Xenthos, I said okay, not "perfect", I have disagreements with the general direction of the web site, but I'm willing to accept it, as I don't think any of this ranting is going to convince IRE corporate to change it back. I think the best thing we can actually do is list specific bugs and let them know, instead of raging about it. In the whole "Denial-Anger-Barganing-Depression-Acceptance" method, I've skipped to #5.

Everiine, like I said, I think rather than just say "it sucks" or "it's broken", we should just try to see if they'll agree to fixing some things--it's clear to me they are going to push the "Free to Play" stuff on the home page, that's not going to change. But I'm not sure you're rejection of "market research" is going to change things--if the web site traffic is actually up and search engine traffic is up, well, maybe that's their goal. I guess in part they don't want to wait for perfection and are doing continuous development. I've actually gone and said I could volunteer to help fix it, and I wish they'd consider mortal volunteers for fixing the web site, but it's not something that's being considered at this time. If anything, I think as it gets rolled out to the other 3 (or 4 if Tears of Polaris gets some progress done) then as more feedback comes in, they'll change it.

I might ask my brother to take a look at this just to see what his opinion is--he runs a large web development firm and I want to see if this is a "good" or "bad" design, from somebody who doesn't have an emotional attachment to the game--because I think we might be too close and unable to look at it objectively. I'll admit it's a little too busy--but at the same time I also don't think that's its a design that would "get somebody fired", and I think there's some hyperbole regarding it, as well as the natural (and somewhat understandable) fear that if the game "dumbs down" we'll lose the nuanced RP and sophistication.

I have posted and emailed an extensive list with rationale and reasons. It's all there if you want to read it.

I don't doubt that the new website is drawing more search hits because of it's underlying construction idea. I'm perfectly fine with that. I am not fine with the frankly half-assed effort that has gone into the site, it's terrible organization, and the things that are (still) broken that we keep bringing up month after month.

We've listed our comments and concerns repeatedly, the only thing that really changes is that they consolidate more and more into the 'rubbish pile'. And they change the font.

That doesn't exactly leave a good taste in one's mouth!

We've had it for months and it's only gotten worse in terms of useability, not better. I don't even care about the main page at this point, being able to find the other pages that I want in a manner that isn't ctrl-f and hoping I guess the right title would be swell.

I think the one thing that might be possible is that while the initial design firm did the design, the final content is implemented by IRE marketing and each MUDs staff. I've seen that happen more than once working as a web developer, and I suspect learning Drupal is a bit more difficult than the standard web site. (Since the webmaster is listed as Jeremy, I think Mr. Saunders might be the one doing the main CMS). I know staff members have some content management powers but I think it's limited to the news and blog items.

And unfortunately, if it's a case of the hard working volunteer staff working on the game vs. the site, I'd choose the game each time.

I'm wondering if we could get the Wiki's role to be expanded, maybe they should consider using the Wiki to contain the lore of Lusternia and leave the general introduction, marketing, and e-commerce to the main site. Since the Wiki uses Wikimedia software, it might be a better way to organize things, and unlike the main site we could volunteer for it.

Achaea's site is exactly the same as Lusternia's--Lusternia's staff doesn't have any substantial say in the design of the site, only the actual words that appear on the specific, unorganized subpages (Estarra has alluded to this when she has told us that all she can do is pass on our suggestions to the Webmaster). I don't put any blame on them for the corporate monstrosity.

By 'exactly the same,' you mean 'they copied one to the other.'

Literally.

I went to Achaea's forums, and found a post where a person went to submit for a contest and it had the word Lusternia in it. And their Races page had furrikin in it for a while.

Wow... I think it is time to actually hire a competent webmaster.

I doubt they have the budget--I assume they spent at least 5 figures for the initial web design. (Not the final product, but the general redevelopment work).

The only thing I can suggest, if IRE is reading this thread, is to at least consider getting some volunteer help, at least to fix the bugs. I think from the fans of all five games, you've got to have at least a few people who are willing to work for "credits" and have enough professionalism and skill to fix it. (If you can have mortal builder and mortal coders and wiki volunteers, this makes sense).

Watch your collective tones, or I'll lock the thread.

This isn't Achaea's forums.