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GGOTD | Game giveaways?

(20 posts) (10 voices)

Started 14 years ago by Txnnok
Latest reply from Alianthia

Txnnok
Member

Rabbit please delete the top 2 posts, they just interfere and really dont make since I was working through pain. My thoughts are to scattered and I will just start over.
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Rules
I believe a more strict set for of rules should be enforced on the game give away forum.
a.no posting links
b.no advertising of free games or mention other than in reference
c.no advertising of paid games or mention other than in reference
d.do not direct people not to purchase or not to buy game
e.standard forum rules

Basically, I think these rules apply anyway, but you have become blind to seeing them, since they also allow ashraf to post on the other side. I know for fact that they screen alot of stuff on the other forums, because alot of my posts never make it and that is without links. You want to talk about screening of criticism, they do it there.

I'm glad your forum isnt like that, but what I'm proposing is that all links and reference for free games be removed, plus the same paid for games.

If the post doesnt involve constructive criticism of the game or even just mild criticism, then it should be removed. For instance: I hate this game. It is the worst game ever. I will never play it again and will to my friends to not ever play it.
To me this is mild and should not be deleted, but just barely and comes close to be being edited.
----
I just think when people post. It should be about what they like or dislike about the game and not about other games.
This is how I look at future programmers coming to this site. I imagine myself being the programmer and designing a game, then I imagine my game being posted here. The next day I wake up, going to the web site sort of feeling excitement and hoping for a good review. I get there and I see good postings, but I see links for other games in the thread for my game. Wow, how disappointing that they dont delete the links for other games and clean the posts directing people to buy other games. I wont be posting a game here anymore.

You know when the giveaway game isnt as good as a person likes and they whine about some free game, remove the bad wording and direct them here to this forum, where it belongs. We can discuss that giveaway or freegames, just dont bash the gamegiveaway thread unless its constructive criticism.

I maybe wrong, but with a little clean up. I think programmers will want to post there games here.

Posted 14 years ago #
SeniorCitizen
Member

I'd like to reply to Txnnok, in general terms, who wrote: "If the post doesnt involve constructive criticism of the game or even just mild criticism, then it should be removed. For instance: I hate this game. It is the worst game ever. I will never play it again and will to my friends to not ever play it. To me this is mild and should not be deleted, but just barely and comes close to be being edited."

First: it's not easy being a moderator. One mod might feel a comment's okay, another might wish to remove it. At times it's like walking a thin line.

More Important: I live in the U.S. where freedom of speech is important. It is VERY important to me. I'm opposed to censureship, and that's what you're suggesting a mod do. And though the Internet, with folks using anonymous names, allows folks to ream each other, free speech in America is tolerated unless they're "fighting words" (legal term).

The anonyminity that the Internet provides lowers people's inhibitions to a dangerous level. ... and that's what moderators are for.

As for the posting of other games, variety is the spice of life! LOL.

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

I had a go portion of the first paragraph wrote and I had to wipe what I wrote, because I remember what I was trying to write at the time.
That wasnt suppose to be the ending it was suppose to end with: If you want to play a good game then here is free fun one to go play www,lotsoffungames,com.

You see this would have gone into what I was saying alot more and what is going on in the giveaway forums.
================
Yes, I dont deny rabbit. has a super hard job being the only mod on that forum. Starting at 2am and watching all the posts that get posted. I guess I am being selfish trying to give him more rules to go by, but then again there hasnt been any games.

The point of this was trying to design a better set of rules that programmers might like. If there is no games then there is no
G
G
O
T
D
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Its just some thoughts I had. I could be wrong about all of it, which is why I discussing it.
As for the title, I made it when I was having a migraine and was made fast, There isnt much meaning. It can be changed to a better one, I dont mind.

Posted 14 years ago #
Buckleysmom
Member

I think the moral of the story here is, "Don't post during a migraine". LOL

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Done Txnnok, posts deleted. I can empathise with how you feel pain wise and
I also wish I could just let the positive posts through because I do agree that a lot of what's said in the comments section is just destructive.

