[Project Complete] New Casual Games (Arcade) Website - $600 Prize in Ti

[espionage]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 34P01322G9974454S)

Hi DOers,

I have returned to run a second contest after seeing what a great success the first one was. Hopefully the prize money will cushion (or not!) some of your Christmas spending this year. :D

Attached below are our assessment responses -- please read them carefully. I will be offering continuous feedback throughout this contest. If you are or will be entering this contest, please reply in thread ASAP to let me know.

Update: I'd just like to let everyone know that if they plan on entering, please reply and let me know ahead of time. Otherwise, I would like to close the project soon and announce a winner if there is no one else entering. Thanks!

Company Details:
Name: example.com

Company Tag Line or Slogan?
None.

Do you have a Company Logo?
Yes. Please see attachment.

Do you have a corporate visual identity?
No (unless the identifying mark on the left of the logo is considered one).

What is the nature of your business?
We are an online arcade destination providing our audience a place to go for playing casual flash games.

Who is your target market? Who are you hoping to reach with your site?
Male and female between the ages 18-49 (50/50).

IMPORTANT: Please list at least 3 URLs (web addresses) of high quality sites that you like the look of. Please consider layout, colors, navigation, graphics, and typography.

http://www.miniclip.com
http://www.shockwave.com
http://www.2dplay.com
http://www.flashplayer.com/games/
http://www.gametap.com


What colors or color schemes would you like?
No preference. Possibly some logo colors. Light, smooth, easy on the eyes either by contrasting or different degrees of the same color.

List the navigation links for your site:
Main (Top): Action, Puzzle, Shooting, Word, Racing, Sports, Trivia, Adventure, Download.

Main (Right Below Top): Make Us Your HomePage, Free Site Content, Contact Us

Main (Body): Action Games, Puzzle Games, Shooting Games, Word Games, Racing Games, Sports Games, Trivia Games, Adventure Games, Download Games, View More Games...

Main (Sides & Misc.): Tell a Friend, List All Games (Dropdown box), Sign In!, Join IG!

* Links and Positions are tenative. I will provide the links in the Category and Game Profile pages later, but it won't be a huge issue for now.

What type of look are you trying to achieve?
We are looking for a clean-cut, intuitive and easy to navigate website that does not overload the visitor with a tremendous amount of content. I like the way most of the sites mentioned above are presented. Please check them out and see if you can get a feel of it.

Please provide the addresses of the competitors' sites, if possible:

http://www.miniclip.com
http://www.shockwave.com


Project Considerations:
Do you have any images for use in the design of your site?
None aside from our logo. However, we would NOT like to see the following themes:

Arcade machines
Console systems & controllers
Video game boxes


Deadline and Deliverables:
What is the deadline for the design of your project?
December 20, 2005. Earlier if the opportunity presents itself.

What is required breakdown of the files you require our designers to supply you with on finalization of your project?
Sliced + original PSD files of all pages as well as accompanying CSS.

Are there any other comments/specific ideas we should keep in mind while designing your project?
The #1 thing to keep in mind is the flexibility of the layout. I may be moving a lot of things around and I don't want the site to be difficult in making small moving changes.

In addition, it would be nice if I could have the site be "skinnable." That way, there could be various themes throughout the seasons and holidays. The winning designer will have first dibs in future theme-designs.

If there is anything you need, please don't hesitate to let me know. I look forward to your entries. Thank you and good luck!

Regards,

Bill

[gig]

hi Bill, how many pages you want ?

[espionage]

Hi Gig,

I'm looking at around 3-4.

[will]

Hi, will you require a full CSS site ?

[will]

Well, just in case you don't require a css coded template here is an idea:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea1.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Thanks for kicking off this contest! I'm not sure what you mean, but just to clarify - I don't need the site to be "tableless" or completely CSS. Tables are fine. What I will need is the CSS file that go along with the site.

A couple of things about the design. Right now, it looks a bit like a site that's trying to sell downloadable games -- the site is actually going to be a place for people to play games with a section for people to download some games and eventually view flash movies.

* I like the thumbnail descriptors in the frontpage, but lets make it smaller and have it show like categories (e.g., shockwave, miniclip, 2dplay, etc.) with 1 thumbnail of a game accompanied by a short description and a list of the next 4 games
* Have it as a 3-column format
* Take out Favorites and put in "Latest Games" (miniclip style)
* Add in a "Top Ten Games" section
* Add in Sign-In, Join InterGame! (or IG! depending on room -- around the top somewhere, maybe right-side?), Make Us Your Homepage, Free Games For Your Site (these two should probably be somewhere up top but below the main game category links) Tell A Friend section (somewhere on the side), Free Newsletter
* Have a small box somewhere near the top left (where Featured Game is now) for news (InterGame News) and push the Featured Games box to the right

Lets stop here and see how this will look. Thanks!

- Bill

[will]

I see now, sorry I understood wrong the concept. I'll work on the changes and come back to you.

[will]

Here is the new concept with the reviews made.

[will]

An important question before I continue with the project reviews: You say that you don't need a full css site, that tables are ok but still you would like a css ? I am sorry if I am confusing you but I am sure one of the moderators can take my question and place it in the proper order. I ask you this because I do not know how to create a css site. I can prepare a coded html with as few nested tables as posible but css is not in my skills. I hope I was able to made myself clear. I just don't want to waste your time with a design that might not be usefull for you. :D

[espionage]

Hi Will,

The design is great so far. I _do_ need the site to have a CSS file because I'd like to make font/color/etc. changes on the fly.

- Bill

[will]

Hi, Bill, I can create a basic css for the fonts, rollover colours, background colour. If that is enough for you that will be great, if not I am afraid I have to withdraw my design from the competition because there lays the limit of my knowledge. But there are several designers here that will be able to create a css template so either way your site will be in good hands. :D

[espionage]

Hi Will,

I won't be needing a CSS template so you're in the clear. :)

I've checked out your portfolio and really enjoyed the style you used in your IMF project. In particular, the curved sections, seperators and little details like the silver line in the dividers and the tiny buttons. Please consider incorporating some of these elements or some inspirational derivatives of them as I like small detailed touches.

Could you make the Sign-In and Join InterGame! stand out more (as in take them out of the sub-top navigation and putting it elsewhere)? Perhaps with some graphics? Lets make the "Tell a Friend" a small box with some graphics as well and not just a link and put it somewhere on the left or right column?

The site is 2-columns right now, lets make it 3 columns. We can use the Sign-In and Join InterGame! as part of the 3rd column if it will look good. Also, just to make sure, it should be 3-column variable, not fixed. However, the site shouldn't take up 100% of the audience screen. Perhaps 85-95%? This'll be subject to testing later.

Lets make either the whole or (vertical) half of the box edges more natural and round -- not necessarily everything (for example, edges of the category sections like puzzle/strategy/cards/etc. could be more 1/4 circular, but the box that outlines the section can be with square edges). I'll leave it up to you to experiment with what things would look better with 1/4 circle edges and what doesn't.

I'd like to next consider the header (everything above the "Make Us Your Homepage" link), but I think we should stop here for now. It's better to make incremental changes and see what happens. Thanks!

- Bill

[Aliska]

Hello
My idea. I'm working on some modifications, will upload later today

[Aliska]

One more version :)

[Aliska]

And one more clean idea.

[will]

No problem, I'll add more detail to everything :D

[will]

Ok, here is the design with more details, blink and colours :D (Maybe too much, but I prefer that you tell me to remove this or that than to have a lack of it :P)

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea3.png

[espionage]

Hi Aliska & Will,

Thanks for your entries! Here's a few feedback.

Aliska: It looks like you're trying to convey the idea that the website is a games club and/or where you go to download games. The site is actually a place to go to play games. However, what I like is how you brought out and accentuated the logo in #13 by having all that whitespace. Now, if you could accentuate the logo without all the whitespace, then that'd be great. Aside from that, I wasn't feeling the templates with the exception to #15.

