Site Strategy · Planning
Website Content Plan#
Purpose#
The official Hops & Havoc website should introduce the premise in seconds, reward deeper exploration, support releases across media, and make the universe feel active without forcing visitors to read a wiki.
Primary Audiences#
- New visitors discovering the premise
- Readers following stories or comics
- Players looking for games and updates
- Fans exploring lore and characters
- Press, partners, retailers, and licensees
Brand Promise#
The site presents Hops & Havoc as a sincere fictional world, not a page making fun of its own concept. Marketing copy can be sharp, but it should sound like Resistance communication, local reporting, or Barry's unwilling assistance.
Initial Sitemap#
Home#
- Tagline: "They took our bar. We're taking their planet."
- One-paragraph premise
- Core trio introduction
- Current featured release
- Latest dispatches
- Strong links to Start Here, Games, and Stories
Start Here#
- Spoiler-light universe introduction
- Tone and content expectations
- Recommended reading/playing order
- Short Bellwether map
Characters#
- Doug, Jerry, Barry, Denise, Randy
- Faction filters
- Spoiler tiers
- Character art, quote, role, first appearance
The World#
- Bellwether interactive map
- Factions
- Artifacts
- Enemy field guide
- Timeline with spoiler controls
Stories#
- Prose, comics, audio, and release order
- Reading samples
- Creator credits
- Canon status
Games#
- Current mobile projects
- Screenshots and platform links
- Development notes
- Accessibility details
Resistance Radio#
- In-universe news and audio dispatches
- Bellwether public notices
- Barry system messages
- Newsletter signup framed as joining the Tapline
Store#
- Apparel, prints, field manuals, props, and collected editions
- Clear separation between fictional alcohol imagery and real beverages
About#
- Franchise overview
- Creator/team information
- Press kit and contact
- Rights and licensing
Homepage Content Draft#
Hero#
Hops & Havoc
They took our bar. We're taking their planet.
Doug and Jerry wanted their old tavern left alone. Instead, they uncovered an alien civilization using craft breweries to cultivate Earth. Now a small-town repair crew, a bartender intelligence network, and one furious brewery AI are humanity's least qualified line of defense.
Primary CTA: Enter Bellwether
Secondary CTA: Play the Games
Core Trio Cards#
Doug Walker
Mechanic. Skateboarder. Owner of several weapons purchased for reasons nobody can verify.
Jerry Collins
Repairman. Conspiracy theorist. Currently experiencing the worst possible form of vindication.
B.A.R.R.Y.
Self-aware brewery AI. Tactical genius. Would like it documented that this was not his plan.
World Teaser#
The Hop Collective did not come to destroy Earth. It came to improve our taste, connect our communities, and eliminate the primitive concept of asking first.
Content Types#
| Type | Purpose | Cadence |
|---|---|---|
| Dispatch | News and release updates | Monthly |
| Field report | In-universe short lore | Twice monthly |
| Character file | Evergreen discovery content | Per release |
| Location file | Map-linked world content | Per release |
| Barry notice | Short comic/system message | Weekly when active |
| Development log | Transparent project updates | Milestone-based |
Interactive Features#
Bellwether Map#
Unlock locations by timeline phase. Each location can contain:
- spoiler-light summary;
- first appearance;
- resident characters;
- before/after art;
- evidence items;
- game links.
Barry Interface#
An optional site mode where Barry comments on navigation and search behavior. It must remain accessible, dismissible, and curated. It should never insult protected traits, accessibility needs, or users personally.
Resistance Clearance#
Visitors can choose spoiler clearance:
- Civilian: premise only
- Regular: released public canon
- Resistance: full timeline and documents
Evidence Board#
Connects articles, images, labels, and transmissions. It supports discovery but does not replace standard navigation.
Launch Phases#
Phase 1: Franchise Landing Site#
- Home
- Start Here
- Core characters
- Games
- Newsletter
- Press kit
Phase 2: World Portal#
- Map
- Factions
- Artifacts
- Enemy guide
- Story library
Phase 3: Living Universe#
- Resistance Radio
- Interactive evidence board
- Account-free collection tracking
- Store and event support
Editorial Standards#
- Source factual lore from
docs/. - Mark in-universe claims that are intentionally unreliable.
- Provide image alt text and transcripts.
- Use exact first-appearance and canon-status metadata.
- Avoid real-world claims about alcohol, health, or specific brands.
- Do not use fan submissions without explicit terms and moderation.
SEO and Discovery Topics#
- Comedy science-fiction universe
- Alien invasion comedy
- Action-survivor mobile game
- Small-town resistance fiction
- Retro action and skateboard-inspired comics
- Sarcastic AI character
SEO language must describe original work rather than leaning on comparison titles.
Measurement#
Track:
- Start Here completion
- Story/game outbound clicks
- Newsletter conversion
- Map engagement
- Returning visitors after releases
- Accessibility errors
Do not optimize Barry interactions at the expense of basic usability.
Technical Direction#
- Static-first site with structured content
- Markdown or headless CMS source mapped to canon IDs
- Responsive and WCAG 2.2 AA target
- Progressive enhancement for interactive lore
- Open Graph cards for characters and releases
- Versioned spoiler metadata