...several things on it are done. The list hasn't been physically updated yet as some of the stuff just happened.
- First things first: What are the dimensions for both the slider and recent article pictures? I'm sure some here would like to pitch in and create standardized themes to be used for those items. - Logo: Not a fan. Overkill on the shadow effect and the blurring. I would like to see someone try and make another logo that's more fitting. - Overall: Too much white space and very contrasting black. Try and go for a theme that can also transition well into the rest of the site to make the whole thing flow together better. Right now the front page and forums feel like 2 totally different sites. I'd suggest going back to the old front page green and gray. This site really needs a desperate splash of color to break up the monotony of the 50 shades of gray and white. It's very dark and not very inviting. Function is good, but the form needs a little bit of work.
Yeah, this I agree with, regarding the shadow (otherwise, I like it). I'm also told the front page isn't done. It's simply at a workable a viewable point in its make. There will be changes to accommodate the site and all of your suggestions.
Frontpage looks pretty nice layout-wise. I do feel like there should be a button directing you to the Halo 4 Maps subsection too, not just the features ones. Also, lol at the gradients in the logo.
This has been discussed. Again, the current front page is not in its complete form. It's just in a workable enough state so we don't have an under construction page turning away potential site traffic. The white background, logo, and tighter forum integration are all on the agenda of things that will get done.
This exactly. We were in our prime when Halo was in its prime, and the forum shone simultaneously. As a former staff member, I have to say that this was one of the best-run forums I've ever been a part of, but that was due to the huge community involvement and interest. Although gamers still play Halo, its popularity has obviously diminished, and extra-curricular involvement did simultaneously. Forgehub got me through high school, but those days are long gone, just as this website's core and fundamental users. From a business standpoint, I think the only way to truly save this website is to wrap up the whole forging interest and broaden its horizons. Why not transform this into a Bungie game site? Maybe even an Xbox gaming site in general. FPS's? Figures I'd come back from the crypt and drop in my two cents. Best of luck all.
The issue with that is that the site basically has zero to work with. What was bought was essentially an installation of vBulletin and a high rated URL, which totally relies on the core subject matter of the site relating directly to what that URL says. If forge is abandoned, it's basically starting from scratch because you'd have to change the name of the site, at which point why even bother? Especially when oVR has just shelled out a fair amount for exactly the things we'd then have to get rid of. You're also talking about quite competitive markets, yet another hurdle which makes the idea even less appealing imo. I see where you're coming from in terms of the challenges present in regrowing the site as it is, but I just think the only real alternative is to straight up call it a day.
Pegasi what's up my dude? I'm not to informed on URL and vBulletin, but wouldn't it be possible to just change the URL and keep all the content (although new content would have to change with the URL) and just change the motive of the website through some publicizing? This website already has (or had) an excellent gaming community with a good reputation, so all it would take is some solid dedication and no-cost marketing. I dunno, I know this website's technically a business and all, but I feel like its not deep enough in the ****ter to be flushed down. All I know is that continuing the site on a forge-only basis will make the situation so bad that even a plunger won't do the job.
Nm dude, or rather there is but I'll VM you . Oh yeah totally possible. But like I said, what actually has value when we think about buying, selling and, to a degree, justifying the site it's the URL. It has a great google rank thus inherent traffic. Changing that loses so much of the site's value in actual terms. Old content and reputation within the community are just drops in the ocean compared to the objective stats of site traffic, something tied irrevocably to the URL and forging basis, as it brings in the searches which get people here.
For the record, a domain name cannot be changed to something else. A new domain can be purchased and the data hooked up to that new domain but there is no Internet tool that allows people to change the name of their site. Having said that, a suggestion that I've brought up a few times is to keep the focus on user created content but expand past halo. My idea would be to rebrand the site as just "The Hub" and have full database support for any game that has a content creation mode. Such a change would essentially future proof us and open up traffic to a much grander gaming demographic than just halo forgers. But, it's an idea tempered in the reality of the situation. That is a significant change that would take serious time, effort, and money to get done, and it is an idea that, so far, I'm the only one who thinks is a good idea.
Not a bad idea at all. It might seem daunting, but the transition can be smoothly and timely done with full cooperation (and effort) from staff members. It'll pay off in the end, and as you've probably realized, keeping content Halo-based will not end favorably.
Just a heads-up. When you look at the forums you'll now see that the customs and the forge discussion forums have been merged. For now, this will provide more views to both areas and in teh same section provide a place for works in progress and posts for those who want to test.
Map Previews/designs and testing go hand in hand so it makes the most sense to have them both in the same section to retain relevancy.
Going to be removed but we need to tag all the threads in that section with "competitive" and then move it to the main section. Over 500 maps, gonna take a while.
Whilst I am really for a "the hub" kind of thing, the name itself sounds... cheezy? Sort of like the term "Metro UI," it just sounds really hipster and blegh . Forgehub just sounds comforting in a weird "come in, have a cup of tea and tell me all about it" kind of way. Although I am a pretty old fashioned guy. I would certainly go along with expanding our reach to other games. But on the side. Forge should come first. And it's quality, not quantity of members as far as I am concerned for long term growth. Advertising revenue or not, we will be better off in the long run. Minecraft should not even be considered for a forum however. Too generic, and there arn't a million of those map websites already. Trials could be one to go with perhaps. I also just had a really neat idea aswell. We could try hooking up with bungie.org? They're all active, friendly guys who love Bungie and Halo. And their forums are sorta lacking. Perhaps get in touch and see if they would be happy to let us be their forum, and subsequently open up some new subforums for older Bungie games? If we got their staff on board we would also get some experienced writers and attention. 343i would also be good to speak to for obvious reasons. If the Halo fansites fail (which they are doing, sadly) then it looks pretty crap on them, so having a thriving community would be in everybody's interests. As for the new homepage, I love it! It's sleek and modern, but in a nice sort of way. I also can't help but think that it creates a huge disconnect between the home page and the forum however. I'd also swap around featured maps and recent articles to create a better emphasis. It may also be worth catagorising recent articles into Most Recent Article, FHF, Features, Site Updates (or competition news, etc) in that order. The core layout is great, but organising it like THC did will be what makes it a great Hub, something to pull people right in. Perhaps even giving greater prominence to the fact that we have a forum would help?
I think we should start posting textures and skin replacement p0rn Mods for Skyrim. Or just p0rn. No animes.