#15 has some potential, but I'm not too big on the color scheme (I noticed that it's the logo colors, but maybe instead of red as majority color below the navigation, we should make red the minority color and navy blue the majority or even something completely different?) Lets take out "download games" and add in 4 more game titles under each game category. There should be more little graphics to give off a more "fun" atmosphere. The Tell a Friend should be a cartoony picture of two people communicating with each other and a link at the bottom that says "tell a friend." Lets have the "List all games" underneath the category sections. Take out the ">> register now" link in the "Member Area" box.

Will: The level of detail is much better. Icons were an especially good touch. Lets change the Tell a Friend box into a small cartoony picture that represents something like two people/heads/faces communicating with each other and a button "Tell a friend" in the bottom (The button will open up a popup or another page).

The color on the login section is a little too bold. Lets lighten that up; shorten the "intergame news" box to the last 3 days. Add in a "Bookmark Intergame" link somewhere.

I'd like to fit in a "Featured Games" (preferably more than one) section in here somewhere. I was thinking below the "intergame news," but not sure how well it'd look. Any ideas?

Can you add in a few more game categories so I can get a feel of what it would look like as it lengthens vertically?

So far, the top level navigation is good. However, I would like to see some different ideas about the header (everything above Latest games). In time, there will be additional game categories. I am concerned that when the time comes, there might be a lack of room for the icons. In addition, right now the background of the logo "darkens" the logo itself and doesn't seem to accentuate the logo to the visitor. I'd like for the visitor to at least notice the logo while they're looking around the site. Whatever you do, don't remove the detailed icons -- I quite like those. :)

[will]

Ok, here are the changes. I modified the top to enhance the vision of your logo and also to add lots of categories in a row or in multimple rows if necesary. Added lots of new icons and also some categories buttons that aren't in the home page yet. I rearranged the site to have featured games, and tell a friend button enhanced. Also corrected the colours of the login.

Let me know if you want to try something else. :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea4.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

I am pleased with the direction this is going. The login colors were nicely adjusted. A couple of things. The "tell a friend" box has scared me. :eek: The red pacman looks like a cross between a demon and a piranha -- which is not the look/feeling I'm trying to convey. :)

Lets try something toned down. Something fun, amusing, tongue-in-cheek humor (maybe two funky icon faces thinking about "IG" accompanied with thought bubbles?).

We can take out the "List all games" under Featured Games. Don't need two. Lets cut the games by 2 and have it feature 3 for now. Add in a Bookmark Intergame link somewhere. Change "send" to "subscribe" in the newsletter section.

Ok, a few questions for the top navigation. Can the icons be resized but still retain a semblance of the icon (e.g., are some vectorized?) and be legible? I'm thinking that eventually there _might_ be around 20 icons up there and am not sure what the best way to accomodate that. So how about we explore a few other styles/options for the top nav. In particular, I feel that it's a little empty up on next to the logo (top right) and also, the background behind the logo seems still a little darker than I'd like, can we make it so that the logo stands out more and catches the visitor's eye -- not necessarily anything crazy, but enough that a cursory glance which'll make them remember in the back of their mind Intergame is where they're at (as they check out the rest of the site)?

In terms of your little icons (top and category ones), I'm thinking that some of them will be animated as either an animated gif or flash when I move the mouse over them (e.g., card shifts slight right and reveals the top edge of an ace card, etc.). Just want to make sure the icons themselves isn't coupled with the accompanying word (as in 1 whole jpg in the case of the bottom category ones) and that I shouldn't have a problem swapping those icons in and out with a flash file of the same size.

- Bill

[will]

Ok, here are the designs. On variant 1 I placed the 20 icons in 2 lines maybe it look too crowded over there, so in variant 2 I placed in 1 line. The main problem is that to make the text legible I can only place 18, but I would recomend not more than 16 if you want perfect placement. Let me know. (Also very funny the comment about the crossing between a piranha and a demon ;D)

[will]

Oh, by the way I create all my designs in Photoimpact 10 and then I create the psd so in the original .ufo file all is vector and I always send the original with the project. ;D

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Yeah, that many icons might cause a problem. I don't think I'll have 20, maybe 10-15 or so. Now, if I'm going to have around that many icons the issue of how can we deal with more links if/when that comes up. So lets work under the assumption that the icons will _not_ exceed more than 16. What do we do about the navigation if extra categories/links are added (not icons, just links).

I like the `IG' thought bubble, however I don't like the pacmans. Lets substitute something else in place. A weird face (0_o ... o_0)? Shadow profiles? I don't know, but something funky, funny and amusing.

Lets try something. Make Featured Games look just like another category (1 icon + 4 links), put it where Action is; to its right put a 300x250 pixel box (put in a random stock image if you want) and shift all the other categories down one. If you feel the left column is too bare now, then throw in a 160(or 120 depending on what integrates better)x600 placeholder (stock photo).

I like all the "bookmark us", "make us your homepage", and "free site content" buttons. However, I am concerned that it might be too spread out and not concise enough for the visitor to find it. Lets try and find a way to consolidate it somewhere. Maybe top? Maybe right?

Take out the "List all games" in "Featured Games."

I still feel that the top part is empty and a little mundane -- doesn't really bring out the logo. Can you come up with a few more ideas? For example, the curve in #17 wasn't bad. Just something that gives it a little finesse and/or flair.

- Bill

[will]

ok, here is the reviewed version. I had to make lots of adjustments to make the requirements fit the design. For example the 300x200 banner was placed between 2 structures because of the width that didn't reached the space available. Also I placed a main menu on the top so the categories are alone in the next line and also a third menu on the top left for extra categories or secondary stuff. Let me know if there is anything else you want to try. Sorry about the tell a friend drawing but I am not a penciler and that is noticed :P

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5c.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Good thinking on the adjustments. It turned out well. Alright, I think we're getting close to finishing the front page.

* Change "Your Company" to "InterGame.com".
* Switch the titles between the boxes "Latest Games" and "Featured games" (keep everything else the same).
* Take out "Home > Action" (breadcrumbs will be used once we drill down to subpages)
* Add in "Submit a Game" link underneath "Free games for your site"

Ok now, I'll need to know some information before I make the next decision. Because it's a mockup, I can't see where the cut-off is for the top portion of the page (when in HTML). Can you tell me where the initial portion of the page ends and where I'd have to start scrolling to see the rest of the page? This will affect the position of the "top games" and "login" sections as I'd like to have both to be more visible.

The top row of categories is good, we'll keep this format. In the final version, we'll cut down the # of categories. I also like the Extra links box. However, lets take it down to 3 "extra links" rows for now.

The navigation above the categories seems a little generic (reminds me of a navigation for a webhosting company). I'd like to see some other ideas for that. Also, the curve is good, but lets shift the curve (position, not angle wise) just a bit more to the left. There seems to a litte more room right of the logo.

The box that surrounds the 300x250 banner, isn't bad, but I feel that it's a little roomy on either side. I'm not sure how to fix that. Lets try either integrating it with the background and rest of the site (lighten up the colors in the box) or extending the "latest games" box horizontally which'll make the banner box smaller horizontally and then adding a small text on the right bar that says "our sponsor" flanked with little arrows pointing towards the banner or something. Try to play with it and see what produces a better result. If you think you have a better idea than my suggestion, then by all means give it a shot.

- Bill

[will]

Hi, espionage, answering the issue about the position of the page, let's say that in Firefox you have to scroll from the bottom of featured games. I am afraid the login won't be visible so that should be changed.

A question before I proceed just as a curiosity. Did I won the contest or are you expecting other entries ? This won't alter my will of making changes but wanted to be sure if I missed the decision or if it wasn't made yet :D

I'll wait for your feedback because I am sure you might want to rearrange the boxes because of the scroll issue.

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Well, technically the contest is still open since I was expecting more entries. However, your work is deeply entrenched and unless something insanely stunning comes along, the chances of you winning this contest is quite high.

After reviewing what you said, this is going to be a difficult problem. Ok, lets try everything mentioned in my earlier post.

