| System | Games | Releases | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
Submitting Guideline
In order to have the highest possible quality of the data we have in retrocollector.org we try to maintain a certain standard for all the data entered. Here is a short summary/checklist for what you should strive towards when submitting to retrocollector.org :
1. Do not copy data from other sites!
We cannot emphasise this enough. It is absolutely vital that all the information typed in to the interface comes from either the box you have or the game you loaded. This is also the only way we can be sure that the information is correct as well. And naturally it is important for legal issues which we prefer not to end up in, and generally its considered bad to copy anyone elses work! Do not base your information on the version found on GB64 or any other site unless you know its a 100% dump of the original. Many binaries on the web are full of errors due to crackers wanting to advertise their existence. It is also not enough to base your entry on a binary alone since the game might not have been released at all! We need proof in the form of scans and pictures of the box for any title to be activated.
2. Do not use other sites pictures, scans or photos!
All the photos or scans that you choose to upload must be your own. It is the only real proof of a release existence. Naturally using someone elses pictures is also illegal! If you send us pictures and scans that are your own, you must also inform us which account you have here on retrocollector.org (or create one). When we upload pictures we always credit the original source.
3. At minimum we require two types of images for a release to be approved.
We need a Cover Cropped Scan and a Content Photo. These two will be vital for approval, and will also ensure that our users will more quickly identify the game. If for some reason only the back of the box distinguishes it from another release, please provide a scan or a photo of this as well. Note that the contents does not have to be complete in your photo, and this should be marked as such when the release entry is added. If you have additional items in your box or variations of the markings, please submit images of this. If the difference is a major one then it is added as a new release. Note however that we do have several release entries for different packaging, even if the image used on the box/inlay is identical.
When photographying you should try to minimize color cast (yellowing from indoor lights) as well as
try to make a good exposure using a camera on a tripod. You should always photograph the game on
a neutral light white or grey background. In some cases camera light meters are off because of the
light background so you might have to overexpose the shot a bit.
4. Check if the game entry already exists before creating a new!
The main point of this site is that each game was released many times from different publishers, media types, etc. When adding new releases, please check first if the game in question already has an entry. If the game is fundamentally different for that particular release (some US releases were for instance different to their European version) then create a new one. If only the box or medium differs then a new release entry should be created for the existing game.
5. Save 600 dpi PNG files when scanning
For preservation purposes, it is recommended that you scan at 600 dpi and save your scans in lossless PNG. But for your cover crops, you can save them as JPGs. We will at a later stage provide submitters access to the high resolution PNGs. But for the moment high resolution images will only be presented as watermarked JPGs to avoid counterfeit production. For our cover scans we need at least 1500 pixels or higher resolution on the long side. It is in most cases best to submit a crop of the 600dpi scan since it retains the offset from the printing process which makes the images look better when we scale them for the site.
6. Consider perserving your original in a digital format
As time goes by its only a matter of time before all those bits fall off the tapes and disks so consider getting hold of hardware to make perfect binary dumps of the originals (or any dump that can be cleaned at a later stage). Places like c64tapes.org is an excellent example of where you can store at least C64 tape images. There are many other sites dedicated to preservation of other formats. Check whats out there and join the community!