The Triumphant Return of AllRPG

[Hyde]

http://allrpg.com/wp-content/themes/mammoth/images/logo-black.png

We're back, baby!

While all the little details haven't been worked out yet, the site DOES exist again and will exist as a different entity than it ever has before. The new AllRPG is a site dedicated to our opinion, and by our, I mean all of ours. That's right, you can contribute too.

The point of the new site is to act like a magazine, in a way. It's all editorials. We won't be doing daily news. Instead, we'll have editorials, reviews, previews, featured articles. Instead of trying to compete with sites like Kotaku, we're going to be doing things different so we don't need to depend on a large regular staff. Instead...we'll have all of you.

The goal will be for us to have a few regular columns that are written weekly or bi-weekly, and then for the rest of the content to be a bit more free-form. Contributors will be able to write about whatever they want, so long as it pertains to gaming or gaming culture in some way. Articles will be submitted here, and if accepted(and there will only be a small list of reasons why they wouldn't be), will be edited solely for grammatical purposes and then posted on the site.

Participation is, of course, NOT mandatory...but will be welcome and appreciated. First of all, you'll be able to contribute through a section of the forums, and you'll notice a slight re-organization and a theme change coming in the next several days here.

The new setup also features a community/user scoring system, and a scoring option for the reviewer in question. We're loaded for bear with simplified options to make a streamlined gaming magazine loaded with our own brand of sarcasm and opinions.

We'd like your help. So who's in?

[Mark]

I just noticed going to the homepage. it looks great Hyde!

[moogle]

I would definitely like to help, in small ways at least. I don't know if you're still handling all the graphics though, Hyde? No offense but I'm not a fan of the new logo.

I admit my skill set is rather limited, and I wouldn't mind editorializing if I actually played RPGs or much of any modern games these days. Maybe I'll come up with something here and there though.

[Hyde]

I have been handling, and will largely continue to handle, all the graphics, yeah.

And, no offense man, but you haven't been a fan of nearly anything I've done, so, I'm probably just gonna keep it...

[Electric Banana]

If I'm still around, I'll help where I can, but I will be starting my masters degree in about a month, so my time around the forums will probably be limited. But yeah, I'd be willing to help out where I can.

[Jun]

The A doesn't look right to me. Your choices of A's are lol, Hyde. The lettering for the forum > site. The line extending under the P is my only other fault with it. Otherwise, it looks alright.

[Evil]

Nitpickers.

[Hyde]

I'll consider changing it a little, but I like the overall design. You'll get more say when you start helping. ;)

As for people who DO want to help, I intend to get the site ready to go by the end of the weekend. So be ready and start thinking about what you'd like to write about.

[moogle]

I have been handling, and will largely continue to handle, all the graphics, yeah.

And, no offense man, but you haven't been a fan of nearly anything I've done, so, I'm probably just gonna keep it...
Hey, the page design is fine and dandy if you ask me. And it's not like it gives me pleasure to criticize or anything. It's just that the header is the first thing people usually see, and it ought to be done right. And I didn't want to be too harsh but I feel I have to say something now. The logo is really amateur looking, and I think you're able to come up with better than that. But I'm not here to tell you what to do.

Also, I have an idea for something to write about, unfortunately I have played very little Xbox 360 and PS3, and thus have trouble putting things into context. Maybe in the near future.

[Hyde]

The logo is really amateur looking, and I think you're able to come up with better than that..

In what way is it "Amateur Looking"...? I really don't understand that line of thinking. Especially since I'm a professional designer and, based on what I've seen of other gaming or magazine websites, it doesn't look any worse than any of them. Hell, it looks five hundred times better than Kotaku's logo. So please...explain your issue with it other than a random opinionated comment of it being "Amateur Looking"...which is kind of amusing coming from an amateur.

Understand, I'm not trying to be snarky or demeaning...I seriously do not understand where you get Amateur from. Hell, it's a perfect render transparent PNG file with clean, perfect lines. That's about as far from amateur as you get.

