User:LostInRiverview/What to do when a new game is announced

Whenever a new game, expansion pack, game pack or stuff pack is announced, a number of edits need to be made to the wiki to accommodate the new game. New game releases often trigger a flurry of edits, so it's important to remember that edit conflicts may occur as people race to add up-to-date information.

1. Create a game article. This article will likely be stub-grade, but it's important that the page exists, as traffic will shortly be directed to that page. Include in the new page, the date that the game was announced and the release date, if that date is known. When the page is created, or shortly thereafter, the Game infobox should be added. Once a suitable image is available, Pagecover should also be added to the top of the article.

2. Edit game list templates. There are a slew of background templates on the wiki that affect infobox coloration, links and eraicon functionality. These templates all have to be manually updated when a new game is announced. The following templates need to be updated to maintain functionality:
 * Template:MGL - the "Master Games List"
 * Template:Vgcode
 * Template:Vgcoderev

3. Edit navigation. Sims is a navbox displayed at the bottom of game articles; this template needs to be manually updated whenever a new game is announced. Games should be added under the appropriate subgrouping, with a note mentioning that the game has not yet been released (unless the game/pack is released immediately upon announcement). New expansion packs should be added to the wiki's top nav menu as well, through MediaWiki:Wiki-navigation (only administrators can edit this).

4. Update the Main Page and wiki news pages. The Sims Wiki:News automatically links a portion of its content to the Main Page, and should be updated with a brief news post whenever a new game is announced. Follow the instructions on the edit screen on The Sims Wiki:News in order to update it. The Main Page also includes a (usually hidden) game release countdown clock. If the release date/time for the new game is known, consider activating the countdown clock and un-hiding it from view. The countdown clock can be found by editing The Sims Wiki/Contents.

5. Set up appropriate shortcuts and redirects. The Sims Wiki often creates shortcut pages to redirect to game pages. This might include the name of a game/stuff/expansion pack without the main game's name prefixed to the front (for example, Late Night is set up as a redirect to The Sims 3: Late Night), or an abbreviation/acronym of the game name (TS3:LN redirects to The Sims 3: Late Night). Not all possible examples of these pages need to be created; use your best judgment in deciding which shortcuts to set up.

If a new game is announced with the same name, or a similar name, as a previous game, it may be wise to consider setting up a disambiguation page and adjusting previously-established redirects and shortcuts.