Armchair Arcade - Relaunched

**Bill_Loguidice** · 05-24-2006, 08:16 AM

In case anyone was interested in checking it out, we recently changed Web platforms and concepts over at Armchair Arcade (www.armchairarcade.com). We're more blog-driven now for more regular content (in fact, every member gets their own blog, though we still have forums as well). The old Website is still there under the "Armchair Arcade Classic" link. In any case, we're still in beta, though it's active beta. Expect a few tweaks here or there and a visual facelift in the short-term, but basically this will be Armchair Arcade going forward. We'll have the new online and print issue ready most likely before the end of June, then we'll really be rolling again. Thanks.

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-24-2006, 08:30 AM

I dunno Bill ... I kinda liked the old one better ... I'm sure from a backend/admin point of view, this system is tons better. This one definitely seems a bit more boilerplated - but you probably don't have all the customization and stuff done yet. Looks like you're diversifying in content too ... either that or I hadn't been to the Classic AA in awhile

Fight the good fight, man!

**Bill_Loguidice** · 05-24-2006, 08:42 AM

Well, the old one looked much better, but then we had the benefits of a professional artist, which we don't have this time around (there were also nifty user selectable themes based around classic computer and videogame systems, which we don't have now either).

I'll be the first to admit the new site is very plain (and have done so on there as well), but I care more about content this time around. We've done very little structural tweaking to Drupal, though there are some nifty features implemented that are not immediately obvious. Over time, visually it will start to distinguish itself. At the same time, as you know, the old site absolutely crippled our ability to generate articles and content. We no longer have restrictions. That's what Armchair Arcade was always supposed to be about - the writing - so this new one will finally allow us to do that, even though it won't be quite as unique structurally (I mean, really, we were one of the few sites to do anything with e107, and we ended up pushing that beyond its limits).

Anyway, we'll have a splashy announcement once we pull together the next issue and compile a print version, and then things should really take off again. As for diversity of content, we always were about videogames and computers and a little bit technology, mostly with a classic focus. We've decided to ease up just a bit on that, where we'll be doing modern and future stuff, but always tie in it with the classic. Regardless, there are still an infinite number of classic things to cover, so that will still be a huge component.

**Flare** · 05-24-2006, 09:02 AM

When do we expect a new Video Review from you, Bill? I liked the one for Chopper Command you did some time ago.

**Bill_Loguidice** · 05-24-2006, 09:18 AM

I had a lot of fun with that. That was back in 2004. I also posted it recently on "You Tube" and got a good response. I could do a significantly better job now, including green screen work, but I have a lot going on right now. I'm kind of anti-multimedia for the short- to medium-term, as I really want to crank out articles and focusing on any type of media would just suck up too much time.

Right now I'm still writing that book for No Starch/O'Reilly Media, I just finished the work for "Video Game Collector" magazine over the weekend and I'm still in negotations for creating a TV show, possibly through PBS. That's all freelance stuff on top of Armchair Arcade, my regular job and my family commitments. Also, we're most likely going to be moving into a new house within four to six months, so that's something else to kill my time (along with having to beef up my paid freelance gigs to subsidize income). Then our second daughter will be born. So yeah, the plate is kind of full, but I do fully intend to get back into all kinds of things as current stuff gets completed. I have this desire to do so much (don't get me started on what other things I want to get in on), but time will always be working against me.

The one plus with the new house is if we find one that meets our specs in our price range, then it will give me a lot more room and have a true workshop again, where that old video was filmed. Right now it's wall-to-wall with my collection, so it has since ceased becoming anything more than a storage area and very difficult to move around in. I had to significantly beef up my holdings for the book, but there was really no way to accomodate it all the way that I had it. Not complaining of course, but that's just the reality of it.

**SafeCracker** · 05-24-2006, 10:23 AM

I too like the old site better. The new one doesn't "feel" right. Maybe it's just time. I don't sign on very often, but I do pop in every once in a while.

**Bill_Loguidice** · 05-24-2006, 10:39 AM

Yep, just give it time. It's a radical change in many ways. I don't expect a big audience to return anyway until we get Issue 8 out with a "best of" print companion, then the momentum should carry it. We may run a design contest too. That's the least we worried about initially. I and the others (though probably to a lesser degree than me) tired of focusing on everything but content.

**Bill_Loguidice** · 05-24-2006, 10:45 AM

By the way, radical change is tough, but it's also important to remember that the old site has been tweaked constantly since late 2003. It's a bit premature to judge the new Website until we've had at least half a year to tweak it. Suggestions are very much appreciated and always welcomed. We'd love to make it into something that is appealing to most everyone. It's the content part where we'll be doing what we want with...

**Shane R. Monroe** · 05-24-2006, 11:07 AM

Oh absolutely man ... perfection takes time ... and content is king. Don't let us sound negative on you. Please keep us appraised of the latest changes so those of us that don't visit daily can hop over and take a look.