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Submission Guidelines (READ FIRST)

Posted: 19 May 2013, 14:03
by SAJewers
A Second Mario Bros. X Thing is the sequel to A Super Mario Bros. X Thing, a Collab hack using a heavily modified version of the Super Mario Bros. X Engine. The game follows Demo, Iris (Both creations of raocow), Kood (From the Drama Mistery Series), Samuel (raocow himself), and Sheath (From the raocow/AOD Webcomic ATXS.) as they traverse planets in search of mysterious Super Leeks over four episodes. For More Information, check out the Announcements Thread, or ask away in the discussion thread. Currently, we are accepting levels for Episode 2.
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GUIDELINES
We will not accept levels that do not adhere to the following.
  • Try and keep it under 10MB as much as possible.
  • Filename must be "Username-LevelName.lvl"
  • 0 or 5 dragon Coins only.
  • No Uncollectable Leeks/More than 1 leek in a section.
  • Max 2 exits. Do not use the same exit twice for a secret exit.
  • Level must be SFW.
  • Level must be playable and completable; no Kaizo Traps (allowing the player to die after completing the level).
  • Sources for music must be listed, preferably in the metadata of the file (For music from video games, use the composer as Artist, and game as Album).
  • Music must be in the same folder as graphics assets.
  • No music that falls under the below categories.
MUSIC WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:
Remixes of the following are fine.
  • Copyrighted music from a major publisher.
  • Music from games developed by Nintendo, including First/Second party developers.
  • Music composed by Chris Huelsbeck (trips ContentID)
  • Music that legitimately trips YouTube's ContentID system.
THINGS TO NOTE/CONSIDER:
Music Formats - Click here to see supported music formats. Please do not use MP3, WAV, or FLAC for size reasons. If your song is in a format that does not support metadata/tagging (HES, NSF, most tracker formats), see this post.

Lives - Losing lives have been disabled in favour of a Demo Counter. Avoid Life Farms as much as possible.

P-Switches - The P-Switch Jingle has been removed in favour of a ticking sound.

Characters - Try to make sure that your level is beatable by all characters. If you want to restrict your level to one character, or find one or two characters can't beat your level, you must use a lua or autocode filter. Do not use SMBX's character blocks to force a character change, we will replace it with a lua one.

Sacks - Any and all Blue Sacks will be removed upon the entering of a level.

Powerups - Try and make sure your level is not breakable/made unplayable with any powerups. Filter them if you need to.

Screen Boundaries - Make sure to extend walls and water/quicksand three tiles off the bottom/top of the screen. If you enable SMBX's level wrap, extend blocks 2 tiles off the left/right of the screen for NPCs to properly wrap.

Level modification - Any and all submitted levels may be modified by someone, if needed. Common examples are changing an Exit, replacing level music, or fixing bugs. We prefer levels be updated by the original author, however.

POSTING LEVELS:
To post a level, do the following:
  • Go to the Episode 2 levels page and add your level to the bottom of the "Unfinished/WIP Levels" list.
  • Create a page on the wiki with the name of the level. Go to source mode, and paste in the following, filling in each line:

    Code: Select all

    {{Infobox
    |image=<Filename of image, for a screenshot, if you are providing one>
    |author=<Your Name Here>
    |theme=<List broadly your level's themes>
    |exit=<How your level finishes, see below>
    |secretexit=<How your secret exit finishes, if you have a secret exit>
    |leeks=<How many leeks your level has,if you used leeks>
    |raocoins=<enter "Yes" if you used raocoins>
    |restrictions=<List any filters you use, if you used a filter>
    |music=<If you used custom music, list them here>
    |status= <Leave Blank, do not add anything here>
    }}
  • Add in any more information, such as stuff you want people to know, or updates. Publish the page.
  • Post on the Post Levels Here thread with a link to download your level.
  • Keep tabs on both your wiki page and the level review thread, as people test your level.
If you update your level:
  • Edit the levels page with the new download link (if needed).
  • If your update fixes any bugs or issues listed on the level page, mention it on the page.
  • Post on the Submit levels thread that you updated the level. Note all fixes if possible.
Once your level is finished, and people are happy with it:
  • move it from the "Unfinished/WIP Levels" list to the "Awaiting Review" list.
  • Change the "status" line in the infobox to "Submitted"
  • Post in the Post Levels Here Thread (Optional)
If your level follows the guidelines, and isn't downright terrible, it'll be moved to the approved list.

Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I upload my levels to?
Upload them to a filesharing website or cloud storage, preferably one that keeps files around for a long while. Mediafire, OneDrive, or Google Drive are good places.

How can I get my level reviewed?
Simply post your level. If after a week no one has reviewed your level, post in the Level Review thread requesting a review, or contact one of the level testers.

I can't seem to edit the wiki. What do I do?
Ask someone else to do it for you.

