New GAME shop site

[DaGaffer]

Originally posted by MYstIC G
Frankly who thought this one up, the old design is far less cluttered and easier to navigate. Redesign doesn't even fit in with the current GAME.net look, so what was the point?

Sorry, but I disagree. It's MUCH easier to navigate. Search is more accurate, categorisation is better (notwithstanding any glitches - see below), and appropriate content is in the right place (rather than reviews in a ghetto like we used to have). As for the 'look', it's a variation on a theme, an ecommerce site isn't a gaming site and fulfills a different function for a different (but overlapping) audience. 'play' and 'shop' are recognisably from the same 'family'.

I mean it's really intelligent as well. Orange arrows in the nav bar on the main page with orange & underline hoverover so the arrow disappears & gets replaced by a pointless white line, but then of course the arrows don't even exist on some sub pages (DVD anyone?). The offer symbols force you to scroll in hopes of there being many, except there aren't which is disappointing & makes ya look stingy. The buy links for the first set of vertical 3 boxes get cut off if you have any other toolbar installed in your IE browser, ya know, like maybe the GAME.net one.....

The little arrows are just there to tell you there are sub-categories. If there isn't an arrow, there isn't a subcategory. Offer symbols are there when there's a promo on and will move about. We didn't launch with offers in every place but there are still hundreds of products in multibuys etc. The buy links are visible on 1024x768 with the bar installed.

Rating: Silly, should have kept the existing one, bad web monkey.

Thanks for the constructive comment we'll pass on that one.

Oh also: http://shop.game.net/browse.aspx?cat=10034 - Nintendo planning some big style educational titles then? ;P /me chuckles, though having said that this one is probably worse: http://shop.game.net/browse.aspx?cat=10101

How bout doing the list so its only made up of the items actually used by GameCube titles? ;P

A bug. Shouldn't have those categories in there. Something happened in the port over. It shall be fixed.

Ya know, this is getting fun so I'm gonna keep going..... in the blue horizontal Home > PS2, navigation, whats the point in it being that far over from the right hand side. Help section needs updating I'd presume if shop.game.net is gonna eliminate game.uk.com. The rewards points link in http://shop.game.net/member/myDetails.aspx doesn't work, should be https://

Does the breadcumb align really matter to you that much? Game.uk.com will continue to be used for now coz that's the URL above 330 shops... Reward points link will be fixed.

Frankly I could go on, but you ain't paying me and I've got work to be getting on with

Thanks for the free consultancy. We bow to your wisdom.

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

Originally posted by DaGaffer
Thanks for the free consultancy. We bow to your wisdom.

Hee hee.

By the way:

"...and if you pressed it right you'll hear a noise and deserve a biscuit."

Nice little bit of 'something' there in the cheats section of DevilMayCry2.

 

[SAS]

First impressions count when you see a website and everyone agrees it looks "cluttered". If I had not ordered from GAME before I might be put off by the overload of information on there.

Maybe have the 3 centre columns which are listing the games(Titled Gamecube, PC-CD, e.t.c) as rows instead? That way you'll have...

One column on the fair left (nav bar).
Next "rows" full of info on games e.t.c
Next one column of pre-orders, top sellers
And finally column on far right with other info.

This way your eyes will be able to scan the page better and may help the intial overload of information?

Also having so many different colours on there (from the numerous images) makes it hard on the eyes? It could make it look like something from austin powers... GAME NET's front page is a good example of how adding a colour filter to images helps?

 

[Xtro]

I am Red/green colourblind. Contrary to what some think, this doesn't mean we can't see colours, we see them in a different way. This site really really hurts my eyes, so much that I can't even look again tbh.

Sorry I can't offer more I've got tons on at work atm. Agree with the cluttered comments tho.

 

[old.Jas]

Dreadfully cluttered, made worse by table outlines & background.

Clean, Amazon.com style is the way forward for online shops.

 

[MYstIC G]

Originally posted by DaGaffer
*snip*

*snip*

Thanks for the constructive comment we'll pass on that one.

*snip*

*snip*

Thanks for the free consultancy. We bow to your wisdom.

