My friends and I attempted to start a weekly game of Dungeons and Dragons earlier this semester. The whole affair was a miserable failure but not for lack of enthusiasm. We really wanted to continue playing, but our group was too large (surprisingly) and we had no capable Dungeon Master. This got me thinking, “What if there were somewhere we could go to find ourselves someone to lead us?” That’s how I came up with the idea of GameCentral.
I tried to keep the website idea fairly simple by not adding in all sorts of unnecessary elements. Its primary function is to serve as a meeting ground for people who want to game together. It is flexible enough to allow users to use it however they want, but it also has enough direction that it is still dedicated to gaming. I envision it as a soon-to-be invaluable tool for organizing gaming sessions.
Inspirations:
http://www.punchbowl.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
http://tappedout.net/
http://meetcarrot.com/
References
Lee, B. (2012, September 6). The Game Anthropologist: Episode 8: An appeal for the feminine gamers mystique. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4TptAE1E4
Roo. (2009, December 30). 16-bit gems: #10: EarthBound - A History [1/3]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvyb_oNybOI
Jahns, J. (2013, August 17). Paranoia movie review. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXc1nDSk9Y
Carr, M. (2011, April 4). VVVVV – Indie Games Searchlight.Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuM3QGBoF5U
Links to used images
D&D Logo: http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/2013/dndlogo.jpg
Settlers of Catan Logo: http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-16020202dt.jpg
MTG Logo: http://lifeisagame.ch/media/image/magic-logo.png
40k Logo: http://static.tumblr.com/bf9ee3bbdcd4d3b7985fa61d1115034c/kyb7l82/DqJmhnwet/tumblr_static_tumblr_static_40k_logo.png
Dark Heresy Logo: http://wh40krpgtools.s3.amazonaws.com/images/books/Dark_Heresy_Core-1.jpg
Netrunner Logo: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/VAslVfZ9p-Y/maxresdefault.jpg
Furry Pirates: http://www.warehouse23.com/img/full/AG3100.jpg
Mansions of Madness Logo: http://upload.snakesandlattes.com/productsimages/m/mansionsofmadness.jpg
Arkham Horror Logo: http://seriouslyboard.co.nz/sb3/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Buy_Arkham_Horror_NZ.jpg
Game Store 1: http://articles.millenniumgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/StoreAboveView1.jpg
Game Store 2: http://www.ozarksunbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/castlehouse2.jpg
Game Store 3: http://www.hauntedgamecafe.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IMG_20120630_145333.jpg
F.R.I.E.N.D.S.: http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/friends-friends-47129_1024_768.jpg
D&D Handbook: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dil78qXaSaI/TzFVlDNDI4I/AAAAAAAAEtI/KNBb4wRilM8/s1600/Dungeons_and_Dragon_3.0_Player%27s_Handbook.jpg
Miniatures: http://blog.gamesparadise.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/characters1.jpg
Dungeon Master: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3rq26dU2K1rsdqwto1_1280.jpg
Map Marker: https://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/metro-ui-dock/512/Google_Maps.png
Tools:http://www.text4all.net/img/tools_icon.png
Controller: http://png-4.findicons.com/files/icons/770/token_dark/256/games.png
Social Media Cluster: http://social-icons.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/minimal_social_media_icons__psd__by_softarea-d5c0f60.png
Private Sign: http://www.mydoorsign.com/img/lg/K/Private-Sign-K-5382.gif
Member’s Only Sign: http://www.mysecuritysign.com/img/lg/K/STOP-Members-Only-Sign-K-7417.gif
Open Sign: http://www.wpclipart.com/page_frames/full_page_signs/business_signs/business_open_sign_red.png
Puzzle: http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/puzzle-3d.jpg
Engine: http://badparentingstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/gameEngine.jpeg
Magnifying Glass: http://www.24psd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/search-icon.jpg
House: http://www.clipartsfree.net/vector/small/go-home_Clipart_Free.png
Map: http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/025/0/4/simple_map_by_rildraw-d4njruq.png
Left Arrow: https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/216437/arrow_back_icon#size=128
Right Arrow: https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/216442/arrow_forward_icon#size=128
Lady w/ WiiBowling: http://www.triblocal.com/barrington/files/cache/2011/01/Bowler-Julia.jpg/460_345_resize.jpg
QR Code: http://www.qrstuff.com/images/sample.png
LOZ Opening Chest: http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/6/60997/1334495-legend_of_zelda_ocarina_of_time_link_kokiri_forest_sword_chest.jpg
LOZ Rupee: http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda06/Walkthrough/05/5b+04.jpg
Scott Pilgrim Level Up: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4eK0bH0i6ak/TLBsveRbaDI/AAAAAAAAAeE/20hcDCH3vQo/s1600/scott_p_level_up.jpg
New Leaf Mall: http://www.desktopreview.com/assets/12360.jpg
I tried to keep the website idea fairly simple by not adding in all sorts of unnecessary elements. Its primary function is to serve as a meeting ground for people who want to game together. It is flexible enough to allow users to use it however they want, but it also has enough direction that it is still dedicated to gaming. I envision it as a soon-to-be invaluable tool for organizing gaming sessions.