How do I end my level?
Use any of the following:
  • Mason Jar
  • Card Exit
  • Goal Tape
  • Key and Keyhole (Only use for a secret exit, do not use for a normal exit)
  • Walking Offscreen (Offscreen Exit, found in the level settings)
  • Warps (Create a warp, and in the Warps and Doors box, check "Level Exit")
  • Moneybag
  • Leek (only the one Marked "Exit" will end the level)
I can't post on the forums!
Talk to a forum Admin.

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This post may be edited from time to time. If I missed anything, tell me.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 14:23
by raocow
To be fair, if you are totally okay with your level being 'breakable' and you respond as such, fine.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 15:14
by lukaramu
SAJewers wrote:Characters - Since it appears we're going to use an overworld, there is no way to filter out characters aside from explicitly doing it on a per level basis. Thus, you should make sure that your level is beatable by all characters. If you want to restrict your level to one character, or find one or two characters can't beat your level, you must place a filter yourself. If a tester finds a level unbeatable as a certain character, and you haven't filtered him/her out, we probably won't accept it.
Afaik, you can disable characters in the world file, so we COULD just allow Demo.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 15:33
by Duker
SAJewers wrote:Dig Mario Discrimination
Big*

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 16:34
by SAJewers
raocow wrote:To be fair, if you are totally okay with your level being 'breakable' and you respond as such, fine.
Yes, if you don't want to fix it, and the testers are OK with it, then that's fine.
LukaRamu wrote:
SAJewers wrote:Characters - Since it appears we're going to use an overworld, there is no way to filter out characters aside from explicitly doing it on a per level basis. Thus, you should make sure that your level is beatable by all characters. If you want to restrict your level to one character, or find one or two characters can't beat your level, you must place a filter yourself. If a tester finds a level unbeatable as a certain character, and you haven't filtered him/her out, we probably won't accept it.
Afaik, you can disable characters in the world file, so we COULD just allow Demo.
Yes, but then if you use a different character in your level, the level creator himself/herself would have to place a character filter at the end of the level (unlike ASMBXT where we can lock the other charactersin). IMO it's just easier this way, plus we won't have to worry about people making kood/raocow/sheath levels. I don't expect people to test levels with every character, just make sure you put in the correct filters as necessary.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 16:36
by cheez8
LukaRamu wrote:
SAJewers wrote:Characters - Since it appears we're going to use an overworld, there is no way to filter out characters aside from explicitly doing it on a per level basis. Thus, you should make sure that your level is beatable by all characters. If you want to restrict your level to one character, or find one or two characters can't beat your level, you must place a filter yourself. If a tester finds a level unbeatable as a certain character, and you haven't filtered him/her out, we probably won't accept it.
Afaik, you can disable characters in the world file, so we COULD just allow Demo.
I wouldn't mind the usual way of having every character selectable for a level. If there's a character that makes a level super-way-too-easy, I think it should fall to the creator and testers to make sure that's caught and prevented if they feel like it's necessary.

Also, we should probably add a stipulation that levels don't have to be beatable with Sheath because really, who takes Link into normal levels anyway.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 16:37
by lukaramu
SAJewers wrote:
LukaRamu wrote:
SAJewers wrote:Characters - Since it appears we're going to use an overworld, there is no way to filter out characters aside from explicitly doing it on a per level basis. Thus, you should make sure that your level is beatable by all characters. If you want to restrict your level to one character, or find one or two characters can't beat your level, you must place a filter yourself. If a tester finds a level unbeatable as a certain character, and you haven't filtered him/her out, we probably won't accept it.
Afaik, you can disable characters in the world file, so we COULD just allow Demo.
Yes, but then if you use a different character in your level, the level creator himself/herself would have to place a character filter at the end of the level (unlike ASMBXT where we can lock the other charactersin). IMO it's just easier this way, plus we won't have to worry about people making kood/raocow/sheath levels. I don't expect people to test levels with every character, just make sure you put in the correct filters as necessary.
Well, but the number of levels specifially designed for kood/raocow/sheath are considerably lower then demo/iris. Now, kood/raocow/sheath tend to break levels, so should everyone go trough the hassle of filtering or only those who make the rare cases? I would prefer the latter.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 17:13
by raocow
I dunno, it's pretty easy to make a little filtering house at the start of your level if you are really concerned!