In addition, lets move the login box to the left below "intergame news." Now, here we can try two things -- see what works better.

1. Shift the "top games" up where newsletter is and move newsletter down.

-or-

2. Move the "Extra links" box to where the "Free newsletter" is right now; shift "newsletter" down. Shift "intergame news" up. Move "Top 10 games" to the left column below news. Move login below "Top 10 games." Now, in this case, we need to differentiate between the 3 game boxes. Perhaps a different color for the _new_ "latest games"? I don't think all 3 has to be different colors, but maybe one should be different.

Lets stop here and see what happens. I know it might sound a little confusing, just let me know if you have any difficulties understanding anything. News ideas are welcomed.

[will]

No problem at all, just got curious about the status of this project :D I'll work on the changes during the weekend and then I ll come back to you.

Take care,

[will]

Here are the changes :D

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Alright, lets take out the "Submit a game" button and instead make it a link in the "extra links" box. After putting it in, it looks more clustered and the spacing used in 5c for the Tell-a-friend section is better.

Switch the icons between the "featured" and "newest" games.

The top menu didn't change much except colors and I feel that it still looks like a webhosting menu. :D Can we try something different?

Lets put the news where the login box is and move the login down to where the newsletter box is. Then move the newsletter to where the Top games is and shift the top games box up.

My last concern is the position of the top games. I have two ideas so lets try the first. The first one is simply to add a "Top 10 Games" link in the 1st position of the "extra links" box then have it go to a target link (e.g., http://www.example.com/index.html#top10g) where 'top10g' is the tag that'll accompany the actual top 10 games section and the user is taken down to that box. Lets see how well this works. The other idea is to just move the entire "top 10 games" to upper left column and change the bg color to distinguish itself, but lets stop here first and see how well the target link idea pans out.

- Bill

[Maleika]

Hi Bill,

I'd love to contribute to your project as I have a nice idea (I'd think). :)

Are you still accepting entries? If yes, do you require for the main navigation to consist of icons as opposed to bg + text alternatives?

Thank you in advance,

Maleika

[espionage]

Hi Maleika,

Yes entries are still accepted and the navigation should consist of icons (with accompanying text). Thanks and I look forward to your entry!

- Bill

[will]

here is the revision:

[espionage]

Doh, everything else is excellent, just a quick miscommunication.

The login should go below the extra links and the top games should be right above the newsletter.

Can we lighten up the "our sponsor" section a tad. Not really looking to draw the attention of the visitor to that tab, just the banner space itself. The signage is just there if they want to look closely and know what that square space is.

[will]

Previous Versions:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5.png


http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5b.png


http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5c.png


http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5d.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Lol, we're getting a little tripped up with all the moving around. :D

In #34, the login should go _below_ the extra links section, with the news still as the top box. So it should be:

news
extra links
login

Also try as a sub-version:

extra links
news
login

I noticed that you took out all of the other versions. Can you put back the last couple of versions (say last 4) just so I can compare the progress that's evolved so far.

Also have the Top 10 games as Proper Case (not all caps).

[will]

Changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea5e.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Ok, this is good. I like the way everything is right now. I'm trying to determine what else might go well in the bottom right column to balance out the left, but aside from that and the sub-pages, this entry is solid.

I'm going to wait a few days and see what happens. We'll take a break until then. Thanks!

[will]

No problem, :D

[espionage]

Hi all,

I'd just like to let everyone know that if they plan on entering, please reply and let me know ahead of time. Otherwise, I would like to close the project soon and announce a winner if there is no one else entering.

So if you're planning on it, just give me a heads-up so I can know what to expect. Thanks.

- Bill

[gig]

Hi Bill,
I'll prepare my concept and submit in the end of this week, please let me know if you can wait my entry :)

thanks

gig

[Maleika]

Hi,

I too would like to submit my entry for your project this weekend if that is okay. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[espionage]

Hi gig and Maleika,

Yes, that's no problem. I look forward to your entries. :)

[gig]

Bill, thank you for waiting my entry. here is mine :)

[espionage]

Hi gig,

Thanks for your entry. However, I'm not quite feeling this mockup. I'd like to see more colors and details -- something that gives off a fun, playful impression (just not too over-the-top). It doesn't necessarily have to be constrained to just logo colors. In addition, there were sections that are important, but were omitted such as "featured games" and "latest games" and they must be incorporated. The tell-a-friend, homepage and bookmark links should be much more visible. I appreciate your effort and hope to see your other inspirations.

- Bill

[espionage]

On a side note, I'll be ending the project within the next 72 hours, so if there's any last minute entries, throw your hat in the ring soon! :D

All the best,

Bill

[Maleika]

Hi Bill,

that is good to know about the 72 hrs as I've not quite managed to do all the icons yet. But I'm most likely done within max. a day and a half.
My apologies for the delay.

Kind regards,

Maleika

[espionage]

Hi Maleika,

Not a problem, thanks for the update. :)

[Maleika]

Hello,

here is my design concept. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

*entry removed*

[espionage]

Hi Maleika,

Thank you for your entry! Here are some feedback. The general feel of the site is somewhat grayish and light. It feels a bit bland -- could you add some colors to it? I'm going for a more playful look, something that will give the visitor the feeling of fun and entertaining. I especially like small, detailed touches that make the site more appealing to browse.

The header is interesting and stylish (seems to go along with an "inter" theme quite well) however I am concerned that I might not have enough room should I expand the categories in the future.

I'd like for the "Free games for your site", "Make us your homepage" (next to the "bookmark us" link is one possibility), "login", "tell-a-friend" and (if possible) "Newsletter" to be positioned higher so the visitor won't have to scroll to find them.

Lets have the game sections be 1 thumbnail followed by 4 game names. If you want, you can put in actual thumbs of the games and/or substitute in some game names to give off a more authentic look.

Unfortunately, I am on a tight time frame so I'll need to make a decision and proceed to revisions within the next few days. This means there won't be too many back-and-forth opportunities, but I do hope we'll be able to make the best of it with the time left.

Best,

Bill

[djaka]

I will post my submission in about 10 hours :)

[djaka]

this is my concept.
any comments are welcomed.
thank you
:)

[Maleika]

Hi,

thank you for the feedback. A more colorful version is coming in ca. 2-3 hours. :)

Kind regards,

Maleika

[Maleika]

Hi,

here is a revision.

Kind regards,

Maleika

*entry removed*

[espionage]

Hi all,

Thanks to all who entered. I'm going to stop taking submissions at this time and make a decision by tomorrow. :)

- Bill

[espionage]

Hey everyone,

Before I announce the winner, I'd like to commend everyone for their great design concepts. Some of them had rather unique aspects which made the decision just a bit more harder than expected. All in all, keep up the fantastic work; I hope ya'll have a merry Christmas and happy New Years! :yes:

The winner for this contest is Will. Congratulations! Your concept ended up being most closely aligned with the direction I want to go. Whenever you're ready, we can proceed to revisions.

Best,

Bill

[will]

Hi, Bill thanx a lot for choosing my concept and congrats to the other designers as well. Great jobs !!!

Whenever you feel ready we can proceed with the revisions.

Take care,

[Maleika]

Congratulations on a job well done, Will. :)

Maleika

[djaka]

Congratulation Bill,
You deserve the hard work
:)

[will]

Thanx a lot guys, you are all really cool people and great designers. I'm glad we can compite in the same field. See ya in the next arena :P

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Great, ok so lets begin. I've got a few things for the front page that I have been considering.

First, lets try adding another "extra links" section (like the one on the top left, but make it slightly different) to the bottom right. Insert some lorem gibberish there to show what it'd look like.

In addition, I've been toying with the idea that the login could go on TOP (see http://www.download.com). I'm not sure if that would confuse, but lets see a version where that might be used.

In terms of subpages, I'll need 1 categories page, 1 game's PROFILE page (game info. is shown) and a game's PLAY page (ie. game is played). The main construct of the PROFILE and PLAY pages should be fairly similiar at the end so that shouldn't be an issue until we get there anyways.

