VGCollect Forum
VGCollect Site Stuff => Video Game Database Discussion => Topic started by: tafk on February 26, 2015, 04:03:33 pm
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As many of you know every entry on this website has a "Description" field, as many people may not know is that those fields are meant to be completely original descriptions of games and not copied off of the box or Wikipedia. I think one cool thing we can do as a community is try to do some spring cleaning of the description fields and have a leaderboard over the next three months of who can write the most and best descriptions for games on this website. Anyone in? If anyone wants to do this or help out trying to make the site more appealing let me know! Peace! 8)
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Well, to be clear (from the style guide):
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
But I like the idea of cleaning up that field. Too often it has a synopsis of the game, etc., and that's not what it's there for. Usually I end up removing that field all together if there's nothing to particularly note about the game and the contents of its physical copy.
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An original description, I dunno about that that seems kind of opinionated. I've been getting descriptions from original sources. I've added a few yet-to-release Nintendo games recently and I've been getting descriptions from the Official Nintendo UK site, along with patching up a few grammar mistakes if they've cropped up.
Is that not what you're looking for in a product description. I suppose some of them can get a bit long. BTW, Is there even a word limit of some kind
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That might be my OCD kicking in, I just don't like leaving item fields empty if I can help it. I feel like I'm being a hassle, I'm sorry :-[
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For the most part, I think a lot of the description fields for games are going to be blank. They're mostly there for pack-in information for collector's items, any notes about the item (like if it never came with an instruction manual), preorder bonus info, or has some interesting quality about it (like being able to use a mouse and keyboard for a console game). It should be a very objective write-up.
They should not be filled with press release descriptions (from you or from the official publisher). They'll get deleted eventually if so.
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Again, I had no input on any of these descriptions, I though it would make this seem a bit more official.
I feel like I'm being told off here, do you want to slap my wrist and send me off?
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What Desocietas is saying is that regardless of whether the description is original or taken from an official site it is still incorrect.
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
In most cases the description field is left empty. It is mainly reserved for variants and collector's edition packages. Admittedly the field name is a bit confusing, but please do not just copy descriptions from other sites into the database.
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As many of you know every entry on this website has a "Description" field, as many people may not know is that those fields are meant to be completely original descriptions of games and not copied off of the box or Wikipedia. I think one cool thing we can do as a community is try to do some spring cleaning of the description fields and have a leaderboard over the next three months of who can write the most and best descriptions for games on this website. Anyone in? If anyone wants to do this or help out trying to make the site more appealing let me know! Peace! 8)
I like the idea, but, I am too lazy to do it myself. Great idea though
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Well, to be clear (from the style guide):
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
But I like the idea of cleaning up that field. Too often it has a synopsis of the game, etc., and that's not what it's there for. Usually I end up removing that field all together if there's nothing to particularly note about the game and the contents of its physical copy.
Someone has been working on an NES game contents FAQ. Basically people are opening sealed games and creating a list of every item that came in the box. Manuals, registration cards, dust sleeves and so on. Is that the kind of thing that would belong in the description field?
The list is here: http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/916386-nes/faqs/49943 (http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/916386-nes/faqs/49943)
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Well, to be clear (from the style guide):
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
But I like the idea of cleaning up that field. Too often it has a synopsis of the game, etc., and that's not what it's there for. Usually I end up removing that field all together if there's nothing to particularly note about the game and the contents of its physical copy.
Someone has been working on an NES game contents FAQ. Basically people are opening sealed games and creating a list of every item that came in the box. Manuals, registration cards, dust sleeves and so on. Is that the kind of thing that would belong in the description field?
The list is here: http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/916386-nes/faqs/49943 (http://www.gamefaqs.com/nes/916386-nes/faqs/49943)
This would be amazing for every game. So many games come with things that I don't even know if some games I have are truly "Complete" like all the .hack games coming with anime or SC3 coming with a demo disc.
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What Desocietas is saying is that regardless of whether the description is original or taken from an official site it is still incorrect.
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
In most cases the description field is left empty. It is mainly reserved for variants and collector's edition packages. Admittedly the field name is a bit confusing, but please do not just copy descriptions from other sites into the database.
Alright I get it, I'm not arguing on how you want the site to be operated, I've been a bad little boy. But like I said, I thought I was helping and you're making it sound like I'm doing this without a care in the world. I've grown to care about this site and the small but growing community you have, I'm trying to do what I can to provide for the site too, filling in gaps here and there if I can.
But when something that you thought was right is being thrown back in your face by the Admins themselves, it hurts inside and I don't feel like I'm being forgiven here...
I pretty much remember each item I added 'descriptions' to, so I could go back through each item if you'd like.
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Alright I get it, I'm not arguing on how you want the site to be operated, I've been a bad little boy. But like I said, I thought I was helping and you're making it sound like I'm doing this without a care in the world. I've grown to care about this site and the small but growing community you have, I'm trying to do what I can to provide for the site too, filling in gaps here and there if I can.
But when something that you thought was right is being thrown back in your face by the Admins themselves, it hurts inside and I don't feel like I'm being forgiven here...
I pretty much remember each item I added 'descriptions' to, so I could go back through each item if you'd like.
If it makes you feel any better, I've yelled at the other admins for messing this stuff up. Pretty often. :P And no, you're not being told off. Remember that this is the internet and tone is often lost in text.
These fields are better left blank if they're not being used, because in the future, we may have an option to hide these fields from being displayed in certain circumstances (like with digital games, which do not need product or UPC codes, and should always be left blank.)
I understand your OCD compulsion. You're looking at the guy that used to go and fix all Steam submissions himself because most entries are nothing but a title and the header image...
