Dear PWI: Your website is broken.
Kephras - Heavens Tear
Posts: 1,472 Arc User
EDIT: This is in reference to the MAIN SITE of Perfect World International, pwi.perfectworld.com
As long as the main site's "new look" remains in effect, it remains a problem and a concern for anyone with an interest in this game. Potential new users will be turned away, and despite the new feedback options, 70%* of the registered userbase dislikes the change
*according to the poll on the main site, 3/3/2010
The problems are myriad, and not necessarily easy to rectify.
I've gotten most of the flaming out of my system, but I'll list the major flaws here.
Tideborn
-The marketing push behind the tideborn is understandable, but until the race is completely "finished," it is unadviseable to present them as the ONLY race featured in PWI.
-Re-integrate them with the original three races, or design (/request) new artwork featuring all four races equally. Perhaps, as per your game loading screens, a randomly cycling selection of artwork from the eight playable classes
News | Game Info | etc.... menu block
-The current design (black / white text / green highlighting) does not fit with any other content on the page, and resembles an XBox widget of some kind.
-The sleek "techy" look should probably be replaced by something more befitting PWI's fantasy environment
The colors should be revised to match page content, or at the very least something relating to PWI.
Bottom Line: It currently resembles content from another company/site altogether.
Login/Sign Up block
A minor complaint - the login & account details are already available from the header at the top of the page.
-Revise this section to simply offer a sign-up to the game, or hidden altogether if a registered account is logged in
(A "Not [account]? Log in here!" line would be handy)
News
-This is the heart of your page. It says what is new and exciting about PWI.
Make it larger, the focal point of your site. Include obvious links to past news & events (beyond a simple "more" button in the corner)
Buzz Stream
-The content you are presenting here is completely irrelevant to your product. It does nothing except distract visitors and redirect traffic AWAY from your site.
If this section is to continue to exist at all, filter it for content relating exclusively to PWE - either media articles, info on other PWE products in development or release, etc.
Screenshots/Wallpapers
Remember that the main site constitutes PWI's "official" face to the internet community.
While allowing user content to be posted is not in and of itself a bad thing, these two sections should be exclusively controlled by PWI.
*If you are truly intent on featuring user content in these sections, perhaps make a contest of it, to present the best possible images as your "face of the game"
The goal is to make the most favorable impression possible.
*Corollary: Wallpapers - again, remember that the tideborn are one of four races, and currently still being completed (skill-wise, at least)
Fan Art
This section should be carefully moderated. It is not a bad thing to offer user content posted, but be very careful of what that content says about your community
-Poor, sketchy artwork will suggest a very juvenile side to your userbase, a la the "Crayon art on the refridgerator" idea.
-Skilled artistry will suggest a more mature, talented community
Contests
Expand on it to include previous contest winners and honorable mentions.
Featured Videos
Same problem as Buzz Stream: features content completely irrelevant to your game product, redirecting traffic and interest away from your site.
-Eliminate non-PWE content. Feature videos that present your game in its best possible light, documentary vids on the game's development, and the like.
-A link to PWI's youtube channel may also be appropriate, though once again remember that you do NOT want to redirect traffic away from your game
Forum
Takes up the entire bottom half of the page. Featuring the community input is good, but not to excess.
Perhaps relegate it to a sidebar with the heading "Hot Topics" or somesuch; list the forum threads your moderators view most appropriate; end with a "Visit our forums!" link
Missing Content:
-The chief complaint of most users seems to be the now-extinct rankings page. Restoring it should be a priority
-Site is now missing the "Online/Offline" server box. This would have been the clearest indication that visitors have in fact arrived at a site for a GAME.
In summary, it seems your web designers have forgotten that their site was for an MMORPG.
Any of these sites represent a proper design ethos and I advise them to study each.
<edited>
There is no TL;DR, bullet-points are the best I can summarize.
Constructive discussion encouraged.
As long as the main site's "new look" remains in effect, it remains a problem and a concern for anyone with an interest in this game. Potential new users will be turned away, and despite the new feedback options, 70%* of the registered userbase dislikes the change
*according to the poll on the main site, 3/3/2010
The problems are myriad, and not necessarily easy to rectify.
