Ends 04/01/2013 03:59 AM

Judges
halibabica
Deckiller
nin8halos
DarklordKeinor
Isrieri

RMN's Mario series takes its next big step!

WHAT IS THIS?

Super RMN World is a community collaborative game where everyone uses the Super Mario Bros. X engine to create Mario levels! The stages are submitted by members of RMN and compiled at the end of the event. This is the 4th installment of the series and hopes to be the most solid and enjoyable one yet.

Everyone is free to join whether you've used SMBX before or not. You need SMBX to participate. If you don't have it, you'll need to download it.

You may also want to pick up the graphics pack by Red Yoshi and supermarioman. It has many nice resprites for your stages.

STORY

As a peace offering for his past misdoings, Eli has constructed an art gallery and presented it to Mario and his friends. The paintings inside shimmer mysteriously; they're almost too real! Eli's waiting at the end to hear what his guests have to say, but can he really be trusted?

SUBMISSION RULES

  • Levels must be made in SMBX v1.3
  • Levels must be made FOR THIS PROJECT! No pre-made levels will be accepted!
  • Levels must end in ONE SMB3 STAR. Furthermore, this star must be placed in the square frame with the black jagged backdrop like in SMB3. The only exceptions to this rule are mini-boss stages, where the star may appear in the room after the fight.
  • Levels must contain FIVE DRAGON COINS. These are the SMW coins with the Yoshi emblem. These will be resprited into RMN Coins in the full game. Thematic resprites are allowed so long as they remain recognizable.
  • Levels must have a DIFFICULTY RATING from 1-8. This determines what world it will go too. It may be adjusted depending on many factors.
  • Levels must be submitted with the format "YourUserName_DifficultyRating_LevelName"
  • This naming rule applies to the compressed file you submit to the event, not the actual .lvl file. If you use any custom graphics or music, put the files in a folder with the EXACT SAME NAME as the .lvl file. You can make mp3's work in SMBX by specifying the file path in the Custom space (ex: Level Name/Name of Song.mp3). DO NOT PUT THE LEVEL FILE IN THIS FOLDER. Create a compressed file with everything included.

    You may submit up to EIGHT LEVELS, and you can't submit more than one level to the same world. Worlds have no specific themes. Levels may be denied for quality reasons. If your level is denied, you can fix it up and resubmit it. If you want to submit more than eight, you'll have to withdraw another first.

TESTING AND FEEDBACK

Super RMN World is raising its standards considerably. The five judges, halibabica, Deckiller, nin8halos, Isrieri, and DarklordKeinor will be critiquing the levels. Heed their advice, as they won't let anything sub-par through! You can adjust your levels as many times as needed, but don't expect to get in without a well-designed stage! A level will only be admitted after three judges approve it.

All feedback will be included in the Super RMN World Wiki. Click your username on the main page to find your level list. Click the level names to see the judges' feedback. Click the 'Talk' icon to post questions or comments. When at least three judges list 'Approved', the level's ready to go.

Although the judges will be testing each level thoroughly, participants are strongly encouraged to do the same. Every bit of criticism helps. Below is some advice to consider while designing your levels, among other criteria they must meet.

For good examples of the quality we're looking for, check out Super RMN All-Stars, Super Talking Time Bros 1+2 and Mario vs. The Moon Base.

GENERAL ADVICE

  1. Graphical Consistency
  2. SMBX uses graphics from many different games. Just because you have them at your disposal doesn't mean you should use them. Pick a theme for your level and use graphics/enemies that fit together visually.

  3. Pacing
  4. Your levels should have a rhythm to them. Challenging sections should be offset with easier parts. Power-ups should be spaced well enough apart, but not so far that the player gets desperate. Try not to throw in too much (or little) of anything.

  5. Aesthetics
  6. Use your tile sets properly and fill background space adequately. Don't leave it too empty, but don't clutter it up too much, either.

  7. Completable
  8. This means it shouldn't contain any no-win situations. The player mustn't become hopelessly trapped. Similarly, they shouldn't be able to die after collecting the star. Check to make sure they can't fall off any cliffs after getting it.

  9. Lengthy
  10. Don't make your level too short OR too long. Consider where to put your checkpoint. It shouldn't take too long to reach it, nor to reach the end from the checkpoint. Keep in mind what they player has to do in each stretch of level.

