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- Joshio01 (October 20th, 2015, 3:11 am) • Nuclear_Blaze (April 10th, 2016, 6:40 pm) • PositronWildhawk (October 19th, 2015, 8:05 pm) • Vajrin (October 19th, 2015, 8:23 pm) • Venexis (October 19th, 2015, 9:40 am)
Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
Moderator: Level Moderator
Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
Thumbs up x5 
by Supershroom » October 19th, 2015, 3:41 am
This shall cover everything related to levels, so we meet less stuff like levels posted in the wrong place. I've thought of creating it as a sort of dialogue between an experienced designer (could be anyone) and the newbies this is dedicated to, in order to make it sound friendly and not dry. So here it goes!
Template: Level Posting Guide and Level-related Rules
How to submit a level
Level approval and commenting
Level Designer Subforums
Summary
Since many of you new members join because of Super Mario 63 (SM63) or Last Legacy (LL), and some of you want to make their own levels and share them with us, you should all read this so you’re doing nothing wrong. It’s not a difficult thing. You’re generally welcome and right now you’re at the right place to make sure that this doesn't happen to you.
Alright, then please tell me how to submit a level!
Fine. First off, you need a level which is already completed (duh). In other words, WIP stuff should not go to the portals and you should be sure to have it finished before submitting. Now, once you are done with your level, go to the Index page and scroll down until you find the two subforums called “Super Mario 63” and “Last Legacy”, saying “Post your fully complete SM63/LL levels here!”. Now, depending if it’s an SM63 or LL level, open the proper subforum, and click “Post Topic”.
Now, you not only see the common window for making posts, you also see an “Easy Level Submitting” box with two blank fields: “Code” and “Description”. The “Code” box is where your level code goes in. Code is the essential medium to save levels and make them playable on the site. I already assume you know what the level code is and that you save your levels finely – if not, it’s a good opportunity to learn it by going here.
So, what do I have to do next after inserting the code?
Below is the “description” box. This is where you put a description in. You can leave it blank if you want, but generally it’s nice to write a sentence or two, and ideally write something which invites us to play your level. Now, after you’re done with that, click “Submit.” But then you’re still not fully finished. These “Easy Submission” boxes produce a template of BBcodes in the regular posting textfield below. That way it is guaranteed that the required tags are present – you need to put the code in tags and the description should be in italics, anything non-italic won’t show if you open the level in-game (in the Extra menu of the game), like this:
This also means that you do not really NEED the Easy Submission boxes. Putting the code and description stuff directly into the main box does the job as well. The Easy Submission boxes are an auxiliary support for new members, as their name already implies. And of course you can use the main box to add even more stuff. Have a screenshot or an alternative music track we can listen to while playing? Share it with us! Detailed information about BBcodes is here.
Hold on, what are you telling? I have an LL level and the thing says “You’ve submitted an invalid code” or something!
Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you about that. Apparently, this is a serious bug, and we don’t know how to fix it. There should not be anything wrong with your code. For LL levels, ignore the Easy Submission Boxes, and do everything in the main box. That should work without any problems.
Now after you have everything together, just click the “Submit” button below and it’s done.
Well, that’s way easier than it sounds! So why do you need rules for it?
Well, this topic is called “Guides AND rules”. The rules refer to stuff like not posting levels in the right forums, forgetting code tags, and, most importatly, there are also rules related to the level designing process itself.
What exactly is the purpose of these tags?
Codes can be quite long, and they don’t have many line breaks. It doesn’t fit into a line in the forums, and without code tags it looks really ugly to be honest. Code tags help by transforming the code into a different font, and surrounding it with scrollbars, and most importantly, it automatically gives a “Select all” button.
But, now to talk about designing-related rules and the approval system. You haven’t clicked “Submit” yet? If you’re new, you’ll see an information box saying “This message has been submitted successfully, but it will have to be approved by a level moderator until it’s fully visible”.
Uh oh … what does that mean?