I've gotten most of the flaming out of my system, but I'll list the major flaws here.
A game's main site is designed to draw new players in, with information & game content.
It should present one, clear, undiluted message: "COME PLAY THIS GAME."
The current design presents no clear message at all, except perhaps "Look, shiny!"
It should present one, clear, undiluted message: "COME PLAY THIS GAME."
The current design presents no clear message at all, except perhaps "Look, shiny!"
Tideborn
-The marketing push behind the tideborn is understandable, but until the race is completely "finished," it is unadviseable to present them as the ONLY race featured in PWI.
-Re-integrate them with the original three races, or design (/request) new artwork featuring all four races equally. Perhaps, as per your game loading screens, a randomly cycling selection of artwork from the eight playable classes
News | Game Info | etc.... menu block
-The current design (black / white text / green highlighting) does not fit with any other content on the page, and resembles an XBox widget of some kind.
-The sleek "techy" look should probably be replaced by something more befitting PWI's fantasy environment
The colors should be revised to match page content, or at the very least something relating to PWI.
Bottom Line: It currently resembles content from another company/site altogether.
Login/Sign Up block
A minor complaint - the login & account details are already available from the header at the top of the page.
-Revise this section to simply offer a sign-up to the game, or hidden altogether if a registered account is logged in
(A "Not [account]? Log in here!" line would be handy)
News
-This is the heart of your page. It says what is new and exciting about PWI.
Make it larger, the focal point of your site. Include obvious links to past news & events (beyond a simple "more" button in the corner)
Buzz Stream
-The content you are presenting here is completely irrelevant to your product. It does nothing except distract visitors and redirect traffic AWAY from your site.
If this section is to continue to exist at all, filter it for content relating exclusively to PWE - either media articles, info on other PWE products in development or release, etc.
Screenshots/Wallpapers
Remember that the main site constitutes PWI's "official" face to the internet community.
While allowing user content to be posted is not in and of itself a bad thing, these two sections should be exclusively controlled by PWI.
*If you are truly intent on featuring user content in these sections, perhaps make a contest of it, to present the best possible images as your "face of the game"
The goal is to make the most favorable impression possible.
*Corollary: Wallpapers - again, remember that the tideborn are one of four races, and currently still being completed (skill-wise, at least)
Fan Art
This section should be carefully moderated. It is not a bad thing to offer user content posted, but be very careful of what that content says about your community
-Poor, sketchy artwork will suggest a very juvenile side to your userbase, a la the "Crayon art on the refridgerator" idea.
-Skilled artistry will suggest a more mature, talented community
Contests
Expand on it to include previous contest winners and honorable mentions.
Featured Videos
Same problem as Buzz Stream: features content completely irrelevant to your game product, redirecting traffic and interest away from your site.
-Eliminate non-PWE content. Feature videos that present your game in its best possible light, documentary vids on the game's development, and the like.
-A link to PWI's youtube channel may also be appropriate, though once again remember that you do NOT want to redirect traffic away from your game
Forum
Takes up the entire bottom half of the page. Featuring the community input is good, but not to excess.
Perhaps relegate it to a sidebar with the heading "Hot Topics" or somesuch; list the forum threads your moderators view most appropriate; end with a "Visit our forums!" link
Missing Content:
-The chief complaint of most users seems to be the now-extinct rankings page. Restoring it should be a priority
-Site is now missing the "Online/Offline" server box. This would have been the clearest indication that visitors have in fact arrived at a site for a GAME.
In summary, it seems your web designers have forgotten that their site was for an MMORPG.
Any of these sites represent a proper design ethos and I advise them to study each.
<edited>
There is no TL;DR, bullet-points are the best I can summarize.
Constructive discussion encouraged.