  11. Purposeful
  12. Give your level a reason to exist. Try not to make it bland or forgettable.

LEVEL CRITERIA

  1. Checkpoints
  2. Every level should have one. If it can't for specific reasons (auto-scrolling, switch block shenanigans, etc.), then don't make the stage too long. SMBX can only support one checkpoint per level, so multiples don't work. Like Dragon Coins, you may resprite it so long as it's still recognizable.

  3. Power-Ups
  4. Your stage should have a good balance of items that are helpful to the player. ? Blocks should never contain lone Mushrooms; give the player Fire Flowers or Leaves. Exceptional items like the Tanooki and Hammer Suits should not be easily obtained.

    Use discretion with where you place items. One at the start and one after the checkpoint would be the least you could do. Also, pick items that the player can put to good use. A Fire Flower in an area with monsters immune to fire does the player no good. Incidentally, SMB2 enemies and Nipper plants will be changed to be vulnerable to fireballs for this project.

  5. Banned Objects
    • SMB2 Crystal Ball, SMB3 Roulette, SMB3 ? Ball, SMW Keyhole, SMW Exit Gate
    • All banned because they end the level. All levels must end with an SMB3 Star.

    • SMW Bowser Statue
    • Banned due to its glitchy hit box. You can still be hit by its fireballs while standing on top of it. Use the SMB3 Bowser Statue instead!

    • SMW Star
    • These were used as Secret Stars in Super RMN Bros. 3, but they're more trouble than they're worth. You may not use them.

  6. Bosses
  7. Boss stages will be handled by the judges. You may still use boss NPCs in your stages, but only as mini-bosses. The fights must be kept simple and easier, so don't go overboard.

  8. Different Characters
  9. Mario, Luigi, Toad, Peach, and Link will be available to play as from the start, and all levels must be completable with all characters. You can't make a level where the player is forced to be a specific character. However, you can include a character block at the start if you want to recommend someone in particular. Let the player decide if they want to be that character or not, and don't include sections only they can get through (such as a pit only Peach could hover across).

  10. Player 2 Start
  11. SMBX has the option to play with a friend, so you need to include P1 and P2's start positions. Make sure your level can be completed by two players. Avoid situations where one player can get through while the other is stuck. The following are a few things you can do to make your level P2 safe:

    • Don't block the level's main path with character blocks. All characters need to be able to get through, even in 1P mode.
    • Use generators for things like falling platforms, P-Switches, or in any instance where the player needs an NPC to advance.
    • Place exit warps carefully. If P2 warps into a spot P1 already occupies, collision detection bumps them apart, and possibly into nearby hazards. Warp exits should be safe anyway, so design carefully.

  12. Misc. Stuff
    • Tutorials
    • A tutorial level will be provided that explains the mechanics of SMBX, covering both the basics and advanced stuff.

    • Water
    • All water must be SWIMMABLE. By contrast, waterfalls must NOT be swimmable. Don't fill your pits with water if they're supposed to be bottomless.

    • Pipes, Doors, and Carry Items
    • All entrances in SMBX are set to disallow the player from carrying an item with them. Make sure you set them to allow carrying NPCs.

    • One-Tile Passages
    • Avoid making paths that are only one tile high. If Mario stands up in one, he zips through the wall in the opposite direction he's facing. This can break the game in some places. Just don't do it.

    • Ceilings
    • If you're making a water level or Mario is able to fly, you may want to block the area off the top of the screen so the player can't soar over everything. See this screen sides tutorial for more info.

PROJECT TIMELINE

Signups begin NOW, and EVERYONE is free to join! The project will run for one month (all of March), and levels may be submitted for testing during this time. When the month is up, no more levels will be accepted. For one week after, existing levels may still be updated based on feedback. Beyond that, no more revisions will be allowed and the full game will be produced. It may take a while, but the end result will be worth it. Now, get cracking! Let's make this the best community Mario game yet!

Registration

You must be logged in to sign up for Super RMN World.

Participants Entries
Blitzen
kentona
halibabica
GreatRedSpirit
Davenport
Jparker1984
Desmo360
Redd
Solitayre
Ratty524
Decky
outcry312
Gigabowser
nin8halos
pyrodoom
Seiromem
jackalotrun
DarklordKeinor
masterofmayhem
apa649
Carbz300
Blobofgoo
Tomstar
Isrieri
wildwes
GloopMaster
lonestarluigi
Thiago76590
andreea7214

Posts

Oh, what I wouldn't give for a Holocaust Cloak!
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
author=seiromem
author=Solitayre
I'd rather have 30 good levels than 180 bad ones.
Why one or the other?
Why not both? (as in 180 good levels)

It'll still drag the game on too long.

