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Bloated, PR paste-bin |OT|s are a plague on these boards
- Thread starter ghst
- Start date
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Phonomezer
Banned
People like flashy OTs, it adds to their hype.
I personally prefer neat and succinct OTs, but I can appreciate the work that some people put into them. I think bloated OTs are a given when it comes to multiplayer-focused games, though.
I personally prefer neat and succinct OTs, but I can appreciate the work that some people put into them. I think bloated OTs are a given when it comes to multiplayer-focused games, though.
JetBlackPanda
Member
I enjoy the big budget game OT's that blast me in the face with info, screenshots, wallpapers and pre-order DLC bullshit.
If you don't then just skip it and post in the thread?
If you don't then just skip it and post in the thread?
hey_it's_that_dog
benevolent sexism
ghostmind said:
The whole point of starting a thread on a message board is that it's contributing to a communal discussion. An OP designed purely to indulge the ego or urges (or whatever) of the author isn't doing its job and therefore should be subject to criticism.
If many people don't find that kind of OP to be useful, everyone should take that into consideration if/when creating an OP.
Barack Lesnar
Banned
Gonna have to agree on this one. I heard the guy who made the LotR OT is really really good looking as well, although a bit chubby.Ark said:
Impressive for a fan PR effort, useless as an OT.Hex said:
The threads are meant for discussion, putting effort into it is great and all but there comes a point where you're no longer making the thread to inform, but to fish for compliments and flaunt your fan-peen. If you want to do that, make a fucking fansite or something. Don't use NeoGAF as your personal focus group.
Nex Superne
Member
Incidentally, the actual text in these overblown OTs suggests that all of these PR-genuflecting posters are indeed taking remedial English.Woo-Fu said:
notworksafe
Member
I wouldn't say that shorter is better always. The Skyrim OT is of a decent length and still manages to be very good by providing a lot of good info and not putting it all in images. The headings, screenshots, maps, and videos are well done and manage to make the OT very attractive.Willy105 said:
zephervack
Member
Problem is the content delivery (this being a forum), nothing wrong with someone trying to put an effort, unfortunately a Forum is not the best place to deliver something that long.
I think after showing the actual important information (reviews, screen shoots, etc) the rest should be collapsible content that only displays when needed/wanted.
I remember the interview that one GAF admin gave to Gamepro saying how he thought that the platform of delivery needed to evolve or something like that, this is one of those prime examples.
I think after showing the actual important information (reviews, screen shoots, etc) the rest should be collapsible content that only displays when needed/wanted.
I remember the interview that one GAF admin gave to Gamepro saying how he thought that the platform of delivery needed to evolve or something like that, this is one of those prime examples.
I H8 Memes
Member
ghst said:
But yeah it's pretty excessive. And I'm pretty sure I remember Evilore commenting on how he didn't want |OT|'s to turn into PR threads.
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
It's not that they ARE PR people, it's that their posts might as well be the work of PR.JDSN said:
Yep, which is why I added a table of content right bellow the main post; with individual links too.enzo_gt said:
(and is not like MK was a well revered series, it's more accepted "now" though)As noted also, it needs to be kept in mind that there's a 24,000 characters limit per post. So even if we wanted to use less posts, we couldn't...unless we just changed everything. The MK OT ended bigger because of that. Using (to start bolding a line of text) already counts as 3 characters.
It's also the reason some use "images" instead of text.
One link to an image = less characters than the whole paragraph copy-pasted directly. Threads would be even bigger if we used no images for some areas.
ThatObviousUser
ὠαἴÏÏιÏÏÎ¿Ï Ïαá¿Ï εἶ
I humbly submit to you my Super Mario 3D Land OT. <3
No scrollbars! Even on netbooks! Impressions from actual Gaffers! One post only!
Amir0x is basing the Skyward Sword format on it, and I'm providing the netbook-friendly header images. So that should be a good thread too.
No scrollbars! Even on netbooks! Impressions from actual Gaffers! One post only!
OK so I get like, one post to stroke my ego OK?
Amir0x is basing the Skyward Sword format on it, and I'm providing the netbook-friendly header images. So that should be a good thread too.
Yes, thank you ghst. The Uncharted one was also annoying, I don't need 20 pages describing Sully's character.
The whole OT circle jerks give credence to a thought that I've long held, in that PR people are allowed to create OTs here. I simply don't buy that somebody would spend that much time selling a game and not get paid for it. I am a pretty big fan of some games, but unless I was getting paid $100/hr, I'm not going to do Ubisoft's work for them.
And actually, it wouldn't be so bad if the mandate to always read OPs before commenting didn't exist. Maybe this rule should be exempt on OTs?
The whole OT circle jerks give credence to a thought that I've long held, in that PR people are allowed to create OTs here. I simply don't buy that somebody would spend that much time selling a game and not get paid for it. I am a pretty big fan of some games, but unless I was getting paid $100/hr, I'm not going to do Ubisoft's work for them.
And actually, it wouldn't be so bad if the mandate to always read OPs before commenting didn't exist. Maybe this rule should be exempt on OTs?
Parallax Scroll
Banned
I remember loading up the Batman:AA thread to find out some info on the game after enough people had told me it was good. Everything was in images, the thread had pages of Joker "ha-ha" scribblings, there were screenshots from the 90's Batman animated series, and there was a whole section discussing the game's voice actors. However, there wasn't a single screenshot of the game or anything to indicate what the game looks like, and no mention whatsoever of the gameplay or even what kind of game it is. I scrolled down to try and find more info, and it was nothing but "Great OP!" comments. What a shitty thread.
