How can we best improve VGChartz?

[super_etecoon]

Sometimes I think people wish for the golden age of VGC and don't realize that that time has come and gone, and it doesn't have to do with numbers, users, image, or console wars.

VGC came into existence when we were still using MySpace, flip phones, and landlines. I spent hours and hours refreshing the front page. At that time I spent hours and hours in front of my PC. When I got home from work that's where I went. And on my days off the PC was never far away. The cameraderie of the site was amazing and it was great to have people to communicate with about a hobby we all enjoyed, as opposed to wading through Yahoo forums or the dreaded IGN/Gamespot forums.

Around 2010 (and for some before) both Facebook and smartphones really took off. Facebook is a time sink and especially was for the first half of this decade. And no one can stop looking at their smartphone screen these days. Sadly, and there's not much to be done about this, VGC was never optimized very well for the small screen. Between obtrusive ads, unclickable links, and the general difficulty of posting anything lengthy or meaningful, it just became easier and easier to quit VGChartz. Not permanently, but certainly more successfully than it ever had been between '07-'10. I mean for a few years there I may have had a clinical addiction.

I don't know if this anecdote is true for everyone, but I know it is true for me. I usually only hit VGC while at work, and usually I delete my comments before posting them to avoid arguments or thoughts that I don't have time to follow or finish.

I still appreciate the site, especially in these last few years as changes are being made for the better design wise. The numbers will never stop being fun and entertaining and informative.

I do think the front page could use some softening, with more rounded edges, cleaner lines, and maybe just fewer sections. The top bar looks nice and clean, but the moment you drop down into the main page, clutter seems to reigns supreme. I think that's because there are several aspects of the site all vying to be the most important part of the front page, which I understand. It takes a team to make something like this work and you don't want anyone's work to seem overshadowed. No matter what you'll never be able to please all of us, or even a majority of us, but it's great to see the site looking for input on a regular basis.