The Daily Click

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Previews that suck!

Author:

Nioreh

Submitted:

21st November, 2002

Views:

4880

Rated:

Obviously, there are a lot of people at home using click products, and some do have great ideas and skills. But why oh why do people put up loose sketches of game ideas as previews? A preview is a preview, something you can actually view! Some of the people who post previews haven't even started to make the game. A preview should concist of the following:

Screenies:
You know, those small pics that you click on to see what the game looks like this far?!? We all love them, and they make the preview feel real. There actually is something going on! They are so simple to create, yet a lot of people don't seem to care.

Progress:
How far has the development come? Is it virtually finished or was it started on yesterday? What's in it this far? What will hopefully be added? What's the gameplay like, if any? Important bits that people leave out!

Release date:
Will it be out next week? Next month? Next year? Just a hint would do, like in a month or two. Then you know when to check back!

Game info:
What type of game is it? Is it a top down racer or a platform adventure? What is the main idea and what's the storyline like? Many leave this out claming only that the game is cool and you shoot guys. How do you shoot guys? Why is it cool? I want to know, I'm reading a preview here! Make me want to get the game later on!

Technical bit:
Did you accomplish anything special in this game? Any special effects that one has never seen before in a klik game? Any advanced coding or extremely cool new ideas on how to do stuff? Or is it based on old reliable techniques? Any info is worth a lot.

Final word is:
Make me want the game already, make me see myself playing the game having a blast. Make me come back and check on the progress. Any new screenies? Any new features, you know!

Don't let this article scare you. Don't get me wrong, I love previews! Just try and keep them previews! I don't mean you should strictly obey all of theese rules, even I don't. Just try and think about this article the next time you post a preview, ok? A preview of my Xmas compo game is found at http://www.create-games.com/preview.asp?id=830

Posted by Heriberto Valle Martinez

21st November, 2002

Sketches would be nice, the real problem is no one even cares to put a FREAKING SCREENSHOT. and please, this articles lack ARTICLE substance.

Posted by AsparagusTrevor

21st November, 2002

It's about time someone addressed this.

Posted by HOSJ

21st November, 2002

amen x 2

Posted by vortex2

21st November, 2002

so very true...

Posted by DeadmanDines

22nd November, 2002

Very true indeed - great guidelines for posting previews. Another reason for waiting until your game is under way before posting a preview is that most clickers' games die within a day or two of conception - for every 10 games i come up with stories for, 1 actually gets completed. If you keep your project secret until it's about 50% done, i personally find it easier to get the game done. You don't have to worry about people constantly saying 'is it done yet?' 'is there a demo yet?'

Posted by Erik

22nd November, 2002

For those of you who has got screenshots for your preview and are not able to put them on the web because you dont have a site or dont want to put them on bad places. (anglefire, tripod etc)
Mail me. With the screenies. And i will host them for you. I will mail the link back for you to put up. I wont be able to do this for exactly everyone. But i want to help anyways. I will probably be able to put up quite a few. (So if you have screenies atleast try me.) =

Posted by Erik

22nd November, 2002

Im sick of reviews without a screenshot.
And plz no title screen shots. only actual game shoots. ok

Posted by Joshtek

22nd November, 2002

I think you should *have* to put a screenshot up, its so annoying seing games without them because usually they don't say enough to give you a good picture of the game

maybe there should be more people to remove any preview which doesnt actually say whats new in the game and how progress is doing, etc..but tatd be kinda mean.

Posted by Tigerworks

22nd November, 2002

Personally I think previews should be put up at the earliest half way through game progress.

Before that, too much is liable to change and not enough is done.

Posted by DeadmanDines

22nd November, 2002

I agree, Tigsy.

Posted by Ashman

22nd November, 2002

There hasn't been anything in the comments or article itself that I haven't agreed with.

Good work

Posted by bigdave

22nd November, 2002

good article, but i can never be bothered to read or do long, informative previews, but i do agree that is any preview has been developed any amount there should be a screenshot. This applies with games as well.

Posted by hozz

23rd November, 2002

Amen x3

Author Info

Nioreh

Registered
18/11/2002
Points
1078

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