For categories, I'd like for you to keep the "tell-a-friend", "make us your homepage", "bookmark intergame" and "free games for your site" section as 1 unit.

- Remove news
- Remove Featured Games
- Remove Latest Games
- Keep Top 10 Games
- Keep the newsletter

The categories section should be distinctive (but not distractive) boxes that will include a thumbnail of the game as well as a brief description of it. So think along the lines of light borders, dashes, dotted lines, etc. Curved or square cut corners are a possibility. The characteristics I'm looking for is nothing that brings out each and every box, but enough of a divider to allow the user distinguish between the games subtley. Have it span multiple columns (2 or 3). Fill it up with a decent amount of games (6x2, 5x3, etc. -- play with it and see what fits better).

Lets stop here and see what happens.

Best,

Bill

[will]

Before I proceed with the internal pages I would like to finish the main page since the changes in it will be necesarily reflected in the internal ones.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea6.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

I've put some considerable thought into it; lets adjust the following.

- Change the "links" section to "Help"
- Shorten the password area; username area (but shorten this area slightly less than password -- since username is seen but passwd is hidden anyways so a large amount of space is pointless)
- Change "new user" to "Join InterGame!" (or "Join IG!" depending on fit)
- To the right of "Join InterGame!" have a small space and these links: "Forgot Password?" | "Why Register?!" (or Registration Benefits! -- depending on fit). Make the last link stand apart just a little bit (maybe different color, or style) from the others.
- Move the Newsletter box below the extra links section on the left column
- In place of the Newsletter box, insert a Search box (have the title be something like "Search Games" or "Search InterGame.com")
- Change bottom link "support" to "Help"

Now, in terms of the category icons. You say you need the Main page done before going into the internal pages. I'm thinking we use these icons as placeholders for now until the end (since that could be easily changed) as I haven't seen the category subpage yet and if these icons would be appropriate/distracting/not necessary, etc. The call is yours on this.

For the Tell a friend smiley, do you think you could make his smile be a big grin like :D ?

Finally, as a heads-up, certain areas of the page (ie. top) will use frames (as they'll be refreshed at intervals) so just something to keep in mind over the course of designing. We'll stop here and see what happens. Thanks!

- Bill

[will]

Here is the reviewed main page. Beyond the icons if we are finished with the main page I ll proceed to create the other pages :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea7.png

[will]

Hi, Bill, I will be online tomorrow if you want to talk in real time about the project so we can have it done the sooner the better :D Let me know if this is ok with you.

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Sorry, things have been a little hectic around here lately. Real-time communication would be great.

I dig where the login area is right now. Lets keep that there.

- Lets move the newsletter _below_ the extra links.
- Have a title for the extra links, lets call it "Main Navigation" or "Main Menu" (w/ icon) -- depending on length
- Change colors and lighten the extra links section on the lower right
- Change the icon and color for the Search Games box and make it a little lighter
- Change Latest Games to "Intergame Latest"
- Change login to "Log In" (Case Sensitive), same for "Join InterGame.com!" -- if it makes the horizontal bar much wider, then let me know
- Can you do something to make the "why register" link stand out just slightly? Maybe an *? Maybe a different color?
- On top, have contact and help switch places
- At bottom, add in the links: "Contact Us", "Disclaimer", "Link to Us", "Site Map"
- I'm looking to add the text "2,152 Players Online!" somewhere up on top of near the top. I don't want it to be too intrusive. Maybe upper right corner? Maybe the horizontal section above "Tell a friend" on the right? Please play around and see what you think works best

I feel that the way the newsletter box looks right now, it takes up more space than necessary. Do you think there is a way we can make it a little bit smaller and condense the same amount of material into it? In addition, can you add a "Why Subscribe?" or "Subscription benefits!" link in there as well?

- Bill

[will]

No problem at all Bill, I'll work on this changes and post them as soon as posible :D

[will]

Here is the reviewed concept:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea8.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Lets condense the newsletter even further. Maybe we could make the subscribe and "why subscribe?" link in the same line? Maybe we can make the "why subscribe?" text smaller? Add an asteriks with it? Different color?

Change the color on the search games box and the extra links on lower right (I'm still trying to come up with a name, even though I know the type of content).

- The # of players online text is good, I like how you differentiated between the two using colors. However, can we try to move it up slightly, say between that small horizontal bar right above that? Make the text a little more smaller to fit that space. Eventually that horizontal bar might increase in width to accomodate other things, but right now I'd like to see if that's a good place to put this statistic.
- Switch the help and contact buttons back, the original way looked better.
- Switch _just the text_ bookmark games and "make us your homepage" (keep the same color buttons) -- want to see if that's better.
- Change "read all the news" to "read more news"
- Capitalize the "G" in "Join InterGame" (if you can add a ! in there without affecting the size by much, then that'd be great).
- Can I see different version of the smiley face in the "tell a friend"? Maybe a big grin? Eyes more centered? This one is whacky, but I'm curious to see 1 alternative

I think after this, we'll be pretty much done with the front.

- Bill

[will]

here it is:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea9.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Lol. Ok, lets take out the teeth in the grin; center the eyes. This guy looks like he's on crack right now. :lol:

- I liked how you had the Main Menu (it is differentiated by color and the sidebar colors), can we have the right links be something like that (doesn't have to be the exact same, but close)? Right now, it seems a little bland having it all with one color.

- Lets try a different color in the search and perhaps made slightly darker depending on the other color (ie. something similiar to the main menu color) because right now I feel it's almost too bright that it attracts attention (the categories are where the attention of the users should be for the most part).

- decapitalize the "News" in news

- move the 2152 text vertically and align with the end of tell-a-friend/bookmark/make us homepage/etc. button set

Everything else is great.

[will]

Done :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea10.png

[espionage]

Ok, everything else is perfect. After these two, lets move on to categories.

- Lets move the smiley back to the original. This is too much of a white grin. Almost a little too happy that it's scary. :)

- After looking at the placement of the 2152 text again, I realized you were trying to align it with the end of the Help button. Seeing that symmetry makes sense now so lets move that back.

- Ok, this is going to be difficult because I really like the location and layout for the login area, but I would love to see if you can squeeze a "Remember Me?" checkbox in there somewhere without changing drastically changing the format or space.

Merry Christmas,

Bill

[will]

Here is the review:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea11.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

After reviewing this concept, I feel the Join InterGame! is more important and needs to be shown even at the expense of Remember Me checkbox, so lets go back to the original.

- Change Search Games to Find Games

That's it, front page is done. Lets proceed to subpages.

[will]

Final changes from the front page :D. Ok, about the subpages. Please let me know what you have in mind and if you have some samples from other sites so I can base the ideas. Also please let me know how many pages would they be. wow, this one was hard work ;P

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea11b.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Ha ha, I'm sorry, I'm more detail oriented on this project than my others. :D

Please see #61 for what my thoughts on the Categories subpage. In addition, check out http://miniclip.com/shooting.htm, http://2dplay.com/action-games.htm or http://www.shockwave.com/sw/mindgames/action_puzzles/ for a general idea of what I'm thinking of.

- Near the top I am looking to put either a leaderboard (728x90) or 468x60 placeholder.

- Lets have a maximum # of games on each page, and a page index (ie. page: 1 2 3) with a "next" and "previous" button/link

We'll stop here and see how it begins.

- Bill

[will]

Here it is the category page. I placed the news colour to make it more generic so you can place the icons in the circle without having to format the colour of each section in the rest of the design by yourself.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

Ok, this is good. Couple of things I'd like to try.

- For each section, I would like the title bars (ie. strategy & Pages: section) to reflect the color of their respective category (ie. green). The idea is that for each category, they will have their respective colors.

- The section with all of the games is too much and overwhelms the user. Lets make it 3 columns instead of 4.

- Add a breadcrumbs trail on the lefthand side (on the same line as 2152 text), ie. Home :: Strategy Games, Home >> Strategy Games. The delimiter could maybe even be a small orange or navy blue (ie. logo colors) triangle.