Post edited by Kephras - Heavens Tear on
0
Comments
-
well not really like when i go to a game website im just looking for the download link, not trying to read through all the other bull ****. and for the forum, i have the forum link in my history so i dont even have to go to the main website.-retired-
now playing megaten and...Forsaken World
0 -
There's always going to be bull-****. My point is, it should at least be professionally designed bull-****, and relevant to the game you are (or about to be) playing.0
-
The old design of the site was pretty sharp and stylish, or so I thought. The way that it looks like now is like they stripped it of all it had previously and went with the base design with that awful Tideborn wallpaper.Kephras - Heavens Tear wrote: »A game's main site is designed to draw new players in, with information & game content.
It should present one, clear, undiluted message: "COME PLAY THIS GAME."
The current design presents no clear message at all, except perhaps "Look, shiny!"
Oh, but this would actually make sense!Tideborn
-The marketing push behind the tideborn is understandable, but until the race is completely "finished," it is unadviseable to present them as the ONLY race featured in PWI.
-Re-integrate them with the original three races, or design (/request) new artwork featuring all four races equally. Perhaps, as per your game loading screens, a randomly cycling selection of artwork from the eight playable classes
Tideborn was rushed, obviously. People like to use the excuse that the CN devs don't control our cash shop, so they don't instigate the oracle sells and hyperstone sells. However... the only example I can come up with is myself. I started in HT in October, and by the time december came around, I was level 80. Then I quit for about a year blah blah blah, but the point is.... I made it to level 80 in 2 months before all these extra dailies, oracle, or hyperstones even existed.
Tideborns have been out for 4 months now.
Not much to say. Get rid of it.Buzz Stream
-The content you are presenting here is completely irrelevant to your product. It does nothing except distract visitors and redirect traffic AWAY from your site.
If this section is to continue to exist at all, filter it for content relating exclusively to PWE - either media articles, info on other PWE products in development or release, etc.●Wizard (Male) - Fasditious and pretentious, carries the arrogance of intellectual superiority. Feels the need to remind everyone of his world-ending power, but grows a little manic and unhinged when he finally is allowed to unleash it. "Ahh-hahahahaha!! NOW YOU ALL BURN!!!!"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]0 -
b:byeb:byeb:bye
bai0 -
Very well said, Kephras. This is a perfect thread for our current situation. It's clear, and all in one place, so the Devs won't have to go through pages and pages of replys.
In my opinion, the forums aren't bothering me that much anymore. Ok, the colors aren't fantastic, but what background with black text is like almost every single website out there. It's pretty much standard, and it just needs getting used to.
It's the main page that enrages me. As earlier said, there is so much irrelevant content, it's hard to realize that this is a GAME website, not just some cheap fan-blog.
The guides panel that used to be on the right is now this teeny-weeny box underneath an ad. It was so helpful when I was starting out. Of course, there is the menu block up top, but it's just not quite the same.
I need to get used to it? Maybe. But I'm not sure if newcomers would want to stick around.0 -
I agree with everything. Really, I do.
I also want to point out both the hilarity of the following, as well as how disturbing it is to see it being advertised on the main website of an online MMO.
And don't get me started on the anime.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]0 -
i dont have a problem with this website at all.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
ty Nowitsawn
Everything has its beginnings, but it doesn't start at one. It starts long before that... The world is born From zero. The moment zero becomes one is the moment the world springs to life. One becomes 2. 2 becomes 10. 10 becomes 100. taking it all back to one solves nothing. so long as zero remains... One.. Will eventually grow to 100 again.0 -
I for one, find the main page too overwhelming for a new player. The OP said it best, there are too many distractions and it basically has a feel like MSN.com now.
Coulda done much better, but keep changing it, and it will evolve into something nice. Hopefully.0 -
If you check the survey on the main page, you will see than 70% of the PWi community is agree with you[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Kylin: thrashtalk everyone, win TWs, serious faction -Dralighte0 -
Figured you might want to mention the broken forums too.
The 2 most noteable broken features are;
(1) Incompatible with IE6 users. Cant just tell em all to upgrade. According to web usage statistics, as of January 2010 20% of all web browsers used are IE6 still. When using IE6, you can not scroll down thru forum topics, it shows about 4.5 tops (yes, .5, as thats about where it cut off) and then cut off by a banner. The scroll bar simply scrolls further down the banner, it doesnt scroll down the topics.
