Gaming Backlog Tracker - Idea

[BLUEVOODU]

The Gaming Backlog Tracker is an idea I had from a long time ago.  I'm still sorting out the different ideas / avenues... trying to see what we can do from a database standpoint... but getting ready to talk with a developer with these ideas.


I mentioned in the Thougts on Site, Features, Layouts and Sections - Round 2! Thread:

I was thinking of a list where you could populate certain game information.. and be able to check it off the list where it would strike it out... or you could delete it.   I was thinking of making something though where it would be more of a repository where the game companies and systems are saved... maybe leading to a game repository of some sort - more to come on that.

There would be a list in everyone's profile - and also a searchable / viewable list from the main forum.   In the profile will be a page where you are able to enter your "gaming backlog" in a list.  Each list item will have a check box you can "check off" and save... this will strike the entry out like - The Legend of Zelda: Majoras Mask 3D - Nintendo 3DS. You could also delete entries if you don't want them.    This would be the "Gaming Backlog Tracker" idea... it's to help gamers get on top of their gaming back log, organize it... and keep track.   Maybe we could build in some kind of progress indicator for each game.

So in the database... I would have as Many of the companies / systems as possible to start with... but won't be able to have everything  pre-defined at 1st.

There are 2 thoughts on this right now:
1.)   I'm thinking of creating a game repository where we try to create an entire Video Game Repository for all the Video Games out there.   This will be difficult and Time consuming... and maybe not in scope at this time.  This is part 2 I've wanted to do.  We could have member submissions for information... where we could accept pieces of the information to go into the repository.  WE could then build from this point to have GAMEFAQs style pages.

2.) Just have the stand alone Game tracker for now. Not as sexy... but try to grow it later.

Personally I like option number #1... but I'm not sure this site is ready for it.  IT's definitely not ready member wise as it will take many members contributing.  I Would also like to build in rep system for those who helped and a way to credit members for contributing.

Listing a few of you here for comments:
@trkorecky @CreepinDeth @Kinikko @targetrasp @ThravRande @medataoh @Aya-Kun @retro junkie @mastermario @Grindspine
This questions goes for all members too...  What do you all think about this idea?

At the end of the day... I'm committed to making this site awesome.  Personally I think we are FAR ahead of where we were.  I know I've said that a few times.   

Please post up your thoughts and comments.  This will probably be updated a little after I stop ADD-ing a bit... and can organize the thoughts better.

[mastermario]

[Kinikko]

^ What does that even mean?  XD

Is there some way we could have a like submission form in the backlog thing?  Like they would enter the name of the game, then check off what console it's for or something?  Then it would store into our database? 

[BLUEVOODU]

LOL... thank you for that helpful image Mastermario - Granted it was before I finished the text.

Actually... That would be a cool image to try to shrink and use for some other things.

^ What does that even mean?  XD

Is there some way we could have a like submission form in the backlog thing?  Like they would enter the name of the game, then check off what console it's for or something?  Then it would store into our database? 

lol... I knew I Would get the what does this even mean.  I couldn't get the idea out on paper.

So let's start with the Gaming Backlog Tracker. Imagine the backlog form as being able to enter all your gaming backlog... that would be in a check off style list.  When completed... the game would have the line striking it as in the above example.  The form is a view of the database... technically everything you see here is pulling from the database.



2nd idea... I should've just left it off - take this as a separate idea:
The gaming Repository - IE the cataloging of all games - would pull information from the same database.  The view will be a grand list of game.  User would be able to help create the repository by submitting game information to help build the full list of games with certain information - IE full name, rating, how many players, Barcode number, other information points, and maybe in the future... trophy lists..etc.  We could then expand the games to include FAQs and other things.

For now, we will concentrate on the gaming backlog tracker - where you would enter your gaming backlog... and check it off as you are complete.  Some of the database information will be pre-filled in - for example  - systems... and the rest will be filled in by the member.  IT may be a simple list of Game name, System. 

Clearer than mud?

[Kinikko]

^ What does that even mean?  XD

lol... I knew I Would get the what does this even mean.  I couldn't get the idea out on paper.

Was actually referring to @mastermario 's gif post.  xD 

But yeah this sounds totally cool.  Maybe could have some sort of list in the game's database of people who have checked it off of their list? 

[targetrasp]

Would Idea number 2 be in the form of an access database file and would idea number 2 be available for download and be manipulated to become a personal inventory....

I've been meaning to get around to building a database for years now but sadly, i continue to find more pressing things to do and have had to stick with a poorly formatted spreadsheet.

OR and this would be a huge undertaking ...

An online database for members to catalog their collection in. Using the repository you're talking about building in the future, members would search for the game, click add it to my list, then fill out things like condition, price paid, date aquired, etc. I've seen it done with comic books and loved the idea. My sql is not strong enough to pull it off but I'd help however I could, even with just the original idea!

[BLUEVOODU]

Was actually referring to @mastermario 's gif post.  xD 

But yeah this sounds totally cool.  Maybe could have some sort of list in the game's database of people who have checked it off of their list?

