Quote:
Originally Posted by red_avatar
The title says it all: please spill your guts. What needs improvement, what is missing, what should be left out?
Also, make sure to rate our magazine (starting with issue 1) using the poll.
The first issue is just a small taste of the next issues, however, so we're well aware that it's too short  . Expect the next issue to contain 4-5 times as much easily.
http://www.abandonia.com/en/node/25024 |
A Personal Response
Where to start? I haven't made a post here at Abandonia for a long time. At last, I have something worth saying.
GREAT MAGAZINE GUYSZ ZOMFG11ONE!!ELDVEN!
Right, now that we have that out of the way let's get down to business.
I really like the idea of Abandonia Times, the opportunities it offers are endless. At last the so-so 'review ridden' front-page will have something that I want to 'read more' about.
One of the things that turned me away from Abandonia was that it felt pretty much like one big catalogue. A great catalogue at that, but still it felt like a 'shopping list' of old-school games. The reviews, ratings and reader comments were interesting for sure. However, at the end of the day Abandonia was all about the games. They stood by themselves.
That's not necessarily a bad thing but for people like me that follow the gaming industry, as much as the games themselves something was missing.
Following the 'modern industry' there's so much more to gaming than just the finished product. The developers, the community, the corporate conspiracies. It's a bit like one big soap-opera. All of those 'other bits' are interesting too.
Abandonia Times presents Abandonware fans with a an avenue to explore that side of gaming as well. We've always had the old games but now we have a place for the other old things as well. You know, a place for all those bedroom, bathroom and workplace discussions.
MARIO IS COOL BUT SONIC IS BETTER MANZ!!!
HALO PWNZ ALL MAN!
BUT IT'S 5D MAN IT HAS PIXEL 3.0 GRAFIX!
I really hope some of the writers will move into looking at the 'abandoned industry' as well. Exploring the themes,messages and mechanics of all those old gems as well.
Some actual feedback, at last
Moving on, and hopefully a little more on-topic.
I like the presentation of the magazine already. It looks fantastic. The features are great, and the general style is really good for a first effort.
However, there are a few things that bugged me. Some of the wording felt off in places. The way quotes were used is an example of this.
For the most part, my gripes with the 'written content' will hopefully be ironed out over time. There are just parts of the thing that feel 'Internet'. By which I mean there are words, or phrases used that I wouldn't expect to see in a printed magazine. They are few and far between but there are a few 'slip-ups' that remind the reader this in an internet effort.
I have noticed what I feel is a 'bigger problem' though. Some of the articles lack focus. It's hard to tell exactly what I should be taking away from what I am reading. I'll use the DreamWeb article to illustrate what I mean. (as it is an admin piece, and hopefully more open to constructive criticism)
Further Feedback For Thought
DreamWeb
In this article, we are introduced to a great looking game. What do we learn though? For people like myself that have not played the game before, it is hard to understand why this game is special. What makes this game worth playing?
Admittedly, the magazine is written for Abandonware fans so some familiarity with games in general can be expected. However, if the magazine aims to appeal to a wide audience it may be a good idea to make sure each and every article is accessible to a complete and utter Abandonware noob. In other words, make sure I can keep up?
How can this be accomplished? Talk more about the game in general. Try to avoid getting caught up in all the little details. Why does this game appeal to you?
From the article I assume that the setting and style of game appeal to the writer. Beyond that, there's very little the author mentions that really sells the game to me. A casual reader.
Instead, I am bombarded with small details that refer to the shortcomings of the game. A clumsy inventory system and a dated GUI (wasted screen space). As well as a final criticism of the overall length of the game.
Now, the author must have liked the game in order to tackle the task of reviewing it. There's something about this game, that makes it worth my time.
I ask, quite plainly. What is it?
The last few sentences of article hint at what define this game. '...game with an interesting story, aren't any other games quite like it... for Blade Runner fans, it may hit the right spot.
By this time, the reader has already been exposed to a few of the shortcomings of the game in painstaking detail. Why aren't the positives illustrated in a similar light?
I just feel the
balance is slightly 'out' with this article. Which as I said earlier, hints at a possible problem with the magazine as a whole.
Each 'element' of the magazine must stand-alone. I shouldn't have to have played these games before to enjoy the article. I should take something away from what is written, even if I have never heard of Abandonware before.
A personal reflection on an old classic is great. Better suited for a blog or feature though. Not a review. If the Abandonia Times is aiming for a magazine feel, then the articles themselves need to have focus.
Remember, this is not a personal blog. You are writing for a reason, not just to let out all of your internal thoughts.
A Small Suggestion.
I have a small suggestion, that may help bring focus to each article:
A pretext. - Make sure each article has a purpose. Why is this article being written. What does it show, what is its function?
If the article is a review. Fine. Let's review.
Be sure to point out the pro's,con's, points of interest, etc.. but stick to reviewing the game. How you do this is up to you. Just make sure it gets reviewed. That is the primary purpose of the article.
If there are other things you feel need to be said, then be sure to include them. Just try and get an actual review of the game in there somewhere as well.
Again, using DreamWeb to illustrate my point:
Knowing that there's an infinite amount of items to pick up, and a small amount of screen space to work with means very little without context. I'm still asking myself, Why do I even want to play this game?
General Conclusion
As a whole, I was very impressed with the magazine. I hope my detailed feedback feels more like constructive criticism than mindless bashing. Hopefully a few of my points will ring true.
(This is a lengthy reply, that I may have to edit in the near future. I'm far to 'close' to it at this moment in time, to notice my mistakes. If anything is shouting at you, feel free to correct me.)
Good luck with your next issue.
- Sean
Ed-Note: My first post since 2006, that's how much I like this idea!