(2) Any image thats wider the the pretermined fixed width, dissappears off the side of the page. This is not horizontally scrollable to either. This also pushed the edit, reply, and quote buttons off the side so they can no longer be accessed. Should someone post a wide image, they cant even hit the edit button the remove & replace the image with a smaller one.
When i look at a games website, and am deciding if i wish to play, after reading the little intros, i go to the forums, and read the discussions of the users. So the Forums at least being working is of paramount importance. I'm ignoring the fact that it looks like any random under done PHP board out there, and focusing on actual broken features tho.0 -
this should go under tech support, and then locked under mod logic, because its directed at the company/staff and the rules say not to do that. because our mods are such geniuses.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
advice to fledgling archers:
Going sage is like drunken sex, at first she may look good, but when you wake up the next morning; you'll look at her and go WHAT HAVE I DONE.0 -
To the OP, nice post- I think you expressed your ideas really clearly-
Keep in mind that the re-design is just in stage one out of multiple stages, so over the coming weeks we'll be adding new features and removing things that don't work out as planned.
Thanks for the feedback
0 -
DarkSylph: No, I don't want to mention the forums. That's a whole other kettle of fish, and there's a thread or three about it already. This pertains specifically to the game's website, and more specifically, how poorly it was conceived and executed.
Waffle: In your eyes perhaps, but I sincerely hope that doesn't happen. I've been a bit wrapped up in flame-bait rhetoric about this in previous posts, but the underlying point holds, and must be conveyed to PWE. In that respect, the poll is eyecandy for those who like an easy paint-by-numbers system. The poll on the main page should already tell them something's wrong, but it's no more significant than the "Check engine" light on your car. This is the mechanic telling you exactly how truly boned you are.
...So to speak.
PS- Please don't flame the authorities and get this thread locked.
EDIT: Frankie, thank you for the reply. That is almost exactly the sort of answer I was hoping to hear. After the recent "Site Redesign" newspost, it seemed for all appearances that PWE would just keep rolling ahead and ignoring the (vast) outcry of its userbase.
Which has been more or less the status quo so far...
PPS- While I don't claim to be an expert web-designer, I'm no stranger to the process either.0 -
Wow, thank you Kephras for those awesome games. I can now quit PW and go play those. b:laugh
Just kidding, I agree with Kephras, ironically. It's the old layout that attracted me to the game it was like "KAPOW" in yo face. With some awesome screenshots. And now, they're trying to sell us **** detecting USB sticks b:sad
I agree with everything Keph said, in addition to that. Get off yer' lazy bums and make multiple layouts so people can choose. Once you step in to the darkness which is called "People's opinions" you shall never be able to satisfy everyone with 1 layout. Hence why most forums have different layouts.
As for your main website.
Lrn2design..
Ok fine, fine. I'll be nice.
So, I go to the main website to explore a new game. My first impression would be "Wow, I can be the little mermaid!". Obviously, it's ALL OVER the front of the website. It's like you guys are proud that you've invented a new class which mind you is exactly the same like every other game that has said classes.
Second point as Kephras mentioned is: I have no idea what I want to do, do I want to actually download the game, or do I go play one of the other games you're advertising, I can't even properly find any information about the game. It's all some minor updates on the FRONT page. (For those who don't know, updates will only concern existing players. Putting updates on the FRONT page and making it the most obvious thing to notice will not attract new players, just confuse the shizzle out of them). Then there's some random videos thing..Erm, ok. Nifty.
Right now the website/forums are not what PW is all about, in fact. It seems to have almost nothing to do with PW.
As everyone else said before, and I'll say it again.
Do NOT focus on one specific class in game, and for the love of whatever gods you staffers believe in (For the love of money, perhaps?) stop being so proud of a class that isn't even finished yet.
Also, more anni packs please. <= *runs*
..
I WAS KIDDI--*gets pummeled to death*[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Still trying to move your cursor, eh?0 -
b:angryJhalil - Heavens Tear wrote: »I WAS KIDDI--*gets pummeled to death*
Actually, I wouldn't mind if they added a pack with just tokens. Me likey tokens b:surrender●Wizard (Male) - Fasditious and pretentious, carries the arrogance of intellectual superiority. Feels the need to remind everyone of his world-ending power, but grows a little manic and unhinged when he finally is allowed to unleash it. "Ahh-hahahahaha!! NOW YOU ALL BURN!!!!"
