Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

General discussion about the portal. The Level Posting Rules are also here.

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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Raz » November 13th, 2015, 8:53 am

As for the content itself, whatever. I don't think it's neccessary for it to be in the rules forum, where barely any new users who join for levels actually check. Make it an announcement in every subforum/forum in the portal. (why we didn't discuss that but are discussing this after it's already in the rules forum is odd)
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Supershroom » November 13th, 2015, 9:54 am

I second this for now. With Raz confirming that announcements on the LDP work, this is a better solution to make new designers see this topic.

the shadow topic in Rules could maybe still stay, though ...
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Rating standards: show
1 star: (0 - 5.75 in LDC) These levels need a lot of work. They're totally un-elaborated, and/or inherently flawed due to things like cutoff or enemy spam, or they're untested and there are too many bugs gameplay-wise, in short: Many many things went wrong in such a level.

2 stars: (6 - 9.75) These levels are not terrible, but poor. They're too short, lack scenery or they have errors and/or bugs but it's still barely enjoyable. Again, spend more effort and try to do better. (if it's your first level that I rate two stars, it's not bad. There's a long way you can still go)

3 stars: (10 - 12.75) These levels are about mediocre. They may be still a little bit short, the gameplay is fine but not very original and graphics are also solid, but not breath-taking. Try to keep improving!

4 stars: (13 - 15) These levels are nice, but not the best. Effort has been put into them, there can some professionality be seen in gameplay and graphics, they're a nice experience to play, but there are still things you can do to make it even better. Try to go the extra mile!

5 stars: (15.25 - 20) These are really great levels, those which, as said, I would give more than 15 in an LDC. These suffice many high requirements, and it already goes into subtleties if you want to make them better. These levels are successful all around. Bravo.

These are just general principles I try to follow when rating. Sometimes I don't leave a further comment when rating, most times I do, if you have questions about it, feel free to ask further.
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby ~MP3 Amplifier~ » November 13th, 2015, 9:57 am

I think leaving a shadow topic may be a good idea because newbies don't always go to the News forum, but a few do, I did when I first joined. So just in case they happen to look there, they'll see it and come here. But ultimately this should be in the level portal where all designers can see.
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Supershroom » November 15th, 2015, 10:58 am

Now, the announcement-on-the-LDP thing actually failed because it gave me two extra levels and it was possible to rate it with stars.

Instead, there could be some more of the vine red "Forum rules" bars, saying "If you're new and posting your very first levels, make sure to read the Level Posting Rules! [give link] Thank you."

Hopefully this doesn't belong to the things that Doram would also have to crack open
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Rating standards: show
1 star: (0 - 5.75 in LDC) These levels need a lot of work. They're totally un-elaborated, and/or inherently flawed due to things like cutoff or enemy spam, or they're untested and there are too many bugs gameplay-wise, in short: Many many things went wrong in such a level.

2 stars: (6 - 9.75) These levels are not terrible, but poor. They're too short, lack scenery or they have errors and/or bugs but it's still barely enjoyable. Again, spend more effort and try to do better. (if it's your first level that I rate two stars, it's not bad. There's a long way you can still go)

3 stars: (10 - 12.75) These levels are about mediocre. They may be still a little bit short, the gameplay is fine but not very original and graphics are also solid, but not breath-taking. Try to keep improving!

4 stars: (13 - 15) These levels are nice, but not the best. Effort has been put into them, there can some professionality be seen in gameplay and graphics, they're a nice experience to play, but there are still things you can do to make it even better. Try to go the extra mile!

5 stars: (15.25 - 20) These are really great levels, those which, as said, I would give more than 15 in an LDC. These suffice many high requirements, and it already goes into subtleties if you want to make them better. These levels are successful all around. Bravo.

These are just general principles I try to follow when rating. Sometimes I don't leave a further comment when rating, most times I do, if you have questions about it, feel free to ask further.
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My total SM63 level experience: 2803 levels.
Total coins collected in these: 306800

The WITBLO11 Tribute


A showcase of the 25 best levels of 2011, including such fantastic levels as Niveau Victorieux Galaxy, Plastic Beach, Dimension Infinity, Realm of the Heavens/Parallel Spires, and more!

