New Graal Website

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by Hiro

a fan site? is there going to be a link to it from the graal website if it isn't used at least? ):

Yes, I would hope so.

[Tigairius]

I know a lot of people really like this website from 2001, so I thought we would kind of base the template off of this.

We could sort of have the [attached] template except with a new banner, new entrance, and at the bottom of the banner it could say something like "Play the game" and "Make the game" instead of Graal Classic, Graal2001 and Graal New World.

Comments, suggestions, etc?


However, this may not be completely practical/professional looking, in which case, I really think we should try moving back towards this sort of layout.

In my opinion, this site was incredibly effective. It's still currently online sort of, http://graalonline.com/kingdoms/ but I don't think there will be any convincing unless we make something new.

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

We could sort of have the [attached] template except with a new banner, new entrance, and at the bottom of the banner it could say something like "Play the game" and "Make the game" instead of Graal Classic, Graal2001 and Graal New World.

It isn't very streamlined. Aren't we going for cohesion? I thought one of the problems with the current design (aside from being inappropriate) was that it didn't represent Graal. The design should be able to handle each popular server, rather than having to turn to completely different designs.

Originally Posted by Tigairius

However, this may not be completely practical/professional looking, in which case, I really think we should try moving back towards this sort of layout.

In my opinion, this site was incredibly effective. It's still currently online sort of, http://graalonline.com/kingdoms/ but I don't think there will be any convincing unless we make something new.

To me, this is the best idea. It just needs to be updated. Lose the interface (wood, metal), add some softness, some splashes of color. Kind of inspires me. Hm.

[Devil]

The attached image was the better site.

[DustyPorViva]

I think the website should be based off of a header something like this:

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

I think the website should be based off of a header something like this:

That's a fun drawing.






As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I would rather approach the website as business presentation than "fun happy game" (although maintaining a minimum of fun-happy-game mentality). The current site is fun-happy-game, and is entirely dysfunctional - although it's definitely a poor example of fun-happy-game.

I feel it's very important we win our customers over with a minimum of pretty graphics, especially since the majority of servers (graal in it's current state) are anything but...

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by Stephen

I feel it's very important we win our customers over with a minimum of pretty graphics, especially since the majority of servers (graal in it's current state) are anything but...

You mean lure them in with lies? :P

[Tigairius]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

You mean lure them in with lies? :P

Not necessarily lies, just stretched truths, yes, sort of like sirens. That's successful marketing. Everyone knows those sandwiches you see on TV for McDonalds aren't what they really look like when you go there and order one.

Edit: The whole point of marketing is to entice the player enough to download the client, then hopefully get hooked on the game. Enticing involves pretty graphics and neat aesthetics-- and easy navigation.

[DustyPorViva]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

Not necessarily lies, just stretched truths, yes, sort of like sirens. That's successful marketing. Everyone knows those sandwiches you see on TV for McDonalds aren't what they really look like when you go there and order one.

Edit: The whole point of marketing is to entice the player enough to download the client, then hopefully get hooked on the game. Enticing involves pretty graphics and neat aesthetics-- and easy navigation.

Ya, but when I see those delicious burgers and go to Mcdonald's, I still at least get a burger...

[Crono]

Originally Posted by Tigairius

Not necessarily lies, just stretched truths, yes, sort of like sirens. That's successful marketing. Everyone knows those sandwiches you see on TV for McDonalds aren't what they really look like when you go there and order one.

But tasty nonetheless. Graal, on the other hand, is a laughable joke in the state it's in. Seriously, I showed two of my friends the login and Zodiac just to see their reactions and it was hilarious.

Originally Posted by Tigairius

Edit: The whole point of marketing is to entice the player enough to download the client, then hopefully get hooked on the game. Enticing involves pretty graphics and neat aesthetics-- and easy navigation.

Exactly, start with the client itself because I can guarantee the site will go to waste if the game isn't fixed (I mean hell, the v2 interfaces and v3 interface looked better than the current garbage). Once you atleast have an attractive client that will leave a good impression, then launch a nice site to go hand-in-hand with it.

[Stephen]

Originally Posted by DustyPorViva

You mean lure them in with lies? :P

Potential users should have a realistic expectation created for them. The "fast buck" approach which has been in employment for the longest while seems to have bred a lot of hostility and dissatisfaction in current and former users.


We can see the result of that approach which I feel we're currently living in; steady decline.

[Rice2k]

I really don't like the graalonline.com web site it reminds me of a scamming web sites or a web site that just trying to make money. The only graalonline.com web site i ever did prefer was the one with the wizard in the right hand corner. im pretty sure play count was up when that layout of the site was on here.

[Spark910]

I skipped two pages. Realistically, I'm not sure we need a new website per se. Can we not use an old version and update it, a version where the design wasn't so bright?

It'd save a lot of work and get us to, arguably, a better place - considering I don't recall too many people in favour of the current design/website.

Perhaps you could get approval for such a project, get people who know how to edit websites (perhaps from the GDT pool) then proceed to update it before presenting it to the powers than be for approval.

You wouldn't need serious design skills as there are many acceptable parts that could be reused in an edited design making the project more about layout and updating the content than creating new things.

The biggest issue with the current website is that no one can be bothered to update it. It's a success in that it doesn't need maintaining but that lack of effort is perhaps also bouncing potential players/developers away.

[Rufus]

So.. who is going to make it?

[LoneAngelIbesu]

Originally Posted by Rufus

So.. who is going to make it?

Anybody interested, I'm assuming. It's kind of like a contest... maybe.