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Chippit
24-01-2009, 11:38 PM
http://www.devmag.org.za/uploads/issue28_cover.jpg (http://www.devmag.org.za/index.jsp)

All dones!

Cyberninja
24-01-2009, 11:41 PM
\0/

*starts downloading...

Q-Man
25-01-2009, 12:57 AM
Please give feedback on stuff guys, it's always appreciated and helps us refine stuff. Personally I'm referring more specifically to the look and layout :)

Cyberninja
25-01-2009, 08:29 AM
Okay. I have some feedback.

I think inverting the direction of the gradient on the Section Bars (far left) would help make the white text easier to read. You could always change the colour, add a thicker stroke to the white text or maybe change that font? Changing the bar into a solid colour might also help.

The broken gears that are attached to the Section Bars are pretty distracting. I don't think they are needed. You'd gain a lot of space if you remove them.

Keeping the elements (images, text, borders) aligned, will make the pages look much more neater and consistent.

I like what you did with the layout in the Flash section. That was a pretty cool idea. Flash Nandrew > All.

Just some suggestions. :)

Fengol
25-01-2009, 09:36 AM
Love the nick change!

Chippit
25-01-2009, 10:55 AM
I like what you did with the layout in the Flash section. That was a pretty cool idea. Flash Nandrew > All.
Flash Nandrew's a hero.

Q-Man
25-01-2009, 11:29 AM
Okay. I have some feedback.

I think inverting the direction of the gradient on the Section Bars (far left) would help make the white text easier to read. You could always change the colour, add a thicker stroke to the white text or maybe change that font? Changing the bar into a solid colour might also help.

The broken gears that are attached to the Section Bars are pretty distracting. I don't think they are needed. You'd gain a lot of space if you remove them.

Keeping the elements (images, text, borders) aligned, will make the pages look much more neater and consistent.

I like what you did with the layout in the Flash section. That was a pretty cool idea. Flash Nandrew > All.

Just some suggestions. :)

Thanks for the suggestions.

Yeah I expect next issue will be more tweaked, I actually didn't plan on changing anything at all this issue, it just kinda happened in the spur of the moment, so it's all very iffy as it is - so yes, I'll definitely take everything into consideration.

The general idea here is to make everything more standardised (in the event that I die or something) as well as to get a look and feel that will be easily transferable to a web-based magazine (as I hear that's on the table, too).

So it's gonna be trial-and-error - but the more feedback we get, the less trial and error there will be. So thanks.

FuzzYspo0N
25-01-2009, 12:32 PM
I love the contents layout, great idea. The article layout has its own flavour, i would hate generic mag 101..but readability is key as cyber points out.

The articles are also cool, loving the mag.

Nandrew
25-01-2009, 12:34 PM
lolflash.

The new contents page is very nicely done, and I do appreciate the move to standardisation.

Design looks a bit rushed in some parts, but this sort of thing was unavoidable given the "last-minute" nature of the work, I'm sure. :P

A quick look at the contents seems to show a fairly comprehensive reviews section (the "second opinion" idea is great, we should try include that more often!), but I still wonder whether or not we shouldn't try to get more designs and tutorials in. Reviews are fun and easily readable, but wouldn't it be good to throw in more design articles, even if each individual piece is smaller?

In fact, it would be great to start brainstorming design articles that are even as short as 300 words, outlining piecemeal concepts or ideas that are more easily absorbed than full-length design essays. What do people think?

Q-Man
25-01-2009, 01:37 PM
lolflash.
Design looks a bit rushed in some parts, but this sort of thing was unavoidable given the "last-minute" nature of the work, I'm sure. :P

[snip]

In fact, it would be great to start brainstorming design articles that are even as short as 300 words, outlining piecemeal concepts or ideas that are more easily absorbed than full-length design essays. What do people think?

Yeah as I said, I never intended on the redesign until it actually happened, so, subsequently, some sections had to go slap-dash, while extra effort was put into others (like the flash thing hehe).

As for what you mentioned about the content, I agree. Reviews are fine, but they need to be a lot shorter. 2 - 3 pages (including the main introduction page which is mostly the grabber) is all that is needed; and I don't think there should be more than 3 reviews in any one issue. The main focus should be development, which I feel it hasn't been, 2 articles or tutorials per issue isn't enough.

