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Recently, I flagged a question about a console game (The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker) as off-topic for this site. However, I noticed that the flags I had to choose from were as follows:

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Both flags say that they are for questions about "computer-based games". However in this case the question wasn't about a computer-based game, but rather a console-based game. So technically the flag wasn't the right one to use.

Arqade and Game Development Stack Exchange don't limit themselves to just computer-based games. Given that this is the case, and that we may from time to time need to migrate console-based game questions, I think that the flag ought to be broadened to something more general that encompasses console-based games. I'd like to suggest the following alternative:

  • Questions about video games, including video games that are roleplaying games...

I like this one because it is a simple term that, according to Wiktionary, encompasses both computer-based and console-based games. Other options might be:

  • Questions about computer-based and console-based games, including computer-based and console-based roleplaying games...
  • Questions about non-tabletop games, including computer-based and console-based roleplaying games...

Is this something that we might be able to change?

(Also while we're at it, the first flag does not have a comma before the "but", but the second one does. They should be consistent).

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  • \$\begingroup\$ Technically "non-tabletop games" includes LARPs, which are on topic, so we shouldn't use that one ;) \$\endgroup\$
    – doppelgreener
    Commented Jan 11, 2014 at 3:42
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    \$\begingroup\$ Technically, consoles are computers, too. Just not personal computers. \$\endgroup\$
    – Firebreak
    Commented Jan 11, 2014 at 3:42
  • \$\begingroup\$ Actually, Wikipedia defines video game consoles as distinct from home computers (pretty much the only type of computer that a video game would be played on). But we're splitting hairs here; either way the current term "computer-based games" isn't broad enough. \$\endgroup\$
    – Thunderforge
    Commented Jan 11, 2014 at 3:49
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    \$\begingroup\$ LARP is ontopic!? That is so cool! - never knew \$\endgroup\$
    – Julix
    Commented Jan 14, 2014 at 15:01
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Anaphory, since this discussion is marked completed, maybe it would be better to create a new meta topic on it. \$\endgroup\$
    – Thunderforge
    Commented Jan 22, 2014 at 2:03
  • \$\begingroup\$ @Thunderforge: Done, separate question now at meta.rpg.stackexchange.com/questions/3281/… \$\endgroup\$
    – Anaphory
    Commented Jan 22, 2014 at 23:49

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We should change it to "video game," really.

  • "Video game" is a term everyone understands.
  • "Video game" covers consoles, personal computers, and handhelds.
  • Arqade self-describes as a "video game" site. As far as I can tell, they don't cover computer-based games that aren't video games.
  • Game Dev self-describes as a site for "video/computer game developers."
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    \$\begingroup\$ Hokay. We're in the process of changing it. It requires a golden-eye like activation though, so it'll be a while while we get someone dressed like James Bond. \$\endgroup\$
    – Brian Ballsun-Stanton Mod
    Commented Jan 14, 2014 at 7:16
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    \$\begingroup\$ I'm afraid, Mr. Bond, that your off-topic requests have been... fully implemented. \$\endgroup\$
    – Brian Ballsun-Stanton Mod
    Commented Jan 14, 2014 at 20:40

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