested in helping out with videogametalk.com. I do website design and development for a medical school.

Is videogametalk going to be connected to dvdtalk? Like my user name and post count will carry over. And when we click from the menu for video game talk, we will enter that site.

Wow... Good ideas all around.

So, are we gonna talk about this all day or do it? I've taken it upon myself to organize a list of people who've said they'd like to be interested

These are the people who have HTML Experience
Seagraves
mmeadows
dulli


These are the people who have writing Experience
viscera
lordzeppelin
Seagraves
Cornemite
joshhinkle
mljones99
draven-x

These are the people who have graphics experience
lordzeppelin
Cornemite

These are the people who have editing Experience
Cornemite
Cysco
mmconhea
mmeadows

These are the people who have marketing Experience
Seagraves
Cornemite
Cysco


These are the people who have volunteered their help (no area specified)
Aghama
Liver&Onions
J-Dubya
Thunderball

Videogametalk.com could be affiliated with DVDtalk, if Geoff says OK. It would give the group credibility and an affiliation we can show to advertisers and development houses as we try to get review copies of new games and interviews. We'll need to work on site design. And deciding who'll cover what.

So... where do we go from here?

Like I said... I would give myself more marketing/writing based stuff than I would hard HTML coding. I went to school for one, not for the other. I am willing to bet that most people with writing experience, especially those with reviewing/writing for web experience like me can do HTML to some extent.

I am a much better contact/hype man than I am at writing code. I for one would love to be a liaison between the page and developers/distributors, both in promotion and review sense. That is more of my forte.

Just for the record, I have extensive editing experience as well. I was head editor at our college newspaper, along with my old website.

I like the idea of having different people review the games. I grow tired of reading reviews that are based on one person's opinion alone. It's just like with movies, music, etc: if one person doesn't like something, he'll state it that way. Nevermind the fact that he just doesn't like the entire genre, he'll just state his opinion, which is fine, but people should know WHERE he's coming from, ya know?

I think it was Electronic Gaming Monthly that had several people review all of their video games, but the problem was that they only had a paragraph review, and then an "overall score." I don't think that's the way to do it. More of a half-way done job. I think if we had a panel review video games, each could go in depth, and not bother the public with the superficial grading scale that plagued that magazine's review section.

I've always liked Gamepro's idea of having "characters" rate the games. Not saying I want to rip them off or anything, but I DO think that each reviewer should be well known to the public. That way, if one person begins to like the way that one of the reviewer's feels, then they'll know to trust their opinion over any of the other reviewers...ya know?

It's all about connecting with the public, as long as the public can relate to our reviewers, we'll be in great shape. Frankly, I am tired of reading IGN's biased, "comical" reviews. I want the facts, not some cleverly designed way of stating that a game's control isn't the greatest thing since sliced bread. THat's not to say our reviews would be boring, no way

Well, you can add my name to whatever lists you are compiling. I've taken on a website before, so I know the ins and outs of doing such a thing. I think we need to establish order, and figure out who's doing what, in charge of what, etc. So keep me posted

Okay, it looks like you all want to tilt windmills. Well, if I can't beat you, I'll join you.

I've always liked the Car & Driver comparos. Take three racing games, compare them, and declare a winner. Then let readers take their shot.

Any idiot can take text and plop it into a template. Let me do that.

What about comparing across platforms? By choice, I only use PS2, and I'm not interested in reading reviews on other platforms. I'll bet some of you are the same way. On the other hand, others of you have multiple platforms.

It's tough to have news items unless you have a good constant source. When I did a large web site for a division of a large educational institution, I used, with permission, links to the official campus newspaper, but only posted links that were appropriate to the division. You'll have to have good sources like that.

Don't forget to include reviews of services or businesses. They are just as important as game reviews. Similarly, accessories.

Geoff already does a wonderful job of managing the front page. How many sub-divisions did you have in mind?

Web sites usually take at least a year to get recognized. Are you all willing to work that long?

And we haven't seen any discussions of tools to use. For example, I hate Flash. No discriminating viewer ever returns to a site just for Flash. Flash is just a gimmick. Are there other issues like that?