• Figured you would say that since you probably comissioned it & thats fine, but that shade of purple or whatever its supposed to be is really poor
• Yeah, I know. They just seem to work completely differently in different areas and while its nice that you can explain it, one of the big rules of websites is if you have to explain how it works you've already lost Funny though cos I use 1024x768 and they ain't visable on those at all (probably because full size IE toolbar is in use, surley you thought of that though )
• Was before I edited the post, so you're welcome
• Something always happens in porting stuff over, surley it should be fixed before the site went live
• Personally, no, it just looks poor. If you don't wanna move it why not shade the first part, then it'll look like your little square bit on the navigation graphics. Fair enough about the URL was just curious.
• You know you love it, if you paid for opinion all you'd get off people is "yeah I love the site, when do I get paid?"[/list=a]Enjoy
  
  lo Scott btw, hows things?

 

[Sir Frizz]

I think the black theme should be made default, not the white one. It's much easier to navigate and i feel more inclined to browse. The white theme just seems bland and uninteresting. Like a spreadsheet.

Other than that, it's all good.

 

[MYstIC G]

Another one..... http://shop.game.net/ViewProduct.aspx?cat=10196&mid=313150 .....try getting back to the wrestling category in a single click..... Also the cycling category is in lower case

Just out of curiosity why are system requirements closed by default on the product pages?

 

[old.Jas]

I see your running IIS on Win2k - you should use an ISAPI filter to rid your URLs of querystrings.

 

[dysfunction]

One thing I cant seem to find is like a complete list of for eg PC Games that are available to buy from the site.

I did find, after having to look quite hard, a listing of the categories of games.

It would be nice to have an A-Z listing of all the games for any particular platform.

Also when you click on say "Type Of Game" in the Browse area there is no way of going back to where you started from and it also loses the other two Selections as well. Its a bit annoying.

For example it would be nice to be able to press where its got "BROWSE" to go back again.

Or maybe have a drop down menu to select what platform or type of game you want.

A button for Special Offers, things coming soon, top sellers, A-Z listing etc on each page would also aid in navigation.

 

[DaGaffer]

Originally posted by MYstIC G
Another one..... http://shop.game.net/ViewProduct.aspx?cat=10196&mid=313150 .....try getting back to the wrestling category in a single click..... Also the cycling category is in lower case

Just out of curiosity why are system requirements closed by default on the product pages?

Apparently that's coz I'm a f*ckwit. The dev's asked if I wanted that breadcrumb linkable and I said no. I don't remember the conversation, must be the medication. It will be fixed.

The 1024x768 thing - you're correct on the homepage. On other category pages its different. Just depends on what's being promoted tbh.

 

[dysfunction]

Oh and free delivery would be great too...





I just did an advanced search by just selecting PC Games category and I got this:

Your search for items for PC Games category produced the following No Results

 

[adslrizla]

Originally posted by DaGaffer
As for BF being in 'driving' - its in there as a secondary characteristic, its primary location is 'action'. Don't know about you, but I drive a lot when I'm playing BF (mainly coz I can't fly for shit ) so it gives people more opportunities to see games they may not have thought of when browsing.

Fair enough - maybe it works for you but it doesn't for me. If I'm browsing in a category labelled "Driving" I'd like to see driving games? If I'd wanted to see FPS (or "Action") games then I'd look there.

I mean come on - you've got tank sims, flight sims, FPS and a train sim in there? Talk about tenuous....

It is a mess - really.

 

[bigfoot]

I'd agree with BF1942 being in the driving, as someone else who is hopeless at flying I spend a lot of time driving around in tanks before being blown out of the sky by some indestructable silent flying AC-130

 

[dysfunction]

A Driving game is something like:

Grand Theft Auto
Need for Speed
etc


Battlefield 1942 is a war game mainly designed for killing and shooting. Not bloody driving!!

 

[adslrizla]

Indeed.

Now go to the "Action" section. Where would you think you'd find BF1942?

Combat? Nope. FPS? Nope. It's in "Shooter".

Now how many of you can explain the difference between FPS and "Shooter"? I sure as hell can't. There's games in multiple categories and just as many games missing from categories where you'd think they'd be.