It means that since you’re new, you have to prove that you follow the common guidelines of designing, or, to say it better, you don’t break them too much. We’re generally a community with an open mindset and we’re pleased with every new designer giving their contributions, but there is a point where levels can be too effortless or unplayable or too much of a mess and therefore we have to reject them, and we tell the reasons for it. Your new level has to stay invisible for a while. Submitting it again won’t help, and a bit of patience may be required. Level moderators are the ones in charge of approving or disapproving levels by new designers, that is everyone with less than 5 levels submitted and approved on the portals. After 5 approved levels, you’re out of the filter and you can post levels without needing to wait.
I’m not detailedly naming the common reasons for disapproval because defining the border between “barely okay” and “not okay anymore” is also partially the level moderator’s discretion. Point is, you don’t have to worry about your level not being approved if you put at least some noteworthy effort into it and place items and tiles accurately. Spend at least one hour of effective time, I’d say. If you really should get a disapproval, check out this guide page on our Wiki. It tells you what to do and what not to do, and is a helpful guide in general. The most general thing I can say is: Do as well as you can and have fun designing!
And how do I see when my level is approved?
Your freshly submitted level is not visible in the subforums of the respective portals, but if you view the portals themselves by going here, you’ll still see it on the list. If you click it, it will say “The requested topic does not exist”. This means that your level is in the approval filter. Once it has been approved, it will be fully visible to everyone, even in the subforums. If it’s disapproved, it disappears from the list.
Level moderators also have other duties and things to do than approving levels. Normally, it should happen within two days or quicker, but odds are that it sometimes takes longer. If you’re already waiting for too long, contact them directly through PM (private message) or chat (politely, of course). Moderators and global moderators can handle it as well; they also have the power to approve levels although it’s not their main task.
Now, I wanna know, why do I even have to visit the forums to post my levels there?
The portals are linked to the forums for a good reason. Others can comment on your level and rate it, as well as you can comment (even without any levels) and rate (when having at least one approved level). Formerly, the portal and it’s rating / commenting features were disconnected from the forums, and we had a bunch of level spammers and downraters etc. which had nothing to do with the forums, and which were very stressful to moderate at times. Now, we can moderate rulebreakers and trolls much easier, if we should meet one.
Speaking of which, take the rating system seriously, just as you want to get serious and authentic ratings yourself. Be sure to have played the level, or at least viewed it in designing mode, before you give a rating. Where there are ratings, there often are comments as well. These are subjected to all forum rules that apply everywhere else, like no abusive or hateful behaviour and all that. There are a few more specific rules on commenting which you can view here. Most experienced designers try to give reviews as constructive as possible, since they want you to improve with your future levels in first line, and not put you down if you’ve made a less good one.
Wait, I’ve also seen subforums which are called “Level Designer”, “Level Series” or the like! What are these good for?
You’ve got a good point. The forums named “Level Designer” are the places where the level designing business takes place in more than simply making levels – it’s about holding contests, rankings and also supporting and helping each other. Some newbies tried to surpass the approval system by posting levels there and not on the portal. This will not work. Topics like these will be deleted or locked. In the SM63 Level Designer subforum there are two subforums – Level Series and Level Collections. Level Series is where you can create topics for series of at least three related levels. You need to have them finished, and you need to put them in code tags or link them to the portal when you’re posting here. If you don’t post at least three complete levels, your topic will be locked as well. Look at famous level series like “Super Mario Countdown” or “Paper Mario 63” to have an example of what this subforum is good for. Level Collections is similar, just that you can store all of your stray levels here to have a nice view over all of your achievements. There you can also store or spoil unfinished pieces if you want. Again, at least three full levels are needed for this. Looking at an experienced designer’s collection is also useful.
And for the SM63 Level Designer Forums themselves, we’ve kept getting topics about glitches that are already known or wishes for new things on the designer. We ask you not to make these topics for the following reasons: We know many many glitches already, so a new one would be quite sensational. Please ask an experienced designer (e.g. level mod) before posting about it. And for new things, Runouw and his dev team is focused only on Last Legacy and not on SM63 anymore, therefore an update to the designer won’t happen until the LL games are completed.
That’s everything! I guess this was quite a lot for you, here's a summary of LDing rules in a compact form.
Now, like I’ve mentioned, we have many other things to offer besides simply making levels, so feel free to explore! We’re looking forward to see your levels and who knows, maybe you can be the next rising star.
