Game Topic Content Guidelines - (Read this before posting your game)

[Meiscool-2]

Hello. The Games section of the forum is designed for the promotion of amature game creations. The purpose of posting here is to gain constructive criticism from other game designers and forum goers.  However, before you post your game to be advertised and viewed by your forum peers, we ask that you fulfill the majority of the below prerequisites. Not doing so will hamper your chances of getting a positive responce from the public.

Topics made specifically for advertising a new game (Meaning no lengthy playable demo is out yet or near being finished) should have the following:
- At least two paragraphs describing the game
- Two screenshots of in-game content (Fan Art, Title Screens, Game Over Screens, Menu Screens, and Mockups do NOT count.)
- Description of basic plot. This can be included in your two paragraphs.
- Character bio of main/player character. Every game has a main character; if you can't give a bio about him, then state why.
- Use the EDIT function for minor updates.

Topics made for releasing a demo or to create a hype for a soon-to-be-released demo should have the following:
- At least three paragraphs describing the game
- Four screenshots/gameplay videos of in-game content, preferable to be taken in different places (Fan Art, Title Screens, Game Over Screens, Menu Screens, and Mockups do NOT count.)
- Description of basic overall plot, with an additional description of what is going on in the demo.
- List of known bugs/flaws in the demo. Address each bug, or tell people how not to trigger the bugs.
- Working download link for your game.
- Character bios are liked, but not needed. At least list the most important characters.
- Keep all major information and updates in your first post by means of the EDIT function.
- Make sure to let the forum know which Game Making Program you used to make your demo.

By following all these rules, it greatly increases your chances of having a successful game topic that people will enjoy posting in. Enjoy the Games Forum.

Additional Tips from Prpl_Mage:
To the new members reading this and getting all scared!

If you get confused why noone is downloading your game or doesn't reply kindly. What is mentioned in this thread might be the answer.

Members on the internet is basicly too lazy to bother clicking a link to your webpage where you got your game.
Doing that is more or less just advertisement, you don't even bother telling us what it is.
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Actually explaining what the game is about is a perfect way to get attention and get members interested. You might have a great game, but a bad description greatly reduces your chances to get possitive replies.
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Screenshots show us how skilled you are with mapmaking and graphic handling. Some people want to play good-looking games, showing a screenshot will make them know what to expect.
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Character descriptions show the members how well you've planned the game as well as your imagination and creativity. This is another good thing to do so that people can quickly see if they can expect a serious, quick, lazy or beginner- kind of game.
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Writing a explaination about the overall plot is good as well, this is another good way to catch people's interest. Don't get all upset if someone says the story is cliché, it's very common. Especially when it is a question about a kidnapped princess, elemental temples and a nation starting a war for no apparent reason.
The overall explaination will show members what to expect of the game story-wise. Don't spoil your grand plot though.
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If you get negative replies. Take them to heart and use the critism to make the game better, we are not trying to be mean(although some members got it easier to appear that way than others).
Suggestions is what we should give you; but all members really doesn't have that gift to be educational, so some members may say it better than others.

[HobomasterXXX]

Good job Meis.

[Red Fox]

Yes, this is needed. Good work, should be sticked.

[RockJohnAxe]

Now if this is gonna be stickied, one of the pointless stickies should be removed, my Threads being kicked to page 2 :O  lol

good thing my game thread consists of 46000 characters of information

[Meiscool-2]

Almost none of the links in the ~Completed Games and Demos~ topic work, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to unstickie that.

[Fisherson]

Awesome, Meis , it's about time some one set the rules around here for posting games.
I'll do my best to abide by them. Good work.

[Rahl]

People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.

[HobomasterXXX]

People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.

What this topic does is prevents people from just making a topic saying "This is my game it is cool plz download it. Also, why has someone not stickied this.

[Bluhman]

People should post what they want, it's thier game. Others can look at it or choose not. Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions for attention grabbing.

It's not set rules, they're just guidelines that are recommended to be followed if they want to have an attractive game thread and have it be played.

[Rahl]

Got that but when you emply "rules" you are setting boundries, boundries are the downfall of individualism and freedoms. Player made games are games spawned through creativity and indivduality.

By following all these rules, it greatly...

we ask that you fulfill the majority of the below prerequisites

Don't make rule, make guidelines/suggestions

[Meiscool-2]

We arn't a dump site. All these rules are for are to help keep more quality games and responces in the forums. They are just like the rules of the forum. Flaming, for example, is against the rules, but we still do it and allow it from time to time.

[mironic]

[Dragonium]

Almost none of the links in the ~Completed Games and Demos~ topic work, so it wouldn't be a bad idea to unstickie that.

I think a better option would be to wait until we can get those demos (Or the ones we can find, someone must have them) hosted on the site.

[Rahl]

We arn't a dump site.

No but we aren't a a dictatorship either, this is a public site. And people who dont

At least three paragraphs describing the game

Could have games just as good as anyone elses. This is a community where anyone can post thier games not just the ones you deem worthy.

[Ben]

Yeah, Meis has just posted some guidelines. Calm.
Last i checked the guy didnt have power to enact new rules.

However, these guidelines are good.
Theyre also a bit of common sense.

Posting a rough storyline to an idea is lame if you have no work to back it up. Nobody takes it seriously