As unpalatable as this may be for Game to accept, the website is a complete shambles. It's really unfriendly in terms of casual browsing and to be quite brutally frank I'd rather browse the Dabs website - at least once you get away from their front page you can actually find product information where you'd logically expect it to be

 

[lynchet]

Dysf:

Oh and free delivery would be great too...

Eep I didnt realise they didnt even have that ! Im sorry but given the speed and free delivery of a couple of your competitors (who I better not mention in case Im banned ) --- I would be very dubious about using Game.net.

I don't know how many others are in the same situation as me but I have a couple of online retailers I regularly use (both free shipping) and so for the likes of Game.net to win my custom they have to be be appreciably better and persuade me that they offer a better service ---- paying for postage and a "spend a grand and get a free game" reward scheme doesnt do that for me Im afraid.

If im browsing round online I look at Game.net to see if it has any particular offers etc and its one of the sites whose price Id check when thinking about buying something --- but when I know what I want there are other sites I head to first because I know they will deliver speedily and freely.

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Originally posted by lynchet


Eep I didnt realise they didnt even have that ! Im sorry but given the speed and free delivery of a couple of your competitors

Sorry, but no-one, no-one, is faster at delivering than we are (provided we have stock of course). That isn't me being corporate boy, it's a fact, plain and simple. Order before 2pm and in the huge majority of cases you'll have the game before 9am the next morning (and that's the standard delivery option). Play takes an average of 5 days, and Amazon tends to take a day longer than us.

Plus we're much more competitive on price than we used to be, though I'm sure you'll notice that if you shop around. Plus 10 day returns (freepost or store), reward points (I can't believe that some people will complain about free money. Of course you want more - join the club!). I've not exactly spent a huge amount compared to the average gamer in the last year but I've got a voucher for £10 coming with my next Reward Statement. Double Reward Points with all pre-orders certainly helps, and I won't sniff at a free tenner.

Have some faith people. And if you need convincing just try us!

 

[nath]

Play 247 are often £2 to £5 cheaper than you appear to be. Plus free delivery on everything.. :/

 

[bigfoot]

I don't know about their Games section but for DVD's I used to buy from Play all the time, however I got fed up ordering something and then waiting for days before they arrived. I don't see the point quibbling over a few pounds when I can have something delivered the next day, whenever I buy something online these days I usually pay for express delivery because one of the things about online shopping is that it should more or less be immediate, not buy now receive 5 days later.

I should add I do not buy DVD's from Game.Net, even though I would get a staff discount, the point is more that I stopped buying stuff from Play because of the random nature of when my DVD's would arrive. I guess if you are happy to wait that is all well and good but I remember that not so long ago someone picked DaGaffer up about one other place selling CM4 cheaper (GamesPlanet I think it was), yet when I checked the CM4 boards on the day of release it appears that place messed up big time and was not able to send out the copies so that they arrived on the Friday CM4 went on sale (although perhaps that was a blessing in disguise given the horrendous bugs the game has).

 

[Trebz]

Originally posted by nath
Play 247 are often £2 to £5 cheaper than you appear to be. Plus free delivery on everything.. :/

And if it sucks you cant return it. Lovely. I'd rather spend the little bit extra and be able to take the game back to the store if I find out i don't like it.

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Yes, and if you're prepared to wait 5-7 days to take delivery then that's up to you. I order DVDs from them quite regularly but the waiting really does my nut.

Plus unless I'm mistaken we've been cheaper than them on quite a few recent bigtime releases.

For example: PLAY - Zelda: £34.99 GAME - Zelda: £29.99 and more chance of getting the bonus CD as well.

 

[lynchet]

reward points (I can't believe that some people will complain about free money.

I wasnt complaining about free money I was saying that the rate its earnt wasnt enough on its own to draw me in.

As for you other comments - delivery time sounds good and if I want somat fast I will consider it --- I'd shout about that fact more on your webby -- thats kind of what I meant - persuade people.

