DevBlog - The Big Homepage Update

[Sylpheed]

Did the title get your attention? I’m glad! It isn’t often that we web designers get a chance to show off our designs before they are launched, but that rare opportunity has presented itself and we’re giving you a sneak peek of the upcoming RuneScape homepage redesign! We’ve had great fun working on this and feel we’ve come up with something that not only looks great and gives RuneScape a more polished home, but is also packed with new features that will help showcase our great new content and support our community.

 

So, here it is! We’re all very excited; we know it’s a bit of a departure from the brown boxes you’ll have gotten used to, but the bright palette, revised layout and expanded space for visuals will give the RuneScape homepage a fresh and vibrant feel.

 

My link

 

Featured content rotator

A picture is worth a thousand words, or so the saying goes. We know that sometimes you don’t want to read through line after line of a news article to find out the big stories in RuneScape, so we’ve created this scrolling 'featured news' panel. It will host all of the latest and greatest updates from within RuneScape, as well as any other important competitions or features you may want to know about. This will all be presented with a short caption and large banner graphic: what better way to tell you about new content than simply showing you? No need to worry, though: we will still have the regular news section on the homepage for all the other information you need.

 

My link

 

Quick poll

We rely on your feedback, but we also know that your time is precious and you’d rather be playing RuneScape. So, we’ll be making the online polls more straightforward, and you can participate in them directly from the homepage. The polls will be updated more regularly, so you will be able to get your feedback to us quicker than ever.

 

My link

 

Hot forum topics

Want to know what the hot conversations are on the forums? It’s never been easier. The new RuneScape homepage will have links to five hot forum topics, so you can instantly join conversations and chat with your online friends.

 

My link

 

Sitemap

RuneScape.com is huge, much like Gielinor itself, and we don’t want you to get lost. The new sitemap-style footer will not only aid you in finding key content across the website, it’ll help you get there faster. It’ll also help you explore the website and perhaps even discover areas you didn’t know existed.

 

My link

 

The extended website

With the introduction of the RuneScape HD website design, we launched every page simultaneously; however, this time around, we are going to do things a little differently. In order to get you the new features and designs as quickly as possible, we will be rolling out the extended website piece by piece. This means you’ll be able to see it evolve, so keep an eye out for all the future changes we’ve got planned!

 

That about wraps it up from us; feel free to drop any thoughts or questions you have into the forums.

 

The website is looking more and more commercial with every passing year, personally I think it looks fine the way it is.

[Toad]

Looks awesome ;)

[SirHartlar]

Honestly doesn't bother me that much, it looks a bit generic but I spend my time playing the game not browsing the homepage.

[mikeg0477]

Looks good to me.

[Wiplayer]

While I like the current design, the new one does look impressive. Personally I think it's leaning towards a "jagex-themed" (seeing how similar the SD design is to this) style, but just my opinion. I use the toolbar for quick access, so I won't notice it that much anyways :blink: .

[bored321]

Big improvement looks wise, I've always hated the garish butterscotch and chocolate theme tbh.

[Michael]

I use the client anyway, I hardly use the main site any more.

[Remorse]

Aah! I never say no against a website update.

Looking forward to it.

[Clay_More12]

Looks good tbh.

[Frede173]

Looks pretty good.

[BloodAngel]

That looks really good, looks like they are finally getting rid of the Dungeoneering homepage :P

[Vansing]

I think it looks great. :thumbup: Its about time they lost the Dungeons of Daemonhiem as well.

[Racheya]

Coo.

 

It's very sexy looking <3

[MerchantInTheDark]

I did like the old site, but I guess the new one looks nice as well/. It is a bit easier to find things.

[Maximusa]

Looks more like other hundreds of websites. I think it could of done this redesign as is seen in the article while keeping a more unique theme. Like some colour or something.. Looks good for game review site/tech-info/video site though.

 

I dont use it so not that bothered. However other websites that have done similar looks I just kinda abandoned sometimes because they felt too generic. I like unique looking websites as well as it being good at providing info or whatever.

 

Its more professional I guess and is very well made.. Looks great for advert spam. (To block)

[Ezz]

Looks nice, liking the quick poll.

[Low C]

When a new player stumbles upon Runescape.com they want them to be drawn in by the looks of the site as well as easy to find features such as Play Now! This might help achieve that goal.

[Emmentail]

At least Dungeons of Demonheim is gone :rolleyes:

[tripsis]

I was going to complain about how it's annoying when sites are constantly redesigning or changing things on the website (which it feels like Jagex has been doing).. but then I took a look and I like it, so I won't complain :lol:

[Shadiochao]

I was hoping for a new homepage design, but I'm disappointed they decided to keep that female signature hero. She's really creepy looking tbh.

[Den]

When I first saw it, I though "War of Legends: Runescape Edition".

 

I like the site though, looks well polished and easy to use.

I've never really liked auto-scrollers though for some reason. They just annoy me when they swap caption before I finish looking at the current one.

[Troacctid]

This is all well and good, but where is the forum update? Why are Jagex's web designers tied up on the main page instead of where they're really needed? <_<

[Golvellius]

Looks like every other website.

Not impressed.

[Dax]

Looks good, in my opinion. Much better than the other, that's for sure.

 

Makes me wonder how many quests the signature heroes will get. :-k

[Krampell]

Hot.