New Graal Website

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

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

... due to a change in GUI color?

[Darlene159]

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

... 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.

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by Darlene159

The green colors match Graal

Matches Graal's what?

Originally Posted by Darlene159

and match the forums.

Easily changed.

[Darlene159]

Originally Posted by Rufus

Matches Graal's what?

The way Graal has always been, I guess.

Easily changed.

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

[Rufus]

Well, I agree with this.

Originally Posted by LoneAngelIbesu

Doesn't mean it ever 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.

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

[DustyPorViva]

There's a reason I don't do web design, rofl.

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.

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

> 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.

[WhiteDragon]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

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.

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).

[Rufus]

Originally Posted by WhiteDragon

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.

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by WhiteDragon

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).

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.

[WhiteDragon]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

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.

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by WhiteDragon

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.

[Vima]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

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.

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

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

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.

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?".

[Switch]

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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