Inspirations:
http://www.punchbowl.com/
https://www.facebook.com/
http://tappedout.net/
http://meetcarrot.com/
References
Lee, B. (2012, September 6). The Game Anthropologist: Episode 8: An appeal for the feminine gamers mystique. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZ4TptAE1E4
Roo. (2009, December 30). 16-bit gems: #10: EarthBound - A History [1/3]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvyb_oNybOI
Jahns, J. (2013, August 17). Paranoia movie review. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMXc1nDSk9Y
Carr, M. (2011, April 4). VVVVV – Indie Games Searchlight.Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TuM3QGBoF5U
Links to used images
D&D Logo: http://media.aintitcool.com/media/uploads/2013/dndlogo.jpg
Settlers of Catan Logo: http://www.toysrus.com/graphics/product_images/pTRU1-16020202dt.jpg
MTG Logo: http://lifeisagame.ch/media/image/magic-logo.png
40k Logo: http://static.tumblr.com/bf9ee3bbdcd4d3b7985fa61d1115034c/kyb7l82/DqJmhnwet/tumblr_static_tumblr_static_40k_logo.png
Dark Heresy Logo: http://wh40krpgtools.s3.amazonaws.com/images/books/Dark_Heresy_Core-1.jpg
Netrunner Logo: http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/VAslVfZ9p-Y/maxresdefault.jpg
Furry Pirates: http://www.warehouse23.com/img/full/AG3100.jpg
Mansions of Madness Logo: http://upload.snakesandlattes.com/productsimages/m/mansionsofmadness.jpg
Arkham Horror Logo: http://seriouslyboard.co.nz/sb3/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Buy_Arkham_Horror_NZ.jpg
Game Store 1: http://articles.millenniumgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/StoreAboveView1.jpg
Game Store 2: http://www.ozarksunbound.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/castlehouse2.jpg
Game Store 3: http://www.hauntedgamecafe.com/news/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/IMG_20120630_145333.jpg
F.R.I.E.N.D.S.: http://images.fanpop.com/images/image_uploads/friends-friends-47129_1024_768.jpg
D&D Handbook: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dil78qXaSaI/TzFVlDNDI4I/AAAAAAAAEtI/KNBb4wRilM8/s1600/Dungeons_and_Dragon_3.0_Player%27s_Handbook.jpg
Miniatures: http://blog.gamesparadise.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/characters1.jpg
Dungeon Master: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3rq26dU2K1rsdqwto1_1280.jpg
Map Marker: https://cdn1.iconfinder.com/data/icons/metro-ui-dock/512/Google_Maps.png
Tools:http://www.text4all.net/img/tools_icon.png
Controller: http://png-4.findicons.com/files/icons/770/token_dark/256/games.png
Social Media Cluster: http://social-icons.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/minimal_social_media_icons__psd__by_softarea-d5c0f60.png
Private Sign: http://www.mydoorsign.com/img/lg/K/Private-Sign-K-5382.gif
Member’s Only Sign: http://www.mysecuritysign.com/img/lg/K/STOP-Members-Only-Sign-K-7417.gif
Open Sign: http://www.wpclipart.com/page_frames/full_page_signs/business_signs/business_open_sign_red.png
Puzzle: http://www.hdwallpapersinn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/puzzle-3d.jpg
Engine: http://badparentingstudios.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/gameEngine.jpeg
Magnifying Glass: http://www.24psd.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/search-icon.jpg
House: http://www.clipartsfree.net/vector/small/go-home_Clipart_Free.png
Map: http://th03.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/f/2012/025/0/4/simple_map_by_rildraw-d4njruq.png
Left Arrow: https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/216437/arrow_back_icon#size=128
Right Arrow: https://www.iconfinder.com/icons/216442/arrow_forward_icon#size=128
Lady w/ WiiBowling: http://www.triblocal.com/barrington/files/cache/2011/01/Bowler-Julia.jpg/460_345_resize.jpg
QR Code: http://www.qrstuff.com/images/sample.png
LOZ Opening Chest: http://static.giantbomb.com/uploads/original/6/60997/1334495-legend_of_zelda_ocarina_of_time_link_kokiri_forest_sword_chest.jpg
LOZ Rupee: http://www.zeldadungeon.net/Zelda06/Walkthrough/05/5b+04.jpg
Scott Pilgrim Level Up: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_4eK0bH0i6ak/TLBsveRbaDI/AAAAAAAAAeE/20hcDCH3vQo/s1600/scott_p_level_up.jpg
New Leaf Mall: http://www.desktopreview.com/assets/12360.jpg