Transcendence on Wikipedia

[Yugi]

We on the UTF decided to make a page on Wikipedia about Transcendence a few months ago, but it was deleted for a number of reasons, like not having enough content and not being encylopedic.
Those on Wikipedia have now put it back up (re-written), however!
I've been adding some links to official information (which sorely needs updating), the forums and modsite(s) right now, but what else should be added?
I'd also like help with finding links to reviews - i've only found two so far - one on Abandonia Reloaded, and one by UltraBot from the UTF. These are the only reviews I know of, so could someone please write a review?

I think we'd all like your input on this, George.

[george moromisato]

Very cool--thanks for contributing, Yugi.

I have some general recommendations:

Last time, the article got deleted because at least one editor did not believe that Transcendence was "notable" (i.e., known to people outside of a core fanbase).

Therefore, I recommend that the entry only point to reviews in notable publications (e.g., Abandonia Reloaded has its own entry in Wikipedia, so that counts as a notable publication.)

The Wikipedia entry should NOT read like a game review or an ad for the game. The entry needs to be written in a neutral POV, meaning that it should NOT express opinions or try to convince the reader that Transcendence is a good (or bad) game. Just the facts.

The Wikipedia entry should contain information that is relevant to someone who knows nothing about the game. What makes Transcendence different from other Elite-like games?

Finally, remember that the Wikipedia entry should NOT be a game guide. Avoid including a list of all sovereigns or all ship classes or all systems.

A few specific suggestions:

1. I would remove the section called "Official Information". The information there is interesting for people who are fans of the game, but not for normal Wikipedia readers.

2. Note that the "References" section has specific meaning in Wikipedia. Everything in the "References" points to factual articles in notable publications from which the Wikipedia entry was created. In fact, the reverse is also true: Every fact in the Wikipedia entry must come from some reference.

3. The entry should mention that the game is still under development (it might even mention the last time it was updated).

4. The entry should mention that Transcendence was inspired by Nethack and Star Control II (use this for a reference: http://www.neurohack.com/transcendence/ ... lcome.html)

5. The entry might mention that Transcendence has almost a hundred different kinds of enemy ships and hundreds of different kinds of items (this may set it apart from other Elite-like games).

6. The gameplay section might describe that the game consists of systems connected by stargates (forming a linear network not unlike the dungeon levels of Nethack).

7. The gameplay section might mention that later (deeper) systems have missions, etc.

8. The entry might mention that the game is currently unfinished and that it ends before the player can reach the galactic core.

[Yugi]

1. I would remove the section called "Official Information". The information there is interesting for people who are fans of the game, but not for normal Wikipedia readers.

Well, i've heard quite a bit of complaining from people (which decided not to play because of) that there's no (known) storyline to the game, since barely any is mentioned in-game (the occasional whisper here and there). I'm hoping that having that section with information on the game will bring more role-playing-preferring players to the game.

I'll write some kind of draft then post it here, then wait for feedback before adding it to the page.

[george moromisato]

Well, i've heard quite a bit of complaining from people (which decided not to play because of) that there's no (known) storyline to the game, since barely any is mentioned in-game (the occasional whisper here and there). I'm hoping that having that section with information on the game will bring more role-playing-preferring players to the game.

All true and worthy. Nevertheless, that's not the role of Wikipedia. If Wikipedia editors think that the entry is trying to "bring more ... players to the game" then they will delete the entry.

I'll write some kind of draft then post it here, then wait for feedback before adding it to the page.

Awesome, I'm looking forward to it.

[Yugi]

Overview
The player starts Transcendence in one of three statistically different ships, with some basic equipment (weapon, shield), a few credits and an empty cargo bay. The ultimate goal is to reach the galaxy's core, where the mysterious "Oracus" and "Domina" are rumoured to reside.

