Gamers

[AJ]

So who here is a "gamer"? Someone who uses multiple systems, keeps up on current games, and even uses some of the larger sites and forums to keep updated. Just curious as to what people are currently playing, and where you get your info.

 

[mndsm]

I'd be considered a Gamer I suppose. Currently playing Borderlands mostly. Was playing Fo3, for some reason could not get into it. Recent notables include Arkham asylum, Ghostbuster, anything Need for Speed. Only PC game I've purchased in the last forever was Spore. As far as where I get my information, I tend to keep a pretty close eye on IGN.com, as they seem to have a lot of pertinent information, and I like the layout of the reviews.

 

[StealthSpeed3]

I could be a Gamer even though it's mostly Wii and PC for me. Usually i get my info from IGN, Gamestop, and word of mouth from friends. PC it's been KillingFloor and Halo when i feel the need, if i can get my vid card upgraded i'll look into MW2 and some of the more graphic-intensive games.

Console wise it depends on what i'm in the mood for.

 

[derrian]

Gamer is me! (and Erik)

I don't read a ton of sites for info. I get it from the Husband or work (since I work on EA, UbiSoft, Capcom, etc)

We just Picked up Bayonetta and I'm excited to play. Assassins Creed 2. Any Mario game and FFVI for SNES

 

[dmention7]

I would consider myself a gamer, though not nearly as much as in the past. Havent played PC stuff in awhile since i havent had a PC worth playing on in some time. I just finished playing FO3 the second time through (a good 200 hours total). Now getting started on the new episodes of GTA4 and then Borderlands. Oh and pretty much any mario game is fair game at any given time

 

[Picklz]

I guess i'd fall into this catagory as well, though not as much as in years past. I'm mainly a FPS guy and the occasional mmorpg, the Medal of Honor Series and Call of Duty series have been most of my gaming besides for WoW over the past 3-4 years. Most of the time when I hear about new games I'll go search and read on multiple websites for reviews/info, depending on the game. I'm mostly a PC gamer, about the only thing I play on consoles is racing games and rockband.

 

[dmention7]

Oh, I forgot about the other part. Most of my info comes from Game Informer and word of mouth. I buy a few games a year at Gamestop, so the GI sub ends up being free with the membership deal, and it's a fairly entertaining mag as well.

 

[AJ]

So if you had a say in one change that was made to a site like IGN what would it be?

The reason I ask is that I have started a process to create a new site surrounding the gaming theme. Over the past 10 years I’ve set up a handful of community sites and I’m going to give some additional attention to building and also revamping a couple sites in 2010. That included MN Mazda as one that is currently going though an overall as well. The gaming site is my target site to really stand out and hopefully grow over a 3 year period as the target market is national, vs a more local market for this site.

 

[derrian]

My main grudge against gaming info sites is there is just too much crap on the pages. Too much info, too much flashy, too much text. Put that behind your homepage.

People don't read, that has been proven time and time again on websites. Yes they come to these website to get info. But when so much is presented on one page it is annoying. Pick a focus, but allow easy access to more topics.

Also, good rule for a homepage is to not allow it to be more then one mouse wheel roll long. IGN is like 6 for me....

I make gaming websites all day long at my job (For capom, atari, ea, ubisoft, thq, etc etc). Yes they are trying to sell you something, but they all want to look like EA.... Be different, take a chance, and stand out above the crowd.

 

[Z-licious]

So, you want a gaming site by Google.

 

[ZoomZoom Diva]

Joelle, are you meaning there should be a concise chart or graphic to present the information that people look for a high percentage of the time, where they can largely get it at a glace, and then can link from that for more in-depth information if desired?

I may be missing the concept, but I'm thinking how financial websites often work.

That may be an idea in and of itself. Perhaps the best idea may jump out from a site of a completely different type...

 

[derrian]

James, if you look at IGN.com there is TOO much going on. People haze over most of it.

If there is less to the home page. what is there will most likely get looked at and read. You can still cover a few different areas on the homepage. But not the 40 ish IGN has on their homepage.

A finance site might be a bit different then a gaming site. But there needs to a be a balance between design and info

 

[StealthSpeed3]

plus with IGN it's not just about gaming. So much crap on there to weed through that multiple piles are required.

 

[AJ]

I am putting a little bit more of a "community" aspect into the site I'm working on. I've contracted out most of the content management system. I'm also adding in a touch of sex appeal to the site. I mean what is a live video review of the new Wii snowboarding game if you don't see a little snow bunny start fully dressed and end up snow boarding with much less on.

 

[dmention7]

I volunteer to film the video reviews featuring said snow bunny.

 

[AJ]

I doubt I'll even get to see much. Have a female photographer already lined up, 3 local girls who are actually into gaming themselves, and working on a location.

 

[micahlarson]

I'm a hardcore/casual gamer... alot of the info I get is from G4tv, kotaku, IGN, etc.. Kotaku is by far the nerdiest web blog i read though