"How to play" video links in rules

[kevan]

I've seen how-to-play video links being added to the tops of BGA's rule wiki pages recently. Should they be there?

The links are redundant if you're reading the rules on a game's "about" page, because user-upvoted how-to-play videos are already embedded and playable right there on the page. But I guess they can save a couple of clicks when you're reading the rules on a live game page.

AmassGames have added their own video links to the top a lot of rule pages, which is possibly where the practice started. I don't know if that's an official BGA tie-in or self-promotion, but they aren't always the top-voted video on the corresponding game page.

[Jellby]

Wikis can be edited by anyone, I've removed some video links and promotional material from "how-to-play" wikis, you can do the same.

[xate]

Could you please give a link to a direct example?

[kevan]

Could you please give a link to a direct example?

Sure, https://en.doc.boardgamearena.com/Gamehelpcatan has a text link to a how-to-play YouTube video at the top.

Those rules get embedded on the "about" page at https://boardgamearena.com/gamepanel?game=catan, which already has a playable video in it.

About 70 rules pages on the wiki are doing it: https://en.doc.boardgamearena.com/index ... 2Fyoutu.be

[kevan]

BGA user AmassGamesYouTube has now removed their video link from the top of the Catan rules, and a couple of other wiki pages, presumably in response to this thread, or to being asked to.

That sounds like the links probably don't belong here.

[Fletcheese]

My first instinct is this is just savvy self promotion. Is linking a YouTube video in game rules against BGA guidelines? Maybe it should be? Seems like people could start "fighting" over whose video is included in the rules which could get into ugly territory.

[xate]

The user who added their link has been told to remove them. This is not the proper place for video links.

[kevan]

My first instinct is this is just savvy self promotion. Is linking a YouTube video in game rules against BGA guidelines? Maybe it should be? Seems like people could start "fighting" over whose video is included in the rules which could get into ugly territory.

It does seem unnecessary when "fighting" over the best tutorial video is already neatly dealt with by the upvoting system on the game view.

The wiki links have been removed now, anyway, AmassGames have reversed all the ones they added.