So you want to contribute, eh? That's great, our website is powered by the contributions of the community!

But before you start, here are some important tips:

• You'll need an account with a validated email to add or edit information to any sections.
• Database content must be in English only, except on relevant fields (e.g.: alternative names can obviously be in other languages).
• Usually you can freely add or edit information, but removing can only be done by admins and moderators. Use the report button to report any incorrect or problematic information.
• You'll get points for each contribution, called Community Score. They're worthless, but it's always cool having a lot of points, right?
• Database content should have correct grammar and be impartial.
• Vandalizing the database, including joke edits and such, will get your account banned, so don't do it, mmkay?

So now for the basics of contributions!

Working with Forms

Adding or editing database objects is almost always done through forms. Some forms have some quirky fields that might be hard to understand or expect data in a particular format - we'll detail them here or, when they are very specific, on an article explaining the form in more detail.

Tag Fields

Tags fields will display all existing tags for the field, such as genre tags or hardware tags, but also allow new tags to be created directly from the form. Just input the new tag's text and select the "Add Tag text..." option, or press comma (,).

The new tag will be created with default colors and no description, so if possible, go to the Database > Tags section later and add colors and a nice description to it.

Date Fields

Date fields should show a widget allowing you to select the date - in this case, you should be able to input the date in your local format. If for some reason the date-picker doesn't show for you, make sure to always use the YYYY-MM-DD format (e.g. 1999-12-31).

Dates must always have a year, a month and a date, however some events have unknown day or month, or even year (for example, the release date of a game still in development). As such, we use the following convention:

For dates in the future, we use the last day of the month for unknown day, December for unknown month, and 9999 for unknown year, e.g.: 9999-12-31 represents a completely unknown date in the future.

For dates in the past, we use 01 for unknown day, January for unknown month, and 0001 for unknown year, e.g.: 0001-01-01 represents a completely unknown date in the past.

Be aware that dates must always be valid, e.g., 2000-02-31 will produce an error because February has at most 29 days. A date like 2000-01-32 will also result in error.

Search Fields

Some fields search the database to find a matching item, like the franchise a game belongs to or the person who founded a company. As such, your search might not yield the desired results if the object has not yet been added to the database.

To search for an object, just start typing its name and click on the corresponding result that pops up. Typing or deleting anything on the text box after selecting the result will erase the field, and you'll have to search again.

Json Fields

Some fields accept JSON-formatted data. Formatting and validating json can be a pain in the ass, so we added a rich-editor that helps validates and shows errors on formatting. We're not going to write a tutorial on how to use it - just be aware that, if a red square with a white x on it is being shown, it's because there is an error on the json data.

The editor also offers multiple ways to edit the JSON data:

• text offers no special features and just validates the data.
• code offers various features usually found in code editors.
• tree is a visual designer that lets you focus on the data rather than the formatting.

The code mode is the default and the recommended, but they're all equivalent, so use whatever floats your boat.

Database Sections

We'll quickly describe them here, and link to their specific guidelines at the bottom of each section. Make sure to read the relevant articles before contributing to any of them.

Companies

This section stores information about the various companies involved in the game industry, like developers, support studios, publishers, IP holders, hardware makers and more.

Companies Introduction

Franchises

The Franchises section is pretty simple, it tracks franchises, their sub-franchises and who owns it.

Franchises Introduction

Games

The largest section in the database, it includes multiple sub-sections, like release dates, platforms, game modes and difficulties, tags and more. But adding a new game is relatively simple, all that is required is the game name, its platforms and a release date (preferably the first ever release).

For this section, not only should you read the basics, but also the article for each section you plan to contribute to.

Games Introduction

Hardware

The hardware section cover any kind of gaming-related user hardware people can buy, from accessories to consoles and computer parts.

Hardware Introduction

People

The people section contains details about people involved with the gaming industry, such as all types of developers (directors, products, programmers, artists, managers, etc), voice actors, journalists, content creators - pretty much anyone that works or has worked with games or related stuff.

People Introduction

Stores

The store section contains basic information about video games-selling stores and lists the games they carry. Only stores that sell games digitally are allowed, regardless of region or platform.

Stores Introduction

Tags

Finally, the tags section serves to mark various objects with small tidbits of information. Tags have fixed categories, which are Games, Genres, Hardware, Images, News and Themes. Each tag must have a unique name, but only inside its own category.

Tags Introduction