VGG User Guide: Contributing to VGG 
The content on VGG is created by users, and without it, the site would be pretty empty. While the data currently in the system is a good start, there is plenty left unentered. If a search doesn't return any results, you can help out by adding the item.
Creating New Items
Items can be added to the database using the Create options under the Misc. menu. Select the item you want to create and you're on your way. However.. you should do several things before creating an item:
First, read the VGG User Guide to Data Entry. This covers what is considered an acceptable item, and details the fields you need to fill out for an item to be approved.
There are four sections of the Data Entry Guide:
Video Games and Releases: Video_Game_Guide_to_Data_Entry
Series and Franchises: Video_Game_Guide_to_Data_Entry:_Series_and_Franchises
Characters: Video_Game_Guide_to_Data_Entry:_Characters
Hardware: Video_Game_Guide_to_Data_Entry:_Hardware
You also should check the appropriate pending queue to verify the item hasn't already been submitted by another user:
Pending Videogames
Pending Videogame Hardware
Pending Videogame Characters
Pending Videogame Platforms
Pending Videogame Genres
Pending Videogame Themes
Pending Videogame Franschises
Pending Videogame Series
Pending Videogame Modes
Pending Videogame Versions
Any additional notes which you would like to provide the Admins approving items should go in the Notes for Admin section. This may include sources, additional names for the item, or any questions or comments you have about the item submission.
Submitted items go into a queue for approval by a VGG Admin. The approving admin will evaluate your submission, and may contact you with questions or provide you with a link to revise the item if data is missing. While the Admins do try to promptly process the queue, they are volunteers and depending on the number of pending entries, it may take a few days or more for an item to be approved.
Items which are pending may be used in data fields in new items. For example, if you want to add a game developed by a company which is also not in the database, you can submit the company item, and it will then show up as an option in the Developer field for the game release. The database processes which provide this functionality are not immediate, and so it may take a short time before the submitted item is recognized.
Items which are approved result in GeekGold being awarded to the submitter. The amount of GeekGold awarded varies by the item type and the quality of the submission.
Cloning
When a new item, such as a game release, is fairly similar to one that already exists in the database, you can use the "Clone" function found on that item's Information Module. This will create a new item record will all the existing item's data. You can then change the fields which are different, and submit the new item.
Releases
Video Game Releases and Hardware Versions are initially added when creating a video game or a hardware item. Creating one of these items requires at least one release/version. Additional releases/versions can be added to a game or hardware item from the appropriate module on the item's page.
You can use the "Add Version" link on the module header, or you can view the version and use the Clone functionality.
Corrections
Everyone makes mistakes, and whether you come across an item with an error or incomplete data, or accidentally submit a new item with bad data, mistakes can be fixed.
Every item page has a Correction link in the Information Module. Selecting this will take you to a page that will allow you to select the fields needing to be updated, and supply the corrected information.
Corrections are submitted for Admin approval, and you can help the process along by making a note in the Notes to Admin field describing why you are making the change, and providing any sources you can to verify the correction.
Approved corrections are awarded GeekGold, and the amount varies by the number of fields corrected.
Uploading Images
An image can be uploaded to any item with an Image Gallery. By selecting the Upload link from either the gallery or the Image Module, you will be taken to the image upload page.
Before submitting an image, you should read the Video Game Geek Image Policy.
From the upload screen, use the Select File button to browse your local system and choose the image(s) to be uploaded. You can upload more than one image at a time to the same gallery.
After selecting your images, you need to select the image category for each image. This can be either Game, People, or Creative.
Game images are images directly associated with the item: A picture of the packaging, media, or hardware, or a screenshot of the game.
People images are images of people interacting with the item: People playing the game, a photo of the game developer(s), or photos from a release party.
Creative images are artistic images created to complement the game. These must be original works of your own creation.
You should also provide a brief caption for the image. Any notes that you feel the moderators should know about the image should go in the GeekMod Note section.
Lastly, you should select the appropriate license you wish to attribute to your image.
The actual images are uploaded when you select the Upload Images button. The upload progress bar on each image will show the upload's progression, and when complete, the image status will show the image as Uploaded. You can use the View link to preview your image.
Uploaded images are submitted for #GeekMod, where other users will supply their opinion on whether the image should be approved or declined.
Images that have been approved are awarded 1 GeekGold.
Uploading Files
A file can be uploaded from any item with a File Module. Selecting the Upload File link will take you to the Upload a File page.
Make sure to read the File Upload rules before submitting a file.
From this page, you will be asked to submit your username and password, a title for the file, and choose the language and license for the file. You can use the Browse button to locate the file on your local system. Provide a description of your file, and read and agree to the Terms of Service.
Submitted files are added to a queue for Admin approval. File approval occurs at a much slower rate than other items, and it may take up to several weeks for your file to be approved.
Approved files are awarded 1 GeekGold. Depending on the quality of the file, an admin may choose to award a greater amount.
Creating Walkthroughs
A walkthrough for a game can be created from the Walkthroughs Module, via the Add Walkthrough link.
On the Create Video Game Walkthrough page, create a title for your walkthrough, and select the versions which your walkthrough will be applicable for. Add the languages the walkthrough is intended for.
The Publish option displays your walkthrough to the public. You can choose not to publish the walkthrough, so that you can develop it, and then publish it at a later time. Once a walkthrough is published, you can not unpublish it.
The Open Editable option allows for other users to be able to edit your walkthrough once it is published. This feature is good for creating community-built walkthroughs.
The Description should be a description of the walkthrough - what it is, who it is for, any special notes or comments you want to make, etc.
