Larian Studios Forums General About this website site interface

there are so many (or only 4?) great graphic artist in larian team so how can their site interface be so simple and uncool? But isnt this what all game companies are doing ? With some effort they could have a very cool site interface but no. IF u ask them why they dont do it, they will say "Sorry, but we are too busy with the development of upcoming games." I dont believe that because creating a cool interface is about half a day and upgrading site is a day. so only 1.5 days. Gahhh

It's actually a difficult thing.

1. The better the site interface, the more work. I just guess Larian puts more work into their games than into their site. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/winkwink.gif" alt="" />

2. The more simple a site interface is, the better it is accessible, especially for handicapped people.

There are devices out there, for blind users, which are *reading* and telling with an artificial voice what's standing on / in a web site. Can you imagine what this device does with a flash-based site ?

It's simple : In HTML pages there is text. In Flash there is no text, which can be used by such a device. So blind people have huge problems using site interfaces which are based on Macromedia Flash, for example.

Not directly, Alrik. Even if it may sound harsh, blind users aren't the target audience for computer games...

But did you check out the Divinity-Page? Or the Riftrunner-Page? For every game we create we also craft an unique design page dedicated to that game.

But the representation of the company itself is something completly different. A "dry" corporate design works usually much better here when dealing with other companies, publishers et cetera.

The only thing you can blame us for is actually the fitting forum layout we still couldn't finish. But we will... one Day... <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

I hope that day will come soon <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />
I of course dont expect you to do something marvellous and flawless. But little more work on the site.
Because i think that the site of a company reflects its quality. A nice site would attract more people. If i saw ur site before i bought the game i would say this is a bad? company. But i lluckily bought DD before i visited the site and quite satisfied with the game. I would say it is the best of its kind.

I agree with Alrik and Marian.

A ""simple"" and clear site has it adventages.
It's more easy to use for visitors.
It's different for everyone.
I personally like things to be to the point and with a clear overview. I don't mind it being a little fancy. But you can go to far with adding fancy stuff. I find myself clicking on "skip intro" very often when I check out sites.
Some have so much drawnings, details,... on them that it's hard for some ppl to find the links to move past the homepage. Some even look messy, but that's a personal opinion ofcourse.
Not everybody spends a lot of time behind a puter or on the net. (I've had ppl asking me what a certain site was all about and them losing interest becouse they couldn't find what they came for)
Some even are distracting. You check out all the things and goodies on the site and almost forget your intention was to check out the game/gamedemo.
It's true that a site says something about a company. But I don't agree that it reflects on the quality.
The quality of the Larian products and their devotion <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> to them speak for themselves. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
That's more important. And you reach a lot more ppl that way. The interaction between the Larians and their "customers" is another important issue.
I've visitted a lot of sites and forums. And I have yet to see a company getting so much involved with their public and even sharing and debating things with them.
Paying attention/listening to ppl is very important.
It's no wonder Larian has such a strong fanbase.

hm... I think I went on a bit. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />
sorry ppl.
<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

you didn't go on and on seth, they're all good points
simplicity is good, as far as navagation is concerned,
ie: skip intro!!
and so many links, you can't find the one your looking for
i am not a member of many forums such as this except (RPGdot),
but i have seen many... and this forum, is functional and not an eyesore!

<img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> easy to nav, and understand, reply,
who's online (don't see that one much anywhere else) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" />

what else <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/think.gif" alt="" /> oh yes........the people.....unmatched in caliber,
and helpfulness...


Where's the kitchen?? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />............ I'm home!! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif" alt="" />

it can be fancier, i guess. u can refer to blizzard's webpage & see that they don't actually/really use flash-based animations, just that of animated/rollover gif/jpg.

maybe it has 2 look 'busy' enough 2 warrant good first impression & then moving on to deeper level then we can have the ol' KISS(keep it simple, stoopid) method like what we have for the forum as what we really want (in the forum) is 2 chat & discuss ideas.

maybe 2 make the official larian page more worthwhile for repeated visits is 2 have new materials out say every month, which can be exclusive 2 larian webpage only(like a more detailed info for peek-of-the-week). contributions from fans such as fan fiction can be included as well as the usual polls. another thing which i always see in game fan pages are pix-of-the-week, which can feature wackiest/impressive/unique/whatever that happened in the game.

2 cents.