*rant on* I have a bit of a thing for a good web game. Right now, Urban Dead is really rocking my world, but I’ve tried a fair-few of the more well known ones in my time. I like the short 5 minute distraction they can be, the multiplayeryness of them and the (sometimes) elegant design. But one thing constantly annoys me about them. What I hear you ask? Well, a complete lack of info on what the bloody hell the game is and how it works! For example, I followed a link to Evolution 5 and am instantly presented with a completely uninspiring page. Clicking on the Evolution Guide link doesn’t give you anything else to go on either, launching straight into discussion of menus and whatnot.
How hard would it be to place three or four sentences at the top of the page describing the game? It’s an incredibly basic thing to do but MOST web games fail to do it. And how about a screenshot! I know, revolutionary idea here! Sure, your game might be all text but I’d like to see how it looks and if it’s likely to fit my particular tastes (I like web games with maps, like Urban Dead. Just a personal thing).
Maybe I’m missing something. Maybe people don’t want new customers? But please, if you’re in any way involved in these games, look at your web site with fresh eyes and help us become interested! *rant off*
@TinyPirate 
neonDragon
/ January 17, 2006Hey, I’m working on it. It’s hard to do all the Evolution related things at once.
I have designed a new front page, it’s just a case of finding the time to make it.
Pinky
/ January 17, 2006You shouldn’t judge something by first impressions. For example, if I based this whole site off the last post, I wouldn’t be coming back 😉
I play evolution, and it’s an awesome game. You just have to give it a chance.
Araldia
/ January 17, 2006Evolution is a game that doesn’t suit those put off at first look. It is a strategy war game that develops as you do in the community. It is more than just another game, and is not suited for people with no patience, or the lack of desire to investigate.
I have been playing evolution for months now, and find it a very satisfying game.
As for the game runners, things are tested in a development environment, but the great thing about this game is the community, and all its players help the game itself evolve.
Peter
/ January 18, 2006It’s great to see the work going on, but if I was promoting a web game, making sure the page was useful and descriptive would be the first thing I did, not the last.
That being said, if the game is in development and the creator didn’t want many people playing, then the no-info approach woudl work. In which case, say on the site it is still heavily in development.
Anyway, good luck with it all. Now there’s the start of some information on what it’s all about I’m sure a lot more people will try the game.
neonDragon
/ January 31, 2006Evolution 5 – Much better. 🙂