[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]0 -
Kephras - Heavens Tear wrote: »DarkSylph: No, I don't want to mention the forums. That's a whole other kettle of fish, and there's a thread or three about it already. This pertains specifically to the game's website, and more specifically, how poorly it was conceived and executed.
The problem with the thread about the forum, is they're wholly focused on how people dont like how they look. I mentioned once the actual BROKEN features & it just got washed over with more complaints about how it looks.
I was trying to address the fact that besides the bad looks, the forums are actually BROKEN. But i dont think anyone has bothered to read that.0 -
quite frankly, it was just sarcasm in annoyance at a locking of my own thread.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
advice to fledgling archers:
Going sage is like drunken sex, at first she may look good, but when you wake up the next morning; you'll look at her and go WHAT HAVE I DONE.0 -
I'm going to interlace my comments with yours....Kephras - Heavens Tear wrote: »EDIT: This is in reference to the MAIN SITE of Perfect World International, pwi.perfectworld.com
As long as the main site's "new look" remains in effect, it remains a problem and a concern for anyone with an interest in this game. Potential new users will be turned away, and despite the new feedback options, 70%* of the registered userbase dislikes the change
*according to the poll on the main site, 3/3/2010
The problems are myriad, and not necessarily easy to rectify.
I've gotten most of the flaming out of my system, but I'll list the major flaws here.A game's main site is designed to draw new players in, with information & game content.
It should present one, clear, undiluted message: "COME PLAY THIS GAME."
The current design presents no clear message at all, except perhaps "Look, shiny!"
Tideborn
-The marketing push behind the tideborn is understandable, but until the race is completely "finished," it is unadviseable to present them as the ONLY race featured in PWI.
-Re-integrate them with the original three races, or design (/request) new artwork featuring all four races equally. Perhaps, as per your game loading screens, a randomly cycling selection of artwork from the eight playable classes
News | Game Info | etc.... menu block
-The current design (black / white text / green highlighting) does not fit with any other content on the page, and resembles an XBox widget of some kind.
-The sleek "techy" look should probably be replaced by something more befitting PWI's fantasy environment
The colors should be revised to match page content, or at the very least something relating to PWI.
Bottom Line: It currently resembles content from another company/site altogether. I agree- plus this white BG with balck text is very hard for players who are visually disabled to read.
Login/Sign Up block
A minor complaint - the login & account details are already available from the header at the top of the page.
-Revise this section to simply offer a sign-up to the game, or hidden altogether if a registered account is logged in
(A "Not [account]? Log in here!" line would be handy) Before this change, I could sign in, and stay signed in. Now, i have to re-sign in for every new page change.
News
-This is the heart of your page. It says what is new and exciting about PWI.
Make it larger, the focal point of your site. Include obvious links to past news & events (beyond a simple "more" button in the corner)
Buzz Stream
-The content you are presenting here is completely irrelevant to your product. It does nothing except distract visitors and redirect traffic AWAY from your site.
If this section is to continue to exist at all, filter it for content relating exclusively to PWE - either media articles, info on other PWE products in development or release, etc. I was very pleased, till now, that PWI didnt have advertisments, hasseling us to buy stuff....we buy enough ingame, why have an ad, unless the computer company is also owned by PWI?
Screenshots/Wallpapers
Remember that the main site constitutes PWI's "official" face to the internet community.
While allowing user content to be posted is not in and of itself a bad thing, these two sections should be exclusively controlled by PWI.
*If you are truly intent on featuring user content in these sections, perhaps make a contest of it, to present the best possible images as your "face of the game"
The goal is to make the most favorable impression possible.
*Corollary: Wallpapers - again, remember that the tideborn are one of four races, and currently still being completed (skill-wise, at least) I love the idea of having a place on the start page, where we can post our *best*...best being good represenitives of our characters and beautiful.
