Obviously, there are a lot of people at home using click products, and some do have great ideas and skills. But why oh why do people put up loose sketches of game ideas as previews? A preview is a preview, something you can actually view! Some of the people who post previews haven't even started to make the game. A preview should concist of the following:

Screenies:
You know, those small pics that you click on to see what the game looks like this far?!? We all love them, and they make the preview feel real. There actually is something going on! They are so simple to create, yet a lot of people don't seem to care.

Progress:
How far has the development come? Is it virtually finished or was it started on yesterday? What's in it this far? What will hopefully be added? What's the gameplay like, if any? Important bits that people leave out!

Release date:
Will it be out next week? Next month? Next year? Just a hint would do, like in a month or two. Then you know when to check back!

Game info:
What type of game is it? Is it a top down racer or a platform adventure? What is the main idea and what's the storyline like? Many leave this out claming only that the game is cool and you shoot guys. How do you shoot guys? Why is it cool? I want to know, I'm reading a preview here! Make me want to get the game later on!

Technical bit:
Did you accomplish anything special in this game? Any special effects that one has never seen before in a klik game? Any advanced coding or extremely cool new ideas on how to do stuff? Or is it based on old reliable techniques? Any info is worth a lot.


Final word is:
Make me want the game already, make me see myself playing the game having a blast. Make me come back and check on the progress. Any new screenies? Any new features, you know!

Don't let this article scare you. Don't get me wrong, I love previews! Just try and keep them previews! I don't mean you should strictly obey all of theese rules, even I don't. Just try and think about this article the next time you post a preview, ok? A preview of my Xmas compo game is found at http://www.create-games.com/preview.asp?id=830