Sciere (930964) on 4/6/2006 2:57 PM · Permalink · Report

The guidelines have been tightened during the years. We're now strict on file types and resolutions. There are indeed some screenshots that could use a replacement. However, for certain platforms, we do consider TV-captured shots with a non-standard resolution equally good as a emulated shots, because the original colour palette is maintained that way, even at the cost of a certain crispness.

If a set of screenshot lacks originality, it can always be replaced with decent argumentation.

Enjoy your stay!

Ajan (262) on 4/6/2006 11:52 PM · Permalink · Report

[Q --start Pectoris Fleo wrote--]Whenever I make screenshots, it’s very important for me to try to capture cute moments that would make people who see them WANT to play the game. In rare cases, when I’m extremely disappointed with a game, I would do the opposite of that and capture flaws to expose weaknesses. [/Q --end Pectoris Fleo wrote--] You are right, screenshots should be balanced, I mean if there is a place with beautiful views, contributors shouldn't make scrrens only of that place. They may look nice but don't give any clues on how the whole game looks like. In other words: imho from 30 screenshots there should be several boring ones to show the game in normal play. Showing interesting and funny places is crucial but I doubt that there is a single game which is extremly interesting all the time. Screens should thus show all elements of the game including those which are boting.

Freeman (65146) on 4/7/2006 7:39 AM · Permalink · Report

Nice post, and welcome to the site. I agree with much of what you say; I hate looking up pictures of a game only to find the majority from the 1st level / menu screen / copyright screen, etc.

Unicorn Lynx (181769) on 4/7/2006 10:31 AM · Permalink · Report

Most games with screenshots taken only from the beginning of the game don't have many screenshots. There's nothing wrong in submitting 5-6 screenshots from the opening location, as long as there is some other variety in them. Feel free to add more screenshots to such entries, the ideal would be of course to have 30 screenshots per game :)

As for wrong resolutions, it seems that capturing shots directly from consoles is pretty hard (I haven't figured out how to do it, anyway), so I think that any shot taken directly from console is a welcome addition to the site, even if its resolution is slightly different or something. Emulator screenshots is also a tricky business, sometimes you can end up with wrong resolution (unless the emulator has a built-in screenshot capture utility, which is a great thing). Such screenshots can be replaced if you submit some that show the same picture, but with a more correct resolution. .

BTW, I think original contributors should retain their points even if their screenshots get replaced. Now the policy is stricter, but before screenshots got approved almost regardless of the resolution. It's not the contributor's fault that the guidelines were different. There are a lot of shots from old DOS games with weird resolutions or in JPG format around here, I suppose they will be replaced some day, but I think it would be unfair to take points away from the contributors.

Shoddyan (15006) on 4/8/2006 1:21 AM · edited · Permalink · Report

Edit: Unicorn-Lynx and Ajan already explained the points mentioned below, and much shorter. Oops.

[Q --start Pectoris Fleo wrote--] Another practice that I think should be avoided is taking numerous shots of that very same first level over and over again showing that same environment over and over again. Come on, guys, how interesting can that be? Let’s not rush it. Do it sometime when you feel like playing through the game. Give the visual variety a chance. [/Q --end Pectoris Fleo wrote--]

Agreed. Ideally our screenshots should display as many different aspects of a game as possible. What that means is that as much of the work that can be shown: Different levels, different characters, different attacks, different gameplay, etc... there's usually a whole lot that goes into a game and to get a better overall sense of the whole thing, we want to a whole bunch of different parts, and not the "first level" as you say. I'm not sure if that's clearly stated in the guidelines, but regardless, if anyone feels that a screenshot is only focusing on thing and isn't equally representing the whole: The best solution is to submit more screenshots. Approvers can look them over and replace redundant shots.

[Q --start Pectoris Fleo wrote--]I love taking screenshots of beautiful, beautiful games, and I like to think of myself as an in-game photographer, photo correspondent, whatever. ^-^ I’ve made contributions to numerous other high-profile sites. Whenever I make screenshots, it’s very important for me to try to capture cute moments that would make people who see them WANT to play the game. In rare cases, when I’m extremely disappointed with a game, I would do the opposite of that and capture flaws to expose weaknesses. One way or the other shots must be crystal clear and display something interesting whenever possible.[/Q --end Pectoris Fleo wrote--]

I agree with you, BUT... if there is mundane within a game that should also be reflected. Not every screenshot, but certainly one or two. shrug In any case it's not going to be that big a deal since if a game doesn't have any diverse screenshots, it won't have any... or something. Kudos on taking beautiful screenshots of games, but not every scene should be a pretty shot of the scenery since there's usually a game that's trying to be represented also. I know that you don't do that...I'm just saying. For instance, I have some lovely JPEGs of Morrowind's moons that I took while playing. I'm still amazed by them, but there's really nothing they would add to anyone's concept of the game if I posted them to MG... there's already pretty images of trees and Ogres and etc. Maybe a fansite would like them ;)