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 17:38
by SAJewers
raocow wrote:I dunno, it's pretty easy to make a little filtering house at the start of your level if you are really concerned!
This issue isn't really at the start of the level, its the fact you can easily take any character out by beating the level or dying. Honestly, Kood, raocow, and Sheath don't break too many levels, so this really shouldn't be a problem.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 17:42
by lukaramu
Well, I kinda changed my mind, it's like in SMW: If the player wants to cape over you level, he will find ways to do it, because he would play you level 'legit' if it was fun.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 17:56
by raocow
SAJewers wrote:
raocow wrote:I dunno, it's pretty easy to make a little filtering house at the start of your level if you are really concerned!
This issue isn't really at the start of the level, its the fact you can easily take any character out by beating the level or dying. Honestly, Kood, raocow, and Sheath don't break too many levels, so this really shouldn't be a problem.
No, right, that's what I mean. If you make a level that exclusively 'works' with a given character, it's easy enough to make a little filter that it shouldn't matter too much with what character you beat the previous level. In other words, I'm trying to agree with you SAJewers!!

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 19 May 2013, 18:10
by SAJewers
raocow wrote:
SAJewers wrote:
raocow wrote:I dunno, it's pretty easy to make a little filtering house at the start of your level if you are really concerned!
This issue isn't really at the start of the level, its the fact you can easily take any character out by beating the level or dying. Honestly, Kood, raocow, and Sheath don't break too many levels, so this really shouldn't be a problem.
No, right, that's what I mean. If you make a level that exclusively 'works' with a given character, it's easy enough to make a little filter that it shouldn't matter too much with what character you beat the previous level. In other words, I'm trying to agree with you SAJewers!!
Ah, I get you.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 02:03
by Trotim
These already look pretty imposing and limiting, more complicated. At first glance I'm not really a fan

I get they're meant to be friendly suggestions but saying things like "Big Mario Discrimination" or "Item Babysitting" are forbidden is silly. Not exactly rules that need to be set in stone

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 02:15
by raocow
Personaly I'm not a big fan of how complicated it seems to be to submit a level!

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 02:27
by SAJewers
raocow wrote:Personaly I'm not a big fan of how complicated it seems to be to submit a level!
Its slightly more complicated because it was suggested using the wiki for posting levels, and for placing reviews, yet there are still threads here though for whatever reason. Might as well use both. Honestly, it's easier to see things nicely formatted in a wiki, but some people will probably find it easier to see something here.

It's basically the same as last time except you're placing your credits on the wiki instead of making a forum post, and you're watching 2 places for reviews.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 02:44
by raocow
I still think this will lead us to loose potentially good levels because it's not immediatly clear in the context of the project that you have to pay attention to two sites, which is silly in a way.

But, well, whatever, we will see what happens!

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:02
by SAJewers
raocow wrote:I still think this will lead us to loose potentially good levels because it's not immediatly clear in the context of the project that you have to pay attention to two sites, which is silly in a way.

But, well, whatever, we will see what happens!
I suspect if you only post here, it'll get cross-posted to the wiki. Also, if you sign up to the wiki, it'll email you when someone edits any of your pages. We'll see I guess.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:05
by KingYoshi89
SAJewers wrote: SUMBITTING TO A2MBXT
how does one some bit a digital thing.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:11
by SAJewers
KingYoshi89 wrote:
SAJewers wrote: SUMBITTING TO A2MBXT
how does one some bit a digital thing.
this is what I get for writing this a little after waking up. fixed

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:24
by kil3
I kinda dislike the big-old-list-of-rules direction this thing has taken (all of them can be superseded by one rule imo, "Don't do anything to diminish the experience of your level") so I probably won't submit a level but I'm up for doing ~SpeciaL OpErAtIonS~ requests with the extension DLL. So SAJewers I did that thing you asked for but it now runs on level names and your thing was named... Unnamed Cave so let me know when you choose a filename for it and I can send it to you (it works).

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:28
by TRS
Wow, I really wasn't expecting to have to keep up with two different sites in order to submit a level. That very long list of "guidelines" seems to be overcompensating for the few not-so-great levels in ASMBXT, and I could see that easily dissuading potential level designers.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:41
by kil3
I mean I get why that's the direction it's gone in. Some guy complained about "level design" for months during the LP, and some people took it as a personal slight or they feel responsible for the negative comments, even though it's just a bunch of random compilation levels they had nothing to do with. It can't feel good when people complain about a thing you put a lot of work into.

I like the wiki though. Keeps things organized, and it's really not that hard to work imo.

Re: RE: Submitting levels

Posted: 20 May 2013, 03:44
by SAJewers
its not so much rules, more so things to keep in mind, and things the testers will be looking for. most of it were things agreed upun during the asmbxt LP. I'll try to pare it down tomorrow if need be.

EDIT: OK, edited the OP. it should sound more like "things you should keep in mind when making your level" and less like rules.

Re: Level Submission FAQ/Notes

Posted: 23 May 2013, 02:28
by TRS
You should really mention somewhere in the thread subject that the devkit is here.

Re: Level Submission FAQ/Notes

Posted: 23 May 2013, 03:26
by SAJewers
TRS wrote:You should really mention somewhere in the thread subject that the devkit is here.
Done.