Over on the MochiAds forums, I've been discussing and thinking of setting up some sort of "game developers group" that shows only games by applied and accepted developers - and usually only good quality developers will be accepted. Each developer will have a page, and can link to that like they would a personal flash site. If they tick the box, I will also show a special advert on all of the developers pages, and pay them on the earnings from that.
It is mainly aimed at the developers who enjoy making games and want a "personal flash game site" but, well, haven't got one. Or have got one but one that isn't going too well. People that aren't like jmtb02 or kabomb.
I just finished writing a chunk of text that describes the website, the design, and how it should work. The final copy of this is what I will show to the website programmer and stuff, if we go through with this idea. I already have support and agreement with people from the MochiAds forum.
Anyway, big bunch of text incomiiiiiiiiing:
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It will be designed and look like a casual flash game website, but will only feature games made by developers signed up with it.
Each developer page should be located at developername.gamedevsite.com (of course, with gamedevsite replaced with the domain, and developername, with, yeah.)
Each developer will be encouraged to link to their own page, or the homepage, like they would a personal game site.
On the frontpage -
First half - Latest Games. The latest games submitted by signed up members.
Second half - Top Rated Games - The games with the highest rating.
Under the header image, the links will be:
Home (in center - links to homepage)
Games (to the right of Home link)
Authors (to the left of Home link)
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On the Games page, for each of these categories there will be a few of the top rated games for the category, and under, "More Games" which link to a full list of the category.
New Games (newest games)
Action
Arcade
RPG / Adventure
Puzzle
Sports
Other
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On the category page, will be a list of all the games, listed by the top rated.
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On the page when playing a game, in the center will be the game, under will be a box with the description, and above, the usual header and links.
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On the Authors page, listed like games, will be the name of the Author (listed by most recently joined) and will link to that authors page.
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Adverts
At the top of each page, looking like a box (like the top advert on www.awesomeyay.com) will be a box with an advert in it.
For each author, I can provide an advert code that will show that advert. That advert will show on the authors page, and all of the authors games. Adverts will be 728x90.
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Authors Page
On the authors page, like on the homepage, there will be listed "Latest Games" and "Top Games". Above that, the author may add a paragraph about themselves or something.
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Applying / Registering
At the bottom of the homepage or somewhere will be an "Apply" button. This takes the visitor to a page where, after reading some text and hitting "Agree" (I will give the text), be taken to a page where they must fill in their Username, email, paypal email, make a password, and then write something about why they should be accepted, and their previous experience.
When someone applies, a topic on the Forum should be made with their username and the paragraph of text.
I should also be sent an email with a big "Accept" or "Decline" button. If they are declined, they will recieve an email saying that they have been declined. If they were accepted, they will recieve an email that they have been accepted and their account will be created.
I can delete a user at any time from my little "Admin" menu (only accessible by I).
I can also delete a game at any time from my little "Admin" menu (only accessible by I).
I can also set an exact rating for a game at any time from my little "Admin" menu (only accessible by I), that can either be a permament one where future votes do not count, or where all previous votes will be deleted and the new "starting score" will begin there.
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Logging In / Account
An author has to go to a simple address (for example, gamedevsite/h) to go to the login page.
After they log in, they will be taken to their account options page. At that page, they can upload a game (title, description, specs (maximum 700x600), icon (YY x ZZ) and file)).
On the same Account Options page, they can enable the "Make money off advertising". If this is enabled, I will show a special advert and pay them on its earnings. If not, the default advert will be shown.
From there, they can also see their games in a list and remove any.
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Voting / Rating
Above the game, will be a voting system with 5 blank stars. As they roll over, depending on which star, it shows some stars light up (e.g - 3 stars = 3/5). Any visitor can vote, and depending on their IP address, they can only vote once a day (or the vote just doesn't count).
Right underneath the voting system (but still above the game) will be the current score.
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Forums
The forums (with a link to their from the account options part, and at /f) can only be entered by confirmed authors.
There are three categories "Applications", "Collaborations" and "General Chat". Applications will be posted in the Applications part automatically.
Each author can post, and a Ban feature should be unnecessary.
A lock / Delete thread feature should also be unnecessary.
The forums need to work, and should blend in with the design and not look like some shitty PHPBB forum thrown onto it badly (even if it is a PHPBB forum).
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Many of these things (such as the name, the design, the layout, the header, and the game icon size) will still be discussed with the developers and the website programmer.
If any programmers (for websites) read that and have any information, comments, ideas, or approximately how much it would cost, that would be nice.
