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Posts by Proto Man

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Given how bad my level creating process went due to the time crunch, I'll be surprised if I am not in the bottom three this year.
Originally posted by MrDeePay
Oh big whoop. If it were up to me, your level would not have been included in either compilation. The same goes to all of you other wannabe tryhards trying to get as low of a score as possible.


I'm not trying to suck. I'm just warning you in advance of the suckage. Next year I'll make sure that I plan it out properly and actually do well.
I just had a terrible time making my level since it was the first one I ever made and I did it in about three hours.

At least one good thing came out of it: unlike last year we actually have some consistent judges so at least when we all play the final version the rankings will actually be appropriate this time unlike last year.

Thanks to the judges for taking the time grade all the levels, even if some (like mine) were huge messes (though I did personally like the palette, but whatever you guys say).

I'll make sure I try to do actually well next year by actually planning out the experience better. I actually already have an idea which I like a lot (which should hopefully increase my rankings by about 20 I predict because my ideas aren't bad but they aren't amazing).

Congrats to the winners, of course. Worldpeace is a pretty deserving winner. I specifically remember his level last year and I felt like it got robbed.

Quick question though. I thought the palette was very good personally to me. That was one of the biggest issues you guys had. So how do I figure out what's a good palette? I won't use my own judgement since it apparently isn't one of the better ones, but how do I figure something so opinion based out (it's fair that you dislike it, you are the judges after all), since there seems to be a disconnect between the expectations and what I think is good?
Originally posted by S.N.N.
The biggest problem was the background in the underground portion of your level. The palette was really bright and clashed a lot with the foreground, and the fact that you mixed a lava animation in with it made it super distracting. Although it's not a general rule, what I'd personally recommend is making the background darker/more subdued than the FG, and if you're using ground tiles in it (which you also did), fade their outlines a bit so they don't look like they can be jumped on.


I remember that "Inside Intestines" got like 6th last year (though due to the judging controversy I don't know if I should bother citing it that way). That level had some lava in the BG, and it was taken pretty well. Is that because there was less of the lava? I personally am really a fan of the moving BG, though subduing makes complete sense to me.

Sidenote: MrPeeDay isn't cynical enough, he needs to just be a complete jerk one of these contests to get it out of his system. This slight aggressiveness is not helping him.

Though to be fair 5/100 was just inconsistent with the other two judges. I'm not even concerned about it being low, but there needs to be some sort of standard unless you grade everyone relatively the same way (I didn't check to see if he did).
Originally posted by MrDeePay
Originally posted by Proto Man
I remember that "Inside Intestines" got like 6th last year (though due to the judging controversy I don't know if I should bother citing it that way). That level had some lava in the BG, and it was taken pretty well. Is that because there was less of the lava? I personally am really a fan of the moving BG, though subduing makes complete sense to me.


Inside Intestines had better contrast in the palette with the BG and FG. Your level did not.
Inside Intestines also had much better gameplay/level design and did not have terrible sprite problems due to too many sprites being on the screen at once.
Inside Intestines also felt like it was actually playtested extensively.

Quote
Sidenote: MrPeeDay isn't cynical enough, he needs to just be a complete jerk one of these contests to get it out of his system. This slight aggressiveness is not helping him.


I hate everyone equally.

Quote
Though to be fair 5/100 was just inconsistent with the other two judges. I'm not even concerned about it being low, but there needs to be some sort of standard unless you grade everyone relatively the same way (I didn't check to see if he did).


SNN tends to be more lenient towards entrants in these contests, while I tend to be more strict towards entrants in these contests. Of course, this is not exclusive to this contest.

Don't want me to score you low? Don't give me a reason to.


I was simply asking about the graphics. Of course the level design was good, I had fun playing it, I would know. I'm just saying that the comment about the lava tiles being distracting was slightly confusing because a great level like that one could get away with it. I wasn't absolutely sure.

I can tell that you hate everyone equally.

That was just a clarifying question. I just didn't want a repeat of last year where someone was being a terrible judge. I'm still new at making levels, so I need some experience before being good. And to get experience, it means making levels, regardless of how bad they are. Ergo, I don't really mind that you scored me low. If you score everyone harshly that's totally fair. Hell, I'm glad that you're being completely honest here because in the long run that will help more.
Originally posted by allowiscous
It wouldn't be a contest unless there's people bitching about scores, so I'm rather glad. Thanks for keeping up traditions <3

edit: to actually contribute; level appreciation is subjective and therefore so are the scores these levels receive. there are three judges to amend this, however there will obviously always be disagreements and unless a person comes up with a completely accurate way to judge levels (spoiler; it's impossible) this is always how it will be. so, uh, you gotta deal with it man.


That's fair. I just hate how I'm trying to ask about how I can improve my level for next year and all I get is the "I'm a butthurt idiot" treatment from these assholes. I knew it would shitty from the start.
Originally posted by S.N.N.
Originally posted by Proto Man
That's fair. I just hate how I'm trying to ask about how I can improve my level for next year and all I get is the "I'm a butthurt idiot" treatment from these assholes. I knew it would shitty from the start.


A couple people are being pricks, yeah .. though it really is a tradition for people to bitch about their scores for the sake of bitching. On the other hand, I don't believe you're doing so at all - I fully believe that you're genuinely curious about what you can do to improve your level.

Although the palette was a major problem in your level, your design needs a lot of work too. The biggest offender is, of course, the cave room - it's about 8 screens long and has an absurdly small amount of sprites on it. The level comes off as boring because instead of actively trying to dodge stuff, you're really just jumping from bone to bone (and then from ? bridge to ? bridge), until you reach the boss. The level really needs .. more. More enemies, more areas to explore, more platforming. It's lacking all-around.

Also, the boss is unbeatable (unless you're really lucky). You've put so many Boos on the screen that you can't actually pick up the throw blocks due to sprite limitations.

I hope that clarifies why your level ranked so low. I'd be happy to elaborate even further if necessary.


That makes a lot of sense. The only experience I have of good levels are simply playing them or watching raocow play them, and neither of the two times have I focused on the quality of the level. I don't know much as a result, but I am aware that many levels are much, much longer. Even in the original SMW, where many levels where kind of short, those levels were still longer. So that's fair, I get that.

I'll be honest, the boo spam was my cynicism getting the better of me since at the time I was butthurt about the level I made. Feel free to to do what you want in the boo room (i.e. take out some boos, give a goal sphere, do nothing, etc). I honestly don't mind at all, and if it is unbeatable then the player shouldn't be punished. But again, that's your decision and I honestly couldn't care less what you do with it.

I'm assuming the secret exit was better but still suffered from the short length and lack of variety of sprites? There weren't many comments on that so I don't know exactly what to think except that it suffers from the same problems.

Thanks for taking the time to respond and clarify, SNN. Are there any specific levels you remember that had good palettes? I would never copy a palette but maybe I could use a reference point somewhere.

Also, to those bitching about the scores: You guys aren't entitled to jack shit when it comes to the scores. Be glad that the judges are having a contest and you guys will be in the final project anyhow (unless you were disqualified, but that's a different issue altogether).

I'm personally not a fan of MrDeePay's harsh outlook, but he is right - if you want a good score you have to make a good level. And since he is the judge he has the right to grade however he wants to. (Though the joke about the Cleveland Browns was a low blow, and that's coming from a Detroit Lions fan).

I'm looking forward to the final project, and hope the last place world is a bigger clusterfuck than last year's.
Originally posted by MrDeePay


Originally posted by Proto Man
And since he is the judge he has the right to grade however he wants to. (Though the joke about the Cleveland Browns was a low blow, and that's coming from a Detroit Lions fan).


Detroit Lions fan, eh?


But seriously, the Lions got fucked pretty bad against the Cowboys.



Yeah, they did. But they're the Lions, so I'm counting making the playoffs as enough of an accomplishment. And as much as I understand that Green Bay is a rival, I have to give them credit for, firstly, being consistently good, and, secondly, in my opinion, being a classier team than most (such as the Cowboys). Dallas got kind of screwed against the Packers, but I call it justice.

This is hardly the place to discuss sports though, so I'm going to keep it at this here.
Originally posted by LimeMaster92
Originally posted by Proto Man
Originally posted by S.N.N.
The biggest problem was the background in the underground portion of your level. The palette was really bright and clashed a lot with the foreground, and the fact that you mixed a lava animation in with it made it super distracting. Although it's not a general rule, what I'd personally recommend is making the background darker/more subdued than the FG, and if you're using ground tiles in it (which you also did), fade their outlines a bit so they don't look like they can be jumped on.


I remember that "Inside Intestines" got like 6th last year (though due to the judging controversy I don't know if I should bother citing it that way). That level had some lava in the BG, and it was taken pretty well. Is that because there was less of the lava? I personally am really a fan of the moving BG, though subduing makes complete sense to me.

Sidenote: MrPeeDay isn't cynical enough, he needs to just be a complete jerk one of these contests to get it out of his system. This slight aggressiveness is not helping him.

Though to be fair 5/100 was just inconsistent with the other two judges. I'm not even concerned about it being low, but there needs to be some sort of standard unless you grade everyone relatively the same way (I didn't check to see if he did).


Compared to a certain someone on Board 2, I think MrDeePay isn't harsh at all. He's just more honest.


Just don't let the results get you down, because I'm sure you will improve quite a lot over time, and will be able to get great results in the next contest. :)


I appreciate the motivation and kind speaking, but if you look at the other comments you see that I've gotten over this. So thanks for the talk, but everything has been resolved.
SNN

I understand that you want to keep the levels exactly the way they are.

However, I used to have a secret exit in my level. My level was "Night of Fire" in the worst world.

The secret exit crashes badly if you try to go towards it.

Is there any reason for that? I don't see why this is happening.
Eh. Tied for fifth ain't that bad. Since I don't know jack about racing games. Still, how did I miss Mario kart 64 or hydro thunder? Those are like my two favorite racing games. Also disappointed in the lack of super Mario kart music but to be fair anyone would get that.

Thanks for making the contest. Next time choose a better category, alright?
28) MrDeePay
Anyone have any idea on when the VLDC levels are due?
Awesome. I'm ready for this. I started working on this way back in late December. I even scrapped a few ideas I had before.

Hopefully I won't end up in the bottom 10 this time instead.
I have zero knowledge of any of these, and I like video game music.

Maybe I could make a video game music guessing contest, and I expect out of 40 the lowest score might be 30 or so. I probably listen to very mainstream stuff that way.
...

How are you people linking your files to the forum?

This thing is due in about 40 minutes and I'm finished, but I can't figure out how to link it and that's the last thing I need to prevent me from submitting it.
(restricted)
With the upcoming baseball season looming ahead, I think it's relevant to bring up the fact that Nintendo of America owns the Seattle Mariners, a baseball team (specifically one that happens to be one of the worst ones in MLB history).

So, since I'm a fan of watching these games, I felt the need to ask: any sports fans here on this website, and what are you favorite teams? I don't expect the majority of people to answer, but I imagine there could be a decent amount here.

My teams:

Detroit Lions (NFL)
Detroit Tigers (MLB)
Detroit Red Wings (NHL)
Detroit Pistons (NBA)