LOL... ok - I totally took that as my stuff ... but it definitely applies to @mastermario 's post.   And that would be cool - expandable list - that way when we have thousands of members... the whole page isn't taken up in who completed the game LOL.

@targetrasp Idea #2 would be in the forum of a MySQL database.  It would be for the site as opposed to each individual member.  It would be member contribution and it would be 1 large compilation (eventually) of all Video games across all platforms including ARCADE.    We would try to include screenshots, links to forum discussions... and other "items" to integrate.... It would be cool to link to reviews and what-not as well (see last comment on this post).  Make sense?  Dig it?

Now your other idea is interesting... MAYBE we could do something like that.   IE It would integrate into the Master Gaming Repository list... and someone can have their own list... which technically pulls all data off the master list.  They can just have a few fields of their own for condition...etc.  Call It Members Collection - or my repository.  All it does is build their list (checkable boxes... preloads data to their list... easy check box delete if necessary).   They could add the couple columns of information.  The lists could be direct linkable to other sites.  I think MySQL could handle this, no?

Does that mean everyone thinks the Gaming Backlog Tracker sounds like a good and useful feature that will get used?

I also want to get some CMS action going and work on reviews and other content like Nintendolife / GAmefaqs...etc.  More on that coming later.  Need to take steps and not try to eat the elephant at once.

Adding tags below because I don't think it worked right last time. IF you are double notified... my apologies.
@trkorecky  @CreepinDeth  @ThravRande  @medataoh  @Aya-Kun  @retro junkie  @mastermario  @Grindspine @BlastMode7

[targetrasp]

@BLUEVOODU

HAHA my SQL meaning my SQL abilities... not MySQL!!!

I didn't realize the confusion I would create by that choice of wording this morning, but it's a pretty funny play on words...

[BLUEVOODU]

@targetrasp LOL... that's pretty funny.  I totally misread that.

yeah... My SQL skills aren't super superb right now.  I can do a lot of SQL, but not for site development at this time... which is why I'm looking for someone to help put some features in place.

[targetrasp]

The only thing I can really remember from working with databases is the sp_help script!

[BLUEVOODU]

Lol... yeah - Select * from 


SO... what does everyone think?

[Kinikko]

It sounds pretty cool!  I'm all for it and I'll help with whatever I can.

Uhhhhh my school only required a teeny tiny half semester class in SQL and that itself was like 4 years ago?  I hardly remember it but I'm pretty sure it was fairly simple. 

[BLUEVOODU]

yeah... I hear you.  Thankfully no one will need to use SQL skills with this   

well... I might need to use some on up coming pages. 


Do you all see these features as useful?  Contributing to the site and getting more members here?    AND also fun to use. 

[Kinikko]

Yeah!  It definitely seems like a unique thing that will set us apart from other gaming communities. 

[Grindspine]

So, every site user would have a page linked from their profile to a list of games they have.  That list would show next to it if the game was beaten or yet to be beaten?

[BLUEVOODU]

@Grindspine originally I was thinking the list would be striked through once they played it ... in other words, they would update "played" and it would be striked off in the list.

However, maybe it would be good to have a second check box to mark "done.". That can be checked at any time. And the 1st check box would be changed to a drop down to also have a status as:
Not played
Played
Beaten
Beaten with some trophies
Beaten and 100% trophies

Those would be refined ... just a quick list.

So if you click the done check box (let's say you played once, didn't dig, and dropping the game) that'll let you check it off as done. 

Does that make sense?  I just thought about that based on what your said.  It's good to have a lot of input on this to come up with the best idea as I'm going to put a statement of work together for this project ... and for developer assistance.

[Baker_Beezy]

So I like the idea of number one. But probably start with number two. But a game tracker is a solid idea.

[Grindspine]

So.. like..

Grindspine:

PSP: 3rd Birthday     played X    beaten _      100%   _

PC: HOB                  played X    beaten X      100%  _

PC: ICEY                 played X    beaten X       100% X

Somethin' like that?

[BLUEVOODU]

So I like the idea of number one. But probably start with number two. But a game tracker is a solid idea.

yeah... #1 will be an undertaking.... but I might be able to start #1 and finish #2 with the right planning.

@Grindspine   - something like that.  Imagine the headers at top:

       Game:             System:      Status:       Done:

1.)    Zelda               NES           Unplayed       _
2.)    Metal Slug        NeoGeo      Completed    X
3.)    Tetris               Game Boy    Played         _



Now... the Status and Systems will probably be a drop down.    The Systems will pull from the "start" of the Gaming Repository Idea Database.     The Status will be populated from somewhere.  The status will be close / something like what I mentioned above:

Not played
Played
Beaten
Beaten with some trophies
Beaten and 100% trophies

So those will be pre-defined and filled in.

[CreepinDeth]

Oof, I shudder to think what my backlog list would look like.

