Simu, will HJ get a reworked website?

Kraptor · June 2006

Will there be a new website for HJ?

Nelson · June 2006

The "new" official Hero's Journey website launched on January 18. It would be rather early to re-launch, though I personally believe that the current design is not very user-friendly.

Kraptor · June 2006

This is the official site?

http://www.play.net/hj/

Amathe · June 2006

The main page of the website is actually pretty cool, although they need to change "coming soon" in the content links to merely "coming", as soon came and went.

The forums are a nightmare. They have said they are going to fix it, um, soon.

Chessack · June 2006

Yes. I like their website but their forums.... Their forums are almost completely unusable. I suppose people who have been there all along do not find it so, but to try to follow "threads" now, is just insanely hard. I tried for a while and just gave up.

I don't really understand what their holdup is. Forum software is pretty standard and available. phpBB, vbulletin, and others are used on many other sites without issues.

C

Nelson · June 2006

Originally posted by Kraptor

This is the official site?
http://www.play.net/hj/

Yes, that is the official site.

simu-steph · June 2006

Originally posted by Chessack
I don't really understand what their holdup is. Forum software is pretty standard and available. phpBB, vbulletin, and others are used on many other sites without issues.

Because the person who builds the forums is also busy writing the next MMORPG.com dev journal?

We realize folks want a new forum. We've purchased the software, we're building the server to host it. What's easy for a personal site is much more difficult for a company.

Unfortunately, company though we are, we're also small, with a lot to do. We recognize and appreciate our community, and we'll be getting them a more familiar forums system ASAP, but right now the same people who get you that forum are also focused on building the game and licensing HeroEngine, and it doesn't leave a lot of room for much else.

As for the herosjourney.net site, that's our current design until closer to launch, when we'll switch to a more community-friendly design.

And yeah, the lore stuff needs updating.

We're busy, what can I say? It's a good thing!

Steph

Sylvado · June 2006

It is much easier to find a topic on the Simu forums than it is here. On the main page here I have to go back 4 pages just to find something posted yesterday. Active Simu forums have topics then catergories that allow you to navigate to one of 400 topics in 2 mouse clicks. The only thing missing is a search function.

Chessack · June 2006

Well I do understand that you have a small team that is working hard and they may have other priorities...

Just do keep in mind that for a games like MMORPGs, a good website with active forums can do a lot to get people jazzed about the game, and although a small # of people seem to like the way the forums are now, most people I have run into say they have tried the HJ forums, can't navigate them well, and, as a result, don't even have the HJ website/forums bookmarked.

So... whenever you get the chance, getting this upgraded would probably be quite worth the effort.

C

Kenorv · June 2006

I don't see the forums as a priority at all. Simu posts all sorts of info on just about every gaming site they can(with the exception of gamespot who doesn't appear to care much at all about HJ), they've held chat sessions about the game with the public(something that most companies never do), and their GM's are constantly answering questions on this very site(something else that other companies don't do at all). If those things weren't happening then I would agree that Simu should prioritize HJ's website as well as the forums but with all of the info that they are providing outside of their website, I think that the website can wait.

Kraptor · June 2006

I still think that the site is not very good and kind of bland and uninteresting. I just dont get it, cause the art-style they are showing us in HJ looks very nice, at least to me and for some reason I thought that their website would reflect that kind of design too. Also the video on the top left takes quite a good amoutn of time to load up. I am on a 3 mbit connection from Europe. Also the main frame of the site is a bit too small. Anyways I think the site really needs some reworkin, cause right now I like to come here or to stratics more then visit the official webiste. It just doesnt look good.

Eosa · June 2006

Originally posted by Kraptor
Also the video on the top left takes quite a good amoutn of time to load up. I am on a 3 mbit connection from Europe. Also the main frame of the site is a bit too small. Anyways I think the site really needs some reworkin, cause right now I like to come here or to stratics more then visit the official webiste. It just doesnt look good.