The game giveaway was a brilliant concept when the owners first set up this site back in late 2006 (I can't believe its been so long). So much so that several of the bigger gamehouses have started their own form of a game giveaway. Alawar used to give to the game giveaway site but stopped 2 years ago. shortly afterwards they started giving away a free game once a month (rather sporadically at first), but they still do give games away. The other big gamehouse was Realore games. They were still giving games up to last year and I don't know whether they had stopped totally as they do tend to have several months off before giving us more; hopefully they will again in the future.

I do think we are right on the edge of a precipice with respect to survival of the project. We only seem to be getting games from Some Company and Hand Made Games; and unfortunately a lot of the community really lay into both developers very negatively. I have had to delete some posts entirely because of the vebosity of the posts made.

I just wish constructive posts were made, but most community members are just not willing to spend time putting together a critique of the game, so instead we get virtually useless one liners.

I just hope the project weathers the present economic climate and gets a second wind in the not too distant future.

That said I personally don't really need any of the games given away, having well over a 1000 arcade games and several hundred of the bigger games. So I'm spoiled for choice. I'll always purchase any game I see that I fancy, but I suppose many cannot afford the luxury of being able to do this.

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

I was hoping to get a bit more than create rally for free speech, though. I was wanting to get opinions on saving the game giveaway. I was thinking just stopping all of the free game talk or paid game talk along with the links would help alot. You could put

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++part edited by moderator++++++++++++++++
++++++++++++++++discuss other games ++++++++++++++++++
+++++++++++++++++++++in forum+++++++++++++++++++++++++

I think that in and of itself would please programmers and game developers. Any complaining about the new rules, needs to be done in this forum and not on the GGOATD.You could also have these pre-made in a note pad, so you can copy and paste and no typing is needed. This would save you alot of effort rabbit.

Yes it might temporarily it might shorten the length of the posts, but I believe more serious posters will start posting after the parasites go away and who really wants them posting anyway. Since they are also the ones driving away new programmers who want to do business.

parasites is as nice of name as I can give them, what I really want to call them would come closer to be a being a no good blood sucking life drinking vampiric parasite, but that would a little lengthy.
The reason I would call them this is because after they drive this website into the ground from their incessant griping, they move on to another website and to feed off of.
-------------------------------------------------------
So people you are reading it here. I just picked up on it, but read rabbit's words and take this post a little more seriously.

I do think we are right on the edge of a precipice with respect to survival of the project.

I am trying to give him ideas to help. I will be willing to give a nice review for each game.
I have been giving reviews with hopes that it will help, but maybe more in depth reviews are needed.
Even negative reviews would be great as long as they are constructive.
-----------------

Posted 14 years ago #
wizzard_of_ozz2004
Games Master

Though I agree, ultimately it is not Stephen who can make this kind of decision. You, as the manager of a store, can't start implementing your own rules without going to your supervisor first. The same applies here. Though he is a volunteer who does an excellent job, he still has to follow the rules that the GOTD staff set forth. I agree with you 100%, but Stephen simply can't do this without proper clearance. His job is to moderate comments and weed out the offensive ones.

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

Ahh, thank you wizard. Rabbit was trying to tell me this before and I wasnt getting it.

But try this on as food for thought. What if what I am trying to do already applies.

these rules are from our forums and I would think different rules would and should apply to the giveaway threads, since currency applies.

# Shill posting (including affiliate links, or games/promotional links where the poster benefits by points or dollars etc by getting more clicks) and spam/commercial advertising is definitely not permitted. Posts suspected or known as such will be removed or updated to reflect this fact.
# Users who post in these forums, only as an opportunity to promote their own commercial site, will probably result in all their posts being removed. If you wish to advertise, consider offering your products as a daily giveaway instead.

# Keep posts on topic. If you want to discuss a different matter or ask an unrelated question - start a new topic. (Thread Hijackings may be deleted)

The other thread has to have its own set of rules and right now they are deliberating some of the exact same issues, such as letting Ashraf's posts stay. I personally like Ashraf's post, but they must or have to be hurting business.
You see people copy his posts and paste them in, but they doesnt make it till the evening. This is because they screen everything.
I do know for a fact they edit out and screen negative posts on that side, because I have had a bunch of posts never make it. But this isnt about their side, it is about Game give away side.

