Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Peer review/Virtual Villagers

Virtual Villagers

I personally think that this should be more than a stub. I changed and added a lot of information. I would like to see this article be as good as it can, but I need a review. Please list what I should add/change to make this a great article. I really don't know what else to do at this point... Any tips? Bryse 07:25, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Nifboy

• First, organization: Don't give sections to two or three sentences which aren't ever going to be expanded. Almost all of these sections (save the "awards", which should probably be in a larger "reception" section) can be integrated into the gameplay section, with subsections as they are needed.
• "Fertility, Farming, Medicine, ect" is a classic example of overlinking.
• Normally, I'd suggest the lead be expanded, but since it's supposed to cover the major points of the article, of which there are none yet, I suggest holding off on doing so until the rest of the article is fixed up.
• Gameplay section: How is the game structured? How do the puzzles fit in? How does the episodic nature of the game affect how the game is played? Questions to keep in mind. A holistic approach really is required here.
• Reception section: Although noting the game's awards is important, so is recognizing why it got those awards: What did the reviewers say?
• Any other interesting tidbits? Any information about the development of the game, interviews with developers, etc?

That's my advice, anyway. You have sources (which is a lot more than most articles, esp. indie games), USE them. Nifboy 11:40, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

UnaLaguna

Nifboy's covered many of the main points, but there are still a few points which you ought to consider. The two main things which jump out at me are information and references: both of which are in short supply. If you ever get stuck, look at some video game featured articles and see how they deal with sections you're having trouble with.

• I've been editing and reading video game articles for some time now, and I've noticed that you can generally break a good game article into a few sections: Gameplay, Story, Critical Reception, Development and Technical. The last two should only be included in sections of their own if you can find enough information to justify their own section. Considering the nature of this game, it may be difficult. You can add further sections providing you can source them and are unable to put them in other sections.
• As per above, the lead needs to be longer. Generally, the lead section needs to provide an overview of the article, so it may be difficult to do until the rest of the article is written.
• References are essential. You seem to have material with which you can make references, but they're in the "External links" section, which is fine, but you also need a section specifically for references. See WP:CITE for more info.
• Puzzles and Real-Time ought to be merged into the Gameplay section.
• Awards should be re-named something along the lines of "critical reception" and include information on the general consensus among critics. Remember to maintain neutral point of view: feel free to quote reviews, but make sure the number of positive/negative reviews you quote reflects the general consensus. Awards should also be mentioned and if there's enough content it could go in its own subsection.
• The image needs a fair use rationale. See WP:FURG and look at images for video game featured articles.

21:17, 10 July 2007 (UTC)

Thankyou both for your recs, I've put many of them into action already and shall continue to hammer at this article over time. QuagmireDog 10:43, 29 July 2007 (UTC)