Edit just had a look at prices:
Orders up to £100.Standard (Royal Mail) 2 business days £1.50 per order
Orders up to £100.Express 1 business day* (Mon to Fri) £4.95 per order

If you mean pay £5 and get it the next day then er sorry no -- your £1.50 option says it takes a couple of days ---- the same time as others do for free


What is your policy on pre-orders and when they are sent ? The company I usually use I pay a bit for first class delivery (tho still less than Game ) ---- and have never failed to get a game on or before day if release.

What I was saying wasnt so much Game bashing as laying out why I use other people and saying that thats what I felt you had to beat to get my custom. If you can beat it then fine Ill use Game

 

[nath]

Patience is a virtue (that saves you money )


edit: Johnny, comeone 5-7 days is a bit of an exageration don't you think? Never takes more than 3 days for me.

edit 2: Trebz, I always know if I like a game before I buy it so ner

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Originally posted by lynchet
What is your policy on pre-orders and when they are sent ? The company I usually use I pay a bit for first class delivery (tho still less than Game ) ---- and have never failed to get a game on or before day if release.

Vast majority of the time you'll get a pre-order on the morning of release and with double reward points if you've picked up a card. And anyway, if anyone ever gets you a pre-order before release day they're breaking the law - which kind of suggests something about the professionalism of the companies you deal with

We obviously want to message more effectively about why people should shop with us, but the most important thing is that once people have tried us, they tend to come back. It's always a safe, fast order from a trustworthy name. Cheap prices may get short-term loyalty (and send your business plunging into the red) but service will always win in the end - and no-one can touch us there.

 

[nath]

Paying up to an extra 6.50 to get a game one or two days eariler seems a bit much. I don't buy games enough to be bothered about a reward card, it'd cost me more than I get back (with the price increase) and I never take back games.

C'mon fellas, win me over!

 

[lynchet]

Heh unfortunately whatever aspersions you cast on the people I use (a big well respected company btw) I have found their service to be superb and for pre-orders I know you cant realistically say you will ALWAYS get them there but they have never failed.

Im sure I will try Game out -- alwasy good to find more retailers you feel you can trust so its worth a try.

What I think I rile against is what I have seen a couple of times from people in these forums and thats corporate speak - where you make a comment that on the surface sounds a great offer etc but when you scratch the surface its not really the case. Not lying I wouldnt accuse anyone of that but implying things that arent true in favour of their company. I know all companies do it, and I suppose I just see more of it from Game because I happen to use Game owned forums but it always puts me off using any company I see doing it.

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Well I'd be interested to know what you're talking about there fella, about the Corporate speak?

 

[lynchet]

OK the two that come to mind are

1. Your good self --- tho I stand to be corrected on this one if this isnt what you meant ---- After I posted about fast, free deliveries you saying that Game aims to get stuff out for next day delivery if you order before 2. Looking at the charges on your website the only next day delivery you show there is on payment of about £5, not at all free ----- but you didn't mention this as you were "going up against" my comments on free delivery by other people -- ie implying that you were faster at no extra cost, only when you look further in does the punter see the truth.

2. The second example was in the consoles forum when people were talking about the Gamecube prices drops at Argos etc. A Suit posted "You'll be hard pressed to find any ARGOS stores with them actually in stock ... GAME stores will of course price match where competitors have them in-stock and at a lower price.". Ie again his post was implying that by going to Game the person would get as good a deal --- when the truth is you wouldnt pricematch if Argos were out of stock and would try and flog a GC at the Game price.


I guess its down to personalities. TO many these would seem small issues -- they just happen to grate on me.[

 

[old.Kez]

I think the basic concensus is that in the future you should have at least one usability expert on hand, to point out all the millions of flaws in ideas before thousands of pounds are spent.

And on another topic, the idea that people will pay more to not have to wait five days for the game is ludicrous. I'd have expected someone to have learnt something from the debacle that was the launch of barrysworld subscriptions - people don't want to pay more, when they can pay less (or nothing).

I touched on it in my last post, but I'm mentioning it again. The pixel-precise layout is one of the largest banes of the website, outside of the bad navigation; text cannot be resized in the most popular browser on earth. Thats an astonishingly bad move. Every other browser (possibly excluding NN4) can resize pixel fonts, but they only make up about 4% of users.