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What Desocietas is saying is that regardless of whether the description is original or taken from an official site it is still incorrect.
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
In most cases the description field is left empty. It is mainly reserved for variants and collector's edition packages. Admittedly the field name is a bit confusing, but please do not just copy descriptions from other sites into the database.
Alright I get it, I'm not arguing on how you want the site to be operated, I've been a bad little boy. But like I said, I thought I was helping and you're making it sound like I'm doing this without a care in the world. I've grown to care about this site and the small but growing community you have, I'm trying to do what I can to provide for the site too, filling in gaps here and there if I can.
But when something that you thought was right is being thrown back in your face by the Admins themselves, it hurts inside and I don't feel like I'm being forgiven here...
I pretty much remember each item I added 'descriptions' to, so I could go back through each item if you'd like.
Nah, no one's telling you that you've been bad or anything. I was just trying to clear things up before folks spent time helping to add to the site when there may have been a miscommunication.
I'm sorry if I came off terse or curt - I just wanted to be clear (I have a tendency to be vague when I don't want to come off sounding too forward... which can come off sounding harsh in text... ironic, eh? :P).
I appreciate you wanting to make the records as complete and informational as possible - I'm the same way. In cleaning up records, I occasionally run into descriptions fields that were pulled from good sites or written well but, unfortunately, I have to submit an edit and remove it completely because it doesn't fit the style guide.
I'm not trying to offend anyone by doing so!
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What Desocietas is saying is that regardless of whether the description is original or taken from an official site it is still incorrect.
The Description field should be notes about the games packaging variants/ pack ins/ collector's edition details. Or trivia about the games release, such as if it is a launch title, last title, a very limited release, etc. This should not be filled with store descriptions describing the gameplay or hyping up the title.
In most cases the description field is left empty. It is mainly reserved for variants and collector's edition packages. Admittedly the field name is a bit confusing, but please do not just copy descriptions from other sites into the database.
Alright I get it, I'm not arguing on how you want the site to be operated, I've been a bad little boy. But like I said, I thought I was helping and you're making it sound like I'm doing this without a care in the world. I've grown to care about this site and the small but growing community you have, I'm trying to do what I can to provide for the site too, filling in gaps here and there if I can.
But when something that you thought was right is being thrown back in your face by the Admins themselves, it hurts inside and I don't feel like I'm being forgiven here...
I pretty much remember each item I added 'descriptions' to, so I could go back through each item if you'd like.
I apologize if I offended you or seemed ungrateful for your contributions to the site. That was not my intention at all. The misuse of the description field is a common occurrence on the site and I just wanted to clear up any possible confusion.
We greatly appreciate all of the users who contribute to the database :)
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I shall keep an eye out for the description fields, and help out where I can :) but maybe the name should be changed to 'notes/contents' or something? from reading this topic, it doesn't seem 'description' fits what is actually suppose to go there too well?. Either that or there could be a little question mark next to the 'description' and when you hover over it, it tells you what it means? Then that should make it clearer what is suppose to be there :)
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Two thoughts:
1) I actually only realized what that field was supposed to be for a couple months ago (I know, my fault for not reading the FAQ closely enough :P). But I do think that field could be labeled better to avoid confusion. Maybe "Special Notes"? Or something else that sounds much better than that. :P
2) I've also been pondering lately having a place to make a note of whether or not a game included a manual, since so many these days do not. Would help tons when picking up used games to be able to tell if the game is incomplete or if it never had a manual to begin with. I've been thinking this should be its own field, but maybe that info could go here? Iunno - thoughts? Criticisms? Dirty limericks? ;)
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Two thoughts:
1) I actually only realized what that field was supposed to be for a couple months ago (I know, my fault for not reading the FAQ closely enough :P). But I do think that field could be labeled better to avoid confusion. Maybe "Special Notes"? Or something else that sounds much better than that. :P
2) I've also been pondering lately having a place to make a note of whether or not a game included a manual, since so many these days do not. Would help tons when picking up used games to be able to tell if the game is incomplete or if it never had a manual to begin with. I've been thinking this should be its own field, but maybe that info could go here? Iunno - thoughts? Criticisms? Dirty limericks? ;)
On point two I think having a list of everything the original release of that title included would be nice (Game disc, demo disc, manual, health & safety) etc.
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I shall keep an eye out for the description fields, and help out where I can :) but maybe the name should be changed to 'notes/contents' or something? from reading this topic, it doesn't seem 'description' fits what is actually suppose to go there too well?. Either that or there could be a little question mark next to the 'description' and when you hover over it, it tells you what it means? Then that should make it clearer what is suppose to be there :)
That's a great idea. You'd basically be taking the style guide and putting into tooltips next to each field. Seems pretty user friendly to me.
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I shall keep an eye out for the description fields, and help out where I can :) but maybe the name should be changed to 'notes/contents' or something? from reading this topic, it doesn't seem 'description' fits what is actually suppose to go there too well?. Either that or there could be a little question mark next to the 'description' and when you hover over it, it tells you what it means? Then that should make it clearer what is suppose to be there :)
That's a great idea. You'd basically be taking the style guide and putting into tooltips next to each field. Seems pretty user friendly to me.
YES @ THIS. Make it so people don't have to be forum regulars to know there is a style guide.
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But I do think that field could be labeled better to avoid confusion. Maybe "Special Notes"?
That would only make newbies add their item's details to the entry, instead of using the notes.
Because that's happened. A lot.
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Yeah, I thought it meant we had to describe the game itself. Sorry for adding to the mess, although I mostly keep it blank.
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Yeah, I thought it meant we had to describe the game itself. Sorry for adding to the mess, although I mostly keep it blank.
No worries :) I think it's an easy mistake if folks haven't looked at the Style Guide.