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Gwarrraglable!

Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 3:38 am
by takyoji
GrrGrah. GRWAR!

I keep neglecting this forum, and keep feeling like crap about it. I just keep having memories of "the good ol' days" of it back in it's prime time. But I've also certainly by no means have lost any interest in the werewolf "fandom" (or whichever word is most appropriate).

I have grand intentions of significantly improving it, but nothing really gets done as I don't entirely have a complete visual image of what I'd like to, web design-wise, to motivate myself the whole way. I do professionally work (as a job) on implementing web designs from a Photoshop mockup from a graphic designer, as well as filling in the gaps. I certainly can do the graphic design process for a website, but it's a much longer and slower process than it is for the average seasoned graphic designer, to get the same results.

The ability that I do lack however is anything drawn/illustrated, such as detailed backgrounds, iconography, etc. At this point I'm pretty much willing to throw money at someone to make any necessary assets, given that some forum members I've poked on deviantART in the past haven't responded. I think really all that's needed is just a proper header background (no mascots or anything unnecessary like that).

Instinctively many people might think, "Well, it's a werewolf forum, why not have some badass werewolf in the background/header?" Well, I worry that it'd probably be too hit-and-miss, as perhaps the commissioned artist's art style might only appeal to a small subset of the members. Whereas something a little more generic/tame might work, like some ominous moonlit forest night or something. Or I don't know, maybe I could just go with solid colors or faint textured backgrounds with no visual assets (other than the logo).

Anyway, when/if I feel that the website has been improved completely, my intention is to do an email blast (in CAN-SPAM compliant fashion) announcing that the forum exists, and has been improved and so forth. Unfortunately the 10th anniversary of the forum was last year, so I failed that opportunity completely, so it'd just be a generic announcement.

Overall, I really, REALLY would like to have the community alive again, as I absolutely miss that feeling of community and all the interesting content people would post (short stories, RP, art, etc). That's generally what's been on my mind for the past few years.

Re: Gwarrraglable!

Posted: Fri Sep 04, 2015 2:37 pm
by Uniform Two Six
Sounds cool, dude. I'd put my name in the hat -- y'know, if I could draw worth a damn. Oh well. Good luck with it. I'd still advise poking the Deviant Art guys. Somebody has to check their email from time to time.

Re: Gwarrraglable!

Posted: Mon Sep 07, 2015 2:37 pm
by Meeper
Instead of a generic big-bad or classic full moon, perhaps have the moon reflecting off water pooled in a muddy paw print on the ground? Subtle, indirect, and possibly a little more original.

On a side note, there's a slim chance I might assault everybody's poor unfortunate brains with some of my fictional writing. :o :lol:

The Meeper

Re: Gwarrraglable!

Posted: Mon Oct 12, 2015 7:00 pm
by Gevaudan
Like I said in chat, I think the designs you have already are showing some promise, and I'd love to see a blend of the old design with the new ideas you're proposing in terms of new designs, artwork, and a place for members to submit content.

Getting this forum back off the ground won't be easy, but a brand-new temporary/prototype design would go a long way towards helping that. And honestly, I think you'll get more people rejoicing over the new artwork rather than criticizing it; anything is better than what the forum currently looks like. :P

Archiving some of the old threads might help too. I don't know how to contact older members beyond maybe some new development with Freeborn going public enough that they'll hear about it and come back, or reaching out through what contact info they have on their profiles here. This post on another forum (from, geez, 2006?) might also help, it's the only really good info I could find about reviving a forum.

And holy crap, The Pack has been around for over 10 years?! WHOA! :o