Well don't go blaming me for the layout of the site, as I did not design the imaging.

I left the layout for Tessier' choice because he was the one doing those images for me.

Anyway, I like the design and the layout. Plus, most sites, not just DragonBall Z based sites look very similar when it comes to layout.

Thanks for the input anyway, Scoobert :)

--Lee

Scoobert wrote:

I dont mean the layout, i mean the graphics.

Ok, sorry for my mistake there.

But then again, it is not only DragonBall Z based sites that use similar techniques to there graphics within their sites.

Not only that, I don't even know whether or not Tessier even likes/dislikes DragonBall Z, or whether he has even heard of it.

Also, I have noticed a slight chain going on around in where I ask people for feedback or answers to some questions as of late, not only for myself but to others too. Not to mention it is out of BYOND as well.

When I sometimes ask others to give feedback, in this case and others out of BYOND people, roughly 75% of the time are comparing it with DragonBall Z... I mean, come on... Why!?

Yea, not many people like it, but still, why does the average person ALWAYS jump out and compare things to DragonBall Z as though it is the biggest pile of dog rubish?

You know, I am not going on about this as to having a go at you, but, I am stating that it is really getting on my nerves how people are comparing DragonBall Z with more or less anything that comes into resemblence of it within the slightest touch...

Anyway, as of this moment I am wishing I never asked for feedback because I am pretty cheesed off, although, it is not your fault, and I am not pointing the blame at you either. -- So remember that before you think of starting a flame of what I am saying, although I am not saying that you will flame this thread, considering you have good will and a head screwed on right.

As for the feedback I wished to get from a wider set of people, I guess I will have to look for another crowd of people, fans of Wild Arms if you will, to actually give feedback on the site.

So, I think I will end this now before I blow my lid because thinking about how many people as of late and in the past, that are comparing things to DragonBall Z more or less all the time is infuriating.

--Lee

WARNING: Long post.
Looks like a pretty good site. I do agree with Scoob about it looking like a DBZ site, but thats alright. After all most layouts have a certiant feel about them after youve gone looking around the net a lot.
I see a site that uses a basic frame setup (Menu on the left, main frame on the right) I instantly think the creator doesnt know too much about making a site look impressive.
All in all there isnt much to give you feedback on, seeing as the content is still being added and I dont know anything about WildArms, so I'll stick too comments on the design.
I think its a little too grey, which is alright because it gives a fading sort of feel I assume the creator was going for, but it tends too make it feel boring. Like nothing is changing when you move around the page.
Maybe a little random quote from the game at the bottom of the page (or where it says "Wild ARMS -- A new beginning!") would fix this up. This could also be because there isnt much content currently. The table sizes not changing really makes a site repedative, but that should pass after you fill it up a little.
You could try organizing the pages into differnt categories, and giving each category a colour scheme. However categories would give it a real DBZ feel. (When I see a site split into sections like 'Media' I expect too see 'Full Eps', 'Full Movies' and 'Clips' aswell)
Maybe if you moved the submenu too be underneath the menu. Where it is now I expect too see a bunch of affiliate buttons underneath it.
That would also make it so there is more room in the main frame part, which would really help keep it uncluttered.
Just on that topic I would avoid having affilates. Rather then having a pile of buttons that go against the theme of your layout (Ie a flashing red and yellow button with lots of animation would really mess with your theme), a classic links section is much better.
Not only do you get too save your layout, but the sites will get more traffic from you if you have a little paragraph written next too the link.
Think about it, why do you click an affiliate button? Usually its one of two reasons.
1) Your surfing randomly looking for something too do.
2) Your desperate too find something and just clicking on any link you can find that could lead you too it.
Now isnt it better for your sites viewers if they are looking for something too do if you have a nice neat review next to the link?
And its definantly better when they are looking for something in particular if they have a rough idea of what they are going to find there. Your looking for wallpapers, you dont want to go to a fanfic site, thats just wasting time and annoying.
I did notice you have a links section, but its tempting to have affilates too because its meant to get your site seen more.
Anyway, back too the feedback.
I would change the order of the links on the Menu and submenu. Having a little structure here just helps make the site easier to read/navigate.
Im thinking something along the lines of:

