Big NinDB Thing

[Fryguy64]

I received an offer today from a particular news website to merge the content of the two. Now this isn't the first time this has happened, and I've always declined...

so far...

But the offer comes from a site that I am a regular visitor to, because they share the same ethos as NinDB towards game coverage, with a lot of focus on Nintendo-published software. They have also already implemented a lot of ideas I had for NinDB, and to be honest, I would have just nicked their content.

The offer is not based on money. It is based on content sharing. I am becoming a creepy Nintendo factoid man, and someone wants a creepy Nintendo factoid man.

More importantly, they have a large, good-quality readership. Pretty much like I have here, but larger. That's important, because as the actual games lists became completed, it has been outside contributions and suggestions that helped Nintendo Database grow into a kind of mad Nintendo realm. So obviously I love you guys, because you fix my errors, and come up with good ideas... so I am asking YOU!

Should I say goodbye to my three-year old, one-manned barge, and climb aboard a massive seagoing vessel with a full crew?

Now, this isn't finalised yet, I'll make that clear... they offered it to me, but they might decide I'm an ass with too many conditions (I gave them a list). I will post the name and address of the site as it looks like something may be finalised (although some of you may have already guessed what the site is), but I guarantee this offer was different to the previous offers I've had.

They can help me, and I can certainly help them! But only if I'm allowed to keep my cameo pages

[Solid Snake]

...what site is it? Mushroomkingdom...naa...I give up!

Anyway I don't which site is it, so could you post a link to it? so we MAY check it out and deside wither it's a good idea to murge or not.

[Fryguy64]

I'll post the name and link when I receive a response.

[Fryguy64]

The site that has offered is N-Sider.com. I'm talking through it with the guy who offered it, but I still need your feedback on it.

After all, you lot must be NinDB's biggest fans or something to hang around in this empty dump! Haha, kidding.

[Slink E]

This could be a kinda bad thing...I mean, I always wanted a sort of "NintendoDatabase.com" kind of thing, where everyone submits gaming ideas, and what about the forum? I heard merging forums is a stinky idea, and the forums could no longer be the "guest-happy" place that it is. But, I'd think about it more.

[TrustTheFungus]

N-sider is a pretty cool site. Been going there alot because of the whole waprpipe/DS thing. But I actually, haven't read much of the stuff on the site... I guess I come here for any info I need on Nintendo.
Would you still get to do your Nintendo Stars thing? It's become one of my favorite parts of this site, so I hope so.
What would the site be called after the merge? I think Nintendo Database is a cooler name...
One thing I don't like is the merging of message boards. I'm not quite sure what the mods are like, or the rules there. I hate place that are way to strict about everything. Like serebii.net, no more then three colors of text in a signature? And if you just mention a different site in a post they lock it for advertising.
...I just finished reading the forum rules, and I don't see anything that jumps out. Other then no images in signatures. I normally don't put images in my sigs, but I don't have a problem with them. Actually, I just noticed that there's no pictures AT ALL. That sucks. I normally don't read names, just look at the picture and I know who it is. That's a REAL problem. IMO
If they can fix the forum problems(The more I think about it the more I dislike them), and you're not getting screwed in the deal, and it's what you want, I wouldn't mind.
But in the end it's up to you. It's your site, so I wouldn't want you to be unhappy with it.

I just have to say this again: I really dislike those forums.

[Andronicus]

Hmmm...

Well, what I like about NinDB is that it's SO Nintendo.
I found the site by accident, and really like the game lists with boxart, a small synopsis, and cool cameo info and pics.
You don't find that anywhere else, and I'd hate to see all that go...

Also, this site has a retro feel to it, that I like (cos I'm into retro-gaming) and N-Sider doesn't have this look... this isn't a problem, as such... but... you know...

It's up to you - it could work out great, who knows...
I can't really say, I'm just a site visitor.


EDIT:
OK, just checked out N-Sider. and it's actually really good!
They have a pretty good database over their too.
Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to merge... but then again, it's up to you, and that would sacrifice the style of this site, which I really like.

Your call Fryguy!

[mrfindlay]

I had a feeling in would be N-Sider.com when I read this post yesterday.

It's totally up to you but both websites seem to compliment each other, as N-Sider.com have useful information such as full credits for most games and in-depth profiles of the staff, while the Nintendo Database feels like it has a lot more personality to it.

I would prefer if you didn't merge this forum with their forum though, as while there aren't a lot of posters here, it has a nice feeling to it, as I've never seen any flaming or trolls.

[Ernster]

Well Id rather you didnt merge....I like this site and forum a lot, It doesnt get updated often but it just oozes with Nintendo quality.

[Xeno82]

Well, sharing content and linking to each other seems like a cool idea, but as the previous posters have stated, Nintendo Database has great personality to it. It feels almost like a good Nintendo game.