Back to what I was saying, I think the rules are there to support what I am saying, you just have to see it.

Till rabbit gets a set of rules from bubba or clearance, maybe we can pick the rules apart to make it work.
I can see the links as of right now being taken out.
==============
Went further than meant to, good night

Posted 14 years ago #
notblocklox
retired

Yes, it's right, moderation is needed, and so are rules for moderation.
SeniorCitizen, I don't think swearing and slander has anything to do with the "Freedom 0f Speech"; besides that, this rule (one of the highest human rights) is not applicable on a private owned website.
Would you like it, when your guests in your home would insult you and your friends? I would give them a kick in the butt without any warning.
Txnnok, ref. the advice you are giving WR, just one point:

"I was thinking just stopping all of the free game talk or paid game talk along with the links would help alot."

Most of the links to other games are made by WR, they are always related and compared to the giveaway.
As much as I have observed it over all the time, most of the regular visitors come because they want read Stephen's reviews and his tips. He draws more visitors than the few games we get from GGOTD. Without Whiterabbits comments, GGOTD would have less users and therefore even the developers would have a smaller audience.
I don't think there is any need, to give Whiterabbit any advice, how he has to moderate the GameGiveaways.
It's right, he could reduce his workload (maybe it would be better for his health sometimes) - but then the site wouldn't be the same - the same interesting and informative site.

Just my 2€-cent.

graylox

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

Ashraf posted, guess I was wrong about that, but it does look toned down. There isnt a bunch of freebies posted.
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Most of the links to other games are made by WR

yea, uh- thanks for pointing that out. I was trying to not to point fingers at him and was using the others so he could decide about his reviews.

I think he still can give an informative review without the freebies and if people want freebies. Here on this part of the site is were they need to be to get them.

Workload is a bad choice of words, I wasnt here back when it first started. Have freebies always been offered in conjunction with the payed giveaway since the beginning?
I doubt is has, I would bet that it has evolved into what it is now.
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I don't think there is any need, to give Whiterabbit any advice, how he has to moderate the GameGiveaways.

Actually, I think this may have less to do with rabbit and more to do with me. I had meant to put this in a couple of posts back, each time for different reasons. 2 people saying I'm telling rabbit how to mod is enough to convince its time.

Trying to think of way phrase it, For those who can remember I went through a pretty nasty surgery back 2005. I wasnt here then, but I posted about it. I used to take a ton of nasty meds like rabbit, but now I'm down to methadone and topamax.

Lately though, I've been noticing my cognitive skill slipping, 1st in my speech, placing the verbs at the end of sentence when I speak.(not always)
My family has noticed it and wants me to go a specialist. My pain doc just thinks its the meds, something to do with the serotonin.

Anyway, the thought behind this was I could see the GGOATD going and wanted to get some ideas on what might be done. I have come to value alot of ya'lls opinion and was wanting to get it. I just went about this all wrong.

Rabbit, sorry if my posts came across as me trying to tell you how to mod. I guess in a sense they do tell you how to mod, but that wasnt my intention. It was just to give you some ideas on what can be done.
I just dont want to see the GGOATD go and wasnt processing what I was doing to get that opinion.

Posted 14 years ago #
SeniorCitizen
Member

Graylox: In my above post about free speech/censureship I was NOT writing/thinking about swearing or slander. My comment had to do with folks who posted their opinion about not liking something. IMO, cursing on a forum is over the edge.

I remember looking forward to weekends to maybe find a new game on GOTD. Could not understand why a game wasn't given away weekdays. Maybe someone could explain this to me. Wouldn't it be easier if software was on GOTD Mondays-Fridays, including games, with weekends off? I'd venture to guess that getting 7 things weekly is a daunting task. (Even though I don't understand how GOTD gets free things because I see no advertising here).

Txnnok: Said special things this morning for you in my prayers (wishes). I can't imagine what it's like to have a migraine headache, let alone a simple ordinary headache. My girlfriend gets migraines and I can see how painful they are. I wish you well, Txnnok.