After saving the item, you will be taken to the Walkthrough page.
From the walkthrough page, select the View this Videogame walkthrough link. This will present you with the wiki page on which you can create your walkthrough.
Data Links
Items in the database can be linked together to illustrate relationships between them. This normally happens automatically as items are created, such as linking releases to a game, adding a game to a series or franchise, or associating a company to a game.
Images uploaded to an item can be linked to a particular version of that item. From the expanded More information section of the gallery, or from the individual image's page, select the Add Version Link option. This will provide a dialogue from which you can choose the version to link the image to. The first image linked to a version will automatically become the representative image for that version.
Images can be linked between different items, so that they only need to be uploaded a single time.
To link an image to an item, browse the gallery the image is in. From the gallery, you can choose the More option for the desired image, and select Add Link. This will display a "Link image to another item" dialogue box. Select the target item Type (Thing, Person, or Company), and then type the name of the item in the Name field. Select the item from the drop down. You can add a note to the moderators detailing why the image should be linked to the additional item.
You can also do the reverse, linking a target image to the current item by choosing the Link Image option on the Images Module. From the "Link Image to Video Game" dialogue, you choose the type of item the desired image belongs to, and the name of the item. The image section allows you to enter the Image ID of the desired image, or you can use the magnifying glass icon to display a gallery to select the image from. Again, you can add a note to the moderators explaining why the image should be linked.
Submitted data links are approved via GeekMod.
Web Links
Web Links are created by choosing the Add Link option from the Web Links module on an item's page.
On the Create Web Link page, provide a title for the link, and the URL to be linked. The description should be a brief summary of describing where the link will take the user.
Pending Web Links are approved by VGG Admins.
GeekLists
Put simply, GeekLists are user created lists of items from the database. The relationship that ties these items together is determined by the creator, or at their option, by other users.
A GeekList can be created from the GeekLists menu, by choosing Add New.
On the Create/Edit Geeklist page, you begin by entering a title for the GeekList, and a description of the GeekList's purpose and the relationship which is used to choose the items on the list.
The Domains section allows you to determine which of the Geekdo sites can see the list, and from which items can be selected. A list with only the Video Game domain can only use items from VGG. Adding the Board Game domain will also allow items from BoardGameGeek to be used in the list.
A private list can only be seen by yourself. Otherwise, the list will be viewable to the public.
Allowing Public Additions enables other users to add items to the list. Allowing Comments will enable other users to make comments on the list and its items.
If the list is intended to be used for trades or auctions, select the Trade/Auction list.
The publish option allows you to determine if the list will be visible on the front page of the site. If you select this option, it will not be published, and you can choose to publish the list at a later time.
Special Sort allows you to determine how the list is sorted. Normal sorts the list in the order the items are added. Rank sorts the list by Game Rank. Average sorts the list by average rating. Title sorts the list alphabetically.
Preview allows you to preview the description, similar to previewing a forum post.
After choosing save, you will be taken to the list page, where you can add items. Items are added by choosing the Add Item link in the lower right of the title section of the list.
When adding an item, you first select the category of the item. This will allow you to search for the name of the item, select the image you wish to use, and create a comment to go along with the item.
The subscription options allow you to subscribe to the entire list, or to be notified only when someone comments on your item.
GeekMod
GeekMod is a method for users to help approve content submitted to the site.
Select content - Images, Videos, Image Links, Articles (reviews submitted for GeekGold, and Data (representative images) - is moderated from the GeekMod interface, accessible via the GeekMod option under the Misc. menu.
Submitted content is presented anonymously to the moderators, who view the content and any comments or moderator notes made by the submitter. They can then choose whether to approve, skip, or decline the content. The "approve and recommend" option will also give a thumb to the content if it is approved. Declined content may require an explanation by the moderator. After a certain number of votes have been collected, the system will approve or reject the submission.
GeekModerators receive .01 GeekGold for each submission approved, and .05 GeekGold for rejected content.
GeekMod is not a perfect system, and input on the system can be submitted via the VGG Suggestions Forum
Thumbs
Thumbs are a method of recommending user contributions. Forum threads and posts, images, files, walkthroughs, and reviews can all be thumbed by clicking on the green thumbs-up symbol next to it. You can remove your recommendation by clicking on the same icon, which will turn red once you've recommended it. You may click on the number next to the thumb to see which users have given their recommendation.
GeekGold
GeekGold is a virtual currency used to acquire avatars and badges on the site. Some users also sell items for GG, or put unwanted items up for GG auctions. It can also be used to purchase premium benifits.
GeekGold is earned by submitting new items, images and files to the site. Other users may also chose to tip you for posts or contributions they find particularly valuable. GeekGold is also earned by becoming a VGG patron
To tip a user, click on the GeekGold coin underneath their user icon next to the relevant contribution. This will allow you to choose how much you wish to tip the user. You can view who has tipped a user by clicking on the number of thumbs received for the same contribution.
Tags
Tags are one-word descriptions which users can use to categorize content on the site. Details on the use of tags can be found here.
Social Networking
Twitter
When recording a play, you can choose the "Post to Twitter" option, which will post a brief message to your twitter followers announcing you played the game, and providing a link to the game page. The first time you use this functionality, you will be directed to the twitter site to authorize tweets from your account.
Facebook
You can link your VGG profile to facebook from the Profile page under My Geek.
There is a facebook app that will interact with items in your collection.
Once your accounts are linked, you can choose to become a fan or "like" items in the database. This will display the item on your Facebook profile.
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