- Move the top banner even higher -- have it go above the logo (not inside, outside) and replace the original location with a 728x15 placeholder

- In the strategy section, make the thumbnail the same size as the others; remove the top10; move the tell-a-friend/bookmark us/etc. to the left; and put a 300x250 placeholder where the tell-a-friend/bookmark us/etc. unit used to be.

- Move the top10 section to the left of the games section (available because the 4th column is removed)

We'll stop here and get our bearings.

Btw, where is the cut-off from the 1st to 2nd page once in HTML format now?

- Bill

[will]

Ok, here is the page with the changes. Notice how I changed the colour of the top bar of the elements. It's a slight change but that will allow you to have a resizable table keeping the elements unaltered and to be able to reuse that table for any purpose.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1d.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

I'm not sure if I'm following you on this. Where am I looking at again? Top bar of the elements -- can you give an example? I've compared the two version and haven't noticed the difference.

- Right underneath the "Strategy" box, there is another horizontal bar in gray. I never noticed this in any other section, is there a particular reason why that's there or was it an accident?

- The big icon in the Strategy box should change back to the regular thumbnail size

- Change Strategy to "Strategy Games" (is the text an image or a regular font? I would much prefer regular font.)

- I will need the entire tell-a-friend/bookmark us/make us your webpage/free games for your site/newsletter unit added. The concern is how to properly display it. First, where is the cut-off (once in webpage format) between the 1st and 2nd page?

I have a few ideas, play around and see if any of these scenarios stand out better than the rest. You're given considerable creative leeway in this case to try out anything you'd like.

(1) Make the width of the strategy games section small and squeeze the tell-a-friend unit to the right of the strategy section, or

(2) have the tell-a-friend links to be displayed (either with the same images [tell-a-friend and newsletter might need to be squashed vertically to look like the other buttons] or just hyperlinks) horizontally across the top where the 728x15 placeholder is, or

(3) have the tell-a-friend unit placed below the top10 section, or

(4) take out the column on the left and have the tell-a-friend unit be placed there.

- Bill

[espionage]

Yet another idea I just thought up of is to remove the 300x350 square placeholder, extend the green strategy title bar across the entire width of the site, move the 4 games be placed in the extended area.

Underneath that, place the tell-a-friend buttons on the left and to it's right place a 468x60 placeholder. Just something to consider as well.

- Bill

[will]

Here are the changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1e.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

I'm looking for the tell-a-friend unit to be more visible -- higher up (without compromising the position of the top10 if possible). That's why I'm trying to find a creative way of presenting it without it being overly obnoxious to the visitor. Can we try some of the other ideas listed?

The strategy box is also slightly off vertically (with respect to the square banner), lets make them even out.

I like how you switched it to the font. However, it seems a little pixelated. Is it bolded? Can we try a different font while having it try to look like the original imaged text as much as possible?

There seems to be more room in the bottom of the top10 than the top10 in the Front Page. Lets close that gap.

I will need to know where the cut-off is for page 1 and page 2. The layout should accomodate & adjust to what the user can and can't see.

[will]

The cutoff in Firefox for page 1 is up to the top 10 (not included with exception of the title) and for page 2 with the banner in the top outside the structure is up to the top 10 too (not included).

[will]

About the font, I am afraid the options are 3 ARIAL, VERDANA & TAHOMA. Any other font won't be 100% compatible in all machines. It will usually be replaced with one of the aboves.

[espionage]

I see. How about Trebuchet MS? That looks interesting. This won't be a huge issue since we'll just incorporate this section header as a font in the CSS file.

[will]

What about a skycraper in the right side ?

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1f.png

[espionage]

Will,

I'll be out of town for the day and won't have Internet access. I'm really not too fond of the way the top10 is presented. I feel it should really be on the side somewhere because right now it feels squeezed, not natural.

[will]

Here are 2 options:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1g.png





http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1h.png

[espionage]

Will,

Your second version is great and is very close to what I'm looking for.

- Can we vertically align the strategy games section and tell-a-friend section with the ad next to it?

- Can I see a version where the top 10 is on the _left_ of the main game's box?

- Eliminate the gap in the top10 box and revert it back to the original top10

- Underneath top 10, add a 125x240 placeholder

[will]

Done :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1i2.png

[espionage]

Fantastic. Alright, the only thing I'm still hesitant about is the square placeholder in the middle because of the new top10 location (we may come back to this for one final adjustment later), but for now everything else is perfect so lets move on to the Game Profile page.

In the Profile page, lets incorporate a section for:

- Thumbnail of the game (perhaps a bigger thumbnail -- thumb size will be dependent on the proportion of the other materials)
- Game name
- Author(s)
- Game Description
- File size
- Ratings
- Instructions

- A reviews box (showing the latest 5 reviews and a More reviews)
- Tell-a-friend // add to favorites // games for your site // make us your homepage ==> have them in a group and in _TEXT LINK_ format instead
- Newest games box

We'll stop here and see what happens.

[will]

Ok, here is the first idea:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile1.png

[will]

Also check http://archive.gamespy.com/games/131.shtml

it has more description and space and I thought it would be usefull in case you want to place other boxes to the left or the right of the profile.

[will]

By the way, this is the last page, Am I right ?

[espionage]

Hi Will,

There is one more page after this (Game Play page). The layout there will be similiar (less the profile info.), be replaced with the game itself and a few additional elements so there shouldn't be any major overhaul.

This is a good start. I particularly like the way the links and the divider is presented. Lets keep it in that format.

- Decrease the width of the main profile box and make it 3 columns
- Left column should be a 160x600 placeholder
- Right column should be the Intergame Latest box
- Remove "Strategy Games: 'Name of the Game'" and in that line, replace it with Jetski Challenge (strategy games)
- Have the top bar be Home > strategy games > Jetski Challenge
- Add in a "Previous" and "Next" link either in the green title or right below it on the RIGHT side of the profile box
- Move the whole tell-a-friend section to the top (underneath the green titlebar)
- Have the thumbnail and the entire profile section switch places (left <-> right)
- Add in a Ratings icon, but I'm very specific about this:
* Check out http://tinyurl.com/cxkyz -- Keep the icon, but take out the bar/handle. underneath the icon, I want to have it be the icons shown under the "YOUR RATING:" page at http://tinyurl.com/amsfn.

If you're confused by what I mean, let me know.

- Add in a "Write a Review" link in the tell-a-friend section

The profile section itself seems a little bland. Can we spice it up a little? Mini icons? Different shaped borders? It also seems a little too compact. Lets go ahead with these changes and see where we stand. Thanks!!

- Bill

[will]

Here are the changes. I am afraid I didn't understand the point of the rating. Also I had to make some adjustments because of the space that was left with the 3 columns placement.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile2.png

[espionage]

Hey Will,

Sorry, I'll try to be more clear about the rating system. Check out http://tinyurl.com/cxkyz -- you see that big smiley icon above the "rate us" button? You see how there is a slider handle on the right next to it? Well, I want to remove that. Now, check out http://tinyurl.com/amsfn -- you see the "your rating" section under "What do users think of this product?"? You see how, when you move your mouse over it, the stars increase by 1? Well, I want these type of icons (doesn't have to be exactly those, but should be in proportion) to be under the giant smiley. I hope that clears things up a bit. :)

As for the rest of the page.

- Take out the (strategy games) and Prev | Next in the title bar. Given the new width, it's too cluttered. Have the Prev | Next in a new area. Maybe directly underneath it?
- Shorten the Latest Games -- make it look like the top10 games
- Add in the Find games box on the right column
- Add in a 300x350 box (if you have to expand the site and make the width variable to accomodate, go ahead -- but make sure that the _center_ column is fully viewable on a 800x600 screen)
- Add in the newsletter box
- At the bottom, add in a horizontal section titled "Intergame Message" and put a few lines of text in there
- Add in a "Link to this game" link
- Below the "latest games", add in the "main menu" section
- Below the "main menu" section, dupe that section, but replace "main menu" with the word "Resources" and make a mini icon for that section
- Add in a horizontal section w/ mini icon called "Users who played this game also enjoyed..." -- put 3 thumbnail icons

The game name // author // desc // size // etc. section seems a little bland. Maybe use a different type of divider (dotted lines and short dashes come to mind)? I'd also like to cut down on the _number_ of dividers. It seems too clutter. Maybe we can remove the spacing between the name // author // desc?

