Some ideas I've been tossing around...

[Melf]

I've been thinking of some new article ideas that we could do that don't require a great deal of research. I think the reason most contributors do reviews instead of features is because of the research and fact-checking (I know what it's like. The SVP chip article took me about 14 hours, and about half that was research). Even so, they are really popular and help to distinguish us from other Genesis sites out there.

Here are some suggestions to try and spark feature-writing. These are just ideas, so feel free to suggest improvements or to just say they suck. All titles are tentative as well. :p

- Genesis Around the World: We have readers and posters from all over the world, so why not give us a little info about what the Genesis scene was like in your homeland? This wouldn't be a narrative, like something for Stories from the Book of Genesis, but would instead focus on places to pick up games, like stores and flea markets, info on bootleg availability (if any), and info on what a Genesis gamer had to do and where he had to go to get his fix!

- Final Round: We could do a feature detailing strategies for beating final bosses in Genesis games. Lots of pics and step-by-step guides for victory!

- Lost in Translation: Detail the differences between the Japanese original and the localized versions. Games like DJ Boy and Streets of Rage 3 would be prime candidates.

- Hard to Port! Details the changes made to home versions of arcade ports. Tells what was missing, added, etc. Games like Moonwalker and ESWAT would make excellent candidates.

This is just me brainstorming, but I really would like to see other people write features. I've been considering starting a real Sega-16 staff but don't know if there's interest.

Thoughts?

[David J.]

I think they area good ideas. Lost in Translation gave me an idea, what about Genesis games that have various running changes like Revenge of Shinobi, or Super Monaco GP?

But having staff for a website is hard. Sometimes they might vanish without a trace and never come back, and some don't take it seriously.

It's all up to you, but just my two cents.

[Joe Redifer]

I like the Lost in Translation and Hard to Port ideas. I think David J has a good idea and it would be nice to see a list of all of the versions of a game like Revenge o' Shinobi and the differences. What's different about Super Monaco GP? Wait... don't tell me. Save it for the article.

What would the staff do besides write?

[Melf]

I'm thinking we could use about 4-5 people. Sega-16 currently puts up 2 reviews and 2 articles a week, since I'm the only one on full-time. With a staff, each member would be responsible for doing 2-3 reviews a month as well as 2-3 articles. Articles could be in any existing series or the new ones mentioned, or just about anything Genesis-related.

[David J.]

I'm working on such a thing for Revenge of Shinobi, and I've seen FOUR unique revisions for the game.

I have one with no marvel screen, yuzo's name on the title screen and it doesn't have batman.

[ThunderForce]

I can do a Genesis Around the World article. ;)

[Melf]

That would be great!

I'm going to add a poll here, just to see what everyone thinks about us adding a staff. Basically what I'm looking for is 4-5 individuals who love the Genesis, have decent writing skills, and are responsible. I don't want someone who agrees to join and then drops out a few weeks later. We have a pretty relaxed schedule (which is still a lot of updates for a retro site), and I think that 2-3 articles and 2-3 reviews a month is not a lot to ask.

So step right up!

[ThunderForce]

That would be great!

I'm going to add a poll here, just to see what everyone thinks about us adding a staff. Basically what I'm looking for is 4-5 individuals who love the Genesis, have decent writing skills, and are responsible. I don't want someone who agrees to join and then drops out a few weeks later. We have a pretty relaxed schedule (which is still a lot of updates for a retro site), and I think that 2-3 articles and 2-3 reviews a month is not a lot to ask.

So step right up!

I could do it, school is out next week and I'm still buying a lot of Genesis games. Also I have a lot of knowage of the system itself so sign me up.

PM me for details.

[j_factor]

Isn't Hard to Port basically the same thing as Side by Side?

[Melf]

Not really. In SbS, you focus on the differences between two versions and evaluate them to see which comes out on top. HtP would show what was left out of the arcade original or how the game was changed completely. It's not evaluating, just informing.

[landstalkerx]

I don't really have the time, nor the motivation to consistently write that many reviews/features per month. However if you have any interest in a technological expert of sorts, ie. I could fix any design problems, or help with layout changes then I'd definitely be interested.

[Obviously]

I wouldn't mind there being a Sega-16 staff as long as there's also outside contributors which the site has really thrived on and brought people like myself here to review games that others had neglected to.

[VinnyT]

I already have ideas for the first two on there!

If I was an actual staff memeber, I could probably get 2 reviews out a month, and an article a month if time permits.

I graduate in lessa than a month, which means alot more free time for me!

[Melf]

I don't really have the time, nor the motivation to consistently write that many reviews/features per month. However if you have any interest in a technological expert of sorts, ie. I could fix any design problems, or help with layout changes then I'd definitely be interested.

Consider yourself our official webmaster! :)

[Genesisdoes]

i could do some reviews, ive got free time over the summer and plan on going to the fleamarket every weekend to buy old games

[Genesis Knight]

I've wanted to get in on something like this from the first time I saw the site, but I'm not sure if I have enough ideas to do the 2-3 articles per month. All the same, I'd love to give it a shot - through all the reading I've done here and at other sites, I think I have a pretty thorough knowledge of the system (even if my info on other consoles is a little shaky at times). Anyway, I suppose I'm tossing my hat in the ring, unless the 2-3 articles thing is mandatory.

PS: The new article lines you suggested sound solid; especially the first two. The second set doesn't interest me personally, but I understand that it would hold appeal for others.

[Melf]

Thanks for the support guys. I'll be posting the criteria for staff evaluations shortly, so stay tuned!

[David J.]

So, are you still going to accept features and reviews from readers, sans Reader Roundtable?

[Melf]

Sure! Readers can still contribute all they want. :)

[Drixxel]

While I'd be very interested in joining on as writing staff, I don't think I have enough Genesis-related inspiration to put out that volume of work consistently every month. I enjoy the Genesis and its games, no doubt, but it's not an obsession for me.

[Kikoskia]

I don't know. I enjoy writing stuff for the site, but I don't know if my games collection is large enough to write so many reviews. :p

As for articles, again I don't know if I could write enough unique ones that would be interesting to read.

And I haven't been at the site long. My knowledge of all things Megadrive isn't exactly amazing. -_-

[Joe Redifer]

I enjoy writing stuff as well but I don't think I could come up with enough stuff to keep up with the schedule. That'd be my only problem. Is "That'd" an actual conjunction?

[Genesis Knight]

I think it is.

[sega fan]

hey melf
i'm wundering if i could be part of the sega 16 staff
i'm also wundering if i could do a report on the many revisions of sonic 2
i'm already reviewing the sega home consoles and portable sega software
and i am starting a genesis around the world article
i might be new here but i have a LARGE amount ideas and articles for the site
on the plus side i also have a lot of spare time cause i just got out of skool
and when i do sumthin' i don't give a crappy,under-reseached article
and i'm willing to be fully dedicted to giving quality info.
and i'm willing to be extremely dedicated to finding quality info.
i'll even give quality info on systems like x'eye and cdx
so melf what da ya say... i'm up for it... just give the word
__________________________________________________ ___________
* insert sarcastic comment here *

[Cataulin]

I enjoy writing stuff as well but I don't think I could come up with enough stuff to keep up with the schedule. That'd be my only problem. Is "That'd" an actual conjunction?


Well That'd would be "that would", but I dont think its an offical conjunction.....