In terms of development articles, I'd like to see something on narrative (which I think can be broken up into a few smaller articles covering narrative structure, world concepts, characters and other miscellaneous bits to do with writing) - look at iji, a GameMaker game that has a lot of those elements in it, so it's definitely not beyond this level of game.dev. I'd also like to see more artistic tutorials (what happened to the photoshop stuff?). I just think we need to get out of the slump of code, programming and blender, because Game Development is a lot more than that.

Also, just a final note from my side in terms of layout, and I did mention this to Chippit - with feature interviews, the replies are too long. In terms of web, they're fine, websites aren't limited in space - however the current dev.mag structure is print, so space is limited, and huge bulky answers just -don't- work. I look at the layout of the iji interview, and I'm sure everyone can see the disinterest in it's design.

Sorry to say but I am human (contrary to popular belief) and a lot of the time the way the articles are sent to me determines the level of effort put into it's design. I dislike interviews because, in this case, they're just too long. I realise that the idea is to get as much information from the devs so we can understand what they did, how they did it etc - but I reiterate, web content in a 'print' format just doesn't work, so I'd recommend it be revised - but that's up to Chippit (he calls the shots, ultimately).

As for the aforementioned article structure, for the best results, I recommend that writers clump information that relates into clearly separated 'groups', with headings etc. This way, I can know what information needs to be fitted onto one page, or where to start a new section on another page - this means articles won't end up looking disjointed in layout, and really, benefits everyone; I can do my job better, and your information will be easier to read. But most of all it means I'll look at the work and not groan at how long and busy everything looks, and then want to rush through it as quickly as possible.

Obviously reviews and opinions are a bit different, they're usually just cut and paste. (Though, Nandrew, your opinion was a bit too long - I don't think opinions should go over 450 words, or else things start to look crowded).

Um, that's all I can think of right now; sorry if I sound demanding, I just want the design to look good, and in order to do that, I think we just need to draw some clear lines.

Kensei
25-01-2009, 03:17 PM
I formally, and completely, request that Nandrew changes his avatar to match the utterly awesome picture of him in the Dev.Mag (at the beginning of the Flash piece) :D

Almost finished reading through the mag, so far it looks good :)
Been reading as a consumer, not a critic, so I have no suggestions yet :p

Cyberninja
25-01-2009, 05:44 PM
Flash Nandrew's a hero.

The greatest hero eva! \0/

Q-Man
25-01-2009, 07:48 PM
THE GREATEST

Nandrew
26-01-2009, 10:13 AM
Oh, u gaiz!

Gazza_N
26-01-2009, 12:20 PM
FLASHNANDREW!

Now with demonic goatee and monocle action!

Also, nipples.

FyreWolfe
26-01-2009, 02:33 PM
Thanks for a most exelent issue guys.

I am starting to feel lost if I don't get to read my monthly dose of dev.mag lol

Graal
14-02-2009, 02:44 PM
If you have any place for me, I'd be more than willing to help with some of the reviews.

Joepeach
04-05-2009, 02:36 PM
Howdy. Any Chance of you guys doing a overview on Unreal Ed 3

Nandrew
04-05-2009, 05:01 PM
How interesting that you should mention this so specifically:

http://nag.tidemedia.co.za/?p=921

One UnrealEd overview. A short read which gives you a bit of background about the tool, which applications it's compatible with and the perks of using it. Also provides a whack of links to tutorials, communities and projects.

Packaged with love.

------

If you have any other ideas for Dev.Mag, suggestions will be more than welcome on the prep thread (http://forums.tidemedia.co.za/nag/showthread.php?t=10634). Alternatively, you can swing an email to editor@devmag.org.za .

Pietersielie
19-06-2009, 02:12 PM
Will the magazine be downloadable again I really like the nag but Haven't seen it again since it was only available online. But still its one great magazine

Chippit
19-06-2009, 02:40 PM
I'm not entirely sure if we'll persist with those. They're not really worth the effort. It's something to bear in mind, even if it's irregular, though.