[Fryguy64]

I feel I need to clarify a few things:

Nintendo Database will close
Yep, I am not sharing content, I will be moving my content over there. They get my content and myself (and hopefully my faithful contributors), and I get their content (staff lists and profiles, a real database to work on, and with no loss to my usual output responsibilities). However, this will mean Nintendo Database's content will no longer be exclusive, and when a lot of it has moved, Nintendo Database will close.

N-Sider will not be changing names
The site will share me and my mass of years of research. They will not change the name. Not that Nintendo Database was a well-thought out name. First of all this isn't a database, it's all hand-coded HTML. Secondly, I thought it up in about three minutes, including a Google search to make sure nobody else had it.

What happens to the forums is up in the air
I'm really surprised that so many of you have grown so fond of these forums in so short a time. But I have to make clear that the one and only reason we don't have a mad number of rules is because there's been no-one being a pain. Everyone has had something to say, and have done so responsibly. If someone were to turn up and break that responsible attitude then I would instate rules, perhaps even ban people. I'll admit N-Sider's forums are a bit harsh in a certain number of rules... but if some people are going to abuse the system, then everyone suffers. It would be no different here if NinDB had a higher profile.

Of course, these forums aren't on Gamespy, so I could keep them open, but who would read them without a site attached to them? Debate this please.

The look of NinDB
Again I'm surprised that so many of you like the look of NinDB. Thank you very much, but personally I despise it, and have tried to destroy it on many occasions. Notice how this is the third consistent layout I've had in three years (grey and black, followed by the blue layout, followed by this grey/black/purplish hybrid) with lots of smaller changes in between that were never fully implemented. It's not a horrible layout, but it's not perfect. N-Sider's isn't perfect either, but at least it will be out of my fickle hands.

Nintendo Stars and Cameos
My number one condition was that if I moved then the cameos came with me. They have accepted that, and would like to fit it into the site somehow. I also said that I would like the freedom to do other things, like occasional features (eg. Kazumi Totaka's Song Guide) and also occasional artwork (eg. the Nintendo Stars section). To me, though, the Nintendo Stars section is me doing drawings, and sticking some text onto them as an afterthought. I've been assured I can continue to submit artwork there, and if I manage to convince them of the benefits of franchise lists, maybe I could work some kind of storyline thing into it eventually. But this section is only important to me as something I can draw for. As long as I can keep drawing, I'll be happy

N-Sider already has the groundwork laid down
This was my key reason for feeling this was a good idea. They already have lists of Nintendo-published games (and are discussing making them easier to navigate) and a suitable layout. I've been visiting them for a while anyway, mainly for their newer game information, but when I saw they had Nintendo-published sections I thought "Hey, they ripped me off!" Now it's a blessing, as if I join with them, I will not need to create entirely new massive databases to accommodate what NinDB has to offer. It will be easy to transfer information across, and with the minimum of additional effort.

Anyway, that's my clarifications out of the way. Continue the discussion, if you please!

[Ace_ETP]

You seem to have already made up your mind, so I'm just going to ask how exactly willl it work. Will NinDB be a sub-site that you access by clicking on a link in N-Sider or will the NinDB menu bar bar be totally inegrated into the new N-Sider one?
Since this forum ins't on GameSpy, could you still keep it after the merge?
I have to say I'm sot of sad, because of this site being more like a little private completist fanboy's materialized dream with a lot of personality rather than a big corporate site. Im'n not saying this trying to rule against your judgement, and I haven't been to N-Sider much, so I'm not one to speak.

[Hiker of Games]

Curses, looks like someone beat me to the merging, ah well.

[Fryguy64]

In a way I have kinda made up my mind about it. I originally started the site as a place to keep all my research on Nintendo's entire software catalogue. I didn't know if anyone else would be interested, but thankfully it turned out they were.

But if I were to ditch Nintendo Database, it would have to be for a site that:
A) Would gladly receive everything on the site I consider to be important.
B) Would allow me to expand on it with less fuss than I am already having
(handling the entire site by myself, with constant pestering to keep the game lists up to date is a hassle and no mistake).
C) Would be based on the same Nintendo fanism that I have not only demanded of myself, but also of my affiliates.

But N-Sider isn't corporate. They don't get paid. They just do it because they love Nintendo. And hey, they really know what they're talking about.

We just know more about the obscure things ;D

[TrustTheFungus]

I'm not sure how long I could stand the N-sider forums. I'd sure miss my R.O.B. picture. And I'm not sure if I would keep going to these forums. If there was still other people coming, probably, but if half of them left...

I'm glad the cameos will be kept. I'm really hoping you can do the Nintendo Stars. Your art is really cool, but I like the art + info thing.