Sell me on creating new d20 fantasy PDFs . . .

[Glyfair]

What about the navigation do you find difficult and or time consuming? And how else can the review side become more useful?

The organization of companies is quite poor, at least the larger ones. Look at the WotC entries. Champions of Valor is listed at the top, not in a Forgotten Realms section. Magic of Eberron is also there and not in the Eberron section.

The layout is very poor as well. Finding things is a chore. Something as simple as finding a list of the publishers isn't as quick as it should be. Things people will use should be at the top.

The information used to be more complete. If I was looking at WotC products, I could see not only the ratings for products, but the number of reviews, for example. A ***** that gets one review would normally get less attention from me than a **** product with 15 reviews. I want more information on the product or company page (MSRP? Cover?).

Honestly, it's been a while since the reviews section changed. I forget the details of what it looked like. I do know that once the changes were made (wasn't it because of a system crash?) I didn't find it as friendly and usable.

 

[Crothian]

Honestly, it's been a while since the reviews section changed. I forget the details of what it looked like. I do know that once the changes were made (wasn't it because of a system crash?) I didn't find it as friendly and usable.

Most of that sounds good. I never did like the star system, but number of reviews would be nice. I'm not sure any changes will actually happen to the review site though. I'm not sure many people care about it. The lack of information is because no one wants to or has the time to do it.

 

[Napftor]

I'll just repeat the advice on writing fantasy when you get some spare time (whatever that is). I think you've said before that when you do get a kick-ass idea, you can write it in a very short amount of time. These are the kinds of brain storms you should probably wait for. Fantasy will still sell if the idea is eye-catching enough.

 

[Glyfair]

Most of that sounds good. I never did like the star system, but number of reviews would be nice. I'm not sure any changes will actually happen to the review site though. I'm not sure many people care about it. The lack of information is because no one wants to or has the time to do it.

Honestly, I think it would see more traffic if a simple "rate this book" option was available. I know it's subject to abuse and the reasons why it wasn't chosen.

However, giving the option to rate each book would create some traffic that might be useful. I know I've considered reviewing some books, but I really haven't felt like sitting down and writing a full review on them (especially those I haven't had a chance to use in play).

Another thing that would be useful is a search by rating. Sometimes I'd like to find the best rated PDF monster book.

 

[Arnwyn]

I'm not sure any changes will actually happen to the review site though. I'm not sure many people care about it.

Looks like that hammers Joe K's theory...

 

[Crothian]

Looks like that hammers Joe K's theory...

Not really. I'm sure people read the reviews and enjoy that (I get feed back from people quite a bit on this). I don't think people care enough to actually help change or improve it. That was what I was referring to and not number of views like Joe.

 

[trancejeremy]

But if En World doesn't count it's reviews, do we know that's true?

For example, if a product is put on both sites, d20 based, is it going to get read more on En World or RPG.net? You're saying RPG.net? Don't know about that. RPG.net does have a broader base reader ship but EN World is the #1 d20 spot on the net bar none.

Well, for one, because they don't show the count, it tends to indicate there is a reason for it (ie, low traffic) - the review system uses the message board system, which shows page views, so obviously it can. The powers that be at ENWorld just choose to not make it public..

For another, the number of comments is much lower. At RPG.net, most reviews will generate at least a few comments, while they are fairly rare here. Same with email - I frequently get mail about reviews I've written at RPG.net, never from anyone here.

I'm sure ENWorld does pretty well, but like I said, I suspect RPG.net is better.

 

[trancejeremy]

Not really. I'm sure people read the reviews and enjoy that (I get feed back from people quite a bit on this). I don't think people care enough to actually help change or improve it. That was what I was referring to and not number of views like Joe.

Well, more likely, they simply either don't have the knowledge to do web based database programming, or have been rebuffed. I know in the past I have offered to help add products to the database, but after a week of that, was kicked out...

 

[00Machado]

Here is an easy idea: ask your fellow gamers in the d20 market want, have a thread here for discussion purposes. Whatever topic gets the most love, write about and publish.

That strikes me as something that might work. As for me, anything that helps speed prep time, or make existing material easy to use is something I'm more likely to buy, and actually use. These days, the consideration of actual use is important.

Too much of what I have falls under the "cool idea" and "may want to use this some day" categories, and not enough under the "lends itself to immediate and easy use" and "encourages/enables better/easier play experience" categories.

I know lots of people like new options, so maybe that's the way to go. It wouldn't rope me in as a customer though. Incidentally, I haven't picked up any of your products, but of the ones I"m thinking about, the mundane items one, and the spellbook ones are the ones I'm considering. One about feats wouldn't entice me enough to wonder what it's about, whether published by you or Wizards. Just not what I'm looking for right now.

 

[Crothian]

For another, the number of comments is much lower. At RPG.net, most reviews will generate at least a few comments, while they are fairly rare here. Same with email - I frequently get mail about reviews I've written at RPG.net, never from anyone here.

I'm sure ENWorld does pretty well, but like I said, I suspect RPG.net is better.

RPG.Net I think does a better job of showcasing the reviews. They have a good forum for it. Comments there used to be flame wars. They also seem to expect more from reviews in information presented and attacked. Many of the comments seem to be about judging the review and not about the actual product.