Foliorum Viridum
Banned
I love that you put GAFers' opinions in it.Andrex said:
THAT is a community OT right there. Well done, mate. I'd love to see that idea in every OT going forward.
eternaLightness
Member
I enjoy looking at those really packed OT's and appreciate all the hard work that was obviously put into them, but sadly I never actually read most of them. I'll usually read up on some of the story stuff but a lot of it goes unnoticed by me. Not saying they need to stop making them for that reason either.
I think if the OT OP has more PR and information on it than the official webpage, that is a sure sign it is a bad OT.
My perfect OT is the following:
-Official web page link
-Release date, developer, publisher, price
-Short list of highlights
-1 or 2 images to give a feeling of of the look of the game
-Demo information or gameplay video links
And that is it for most games. Though for games with large modding scenes, huge learning curves, or other types of complexity it is really helpful to address those things in the OT in a quick help guide. Like if you are doing the X3:TC official thread, the game is so complex some pointers on where to go for information and maybe a FAQ is awesome.
Just link to a wiki. Every bit of information doesn't need to be in the OT especially in ridiculous image form.
My perfect OT is the following:
-Official web page link
-Release date, developer, publisher, price
-Short list of highlights
-1 or 2 images to give a feeling of of the look of the game
-Demo information or gameplay video links
And that is it for most games. Though for games with large modding scenes, huge learning curves, or other types of complexity it is really helpful to address those things in the OT in a quick help guide. Like if you are doing the X3:TC official thread, the game is so complex some pointers on where to go for information and maybe a FAQ is awesome.
Just link to a wiki. Every bit of information doesn't need to be in the OT especially in ridiculous image form.
As far as I'm concerned, RevenantKioku is the king of official threads.Foliorum Viridum said:
bloodydrake
Cool Smoke Luke
I guess I think there should be some kind of limit on size of OT's since they're going batshit insane big. Is first 3 posts fair? Does Gaf admins care?
It sure seems to me these latest Giant OT's are just becoming unofficial PR packages provided for these threads.
Is there any real assumption these are all being done by fans? I know when I suggested that Ubi get in here and make a Rock-smith OT some LOL'd cuz companies don't make OT threads on Gaf.
I just assumed that someone knows someone that's basically giving them all the material for the OT to get around having a company rep actually post the OT's
It sure seems to me these latest Giant OT's are just becoming unofficial PR packages provided for these threads.
Is there any real assumption these are all being done by fans? I know when I suggested that Ubi get in here and make a Rock-smith OT some LOL'd cuz companies don't make OT threads on Gaf.
I just assumed that someone knows someone that's basically giving them all the material for the OT to get around having a company rep actually post the OT's
diffusionx
Gold Member
Mupod said:
All that info, all of it, and more, is available here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assassin's_creed
Why not just post that link instead?
MaddenNFL64
Member
Andrex said:
I like that. And damn that game is colorful as fuck.
notworksafe
Member
Extremely well done. Tons of info, lots of images and video, reviews, and some extras without being overly bulky or taking up too many posts.Andrex said:
Shows what can be done even in the "small" limit of GAF posts for the whiners that seem to think they need 10+ posts.
That's why there's a new trend of series OTs. Single game OTs should be just that. Keep extra info not about that game to a series OT.Mupod said:
Angry Fork
Member
Completely disagree. If you want some quick info on something you can google it.
OT's should not just be about giving you a quick serving of info imo, it's also a labor of dedication/respect towards whatever is coming out. Whoever made that put a ton of time into it and everyone who stays in that thread is presumably a big fan of the series. I like the OT a lot and I enjoy huge multi-posted OT's for games I love. I want them to continue that way.
OT's should not just be about giving you a quick serving of info imo, it's also a labor of dedication/respect towards whatever is coming out. Whoever made that put a ton of time into it and everyone who stays in that thread is presumably a big fan of the series. I like the OT a lot and I enjoy huge multi-posted OT's for games I love. I want them to continue that way.
chickdigger802
Banned
It does seem like the OT creator didn't get the memo that this was only suppose to be for Revelations, not for the entire series...
Make the release dates and the different edition stuff more apparent. Info about random stuff like mobile version of assassin creed 1 is cool, but unnecessary.
And pc version got a release date? Didn't realize it until I saw it in the OT.
Make the release dates and the different edition stuff more apparent. Info about random stuff like mobile version of assassin creed 1 is cool, but unnecessary.
And pc version got a release date? Didn't realize it until I saw it in the OT.
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
GAF OTs are not meant for the general public. They're meant for enthusiasts who are frothing with hype. They already have the release date marked on their calendar and/or tattooed on their buttocks. If they don't bring your webbroswer to its knees and make your scroll marker the size of a pixel they're doing it wrong.Volcynika said:
A Twisty Fluken
Member
Thanks for saying what needed to be said, ghst
It's the grandeur of the graphics and coding it in forum format that makes me smirk a little. Plant a .png banner and some concise information and I'll be fine. It's too much of a bother, both for the user and for the reader, to go about it any other way.
But would this be acceptable for something as simple as Mario? There's no need to go all out in terms of past products, keeping some Metacritic score alongside each release. I understand the intent behind the Assassin's Creed thread and the possible joy of work that someone may have put in to it, but there is a thin line between fan creation and PR mouthpiece on this forum when it concerns Official Threads.Mupod said:
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