Posted February 27, 2014
Preface:
I'm sure what I'm about to say has been said elsewhere either in the forums or in the wishlist, but sense the search functions are kind of rubbish I'm going to just post a new thread.
Content:
Judging by various posts in some of the high-traffic threads (as well as my own thoughts), I can't help but feel the Wishlist is a failure in some regards. For one it is hidden in a back-corner of the site, someone that only uses the storefront, may not even learn about its existence (I'm sure there are others like me that rarely if ever frequent "Community" segments of sites unless there is a glaring issue). Secondly, the organization is horrible; one either looks under site requests or games requests and it is all just lumped in there with no organization (or systems to actually prevent duplicates). And thirdly various statements by GOG and various other things give the impression they don't bother with any of the things that have a couple hundred votes (or less). I hope this is inaccurate of course, as if they did that they aren't accounting for the people who would be interested (but never voted because of either the format or the placement of the Wishlist).
Suggestions:
1. Have the Wishlist more prominently featured on the site. If something truly is used and a "core" part of the site and its considerations, there is little reason it should have a more prominent placement or even a widget of some form on the main page. Not sure it would be feasible, but there could even be a little widget or a link on game pages (for games with missing series entries, expansions, etc) to 'streamline' showing support for the missing entries.
2. The format needs an overhaul. Something needs to be in place to consolidate duplicates (actively) and account for name issues (some regions have differing titles for the same things). Filters could also benefit (ie. genres, developers, publishers, series', etc.).
3. (I realize from a business perspective there is a limit to transparency.) That said, there should be more to convey that the Wishlist has a function (other than the occasional reference and marking the more vague requests as "in-progress").
Epilogue:
I realize none of this is necessarily easy. I'm not asking for the moon and the stars, just if some of these site features actually do play a role in things they should be given proper polish and care (not relegated to some back-corner collecting dust).
I'm sure what I'm about to say has been said elsewhere either in the forums or in the wishlist, but sense the search functions are kind of rubbish I'm going to just post a new thread.
Content:
Judging by various posts in some of the high-traffic threads (as well as my own thoughts), I can't help but feel the Wishlist is a failure in some regards. For one it is hidden in a back-corner of the site, someone that only uses the storefront, may not even learn about its existence (I'm sure there are others like me that rarely if ever frequent "Community" segments of sites unless there is a glaring issue). Secondly, the organization is horrible; one either looks under site requests or games requests and it is all just lumped in there with no organization (or systems to actually prevent duplicates). And thirdly various statements by GOG and various other things give the impression they don't bother with any of the things that have a couple hundred votes (or less). I hope this is inaccurate of course, as if they did that they aren't accounting for the people who would be interested (but never voted because of either the format or the placement of the Wishlist).
Suggestions:
1. Have the Wishlist more prominently featured on the site. If something truly is used and a "core" part of the site and its considerations, there is little reason it should have a more prominent placement or even a widget of some form on the main page. Not sure it would be feasible, but there could even be a little widget or a link on game pages (for games with missing series entries, expansions, etc) to 'streamline' showing support for the missing entries.
2. The format needs an overhaul. Something needs to be in place to consolidate duplicates (actively) and account for name issues (some regions have differing titles for the same things). Filters could also benefit (ie. genres, developers, publishers, series', etc.).
3. (I realize from a business perspective there is a limit to transparency.) That said, there should be more to convey that the Wishlist has a function (other than the occasional reference and marking the more vague requests as "in-progress").
Epilogue:
I realize none of this is necessarily easy. I'm not asking for the moon and the stars, just if some of these site features actually do play a role in things they should be given proper polish and care (not relegated to some back-corner collecting dust).