Fan Art
This section should be carefully moderated. It is not a bad thing to offer user content posted, but be very careful of what that content says about your community
-Poor, sketchy artwork will suggest a very juvenile side to your userbase, a la the "Crayon art on the refridgerator" idea.
-Skilled artistry will suggest a more mature, talented community so far, there hasnt been a lot of good fan art, outside of the calendar contest. the biggest problem with that is that by the time its posted, and judged, its not possible to acutally USE the calendar.
Contests
Expand on it to include previous contest winners and honorable mentions.
Featured Videos
Same problem as Buzz Stream: features content completely irrelevant to your game product, redirecting traffic and interest away from your site.
-Eliminate non-PWE content. Feature videos that present your game in its best possible light, documentary vids on the game's development, and the like.
-A link to PWI's youtube channel may also be appropriate, though once again remember that you do NOT want to redirect traffic away from your game
it would be wonderful for those who make PWI Vids to be able to link them to the PWI site, to make them easier to find. So far, i have to hunt around, and hope what i find is PWI, and not from private servers.
Forum
Takes up the entire bottom half of the page. Featuring the community input is good, but not to excess.
Perhaps relegate it to a sidebar with the heading "Hot Topics" or somesuch; list the forum threads your moderators view most appropriate; end with a "Visit our forums!" link
Missing Content:
-The chief complaint of most users seems to be the now-extinct rankings page. Restoring it should be a priority
-Site is now missing the "Online/Offline" server box. This would have been the clearest indication that visitors have in fact arrived at a site for a GAME. THIS is a major problem! I was waiting for the game to come back online, after maintance, and there was NO WAY, other than to keep trying to sign in, to find out. I finally got irritated enough, said the hell with it, and went to bed. PLEASE, put back the 'online/offline' status window.
In summary, it seems your web designers have forgotten that their site was for an MMORPG.
Any of these sites represent a proper design ethos and I advise them to study each.
<edited>
There is no TL;DR, bullet-points are the best I can summarize.
Constructive discussion encouraged.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
(and hugs to Flauschkatze for the sig!)
"Thanks for writing me-- it's always great to hear from a vet.
-FrankieRaye"
Playing here since '08b:heart0 -
Here's a question I'm sure is on everyone's mind. Why was the site redesigned in the first place? Was there something wrong with the old layout? And why was it changed so drastically?
In my opinion, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.0 -
Squeakytoy - Dreamweaver wrote: »Here's a question I'm sure is on everyone's mind. Why was the site redesigned in the first place? Was there something wrong with the old layout? And why was it changed so drastically?
In my opinion, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Yep, I have to agree, Squeaky. And to the OP, this is a well-thought-out post, and very useful. Good job! I could go on and on about the Main page, AND the redesigned (and I use that term loosely) forum site, but it would be redundant. Basically...it sucks! Get some REAL (and really good) designers in here, instead of business men and children!
b:angry[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Muchas gracias to Saitada for the siggy ~0 -
Dear PWI: Your website is broken./COLOR]
That...made me LOL hard[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
I'm the only Harpy, Who's Psychic and knows all!b:chuckleb:pleased
Live Life How You wish To Live It.
I love PWI, Teh Forums, and Konari b:thanks
Is currently working on Wizzy (imo better than my Psy)b:surrender name: SaphiraGione0 -
Laughter is the best medicine?
Honestly, after seeing the mess they've made of the main page, the color scheme has rapidly become the very least of my concerns. Granted, they need to correct that too (main site & forum both), but as a whole it presents such an unprofessional view of PWI as a game, I'm astonished the "powers that be" approved it at all.0 -
what blows my mind is the video....what has natruto and all those cartoons to do with PWI??? that would be like going to the Disneyland site, and finding links to every other cartoon around, with disney ones last, back in a corner you really had to look for.
there is so much junk there now, that it doesnt look like it is the gate to our game at all.im no great shakes on web design, even this is better http://sites.google.com/site/deporressds/homeKephras - Heavens Tear wrote: »Laughter is the best medicine?
