This is a review that I've posted up on the forum, and will be including in the next issue of ih-klek-tik, which I hope to have up-and-running soon:
Good Game App Review
I've been testing the Beta of the GG App for a couple of days now, and have come up with the following:
Good Points
*Bajo and Hex's chicken rating on the first page of a game review. This can save having to watch or read the review, as it's to the point.
*The ability to read a review, rather than watch it. Those of us with limited downloads per month can still enjoy similar content without being penalised.
*Layout is easy to use. Swiping the main menu at the top cuts out a number of steps that would otherwise be frustrating.
*Achievements. Chevo-hunters will drool over this. I'm not sure what is required to unlock the achievements, as this section of the app is merely eye candy.
*Profile. Like the achievements, I am unsure as to what this section is going to fully entail. Will the username be linked to the forum? What is exactly required to fill the sections named 'Reviewed', 'Playing', 'Wanted', 'Completed', 'Pile of Shame', and 'Fanboy'? As I can't test this section completely, I can only comment on the inclusion.
*Having the ability to watch a single video review, rather than a whole episode of the show. Gamers have particular tastes, and not everyone is interested in every single game that is reviewed on an episode of GG. This is a fantastic idea.
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Bad Points
*Not being able to view the entire app in landscape. The main page is in portrait, but when viewing a video, it kicks over to landscape. Please include the ability to view the entire content in landscape.
*Most of the content contains reviews. Fair enough, this is what GG is famous for. However, it would be assumed that the app would extend beyond the confines of the TV show. Adding such elements as developer news, price wars, bargain hunter's corner, etc, would add depth to what is currently a shallow app.
*Load time is fairly slow on mobiles. This, of course, could be due to the processor on such a small device. The Samsung Galaxy S doesn't like kicking into the GG app quickly. My ASUS Transformer tf300T doesn't have an issue with load time. The app may need tweaking with specific models in mind.
*Blue, blue, blue, blue. Is there any chance to have the GG blue a little more subtle, and have pages with a black background with white writing, or vice versa? Seeing so much blue after a while can become, shall we say, monochromatic? Keep the GG Blue as a border or header fill, but change the content colour to something else. Maybe even take a page out of the colour scheme of this forum!
*Lack of screenshots on written reviews. Users who prefer video will get the cut scenes, but there are no such trade-offs for people who choose to read the review. Please include screenshots in the written reviews.
Other Suggestions
It would be nice to see the following on the app:
*Bajo and Hex biographies.
*Special deals for GG app users. (eg, coupons for EB Games, JB Hifi, Dick Smith, or any store that sells games/accessories)
*Points for viewing reviews, so that people who don't have time to write, can still be rewarded for using the app. The points could go towards an achievement.
*News about game-related or pop culture events, tailored to a users state. Eg, GameCon, ComicCon, Supanova.
*Giveaways. Everyone loves a freebie. Why not include a weekly competition that can only be accessed via the app? This would generate more users, thus widening the audience of GG.
Overall Thoughts
The app is an excellent idea. I often miss GG because I'm too busy playing a game. Sure, I could watch the show again on iView, but if I've got an app that can give me a general breakdown of what I've missed, I can then simply read a review, or watch a particular segment.
Kudos to ABC TV for 'getting with the times' and allowing users to connect with GG on the go.
