This is the Data Entry Guide for Hardware, the main guide with all the general info and some other things can be found at Video Game Guide to Data Entry
Create Hardware
Hardware, is any kind of non-generic physical component that can be added to a game system, besides the game system itself and is target directly at game playing. Hardware is tied to a platform and to a manufacturer. Since the PC, Mac, Mobile platforms are very generic, and to keep them useful, the following items are not allowed as hardware:
- Generic computer hardware (the only exception are game pads and game controllers);
- Cellphones, mobile phones, smartphones;
- Specific hard drives for newer generation (a generic hardware should be used);
- Multipurpose hardwares that can be used in games but are not target at it (i.e. smart keyboards, headphones);
- Web browsers.
Consoles versions are allowed, but firmwares revisions are not. For example, the PS3 Slim and PS3 Original should be in. But each firmware revision won't get a new hardware, but you should add them to the description of the Hardware. Hardware can be regarded as the version of a platform. A good example on how it should be done, check the [videogameplatform=4407]
The Create Hardware Window
Primary Name
The name with which the hardware is best known. For foreign hardware, if there is a widely known English name, that name is preferred, otherwise use the native language name. Other names can later be added through corrections as alternate names
Release Date
When the hardware was first released in the world.
Hardware Category
There are only few types of HW categories, and a hardware should not be in more than one. If you can't find an specific one that applies to your hardware, use Add-On.
Manufacturer
Select all of the official hardware manufactures. Knockoffs should have their on entry. Pirated hardware is out.
Description
All the descriptions must have an attribution. Descriptions from other sites, except those listed below, cannot be used. A description should give a good intro on what is the game and what it is about. Preferable, these sources should be used:
- A Good User Summary - A good user summary will mention part of the defining characteristics of the game besides explaining some of the game play. On top of the text add '''User Summary'''
- Publisher / Developer Website - On the top of the description write [http://link.to.article From the Publisher / Developer Website]
- Game Manual / Game Box - On the top of the descriptions write, '''From the Game Manual / Box'''
- Wikipedia or StrategyWiki - ANYTHING taken from there must include a link back to Wikipedia (it is required by their license). This should be done using our wiki-formatting as: [size=10]''Source: Wikipedia, "[http://www.wikipedia.com/SomeArticle Wikipedia-Page-Title]," available under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ CC-BY-SA License].''[/size]
If you need help with the attribution, we added a tool that can be found on the top of the description box, which will handle all of the formatting for you. Use it and you will save a lot of time.
Links (especially many Wikipedia links) may contain some "unsafe charactes" which do not translate properly by the wiki markup. Use the %xx escape sequences below instead for the given character:
- %21 ! (exclamation mark)
- %23 # (number sign)
- %24 $ (dollar sign)
- %27 '
- %28 ( (left/open parenthesis)
- %29 ) (right/closing parenth.)
- %2A * (asterisk)
- %2B + (plus)
Example: Jeremy's Full of Awesome Strategy RPG(video game)' becomes Jeremy%27s Full of Awesome Strategy RPG%28video game%29
Create Hardware Version
Hardware now has a version, similar to video games. The fields are more or less the same as for the hardware.
The Create Hardware Window
Name
This should be linked to the name that the hardware has for this value. As an example, the PSP-1000 has three packages that were added as alternate names. The Base Pack, The Core Pack and the The Value Pack, when adding a new version of the PSP-1000, choose which one applies.
Nickname
Nickname is the unique identifier of that version. It normally will have the region it was launched, and something else that makes it unique. For example, US Value Pack with Spider Man 2 UMD
Description
Use this field to describe everything that is unique to this version. If it is one with a different game bundle, add the game link. If it is a selection of nameplates, add them. The rules for attribution applies
The other fields work exactly like for hardware.