I would have to agree. That video, no matter how cool it looks, needs to go. I tried to show the site to a friend of mine at his house and he only has a 112 kbps internet connection. The page never fully loaded and the links never worked. He was completely turned off of the game just because of the web site. If a web site is to be used for any kind of marketing, it needs to look pretty, load quickly, and all the links need to work...at any connection speed.

-eosa-

Torak · June 2006

Well, I keep checking back with this game to see if there is any actual news and I keep getting disappointed. Before E3 everyone was saying that "they where probably busy ramping up for E3" and all that, but nothing has really come out of that. I'm not all that into hype but a little hype is good. A little info is good. Something is better then nothing. I know as much now about HJ and its release as when I did 6 months ago. Basically nothing.

The web site for this game is still basically empty. The forums are more or less unusable unless you commit some time to ripping your hair out searching it.

HJ looks awesome but come on, the web site is what the public looks at when they want to get an impression of what the game is about. If this website leaves any impression its not a good one unfortunately. I hope they can put this game together better then they can the web site that promotes it.

Chessack · June 2006

Indeed with regard to the website... after mentiong HJ to a few friends and having them check out the website, I've been accused of trying to get them interested in "Vaporware." One even seemed to think it was a hoax.

That kind of impression really isn't what one wants out of one's website, I would imagine.

By sending them here I was able to convince them otherwise, particularly seeing as there are GM posts here and whatnot... but still it's a bit troubling.

C

Kenorv · June 2006

Originally posted by Chessack

Indeed with regard to the website... after mentiong HJ to a few friends and having them check out the website, I've been accused of trying to get them interested in "Vaporware." One even seemed to think it was a hoax.

That kind of impression really isn't what one wants out of one's website, I would imagine.

By sending them here I was able to convince them otherwise, particularly seeing as there are GM posts here and whatnot... but still it's a bit troubling.

C

I wrote in another thread that marketing the game is going to be just as important as making a good game. As long as Simu is marketing the game in some way, whether it be dev chats, or interviews/articles on various sites, or having GM's answer questions on forums such as this one then I don't think that their site is a high priority as of now but at some point it will be. I know they are a small company and all of their people are focussing thier efforts on the game rather than site, forums, etc. but the presentation of the game(and that includes the web site) is going to be critical.

It's just a thought, but since so many people want to see the site a forums upgraded, maybe someone should volunteer to help Simu do that since all of thier present staff is busy with the game. I would volunteer myself but I'm not good at that sort of stuff.

Chessack · June 2006

I know a tiny bit and I'd be happy to help them... but they don't know me from Adam, and it would probably not be prudent to trust some nobody they never heard of, with something as important as their forums -- particularly someone who only "sort of" knows how to run the software (once its' up, adminning it, is not difficult... but getting the SQL and PHP and all that to "play nicely" with each other, is on the "I can barely do it as long as there are no snags" list for me).

I'd be happy to help be a forum mod or something if they need bodies, though... I have plenty of experience since I run my own RPG-related website.

C

Eosa · July 2006

Any word on when we can expect a workable web site? It really is unusable in its current state.

-eosa-

frostydf2 · July 2006

I'm not trying to glamorize Hero's Hall, but why would you want new official forums when every other fansite already offers everything that the 'official forums' will? They have developer postings, great chats, good discussions, and a great community. A website would be my first priority, but the current website really is an awsome website in my standards.

Morneblade · July 2006

I think one big reason if people go to the official website and see the official forums and see how archaic they are, they might just pass on the game alltogehter. That "first impression" thing and all. Either that or just dump their forums and have a fansite listed as their "official forums". Horizons did that in beta, and I know that Sigil is going to dump their forums when they go to release. Anyway, the current HJ forums at play.net dont leave a very good first impression IMO.

EliasThorne · July 2006

Originally posted by frostydf2

I'm not trying to glamorize Hero's Hall, but why would you want new official forums when every other fansite already offers everything that the 'official forums' will? They have developer postings, great chats, good discussions, and a great community. A website would be my first priority, but the current website really is an awsome website in my standards.

