| ioi said: One of the hardest issues I face is how "mainstream" do we make vgchartz? We could start including more news stories, site reviews, previews and so on - much like IGN / Gamespot and most other videogame sites out there and provide much more content for all the site visitors to read, but would this take away from the core of the site - the sales figures? I want to be careful with how we improve features like the game database, news articles so that we maybe appeal more to casual visitors without alienating our core userbase. What do people think a happy medium would be on this? One option I am exploring is to set up a vgchartz network. So we form partnerships with other, more typical gaming sites, and share content amongst them. In a way I dislike these networks as they are a little disjointed and I'm not convinced that they "share users" as intended, but maybe it would work better and leave vgchartz as vgchartz? Is a "gaming network" better than a site that tries to do everything (and maybe doesn't do any of it that well)? A lot has been discussed from our point of view in terms of how to run the site and how to expand for the good of vgchartz but I am interested in your opinions as site users (and maybe as website owners yourselves).
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I'm still relatively a noob here, but I do have an opinion about the original inquiry.
First off, I've become a huge fan of VGChartz and use it as a reference any time the need arises. It's amazing what you guys have done here... and anyone can see and has to admit that VGChartz offers legitimate sales data. I've been visiting the site for a few months now and I continue to be amazed by how all the numbers are all within the said margin of error over 95% of the time. Anyone who disses VGChartz in my opinion is either a bitter fanboy who's upset that the numbers aren't where they would like them to be or just someone who has yet to truly observe and give the site a chance.
As for the future of VGChartz... I personally would love for it to stay what it is - the ultimate source of sales data in the videogame industry. I really don't see a need for VGChartz to expand into reviews and previews a la an IGN or Gamespot. However, if there is an interest and demand for reviews and previews, I think it should be provided by affiliate sites. There could be a link to an affiliate site on the main page for reviews and previews or what have you. I like how VGChartz has been handling news, as the stories that are posted are usually somehow relevant to sales performance (or news bits that will somehow impact sales performance in some way).
I'm ramblin', but basically... VGChartz should remain exactly what it is. Expanding is cool (within reason), but I love it how it is right now. I love the numbers and they should remain the central focus. A bit unrelated but I really think the forum personalities are great - how can you not like John Lucas' predictions or Soriku's devotion!? Zucas' great analysis', RolStoppable's wit, and even leo-j has a certain charm to him. (Yes, I don't post much I but most certainly do lurk and read a lot of posts).
Anyways, tha's just my opinion.