Honestly, after seeing the mess they've made of the main page, the color scheme has rapidly become the very least of my concerns. Granted, they need to correct that too (main site & forum both), but as a whole it presents such an unprofessional view of PWI as a game, I'm astonished the "powers that be" approved it at all.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
(and hugs to Flauschkatze for the sig!)
"Thanks for writing me-- it's always great to hear from a vet.
-FrankieRaye"
Playing here since '08b:heart0 -
I agree that the main sight does need work. Speaking in the only way I know how, in terms of the design of the layout, there is too much horizontal banding. Overall, that makes the page a bit dull. The original page had everything situated in 3 columns; this allowed for it to be a bit more "exciting" and easier to read down the page. Now, the current layout consists of 2 columns, one being twice as wide as the other, and multiple horizontal bands in the wider column. The first time I saw it I literally navigated away from the page. It's boring to look at.
In terms of content on the page, even I can see there is a lot on the page which needs to go. The "buzz stream" for example, it is completely irrelevant to the game; the same goes for the "featured videos," they are completely irrelevant to the game. Neither of these really deserve a place on the homepage. Also, there is only one little section devoted to new players, and I didn't spot it until I was really looking at the page while writing this post. If you haven't noticed it, it's smushed between a giant ad and the online poll.
Personally, if this was the layout that was present when I first started playing the game, I wouldn't have even bothered downloading the client. The first thing I look for when visiting a MMO's website is game information, such as class descriptions, class skill sets, game lore, and other pieces of information like that; this sort of information was present of the homepage of the last design.
If I can find this information, I look for news, events, and announcements next. These generally show that the MMO's GMs are active in interacting with the population. In the original design, this was top and center of the page you could see that the GMs were hosting events, be them in the game or on the forum, often enough that they could be considered actively with the population of the game. The current design has the news section really small and the events banner is nice, but still quite annoying compared to what we had.
The one last thing that I am going to rant on about is the focus on the Tideborn. The amount of focus on the Tideborn, with the lack of information even hinting there are other classes, this appears to be a fishy game with a lot of fishy people running around. On top of that, the Tideborn aren't even fully finished. With the sheer amount of dailies, a new player could casually play to 79+ in probably 2 months. I'm still sitting at 5x right now because I haven't been leveling this char like I should be.
I'm pretty sure that I repeated a lot of what Kephras said. But to sum up what I said, the homepage does need fixing and I agree with all of the points Kephras made.
-LingI've moved to LC, perhaps permanently. Goodbye Sanctuary, I know that nobody there knows me.
0 -
one thing.. why the fk we have anime content there.. and random news. b:surrender
Offtopic: b:cry fran why cant we have class change like you, you've changed yourself from an archer to a werefox b:cry i want too0 -
The main website . . . . . don't feel like a MMO website. b:sad
The PWI logo was much more smaller now, you may miss it when seeing the page.
(why it not in the middle and what is that male psychic face doing there ?)
The problem is too much things in one page. b:surrender
And kinda not original, the old one looks pretty original . . why not keep using the old theme ? b:victory
And >.> why i feel the main page now has so many advertise.
Rearrange the website main page please. b:surrender[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
Sorry i speak engrish b:chuckle
Nickname doesn't have anything to do with sailor but related to a folklore
Use search, it was your best friends to avoid many suffering in internet...0 -
*Bump* I don't care if this is necro, this is still a valid concern and needs to be addressed.0
This discussion has been closed.
Categories
- All Categories
- 181.9K PWI
- 699 Official Announcements
- 2 Rules of Conduct
- 264 Cabbage Patch Notes
- 61K General Discussion
- 1.5K Quality Corner
- 11.1K Suggestion Box
- 77.4K Archosaur City
- 3.5K Cash Shop Huddle
- 14.3K Server Symposium
- 18.1K Dungeons & Tactics
- 2K The Crafting Nook
- 4.9K Guild Banter
- 6.6K The Trading Post
- 28K Class Discussion
- 1.9K Arigora Colosseum
- 78 TW & Cross Server Battles
- 337 Nation Wars
- 8.2K Off-Topic Discussion
- 3.7K The Fanatics Forum
- 207 Screenshots and Videos
- 22.8K Support Desk