Change the look of the homepage

[USRanger]

You guys have had the same look to your home page for years now.  Maybe it's time for a new look to keep it fresh?  Just one of those off-the-wall wishes.  Oh yeah, and update the 110!

[jeffdn]

Agreed. I'd gladly do the work... I'll use web.py + Boostrap/HTML5/CSS3 + JS/jQuery/angular/backbone. Something clean and simple, with easy to find information. I think the most important part is making the tutorials and game info easier to access. Other ideas for the site:

• live updated scroll of the most recent kills (Snailman [B29] killed jeffdn [Ta-152]) or similar
• scheduling/calendar function with Outlook/Google Calendar integration for trainers and people wishing to be trained
• forum facelift?
• better statistics displays, perhaps I could work with Lusche on ways to generate cool things automatically
• the latest ad with in-game footage in HD right on the home page, not in a tiny video box on the left side

Just say the word and I'll get started. Graphic design help welcome.

[gyrene81]

• live updated scroll of the most recent kills (Snailman [B29] killed jeffdn [Ta-152]) or similar
• scheduling/calendar function with Outlook/Google Calendar integration for trainers and people wishing to be trained

[jeffdn]

I was just trying to think of things that people might find interesting and helpful. I'm also not talking about all of this being just on the front page, but the website in general...

[Volron]

The live update scroll of kills, no.  But a live update of the map with what bases taken would be better.  Personally I'd rather they spend more time on other things.

As for OP, I agree that a change may be good.   I'm curious to how they would do it as well.

EDIT:  Wait a tic.  I recall Skuzzy asking for video's with the most recent version.    Me things your wish may be coming sooner than ye think! 

[caldera]

I like the real time kills scroll.  It would show potential customers that there is action in the arenas. 

The website is rather dull looking, btw. 

[gyrene81]

I like the real time kills scroll.  It would show potential customers that there is action in the arenas. 

just showing the number of players in each arena would do that...no need for the other crap.

[caldera]

just showing the number of players in each arena would do that...no need for the other crap.

Static numbers would not convey action like kills scrolling.  And numbers might be low enough to discourage people from signing up.

[LCADolby]

Link the scroll to the games MA channel 1, watching it tick away would show the amount of activity to anyone outside of the game.

[Molsman]

+1 for a change

[bustr]

The front page is probably going to be changed as a logical bet visa extrapolation to Skuzzy's short post asking for feedback on the prototype films he posted. If this game wants to bill itself as: "no one under 40 need look inside". That is the impression the current front page gives. We is an exclusive "old farts" hang out.

Attracting a younger demographic needs more visuals that express action versus a polite presentation with historic over tones asking people to "read" and see what's offered. Even a live action window with loud sounds, bright flashing explosions, and mind numbing music with some well timed player running dialogue. A "hook" to pump up the adrenaline receptors and get the go boom fantasies working.

I took some time to simply look at the front page from the perspective of: Am I motivated to look any farther?

Not really. All the juicy stuff requires looking farther. A game's WEB page should be a taste of the game itself. Our game "fortunately" is a lot more exciting and entertaining than our WEB site's front page. Unless HTC only wants the 40 and older crowd.

[ridley1]

If you're going to go through the effort of changing the look of the homepage....


Ensure all links to 'help' pages are functioning and are up to date.

[HawkerMKII]

Just a early morning, no coffee idea. Can you smarter than me computer people out there do some kind of a homepage mockup and post it and so we and HT can see what you all have in mind? Like I said I am no computer person so I don't know if this would work. You all have some great ideas I think

[The Fugitive]

Just a early morning, no coffee idea. Can you smarter than me computer people out there do some kind of a homepage mockup and post it and so we and HT can see what you all have in mind? Like I said I am no computer person so I don't know if this would work. You all have some great ideas I think

A mock up page shouldn't take more than a couple hours to come up with. Personally I think if you look at War Thunder or World of Tanks pages you get an idea of what they should be shooting for. I asked my son, a 26 year old gamer freak (took next week off for the big COD release) to look at the site and see what he thought. It said it was boring and wouldn't have spent more than 2 minutes looking at it if I hadn't asked him to. After checking out some of the links he finally found where it said the first 2 weeks were free. He said that that should have been one of the first things to pop out at him. Even working as a programmer making good money like most gamers he's a cheap sob  All his money goes to games and systems.

What I got from him is the site is NOT attention grabbing and most gamers like himself wouldn't spend the time to even find out the game was free for the trying. Like it was posted above, the web site should be a commercial for the game with the same "hooks" and enticements as any you see on TV or any other advertising. At least the main page should be. Other deeper pager could be toned down to just provide info and details as such, but the main page should reach out and pull you in. Ours doesn't.

[HawkerMKII]

A mock up page shouldn't take more than a couple hours to come up with. Personally I think if you look at War Thunder or World of Tanks pages you get an idea of what they should be shooting for. I asked my son, a 26 year old gamer freak (took next week off for the big COD release) to look at the site and see what he thought. It said it was boring and wouldn't have spent more than 2 minutes looking at it if I hadn't asked him to. After checking out some of the links he finally found where it said the first 2 weeks were free. He said that that should have been one of the first things to pop out at him. Even working as a programmer making good money like most gamers he's a cheap sob  All his money goes to games and systems.

What I got from him is the site is NOT attention grabbing and most gamers like himself wouldn't spend the time to even find out the game was free for the trying. Like it was posted above, the web site should be a commercial for the game with the same "hooks" and enticements as any you see on TV or any other advertising. At least the main page should be. Other deeper pager could be toned down to just provide info and details as such, but the main page should reach out and pull you in. Ours doesn't.

Like I said I am no computer guy, but I would really like to see what some people would come up with....would be very cool I bet