But sounds like a good idea for most. Especially if they mostly play current gen games.

[targetrasp]

@CreepinDeth No joke...

It'd take a solid day for me to input all that data, and I've got 80% of my collection inventoried so I'd have a list to pull from

[Mai Valentine]

I don't know that I would include trophies/achievements, since those really only started with Xbox 360/PS3. Personally I think saying whether you beat it or not suffices. Although I guess you could just put trophy/achievement options on games that those are applicable for.

On a somewhat related note, I've only ever platinumed one game.

[Grindspine]

Drop down menus sound fancy, but also complex.  Keeping user input simplified would be good.

[BLUEVOODU]

So I like the idea of number one. But probably start with number two. But a game tracker is a solid idea.

@Baker_Beezy - So you like the Gaming Repository idea?   That's something I wanted to do A LOONNNNGGG time ago.  How do you envision it?   Do you see it the same way as I described it?  OR ... tried to describe it that is lol.

Oof, I shudder to think what my backlog list would look like.

But sounds like a good idea for most. Especially if they mostly play current gen games.

@targetrasp @CreepinDeth   LOL... well... it doesn't necessarily mean you have to input all... but you could Input what you would like to accomplish.  That's the other thing, if other's already have lists... would the site be redundant?  It seems a lot of those replying state they would like this feature... but would it be ultimately used?  I want to be sure we spend time on usable features while expanding the site.

@Mai Valentine  yeah... that is a good point.  I was thinking of something over and above to "extend bragging rights..." but maybe the trophies thing is too much.  I Will consider.  It is something that wouldn't be hard to remove or add - once this is moving.


@Grindspine That shouldn't been too hard and would minimize input - definitely keen on minimizing input.  Hoping again to have "systems" as a populated list.


Any other comments on the Gaming Backlog Tracker?  Or Gaming Repository?

@ThravRande @BlastMode7 @mastermario @SpartanEvolved @trkorecky @Aya-Kun @lamer (kirby) @medataoh @retro junkie @busterSouls  -  Do any of you have thoughts or opinions on this? 

Again - thank you everyone for your input as this comes together.

[medataoh]

This sounds like it could be an interesting idea, and honestly, I don't think it would be too tough to put together.  I think it is also conceivable to do both of your options at the same time. A lot of sites have APIs that you can pull game information from. Steam, in particular, has one I just found that has a lot of stuff in it (player game list, achievement list, achievement list for games, etc).

https://developer.valvesoftware.com/wiki/Steam_Web_API

If you do a sign-in with that you can likely populate your 2nd option. It can save people time populating their game lists too. It looks like IGN has one too with some more information that can be used for data.

https://igdb.github.io/api/endpoints/

[BLUEVOODU]

@medataoh That's a great idea....  I'll have to look into exactly how to do something like that.  I'm not a full on developer - that's for sure!  If you have ideas... It would be cool to collaborate at some point.  I'll definitely look into this.

The other thing I'd like to do incorporate are RSS feeds from various sites (our sites) and work on integration.  However... avoiding "duplicate content."  More on that to come later.

[medataoh]

@BLUEVOODU That would be cool. I am a developer so I can help with things like that.

Another thing I also thought of is a field for game length. This way people can put in the time to complete different parts of the game, and then users can sort their backlog by game lengths in case they are looking for something shorter to play.

[mastermario]

^ What does that even mean?  XD

lol... I knew I Would get the what does this even mean.  I couldn't get the idea out on paper.

Was actually referring to @mastermario 's gif post.  xD 

Before BV posted all of the content in his OP, he created this as a placeholder thread with his OP saying only something like "This is a shell topic. More info to come."  So I posted Mario with a shell.

[BLUEVOODU]

LOL... @mastermario When it was still the "shell topic" lol.... ahhh.... funny stuff


@medataoh Cool If I run stuff by you here and there?  If you want to help out as well... we can use what ever help you can offer.  I'm pretty good with SOWs... working on that right now to get the idea "solidified" and see what options we have to move forward with the idea.  I'm looking to implement this and move forward with more future features - and cool stuff that will move this site forward.

Also, good idea on completion time - for those that would like to provide it.

[trkorecky]

I've been tagged (and apparently don't have email mentions set up). I agree with @medataoh though -- the easier it is for people to just import all the information from somewhere (Steam API seems great) and have it populate as much information as possible would be best. Time played, most popular games, common games with other members, etc.

I guess a lot of that the Steam profiles already have, but coalescing console games as well into one group would be cool. Don't think Sony / MS / Nintendo have public APIs though, so might have to do some profile parsing if we wanted things to be automatic. I don't know if other PC vendors have APIs either (Origin, UPlay, Battle.net, Bethesda.net).

Would be cool if we could differentiate it somehow -- maybe add a "Looking for something to play" and other users could vote on the backlog. LFG could compare games people are currently playing that have online. Maybe some sort of genre weighting could be applied to the "Looking to play" category if someone's in the mood for a twitch FPS vs a comp stomp RTS.