Game development engines forum structure concept

[Marked 197]

Hey guys.

 

This topic is about how to display the game development engines (rpg maker xp, rpg maker vx, etc.) on the board index (the forum homepage).

 

The current structure is:

Engines (the category)

-RPG Maker VX ACE

---Support

---Tutorials

---Scripts

RPG Maker XP

---Support

---Tutorials

---Scripts

 

So as you can see, this is quite condensed.

 

Here's a new concept:

Support

---RPG Maker VX Ace

---RPG Maker XP

Tutorials

---RPG Maker VX Ace

---RPG Maker XP

Scripts

---RPG Maker VX Ace

---RPG Maker XP

 

Here we have a category for each different type of function.

 

Analysis

The condensed forum looks neater but it is confusing for new users where things. The support forums being 3 levels down (category - parent forum -> support forum) does make it tricky for some. Similarly useful content such as tutorials may be harder to find.

 

With the expanded forum structure these problems disappear, but new problems such as the perception of inactivity, particularly if we start supporting new engines (which is the plan) will arise, as well as taking up a lot more space on the board index. It may also eliminate forums for general discussion of the engine, eg. RPG Maker XP General Discussion, and such forums have proven popular places as well as when users are confused as to where a topic should go. At least, it doesn't make a lot of sense to have a whole category with individual forums for general discussion of each engine, does it?

 

Please vote in the poll or leave a comment below :)

[Marked 197]

Bump :)

[Arkbennett 16]

Didn't see this get posted.

I'm unsure if it will make a difference. I'm still trying to figure out which way I like more.

 

And I don't think we should get rid of general chats. >_>

[Wyzrd 12]

Yea I never seen this posted either! MARK hacked it to make it seem it was posted yesterday!

 

Anyways I'm not really sure which way to go either. I kind of like the more condensed forum structure. And as far as the general chat I feel it should stay. Maybe make it its own structure above support and it could act as a general chat to all the different programs. Understand?

[AgentPaper 1]

I'd favor the current sorting method. I think of it like this:

 

If someone is interested in a RPGXP tutorial, they almost certainly won't be interested in a RPGVX tutorial, because that's not the system they're using. However, someone who's looking at a RPGXP tutorial could certainly be interested in also looking through RPGXP support, or RPGXP scripts, because they're very closely related to each other.

 

Essentially, RPGXP scripts and RPGXP tutorials are more closely related than RPGXP tutorials and RPGVX tutorials. So, it makes sense to put the things that are more closely related into the same subforum.

 

I don't think there's any real problem with having a lot of sub-forums, as long as the groupings and progression is logical and easy to see.

[Marked 197]

Yeah, it seems like the "Load More" button isn't being used too much :/ so I extended them no. of posts to 12. It's really gona hurt GDU not having the "dashboard" working.

 

Anywayz, I understand Wyz. It's all about perception. Take this forum for example

Technically, all general discussion about any game dev engine could go in here. But do you think with a whole category named "RPG Maker XP" people are going to go into this forum and post RMXP stuff? They'll get confused, and just won't post. Well, that's what I think anyway, and we gotta psychologically mess with these newbies and make things clear, tidy and easy and get 'em posting stuffs.

 

Essentially, RPGXP scripts and RPGXP tutorials are more closely related than RPGXP tutorials and RPGVX tutorials. So, it makes sense to put the things that are more closely related into the same subforum.

I'm not too sure about this "related" argument. On the board index right now, you have to click on the little sub-forums to get to where you want, and I've noticed that a lot of new members can't find these even though they are indeed right there. With the alternative structure you can see the actual forum for tutorials, in the tutorial category, and I think that because each forum is for a different engine, its still going to be easier to find want they want. Perhaps its less logical, more messy, but I think that's easier for new members and potential members to find exactly what they want and a lot easier.

 

Although I prefer the current system I think its harder for users to find content than the alternate, and so perhaps potential isn't being maximized.

 

I'm going to make something tonight to have fix this issue. You'll see it at the top of the board index :) I'm thinking right now of a quick access bar: the options will be for support, tutorials, etc. and you click them and drop down menu comes up and you select your desired engine.

 

This is a rushed post btw.. I'm late for uni!

[Wyzrd 12]

Sounds good Mark I look forward to it!

[Marked 197]

Le boom:

 

So this should help some of the newbies find their way around.

 

I guess this changes the discussion a bit. At this stage its the condensed + quick nav vs expanded.

[rgangsta 43]

Wow, that Quick Nav looks great. I like it.

[Wyzrd 12]

I say condensed+quick nav.

[Marked 197]

Wow, that Quick Nav looks great. I like it.

Hopefully that will help the new members but not imply that our tutorials and things are limited to those posted in forums (which they are, until proper content sections are made).

 

Btw I stole you banner and put it in my signature :D Great job.