Posted 14 years ago #
Whiterabbit-uk
Games Guru

Hi Senior Citizen, when the giveaway project started back in October 2006, there was a mix of applications and games. In fact there were about 5 apps to every 2 games which whould fit in with what you were proposing. Then early December 2006 the game giveaway section was launched. We got free games every day until March 2008 when it went to weekends only apart from a few breaks for holidays and maintainance days. There was a promise that the daily game giveaways would be back, but I think a cohown versions of a game giveaway, the rise of sites like Gametop that were already springing up when the game giveaway started, (though I remember that they had limited numbers of games compared to what they have now). On top of that the average price of an arcade game has fallen dramatically. Most game houses were selling arcade games for $19.99, with the exception of Real Arcade and Big Fish. Now most of the game houses sell at more than half the price of what we were paying four years ago. The bigger, more expensive games that normally cost $50 or more were dropping in price much quicker than previously. I remember several years ago waiting for more than six months before I'd buy games that were initially such prices; waiting for a decent price drop. Now most of these games are reduced withing weeks. I bought two games when they were released back in November, which cost me over £60, both were superb games with amazing graphics and lots of replayability (Dirt 2 and Operation Flashpoint: Dragon Rising). by December I could buy both of those games togther with 16 other big name titles for only £34 for the lot.

I think it is the above changes that are partly responsible for the lack of games for the game giveaway project.

In part answer to Txnnok's posts above. I've always believed that alternatives to the games being given away were an okay thing to do. I never saw then as a slap in the face to the developer that was giving them away. Though my original reason for posting them were for those who had problems running the game giveaway that was current. Virtually every game that has been given away has had community members that have been unable to play the game for whatever reason, maybe they didn't have the correct graphics card, or their system set up didn't allow them to run the game, so I though it a good idea to post alternative games that were similar to the game being given away. Much like the way alternative applications have been posted in the other part of the giveaway project.

I happen to think that those alternative and usually freeware alternatives (which most of my game suggestons are) are an excellent resource that keep community members coming back. (Much like what Graylox suggests).

I see the primary purpose of this site is to entice people into purchasing the games and applications that are given away. It definitely works for me because I've bought quite a few applications and games that were originally given away. I'd never have done so if they hadn't been given away in the first place.

I do think however that thinks do need reviewing. If there could be a pool of community members that are willing to post decent critiques of the and suggestions for improvements, the site could build up a great reputation for being a good place to beta test your games and applications. I'm sure this would draw the developers in to utilize our expertice.

However from what I've seen over the last few years and what I've witnessed on other sites that I've administered and/or moderated, there never seems to be enough dedicated community members to fulfil the role i'm suggesting.

You'll have to forgive me. It's way past my bed time and I've not been 100% for a few weeks now. I'm losing the point of what I wanted to say, so i'll leave it there for the time being.

Posted 14 years ago #
Terri218
Member

If the worst happens and GGOTD goes away, I hope this forum will stay active. I would really miss all of you.

Posted 14 years ago #
wizzard_of_ozz2004
Games Master

You know I'll be here. I feel a strong connection to the members here on the forums. I feel as though everyone is my second family =)

As for posting the alternative games, I don't think it's a way of talking people out of trying the game, I look at it as a way of comparing the game. Say Stephen says that the game is reminiscent of Call of Duty for example. If I knew nothing about the game, I would download the game simply because I like Call of Duty and games like it. Even a bad review by Stephen (anything 5/10 or lower) isn't exactly bad for the company. Bad press is better than no press at all. I hate pick 3 games, and I would give a pick 3 game at most a 6/10...doesn't mean the game was bad, just not my thing.

Ultimately, GOTD is put in a rough spot judging this, because they've got the chance of losing potential developers and they've got the risk of losing potential downloaders. Stephen brings alot of people to the site which is revenue. Without Stephen, I'm sure GOTD would be hurting more than it is now. It's like the principle I've learned in accounting. Just because one of your departments is losing money, doesn't meant you should shut it down. You could end up losing more in the end.

Please don't take the postings here the wrong way Txnnok, we mean no ill intent towards you or anything. We encourage the suggestions and ideas of our members. Don't be put out because of it. =)

Posted 14 years ago #
SeniorCitizen
Member

Whiterabbit -- Your in-depth discussion makes sense (& I understood it!) and that GAMES Giveaway Of The Day is separate and distinct from GOTD. Didn't know that.