I'll work up a few alterations and alternatives based on a few suggestions and my own ideas, but I intend to keep part of my initial design.

Lastly, my comment about you not liking the other things I've done has come from your criticisms of my past designs for both site and forum. You always have something negative to say about them. I wasn't being smart about it...you really have done this before every time I've changed it.

[Less Than Liz]

I was going to make a comment about Moogleman never liking anything, but I was beat to it >:/

[Karsh]

I'll do what I can (and what I have time for) to help and enlist help as well. I think the main reason AllRPG gained popularity at it's peak, however, was the redirect from ChronoCross.com

[moogle]

In what way is it "Amateur Looking"...? I really don't understand that line of thinking. Especially since I'm a professional designer and, based on what I've seen of other gaming or magazine websites, it doesn't look any worse than any of them. Hell, it looks five hundred times better than Kotaku's logo. So please...explain your issue with it other than a random opinionated comment of it being "Amateur Looking"...which is kind of amusing coming from an amateur.

Understand, I'm not trying to be snarky or demeaning...I seriously do not understand where you get Amateur from. Hell, it's a perfect render transparent PNG file with clean, perfect lines. That's about as far from amateur as you get.

I'll work up a few alterations and alternatives based on a few suggestions and my own ideas, but I intend to keep part of my initial design.

Lastly, my comment about you not liking the other things I've done has come from your criticisms of my past designs for both site and forum. You always have something negative to say about them. I wasn't being smart about it...you really have done this before every time I've changed it.
I admit you're the professional and I'm the amateur, I wouldn't claim to be able to design the perfect logo. This doesn't invalidate my criticism though. If you want me to get into what I think is wrong with it, I will.

What I say below isn't meant to rip your logo to shreds. I think the design can work nicely if you tweak it in some key ways. That said...

Yes, it's a transparent PNG. Nice touch but that doesn't make it a good. And yes, everything lines up and it's rendered fine. Okay, sure.

Honestly I don't have too much of a problem with the A. The smaller L's look a tad awkward but they work. Now your R... if you think the swoosh is necessary, at least have it flow better. The fact that it curves up again ruins the flow a bit. Now the P is tricky. In its current state of the corner merging into the R's swoosh, it looks a little sloppy. It would be best to avoid that intersection altogether, maybe have it go totally down into it if you're feeling daring.

The G would be alright if not for the slab (or whatever you call it, again I admit I'm not the expert here). It's too thin, and off center. I wonder if it might look better if it was removed altogether? Hard to tell just by eyeballing it. I don't know if you made these yourself or if it's a font but it could definitely use tweaking.

And holy god, here's my biggest issue with the whole thing: you don't need those bars and your little green directional graphic too. Pick one or the other, preferably neither. The bars made me first think of roman numerals, and they don't really add to it. The green graphic also feels completely tacked on, plus the lines are so small and close together; it's way too busy.

The cylindrical metallic gradient is completely unnecessary, I think you're trying too hard to look "Web 2.0". It doesn't work with the bar under "All" either, the contrast in gradients makes it that much worse.

Drop shadow is also not needed, though you could get away with it since it's on a dark background to begin with.

Oh, and the bottom of the swoosh is cut off, easily fixed of course. I imagine it might be hard to spot depending on your monitor's brightness/contrast.

TL;DR: Simplify.

[Evil]

Like I said. Nitpickers.

Hyde, go with whichever logo you like the best. If anyone doesn't like it... fuck em. What are they going to do, stare at a logo all day and gripe about it?

[Electric Banana]

Like I said. Nitpickers.

Hyde, go with whichever logo you like the best. If anyone doesn't like it... fuck em. What are they going to do, stare at a logo all day and gripe about it?This.

If they hate the logo so bad, let them put money and time into running the entire site/forums so they can have ultimate say over the logo... Just sayin'.

[Jarrid]

I broke up with my girlfriend yesterday, so I am game. I would not mind writing a few articles. I may not play games too often anymore, but I still read a lot of the psychology behind it.

