Don't really like it. Header, navigation and the overall look of the template just don't work together. As said, the font you used in the header doesn't look good. The navigation looks completely out of place. And the glossy button look of the main thing doesn't fit Graal.

No... Graal has been sporting a green on the darker end of the scale for a while now.

Doesn't mean it every actually looked good. There have huge changes in design and aesthetics since Graal primarily used green (which was like.. 4? years ago). The only time you see dark green as the focal color in a design is when it's part of nature. Otherwise it's just not that effective of a design.

Stop clinging to the past plz. ;)

No one is clinging to the past. You specifically said "Graal is not a dark green kind of game" which completely contradicts what Graal has been for years. You say don't cling to the past, but what should be be clinging to, the present Graal which looks like a rainbow turd? I'll accept anything that looks decent, but Graal has for a long time been represented by Green and I have never personally thought it was ugly so I think it's silly to just dismiss it. Colors are not some defined list of words that can only be used in specific ways and are either ugly or pretty. In the right hands, even the most 'ugly' of colors can look amazing. Also, green != only nature, that is a very narrow way to look at colors.

You're being way too literal. A "dark green" game does not mean it uses dark green colors; it means it's a dark-themed game... it's grungy, it's not light-hearted. Vampire: The Masquerade is a dark-themed game. Using dark green conveys a message that contradicts what Graal's gameplay is actually like. Who cares if it used green for its client forever ago?

Well, I've always thought Graal's old design -- the one before the current one -- was ugly. I think dark green is ugly. Blue is more pleasing.

Well, Graal has mainly gone through two phases of green. The very dark green that was used for the 'gk-themed' site, the green used for the '2k1-themed' site. I think we're all talking about the green used for the 2k1 site, which is much more light-hearted. However, Graal has too many flavors to say, "Graal is a light-hearted game" because each server has its own thing going on.

Blue is too colorful and bright in my opinion, and way overly used. I always thought the 2k1 site looked quite nice, as do the forums, and it seems to be something that a lot of people think as well.

Then we shouldn't be designing a Graal website at all. We should be designing websites for each and every server.

Blue is used for a reason. Dark green, monochromatic designs are rare for a reason. If you need green, make it bright. Make is a natural green color, not any green taken off of these forums, this design, or this design.

Graal is green, period.

Looks pretty blue to me. >_<

Yup, and look how well-received Graal's current direction has been.

... due to a change in GUI color? ;)

The website, as is now, looks like it is for a whole different game, and has never been liked by most.

The green colors match Graal, and match the forums.

Matches Graal's what?

Easily changed.

The way Graal has always been, I guess.



Yes, I know. I like it the way it is. It's pleasing, and not harsh on the eyes

Well, I agree with this.

I don't think I've ever seen an attractive fully-green website.

There's a reason I don't do web design, rofl.
Attachment 49787
I was bored though. However, I will say that even if I don't like my design, I like the ideas behind it:
> A calender for servers to use to post upcoming events on would be great!
> There needs to be less advertising of Graal on the website and more news.
> I was always a fan of bar navigation rather than drop menus. Purely my own taste, though.
> Less of a hub and more of a universal page for Graal itself. I don't like the idea of dividing up the site into different pages for different servers.

I like the ideas.

Anyways, tried to add green, but it doesn't look like a Graal website, since it's (poor) 'vector' work; trees could be made to look more like in-game trees; maybe add a Kingdoms-like cottage that the guys in the air balloon would be pointed to... Essentially, incorporate things from inside the client, rather than using 'vector' work.

I'm no expert web designer, and I'm probably not even that good, but I think something along the lines of this design would be great. The hills at the bottom don't have to interact with the content box, so that the box could vertically expand as content is added. The hills could be anchored at the very bottom of the page.

To me, it does convey what Graal is about. It's a fun, 'bright' game. It's light-hearted.

For anyone attempting this, the purpose of this redesign is to market Graal, not provide a portal for existing users (although that'd be a good separate idea).

They're the same thing.