How to submit a level
Level approval and commenting
Level Designer Subforums
Summary
Since many of you new members join because of Super Mario 63 (SM63) or Last Legacy (LL), and some of you want to make their own levels and share them with us, you should all read this so you’re doing nothing wrong. It’s not a difficult thing. You’re generally welcome and right now you’re at the right place to make sure that this doesn't happen to you.
Alright, then please tell me how to submit a level!
Fine. First off, you need a level which is already completed (duh). In other words, WIP stuff should not go to the portals and you should be sure to have it finished before submitting. Now, once you are done with your level, go to the Index page and scroll down until you find the two subforums called “Super Mario 63” and “Last Legacy”, saying “Post your fully complete SM63/LL levels here!”. Now, depending if it’s an SM63 or LL level, open the proper subforum, and click “Post Topic”.
Now, you not only see the common window for making posts, you also see an “Easy Level Submitting” box with two blank fields: “Code” and “Description”. The “Code” box is where your level code goes in. Code is the essential medium to save levels and make them playable on the site. I already assume you know what the level code is and that you save your levels finely – if not, it’s a good opportunity to learn it by going here.
So, what do I have to do next after inserting the code?
Below is the “description” box. This is where you put a description in. You can leave it blank if you want, but generally it’s nice to write a sentence or two, and ideally write something which invites us to play your level. Now, after you’re done with that, click “Submit.” But then you’re still not fully finished. These “Easy Submission” boxes produce a template of BBcodes in the regular posting textfield below. That way it is guaranteed that the required tags are present – you need to put the code in tags and the description should be in italics, anything non-italic won’t show if you open the level in-game (in the Extra menu of the game), like this:
- Code: Select all
[i] description be here [/i]
[code] code be here [/code]
This also means that you do not really NEED the Easy Submission boxes. Putting the code and description stuff directly into the main box does the job as well. The Easy Submission boxes are an auxiliary support for new members, as their name already implies. And of course you can use the main box to add even more stuff. Have a screenshot or an alternative music track we can listen to while playing? Share it with us! Detailed information about BBcodes is here.
Hold on, what are you telling? I have an LL level and the thing says “You’ve submitted an invalid code” or something!
Oh, sorry, I forgot to tell you about that. Apparently, this is a serious bug, and we don’t know how to fix it. There should not be anything wrong with your code. For LL levels, ignore the Easy Submission Boxes, and do everything in the main box. That should work without any problems.
Now after you have everything together, just click the “Submit” button below and it’s done.
Well, that’s way easier than it sounds! So why do you need rules for it?
Well, this topic is called “Guides AND rules”. The rules refer to stuff like not posting levels in the right forums, forgetting code tags, and, most importatly, there are also rules related to the level designing process itself.
What exactly is the purpose of these tags?
Codes can be quite long, and they don’t have many line breaks. It doesn’t fit into a line in the forums, and without code tags it looks really ugly to be honest. Code tags help by transforming the code into a different font, and surrounding it with scrollbars, and most importantly, it automatically gives a “Select all” button.
But, now to talk about designing-related rules and the approval system. You haven’t clicked “Submit” yet? If you’re new, you’ll see an information box saying “This message has been submitted successfully, but it will have to be approved by a level moderator until it’s fully visible”.
Uh oh … what does that mean?
It means that since you’re new, you have to prove that you follow the common guidelines of designing, or, to say it better, you don’t break them too much. We’re generally a community with an open mindset and we’re pleased with every new designer giving their contributions, but there is a point where levels can be too effortless or unplayable or too much of a mess and therefore we have to reject them, and we tell the reasons for it. Your new level has to stay invisible for a while. Submitting it again won’t help, and a bit of patience may be required. Level moderators are the ones in charge of approving or disapproving levels by new designers, that is everyone with less than 5 levels submitted and approved on the portals. After 5 approved levels, you’re out of the filter and you can post levels without needing to wait.
I’m not detailedly naming the common reasons for disapproval because defining the border between “barely okay” and “not okay anymore” is also partially the level moderator’s discretion. Point is, you don’t have to worry about your level not being approved if you put at least some noteworthy effort into it and place items and tiles accurately. Spend at least one hour of effective time, I’d say. If you really should get a disapproval, check out this guide page on our Wiki. It tells you what to do and what not to do, and is a helpful guide in general. The most general thing I can say is: Do as well as you can and have fun designing!
