Video Game Reviews Database development thread

[Mithrandir]

This thread is the general discussion thread for development/construction of the Video Game Reviews Database (VGRD). Please do not post reviews here. Project timeline will be open ended, as all work is volunteer (read I'm doing all the programming and I'm lazy). Major Milestones include:
1 User Requirements
2 Management Approval
3 System Design
4 Implementation
5 Testing

The purpose of the system is to provide reviews of video games from a Christian Perspective. This is vague enough that it can get blown out of proportion very quickly. Reviews should include genaric enough information about the game so as not to ruin the plot. They should also include discussions of things in the game that might offend Christians. This will include developing a list of categories that are likely to be of interest to our target audience. (See the bar graphs in the Anime Reviews Database for examples).


- USER REQUIREMENTS / QUESTIONS -

* For RAD (rapid application development) puroposes, I'd like to steal as much code as possible from the ARD. That being the case, what requirements do we have for this system which would not be included already?

* What categories of content should we include in the "bar graph" area? My initial list includes: Age, Rating, Violence, Gore, Nudity, Sexual Themes and Negative Religious Themes - with detail boxes for each area where additional information (such as examples) can be included.

* What other sections from the ARD should we use?


Let the discussion begin.

[Link Antilles]

Here's my idea on what to include:


Quick info
Name:
ESRB Rating:
Content descriptor:
Platform:
System Requirements:
Reviewers System Stats:
Publisher:
Producer:
Genre:
Reviewer:


The Game structure
Presentation: The opening of the game, story (no spoilers), what you can do in the game, menu.. etc..
Graphics and Frame-rate:
Game-play:
Sound:
Music:
Closing structure comments:



Content:
Violence:
Blood/Gore:
Language:
Nudity/ Sexual Themes:
Multiplayer: A description on the online community
Negative Religious Themes:
Overview:

I think that covers everything...

[Mithrandir]

How about a "side quests" section? Or is that getting into too much detail in a review?

[Link Antilles]

How about a "side quests" section? Or is that getting into too much detail in a review?

Yeah, I kinda’ forgot about something like that, we could make it more a general category... like “replay valueâ€

[Fsiphskilm]

What about a "My

[madphilb]

Since it's such a big thing in many games, a seperate "Magic content" item for the Content section might be good, instead of just lumping it into the "Negative Religious Themes" section.

Ya know... I thought of something for this yesterday morning on the way to work, and I can't think of what it was I was going to suggest..... hopefully I'll remember it later.

[Fsiphskilm]

How about a FEAT

[Mithrandir]

Replay value = Good Idea.
Number of players = good idea.
As for a "opinion" category, that would probably fit into the "overall rating" I think.

Hmm... Magic Content vs Negative Religious themes. Hmm...

Let me mull that one over.

[Mithrandir]

*bump*

Any other ideas? More comments? Questions? Concerns?!?

[Azier the Swordsman]

What platforms will reviews be accepted for?

[Mithrandir]

Well, I don't really care. I'd take them for everything from PC to console to cabinet. Anyone think that's a bad idea?

[Link Antilles]

Aight, I went back and revised it….


Quick info
Name:
ESRB Rating:
Content descriptor:
Platform:
Number of Players:
System Requirements:
Reviewer’s System Stats:
Publisher:
Producer:
Genre:
Reviewer:


The Game structure
Presentation: The opening of the game, story (no spoilers), what you can do in the game, menu.. etc..
Graphics and Frame-rate:
Game-play:
Re-play value/Multiplayer:
Sound:
Music:
Closing structure comments: generalize opinion



Content:[B]
Violence:
Blood/Gore:
Language:
Nudity/ Sexual Themes:
Online Multiplayer: A description on the online community
Negative Religious Themes:
Additional Negative Themes: [I]Drug content, Gambling, “Magicâ€

[Zilch]

I'm all for Link's idea's and structure.

But one thing I think we need to keep in mind, is that unless you're writing a preview, brevity wil be an issue. Hardcore gamers like me love long reviews, but what about the so-so's? They don't like hearing about frame skipping(weirdos...).

Just my two cents(sense?)...

[Kireihana]

I'm all for Link's idea's and structure.

But one thing I think we need to keep in mind, is that unless you're writing a preview, brevity wil be an issue. Hardcore gamers like me love long reviews, but what about the so-so's? They don't like hearing about frame skipping(weirdos...).