I want to talk about the last paragraph more, but lets stop here, see how this turns out then go from there.

- Bill

[will]

Changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile3.png

[espionage]

Wow. Ok, we have to really adjust the page.

- Instead of having the "link to this game" like that, have it just be another link under the "Write a review" link
- In the "users who enjoyed...", have the text be _under_ the icon
- Have "Intergame Message" be horizontal and fit to the center column. Now instead of having the entire titlebar stretched across (like all the other titlebars), have it look like a folder tab (ie. see how it'd look like a folder tab if the 300x350 placeholder was rotated 90 degrees?), but the box itself should span the width of the center column.

Ok, now follow this in sequence because it might be confusing otherwise.

1. First, EITHER extend the titlebar of the main profile page (the horizontal line with the words Jetski Challenge) across to the right column -OR- keep the titlebar the same length, but have a new titlebar added to the right column on the SAME ROW (have it say "our sponsor" // "advertisement"). This might look slight odd, so you'll have a lot of creative freedom here on how to best present/integrate this part

2. Directly underneath that, move the 300x350 there and adjust (ONLY) the gray area of the profile to accomodate and lineup the placeholder.

3. Breakoff the game name // authors // desc. // etc. -- the gray area will be the quick links area while the rest will be another unit separated

4. Move "users who enjoyed..." under the profile box (center column only)

5. Under "Users who enjoyed.." put "Intergame Message" (center column only)

6. Move the Latest Games Under the 300x350 box (have it #'d 1-10)

7. Under Latest Games, the boxes should be in order from top to bottom: Find Games, Newsletter, Main Menu, Resources

8. Put Featured Games box above the left column skyscraper (have it #'d 1-10 like top10)

Phew. Alright, if everything goes according to plan, we should only need to adjust the profile box and be done with this page. Lets see what this one looks like.

[will]

Do you want me to extend the title bar covering also the right colum of the latest games so there will be 2 main columns in the page and within the box of the main profile do I add everything else ? Is this what you want ? :D

[espionage]

Hmm, what do you mean by 2 main columns? Right now, we have 3 column -- left/mid/right. I gave considerable thought and it was either expanding the width of the entire site or leave it as is, but not sure how doable width expansion was, so this was my alternative. The gray area of the profile box is currently mid. I want to see what it would look like if the titlebar is EITHER extended to the right -OR- kept the same width and a new titlebar length is added on the right column in the same row (have it _inconspicuously_ say something like "Our Sponsor" // "Advertisement"). The main reason is to integrate the 300x350 box, but more importantly to accomodate room for the game name (either by extending it or keeping it the same length and on a different level than the 300x350). That's the reason behind it.

The right column should look like...

EITHER: Extended profile box titlebar OR new titlebar stating "our sponsor" // "advertisement"
300x350
latest games

[espionage]

Will, I made an edit with regards to the titlebar extension (the EITHER/OR option) Hopefully, it might give you some creative freedom in applying this idea.

[will]

Ok, here we go:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile4.png

[espionage]

Hi Will,

The layout is great, lets keep it this way. THe last thing that needs to be tweaked is the main profile section.

- Take out the search line in the "find games" box and instead, decrease the width of the input box and put a "GO" button on the right.

- CHange the "latest games" to mimic the "featured games" (1-10)

- Please add in a "prev. and next" link in the profile box

The profile box is very straightforward -- I'd like to condense it and make it more distinctive in terms of readability and form.

- Condense "game name" to "name" and move it more to the left column. Split _this_ row into 2 columns with a divider line (vertical dashes? vertical dots? something light that doesn't make it look like a generic table). On the right side of the column in _THIS_ row, have it put "file size" and a #.

- In the next row, we split the row into 2 columns. Left column is author(s) and right column is for ratings.

- The rest of the section will be dedicated to description/instruction and reviews. You are given considerable leeway in designing this area, but please remember the following criteria: The desc. area should be designed such that there it can scale with the amount of information added without disrupting the overall design of the site.

- We'll have to add in that ratings concept from the earlier post somewhere on here (#99) - this is important, but not a priority.

[will]

Changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile5.png

[espionage]

Will,

Lets move the Prev | next bar into the title bar on the right.

- Move the "Find Games" box below the "featured games"
- Move the "Free newsletter" box above the "newest games"

- I would much prefer the rating box be somewhere in the middle and not on the side. You can re-size, make it smaller, etc. as long as it fits in the mid. column.

- I would like the mid. column to look kind of like the following (of course with room and proper spacing):

-----------------------------------
name: something | rating: lllll
-----------------------------------
author: something | size: something
-----------------------------------
game desc. | origin: something



-----------------------------------

The vertical dividers should be something light color (dashes/vertical lines/etc.)

I'd like the Review box to be separate from that and somewhere below. It should list 1 user review with the option to "read all reviews". It should show somewhere a numerical # (ie. 4.75/10). It should also an option that'll say "review this game!". It should also have a "reviewed by: joe somebody" line. The box will also show the date/time of when the review was made. You may incorporate these elements in anyway you see fit.

- Bill

[will]

Changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile6.png

[espionage]

Will,

That's close to what I'm looking for. Can we separate the columns with a vertical divider as well? Use vertical dashes and/or dots. Have it either be the same (I am not sure how good it'll look) or a different/lighter color that doesn't make the section too in-your-face.

- Have the text (name/desc./author/etc.) left-aligned. Use the vertical divider to align the center for the 2nd column.

- Move the 300x350 sq. up -- it's slightly off.

- The Rate Us box is taking up too much room. Lets separate that into 2 columns as well. Have the Rate Us box be on the right side. On the left side, put "origin:" and "rating:" (take out the rating section on the right column of Name:).

- For the review section, add in the "date" and an individual titlebar for the reviewer. Have another score to represent the "average" score up on top.

[will]

Didn't undestand the review changes :P

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile7.png

[espionage]

Will,

Lol, ok let me try again. :D Aside from the review system, this is very close to what I'd like to see. Lets vertically align the 300x350 square.

The review box should kind of look like the following:

In the "REVIEWS" line, on the right side, put in a "review this game" link. Next to it, on it's left, put in an average score (ie. Avg: 4.79)

In the review by joe somebody box, put in a subject line (like in an email) at the top -- this is the title of the review. In the same line and on the right side, put in the date (ie. 9/1/2006).

The rows are too big for author/name/size -- narrow it some more. However, make sure they're variable so they can vertically extend (especially the desc. field).

For the Rate Us section, there is too much space and too little elements, so we'll do this:

- Take the smiley face (without the bar, just the smiley face) and shrink it down to size. Make 5 copies of it. Spread it horizontally across the section.

- Above the icons have the text "click on an icon below to rate this game!" (special colors maybe to have it stand out?).

- Underneath the icons add the text "You are not logged in. If you log in to vote, you could win cash!"

Take the Size: 100,000 kb text and put it with the rating/origin area. I would like to MINIMIZE the vertical length of that section so anything that'll save space without looking out of place will be great. If you need anything clarified, let me know. I think this page is near completion now.

[will]

changes:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile8.png

[espionage]

Will,

Alright, I think we're pretty much set here. Next to the >> review this game, put in a # -- ie. avg: 4.75/10 >> review this game.

Vertically align the 300x350 square top.

Take out the last horizontal dotted line underneath "description" field.

Highlight the title line in the review box.

- Bill

[will]

done :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile9.png

[espionage]

Great, this is what I have in mind. Take out the green dot in the title. Separate the title // reviewed by // main review body with lines.

_vertically_ align the 300x350 square to the top of the Jet Ski Challenge icon.

