Dungeon Master Forum

You may have seen in the Feel the Fear thread that I have a new web portfolio online.

One of the things that's viewable is a sample of The Dungeon Master Codex. (!!!!)

It's been available in a password protected area of the site for some time, and both Beowuuf and Cowsmanaut had access to it -- and both gave me some very good feedback. Since I wanted to allow potential clients to view it, I removed the protection. Anyone visiting my portfolio can now see this sample of the Codex as it currently stands.

I thought I would finally let you all know. It's been so long in coming that it's only fair that you can get to see something. I think it will also be useful for me as I have been so close to it for so long, that I may well have missed very obvious things. I'm sure you all won't hesitate to give me feedback -- it will be gratefully received (you can do so in this thread). Part of me would still have preferred to put it online,complete and with a big bang, but never mind.

A few notes about the site:

1) It's in no way complete, so don't complain about broken links or missing pages -- I know all about them. It's also because I didn't want to give too much away in the sample site, so you'll still have to wait for the full version.

2) The text is likely to change especially the background story -- it's currently too dry to be interesting; it needs livening up. Writing isn't my strong point as you'll probably notice... All other pages are subject to change too. There are still pictures to add or modify and functionality to improve, but what's currently available should give you a taster of the site.

3) I would be grateful to know how the site performs for those of you on modems. I've got broadband at home and it's very quick, so I have gone a bit over the top with graphics -- if it turns out that it's too slow, the design may need to change. I'd also like to know the speed of your computer and your browser software/version number.

Try it here: www.dmcodex.com/sample/

wow, impressive.
im working for a community-pages network (ok, im forum-moderator, but i read and see a lot) but you outmatch all these pages (like diablo2.de) in terms of graphics and style. The icons on the dm-section are one good example, as is the bestiary-book...
all i suggest, in terms of speed, is using a frame for the navigation. the page is fast enough (adsl), but the reloading of the navi is somehow confusing.
i know, thats a page for the community, but i still suggest putting an ad-banner on it (i'd click it gladly!). maybe thats the wrong direction, but i think, you could do very well in designing such pages, maybe for more actual games. with a world of warcraft-page (example for a game which will have MANY fans) in the same quality you could get 1000s of hits a day.

These sample pages are just great, both in design and content!
But now that you spoiled the surprise (no more big bang effect, like you say), why don't you put online all the pages you've already done, and then make updates as you work on it?

Yeah - I'm with Christophe on that one. Especially if you want criticism on the writing - show us what you got, it'll help to form an overall impression.

Regards, PitD

I'm simply too busy on other things at the moment to do any more work on Codex.

Thanks for the positive comments so far guys. If any of you get any time to look at it in more detail, and can offer feedback, that may encourage me to get a move on with it...

Did you get a chance to think of other bestiary idea before you became swamped?

Cool . Just had a quick look and it looks most uber . Love the little pics and stuff. I don't find it particularly slow but i have a BB connectoin as well

It loaded just fine with me ( I'm currently on a 56k).

I Would say something but it's already been done so i'll expess it in one picture...



EDIT: I'm getting too old to be messing up this badly on my spelling and grammar.

Note to amber: Thanks for the positive comments, but there is no way I'm going to add banners to the Codex! Yes, it costs me money, but I'm not going to spoil it with adverts for viagra and home loans.....! I want everyone to experience it the way it should be -- advert free!

Note to fuzzface: no further changes to bestiary at present. But it probably will change - I'm still not happy with it.

Perfectionism can be a disease -- help me survive it!

best way to survive it.. is to ignore the symptoms.

you already have all my suggestions.. I imagine you implemented some of them already.

moo

One more thing: I also tried it with a 56K modem, it's perfectly bearable. The graphics are very much to my liking, especially the icons for the menus, great job there.

About the only thing I did not like was that in the bestiary book the names go from left to right and then downwards instead of top-down on one page and then starting on the next. But that's just a matter of taste.

Hope you're going to add bits and pieces in you own time - looks fantastic already.

Regards, PitD