Hello, my apologies for a late reply of sorts, I've been highly busy with some other matters.
For simplicity's sake, I'll just post the skeleton I designed, minus my findings so far, so that it is clear what I am trying to do. My apologies in advance if that is inappropriate, but I cannot find anything against it.
Here's what it looks like (please note that this was first typed addressing just me, so they "you"s are conceptual yous and not actually you if this makes sense and there is no need to ask why I typed instructions to myself):
Basically I described to myself (yes yes, I'm strange) what I think needs to be done, and how to format the answers for the guide's purposes. Due to other obligations unfortunately, it's going slowly since I also have to evaluate information, but hopefully one day I'll get most of it!
I am constantly updating the skeleton as new ideas of what type of information to include comes to mind, but then again it may be much of an information overload for the guides' purpose: to introduce and make sure gamers are more or less on the same page in terms of knowledge of the universe that's been created. It also provides the informal background expertise and knowhow of those who then might want to enter the professional word. Think of it as being well-versed.
My biggest issue so far is simply evaluating information, and deciding what is important, what isn't or how to structure it. Of course I wouldn't know, because I myself am not a gaming wizard by any means, nor can I think and find out about everything and anything.
(Policy:
If it?s good, whether popular or not: include it. If it?s popular, whether it?s good or bad, include it. If it?s bad and unpopular, don?t include it.)
Good and bad are subjective, but I suppose more is better.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Video_game
1- The basics to get into it:
A) General Websites (get in touch with general communities that generate articles and points of interest):
The filter here is essentially: if it?s good, include it. If it?s popular, include it. If it?s bad and unpopular, no need to include it. It is subjective after all, but the highlight should be on the big and good to keep track of.
-Name: Link
First paragraph of about us
Wiki link
B) Review Sites (see which games are hot and those that are not). Do note that those sites also double as generalist websites, but they specifically :
The filter here is essentially: if it?s particularly good, include it. If it?s popular, include it. If it?s bad and unpopular, no need to include it. It is subjective after all, but the highlight should be on the big and good to keep track of. The lesser sites are included in one of the links.
-Name: Link
First paragraph of about us
Wiki link
C) Stand-alone forums (get in the conversation):
The filter here is for the site to be as general as possible, going as broad as the scope of genres perhaps. Specific game forums however would be too specific, while platform forums (pc/ps3?) should be general enough. If it?s active and has merit, it should be in.
-Name: Link
What to expect in terms of content/topics being discussed.
2- Getting to know the Gaming universe:
A) Big gaming corporations nowadays:
The filter here is simply whether the company should absolutely ring a bell or not. Big titles/franchises must also be recognized via companies and vice versa.
-Name:Link to official Website; Wiki-link
Companies list of some of their biggest successes and/or why it?s big.
Important people/names (function) if any:
B) List of consoles you should be familiar with:
Console name, release date (company); wikilink
Something about it and why it?s important.
C) List of Big Franchises that you should be familiar with:
It?s a bit of a repeat of the first section since we include the company, but not all franchises are included in the previous sections. Here we list the big and the great franchises that are must-knows and maybe some not as essential but still good to be familiar with. Otherwise, the more the merrier.
Name of Franchise/company owning franchise; WIkilink
What it?s about.
Number of titles in series per format, or some relevant numbers.
Possible youtube links depicting some of those franchises? key moments?
D) Events/conferences you should keep track of:
Any and all events related to video gaming on a large scale should be included, meaning whatever is strictly local or far too focused won?t be good if it?s not big enough to grab people from all over the place (like an event at a bookstore).
Eventname: Website link; Wikilink
What the event is and why it?s relevant.
Where and when it happens.
E) Video Gaming facts and trivias(history/events):
Bunch of facts thrown in here as part of trivia perhaps or just good things to know.
-Fact (link if possible)
-Fact (link if possible)
3-Now that your repertoire is big enough, you might enjoy these links for fun and information (but mostly fun):
Anything that?s grand here, no filter unless it?s really really unknown and bad/inactive. From parodies, to shows, infotainment, webcomics, music sites?really anything that brings homage to video gaming.
Name of?whatever: Link; Wikilink
What?s it about
Who made it.
4-Want to delve in deeper and get to some real information? Here?s the really advanced
A) Individual Articles:
The articles here are those from non-gaming websites and preferably those that appear on big media platforms like The New Yorker or BBC. Interesting articles and all that, why not! Find out what the rest of the world has to say about video gaming.
Where the article comes from (Author-date published): Link
First paragraph.
B) Books:
All books that have for topic video games, no matter what they say about video games. Should be trivial to find, the only problem being finding too many and missing out on some.
Author(s) names; Title (Publishing location: Publisher, Publication date).
Synopsis, or backside of the book, anything that gives a sneakpeek at the content.
C) Movies:
All movies that are adaptations from games must be included, no matter how Lord awful they are. There shouldn?t be any reason to skimp out on content here, we just need to see the true scope of what?s been done to date.
Screenwriter. Movie Title. Directed by Director. Place of production: Producer, year of release.
D) Magazines:
Magazines seem obsolete at this point, I?m not even sure it should be included. Proper formatting to be decided if magazines are worth knowing about.
E) Topics you should be aware of:
If you can think of an interesting topic to keep track of?this is it.
Topic. Link to resource where you can get overview of the issue if possible.
F) People you should know of:
If you think they should be familiar, they probably should. Like Jack Thompson.
Name, what they do, why they?re important if not clear. Wikillink if possible.
