Timo 2018-11-30 15:22
The old categories had some issues:
- Sometimes it was not really clear if something is a game, a demo or a tool.
- What is a demo anyway?
- New visitors saw a lot of unfinished programs and less interesting stuff like assets on the first page.
These are the new categories:
- Releases
Finished or already enjoyable/usable programs.
-Work in Progress
Programs with important features still missing. You can change your program to "Release" when you are happy with it.
-Assets
Sprites, tiles, fonts, music, offered to be used in other programs.
-Tutorials
Simple example programs.
Another new feature is, that visitors who don't log in, won't see the "All" category for programs, but start in "Releases". This should improve the first impression.
As sorting is still by creation date, programs coming from WIP to Releases may lose some visibility, as they don't appear on the top. I'm thinking about a solution for it. Maybe just dump it to the top in this case? More ideas?
was8bit 2018-11-30 16:50
Maybe add an extra date, a "release" date, or a one time date change when it changes from WIP to "release"
I like the new categories, I like posting WIP for feedback etc. and I also think even a partially made game can inspire others (I know I like reviewing WIP games) ... but I also like the idea of a "full game" category so people,just wanting to play games won't get discouraged sifting thru all content...
Another idea, maybe a preview screen where instead of a list with huge images, start with a preview screen that shows a smaller pic with title only, allowing for a quick scroll thru... then when you touch one of the small pics it takes you to the normal list, but it's prescolled down so the one you touched is showing at the top... you might not need this featur now, but maybe in a year after more people start posting lots of stuff...
was8bit 2018-11-30 17:45 (Edited)
I might suggest an "examples" category... things that functioning but aren't Game and are also not tutorials for newbies, but are rather advanced examples... maybe call it "advanced examples" as tutorials are assumed perhaps for newbies...
These of mine you placed in released but they have no interaction, and are advanced examples of little "tricks" or examples that are more for advanced programmers..
Double double , double color, Atari man, name tag, wavy, rainbow river, wave rider, planet in space
was8bit 2018-11-30 17:59
Also, one request, I would classify the "secret game" as officially as WIP as its supposed to be a variation of a mine sweeper game, which of course it really isn't functioning yet as that... if you could bump it (if possible) to WIP status :)
was8bit 2018-11-30 18:01
I like your focus on keeping games as WIP then as RELEASED.. very smart!
Timo 2018-12-01 11:56 (Edited)
Preview screen: I actually wasn't sure if the big images are a good idea on small screens. It's kind of the style of Instagram etc. Maybe in the future I could try a smaller format. Only for small screens or switchable.
"Advanced Examples": You describe the old "Demo" category ;) I don't want to re-add it, but maybe "releases" and "tutorial" needs to be defined better. I would say:
- "Release" programs should somehow be interesting for the public. A cool effect, even non-interactive, is nice to see even for non programmers. It should be in "Releases".
- "Tutorial" programs can be both for beginners and advanced users. It doesn't need to be explained very well, like a traditional tutorial, but it should focus on one thing, so people can see easily how to achieve it.
The difference between "Release" and "Tutorial" can be fluent. If you think "I want to show people how to make this", it's a tutorial, if you think "I want to create something cool and show it to the people", it's a release.
Feel free to re-organize your programs: Click on "Edit Topic" and there you can change the category of a program.
Timo 2018-12-01 16:56
Okay, I think "Examples" is a better name than "Tutorials". I would include all programs, which are mainly interesting for programmers only, including libraries like my GUI system. It's actually an example how to program touch interfaces and doesn't make sense for non-programmers.
Timo 2018-12-01 23:38
I updated the description of "Releases" and replaced "Tutorials" with "Examples":
- Release
Finished or already enjoyable/usable game, demo or tool
- Example
Programming example, code snippet, subprogram library
There is still only a thin line between a "programming example" and a "demo release". As I wrote before: If you think your example program looks cool, then post it as "release".
was8bit 2018-12-02 05:42
I'm quite impressed as to how well you "boiled down" everything rather nicely :) I like the new descriptions :)
was8bit 2018-12-02 05:44
I also like how you moved my programs around... perfecto!
was8bit 2018-12-02 05:48
One other side benefit of seperating releases from WIP is that I find myself motivated to move my WIP games up into released category :D
was8bit 2018-12-02 06:55
On the issue of size...
BIG pics look GREAT! :)
But.... if there where hundreds of entries, let's be honest, only the top 20-30 games are ever going to be seen... how many people take the time to scroll thru, say, my list of games on regular LowRes.. I sometimes do but it literally takes a few minutes to do it,,
SMALL pics laid out like a grid are GREAT for quicker scrolling... but don't look as nice as the bigger ones...
.... how about "pages"... lots of picture posting boards limit the number of picture to so many per page... and then the page numbers are clickable..
The advantage is that IF you remember where your favorite is, you can get very close by using the page numbers... even if they advance as new additions are added, you will still be off only by a page or two...
I'm sure pages would like totally complicate your web page... I'm confident you'll come up with something, you always do :)