We only have one more page left! :D Thanks for being so patient!

[will]

Hey, no problem at all, it's been 2 months since I won the contest and I am sure there will be a cool reward for patience ;D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile10.png

[espionage]

Lets make the vertical spacing betw. each section slightly tighter and put the "view all" into a separate line.

- Left align the "reviewed by..."

- Center the "game description" section

- Make the _bottom_ of the "play now!" box _SLIGHTLY_ higher (maybe to match the distance from the top?)

- Make the ">>" part of the ">> review this game" a different color (maybe orange?)

Everything else is fine. Lets move on to the final page.

[will]

Changes :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile11.png

[espionage]

Alright great.

For the last page, lets start by taking out the 300x350 square banner and all of the content it's left side and replace it with one giant placeholder in the center with the dimension 500x400.

- Add in a "link this game to your website" box. Inside the box, have the text "copy and paste the following code to your website." Underneath that text, have another box with the example code:

Play Ski Shuttle

(replace [] with <>)

- In the Ratings box (the entire box containing ratings/name/authors/etc.), _REMOVE_ name/authors. Just keep the row with the ratings and the description.

- Add in the Top10 games section and a 300x350 placeholder (similiar in style to the front page's Intergame Latest & 300x350 box)

- Keep: Users who enjoyed..., Intergame Message and the ENTIRE tell-a-friend/add to favorites/games for your website/make us your homepage/etc. section. You have some leeway here to keep it either in text format or in graphical format -- depending on how well it looks on screen.

We'll stop here to see how this begins. Two questions: What is the width of the "Jetski Challenge" box? Where is the cut-off for the 1st page?

[will]

Sorry espionage, when you tell me "keep" are you saying that i should remove the other boxes that aren't included in the keep line ?

[espionage]

Yes, when I say keep, I am referring to middle column -- so we remove the reviews section and also keep everything on the left and right columns.

[will]

Here is the new page :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_lastpage1.png

[espionage]

Will, two questions: what is the horizontal width of the actual game box? Where is the cut-off between the 1st and 2nd page (look at this after you've made the changes to "link this game to...")?

Also, I would like the "Link this game to your website" to be a separate box.

Change the "latest games" on the right column to "top 10 games"

Move the "Main menu" to the left column

[will]

Here are the changes. What do you mean by cut off ? The game box is 555x455 and the game holder is 500x400.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_lastpage2b.png

[espionage]

1. By cut-off, I mean that when you first load the page, it will scroll down to the bottom. I'm trying to find out what the cut-off is between the first page and where it begins to scroll.

2. On the left column, you changed Featured games to "latest games", don't know why... it should be featured games.

3. Can we add some spice to the "link this game..." box? It looks very bland. Maybe a light/neutral color. Make it look similiar in style to all the other sections like "intergame message" and "users who played..", etc.

4. Is the page and it's sections variable length based on % or fixed? Will it accomodate if the user stretches or shrinks their browser? Ideally I would like the width to be 800, but if that's not possible then as much width as you can get without sacrificing the layout we have here.

5. Have the Main Menu be on the left side

[will]

Changes :D The cuttoff will depend on the browser but in firefox ends at the bottom of the featured games box.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_lastpage3.png

[will]

Oh, I forgot something. The width of the site will be fixed. When the user enlarges the browser window the site will remain intact in the center of it.

[espionage]

I see. Is there any way we can make the site more variable in terms of width and/or length?

[will]

The main problem is that there is no uniformity in the design, mainly it is divided in 3 colums but on some sections you find 2 columns and even in some of the pages that is mixed so we have to define which boxes will extend and which ones will remain the same or in a percentage. The design has turn into a very complex array. Still it can be done, but when you edit the html you will have to be very carefull so the design does not break in the change.

[espionage]

Alright got it, thanks for clarifying Will -- let me take what you say into consideration.

[will]

No problem, let me know when to start coding the pages :D

[espionage]

Hey Will,

Alright, I've thought about the resizement issue and here is what I'd like to try. First, I'd like for the ad sections (ie. all the placeholder boxes) to be resizeable -- from being able to deliver a 1x1 pixel to a 160x600 or others. If that requires the boxes to be in %, then that's fine.

Now, the other thing is this: I would like it if the actual game screen in the "play page" to be wider. Ideally, I'd like to expand the width of the page so that the column for the game screen takes up the whole 800 of the 800x600 dimension _AND_ the left column is beside it. However, to do this means that the entire column from top to bottom will need to expand to the extra space that the left column would take up... Let me know if this is doable and if future changes will be a pain in the a*ss...

With that aside, some minor things:
1.) Your icon for "top 10" needs to change to reflect top10.
2.) The "link this game..." box is going to be a copy/paste input box; really needs to be spiced up. It looks very mundane... Maybe add a little icon? Change the style? Color? Your creativity is appreciated here.
3.) Add a 160x90 box right above the 160x600 box.
4.) Add a 728x15 placeholder (please remember, the box should be able to accomodate a 1x1 pixel or a 728x90 banner on demand)
5.) Underneath "link this game to your..." section, put in a link that says "Report a Problem With This Game" (it does not have to have a section -- just a line that stands out. Maybe decorate it with a >> whatever << or .:: whatever ::. and some color. Up to you.

For the category page: add the Find button underneath "top10 games"; add the news section underneath the Find button.

For the front page: 1. add the "intergame message" box at the end in the mid. column. 2. change the Find button to the new find button.

[espionage]

Btw, I want to reiterate that I'm interested to know that if the mid column (game screen column) is adjusted to be wider then would making future site changes be really annoying... because if so, I'd like to not do that; focus on scalability -- have the design be somewhat flexible.

[will]

4.) Add a 728x15 placeholder (please remember, the box should be able to accomodate a 1x1 pixel or a 728x90 banner on demand)

Where do you want me to place this holder ?

All the pages:

- Home Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea12.png)

- Category Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1i3.png)

- Game Profile Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile11.png)

- Last Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_lastpage4.png)

[espionage]

Where do you want me to place this holder ?On both the Profile and Game Play page.

Homepage:
- Align the Tell-a-Friend section (slightly not even)
- Add a 728x15 banner above "featured games" // "intergame news" // etc. -- please remember when coding the table can collapse and turn into an empty table (ie. just have a comment in there) or a 1x1 pixel on demand.

Category:
- Take out the placeholder at the bottom left column
- Add "intergame message" section at the bottom

Profile:
- Decrease the vertical spacing in the reviews section between the "title" and "reviewed by:" lines

Game Play:
- Space out the Ratings // Origin // Size in that box.
- Vertically center the Game Desc. text in that box

*** For the Profile and Game Play page, I'm just slightly perturbed by the smiling icon set. I feel that it might be a little bit too big? I also feel that there could be a better, more creative way to represent the rating system... I've been trying to think up of one for awhile now, but am really stuck on this. Please take a look at it and see if you can come up with a better design solution to display the ratings. All ideas are welcomed. ***

All (btw, the header is everything above the category icon sets):
- Please have the "ig" icon represent "intergame message" for all the sections
- Add another icon in the category icon set. Call it "Random" and have an appropriate icon. (This is part of the header)
- Add a "sponsorship" or "game sponsorship" link to the header (you have some creative freedom here to either have it be a category icon or a link that looks well integrated).
- At the bottom of all of the pages, add in a 468x60 placeholder
- Take out the repeated icons in the header
- Replace the simulation icon and section with Racing.
- Replace the card icon and section with "Fun"
- Add an icon + section called "arcade"
- Add an icon + section called "shooting"
- Add an icon + section called "word"
- Add an icon + section called "RPG"
- Add an icon + section called "fighting"
- Take out the board icon + section (the sections should now be even)

*** Please note, don't delete the icons/images/files, just take them out of the pages for now. They may come into play in the future.

[espionage]

Re-edited to reflect updated thoughts.

[will]

Changes:

+ Main Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_idea13.png)

+ Profile (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamesprofile11b.png)

+ Category Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypage1j.png)

+ Game Page (http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_lastpage5.png)

[espionage]

lol, the "fun" icon is great. A few things that were forgotten.

