Now about the new content

[Robert]

Thanks for all the feedback on the style and the design!
Now about the content, which is much more imporant, imho. Do you think we're going into the right direction there? We're just amateurs here, so some feedback would be great here.

[onodera]

If you want to support user-generated content, you need to provide convenient ways to host mods, screenshots and saved games. If you can extract metadata from mods and saves and make it searchable, it'll be great. Also, the spotlight should be the default page, not the forums.

[Robert]

The spotlight is the default page!
If not for you, how do you enter Apolyton? (what URL)

For Civ5 the mods themselves won't be stored here anymore but at the Steam server.
Only the descriptions / explanations / feature lists, etc. can be stored on the forums.
We would suggest mod builders to use the Blog engine for this. Every modder can have his own blog, the best ones will be featured in the Spotlight.

[Nikolai]

What content?

[onodera]

The spotlight is the default page!
If not for you, how do you enter Apolyton? (what URL)

Well, you're right, but when I'm clicking on the title image, it is supposed to take me to the start page. It takes me to the forums instead. People who come to the site via Google might miss the spotlight section entirely.

For Civ5 the mods themselves won't be stored here anymore but at the Steam server.
Only the descriptions / explanations / feature lists, etc. can be stored on the forums.
We would suggest mod builders to use the Blog engine for this. Every modder can have his own blog, the best ones will be featured in the Spotlight.

You still need to attract mod builders, so they won't post their main discussion threads on CFC and zoophilia websites. We'll have to wait and see what features CiV will provide for mod search, browsing and discussion, to determine which weak sides you can exploit.

[Robert]

What content?

You did read the spotlight section? (the main entrance to this site, with all the exclusive civ5 stuff)

Well, you're right, but when I'm clicking on the title image, it is supposed to take me to the start page.

Good point, thanks, didn't know that.

You still need to attract mod builders, so they won't post their main discussion threads on CFC and zoophilia websites. We'll have to wait and see what features CiV will provide for mod search, browsing and discussion, to determine which weak sides you can exploit.

Mods will be stored on the steam server, if I understand Firaxis correctly.
The mod descriptions, updates, comments, etc. have to be placed in the fan community. We hope that our blogging engine will be good for that. Every modder can have his own blog, change this blog layout to his/her own needs, get comments per blog post/update, and have all his/her stuff together at one place. We'll then create an environment for the blogs to easily find mods/maps, etc.

[Nikolai]

Spotlight? I entered, found out that apolyton.net/forums didn't work(MIGHTY irritating after 10 years of use!), went to apolyton.net, avoided the urge to close the window and then navigated to the forums. What do I care for blogs? Spotlight I figured had to be the new name for the Column.

[JohnApples]

I miss the old content. What happened to all the maps and mods?

[CanuckSoldier]

You did read the spotlight section? (the main entrance to this site, with all the exclusive civ5 stuff)

Well, you're right, but when I'm clicking on the title image, it is supposed to take me to the start page.

Good point, thanks, didn't know that.

You still need to attract mod builders, so they won't post their main discussion threads on CFC and zoophilia websites. We'll have to wait and see what features CiV will provide for mod search, browsing and discussion, to determine which weak sides you can exploit.

Mods will be stored on the steam server, if I understand Firaxis correctly.
The mod descriptions, updates, comments, etc. have to be placed in the fan community. We hope that our blogging engine will be good for that. Every modder can have his own blog, change this blog layout to his/her own needs, get comments per blog post/update, and have all his/her stuff together at one place. We'll then create an environment for the blogs to easily find mods/maps, etc.

So your not planning on supporting Civ2/3/4 modders Robert? As far as I know the Community Hub is only for Civ5, and even then they don't promise that they will approve all mods for distribution on that site. I'm sure at least with Civ4 that the mod community will be active for quit some time and needs a place to distribute their mods. Unless you are just planning on letting the other fan sites fill that role.

CS

[Tuberski]

Spotlight? I entered, found out that apolyton.net/forums didn't work(MIGHTY irritating after 10 years of use!), went to apolyton.net, avoided the urge to close the window and then navigated to the forums. What do I care for blogs? Spotlight I figured had to be the new name for the Column.

If you re-bookmark the Forum page, you can skip the Spotlight.

ACK!

[MikeH]

The Gamescon stuff has been very interesting.

I look forward to see what Poly members start to blog about once the game is out too.

[Robert]

So your not planning on supporting Civ2/3/4 modders Robert? As far as I know the Community Hub is only for Civ5, and even then they don't promise that they will approve all mods for distribution on that site. I'm sure at least with Civ4 that the mod community will be active for quit some time and needs a place to distribute their mods. Unless you are just planning on letting the other fan sites fill that role.

CS

Civ2/3/4 modders can also use the blog feature for their mods.
People can upload attachments to their blogs.

We'll have to see how it works out with modding and civ5 before we can really anticipate on it.


@MikeH: thanks

@Nikolai: apparently you're not really interested in civ anymore. Too bad.

[Robert]

I miss the old content. What happened to all the maps and mods?

We're looking into ways to get them over to the new server as well.
This is only the first step.

[DaShi]

@Nikolai: apparently you're not really interested in civ anymore. Too bad.

[Nikolai]

If you re-bookmark the Forum page, you can skip the Spotlight.

ACK!

Of course. Who cares for anything but the forum.