StrategyWiki:Featured guides/Current requests

From StrategyWiki, the video game walkthrough and strategy guide wiki

These are the current nominations for featured guides, oldest first. Please follow the steps on StrategyWiki:Featured guides to nominate a guide.

Current Nominations

Dog's Life

Dog's Life
Nominated on 10:03, 8 September 2008 (UTC) (2/1/3)
Support
  1. It's nearly finished, and the pages are organised and there's as many images as I could find on the guide pages. -- Melon247, The Dog's Life Expert 10:03, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
  2. I'm ready to support, see preconditions in the comments section--DukeRuckleyTalk | Contribs 12:26, 13 October 2008 (UTC)
Oppose
  1. Skizzerz 21:14, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
Undecided
  1. Notmyhandle (talk contribs) 17:32, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
  2. Procyon (Talk) 21:48, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
  3. najzere 18:37, 4 October 2008 (UTC)
  4. --Arrow Windwhistler (talk) 17:31, 28 October 2008 (UTC)
Comments
  • Just needs some more maps and to be copyedited (Notmyhandle suggested nominating it now to get more users involved) and then it will be finished --> --Melon247, The Dog's Life Expert 10:03, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
    • I agree that currently the guide is finished, but needs finishing touches on the writing. --Notmyhandle (talk contribs) 17:32, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
  • Some of the layout in this guide is just plain wtf. The TOC (especially if it is small) should not be messed with unless it is for a good reason, and putting two random images up there is not one of them imo. Also, some of the pages need more images, and others need more original images (reusing an image is fine, but three times or more is a bit much. Images should relate to that section of the walkthrough, not just be there to make things look prettier. Also, if you hover over that http://strategywiki.org/w/skins/common/images/button_hr.png button, you'll notice the text "use sparingly." I've seen it used where it was totally unnecessary to insert a horizontal rule in that location. In addition, please make use of the {{-}} template to insert clear breaks where necessary so that the headers don't look like shit on different screen resolutions. Some of the images are so big that they head down two or three paragraphs. Having a some whitespace between headings is not a bad thing. It lets the readers know that there is a break in the section and also makes the walkthrough page easier on the eyes. The maps could probably be in a {{Sidebar}} or some other floating box that resembles one instead of way at the top of the page. Try to make the image captions more profound. If you just say what the image is, then imo readers will feel insulted because they were able to figure that out just by looking at the image, they didn't need a caption to tell them that. Instead, perhaps summarise the part of the game involving that image so that if they just want to see a specific bit, they don't have to scan through a paragraph or two. Finally, do not insult the reader or make any other sort of potentially-insulting remarks. For example: "You've seen the building next to that one, obviously (how can you miss it)" is bad. It is not only bad professionalism, but if the reader did somehow miss it, it might turn the reader off and make them go to a different place to find a guide. Granted, that's a worst-case scenario, but it really shouldn't be in there. I probably could find a bit more stuff, but that's the gist of why I am opposing this guide as of now. --Skizzerz 21:14, 8 September 2008 (UTC)
    • Skizzerz has a very valid point about the screenshots. Unfortunately, there isn't an easy way to solve that problem. Most likely, you would have to find a way to take the screenshots yourself (or find someone who can). This is particularly difficult for a game that does not currently have an emulator available. Don't get discouraged, though. The work you have put into the guide is fantastic! Follow Skizzerz's advice above, and you'll be that much closer to a featured guide. Pay special attention to his example about insulting the reader. Maybe one of us, if we have the time, can go through and help get rid of what we call "drivel."--DukeRuckleyTalk | Contribs 11:29, 9 September 2008 (UTC)
    • The screenshots were actually of the least concern to me. Really the only pages that need more aren't even in the Walkthrough, but are the Getting Started pages. I'm sure some of the images already uploaded could help illustrate points in those pages (but keep their usage to twice, not more -- otherwise people start going "haven't I seen this before?..."). --Skizzerz 20:05, 9 September 2008 (UTC)
  • I've got some reservations about the layout as well. I've been through a good portion of the guide doing copyedit, and I've noticed that the walkthrough is pretty dense due to information on a 100% completion. The guide may benefit from a pared down walkthrough, with sub-pages for scent locations, getting all bones, etc. Besides streamlining and readability, this would let visitors get to the information they're looking for more quickly. I know I'd prefer to go to a scent list to find a missing scent than have to locate it somewhere in a walkthrough paragraph.
    As far as images go, I was under the impression that unless they are helping a reader understand something in the game, they are fluff. Most of the pictures are just random shots, used more for sprucing up the guide than providing any informational value. Even in that regard it really just clutters the page. Melon247, I think a less narrative approach to the guide in general would be beneficial. We should try and make any information as easy to find as possible and avoid unnecessary embellishments. -- najzere 18:37, 4 October 2008 (UTC)
  • I've moved from undecided to support, though I do ask for one thing. It would be nice (I'll try and find the time tonight, but I may not be able to) for someone who hasn't yet to give the guide a thorough readthrough and make sure that the guide flows well and is easy to read. This includes aesthetics, like breaking up large paragraphs. Excellent work Melon and thanks Najzere for jumping in and giving a hand here!--DukeRuckleyTalk | Contribs 12:26, 13 October 2008 (UTC)
  • I still have reservations. The screenshots, for a console game, seem at the very least' satisfactory. Since Skizzerz brought it up, I'm still kind of iffy on the tone of the guide. If that gets cleared up though, I think I'll move to support. --Arrow Windwhistler (talk) 17:31, 28 October 2008 (UTC)