As a university student, I seem to spend an inordinate amount of time on the Internet. I've seen some spectacularly bad websites, made both by fellow students and professional website designers who should really know better. I've thankfully also seen some very good ones, and one in particular that has always stood out to be as being well run, well laid-out website is Penny Arcade.
The website is part comic, part news feed/video game review site. Because the website is designed for "gamers" (video game players), the creators have strived to create a website that will most appeal to people interested in video games and web comics about them. It looks like they've done a pretty good job, too. The avatars of the creators, Gabe and Tycho, are not only in the comic, but are featured throughout the website. The comic itself is very entertaining, however all of the aspects surrounding the comic are what make this website so strong.
The various parts of the website that have spun off from the comic are all components that contribute to a better understanding of gamer culture. All of the links expand the experience of the comic, from the Forum where fans can discuss topics related to video games and that day's comic, to a blog updated by the creators of the site daily, featuring video game related new and observations from the point of view of Gabe and Tycho.
As far as technical aspects are concerned, the website is well put together, in the sense that it is visually appealing and laid out in a very accessible way. It is easy to read the day's comic and the day's blog post, without having to search through numerous links to find it. Also, whenever Penny Arcade is advertising special events, such as the Penny Arcade Expo or the Child's Play Christmas gift drive, unique and eye-catching graphics are used to draw the reader in, and bring them to a part of the site they may not typically go to.
A website does not need to be educational or productive in order to be good. Sometimes, a well-designed website can just be downright fun!
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