Monday Morning Quarterback: what do you want to see from Gamezebo?

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By Andrew Webster
Jan 16, 2012, 9:55am

Usually we use this space to talk about our thoughts on the latest issues in casual gaming. But today we’re doing something different: asking for help from you, Gamezebo’s readers.

Since its inception, Gamezebo has continuously evolved. The site itself has gone through a number of redesigns, and the scope of our coverage has grown and changed. We still cover the latest and greatest in PC casual games, but we’ve also expanded to include mobile, social, and online games into our coverage. And it’s not just what we cover that’s changed, it’s how we cover it.

Over the past year we’ve been experimenting with news ways to cover the games you love. More news, end-of-the-month awards, and new features like the Gamezebo Cribs series and even this very column. When we come up with these ideas, we do so amongst ourselves, brainstorming new concepts amongst our editorial team to try and serve you as best we can.

But we forgot to ask you guys.

After all, Gamezebo is what it is because of our readers. You’re the reason we do what we do, and so you should have a voice with regards to how the site will develop and grow. We want to know what you think.

How do you want Gamezebo to change? Are there specific kinds of features you want to see? Do you want longer articles? Shorter ones? Are there platforms or genres you feel like we need to cover more or less of? And do you want more of a community focus on the editorial side? How about more video content? These are the kinds of things we want to know.

But it’s not just about changing and adding to what we’re doing. We also want to know what you think about the kind of coverage we put out today. Do you like Gamezebo’s reviews and guides? Are you interested in our now-regular features like Cribs, Kickstarter Picks, and Monday Morning Quarterback?

This is your chance to have your voice heard, and we really can’t wait to find out what you’ve got to say. If you have an interest in helping to shape and mold Gamezebo over the coming weeks, months, and years, leave a comment here or post in this forum thread.

And, as always, thanks for reading.

Read more: Monday Morning Quarterback

Comments (10)

GigiPlays
Jan 16, 2012, 11:25am

Dear Gamezebo, Here's a response to your question: What would I like to see from Gamezebo? I know the year just started, but how about creating lists of games. Games you really should checkout,family oriented/kid freindly games, time management, etc. By June, youshould have a list of the first half of the year games to suggest. I have noticed that too many things get forgotten or overlooked, and a few games may fall by the wayside and not get mentioned. Or how about a month to month overview of the games- ask readers to suggest their favorite games per month, what gamesite are on fire (Game-wise)? Where do you think gaming could take the players? What would you like to see the games evolve into? What do you think is the next step in computer games, can they outlast iphone apps? What about tablet games? Way too many options and questions, but some worthy of asking !

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Ambrosius
Jan 16, 2012, 12:02pm

I really like Gamezebo for its reviews and walkthroughs. I haven't visited the forums in a while so was inspired by this post to go over there and make a new topic about my latest purchase, Cradle of Egypt. When I did, it gave me an error message and discarded the tetx of my post. So just now, I think a bit less of Gamezebo than I did.

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renni
Jan 16, 2012, 1:51pm

I've been coming to Gamezebo about as long as you've been in existence, mainly for PC reviews. Over the years I learned that I am not Facebook material--lasting just a few days--and that I don't need a phone for anything but contact with family and friends, but it is nice to know what the kids today are playing. On the positive side, I like the editorials and news coverage you give; once or twice I went to other sites for followup, but you cover things well. You are always there when something new comes along. The Cribs series is one I enjoy because a number of former students are with game developers, proving that an English degree is not always limited or stuffy. I do feel overwhelmed sometimes by the number of previews, but it doesn't take that long to read through. I am not a regular on the forums so cannot comment on that. Nor can I predict the future, but I am sure you will be ready for it.

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jkuci
Jan 16, 2012, 4:16pm

I've made the GZ transitions without much drama. I come back here at least twice a week to see what's new in PC games, mainly, but also I read many of your reviews of games for other platforms - even tried a couple. From time to time I do a user review of a game if I have a strong positive or negative experience with it and I occasionally post in the forum. If GZ does a review of a game I'm considering buying I always consider it before purchase. I've used the walk-thrus, at times. I appreciate that GZ has a broader view of games I might like to be introduced to and not just the games I'm used to such as HOGs, TMs and 3Ms - much as I like them. I loved the "Cribs" and many of the developer-as-people articles. I really have no complaints and appreciate GZ.

