PCGamingWiki:Editing guide/Introduction

Project

Andytizer is leading this project. To discuss further please visit our Discord on the #projects channel.

Aims

More relevant qualitative information for gamers researching a new PC game that is not constrained to single bullet points.
Information about the history and current state of the game.
Additional natural content for improving search engine ranking.
See discussion in these threads: 1 2 3 4

Guidelines

This is the first free text area on PCGamingWiki and our aim is to describe the game in a neutral manner constrained by facts and not driven by criticism, outrage or bias.
Every claim should be individually referenced, ideally with a snippet e.g. <ref>{{Refurl|url=|title=|date=2020-05-09|snippet=}}</ref>
The first Introduction parameter does not need referencing, as the developer/publisher/taxonomy etc. should be self-evident.
It is important to consider 'undue weight' and only include issues that has affected/will affect a significant number of players.
Any issues (e.g. platform issues) mentioned must be proven with multiple original sources otherwise they will be removed.
Issues that are fixed within a 48 hour period after launch are not to be included.
When discussing platform 'exclusivity', be as objective as possible and refer to direct concrete statements and release dates rather than conjecture.
Delays should be mentioned but only if longer than one month. Multiple delays can be grouped together in a single sentence.
Linking should not be distracting, there should be a maximum of x1 link per type per section, e.g. linking the word [[Steam]] only once per |introduction, subsequent mentions of Steam within the section should be unlinked.
One is allowed to space out the |introduction, release history and current state parameters for clarity, it will not affect viewability on the page.

Introduction structure

Introduction - this section has no header, it is simply prose separated by paragraphs in this {{Introduction}} template:

Syntax

{{Introduction
|introduction      =
|release history   =
|current state     =
}}

introduction

gamename is a taxonony/perspective/mode/genre etc. featuring key/unique gameplay features made by company published by company.
Templates to reference taxonomies are not complete yet, for now simply link to the category page in lower-case, e.g. [[:Category:First-person|first-person]].
game is a sequel/prequel in the series or related series or is a spiritual successor. Start the game name with bold/italics.
game uses engine plus any noteworthy engine information compared to other entries in the series.
game is important/noteworthy for any other reason.
This row has a basic structure that is autofilled, as long as the modes/perspectives/genres/series is entered into {{Infobox game}} with the relevant Taxonomy rows. It should be overridden where possible.

release history

game was first released on platform on date.
pre-release information including early access, crowdfunding, closed beta, etc.
platform changes with platform (Steam, EGS, GOG etc.) including delays, technical issues.
launch was successful/had issues with player number milestones if noteworthy.
history with a focus on technical issues: e.g. major bugs, inability to access the game, DRM, missing advertised features, features missing from console counterpart, missing endings, etc. and whether any of these problems were fixed.

current state

current major issues that have not been resolved yet.
updates/support is the game regularly updated technically (patches etc.) or content (DLC, expansions, microtransactions or free content updates). Roadmap of future content or features.
multiplayer describe the scene, give an update on number of current players, is it possible for players find games?
modding are there official tools, how are mods distributed.
improvements mentions of essential mods or quality of life improvements, link to anchors further below.
major community additions ONLY INCLUDE if there are major communities outside of 'General information' links such as already linked Steam, GOG, fan forums, e.g. substantial modding communities, Discord communities, alternative servers, hacked multiplayer etc.