Who has the ultimate authority? Or is this going to be a horse by committee?

Just making you think....

WOW. A lot of great offers for help to make videogametalk.com happen. It's exciting.

Videogametalk came very close to being a reality earlier in the year, heck I even designed a logo:



and did a mock layout ( a LONG time Ago)

http://www.dvdtalk.com/vgt/

I think the idea here is to create a web site for people who love games by people who love games. I would NOT wan't to be another IGN/Gamespot/Etc. But a site structured in a way where people can give their feelings about a game.

I want to do this, but I want to do it in an organized way. I've got family in from out of town this week (and it's my bday today). so lets look at next week to start 'organizing' this and I will think more on how this could become a reality.

\


I agree, I wouldn't want another IGN on the net... they are bad enough We need a unique concept. Something new, something fresh (haha I sound like a corporate exec.) Maybe we (we as in the people wanting to create this site and get it started) can set up a time and have a chat session on AIM or something and discuss everything. Just an idea...

Right on, Geoff. I think the secret is to take what we like about the other game sites and tweak it.

I think reader input is key. I think that some of the writing that we see in other websites leaves a lot to be desired. That's one way I think we can distinguish ourselves. Less jokes, more details in reviews. Jokes are OK if you are a columnist, but if I read a review, I want to know what's going on in a game. For example, most sites rated Madden between a 9 or 10. My friends and I, who are all former football players, would rate it no higher than a 8. Why? Well, there are little things in the game that drive us crazy.

Quote:

I want to do this, but I want to do it in an organized way. I've got family in from out of town this week (and it's my bday today). so lets look at next week to start 'organizing' this and I will think more on how this could become a reality.

Happy birthday

This is very exciting guys. It will give me something to do while I look for a new job.


As far as unique content we can do I like the ide of 2 or 3 people doing reviews of the same game. I also like my idea above about doing direct comparisons of similar games/consoles/video cards etc. Just look at the thread that was started earlier today about Madden on the PS2 vs Gamecube. I really think there would be a lot of interest in a sight that flushed out the differences between various games rather than just reviewing them.

It would also be coold to have a weekly "king of the Hill" feature where one game would "face off" against another (wouldn't even have to be the same Genre) The wining game would go on to face a new game the next week. Games that won like 6 weeks in a row could go into the hall of fame or something.


We should definately try and put a chat together next week some time.

-=cysco

I agree we need more than one reviewer for each game. reviews are just ONE persons opinion... I like to read several reviews from different people... that usually gives you a better idea of the game

Hey I'm only 15, but any help I can provide I will. I have a good knowledge of all systems, and I'm always on-line. I may not be a lot of help, but I am really good at computers. I've also created some sites of my own.

I can help with game reviews as well.

Although I have no experience with video game reviews, I have written a number of book reviews.

I also have two years experience as an assistant editor for a university-run scholarly journal, and I am soon to take on the editorial responsibility of another journal published by the State University of New York at Buffalo.

If this site is launched, however, my contribution will be minor becuase I am trying to finish a Ph.D. degree

Pick me, Pick me!!

Cool....I tried to get into this earlier, but I had to change my email addy since I've been gone for so long Anyways, I'd love to help too. I don't have any writing experience, but I'd love to try. I'm getting my g/f into web design now so I have a little experience there and I'm an avid gamer. So I'll at least be a frequent visitor! I'd be excited to be involved in any way possible.


Lox

Definitely. If I were picking up Madden on GC or XBox, I'd like to know what the differences are. I'd also like to know the differences between all of the football games (Madden vs. 2K2 vs Fever, for example). This would be really helpful for sports game fans. I know many people who only play sports games on their systems. They usually ask me for my opinion.

Quote:

It would also be coold to have a weekly "king of the Hill" feature where one game would "face off" against another (wouldn't even have to be the same Genre) The wining game would go on to face a new game the next week. Games that won like 6 weeks in a row could go into the hall of fame or something.

We could do this for each platform, then have each platform's games face off for the title.

