New GAME shop site

[leggy]

I have bought a power of stuff from game but have yet to see any bloody reward.

Feel like a subscriber

 

[bodhi]

To be honest, the new site reinforces the old adage if it ain't broke, don't fix it. The old Game site was simple and easy to use. The new one brings to mind another old adage involving a million monkeys and a million copies of Frontpage Express. I haven't even looked through the site yet, but the Front Page alone has me typing www.play.com into the address bar. What's the matter, couldn't you fit EVERYTHING you sell onto it?

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Originally posted by bodhi
I haven't even looked through the site yet

Sooo...how about reserving judgement until you have?

The new site is definitely a grower - and far more usable than the previous one.

 

[old.Kez]

Sooo...how about reserving judgement until you have?

Thats probably the stupidest stance I've seen someone take in this thread.

Are you planning on telling all your potential customers to do the same? Bodhi is - whether you acknowledge it or not - at least adept with computers, if he found the old one easier to use (as did I, and many more people, I suspect) then how are the computer illiterate [read: a good portion of your customers] going to manage?

The new site is definitely a grower - and far more usable than the previous one.

What good is a website that grows on you, if you don't stick around to view it because its incomprehensible?
The statement about it being far more usable is debatable too. How many consumers (outside of this thread) were asked? Power users like yourself may find it more usable and robust, or whatever, but there's a high chance that those new to online gaming or purchasing online are going to be disappointed by the structure.

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Right, my point was, how could you be so scathing, yet also say "I haven't really looked at it yet."?

It's like "Star Wars is rubbish. Oh, but I haven't actually watched it."

The funniest thing I've heard is all the comments about Amazon. I've been online six years now and I still can't find my way around that site. It's messy and confusing to the point of being unuseable. Play is much better than Amazon imho.

And as for customer feedback, I was overjoyed to see dozens of emails in the feedback inbox earlier praising the new site - especially since we know from experience that people are several times more likely to complain than to praise.

 

[nath]

You do know Amazon have been experiencing some serious financial problems, right?

Kez is right though, if you're not a Game regular customer, and you happen to browse on to the site, you're not gunna stick around if the first page doesnt grab you. You can't expect people to give your site the benefit of the doubt and troll through it untill they find out it's actually great. Well, I guess you can, but you'll be disappointed.

You also seem to be getting very defensive. That's understandable, but these are all very valid points made by people who have been using the internet for years. Rather than saying we're wrong, why not take on board the points and perhaps do something about them?

 

[cjravey]

Because we are the devil.... That's right, satan has taken up in e-tailing

Actually, several points have been acted upon already in this thread, and it's always good to get feedback.

Not everyone will always agree though

 

[Damini]

I must admit, I did find the new site a little intimidating just because of the sheer wealth of things on the front page. I'm fairly luddite though.

 

[GypsyCurse]

Originally posted by adslrizla

Now how many of you can explain the difference between FPS and "Shooter"? I sure as hell can't

First Person Shooter and Shooter? Christ...

Sounds like they need a real rethink on these... third person shooters definately can't be classified as FPS but 'shooter' just seems like a lazy catchbox for anything which doesn't directly follow a Quake/Unreal/SoF format... BF1942 is a great example - the publishers classify it as a FPS shooter title, magazines reviewed it as a FPS action title, and game.net want to letterbox it as a driving game? I personally don't care who spends their time driving it - as a customer I wouldn't know that - and it's the responsability of game.net to it's customers at large to make these games easy to find based on the mass media and the information _we_ have - not YOUR gaming tastes and playing style.

just my 2p

 

[Damini]

Now, I've had a few idea's for the website. Obviously, you don't have to take them on all on board, but the option's there if you want to:

Damini's Game Website

 

[GypsyCurse]

hmm, so we were asked for our feedback - the general consensus of which has been that people don't like the new site design - and having re-read the thread this afternoon it seems that the GAME spods are more intent to argue their corner and attempt to bring people around to their way of thinking than concede that for the first time user (which is of course how all repeat customers start out) the new design is neither simple nor intuitive... (deep breath)

to be honest it feels seriously over-engineered, and noting things such as the odd game classifications I'm personally going to stick with my current games e-tailer... I don't want to end up with a headache every time I buy a game online because having to stare at overcrowded pages full of small, cramped text, regardless of the fact I want to support game.net because they don't seem to want to listen to me...

 

[GypsyCurse]

Originally posted by Damini
Now, I've had a few idea's for the website. Obviously, you don't have to take them on all on board, but the option's there if you want to:

Damini's Game Website

hmm, with that picture in mind I take it all back - the new shop.game.net could have been a lot worse

 

[Embattle]

I always use the search function on most online shops, this is where amazon come up trumps for me since it tends to find it right away....as does Play most of the time.

It is also quite common that when there is too much information, or as Bodhi points out, sales info you tend to ignore all of it.

The site doesn't neeed 20 deals for the PS2 on the front, maybe one of each that rotates.

 

[nath]

You stole that site design ethos from my old clans site, Damini :/

http://unf.murky.net

Click on the scared looking monkey!

 

[Damini]

That's, like, eerie, or something

Well, its beyond coincedence, its a sign damnit!

DANCING MONKEY FOR GAME WEBSITE!!

