Originally Posted by Mark Radon I for one have no problem with the recommendations by the admins - if anyone only downloads games from this site just because there is a blue or red star next to it then they are only cheating themselves! I download 99% of games from this site and make my own mind up over what i like, then i either give a good 100+ word account of most of those games with a rating on the downloads page, else i'll write a full review.
I'm not surprised that many others do not do the same (since it is a little time consuming), yet at the same time i think i am more than fair with both the number of and the content of my contributions.
That's very nice of you, but I also think that you're well above average in terms of how active you are here and your contributions to the site. I probably only play about 20% of the games submitted here.
Originally Posted by Mark Radon The Admins have as much right to give recommendations as anyone else though.
Yes, I agree. Which means rating and commenting like anyone else.
Originally Posted by Mark Radon If i could suggest one improvement it would be really nice if the admin issuing the blue/red star would reveal themselves, then people who tend to agree would get more out of their choice of recommendations. Maybe a few words as to why would be nice too but not essential.
That's a good idea. If this ridiculous system has to stay, I'd welcome that change. Part of my problem with it is that the recommended games are recommended "by The Daily Click". I'd much rather the stars were removed and it said something like "One of Rikus' Favourite Games" or "Shab's Pick". At least then we'd know who's responsible for the decisions that we don't agree on.
Then they would complain that there are no features and request to put back a feature that has been complained about too often. It's always only just 2-5 people who complain about a feature anyway. Mostly because they're getting the wrong end of it.
Disclaimer: Any sarcasm in my posts will not be mentioned as that would ruin the purpose. It is assumed that the reader is intelligent enough to tell the difference between what is sarcasm and what is not.
I think most people participate in these threads with good intentions. It's easy for "suggesting" to turn into "complaining", especially when people start debating and defending their ideas. No offense was intended.
Originally Posted by Shroomlock HOLY CRAP ADAM!!!!!
I totally agree with that idea. I've said before that the only way to really recommend a game now is to give it 5 stars. Anything less hurts a games rating and adds pressure on the person rating it.
However, I still think there is a place for the opinions of the admins, or at least in the form of an official review team of some sort.
Yeah, it's a good idea but the problem that happened when we went from thumbs to stars will happen again with a recommend button: Old games get screwed unless you go back and find them to recommend later (how I did for Lyle in Cube Sector for example).
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"Del Duio has received 0 trophies. Click here to see them all."
"To be a true ninja you must first pick the most stealthy of our assorted combat suits. Might I suggest the bright neon orange?"
DXF Games, coming next: Hasslevania 2- This Space for Rent!
"Old games get screwed unless you go back and find them to recommend later"
Yes but that's like a forfeit that has to be taken. Like technology and medical cures are coming on leaps and bounds nowadays, there's not a lot that can be done about the past (even though in this case there is, it would just take a while if you're really that fussed )
A recommend button also eliminates negativity through ratings, which is what causes a lot of grudges and arguments, and debates like this one. If people want to be negative or post "constructive criticism", they can do so in comments, where they can be ignored or discussed rationally. Some people on this site are sensitive to low ratings, so if the only way people can rate their game down is by not rating it at all, it can't offend anyone. And if their game's good enough it will get a lot of recommendations anyway.
Originally Posted by Clubsoft Perhaps I should just strip out all the features so theres nothing left for people to argue about.
Hey Clubby. I wasn't implying that the site is crap or anything. We do appreciate your work here Most of the time the complaints are because the rest of the site is running so well.
Originally Posted by -Adam- A recommend button also eliminates negativity through ratings, which is what causes a lot of grudges and arguments, and debates like this one.
Sometimes arguments and debates are a healthy thing! We don't want a community where everyone thinks exactly the same way.
Originally Posted by -Adam- Some people on this site are sensitive to low ratings, so if the only way people can rate their game down is by not rating it at all, it can't offend anyone.
OH NOES I GOT OFFENDED ON TEH INTURNETZ!
- Ok, you must admit that was the most creative cussing this site have ever seen -
Originally Posted by -Adam- A recommend button also eliminates negativity through ratings, which is what causes a lot of grudges and arguments, and debates like this one.
Sometimes arguments and debates are a healthy thing! We don't want a community where everyone thinks exactly the same way.
Yes. Exchanging opinions is one of the great things about being in a community. However, as AndyUK said, allowing admins to have the last word on what's "good enough to recommend" is a step in the opposite direction. That's what I'm aiming to change with this thread. Thanks for joining in!
I have a suggestion for a new recommendation system:
Each Download page would have a "Favo(u)rite" button. Similar to the Projects pages at the moment.
This would add the game to that user's Favourite Games list (up to a maximum of 5) This would also be a good way for users to recommend games to other members simply by listing them on their profile page.
If a new game is added to an already-full list, the user must replace an existing game.
This way, the Top Downloads would contain only the games that are in most members' Favourite Games list.
To counteract the inactive members' favourites still being counted, and therefore older games dominating the charts, this could be added to the algorithm that tallies up the total favourites for each game. For example, only count the member's favourites if they've been active within the past 3 weeks.
(sorry about alternating between the UK and US spelling of favourite..)
Anyway, what do you think. Clubby, is this possible?
I actually did start coding a favourites feature for games (it was a while ago, before the favourites system for projects was introduced). I never got around to finshing it though.
I would happily implement it myself though if you all want it. I'm not sure about changing the "Top downloads" to use this system though - it would take a lot for the site to check all of that information and would likely increase site load times and errors.
EDIT: Got bored so I've just added the favourites feature to downloads.. I'm still working on letting you delete games from your favourites list - that should be done soon.
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Apocalyptic Coders - 
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Most of the time the complaints are because the rest of the site is running so well.