All said and done, it remains my opinion that software (applications?)and games should be co-mingled on a day-to-day basis. Will explain best I can. Some folks only want software; others only want games. By co-mingling both the site would have the game-seekers visiting DAILY instead of just weekends. Hence, the site would have more traffic on weekdays.

In an earlier post I mentioned I didn't see any advertising. Fool I am! Yesterday clicked on 2 different advertisements on this website. Seems my eyes just those 'big pictures'. From now on I will look more closely and click on them when interested.

As for critiquing giveaways, all I could ever write is "Easy to install, easy to utilize". The in-depth discussions like Ashraf writes is way past my knowledge. But all of it is important to me to read. Also, by the time I actually TRY the software could be the day after the giveaway.

To Terri: To this day I see your name and smile. Did you ever get rid of QuickView? LOL.

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

Please don't take the postings here the wrong way Txnnok, we mean no ill intent towards you or anything. We encourage the suggestions and ideas of our members. Don't be put out because of it. =)

Thanks Wizard for that.
I was or am still feeling bad about the whole thing and was taking a little time reconsider everything. I'll be back on again tomorrow.
----------------------
Seniorcitizen
Thankyou for your prayers.

Posted 14 years ago #
RosnSC
Member

"Yes, it's right, moderation is needed, and so are rules for moderation."

Graylox, I'll put my $.02 worth right in there with yours; your whole post, that is. I just used the above quoted excerpt for comment reference.

"You know I'll be here. I feel a strong connection to the members here on the forums. I feel as though everyone is my second family =)"

Wizzard, ditto for me, except this is my third family...lol. Also, I agree with what you said about Stephen, his game reviews/contributions (including alternatives/links), and value to the GOTD site, and games developers. Many's the time I downloaded a game (or, times not) based on his reviews. I would at least try it out.

Sue - who has been sick with a bad cold, since Saturday, and is thus 'a day late, and a dollar short' jumping in on some of these serious discussion threads....(chuckle)

Posted 14 years ago #
Txnnok
Member

We'll I've been giving it a considerable amount of thought and without just dropping the whole issue together, it is at least a way to try out.

As for rabbit's posts, what if he gave a good review of the game on the ggoatd side and then gave a link for to giveaway forums were he has a post more like his normal review with the free game links. The people who want to read rabbits reviews wont be put off and will click it thus giving giveaway forums twice the clicks, so it maybe better business to.

I kind of envision rabbits post like ashrafs, but with the link heading to the these forums. Rabbits reviews naturally being far better. I'm only using ashraf's because I havent seen links for free app's in his posts,lately.

-------
From a business standpoint and I maybe wrong, these other sites are benefiting from not the links from review from from the other peoples links. We can at least direct it away from the GGOATD, so its coming from the forum. This way programmers will want to post their game on GGOATD.

This way if a programmer is posting a game, they will not be in competition with a free game on the same web page.

I got interrupted by company and cant get back into thought.

Posted 14 years ago #
Anonymous
Unregistered

I'm afraid I very much disagree with Txnnok and his 'set of rules'. I just prefer not to see offensive posts or very (as in extremely!) negative posts. I'm usually only too glad if other free games are posted as links. For paid games, no problem provided the post STATES this!

I have thousands of free games, but I'm always very glad when some I haven't found that are excellent are posted. It isn't easy finding good genuine freeware games, and some of the best I've found have taken a year or more to find!

I'm always very glad for ALL of the GGOATD games, as I have very limited finds and free versions of otherwise paid for games are a REAL boon! Thank You White Rabbit AND for the free games links you also provide!!!!!!

Posted 14 years ago #
Alianthia
Member

Here Here, chazzo!

I TOO love seeing what goodies that WR comes up with and have gotten some fantastic freebies as a result.
Like Terri, Wizzard, and Sue,(and I sure MANY others) I too feel like this group is my second family and enjoy the chats we have and games that we share..
PLUS many times, VERY valuable computer help!
Please don't change what works..

take care..
:)

Posted 14 years ago #

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