Home
Forum
Affilates
Links
Staff
Legal Copywrite

(Id possibly move FAQ too this menu as well, or make 2 FAQs, a site one and a WildArms one)
And

Downloads
FAQ
Hints
Walkthroughs
Screen Shots
Game Art
Fan Art

As far as the forum goes, make sure that it at least sticks to the colour scheme of the site. Preferably the exact same layout as the site (or slightly modified to make it easier to navigate). It would be a good idea to get the same person to do the forum layout as the site layout.
Try to avoid anything that feels too much like a PHPBB or EzBoard. They are good layouts but make your site feel like just another run of the mill site.
I also find the BYOND style Forums (while good) are rather cheap looking. However in your case I think it would serve the layout better then something more table based like a PHPBB.
Adding a table based forum would make it too cluttered. Hopefully the person who makes the layout can think of some new more inovative approtch too it.
Oh, and the BYOND style forum with the post message box at the bottom of every page is a BIG no no (Unless it is somehow done well). It makes the page look very very low tech (Which translates to crappy in the eyes of most).

Next point. I think that your going to have to try and spread content over serveral pages when possible. Simply because this style layout isnt very good at holding a lot of info at once.
Once you cant see the menu/submenu when your at the bottom its time to slice it up into multiple pages. If you dont things get ugly. You'll be reading a thin line down the middle of the screen.
It also makes you look like you dont know what your doing (Aka unprofessional). Your viewers will assume that you dont know enough about webpages too add anything that isnt built into the layout for you.
Even if thats true you shouldnt let it show. There isnt anything wrong with not knowing HTML and having a webpage, but people will judge you harshly (Despite the fact you could have the greatest information on the internet).

Probably my last mini-rant. You should add a news page instead of using the Home page. Your site will look better (Well, in my oppinion) if you have a nice little welcome message on the Home page.
Just write up a paragraph to say "Hi, and welcome to my site.". It gives off a much more friendly feel, and bad news wont haunt you.
By that I mean right now if you where to post saying 'Where having horrible server troubles, well be up and down all week', then a week later when things are back too normal new visitors will come to your site and assume that your constantly having server troubles.
I do like the layout you have for news posts. Nice and neat. However where is says News; are you going to make that the headline, or just keep it the same for each post? I recommend that you make it the headline if its not already.
Ummm. More on news... Oh yeah. Remember, archive your news. Even a little section with all the old news other then the five latest piled in beats a huge news page.

Bandwidth. You'll notice this when/if you get big. Not something too pay too much attention too right now, more of a issue for when you get your own server. The current layout seems to be pretty bandwidth effective.

Anything else? Ummm. Not that I can think of. Other then make sure to give it a lot of attention. Oh wait. Back on the forum again.
Make sure to keep things professional when your using any powers and stuff. For example, when Dan and Tom are on the forums they dont cuss and consider themselves above the rules. They still have fun and are friendly, but they dont make the rules up as they go.
I recommend having a link too forum rules somewhere when you get into the forums (Not just a post too read). Dont make them up as you go.
And an insanely important thing, make sure too be newbie friendly, and make sure the oldbies dont just go nuts at them. One day the oldbies will leave, and if your community is good you'll never notice because newbies grow up and take there place.


I think thats about everything I can give feedback on right now. If you need someone to test out any new changes for you just update this post. I can also help you get too know HTML if you dont already. Im not promising to make you a HTML master, but I can give you a alright idea of what your doing.

--Sorry to bring DBZ up so much, but its in my head from what Scoob said and I have seen quiet a few in my time.


[Edit] I forgot the first thing I realised when I went there. Using the cjb URL will make it so that the scroll bar is just like everywhere else.
On the topic of CJB.net (Here we go again...) I advise against them. They really make the site come off as average (Everyone uses cjb.net). You could try and find another redirect service. Maybe you'll even get lucky and find a WildArms site that will do it for you.
I know that many sites offer it as part of a affiliates style system. (You use http://yoursite.theirsite.com and they'll add you too a special links section)
Your site should meet (and most likily surpass) any visual standards a site would have for such a system.