Like, there WERE good levels in Super RMN Bros 3 but there were so many submissions to go through and play it just made you want it to end.
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
author=Ratty524

It'll still drag the game on too long.

Like, there WERE good levels in Super RMN Bros 3 but there were so many submissions to go through and play it just made you want it to end.

The reason it was a drag was because of the many terrible levels.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16873
There is such a thing as too huge. Even a game with all good levels can overstay its welcome.

I think we'll have a decent number for this one.
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
author=halibabica
There is such a thing as too huge. Even a game with all good levels can overstay its welcome.


It's not like you have to play from start to finish.
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
Submitted version 5 of Glass Cannon, addressing the visual issues that nin8halos mentioned. I'll also play mordenglory's levels for the heck of it.
Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
I've got time tonight so I'll be getting stuff done to get the ball rolling!

Legit question for Hali: Since Gigabowser has abandoned his levels, can I commandeer Peaceful Paradise and fix it up? I really like that level and think it should be in the game, and all it really needs is a cut in length to be approved. Both he and I can be credited for it in-game.
Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
All done. Aside from the judges & Hali's blacklist from earlier, if you have a level that hasn't been approved (or you're jackalotrun) I've commented on it. This last round of revisions should be the final one. If all goes well.

I'm going to go over and fix/adjust my level tommorow. I hope by then, finally :) it will be what you guys want.
author=Isrieri
All done. Aside from the judges & Hali's blacklist from earlier, if you have a level that hasn't been approved (or you're jackalotrun) I've commented on it. This last round of revisions should be the final one. If all goes well.

Thanks, Isrieri! (1 Approved level yay!)
I like the song in "The Sinister Side", but I will be trying the paper mario tune too. Who knows, maybe it fits better.
I suck at song choices
Uploaded Final Version with a few fixes/changes. I Got rid of two of the five 1-ups. The 1-up that was in the pipe secret, is now a tanooki suit. On a side note, the other two tanooki suits were replaced with a regular leaf, which leaves only one tanooki suit. The 1-up under the moving platform near the end is now just a regular mushroom surrounded by a bunch of coins.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16873
from Isrieri
Since Gigabowser has abandoned his levels, can I commandeer Peaceful Paradise and fix it up?

As much as I like that level too, no. If Gigabowser's not willing to put in the effort and stick with us, he doesn't deserve to have his levels in the game. That may seem cold, but expecting a level's creator to care enough to improve is not too much to ask.
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
I'd love to name my level Duneton Abbey if I understood what's so amazing about the name.
author=seiromem
I'd love to name my level Duneton Abbey if I understood what's so amazing about the name.

"Downton Abbey is a British period drama television series created by Julian Fellowes and co-produced by Carnival Films and Masterpiece. It first aired on ITV in the United Kingdom on 26 September 2010 and on PBS in the United States on 9 January 2011 as part of the Masterpiece Classic anthology."
-Wikipedia
Solitayre
Circumstance penalty for being the bard.
18257
You guys better hurry, this event is only open for another 1474 years!
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16873
from Solitayre
You guys better hurry, this event is only open for another 1474 years!
I was waiting for someone to notice. :3

Duneton Abbey is the worst pun I've heard in ages.
Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
author=halibabica
Duneton Abbey is the worst pun I've heard in ages.


I KNOW! THAT'S WHY IT'S BRILLIANT!!
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
author=halibabica
from Isrieri
Since Gigabowser has abandoned his levels, can I commandeer Peaceful Paradise and fix it up?
As much as I like that level too, no. If Gigabowser's not willing to put in the effort and stick with us, he doesn't deserve to have his levels in the game. That may seem cold, but expecting a level's creator to care enough to improve is not too much to ask.

Can I add on to this? Considering I had a level of mine "fixed up" in Super RMN Bros 2, I have to say different designers have different ideas as to what make's their level fun. Yes, Peaceful Paradise is way too long, but where it needs to be cut is up to the original developer, not your own.

Also, would anyone care if I commented on mordenglory's levels on this page? What I have to say won't be pretty, mind you.
halibabica
RMN's Official Reviewmonger
16873
I'd keep it to PM, Ratty.

from Isrieri
I KNOW! THAT'S WHY IT'S BRILLIANT!!

In the interest of this game not containing anything horrifyingly awful, seiromem can use any name but that one. I will rescind all the judges' votes for the level if he tries to take it.
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
How about Arid Acropolis for the name of Seirmem's level?