[CoolOtaku]

Guys, whether or not the logo is absolutely perfect right now is not what is most important. The logo can be changed later on if it's really necessary.

Right now what we need to focus on is getting things started. And a logo is necessary for that. And we have one. Logo? Check. So let's leave that conversation for later when things are actually running smoothly.

Hyde, if you would, please PM either Ges or me with your available times to talk. We're trying to setup a time for the three of us to discuss all of this and I would much prefer having all of us around at once rather than filling in whoever couldn't make it at a later date. I know you're busy, so if times don't overlap, no biggie. We'll make do and work something out.

[Hyde]

Hyde, if you would, please PM either Ges or me with your available times to talk. We're trying to setup a time for the three of us to discuss all of this and I would much prefer having all of us around at once rather than filling in whoever couldn't make it at a later date. I know you're busy, so if times don't overlap, no biggie. We'll make do and work something out.

I'm around nearly every evening after 7pm EST.

I'm incredibly easy to find in the IRC Channel or on AIM or whatever. I've been waiting for you guys to show for weeks now and I never see either of you online so you need to come to me.

[CoolOtaku]

Works for me. I've been away from internet and phone for a few days now, but I'm back, and ready to get things rolling.

I'll try to find you tonight permitting nothing comes up.

[Karsh]

We can change the logo once in a while like Google does, but overall, I say keep the site simple or go elaborate and do it right, either or.

[Jarrid]

That sucks, Jarrid. You're always welcome to come to chat if you need some laughs or some friends to talk to.

The chat has been my second home for many years. Always, sir.

Thanks, man.

[Ges]

I'm back from a bout of non-internet, so I will talk to you both (Hyde, CO) as soon as I can. Probably later on today.

Aesthetically, I don't like the logo, but I don't hate it either. I'm of the belief no one really gives a shit about a logo, though, so I could care less about it personally. It's just a logo.

[Ozymandias]

I'm so glad that I read through this thread. I just returned to this site after a long hiatus and was very, very confused.

[drunken monk]

So um... whats going on with the main site? Im pretty excited about where its heading. Just wondering if theres any kind of time frame as to when itll be up and running.

Edit: I love the new forum look btw. I liked the red and black thing that was going on just before I left but this is way better. Im glad to see the blue back. Its always been an allrpg color.

[Ges]

Before the end of the year, sir.

[Zuhzuhzombie!!]

We going for a site relaunch record or something?

:rolleyes:

[Ges]

You're acting like we actually got around to relaunching it four of those seven times, Kyle.

:P

[Hyde]

This time, you can blame the delay mostly on me. I've been rather busy of late with actual work/paying jobs and I just haven't had the time to work on it I'd like to have. But Ges is right... actually I'm thinking maybe we should launch ON the New Year for a new start.

[Ges]

Sounds like a plan.

We're still sloooowly pumping out articles, but we've got a bit of people interested and/or writing stuff at the moment. Void, Sushi, CO, Blue, KZ, and myself. So we've got a little bit more than earlier.

Oh, give your PM inbox a gander, as well. In regards to KZ and an RP.

[Electric Banana]

If I have time available, I have no problems with helping in whatever way that I can. I'm limited with funds though. But seriously, even if you guys want me to review some older games, I'm down with that. :)

[CoolOtaku]

Nothing wrong with older games as far as I'm concerned ;)

I've got a good handful of reviews in the pipeline right now and two more games headed my way in the next week or so, so yeah, we should have plenty of content by the time we reboot.

I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with, Hyde. Take your time and keep us updated, man.

[The Revolution]

why don't we hold like bimonthly (meet two times a month) chat rooms to discuss and through some ideas around. Perhaps the structure and time line can help formulate the ideas running in our heads.

[Sushi_b]

Sounds like a good idea to me Rev. That keeps people in the loop and give at least a outline and direction that we want to take the site to each month (or few months). I'd do my best to join in on the conversations when ever possible.