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pwrgrl
Jan 16, 2012, 4:51pm

I rely on GZ for news, reviews and general game information. I don't use the GZ community "highest rated" information b/c it often includes games with just one rating so I think that feature is a waste but wish is wasn't. Your site search feature doesn't work as well as it used to for me either. I used to be able to type one or two major words from the title and find exactly what I was looking for but often, I now have to type the whole thing to find the game...not a bfd but annoying. I'd also appreciate more clarity of what features are included in CE editions of games, perhaps included in that top banner where pro and cons of games are posted. So many games are being offered as CEs but certainly not all worth it and I rely on sites like GZ to help me decide which CEs may be worth the extra money. I think one of your best features is the "best of" and wouldn't mind a mid-year round-up to help remind us of the best games available. I also really like the interviews you do with developers and would love to see more of those this year...maybe even some inside looks at how some of our favorite games came to be? Thanks for everything, GZ!!

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zandu2
Jan 16, 2012, 6:44pm

On your home page please, please, remove your GREY SIGN at the very bottom of your right page, i guess it belongs to MEEBO. Your grey tab at the bottom of your right page, intervenes when one goes to enlarge any picture in your walkthrough. After closing the enlarged picture your grey tab moves right over the scroll bar and poof the scroll bar is gone. It's very frustrating because i now need to open a new window and start all over again. Please, Please fix this problem. Why not have your grey tab moved to the left side of the page, or just move it away from the scroll bar, there is a lot of wasted space where it could be used behind your PRICE DROP. I love your reviews, previews and walkthrough {but because of late, i don't bother because of the grey tab SIGN IN removing the scroll bar} and please let one know when there are games for ipad, itunes, and iphone if they also come in pc for i have found that some of these games do come in pc. I would, yes like to see more of the platform games out there. I truly hope with all of my heart that you can fix this annoying SIGN IN GREY TAB away from the scroll bar, so that i once more will be able to use your walkthrough and enlarge the pictures without the worry when i close the enlarged picture that my scroll bar is still there.. Try it your self and you will know what happens to your homepage. You can e-mail me if you like and i can send you a screenshot of what happens.

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Imberis
Jan 16, 2012, 7:01pm

I feel like there are so many Facebook-related articles lately. I understand that they're the new thing and are around to stay, but sometimes the first page and even the second page (of the main home page) are nearly all articles, previews, and reviews of Facebook games. I suppose I could just start using the "PC" page as the Gamezebo homepage, instead. Also, a tiny gripe. I've noticed lately that there are sometimes a number of spelling and/or grammar errors in Gamezebo articles. I wasn't sure if I should bring it up or not because I didn't want to sound rude! I do enjoy the Cribs articles and I like this column, too. It's fun to see what the offices of different developers look like. While I like the new features on the profile page, it feels a little cluttered and sometimes it takes quite a while to update Gamezebo points and badges, although I assume it's all still a work in progress.

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PersistentCat
Jan 17, 2012, 9:19pm

This is great. I'd like more articles. Because of the format of the homepage (and PC homepage, etc.), I can pick and choose what I want to read and I love that. I don't know if I'd read the articles but I'd like the option (probably not helpful but….). I really like the idea of articles about the goings-on on GZ. If a trend is noticed, a further discussion or article would be great. As long as it doesn't encourage attention seeking behaviour. I'd like to see the points system disappear. Or maybe only one point can be awarded for all activities. I hope I don't sound mean but I think a number of reviews are there strictly for points and it really skews the star system. Or maybe reviews could be vetted. I know the forums are categorized but could the "Add me as a friend" and the forum games be permanently removed from the main forum page? As mentioned above, a discussion gets started but disappears quickly. Another technical thing, I like the slideshow but I wish the link wouldn't open in another tab or window. I can't post in the forums so I'm writing this in an email and will email it to myself and then log in via my phone and copy and paste. No, actually, I have to post here because I can't log using my phone.

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mstassy
Jan 18, 2012, 6:14pm

I hate the ads and they are getting more intrusive. I really appreciate the reviews and walkthrus and articles. Some other sites, like my Weatherunderground, have an option for a paid membership and you don't get the ads. I don't know if enough gamers would go for that to make it worth your while, but I wish you would consider it and maybe do a survey. Personally, I would pay for this content, less the ads that often obscure what I am trying to read.

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Circe
Jan 19, 2012, 7:57pm

I would love to see more reviews for PC games. It seems that more and more PC games fall by the wayside in favor of Facebook and iPhone games. When I first started coming to Gamezebo several years ago, it was almost all PC reviews. I understand that the gaming landscape has changed since then, but it would be nice to still see the same amount of PC game reviews as the site had originally. I would also like to see reviews for more diverse types of PC games. I know that there are gobs and gobs of HOGs released daily, but there are also time management, RP, M3, and other types of games released all of the time. These games tend to get ignored in favor of the HOGs. And honestly, how many times can one review the same old spooky HOG that features a haunted house/asylum/car wreck/etc.? All in all, though, Gamezebo remains the best game review site out there. I also love the walkthroughs -- they are so, so helpful. Keep up the good work, everyone!

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