StrategyWiki:Guide/Scope

While StrategyWiki's ultimate goal is to become an all-encompassing video game strategy resource, there are some things it simply won't encompass. This page is here to explain what those things are.

Game inclusion
While StrategyWiki's goal is to document "all" games, since it is so easy to create Flash, web-based, freeware, homebrew and open-source games, we have certain requirements for what defines a "real" game suitable for inclusion.

All games on this site, however, must be a computer, arcade, or video game. At this point in time, single-purpose systems (such as LCD games) are not covered here unless computer or video game versions of that very same game exist (e.g. the Game & Watch Gallery series). Similarly, board games such as Monopoly and card games such as UNO are only covered if they have an electronic equivalent.

Games are expected to fulfill most or all of the following criteria:
 * 1) It is produced by or associated with a recognized company. Nintendo, Sony, Microsoft, Sega and countless others are recognized as producing games on a professional level. Any and all games developed, distributed, published, or otherwise handled by a recognized company (including being offered via services like Xbox Live Arcade and GameTap) are automatically valid for inclusion, even if they fail the other criteria below.
 * 2) It is sold commercially (or was in the past). In this instance "sold commercially" means appearing as a physical product on store shelves, or on a digital download service such as Xbox Live Arcade or GameTap. Since stores and download services won't carry just anything, any game that manages to be offered by them is automatically valid for inclusion even if it was unlicensed or fails the other criteria. Shareware games are also sold commercially, but because the ease of distribution means that anyone can make a shareware title the other expectations must still be met.
 * 3) It has been rated by an organization such as the ESRB or PEGI. This criterion is discounted if the game pre-dates the existence of ratings or is only available as a digital download.
 * 4) It has received at least one non-trivial mention in a published source (such as PC Gamer) or on a recognized industry website (such as GameSpot). This is an especially important requirement for freeware, homebrew, Flash, open-source, and web-based games, because they are easy to produce when compared to commercial games. Merely being included on a magazine's cover CD or mentioned in a single sentence in an article is considered a trivial mention.
 * 5) The game has a very large player base (e.g. Flash Flash Revolution). If a game has a player base comparable to that of a game sold commercially it is valid for inclusion even if it does not fulfill the other criteria.

Note that the following factors do not affect a game's inclusion:
 * 1) What language it is in. Japanese, French, Maori, Martian, it doesn't matter what language it is as long as the guide is in English.
 * 2) Whether it is still available. Games that were canceled but exist as prototypes (e.g. Star Fox 2) are still legitimate games, as are titles available exclusively for a now defunct service such as Sega Channel or the Satellaview. Even games that fulfill the criteria but are now completely unplayable (such as Neverwinter Nights (AOL)) are still valid for inclusion here because they are of historical significance.
 * 3) How popular it is or was. Even if hardly anybody has heard of the game, if it sufficiently fulfills the above criteria it is valid for inclusion. This includes all titles produced by recognized companies.  Likewise, a game that only receives short-term viral promotion doesn't guarantee inclusion if none of the other requirements are met.

Entries that do not appear to meet most or all of the above requirements should be brought up on the forums.

Guide scope
Every guide should revolve around a central walkthrough that leads a player from start to finish in a game. Additional complimentary elements can be added, such as: appendices for the databases in the game, maps, side quest guides, specific gameplay elements that need to be expanded, move lists, character information, and more. Additional game info not concerned with actual gameplay help should not be added (such as credit listings); the exception here is on the main page of a guide, where a simple bio and plot description should be added.