If I remember, I received a bunch of requests over the time for a download section where Omnimaga people can upload their new games. Unfortunately, right now, we have one section only for staff and another (the RPG/tools section) that is hard to maintain due to the way it is done.

If I add such section, there would be a certain quality control as well as some security measures. First of all, text-only games (unless tifreak finishes TI-City, which would be an exception) would not be allowed, same for number guessing games, RPS and such crap. That stuff would either be rejected or there would be a section just for that (less likely). Also, only members with a certain amount of posts, like with PMs, would be allowed to upload stuff there. This would be to protect against spambots and at the same time keep the download section for Omnimaga users as much as possible. There's ticalc.org, still, after all. I feel it might be a nice addition to the site, but it's certain I would keep it restricted to calculator games, as well as game development tools. All games would be sorted by genre, but not by language. (although the user would be required to put instructions on how to install/run the game if it's not BASIC or if it contains multiple files/requires an add-on).

Two things, though: for this section, there will be no author field, to make file approval easier if someone uploads in the wrong section. You can put your author name in the description, though. Also, while we may be lax on some content such as swearing or internet references, users will need to use common sense, obviously. Example: while we will let an Omnimaga parody involving Genolo hunting for lolis slip in, such program will get rejected if it violates the website rules.

What do you guys think?

I honestly think it should remain staff only, with a few exceptions here and there.

Yeah, I think so too.

I like the idea, but as you say in your original post there would need to be quality control. Omnimaga does already contain older games in its archives that are not made by staff members doesn't it? Obviously it would need to be geared towards games and game creation tools (stuff like celtic, Xlib, and Axe would be applicable too). Those are just my thoughts anyways.

Do it! This could be a good Idea, but yes, quality control, we must have quality control

ticalc has an entire section for guessing games and quadratics....

I think it's a great idea.  People should have a place to put games on this site, but I don't think it should be in the Downloads section.  I think it should be a new sub-forum for finished projects.  The first post could contain the download, and there could be a discussion to go along with it.  I think the Download section should stay small, as this is the location for games from Omnimaga staff.

Sounds good to me. It'd probably be simpler to add to and update.

I think it's a great idea.  People should have a place to put games on this site, but I don't think it should be in the Downloads section.  I think it should be a new sub-forum for finished projects.  The first post could contain the download, and there could be a discussion to go along with it.  I think the Download section should stay small, as this is the location for games from Omnimaga staff.

This is possible to setup. When this forum started, it is how it was. When someone added a download, it automatically created a new topic. It was removed at the time, though, since it was extremly buggy back in the early days of the download mod. I am not sure about language sorting, since I feel it kinda single out BASIC games. If I add the sub-forums, I think only the download sections will be sorted by language. It is guaranteed that games will be sorted by genre, though.

The downloads discussion section would probably go under Calculator discussion and news or projects and ideas.

I migth also re-enable this feature for staff, but I fear it might not work. I'll probably just try and see how it goes.

For now, the user-contributed section would have TI-83+/84+/SE, TI-89/T/92+/v200 and TI-Nspire, split by programming utilities, action/fps, racing/sport, adventure/rpg, arcade/shoot-em-up and misc games. Later, sections may split if they get too cluttered.

EDIT: If the sub-forum thing works, I think I'll make the board open to new discussion, but if people flood it with install help topics, I'll make it reply-only again