Review: S.H.I.E.L.D.

S.H.I.E.L.D.

Marvel Universe

3-2-2

Forum

Jcink

20

Intermediate

16 June 2013 - 08:45 AM

250 words

High activity level

All

The Marvel universe is quite popular to play out and as the T.V. show only came out just last year, the forum beat the mad dash to create a SHIELD game. As an open-universe SHIELD setting, the plot has room to expand.

The chosen skin for the forum is exactly what I would expect for a SHIELD/Marvel Universe game--it fits the chosen fandom well. I especially like the placement of the forum's awards. The quick links are in an ideal location along with everything you would expect to find. The only small suggestion I might make is to condense the banner/top portion of the site as it takes up most of the screen.

The forum is easy to navigate and everything appears in the right place where I would expect to find certain information. I appreciate that you don't just rely on the forum's sub-categories--there are several places on the page I can click on to find what I need. The only thing I might change is one link in the quick links as it's misleading--the "further details" link. Perhaps you can call it News and Updates or something similar? That link is very useful and I believe it should pop out more to potential players so they know what to suspect when they join the site.

Your opening premise is simple and to the point and it's easy to tell where your story falls into place with the rest of the franchise. You do a wonderful job to provide current and potential members current plot points within the game within your "CNN" sub-category which I found in the further details section. I think it would be beneficial to separate out the face claims from the information on the current plot position. As a suggestion to something you might want to employ in your game, perhaps you should consider compiling a timeline of all important in game events and moments that would effect a potential player and the game? I couldn't seem to find one, but I have used the same technique in my own games. I'm not sure if this is included in your Info pdfs as I did not have access to them.

As you've asked that I refrain from commenting on the rules, I can say that when you do decide to rewrite them, you might want to consider including how play is completed on the forum - not just the different types of rp threads in its most basic form. Forum rps are pretty standard but your game seems to employ a unique system--for example exp. points (I did not see a section on how one acquires them or why but then again I may be locked out of it).

The Askbox provides a section where potential and existing players can ask questions--this seems to be the only obvious method of contact from what I can see and I believe it's enough.

The Application link provides easy access to the application post, which also includes the code (which is very helpful). No sample seems to be required and the rest of the information is pretty standard. I assume the bottom, larger, half is where the history is supposed to go with any extra information I feel I should have. The only question I would have is whether or not the player or the admin chooses what clearance a potential player's character would be? I don't think all players are out to god-mod or dominate, but I would imagine a majority of players would want top clearance unless this is limited to a certain number of people or restricted. There didn't appear to be many restrictions in terms of character development, but I could be mistaken as there are parts of the site I can't access.

Overall the site is nicely put together and there are very few things I would change about it in order to fix something that is "wrong." In fact, there really isn't anything blatantly wrong with the forum. Any changes you make could only improve the site as a whole and make it more efficient. The admin team should be proud of the work they have accomplished and with a few tweaks I feel the forum can only get better.