Another great interview brought to you by ArcadeAdmin.Com. Thank’s to Chuckun for taking part in this interview. Check out Chuckuns blog at www.chuckun.co.uk
Are you able to give us a short insight into your background?
Sure! For the best part of six years now, I’ve been developing PHP scripts. It all started seven years ago, at the age of just twelve, when I became part of a gaming clan forum. The owner, just a year older than I was, was my initial inspiration into the world of web-development. He could do some great things with PHP.
Then, through simply playing around with open-source php scripts, I was able to start writing PHP scripts myself! I began developing MODs for AvArcade fairly recently though. I decided to set up tazgames.com and looked into the best script to use, and came across Av Arcade. I love the script, and love the community even moreso. That’s all the motivation I need to work on it!
What do you do in your spare time?
I tend to use my spare time to study new programming languages or features, or simply alternative methods of manipulating programming languages. On a more fun level though, I also enjoy playing a free FPS called Wolfenstein: Enemy Territory, if I’m feeling like taking some time off!
How do your mod idea’s come to you?
Usually I get asked to create the MODs I make. Or I see a request on the AvArcade support forums, so I take it upon myself to fulfill it! Sometimes I see a really cool feature on a website, and realise something similar would benefit my own site, so I’ll produce a MOD everyone can use. However, sometimes it’s purely an impulse idea I just randomly think of – those ones, I have to jot down though, as they’re there one minute, gone the next!
Do you own any other script/sites?
I run several websites, but I don’t like to build connections between them, so the only ones I publically announce ownership of are: www.chuckun.co.uk, www.tazgames.com, and www.visitors-online.com
I used to own a couple of simple open-source scripts. However, I stopped distributing them, as I didn’t feel they reflected my ability as a programmer any more, as I wrote them years ago. I hope to release some new scripts soon though!
Which is your best Mod to date?
The Report Game MOD was my best MOD for AvArcade. Since that was used in AvArcade 5.2, I would say my best MOD in development, is the Mass eMail & Newsletter MOD. I have some great ideas for the mod, such as scheduled mailing and other nifty features which will make it a true must-have!
What’s the though process behind developing a mod?
Well to be honest, I find thinking too much about how I’m going to do things, overwhelms me (if it’s complex enough to require thought). So I tend to dive in at the deep end, and just get on with it, and work out the arrangements as I go. This used to cause ‘messy’ coding for me, but I’m used to the general structure of things now.
The general process however, is to create the backend first, then front-end core features, then the template features the user sees to control the mod.
How do you relax at the end of the day?
Usually with a beer or a cup of tea, talking to my girlfriend, and watching a film – Oh the good life!
How do you think Google, and the way it indexes site affect the way Arcades operate?
The best idea Google ever came up with with regards to intelligent indexing, is ‘Sitelinks’ – the 4/5 links that you see some times underneath the top results for searches you make. If your arcade categories get recognised as the substantial navigation pages by google, and you have your categories listed under your homepage result on google, your visitors can instantly find just what they’re looking for! This will most definitely benefit the operation of your arcade.
With the creation of so many different arcades, where do you think the industry will be in 5 years time?
Well, a couple of years ago we saw the crash of the arcade website industry due to the influx of webmasters hopping on the band-wagon. However, I believe that the poor revenue caused by this is slowly forcing people to close their arcades. I think in five years time, people will avoid making arcades, and they will become more profitable again as the numbers of them drop.
What are your top 5 SEO tips for arcade beginners?
- – Keyword density. Make sure you include premium gaming keywords where relevant. Such as “Play *game name* – The free online game from *site name*” instead of just having the game title. This is absolutely essential.
- – SEO URLs. No doubt this is obvious, but it really is a must. Also be sure to include the category AND game name in the URL for perfect SEO.
- – Page content. Arcade scripts generally dont offer enough word content.. Search engines do not like websites with few words.. So make sure you put extra words wherever possible, such as “Browse all our cool action games” instead of “see all” underneath each category..
- – Image ALT tag. Arcades display a LOT of images.. Be sure to make use of the ALT tag within your script wherever images are used. This can generate interest via google images, and counts towards your page’s content type too.
- – Page Titles. The order of your page title is crucial. And with gaming websites, I would reccommend using *gamename* – *sitename*, as anybody looking for a specific game isnt going to care what your arcade is called when they google the game, so you want the game name first.. However, take into consideration point #1!
Are we going to see any major updates in the coming months for any Mods?
The Mass eMail & Newsletter MOD will be receiving a lovely update shortly! Scheduled mail is almost ready – which has been long awaited by many, so watch out for that! I will also be releasing a few new mods too, with any luck!
For the Online Gaming industry what do you believe is the greatest challenge going forward?
Well it’s quite clear now that the market is pretty much at saturation point. Anybody looking to set up an online arcade is going to experience difficulties making any real money. The biggest challenge right now, as with most websites, is creating a unique environment to keep people coming back.
A major key now is social networking integration. As long as you have a plug to one of the major social networking websites, you have a chance of making your arcade work. However, even then you face a massive difficulty in making any good money. My advice is to stick in there, until the faint-hearted ‘give up’ with their non-earning arcades, and free up the industry a little.
What do you believe are the key points to run a successful arcade?
A unique theme is a must! And it must be ‘cool’ – if you make it look professional, it’s going to look too boring for an arcade.. You want something colourful and appealing to both children and teenagers.. So a ‘cool’ look is definitely the way forward!
Inscentive – Offer inscentives to make your visitors want to register.. Once they register, they will most likely return.. And if not, grab the mass email & newsletter MOD and make sure they dont forget about you!
Do something different – I believe that the only way to be truly successful is to do something unique that people will recognise.. Whether it be sending custom t-shirts out to anyone who reaches the #1 player, or creating ‘groups’ or ‘clans’ who will compete.. It’s always good to create a situation people will want to put effort into.
What, in your view, is key to retaining gamers on an arcade site?
As previously mentioned, inscentive, and unique ideas are key here. Creating awards, achievements, or prizes is always an easy way to keep people playing.. But a more automated (and cheaper) method is to create rivalry! Let people compete against eachother with highscores, and they will be determined to stay and claim the title..
Where do you believe online gaming will be in 10 years time?
On the internet, ten years is a LONG time.. Realistically, anything could happen. The way things are looking with the youth of today, gaming could even be banned in 10 years time. Now there’s a dreadful thought, right? But realistically, I believe in 10 years time, online gaming will be incredible. ‘Flash’ games may be created in HTML5, which leaves room for some incredible movement!
Thanks Chuckun for taking part in this interview! Comments welcome!
