User:Menshay/Stage pages update project
So, after having a good look at some stage pages, especially the older ones, I noticed several of them are unnecessarily verbose, confusing, redundant and inconsistent
Therefore, I shall take unto myself the task of checking them and rewriting and reorganizing those who need it the most. As this is a wiki-wide task, I shall now use this page to describe the design principles I am/will be employing.
(As this is in userspace it should be obvious, but every "should" in this page should be taken as personal opinion. I am open to comments, suggestions and (constructive) criticism in the talk page.)
Sections and content[edit]
Introductory blurb[edit]
Just a quick "X is a stage from game Y which returned for games Z and W", plus other miscellaneous information which doesn't go elsewhere such as characters unlocked in the stage and references to similar past stages (Dream Land 64/Green Greens, Pokémon Stadium 1/2...).
Stage layout[edit]
Or "description" or "structure" or whatever. As how the stage works is the most important information when playing on it, this should be definitely be the first section.
This should be a description of how the stage is structured and how it works. Emphasis should be given to elements not immediately understandable from the images: the exact positioning of a group of platforms is obvious, but their properties (softness, grabbable edges, movement) might not be. The descriptions should not be in a random order, but should follow a "flow": e.g. start with the main platform, then move to the upper ones; start with the left part, then move to the center, then to the right.
Transformations (Pokémon Stadiums) and stops (Delfino, Port Town) should be given their own paragraph, or even subsection, or at the very least a mention in a bulleted list. Pictures of every relevant form should be integrated here, unless they're too many or too big when compared to the text. (Examples: Paper Mario, Pokémon Stadium). Consider using small galleries.
Stage hazards and especially background elements should be last (in the main section or in the respective subsections). If present in a large number or in a very relevant role (e.g. Animal Crossing villagers) they can get their own subsection.
Ω Form[edit]
A short blurb with a picture. Note that every omega form is set in a static environment: therefore, saying stuff like walkoffs, hazards or other active elements are removed is redundant. Again, don't waste time describing the picture and focus on the dynamic parts (the stage still touring on Delfino and Port Town, the signs on Suzaku, the day/night cycle on Gaur Plain).
Changes between games[edit]
Not sure if this is better off as a separate section or just a part of the main Stage layout section. I'll be keeping them if they're there just to be sure.
Tournament legality / In competitive play[edit]
Once the layout is fully described, specify why this stage is legal/banned/how it fares/etc.
Trophy information[edit]
Only if applicable, like in the other pages.
Origin[edit]
The page is about the stage in Smash, not in its source game. The origin section is definitely useful and interesting, but, as it doesn't directly affect how the stage works in Smash, I think it should be among the last ones.
For consistency, every element should be described in roughly the same order as the layout section above. Also, remember that this is a wiki about Smash, so don't cram as much information as possible into it and don't waste time describing minor elements in excruciating detail, especially if there's a relevant page in another NIWA wiki (example: Onett before my revision; to whoever wrote it please don't take this as a personal attack).
Also, I've been removing the origins of music tracks from here, since they're already in the relevant Music pages.
Gallery[edit]
Complementary pictures which do not fit in the above sections. It should also be as small as possible, and ideally almost unneeded: unless they're in a relevant number, I think pictures depicting stage transformations or hazards should be integrated with the description section above. Definitely don't put images from the source games here, if needed have a sub-gallery in the Origin section.
Trivia[edit]
Just bonus information, this should definitely be last. If it is relevant to how the stage works put it in the previous sections, as specified in the site-wide policy.
See also, External links, other sections[edit]
Depending on the page.
Current project status[edit]
Obviously, feel free to contribute, especially for unobvious details in the SSB64-exclusive stages (I don't own it so I have no reliable way to check). Stages are listed by game of origin.
: OK or almost OK (at least in areas where I can meaningfully contribute)
: needs a light revision, such as a rewrite limited to some sections and/or some content shuffling for standardization
: checked, needs a heavy, global rewrite, a massive reorganization, or is missing some sections or important descriptions
: not checked yet