The reason that HJ needs a decent official forum is not to take away from fan sites, but it is as suggested to give the first time viewer a good impression.
Then when they're all hooked and hyper about the game they start looking around and find some of the other communities with a greater depth of history (such as yours) and become active members.

So to sum up, its basically so the company doen't look crap on first inspection.

raccoon · July 2006

Originally posted by Morneblade
I think one big reason if people go to the official website and see the official forums and see how archaic they are, they might just pass on the game alltogehter. That "first impression" thing and all. Either that or just dump their forums and have a fansite listed as their "official forums". Horizons did that in beta, and I know that Sigil is going to dump their forums when they go to release. Anyway, the current HJ forums at play.net dont leave a very good first impression IMO.

You have to realize the forums at play.net include all their games from Gemstone to HJ. It'll take a complete overhaul, and they'll get to it eventually.

As for people's first impressions... if they like the game enough, they'll whine about the forums but still visit them. Trust me.

EliasThorne · July 2006

Originally posted by raccoon

...As for people's first impressions... if they like the game enough, they'll whine about the forums but still visit them. Trust me.

Thats actually not true, I like the game and I fully expect it to be my next major MMO, but I cannot and will not navigate those forums, which is a shame as it would be nice to know whats going on rather than having to wait until the info filters through to here.

Eosa · July 2006

Originally posted by frostydf2

I'm not trying to glamorize Hero's Hall, but why would you want new official forums when every other fansite already offers everything that the 'official forums' will? They have developer postings, great chats, good discussions, and a great community. A website would be my first priority, but the current website really is an awsome website in my standards.

I am not just talking about the official forums. I am talking about the entire Web site. None of the pages load correctly for me (using IE6), links dont work, etc. I cant even get to the forums to see how bad everyone says they are.

To be honest, I did not know Hero's Hall existed. I will check it out.

-eosa-

Amathe · July 2006

I would much rather enjoy an official board than a fansite board (unless it's a well established one like Stratics or Warcry or mmorpg.com). I have seen too many private fansites over the years vanish after their makers achieved their objective of getting into beta or forming/promoting their guild (there were literally hundreds of WoW sites, for example, that went dark as soon as the game launched). Worse still, I have seen sites where once the fans popularized them by their postings, the owners sold them to IGE or an affiliate. I want my patronage to support the game, not the ambitions - in game or out of game - of a few individuals. So I vote for better official boards.

Chessack · July 2006

Originally posted by Morneblade
I think one big reason if people go to the official website and see the official forums and see how archaic they are, they might just pass on the game alltogehter. That "first impression" thing and all. Either that or just dump their forums and have a fansite listed as their "official forums". Horizons did that in beta, and I know that Sigil is going to dump their forums when they go to release. Anyway, the current HJ forums at play.net dont leave a very good first impression IMO.

Exacdtly.

One thing you have to realize is that a lot of the more casual gamers and casual computer users do not differentiate between website and game (or website and other software). I know people where they would literally say (and in fact HAVE said, of HJ), "How can these guys run an online game if they can't even build a decent website?"

Of course, I realize it's different programmers who build the website and the game, but a lot of people don't stop to make that distinction. To them "programming is programming" and when they see a website that looks like it was built by some amateur, and not only that but built a long time ago by that amateur, well, it does not leave a good impression. I mean after all, just about anybody can DL either a CM or Forum system, pre-packaged, unpack it on his server, run a couple of SQL config scripts, and get a website up and running. My ISP even provides a one-click option to turn on "forums" on my own web space, and it's fully functional phpBB right out of the box. Click a few more buttons and you have a customized theme, and a very slick looking, profesional forum.

People see fansites done by private people like Hero's Hall and think, "If Simu can't even do what some guy in his basement can do...." (No offense to the HH guys, just as an example).

Again, I'm not saying I think that myself -- I realize there is a difference between the website code and the game code. But a lot of people don't make that differentiation, and with all the other games out there with good, solid websites, having a weak website and a super-weak (as well as non-standard) forum is just going to turn most people away.

C

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