Why is this site optimised for 800*600 and not 1024*768?

[darkmistx]

I see that if I change my resolution to 800*600 the page fils the screen yet if I change to my default 1024*768 the page only fill up 2/3rds of the screen.

[JMix]

That's funny...
I've also got mine on 1024by768 but it's filling my screen just fine...
hmm...

[E.T.]

<div class=\"smallfont\">I see that if I change my resolution to 800*600 the page fils the screen yet if I change to my default 1024*768 the page only fill up 2/3rds of the screen.</div>

I tried both resolutions, using three different browsers:
results were identical, all displayed full screens.

[darkmistx]

no, it only seems to happen when I search for a game review. Normally the page is okay like viewing this forum for example.

[Chris]

Like the rest of our network, our sites are designed for 800x600 (except here in the VGR forums, where it stretches 100%). It was a decision made by our own design guys and our third party design group.

[darkmistx]

Why? Most people run at 1024*768 resolution anyway. Is there not a way to accomodate for both?

[Chris]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Why? Most people run at 1024*768 resolution anyway. Is there not a way to accomodate for both?</div>
At the time that this design was built, the majority of all internet users browsed with 800x600, which is the standard when designing web sites. When it changes to 1024x768, you'll probably see most large sites designing for the new design standard. Sites like Yahoo still design for 800 wide, so that should be indicative of what the standards are:
http://shopping.yahoo.com

The alternative is to force people who use 800x600 resolution to use scroll bars to see the whole page when browsing the site. Obviously, that isn't acceptable. If you can show me some reports that suggest that the majority of internet users use 1024x768, I can forward that to our design team for the next design revision. The only way to accomodate for both is to use a variable width design - which we did away with for a number of reasons. We still use it here in the forums, only because the new software makes it easy to do so, and there are less issues in the forums that make a fixed width worth using like there are in our other sections of the site.

[darkmistx]

OK fair enough, but you could at least make the content shift to the centre of the page instead of aligned to the left. I t just looks stupid with so much space being wasted on the right hand side.

Another thing, this site isn't exactly easy on the eyes. I personally don't like sites where the colors alternate between balck and white. Could you not take a leaf from the old site deisgin and make the review boxes say an intermediate color between white and black and then have black text. I don;'t know if anyone else feels the same way but for me that would be biggest improvement you could make. Otherwise I have to strain my eyes when reading the reviews. Thanks.

[Chris]

<div class=\"smallfont\">OK fair enough, but you could at least make the content shift to the centre of the page instead of aligned to the left. I t just looks stupid with so much space being wasted on the right hand side.</div>
I'm trying to get that pushed through.
<div class=\"smallfont\">
Another thing, this site isn't exactly easy on the eyes. I personally don't like sites where the colors alternate between balck and white. Could you not take a leaf from the old site deisgin and make the review boxes say an intermediate color between white and black and then have black text. I don;'t know if anyone else feels the same way but for me that would be biggest improvement you could make. Otherwise I have to strain my eyes when reading the reviews. Thanks.</div>
Not exactly sure what you're referring to here - to my knowledge the reviews are all white background with dark gray (almost black) text. Please explain a little more and I'll see if I can help.

[Chris]

<div class=\"smallfont\">OK fair enough, but you could at least make the content shift to the centre of the page instead of aligned to the left. I t just looks stupid with so much space being wasted on the right hand side.</div>
The site will be centered as of tomorrow ;)

Slowly but surely guys, I'm trying!

[darkmistx]

Good work, thanks. ;)

I have another suggestion.

What happened to the system box where people could list their system specs? This was one of the features I really liked about this site because say if you thinking about buying game X you could see what system people were running and see if yours matches theirs. If some guy with similar specs says something 'Game X ran like a slideshow on my comp" then you would know to avoid it.

The sad fact is that Game publishers min requirements are very rarely accurate.

[Chris]

<div class=\"smallfont\">Good work, thanks. ;)

I have another suggestion.

What happened to the system box where people could list their system specs? This was one of the features I really liked about this site because say if you thinking about buying game X you could see what system people were running and see if yours matches theirs. If some guy with similar specs says something 'Game X ran like a slideshow on my comp" then you would know to avoid it.

The sad fact is that Game publishers min requirements are very rarely accurate.</div>
Is this in the Reviews section? If so, we'll also be implementing a different review form for the PC gamers (like it used to be), but for right now, we're having everyone use the same form. I know - another feature sacrificed, but it's not gone for good, just put on hold.