Football season is about to get going again, so what better way to get inspired than by looking at football based websites! (now that i think about it, there’s tons of better ways…hmmm)
Here’s what I like about this design.
1) It funnels you to either play the game, or sign up for the game
This may not be the “designer’s choice” way of how to design “Call to Actions”, but for a game that is relatively new that’s success as a company is going to depend on how many people are playing/sign up
2) Consistency in the UI
When you jump from the site to the actual game, there’s no jarring jump in terms of the look.
3) Well design psychologically pushes to the user
When i logged in today, here’s the first thing I saw
Yeah, yeah, there’s banner ads, but there’s also positive re-enforcement to be a return visitor. I got points just for logging in (much like how achievements work).
Also, notice that the colors or that area are different than the color scheme everywhere else in the site. SMART. I’m GOING to see this, hopefully come back, and then Quickhit has more returning visitors, to barter for more “Cash for Ads” from their advertisers.
There’s a ton more I like about this site (and the game itself! It’s awesome!), but I’ll shut up now and let you enjoy it for yourself.
Wow. I’m feeling just about everything that’s being done for Scott Pilgrim in regards to marketing and tie-ins.
I’m glad to FINALLY see web designers/developers taking more cues from actual game design in their tactics and strategies. This really is a simple microsite, but it’s SO well done and thought out!
Having a simple “click for more info”, “MEH”. Actually attributing points to each click and creating 1)a meta game for interacting with the ad and 2) using nostalgic and positive sound effects to re-enforce each interaction creates a positive brand experience. What other trailers have you interacted with and then had an “ACHIEVEMENTS” ranking at the end, pushing you to go through the trailer AGAIN? GENIUS.
Wowzers. I didn’t expect this from the Kane and Lynch 2 site. From a designer’s perspective, I’m gonna say whoever did this was either very brave or just insane. The use of video is cool, and may end up bringing players in, but I’m not sure if it captures the grity feel of the game. Users on the web may feel that it’s just crappy video (I could be wrong).
They definitely get the point across that they want you to download the demo “NOW” and they want you to preorder “NOW”, and the higher quality video embedded within the menu area itself is smart, as it pulls attention to the nontraditional menu itself, and almost forces the user to use it.
For those that like something a little more conventional, they were clever enough to embed a secondary tree like menu towards the bottom of the site.
I do think it’s kind of “odd” (not bad mind you) that there’s so many clean lines and geometric based design for a game that’s supposed to be so gritty, but hey, it works. I would have loved to see them play around with digital artifacts and censor bars.
But anyways, it’s got pink. And pink in design is always cool. So there’s your inpsiration. 
Kane & Lynch 2 :: Dog Days – KaneAndLynch.com
Starcraft 2 isn’t the most visually impress site ever made, and to be honest, there’s nothing really flashy or bleeding edge about it. But it’s simple, and works really well.
1) They want to sell copies of the game. Home page offers multiple ways to purchase the game NOW, and doesn’t confuse the customer with other paths. Those options are the primary funnels they want you to go through. Notice how to even continue to the community site, you must click a much smaller and out of the way button on the top.
2) The “secondary” homepage is set up like a portal. One of Starcraft’s strengths has always been it’s community. And this design is set to capitalize on that strength.
3) This layout also enables easy updates (that can happen extremely often) and searchable content.
4) The design is consistent with the brand.
Overall, I like it. What do you think about it?
I could go on and on on how the whole marketing campaign for Red Dead Redemption has been amazing (and I will at another time ), but this is just a look at their site.
Even from the age verification page, you’ll see that this site carries a consistent theme and art direction that flows with the game. It loads quickly, the art/graphics are beautiful, the typography is on point, everything is extremely easy to find…I LOVE IT. Great job.
Red Dead Redemption
I might be a little biased, but I love this site.:) Great use of music and video (the game itself is running in the background of various sections of the site), and it’s just plain fun. The kind of site that would get a kid to constantly annoy his parents until they get the game. 
I’m a little disappointed by the lack of social integration, but hey, it’s an older site (but still a good one.)
Check out the screenshots below, or better yet, visit it for yourself and let me know what you think,
I’m a huge Arrested Development fan. To this day, I’ll go back and rewatch it on DVD, just to see how many more jokes they stuffed in each scene, that I still manage to miss.
Anyways, I think I blindly love Arrested Development, because I’m listing this as an inspirational choice. It inspires me to watch the show, and to draw. Two inspirations! Wowzers! Check out the site and all the quotes, you’ll get a kick outta it.
P.S. – Who’s YOUR favorite Arrested Development character? I’m torn between Jobe and Lucille…and Pop Pop. They’re all so good!
Sites like this is why flash isn’t going away. Is this going to rank well in SEO? No. But it’s not meant to. Sites like this are an EXPERIENCE.
On top of the great visual presentation, it makes wonderful use of social media, by bringing fans into the experience, by using THEIR submissions and votes as content. There’s also Facebook and Twitter integration, if you’ve heard of those tiny social platforms.
Check it out before this site goes away. And here’s to a good fight on July 3rd!
I know, the ripped paper thing has been done to death. as has wood backgrounds, but this still looks good! And something else that Paul has to really well, and I don’t know if this is on purpose or not, but to push free iMacs on the homepage of his site is definitely a big draw. Can you really get a free iMac? I don’t know? But he has added a list of winners from both the U.S. and the U.K., and has subliminally told us to trust him.
So maybe I’m more inspired by his content strategy, rather than the design itself. But at the end of the day, i remember him as the guy who designed the cool ripped paper/wood site that had the free imacs, and that means he’s stuck in my memory, which is good. He’s escaped being just another designer’s site. Great job. Now if he’d only put some of his actual work on the home page….