Gameplay
In a similar manner to Elite, the player starts the game with little money or equipment, and must fight and/or trade his or her through the galaxy, which so far usually numbers between 20 and 30 star system, each with a stargate or two. A stargate is a large device used for faster-than-light interstellar travel, left behind by an unknown ancient race. Along the way, the player will meet various traders, members of the Commonwealth, outlaws, pirates, factions seperated from the (now-destroyed) Earth, and ultimately alien races. It is possible to upgrade your ship's equipment, such as weapons, shields, armor, reactors, engines, etc. You can gain money through a variety of methods, such as trading, looting the remains of destroyed ships and stations and selling the contents, escorting freighters through dangerous territory, or allowing one race to perform medical experiments.


Basically, i've just added and edited what's currently there. I added stuff in about the stargates and gave a bit more variety to the lists...
I think it needs a bit more or less of....something...to make it more encyclopedic.

[goat not sheep]

Hmm....seems good. Perhaps a link to where to download transcendence, too?

[Yugi]

Yeah, but that should probably go in the External Links section.

[goat not sheep]

LOL! Maybe a bit more opinions? We don't want to risk it getting deleted...

[dvlenk6]

Got some spelling errors there, but nice job :
rumoured -> rumored
Gameplay -> Game Play
20 and 30 star system -> twenty and thirty star systems
stargate -> Star Gate (that one is questionable)
seperated -> separated

Suggestions:
Along the way, the player will meet various traders, members of the Commonwealth, outlaws, pirates, factions seperated from the (now-destroyed) Earth, and ultimately alien races.
->
The player will, along the way, encounter various traders, members of the Commonwealth, outlaws, pirates, other factions separated from the (now-destroyed) Earth; and ultimately, alien races.
- - - - -
In a similar manner to Elite, the player starts the game with little money or equipment; and must fight and/or trade his or her through the galaxy, which so far usually numbers between 20 and 30 star system, each with a stargate or two.
->
The game has many qualities similar to "Elite", "Nethack", and other popular classic role-playing games. The player starts the game with only basic equipment, and must fight and/or trade his or her way through progressively more difficult star systems, interconnected by a series of star gates. A star gate is a large device used for faster-than-light interstellar travel, left behind by an unknown ancient race. There are currently between twenty and thirty star systems in a typical game, but the number varies.

[OddBob]

I think you can cut out stargates. It's not important how the player moves from system to system.

Also in the disambiguation, "sci-fi" is informal, it should be science fiction.

Also, the incomplete links in the External links with the parenthetical remarks should be removed, the links are only for links that work, plus the remarks are too casual.

My take on the last paragraph:
--
The game has many qualities similar to "Elite", "Nethack", and other popular classic role-playing games. The player starts the game with only basic equipment, and must fight and/or trade his or her way through progressively more difficult star systems. Each game contains between 20 and 30* randomly generated star systems.
--

*The rules I follow for numbers are:
below ten, starting a sentence: spell out
Everything else except very large round numbers: use numbers
Generally newspapers and such adhere to this set I belive, but I don't know what it is for encyclopedias.

[Yugi]

Ah, just the feedback I was hoping for.

Got some spelling errors there, but nice job :
rumoured -> rumored
Gameplay -> Game Play
20 and 30 star system -> twenty and thirty star systems
stargate -> Star Gate (that one is questionable)
seperated -> separated

I understand why rumoured should be rumored (since Wiki uses American English). The word Gameplay I have always known to be correct, and was there already anyway.
I don't really know much about the number thing, but i'd say you're right.
I just checked "seperated" on Dictionary.com, and you're right! Shows you how much I know.

Do you think we should wait for George's comments before we put up what we have so far?

[george moromisato]

Do you think we should wait for George's comments before we put up what we have so far?

No, no need to wait! It looks good to me and we can always change it later. Nice work!

[Yugi]

Well, i've put it up there. It looks a whole lot better with the longer text.
I also added in info about missions, linked to NetHack, and fixed a few typos.