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Piñata Journal:Contributing: Difference between revisions

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Created page with "Contributing to Piñata Journal is easy. All you need to do is create an account and get started. Before getting started editing, there are a few things to keep in mind: ==Writing style== Piñata Journal uses a strictly informational, encyclopedic style. For more information, see the style guide. ==Images== For article images, official material is highly preferred. In-game screenshots create visual clutter and a..."
 
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Contributing to Piñata Journal is easy. All you need to do is [[Special:CreateAccount|create an account]] and get started. Before getting started editing, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Contributing to Piñata Journal is easy. Anyone can help improve the wiki by correcting information, adding missing details, or expanding existing articles.
 
To begin editing, simply [[Special:CreateAccount|create an account]] and start making changes. Before getting started, there are a few conventions to keep in mind.


==Writing style==
==Writing style==
Piñata Journal uses a strictly informational, encyclopedic style. For more information, see the [[Piñata Journal:Style guide|style guide]].
Piñata Journal uses a strictly informational, encyclopedic style. Avoid:
* Subjective advice
* Strategy recommendations
* Directly addressing the reader (e.g. "you should do this")
 
Content written in a player-directed tone tends to resemble a strategy guide and gives prose a less professional feel.
 
For more detailed guidance, see the [[Piñata Journal:Style guide|style guide]].


==Images==
==Images==
For article images, official material is highly preferred. In-game screenshots create visual clutter and appear less professional. Image content should be prioritized in the following order:
For article images, official material is highly preferred. In-game screenshots create visual clutter and often appear less professional. Image content should be prioritized in the following order:


* Official renders by Rare (e.g. promotional material such as wallpapers)
* Official renders by Rare (e.g. promotional material such as wallpapers)
Line 14: Line 23:
* In-game screenshots (last resort)
* In-game screenshots (last resort)


If no other options are available, gameplay screenshots are permissible for demonstration purposes. Screenshots of an object should use its appearance in the Journal if applicable. However, as the Journal distorts the dimensions of most items and uses a dark background, even these should be avoided if possible. In-garden screenshots should not be used if possible, but when used, they should be taken in an empty garden without distracting background elements or player-defined names.
If no other options are available, gameplay screenshots are permissible for demonstration purposes.
 
When screenshots are used:
* Avoid player-defined names
* Avoid decorated or cluttered gardens
* Use an empty garden whenever possible
* Crop images to focus on the subject


==Pages needing additional work==
==Pages needing additional work==
As a fan wiki driven by community editors, Piñata Journal is ever-changing and will never be fully complete. To this end, several templates and categories have been created to mark pages in need of additional work:
As a community-driven project, Piñata Journal is continually evolving. The following templates are used to mark pages or sections that require improvement:


* '''[[:Category:Stub pages|Stub]]''': For empty or near-empty pages. Most or all information about the subject should be filled in.
* '''[[:Category:Stub pages|Stub]]''': For empty or near-empty pages. Most or all information about the subject should be filled in.
Line 23: Line 38:
* '''[[:Category:Pages_needing_testing|Needs testing]]''': For pages or sections that require in-game testing to verify data, behavior, etc.
* '''[[:Category:Pages_needing_testing|Needs testing]]''': For pages or sections that require in-game testing to verify data, behavior, etc.
* '''[[:Category:Pages_needing_research|Needs research]]''': For pages or sections that require information derived from ''external non-gameplay research'' (e.g. developer interviews, promotional material, etc.).
* '''[[:Category:Pages_needing_research|Needs research]]''': For pages or sections that require information derived from ''external non-gameplay research'' (e.g. developer interviews, promotional material, etc.).
These tags help editors identify areas where contributions are most needed.


==Categories==
==Categories==
Line 31: Line 48:


Avoid legacy or unofficial terminology in category names.
Avoid legacy or unofficial terminology in category names.
==Just dive right in!==
All of this might seem like a lot to take in, but there's no better way to learn than by reading and editing existing articles.
Don't be afraid to make mistakes — the point of a wiki is collaboration, and no editor gets everything right on their first try. Edits can always be refined over time.

Revision as of 13:50, 20 February 2026

Contributing to Piñata Journal is easy. Anyone can help improve the wiki by correcting information, adding missing details, or expanding existing articles.

To begin editing, simply create an account and start making changes. Before getting started, there are a few conventions to keep in mind.

Writing style

Piñata Journal uses a strictly informational, encyclopedic style. Avoid:

  • Subjective advice
  • Strategy recommendations
  • Directly addressing the reader (e.g. "you should do this")

Content written in a player-directed tone tends to resemble a strategy guide and gives prose a less professional feel.

For more detailed guidance, see the style guide.

Images

For article images, official material is highly preferred. In-game screenshots create visual clutter and often appear less professional. Image content should be prioritized in the following order:

  • Official renders by Rare (e.g. promotional material such as wallpapers)
  • Direct game-ripped assets, including:
    • Journal icons
    • 2D art (e.g. P-Factor portraits, concept art)
    • Data-rendered models
  • In-game screenshots (last resort)

If no other options are available, gameplay screenshots are permissible for demonstration purposes.

When screenshots are used:

  • Avoid player-defined names
  • Avoid decorated or cluttered gardens
  • Use an empty garden whenever possible
  • Crop images to focus on the subject

Pages needing additional work

As a community-driven project, Piñata Journal is continually evolving. The following templates are used to mark pages or sections that require improvement:

  • Stub: For empty or near-empty pages. Most or all information about the subject should be filled in.
  • Expand: Similar to Stub, but for individual sections within a page that are empty or lacking in information.
  • Needs testing: For pages or sections that require in-game testing to verify data, behavior, etc.
  • Needs research: For pages or sections that require information derived from external non-gameplay research (e.g. developer interviews, promotional material, etc.).

These tags help editors identify areas where contributions are most needed.

Categories

Categories should reflect official game distinctions where applicable.

Species, items, mechanics, and structures introduced in specific titles should be categorized using the full game title and year where needed.

Avoid legacy or unofficial terminology in category names.

Just dive right in!

All of this might seem like a lot to take in, but there's no better way to learn than by reading and editing existing articles.

Don't be afraid to make mistakes — the point of a wiki is collaboration, and no editor gets everything right on their first try. Edits can always be refined over time.