And how do I see when my level is approved?
Your freshly submitted level is not visible in the subforums of the respective portals, but if you view the portals themselves by going here, you’ll still see it on the list. If you click it, it will say “The requested topic does not exist”. This means that your level is in the approval filter. Once it has been approved, it will be fully visible to everyone, even in the subforums. If it’s disapproved, it disappears from the list.
Level moderators also have other duties and things to do than approving levels. Normally, it should happen within two days or quicker, but odds are that it sometimes takes longer. If you’re already waiting for too long, contact them directly through PM (private message) or chat (politely, of course). Moderators and global moderators can handle it as well; they also have the power to approve levels although it’s not their main task.
Now, I wanna know, why do I even have to visit the forums to post my levels there?
The portals are linked to the forums for a good reason. Others can comment on your level and rate it, as well as you can comment (even without any levels) and rate (when having at least one approved level). Formerly, the portal and it’s rating / commenting features were disconnected from the forums, and we had a bunch of level spammers and downraters etc. which had nothing to do with the forums, and which were very stressful to moderate at times. Now, we can moderate rulebreakers and trolls much easier, if we should meet one.
Speaking of which, take the rating system seriously, just as you want to get serious and authentic ratings yourself. Be sure to have played the level, or at least viewed it in designing mode, before you give a rating. Where there are ratings, there often are comments as well. These are subjected to all forum rules that apply everywhere else, like no abusive or hateful behaviour and all that. There are a few more specific rules on commenting which you can view here. Most experienced designers try to give reviews as constructive as possible, since they want you to improve with your future levels in first line, and not put you down if you’ve made a less good one.
Wait, I’ve also seen subforums which are called “Level Designer”, “Level Series” or the like! What are these good for?
You’ve got a good point. The forums named “Level Designer” are the places where the level designing business takes place in more than simply making levels – it’s about holding contests, rankings and also supporting and helping each other. Some newbies tried to surpass the approval system by posting levels there and not on the portal. This will not work. Topics like these will be deleted or locked. In the SM63 Level Designer subforum there are two subforums – Level Series and Level Collections. Level Series is where you can create topics for series of at least three related levels. You need to have them finished, and you need to put them in code tags or link them to the portal when you’re posting here. If you don’t post at least three complete levels, your topic will be locked as well. Look at famous level series like “Super Mario Countdown” or “Paper Mario 63” to have an example of what this subforum is good for. Level Collections is similar, just that you can store all of your stray levels here to have a nice view over all of your achievements. There you can also store or spoil unfinished pieces if you want. Again, at least three full levels are needed for this. Looking at an experienced designer’s collection is also useful.
And for the SM63 Level Designer Forums themselves, we’ve kept getting topics about glitches that are already known or wishes for new things on the designer. We ask you not to make these topics for the following reasons: We know many many glitches already, so a new one would be quite sensational. Please ask an experienced designer (e.g. level mod) before posting about it. And for new things, Runouw and his dev team is focused only on Last Legacy and not on SM63 anymore, therefore an update to the designer won’t happen until the LL games are completed.
That’s everything! I guess this was quite a lot for you, here's a summary of LDing rules in a compact form.
- Single levels (in other words, topics only dedicated to your level) are to be posted in the specific Level Portal forums (SM63 and LL) and not in the Level Designer subforums or anywhere else. Always put the level code into code tags.
- If you want to create a topic in the Level Series or Level Collections subforum, be sure to have at least three complete levels for that.
- Try to make your levels as good as you can, and especially avoid mistakes such as cutoff, enemy spam, floating items and little effort in general. That way you'll avoid your level being deleted / disapproved.
- Your first five levels on the Portal will have to be approved by Level Moderators. This means that you shall not post your level doubly and triply (believe it, it has been posted successfully and we'll look into it) or circumvent the approval system by posting it somewhere else, disregarding the first two rules. If you already have five approved levels or if you're posting in Level Series / Level Collections, levels can still be deleted if they don't fit the requirements.
- If more than a week passes without your level being approved or disapproved, feel free to ask a moderator or level moderator through PM.