 

[lynchet]

Damini's Game Website


teh win

 

[cjravey]

Originally posted by GypsyCurse
hmm, so we were asked for our feedback - the general consensus of which has been that people don't like the new site design - and having re-read the thread this afternoon it seems that the GAME spods are more intent to argue their corner and attempt to bring people around to their way of thinking than concede that for the first time user (which is of course how all repeat customers start out) the new design is neither simple nor intuitive... (deep breath)

I don't read it that way at all... There's been some inaccuracies in criticisms (like, for example B1942 IS categorised as an (edit - it's not an FPS, it is a shooter- the FPS category is new and comes from the coming together of game.net and game.uk.com's databases - we are all off to commit hari-kari at such a blunder) , with a secondary categorisation of driving; so it can be found either way). There's LESS products on the front page than before; and it was agreed in this thread that the checked background was a bit much; so it went. There was a fault spotted and it was fixed. And the comments in this forum are being discussed at high levels.

We value the feedback, we've debated either way and all is good. Can you blame Jonny_Darko for veering towards 'sticking up' for the site? C'mon, we're human too, you know...

You'll never have a site that everyone agrees on, and it's an evolving ever changing things. That's not to say more critique isn't welcome and that it won;t be taken on board.

Please don't be upset just because we don't immediately change everything based on your opinion I've been mailing the Beeb for years, but the buggers still won't bring Blake's 7 back. Such is life...

We have lots of different types of users; many on this forum think it's over complicated and too graphical from comments I've read; yet many non-game.net subscribers are giving us thumbs up - (as Jon mentioned we are getting tons of 'good work' e-mails) so who can say? Perhaps the shoppers and the players are radically different... All food for thought....

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

I've decided I want CJRavey's job.

He seems to do all the good reviews :O

 

[adslrizla]

Originally posted by cjravey
There's been some inaccuracies in criticisms (like, for example B1942 IS categorised as an FPS

Not wishing to carry on flogging a dead horse but no it is not. If you're gonna carry on trying to defend things then try not to get it wrong a second time around

Anyone see BF1942 in Home > PC Games > Type of Game > Action > First Person Shooter? No? Didn't think so.

I'm sure there are people that find your website friendly and easy to navigate - I'm obviously not one of them. Then again I find exactly the same in Game retail outlets - easy enough to find different platforms but once within that section then the games are just piled on the shelves (apparently) completely at random. Apart from the top ten there's no thought given to setting the products out in a customer friendly arrangement. I have no idea whether that's the intent or not but given the way the website is organised I can only think it is. Personally if I'm going to browse a website (or a shop) then if the layout makes no sense then I go elsewhere. /me shrugs

Anyway - you guys obviously like your own website so good luck with it

 

[cjravey]

Oops. You're quite right. It's all Action > Shooter; the FPS has been added since if memory serves (we didn't used to make a distinction) which is something that needs to be resolved

 

[cjravey]

God dammit I hate being wrong.... Hang on - wait.....


LOOK AT THE MONKEY! LOOK! LOOK AT THE FUNNY MONKEY!

 

[Jonny_Darko]

There are monkeys?

 

[bodhi]

Originally posted by Jonny_Darko
Sooo...how about reserving judgement until you have?

Well, if the main page is confusing and generally crap to navigate, you aren't exactly encouraging people to look further are you? To use your Star Wars analogy, if the opening 10 minutes of the film are absolute pish, not many people are going to watch any further are they.


Sooooo....how about engaging brain before putting mouth into gear?

 

[Maljonic]

Originally posted by cjravey
God dammit I hate being wrong.... Hang on - wait.....


LOOK AT THE MONKEY! LOOK! LOOK AT THE FUNNY MONKEY!

wrong again, that's a chimp not a monkey

 

[MYstIC G]

Originally posted by Jonny_Darko
Sooo...how about reserving judgement until you have?

The new site is definitely a grower - and far more usable than the previous one.

Been away 3 for three days, but suffice to say you guys can keep singing this tune, but since we're the ones that use the site & so far we don't agree, I dunno about the others but I ain't dancing to it.

Yes some parts of the site are a little better (mainly the integrated reviews), but there are some that are far worse. The navigation one (which thankfully is now fixed, pld D) was poor to say the least. And I'm with Bodhi on the frontpage, if it sends him away from your site, how can you say thats not a fair opinion?

 

[Munkey-]

tbh, I think you've ruined the site a bit.

Went on to it to look at some prices and summaries of a few games....

cue an explicit product description:

This limited Collector's Edition Primal includes a combat soundtrack by 16 Volt with bonus remixes by members of Crazy Town and a Primal VIP card. An ordinary girl. A realm of Demons. An epic conflict between Primal forces…
Features:

Explore huge, diverse worlds of violence and intrigue
Switch to Scree the gargoyle at any time for a totally different set of powers.
Transform between four demonic forms, each with unique abilities and combat styles.
All action combat system with combos and finishing moves.

my oh my, how explicit. There is a product review.....however I dont really feel like ruining the whole game.

Come on chaps, you can do better than this!

 

[Jonny_Darko]

Can you clarify what exactly your problem with the Primal page is please? I genuinely don't get it.

The page has a packshot, elspa rating, the back of the box text, 16 screenshots, system requirements, a preview, an interview and a review (which actually picks up on the game being a bit of a disappointment - and advises not to buy if you're a certain type of gamer).

No doubt cheats, movies etc will be added soon enough.

Looks like a strong page there with EVERYTHING you could possibly need to make an informed choice on whether or not you want to buy this game, to me.

So what's the problem?

 

[old.D0LLySh33p]

I think he means the fact that you give away several plot thingys.

/me doesn't mind himself.

 

[Jonny_Darko]

That text is from the back of the box if that is the case - which means that any spoilers contained within is the fault of the publishers (and will be read by anyone who picks the game up in a store). As well as original content - we also provide back of the box text for every game - word for word generally.

 

[cjravey]

Well, i've played the game and unless you've a) not seen the box b) not seen any coverage in mags or c) not seen any Sony marketing for it, there's no major spoiler there

However, Scree does turn out to be Christine Hamilton in the final cut scene....