My Level Collection: http://runouw.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=25&t=47186

Other Important Links:
Last Legacy Level Designer tutorial
Eternal SM63 Medal Table
Eternal SM63 Score Table (all LDC scores available)
Top 10 Lists for LDC's (highest averages in a single judging criterion)
Runouw Votes Eternal Table
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby ~MP3 Amplifier~ » November 15th, 2015, 11:09 am

That is possible to do, and it's fair enough. I forgot that all topics posted in the level portal count as levels for some reason.
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Thumbs up x1

Postby Harmless » February 11th, 2016, 2:10 am

Oh, I just noticed this.

I think this gets better noticed when in the fancy announcements section (where it is right now). Do you think this could be linked to multiple forums though, since it's going to be such an important starting point for many people getting into level designing?
Expect something cool here soon!

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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Maaaaarrrrriiiiio » January 8th, 2017, 9:50 am

If the level is disapproved, is there any message sending in for telling reasons? If there isn't, I suggest that please send a message to tell the designers when the level is disapproved, this helps the level designers to make better levels. :ninja:
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This is my Portal rating standards:
I give every level a overview with a total of 100 points.
1. Difficulty(20 points): I will take points off depending on how far has the level been beyond easy or hard. But generally, most of the levels should get full points on this.
2. Graphics(10 points): I will take points off depending on how laggy this level is. Again, generally, most of the levels should get full points on this.
detailed standards on this:
>25 fps: 10/10
20-25 fps: 6-9/10
15-20 fps:1-5/10
<15 fps:0/10
3. In-game playing(40 points): This score shows how fun, playable and unique this level is.
detailed standards on this:
30-40:excellent
20-30:good
10-20:ok
<10:poor
4. Other(30 points):I will give points on this depending on how well does the level use the tiles and items(15 points each).And all points from special rules are added here.
Overall:
0-29/100:1☆
30-49/100:2☆
50-69/100:3☆
70-89/100:4☆
>90/100:5☆

!!!Special Rules!!!
1. If I see any cutoffs-any at all, at least 10 points will be lost.
2. If level does not fit theme, 25 points will be lost.
3. If there's anything that's extraordinarily inspiring and unique, I will add extra points.
4. The harshness of my rating, that means how strict I am while rating the level depends on how long has the author been designing.
5. If there're any flaws that doesn't pertain to all rules above, I will deduct points within reason.

EDIT 1(April 11): decreased the amount of the points given for laggy and bad game playing
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Venexis » January 8th, 2017, 12:19 pm

There is a text field where the person who disapproves the level can expand on the reasoning behind it. I don't think it's mandatory, but rest assured that it's in the staff's best interest to tell you why a level was disapproved- if you're not aware that the code was missing, or the level was impossible, you'll probably just try resubmitting once it doesn't appear on the portal, right?

That being said, if your level isn't appearing immediately, it's probably just because our staff can't be around all the time. If a day or two have passed, though, you can always PM the Moderator usergroup to ask what's going on by composing a new private message, selecting the Moderator option from the menu in the top right, and clicking add. Hope this helps <3
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Re: Rules topic template: Level Posting Rules and Guides

Postby Raiyuuni » January 9th, 2017, 7:52 am

Yes, it is mandatory that moderators elaborate on the log about their reasons for not allowing a level into the Portal - however simple they may be. However, as of now, we have no means to automatically forward said messages to the authors.

Here's a short resume of what goes on in there:

  • Thread duplicates and missing codes are by far the most recurring reasons for a thread to be disapproved.
  • Every now and then, some levels are also disapproved for making the game lag. This happens because the game is unable to handle too many objects in a single transition while keeping the frame rate steady (limited computers aside, keep in mind that Flash is a rather limited platform).
  • Lastly, levels are also filtered based on whether the difficulty is too high (or if they can't be finished at all) and whether there wasn't enough effort in their making. New threads rarely fall under that criteria (even with the mods being rather lax with the latter).

e.g. Your level Bully World didn't make it - despite being a level solid in effort and possible to complete, it was filtered since frame rate was kept steadily under 10 FPS because of the sheer number of enemies in it.
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