- Add a mini "ig" icon to the "Intergame Message" section
- At the bottom of all of the pages, add in a 468x60 placeholder

Homepage:
- Are you able to produce a table that collapses vertically and/or horizontally to 0% or 1% or the dimensions of a 1x1 pixel? If so, please add a 728x90 placeholder above the featured games // intergame news, but below the categories icons.

- Please also add/modify the new/existing sections down below for the new categories.
- Lets try a new icon for arcade, RPG and fighting (sword fighting, fist fighting & punching... that's the idea or theme -- if you get some inspiration, great)

Game's Page:
- Change "Intergame Latest" to "Latest Strategy Games"
- Modify the "new!" icon _just slightly_ to make it reflect a tone for sectional latest

Profile's Page:
- Have the smiley faces be 5 different expressions (from left -> right) sad -> happy
- Increase the spacing between "origin" and "Size"
- The JetSki Challenge icon is big, which means that I'll have to resize the thumbnail twice to accomodate both sizes. I'd prefer to have the thumbnail 1 size (the regular smaller one) and just space out the rest of the vertical elements to accomodate the banner (ie. spacing out the tell-a-friend/add to favorites/games for your website/etc.) Would it look bad if it gets shrunk?

I think that about covers it... The final generic page follows the same 3 column structure except the middle column is going to be an empty box. In the box, maybe a few subtle details like navy blue thin lines as seperators, a titlebar... either logo colors or light/neutral colors since it will be used for a lot of text and everything not related to the games. Tenatively I'd like to see the intergame news, find games, newsletter, features games, top 10, latest games, main menu, intergame message (bottom). Either column is fine for now.

[will]

Changes:

HomePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepageb.png


ProfilePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepageb.png


GamePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamepage.png

[will]

HomePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec.png


ProfilePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec.png


GamePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamepagec.png


CategoryPage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypagec.png

[will]

A couple of things I didn't get:

- The RPG is too kiddish, lets think along the lines of Lord of the Rings wizardry/fantasy.

Please provide imagery for this concept.

- Because the sections are odd, lets do this. Change the icon and text from "cards" to "skill"...

Do you want me to change that category name or to add a new one.


HomePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec1.png


ProfilePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec1.png


GamePage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamepagec1.png


CategoryPage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypagec1.png

[espionage]

RPG icon concepts:

http://images.google.com/images?q=tbn:hWi78u6miHdbSM:www.uniqueideas4gifts. co.uk/lotr/gandalfs-sword-l.jpg
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngbeyond/rings/images/myth_gandolf.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngbeyond/rings/myth.html&h=200&w=275&sz=17&tbnid=nEGxD094_JydqM:&tbnh=79&tbnw=109&hl=en&start=207&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgandalf%2Blord%2Bof%2Bthe%2Brings%26s tart%3D200%26svnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26clien t%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://images.art.com/images/-/The-Lord-of-the-Rings---The-Fellowship-of-the-Ring---Gandalf--C10075073.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/pd--10075073/sp--A/The_Lord_of_the_Rings_The_Fellowship_of_the_Ring_G andalf.htm&h=531&w=346&sz=39&tbnid=PLU1m2HGqZHCeM:&tbnh=129&tbnw=84&hl=en&start=3&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgandalf%2Blord%2Bof%2Bthe%2Brings%26s vnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN
http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.uniqueideas4gifts.co.uk/lotr/gandalfs-sword-l.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.uniqueideas4gifts.co.uk/gandalfs-sword.html&h=248&w=248&sz=16&tbnid=hWi78u6miHdbSM:&tbnh=106&tbnw=106&hl=en&start=120&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dgandalf%2Blord%2Bof%2Bthe%2Brings%26s tart%3D100%26svnum%3D100%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26clien t%3Dfirefox-a%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26sa%3DN

I'm envisioning something along the lines of images.google.com -> "Gandalf Lord of the Rings" as the icon.

- Change the category name (and associated icon), not add a new one.

- The smiley set is a good direction, but not quite there yet. I'm interested in something similiar to the smiley set at www.newgrounds.com (ie. smilies are facing towards the right at a 2/3rd angle, dark/light transition backgrounds, details on the expressions).

[will]

The main problem with the icon is that will get lost if it has too much detail (beyond the fact that I am not a penciler) and the characteristics of the wizard hat of gandalf in small detail will only confuse.

About the smiley set I have made details as far as my skills go, please remember that the size of this icons is very small and all extra details won't work.

[espionage]

The RPG icon could have an outline filled with a few neutral colors like forest green/white/black/etc. and a few details, but the shape should connote the sense of an RPG.

As for the icon set, I'd like to see one other rendition; I feel it can be a lot better so it's not what I had in mind -- maybe you could have someone you know who is a good smiley maker give it a try. Also, we can begin the layout for the last page as the rest of the pages are pretty much finished. Please get this to me ASAP.

[will]

Ok, I will give it a try on the rpg icon. On the icon set, as I told you that is the best of my skills, please provide a clear sample of what you want so I can have a point of base (not general links).

[espionage]

I am able to provide direction for what type of smilies pique my interest; for jisp.netflint.net, we could take an icon with the most potential and have it express various degrees of emotion. Please take a look at:

http://newgrounds.com/portal/view/303234 (rating icons there)
http://jisp.netflint.net/ (search for Tlen.pl & _in particular_ Kreativ Squareheads - great expressions and level of detail is just right)

Also, please begin on the new page so I can consolidate my feedback. Thanks!

[will]

Here are the icons. If these ones doesn't work I will be glad to refund the cost, but I am afraid I believe you need an expert on this field that I am certainly not.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec2.png

[will]

Here are all the pages :D

+ http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamepagec.png

+ http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypagec.png

+ http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec.png

+ http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec.png

+ http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_genericpage.png

Note: Can you refresh my memory on this: The Cards -> Skill text/icon + section was not reflected in the update.

[will]

Here are the changes requested in the PM. By the way what icon should be in the skill's category. Also I am not completely sure the rpg icon is improving, I still believe the icon should contain a more simple and recognizable drawing.

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_genericpageb.png

[espionage]

The RPG icon good. I like the contrast in colors and the simple image. For the Skill (btw. it's Skill now Skills) icon, I'm thinking... a contemporary version of vertical Jenga blocks -- not perfectly aligned, but angled to show some character and excitement. Thoughts?

[will]

What about this one :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_genericpageb2.png

[espionage]

That icon is great. I think we've covered everything. Sync this with all of the other pages and show the final versions. Once I gloss over it, you can go ahead w/ the code. Thanks!

[will]

Great !!! :D

Here are the pages:

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_categorypagec.png

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_gamepagec.png

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_genericpageb.png

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec.png

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec.png

[espionage]

Hi Will, that's great news! I look forward to the finished product. Please don't forget everything we talked about in our PM exchanges. Thanks for the update! :cool:

Best,
Bill

PS - just to let you know, your mailbox is full. :D

[will]

Here are the pages with the last changes:

Homepage
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec.png

Profile Page
http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_profilepagec.png

[espionage]

Have "view results" as a hyperlink next to the vote button so it would look like [vote] or "view results" -- I want to cut down on unnecessary bandwidth.

On 4/6 I mentioned, "when the site gets coded, add a "Welcome, TestUser1! | Account | Log out" text on the upper right corner (above help, sponsorship icons). Make sure that space above those main icons (all the way till the Home icon) is usable because there's where I'll have the member's menu up there."

The rest looks sexy. Lets kick it off!

[will]

Here is the page with the last changes. Let me know if there is anything else to try before I start cutting the pages :D

http://www.willdesigns.com.ar/intergame_homepagec2.png

[espionage]

Excellent! That's it, you got everything!! Lets slice it! :D :D :D

[will]

Final Files sent through PM :D

[espionage]

Files Received. :tup: Thanks for an excellent job well done! :drink: