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Discussion archive
This is an archive of past discussions with User:S@bre. Do not edit the contents of this page. If you wish to start a new discussion or revive an old one, please do so on the current talk page.
...for participating in my RfA, which closed with 119 in support, 4 neutral and 5 opposes. I'm honestly overwhelmed at the level of support that I've received from the community, and will do my best to maintain the trust placed in me. I 'm also thankful to those who opposed or expressed a neutral position, for providing clear rationales and superb feedback for me to build on. I've set up a space for you to provide any further feedback or thoughts, should you feel inclined to. However you voted, thanks for taking the time out to contribute to the process, it's much appreciated. Kind regards, Gazimoff21:58, 4 August 2008 (UTC)
The list of almost 700 articles has been checked and updated. Special thanks to MrKIA11, Dukeruckley, JFlav, FMF, and several other editors for checking the large number of articles.
Inactive project cleanup Proposal to consolidate inactive projects and taskforces. Project page can be found here.
Wikipedia:WikiProject Indie Game Developers deleted.
Wikipedia:WikiProject Arcade games moved to page under WP:VG. See new Arcade task force page.
Feature: Reliable Sources
A common issue with writing video games articles is that it's often natural for editors to turn to the internet for all their information. However, using only online sources can be problematic, especially if editors are not familiar with Wikipedia's sources guidelines. First off, for every notable, reliable web site about gaming that exists on the web, there are twenty-five fan sites or personal blogs. As per Wikipedia's, content guideline about reliable sources, a proper source that should be used in an article must meet the following criteria:
Articles should be based on reliable, third-party, published sources with a reputation for fact-checking and accuracy.
How do you determine if website X meets the criteria? Look around for information on who owns the website or if the website has a staff and established editorial processes; if the site doesn't have information posted online, send an email to the webmaster or editor. It can be hard to definitely prove the a website has a "reputation" for accuracy. Thus, it's probably easier to go with established sites to begin with, such as IGN or GameSpot. If you use a source with borderline qualifications, be prepared to justify the site at content review or to other editors. WikiProject Video Games has a partially-complete listing of vetted sources in print or online at Wikipedia:WikiProject Video games/Sources, as well as more detailed information on what constitutes a reliable source.
To find sources on the internet, checking Google News as well as simple web searches can help spot references you might have missed. Often, however, older news articles are locked behind pay gates or subscription services. A workaround is using a service like ProQuest or LexisNexis, although unless you have access to these through a college or education institution it will likely cost you money regardless. Libraries can have old newspapers and copies of magazines; to assist in finding print sources online, WikiProject Video Games has a Magazines Department where you can contact users to get copies of certain reviews, previews, or features from old magazines. If you have gaming magazines of your own, add yourself to the list!
I've emailed you the two pages of the review in separate emails. Let me know that you received them. - X201 (talk) 17:35, 11 August 2008 (UTC)
Pronunciation of "Witham"
Hello S@bre,
I would have directed this question to User:Ksbrown who put the IPA transcription in the Witham article, but it looks as though he hasn't been active on WP in a while. The question, quite simply, is how you pronounce the placename Witham. I lived in Essex as a young child (Chelmsford), and I was quite sure it was /'wɪtəm/ (rhymes with "bit 'em"), but Ksbrown has put /'wɪtæm/ (rhymes with "sham") in the article. If you know that to be wrong, could I ask you to go to that article and substitute a "ə" for the "æ"? Thanks. Kelisi (talk) 01:33, 15 August 2008 (UTC)
Codename: Gordon
Hey. Since you're a member of the VALVe task force, I thought maybe you could help me. did you play Codename: Gordon? If so could you please tell me what you're supposed to do in that bonus level you get when finishing the game? diego_pmc (talk) 19:29, 22 August 2008 (UTC)
Setting/Introduction
I think it should better be called Introduction, since that section doesn't talk just about the setting, but also gives a few details about Frohman's personality. diego_pmc (talk) 13:11, 23 August 2008 (UTC)
Setting, as far as I know is used when referring to the actual world. That section was made according to WP:NOVSTY - it serves as a spoiler-free introduction to the plot, not to describe the world. diego_pmc (talk) 13:35, 23 August 2008 (UTC)
The script can't change the format from US to int. and vice versa. I wish it could, since some articles are revealed to have the wrong format according to MOSNUM's guidelines; but it can't. Please link me to the article at issue. I wonder whether the removal of the autoformatting has revealed for the first time that the raw formats were in the wrong format? Need to see it (going to bed within an hour). Tony(talk)15:40, 24 August 2008 (UTC)
Hi there, S@bre—I see you've done some good work in cleaning up the dates at GAN. Do you have the script that spares you all of the manual labour? Tony(talk)08:53, 26 August 2008 (UTC)
Re: StarCraft series
Sure, but if you can let me know what you're planning then maybe I can help. If it's going to be done in a few months then obviously I'd prefer it if it wasn't so long... GaryKing (talk)17:34, 26 August 2008 (UTC)
Orphaned non-free media (Image:Insurrection box art (StarCraft).jpg)
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Orphaned non-free media (Image:Retribution box art (StarCraft).jpg)
Thanks for uploading Image:Retribution box art (StarCraft).jpg. The media description page currently specifies that it is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a claim of fair use. However, it is currently orphaned, meaning that it is not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the media was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. You may add it back if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that media for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see our policy for non-free media).
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Fair use rationale
Any chance you can add them? Anyways, video game screenshots almost always belong in their respective video game articles, so unless you have an exceptional rationale of why the screenshot belongs in the series article rather than the individual video game article, it should be removed. GaryKing (talk)17:49, 27 August 2008 (UTC)
Oxford Wikimania 2010 and Wikimedia UK v2.0 Notice
Hi,
As a regularly contributing UK Wikipedian, we were wondering if you wanted to contribute to the Oxford bid to host the 2010 Wikimania conference. Please see here for details of how to get involved, we need all the help we can get if we are to put in a compelling bid.
We are also in the process of forming a new UK Wikimedia chapter to replace the soon to be folded old one. If you are interested in helping shape our plans, showing your support or becoming a future member or board member, please head over to the Wikimedia UK v2.0 page and let us know. We plan on holding an election in the next month to find the initial board, who will oversee the process of founding the company and accepting membership applications. They will then call an AGM to formally elect a new board who after obtaining charitable status will start the fund raising, promotion and active support for the UK Wikimedian community for which the chapter is being founded.
You may also wish to attend the next London meet-up at which both of these issues will be discussed. If you can't attend this meetup, you may want to watch Wikipedia:Meetup, for updates on future meets.
We look forward to hearing from you soon, and we send our apologies for this automated intrusion onto your talk page!
Special note: The naming convention for the newsletter has altered. Instead of being labeled the month it is delivered, it is now labeled the month the content applies to. See discussion.
Assessment Department: This department focuses on assessing the quality of Wikipedia's video games articles. The resulting article ratings are used within the project to aid in recognizing excellent contributions and identifying topics in need of further work, and are also expected to play a role in the WP:1.0 program, and more specifically in the Video games essential articles page.
Two new quality ratings have been implemented into the Assessment Department's scale. The new Wikipedia-wide C-Class rating (see category) has been added to the scale between Start-Class and B-Class. Because of this, the criteria of the B-Class has been tweaked to better illustrate the difference between a B-Class and C-Class article. An older rating, List-Class (see category), has been added to the scale as well. It is mainly used on pages that have very little prose and are primarily tables and lists of information.
Editors are encouraged to submit articles for assessment if they feel an article has made significant progress up the assessment scale or has gained importance within video game articles. Assessed articles generally receive some feedback to further improve the article. Experienced editors are also encouraged to help with assessment of articles when the number of requests gets too large.
Peer Review Department: The Peer review process for WikiProject Video games exposes video-game-related articles to closer scrutiny from a broader group of editors, and is intended for high-quality articles that have already undergone extensive work, often as a way of preparing a Featured article candidate. It is not a academic peer review by a group of experts in a particular subject, and articles that undergo this process should not be assumed to have greater authority than any other.
