OpEd:Enter Encyclopedia Gamia!
Wikia - creating communities
Contents |
[edit] Greetings and Salutations
On behalf of the users and administrators of the formerly independent Encyclopedia Gamia, we're happy to be here at Wikia. Now, if you'll allow, I'd like to take a moment to speak with you about the possibilities and opportunities waiting for all of us by cleverly utilizing a resource as broad as the new wiki you'll find at Egamia.
First, a special thank you to all the Wikia staff who helped make this move happen. Without their work, collaboration, and overall groovitude, the EG would still be tucked away in a corner, by itself and without all the amazing features that make this place great. We mean it. Thanks!
[edit] Identity and Introduction
Hi.
I'm Achernar, the founder and one of the administrators of the Encyclopedia Gamia. It's nice to meet you and nice to be putting down a foundation here at Wikia. I hope that, in months to come, you will clearly see the need for a resource like the Encyclopedia Gamia and that you will be one of the many to chip in and assist us in creating an even greater resource than what we've had before.
First, a small amount of background.
[edit] Existence and Baggage
So what is the Encyclopedia Gamia?
It's an attempt at being the broadest resource available for games of all types. It's a collection of information, a resource that covers a broad range of gaming topics and targets, and also a springboard for something very exciting and very fresh.
Egamia has merged with the previous Gameinfo wiki to bring you the most comprehensive resource possible on the greatest amount of gaming we can find. We've even brought to the table content that you won't find elsewhere. Egamia came out of a need to provide the most exhaustive gaming resource we could think of. It's been community-driven from the start, filled with intelligent and productive editors, and loaded with content and resources you won't find everywhere. It's grown from a loose collection of articles into a nice network or articles and references to assist those people who are looking to find additional information on a game, no matter the type or the name.
Using the Encyclopedia Gamia, it's possible to have articles for many games that perhaps are too limited in scope or in audience to have wikis of their own. For instance, Halo has a great resource in the form of the Halopedia. It has a rich backstory, three games and multiple sources of media, and a devoted, large fanbase.
On the other hand, you have a game like Uniracers. It didn't have anything more than a cult following. It certainly didn't shatter any sales records. It was released before the Internet as we know it was anything more than science fiction. But it has a place, and article, and a great write-up here at the Encyclopedia Gamia.
[edit] Invitation and Declaration
This, in short, is what we'd like to offer with the EG.
Imagine a central service, someplace where people can search first for games when they're not sure what to look for. A place that can contain a "nutshell" write up for anything and everything related to gaming - and then send that visitor on to other, more focused wikis if they have a desire to learn more.
The EG doesn't need to be the place for detailed write-ups on the weapons and suit powers of Samus Aran. That kind of information would be far more useful and easy to work with in a larger resource based on the Metroid universe.
You'll be seeing more on this in the near future. There's enormous potential in giving small games a home on Wikia Gaming, and directed users to more in-depth resources when appropriate. We hope you'll take a look and see what you think of the Encylopedia Gamia. I think you'll find it to be an awesome resource and something with a lot of potential.
If you run or make regular edits on one of the more exhaustive wikis, please visit as well. Take a look at the network of pages dedicated to your game of choice. If you notice anything out of sorts, go ahead and correct it. Then, for now, place a link to your corresponding wiki page at the bottom. We're working on getting a little template made for external wiki links, to provide some notice that grabs attention that - HEY - there's more information on this topic over here.
Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some work done.