- Don't post any topics about new things you'd like to see on the SM63 designer, because Runouw's only focus right now is Last Legacy.
- All general rules also apply for commenting on the portal. Let your comments have a sense and when providing criticism, do it constructively, and especially avoid pointing out things that others have already said before. For more specific rules on how to comment on levels, view this thread.
Now, like I’ve mentioned, we have many other things to offer besides simply making levels, so feel free to explore! We’re looking forward to see your levels and who knows, maybe you can be the next rising star.
Last edited by Supershroom on October 19th, 2015, 11:48 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Supershroom - Our local SM63 Spielberg
- Posts: 1802
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
Thumbs up x1
by ~MP3 Amplifier~ » October 19th, 2015, 9:53 am
Nice work. Maybe this should be in the level designer forums? You might get some more community contribution that way.
The below image is a montage of my individual highest placing LDC creations, as a reminder to myself that level designing is a part of my life that I can't just leave behind
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~MP3 Amplifier~ - THE DARK LAMP
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by nin10mode » October 19th, 2015, 10:10 am
~MP3 Amplifier~ wrote:You might get some more community contribution that way.
lol
Minor quip aside, maybe add an anchor link to the tl;dr version.
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nin10mode - Immune to Death
Error contacting Twitter 
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by Supershroom » October 19th, 2015, 11:51 am
Anchors added.
And MP3 if you guess that in the LD forums more people will voice their opinions / suggestions, just go for it.
And MP3 if you guess that in the LD forums more people will voice their opinions / suggestions, just go for it.
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Supershroom - Our local SM63 Spielberg
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by PositronWildhawk » October 19th, 2015, 8:07 pm
 PositronWildhawk |  |
Simply amazing. Great job SuperShroom.
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PositronWildhawk - As Ninja As Myst
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by Supershroom » November 12th, 2015, 9:42 am
It looks like this has been quite abandoned for a while ...
So, will it be considered to be moved to the Rules subforum? Or are there any things that should be reworded, or aren't accurate etc.? I'd like to hear some response.
So, will it be considered to be moved to the Rules subforum? Or are there any things that should be reworded, or aren't accurate etc.? I'd like to hear some response.
-
Supershroom - Our local SM63 Spielberg
- Posts: 1802
- Joined: June 21st, 2014, 5:22 am
- Location: Filmstudio for SM63. Sometimes also LL.
Runouw Votes Winner - Thumbs Up given: 244 times
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
Thumbs up x1
by Charcoal » November 12th, 2015, 11:56 am
Supershroom wrote:It looks like this has been quite abandoned for a while ...
So, will it be considered to be moved to the Rules subforum? Or are there any things that should be reworded, or aren't accurate etc.? I'd like to hear some response.
Umm...
~MP3 Amplifier~ wrote:Nice work. Maybe this should be in the level designer forums? You might get some more community contribution that way.
Maybe do that I guess?
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Charcoal - Prophet of Shadowsquid
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by nin10mode » November 12th, 2015, 12:11 pm
ayy i dun did things
More discussion please, unless everyone agrees with these
More discussion please, unless everyone agrees with these
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nin10mode - Immune to Death
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by ~MP3 Amplifier~ » November 12th, 2015, 12:12 pm
I didn't think it really needed to be in the rules forum as its a template guide, not an official set of rules. But it seems another mod (or Nin) has already done the honours, so I'll leave the decision in their hands.
The below image is a montage of my individual highest placing LDC creations, as a reminder to myself that level designing is a part of my life that I can't just leave behind
-
~MP3 Amplifier~ - THE DARK LAMP
Error contacting Twitter - Posts: 4383
- Joined: May 6th, 2011, 12:35 pm
- Location: Maaars d(^_^)b
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides
by Supershroom » November 12th, 2015, 12:17 pm
Actually these are meant to be both a guide and a set of rules that were unwritten before (--> summary at the bottom), so we also get less people asking "how do I submit a level" or "why do I need code tags"
Also, by having a shadow topic in the rules forum, these are already meant to be official (at least currently), aren't they?
Also, by having a shadow topic in the rules forum, these are already meant to be official (at least currently), aren't they?
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Supershroom - Our local SM63 Spielberg
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