And you don't think a new player seeing lots of news and events planned will get them interested? A website like the current one is stagnant, and thus doesn't give the player any sort of idea of how active the game actually is. I know it's a bit ironic given Graal's current... dead state, but it's still something that should be planned for.

For example, logging on to the website and seeing all the planned events for the different servers for Halloween would have definitely intrigued me as a potential costumer. Look at the current state, what is there has been there since they released it. You can dedicate your advertising to an 'about the game' or something section like every other game out there does.

Sure. I'm not saying your ideas are worthless. However, dedicating 90 percent of the screen real-estate to something first-time-visitors can't actually understand or care about isn't a good idea.

I don't really want to get into an argument about this, I'm just trying to get my opinion out there, that's all.

I just checked out the WoW website, and the websites of a couple other popular MMO's and they all have just news on the front page, with separate pages dedicated to actual information about the game.

Ya, it's not a very good idea. Graal has definitely got it right.

Actually I like it!
Looks a bit too simple, but it can be worked on... making it more up2date.
Good Job!

The core word being popular, Dusty. People already know what WoW is about, even if they've never played it before. Nobody knows Graal. You have to tell them what it is before you start telling them about news and the like.

Calendars and news can be on the front page, but the focal point ought to be, "What is Graal?".

I say we go tie dye.

Edit:

NPC Code:

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[RED]New Graal Website   	11-08-2009 12:36 PM  	no

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:fro:

reminds me of the old 2001 website. i love it.

simple and easy on the eyes. effective.

Hence, the problem.

there was nothing wrong with it.

Dynamic stuff like calendar and news should be in the client. In my opinion the website should be more about advertising and have a big download button. May be the playerlist in v6 could be expanded to also be an event hub or so.

People aren't stupid and see straight through websites that are basically just advertisements, that really isn't the way to go. Engaging content is where it's at.

Back in 2001, there wasn't.

@Stefan: Not everything needs to be added to the client. Rufus is right; you do not want GraalOnline.com to look like a giant pop-up. The advertisement should be subtle.

the current website makes me think this game is going to install malware on my computer.

i don't know why you guys changed stuff you had right a long time ago.

it's nice to see game updates on the front page of the website. it tells new people that the game is alive and actually has an active community.

Completely agree - although to clarify "advertise" isn't big flashy banners, but information and "calls to action" to interest potential players.

He probably would prefer a self sufficient website that doesn't require any additional effort placed into it after its creation. It's understandable, because there's a lot of different areas on Graal that need attention already and not an awful amount of trust is placed in people having some control over them. However, it's in parallel to what the current community itself, and potential future communities, are looking for in an MMO's website.

I have to agree with Rufus that people aren't stupid. They don't need constant advertisements and "WE HAVE THIS AND WE HAVE THAT" thrown in their face and a huge download button in order to gain interest, if that even works. They need something more dynamic and real -- something that can interest them. I mean, a quick download button I'm not against, but I don't like the idea of the website being nothing but a huge ad.

I mean really, the current website seems to be taking the exact direction you say the website should take(nothing but advertisements and huge PLAY NOW buttons), but apparently that doesn't seem to be something that is being accepted as a good decision. Let the actual content hook the players, which I guess isn't ideal with Graal's current condition.

I agree with this. A static website with no obvious updates or happenings/events is just not what I'm looking for when trying a new game. Especially when it's community based. Just look at WoW's site. It has news on the first page, and it's still advertising the game.

Also, if someone is already at your site, chances are they're curious in the game... at least, enough to check it out. And if they've made their way to your website, and the website is easy to navigate then I don't think anyone would be bothered by going to an information page to get the actual info on the game. At least that's how I navigate game sites.

Keywords. Many websites are not easy to navigate.

Yes, exactly. It should be fast and easy to download the game and start playing! :D

I think you may be taking what Stefan is saying a little too seriously, I don't think he wants just a ton of advertisements slammed into your face, but rather a website that just advertises the game and makes it easily accessible to download the client.

Nope.