Quote:

We should definately try and put a chat together next week some time.

-=cysco

Definitely.

Wow, I am shocked to see how many people are interested in helping. Not only that, but I am pleased as can be. I agree with whoever said we should have an AOL chat sometime to discuss and organize things a little bit better.

Geoff, you're absolutely right, if we're going to do this, we're going to have to be organized. I think that the best way to organize this though would be through the chat session. That way we can share ideas in real time, as opposed to having to wait and check the forums regularly (not that I have a problem with that though ).

I'm very excited about this project, and look forward to working with all of you. I think that each and every person who is interested in working on this should sit down and just start jotting down ideas, and when we have our chat session, we'll all be prepared. Makes sense, right?

I started to help with thunderballs site but didn't have the time to invest into it that they needed. I would definitely like to help with vgtalk, especially since there is enough people were I wouldn't have to do a ton I would mostly like to do reviews, I would also like to help with the forum(assuming there would be one) as far as moderating and what not. Also consider myself an unbiased gamer(except Tomb Raider) heck I still play my Saturn.

That would be my idea on the chat. anytime after 7pm central time next week is good for me.

mljones99 - Apologies, I was just too lazy to search for the identity of the person who came up with the idea

How about everyone post when is good for them, and we can figure out when we'll do it.

If we're going to do it after 8 (Eastern Time) I can do it on any day.

Hi there,
Although I have no real editing or writing experience, I think I can be of good use. My friends always come to me to look over their spelling and grammar for their college papers. And of course, I play alot of video games. I've also done gaming/movie/computer websites before, but they never really took off because of lack of funds, materials, and time to do reviews. I believe I can help out with some web and graphics work, but I'm sure there are others out there more qualified. But I'd like to do reviews and such, I have access to many PC games. I also own a PS2, DC, and PS1.
I used to work at Squaresoft on Final Fantasy X, but got laid off recently. So I don't have anything to do right now until the next semester at the local college starts. I'm sure I can provide an early review of FFX , but the game comes out soon anyway. Hope something good comes out of this idea, I'm pretty tired of IGN and Gamespot.

don't worry bout it

And how about compiling a list of every one willing to help in one way or another (i know there was one done already) but this time include what systems you own. that way if vgtalk gets going, we will know who can do what.

Damn dude, I already called dibs on the Saturn section! LOL

I was the one that put the list together.

Rather than having everyone post here, everyone who's interested in getting videogametalk off the ground, can e-mail me at [email protected]. I'll compile the list of people (using their DVDTalk usernames) and post it. I can update it a few times a day.

I was also thinking that we could hold our chat on IRC's #EFnet . AOL's good, too, if you can't download an IRC chat client.

I'll try to post tomorrow morning, but if I get caught in the stores with my sister and niece, I'll post it around 7 CST.

FYI, So far only 2 people have e-mailed me. I'm trying to keep all the information on an Excel spreadsheet. Like I said before, whatever you send o [email protected] is kept confidential, and will only be used for conting you for the website.

I've got experience with HTML and scripting languages (PHP and ASP), although my graphics skills are a little lacking, to say the least. I would be more than happy to help with vgtalk. My only problem is that I'm not exactly a huge gamer; I have no real plans to buy a current generation system (PS2, XBox, Gamecube).

Anyway, I was originally creating a Gameboy Advance-only site in ASP. The friend who owns the space I was using to test this site decided to switch from an NT server to a Linux server, so my ASP wouldn't run. Rather than rewrite everything, I decided to go with PHPNuke. It's a nice system (and so are similar systems), but in all honesty there are some aspects of the site that I don't like, so I wouldn't recommend using something like this.

I'm not quite done with my GBA Site (it doesn't have a title), but if you want to see the near-final, unpublicized version, go to http://thegbasite.cjb.net or, more directly, http://www.suteki.nu/travis/gba/index.php .

I'm guessing that a dynamic, data-driven site would be the best option; if a basic site layout (with static text) could be planned, a few people that know PHP (or whatever the server runs) could write the database code.