Editors are encouraged to use the Video game peer review process, as well as the regular Wikipedia-wide process, to improve the quality of articles. While a peer review can be done at any time, it strongly suggested to use this process before an article goes up for Good article nomination and Featured article or Feature list candidacy as articles cannot be a candidate for GA or FA while at peer review.
Editors are also encouraged to leave feedback for articles undergoing peer review. A process such as this will not work if editors do not give as well as take. Feedback can range from brief comments after skimming through a page to a full blown dissection of grammar, structure, and references. Either way, every bit helps.
Congrats on Metzen. I'll be taking Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver to the GA reviews soon once I finish the Marketing section - wish me luck! Six months of work on a stub, by a single editor...GA would be my crowning achievement here. :p The Clawed One (talk)
Simply put, that template is confusing. ><. The real trouble with the GA is a fansite is source, one time, because it's the most reliable source for info on development while I track down others. So I'm gonna have to defend that one. The Clawed One (talk)
Aaaaah, okay! I thought the template was for a citation template, ok. Thanks very much good sir! The Clawed One (talk)
Found some reliable sources, and nominated it at last. Wish me luck! The Clawed One (talk)
Re: Ghost FAC?
Well you're the StarCraft expert; it's up to you. I'm sure you'd like to see it as FA, but what do recent news releases and such say about the state of the game? GaryKing (talk)22:59, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
I've asked Sandy for what she thinks. It's always great being the first to try new things; I'm pretty sure there hasn't been an unreleased anything at FAC yet! GaryKing (talk)23:14, 14 September 2008 (UTC)
Orphaned non-free media (Image:Siege tank deployed (StarCraft).jpg)
Thanks for uploading Image:Siege tank deployed (StarCraft).jpg. The media description page currently specifies that it is non-free and may only be used on Wikipedia under a claim of fair use. However, it is currently orphaned, meaning that it is not used in any articles on Wikipedia. If the media was previously in an article, please go to the article and see why it was removed. You may add it back if you think that that will be useful. However, please note that media for which a replacement could be created are not acceptable for use on Wikipedia (see our policy for non-free media).
If you have uploaded other unlicensed media, please check whether they're used in any articles or not. You can find a list of 'image' pages you have edited by clicking on the "my contributions" link (it is located at the very top of any Wikipedia page when you are logged in), and then selecting "Image" from the dropdown box. Note that all non-free media not used in any articles will be deleted after seven days, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. Thank you. BJBot (talk) 05:27, 16 September 2008 (UTC)
Sorry re:OTRS
Hi, I've been away from Wikipedia for the last couple of days. I take it that Daniel took care of what you needed done? Regards, JACOPLANE • 2008-09-19 22:48
Re. what you said here, if you've activated SUL (it takes a few seconds to do, here), you'll automatically have a Commons account created for you, and you'll automatically be logged in (or should be... if not, the username and password are the same) when you visit Commons. Let me know if you need any help with that site. Giggy (talk) 10:45, 23 September 2008 (UTC)
Hey Sabre. Can you help improving Empire: Total War they are lot of sources and section that can be added like development, naval combat and many other's. Also can you with Company of Heroes it needs to be rewritten and help it to reach good article and then featured article. --SkyWalker (talk) 15:53, 24 September 2008 (UTC)
Sorry for the late reply. No problems you can work on those after you have finished those you can work on total war series. I will be adding reception section for M2:TW today or tomorrow. I would be helping you has much has i can and Company of Heroes needs to be rewritten. --SkyWalker (talk) 03:14, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
Should be better now. I didn't find any of the information in the other article useful; the summary that already existed in Half-Life 2 was sufficient. I merged the paragraphs together and removed section header. I'll spend the next few minutes copyediting the Cuts paragraph to remove any more extraneous information, then it should be all set. GaryKing (talk)17:15, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
No worries. Now that I think about it, I do agree with you that it's important to have that stuff on reception and notability in the lead-on. I was mainly concerned before because the order in which it is discussed is a little awkward....the lead-in talks first about the importance and notability of Starcraft itself, then about how the races contributed to Starcraft's positive reception; then it goes on to talk about the actual races, and in the third paragraph turns around to talk about reception again. Might it be possible to reorganize that a little?
Also, I don't know the official stance on lead-in length off the top of my head, but I'm pretty sure having over 2 paragraphs is sometimes frowned upon. My suggestion for the lead-in is that the first paragraph talk about the races themselves and their roles in the campaigns (currently the 2nd paragraph of the lead-in), and the second talk about reception and notability; both paragraphs could maybe have a less crucial few details trimmed out. So, maybe something like this:
Blizzard Entertainment's 1998 bestselling real-time strategy game series StarCraft revolves around interstellar affairs in a distant sector of the galaxy, with three species and multiple factions all vying for supremacy in the sector. The playable species of StarCraft are comprised of the Terrans, humans exiled from Earth and adept at adapting to any situation; the Zerg, a race of insectoids obsessed with assimilating other races in pursuit of genetic perfection; and the Protoss, a humanoid species with advanced technology and psionic abilities, attempting to preserve their civilization and strict philosophical way of living from the Zerg. Each of these races has a single campaign in each StarCraft real-time strategy game. In addition to these three, other non-playable races have also been part of the lore of the StarCraft series; the most notable of these is the Xel'Naga, a race which features prominently in the fictional histories of the Protoss and Zerg races.
The original game has sold over 9.5 million copies internationally,[1] and remains one of the most popular games in the world.[2][3] One of the main factors responsible for StarCraft's positive reception is the attention paid to the three unique playable races, for each of which Blizzard developed completely different characteristics, graphics, backstories and styles of gameplay, while keeping them balanced in performance against each other.[4] Previously to this, most real-time strategy games consisted of factions and races with the same basic play styles and units with only superficial differences. The use of unique sides in StarCraft has been credited with popularizing the concept within the real-time strategy genre.[4] Contemporary reviews of the game praised the attention to the gameplay balance between the species,[5] as well as for the fictional stories built up around them.[6] However, some reviewers have been critical of the ability of StarCraft's artificial intelligence to navigate levels.[7]
All right. If you like this two-paragraph version of the lead-in, you are free to copy & paste it over; or if you prefer the way it is, that's fine, I'll leave it up to you. One other question....regarding the organization of the races within the article...any particular reason we have Xel'Naga listed before Zerg? My gut instinct would be to list the playable races first (and probably in the order of their campaigns in the first game—Terran, Zerg, Protoss—which I think is also their order of appearance in the series) but I wanted to check first to see if the current order is intentional. --Politizer (talk) 21:14, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
Ok. One last question: the last sentence of the lead-in, as well as the last couple sentences of Critical reception, talk about criticisms of the game's AI. As far as I can see, that's not really crucial to this article, since that's more criticism of the game engine and programming than the races themselves (and the Game Revolution review even praised the three races while criticizing the AI). I would be in favor of removing these sentences and keeping only the negative opinion expressed by the Computer & Video Games review, the one that says there's a "deja vu" feeling with the races; that seems to be the only one that's really a criticism of the races themselves. --Politizer (talk) 21:25, 26 September 2008 (UTC)
Yeah...it seems to me that the pathfinding issues are present in all the races, and therefore aren't really a complaint about the fact that Blizzard made the three races or about how the races were balanced, but were just a general gameplay issue. But I see what you mean...it does leave us with a one-sentence paragraph about negative reception. Of course, if that's the only negative reception there was, there's not much we can do about it, and I guess we probably shouldn't give undue weight to negative criticism of SC by drumming up this one example when in reality there's hardly anyone out there who has a negative opinion of the game. One solution might be to mention somehow that this opinion (the one from Computer and Video Games) is not common that that there is almost no one else out there who agrees; if there's someplace reliable out there that aggregates reviews together on one site, that might be a good way to show that this opinion is very rare, and add a sentence there saying something like "very few other reviews have expressed this same opinion, though." --Politizer (talk) 01:51, 27 September 2008 (UTC)
I just completed the GA review for Species of StarCraft, (in fact, the whole reason I started editing it was because I had come there planning on reviewing it and then I got caught up in the excitement of editing...it took me until today to remember the real reason I was there), and it passed. The details of the review are here. Congratulations! —Politizer( talk • contribs )16:29, 28 September 2008 (UTC)