The Final Test

The final test:

"As we near Gen Con the Ultimate Gamer Test final contestants are being asked to complete one more task here on our forums. They are to write an essay of up to 1000 words that will discuss their biggest hope and greatest concern regarding the upcoming Gleemax web site and its features.

These essays will be posted in the Gleemax Feature/Suggestions forums for community feedback and discussion by Sunday, August 4th at 11:59 pm EDT. These threads will remain open for discussion until August 12th. The posts will be judged on the articulation of their thoughts and the quality of the subsequent discussion.

Results of this final round in conjunction with the interview at Gen Con will determine the winner and runner up who will serve on the Gleemax Advisory Board."

Okay, honestly, I really don't care to write a thousand word essay. I graduated from college last year, remember? I should be done with essays. Oh well. And second, I really don't care. Period. Let the site be what it will be. I don't want to have to spend a lot of brain power on my entertainment. This isn't a job offer or anything. It's for a volunteer position. Not sure if I really even want it. I've already won a trip to Gen Con. I'm happy.

Be that as it may, here is my entry...in all of it's unarticulated glory:

* * * * *

I haven’t read a lot of gaming articles. I don’t spend much time reading through online forums. I certainly don’t claim to have years of research into the esoteric aspects of the greater gaming community. I am not a businessman. I am not an analyst. I am not a person with a finger on the pulse of any online (or offline for that matter) game. What I am is a husband and a father; I am also a (casual?) gamer. It is through my interactions with my family that I view my gaming activities. I use my game time to strengthen the bonds between myself and my wife and my children.

When I first discovered Gleemax, it was the last day to take part in the multiple-choice part of the Ultimate Gamer Test. I took it because, having been around games for the last thirty years, I wanted to know how good I would do. I completed it and logged out, not planning to return for a few months; the concept of a “Home For Gamers” appealed to me, but there didn’t seem to be any reason for me to hang around until the site was up and running. I definitely didn’t expect to hear back about the test.

Three rounds later, I have to admit that I never gave any serious thought to what I wanted the site to be. I was just going along, having fun. And it has been fun. So when I actually stop to think about what I would like (with no knowledge of what is planned or even what is reasonably possible) for Gleemax to be, it would revolve around having the fun continue. Because opinions about what is fun can, and do, differ greatly, I can only speak to my own (and my family’s) fancies.

The very first thing that comes to mind is the concept of “games within a game.” I would love to see Gleemax as more than just a website with text and hyperlinks. Imagine a sort of meta-game where this world is brought into existence and within that world is a theme that brings people together to play games online or organize offline gatherings. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a MUD-type environment with avatars running around, but there is an appeal for me in something like that. I can visualize little Gleemians, Gleewians, or Gleexians (male, female, or other) sitting at a table playing an online game, or standing around a black/white board that links to a wiki or modifiable map where several people are creating a community-made RPG setting. It is a “social” meta-game instead of one that has a way to “win.”

Part of being in a community is a sense of ownership. Individuals won’t feel like they belong unless they “own” their own little corner – be that customized home pages (with databases of games and or characters, links to favorite online games, and ways to showcase their latest RPG creation) that others can visit or a virtual reality home that they can decorate how they want and invite their friends over to play games privately without worrying about strangers dropping in. “Come over to my place and play (insert your favorite game here)!”

Another aspect of community is feeling that your own piece of the world is part of a larger whole. From his/her own corner, an individual could then travel to their city or region (such as Spokane, Washington, USA) to see what is happening locally with other gaming groups or sales/events at brick-and-mortar stores. Not enough happening locally? Planning to do some real-world traveling? Go to another area to see what is happening at that locale and find out about people, groups, and stores before you even leave home.

Of course there would need to be a central place for games to be played…like a Convention Center of sorts where people from all over the world can come together to play old favorites or try new creations (Gen Con Online anyone?).

In the public areas of Gleemax, I would like to see (and this will be extremely controversial) a Public Code of Conduct where there would be optional chat filters for those who desire such things. Violations of the Code (such as circumventing chat filters, spamming, harassment, etc.) could be reported and dealt with by administrators, in a way they feel is appropriate. Now, before people start screaming “CENSORSHIP! Heresy!” this would only be for the public areas. Within the games, forums, or whatever areas are created/controlled by individuals, anything goes (with “anything” being determined by the creator of the game/area). This would allow the freedom of expression that some desire while allowing those who choose otherwise to have that option (perhaps with a splash screen/popup showing the “settings” of the area before entering) as well.

My four biggest concerns for Gleemax are: lack of players, lack of games, lack of multi-platform support (Win/Mac/Linux/etc.), and lack of organization. First, there is nothing worse than having a great game site but not having the critical mass of people so a game can be joined at any hour of any day. Second, there might be plenty of gamers online, but if the games aren’t there, or if a wide variety of games doesn’t exist, it can grow stale quickly; socializing will only take me so far. I want to PLAY! Third, if Gleemax does move beyond a simple web browser-based site, as a Mac user I would hate to be shut out because I don’t have the right technology (this could even be expanded to those like me who are on dial up or even to those who don’t have regular Internet access…can casual gamers log in once a week/month/whatever and not have to overcome a maze of terminology and culture?) Fourth, there can be gamers and games and support, but if I can’t find what I need/want, all of that effort is wasted.

...and here is the associated "discussion"...and I will use the term very lightly as it has a high potential for butt-headedness.