Well since they're planning on having the reviews in sections like the ARD, those people can just skip over the technicalities if they don't want to read them. I agree with you though. Graphics are important!!

I'm excited about this. I'd love to help, but unfortunately I can't do any of that complicated programming needed to set this up. O.O If there's anything I can help with though, I'd be obliged.

[Mithrandir]

Acutally, you did. You might not have realized it, but you reminded me about this. It had kinda fallen off the back burner. ><

[Destroyer2000]

Heh, I've thought about this as well. I agree with the idea of seperating magic from the 'Bad religion' section, even though they are the same. We tend to be pretty vague about the magic content in the Anime Reviews, from what I've seen.

[Mithrandir]

Well, there's always the point that magic isn't considered "bad religion" by some people, but that's a debate I REALLY don't want to get into. I think it's a good idea to separate them too. Any other comments on link's format? Speak now or forever hold your peace.

[Saint Kevin]

I'd like something that addresses the overall creativity or innovation of a game. Is it an old, overdone formula (both in story and gameplay) with really no redeeming qualities, or are the developers really taking a chance in innovating the industry?

With so many copycat games, and rampant sequelitis running through the video game industry, I feel that it is important to point out what exactly distinguishes a game from the crowd. Also, it's a good thing to have a separate numerical rating and brief explanation for this category, as it summarizes in brief one of the most important things in a video game review IMO. This is good for the casual gamers who might not read an entire review.

[Link Antilles]

WHOA! I completely forgot about this! I'm still in, of course!

I'd like something that addresses the overall creativity or innovation of a game. Is it an old, overdone formula (both in story and gameplay) with really no redeeming qualities, or are the developers really taking a chance in innovating the industry?

That would normally fall under the presentation category. Could be a sub category.. if there's something noteworthy in the game.

[Mithrandir]

I like that idea, but I am slightly concerned that doing a great many categories will make the reviews SO large that no one will want to read it...

[Link Antilles]

Uh... soooo.... what's the status, Oldphil?

[Mithrandir]

Let's see...

The VGRD's status is unchanged.

My status is: "Putting in long hours trying to migrate all the functions of dead legacy server to a newer box."

[glitch1501]

heh, i cant wait for this to come about

[Link Antilles]

O'yeah, I forgot about this...sorry to bring this up late... just curious, what about the organization of the games? Like from system to system. There are a lot of systems out there..... how hard would it be to program it the organize/categorize the games under the individual consoles? Or should we just divide it into just "classic" and "new"? or just post reviews in one big 'ol list? - OR could you just wait and see what reviews for what systems are sent and then divide them out into categories?

[Fsiphskilm]

poor OldPhil... *sigh*If I k

[Azier the Swordsman]

Well, if this ever gets off the ground, I'll be happy to contribute what I can.

[Mithrandir]

Actually, due to the way I code, the PHP isn't the tough part. I can borrow nearly the entire ARD for this project. The TOUGH part is figuring out the fields in the database - which is mostly comprised of figuring out what kinds of stuff we need to ask for in a review. I've read through most of this stuff, and I think I've got enough (of everything except time) to get started. I'll have a few other mods help me weed some things out, and then I'll get started.

So this is your last chance everyone. See anything here that's left out?

[Ashley]

The other thing is finding a reliable source to efficiently verify reviews--as with the anime reviews part, we don't want to put our name to it officially until someone on staff can attest to its veracity. That might slow the process down too, even when the database is up and running. Same goes for the next logical addition to the reviews--a manga database. Just thought I should let you guys know up front.

[Saint Kevin]

I'm pretty sure we covered everything to be honest. I can't wait for this to start (no pressure). Keep plugging Old Phil, it will get done eventually.

[MasterDias]

The other thing is finding a reliable source to efficiently verify reviews--as with the anime reviews part, we don't want to put our name to it officially until someone on staff can attest to its veracity. That might slow the process down too, even when the database is up and running. Same goes for the next logical addition to the reviews--a manga database. Just thought I should let you guys know up front.

How is this going to work? What if no one on staff has played and/or beaten the game in question? I can see that happening far more often with video game reviews than with anime reviews.

There are a lot of video games out there, some of them rarer and/or not as popular as others...

In any case, I can contribute some reviews as well once this is up and running.