Posted May 26, 2018
I have been with GOG just over a year now, and bought quite a few games.
In that time though, I have skipped over many, and sometimes feel like adding a comment to the game page about how difficult it is to make a determination sometimes.
When I look at GOG listings of games, in the first instance for me, whether I even look at a game, often depends on the thumbnail, but also the genre and title ... and price of course ... though price is not as relevant as that stage, as it might just end up on my Wishlist, until the price improves.
Sometimes the wording or description on a promotional page, will make me look beyond the unappealing title or image.
When I am enticed enough to visit a game page, then first impressions are important, but if not instantly put-off and I got that far, I will read the description/summary. If I am still interested, I will then look at the screenshots.
On many occasions, the screenshots is where a game gets let down, and I cannot stress how important they really are, at least for me. Many don't show the right things, are too dark, don't involve enough detail or show too much. Sometimes there isn't enough of them.
Take for instance, the game Aquanox which kind of appeals to me, based on the genre, has a colorful first image (if too much text on screen for me), but generally shows dark images where I don't really get a good grasp or can even tell what is going on or what it is about. Perhaps my monitor is partly to blame.
On some other game pages, you often get shown lots of menu screenshots, but very few environment ones, which usually makes me feel like I am not much wiser about the game ... except it has a bunch of menus.
If I am still interested after seeing the screenshots, then I will at least check out the first page of reviews. Reviews can be a mixed blessing, as they can be so subjective, as I am sure we have all seen. But I use certain aspects along with what I have seen and read so far, plus my ever growing experience, to create as whole or more complete picture.
At this point, I have mostly made up my mind about a game, good or bad. The only other factor really, is the price, but as I said, if I like the game enough, but price is not acceptable, then I just add to my Wishlist.
If on the other hand, I am still undecided ... usually because it is a borderline case, or quite simply I was impressed enough by at least some of the elements, but too many bad reviews or screenshots weren't encouraging, then I may check out any video(s) if they exist with the screenshots. However, I am not big on video clips, as they rarely show what I want, and are mostly just an advertising spiel, accompanied by dramatic vision, sounds and music.
On a rare day, if still stalemated, I may take a trip to Wikipedia land. That usually means something impressed me, but something also worried me. It is extremely rare for me to go elsewhere for more detail.
So GOG, Publishers, Game Makers ... please at the very least, put up some decent screenshots. That's if you want my money. Generally, I feel like something is being deliberately hidden if the screenshots are poor, and you will often lose my interest right then and there.
P.S. And yes I was NOT impressed enough to buy Aquanox, at what could be a good price, and despite some reasonable sounding reviews. You can put that down to somewhat colorful but crappy screenshots.
In that time though, I have skipped over many, and sometimes feel like adding a comment to the game page about how difficult it is to make a determination sometimes.
When I look at GOG listings of games, in the first instance for me, whether I even look at a game, often depends on the thumbnail, but also the genre and title ... and price of course ... though price is not as relevant as that stage, as it might just end up on my Wishlist, until the price improves.
Sometimes the wording or description on a promotional page, will make me look beyond the unappealing title or image.
When I am enticed enough to visit a game page, then first impressions are important, but if not instantly put-off and I got that far, I will read the description/summary. If I am still interested, I will then look at the screenshots.
On many occasions, the screenshots is where a game gets let down, and I cannot stress how important they really are, at least for me. Many don't show the right things, are too dark, don't involve enough detail or show too much. Sometimes there isn't enough of them.
Take for instance, the game Aquanox which kind of appeals to me, based on the genre, has a colorful first image (if too much text on screen for me), but generally shows dark images where I don't really get a good grasp or can even tell what is going on or what it is about. Perhaps my monitor is partly to blame.
On some other game pages, you often get shown lots of menu screenshots, but very few environment ones, which usually makes me feel like I am not much wiser about the game ... except it has a bunch of menus.
If I am still interested after seeing the screenshots, then I will at least check out the first page of reviews. Reviews can be a mixed blessing, as they can be so subjective, as I am sure we have all seen. But I use certain aspects along with what I have seen and read so far, plus my ever growing experience, to create as whole or more complete picture.
At this point, I have mostly made up my mind about a game, good or bad. The only other factor really, is the price, but as I said, if I like the game enough, but price is not acceptable, then I just add to my Wishlist.
If on the other hand, I am still undecided ... usually because it is a borderline case, or quite simply I was impressed enough by at least some of the elements, but too many bad reviews or screenshots weren't encouraging, then I may check out any video(s) if they exist with the screenshots. However, I am not big on video clips, as they rarely show what I want, and are mostly just an advertising spiel, accompanied by dramatic vision, sounds and music.
On a rare day, if still stalemated, I may take a trip to Wikipedia land. That usually means something impressed me, but something also worried me. It is extremely rare for me to go elsewhere for more detail.
So GOG, Publishers, Game Makers ... please at the very least, put up some decent screenshots. That's if you want my money. Generally, I feel like something is being deliberately hidden if the screenshots are poor, and you will often lose my interest right then and there.
P.S. And yes I was NOT impressed enough to buy Aquanox, at what could be a good price, and despite some reasonable sounding reviews. You can put that down to somewhat colorful but crappy screenshots.
Post edited May 26, 2018 by Timboli
