Zelda Universe - The Next Version - What do you want to see?

Well I won't keep it a secret anymore. Development has started on the next version of Zelda Universe, currently codenamed something as cool as Zelda Universe: Generation 3 - The development just went from the planning stages to the actual development stages, and currently we are working on setting up both the new design, and the new system which we will be using.

And yes, you heard me, a new design. After sticking this design (an excellent design by the way, I am confident enough to say that with the fear of looking like an over-confident loser) since July 03, I think it is once again time for Zelda Universe to refresh its image, and take a new turn, hopefully for the better.

We are calling it "Generation 3", because as we see it, this is the third time Zelda Universe is "reborn", so to say. First we started out as a small-time fan site, on man project, then we took a huge step with this design, which has insipired all the variations of our look since, and ultimately it resulted in us becoming one of the most popular Zelda fan sites online.

Now with this new version, we feel that the change will be even bigger, and hopefully it will do us just as much good as the last "rebirth" did. Taking a step away from the traditional "fan site" designs, we are changing to a somewhat more "serious" design, which features less eye-candy, but all the more functionality. It goes without saying that many will probably complain about the new design at first, as it is quite a radical change, but I think that in the end everyone will learn to appreciate for what it is worth.

Features. There will be TONS of new features. The main change is that we are converting to a Content Management System (CMS), this will allow us to completely control the site online through a Control Panel, which allows for much easier updating, and also makes way for the hiring of new staff members, as HTML will become more or less needless. Scott (KokiriKid) is the first person that will be experiencing this, as he will become a full-fledged webmaster with the change, and he is also fully assisting me with re-building the site now, so congratulate him with his "promotion".

To the features which the general visitor will notice - Site membership will now be sitewide, register at the site, and you'll have access to the forums, image gallery, and everything else. Plus, you can contribute too! Links pages, Encyclopedia, Mailbag - You can contribute to these sections, and everything is done online, and all is accessible for members. More media is also on its way, but media will only be accessible to registered members, as a way to restrict the server load and bandwith usage. Membership is, of course, completely free and without obligations! And also, there will be a search function, so that you can search the site if you can't find what you are looking for.

So now we are looking for YOUR suggestions and wishes. What do YOU wish to see in this new version of Zelda Universe? We will be refining and brushing up on most of the content, and making it completely up to date, but we want to know exactly what YOU want from the new Zelda Universe.

Don't be afraid, suggest anything you think would be cool to see in the new version of Zelda Universe, and every last suggestion will be taken into consideration.

The game icon things should be on top like they used to be.

Well design-wise, there's really not much left for suggestions, as the design is as good as finalized. But I can reveal that the games menu will work a little differently than in the previous designs, so yeah.

Cool, AnakiN, sounds very cool. One question:

What colour is it going to be?

(just wondering if you're making a move away from the blue)

well.. i hope everything is still blue.. its just works for ZU..

so what do I want to see?
hmmm... more continuity, the current design does a good job, i wanna see an even better job, perhaps you should have different themems, holiday themes, game themes, zeldalegends has somthing like that.

perhaps a flash into could be added to the website, just for special effects and stuff.

As for the colour theme, I'll keep the actual new look a surprise, but for now I'll just leave it at this: We are afterall changing our image and appearance, but when it comes to that, the changes won't be too drastic, but we are moving a little away from the current one, which is afterall what we've been sticking to for the past two and a half years or so. Nothing too drastic (such as turning everything pink), but changes will be made

And as for the themes, it is definately something than can be easily achieved with the new setup, and ultimately we will be considering it, but don't expect to see multiple times at the time we launch. Making completely new themes would just be too much work, and there's already tons of other things that needs to be worked out before that. But in the future, various themes is definately something we will be considering, but since I feel it is important to create an "image", so to say, for the site, nothing too different from the main theme will be put online, but holiday themes for instance, is an option.

As long as it's a dark background I won't mind. Please don't make it bright, my eyes are bad enough as it is.

Originally Posted by "Heero Avaren

Texaco owns the patent for a water powered engine

I've seen the new layout (an older version and an improved newer one), and made a few suggestions myself, some implemented to varying degrees. It's quite nice, and I can say that ultimately, it's not a huge departure from what we've got now - don't expect something all-black with banners pulsating electricity or anything. Suffice is to say, it retains a similar feel to the original but is more modern and clean in its design.

As for the new features, I don't really roam the main site a lot, but I can say that the new system will make things much nicer for all users.

Wanna name what CMS you're using?

I don't know if it is possible but maby you could put in a chat room or something. But then again, considering the people we have on here at one time (usually small as far as I have seen) it might not work

Originally Posted by White Dragon

I don't know if it is possible but maby you could put in a chat room or something. But then again, considering the people we have on here at one time (usually small as far as I have seen) it might not work

Dear God, please don't tell me you're serious.

Durh.

Although, it is down for what appears to be the weekend. If you have an IRC client then join #zelda on www.gaffoonie.com for a temporary solution.

o-o

/me smacks the n00b with a large trout

where have you been for the past year... geez And seriously, to think that the chat was created because of the hackings... *strokes his own ego further*

Yes, Jimbo... you made the chat. Feel special.

Originally Posted by Heero Avaren

As long as it's a dark background I won't mind. Please don't make it bright, my eyes are bad enough as it is.

Don't worry. We wouldn't do something evil like having a bright green background. Website backgrounds should always be dark colors, I think.

I jsut have a question...will this affect both the site and the forums? Because if so, you've already seen my suggestion on the forums...

But for the site, I really don't know of anything I would change, except move the game links back to the top...'tis really annoying using a scroll bar just to find stuff on AoL.

The upgrade will affect the forums, but not much. The main difference is that the forums login will be the same login as for the fan fiction, image galleries, and comments for the main site.

There may also be a few appearence changes, to match with changes made on the main site.

all usernames from the present are going to integrated, right?

And to post before the post whores do: Post counts as well?

Originally Posted by Lozzie

all usernames from the present are going to integrated, right?

And to post before the post whores do: Post counts as well?

Yes, I'm quite sure all current forum data will be pointed over. The biggest difference for the forums will most likely be the new layout, and the fact that those making a new account will be able to access the forums and main site alike.

The forums will still be the same, I said. The layout may change slightly, that is all.

Originally Posted by Kokiri Kid

The forums will still be the same, I said. The layout may change slightly, that is all.

I'm actually wondering the extent of the layout changes - I assume some icons will be changed, buttons, the banner, and some of the colours. Anything else?

Buttons, colours, well, basicly everything in the forums will be redesigned as well, to fit to the new site.