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Lockez is Voldemort spelled backwards.
This page smells fresh,. and new. perhaps it will be a pure and idyllic paradise, with many fairies and butterflies flitting about, a clean waterfall, musical energies, because the hideous dark lord has not corrupted it with its presence.


the dark lord is lockez, if that was not clear. please check the wiki for more details
User was warned for this post
Decky
I'm a dog pirate
19645
Yep. That's a wrap.

Edit: and Jericho, that's strike two ;)

Edit: and Jericho, that's strike three ;)
On the VXAN site, we have this simple rule:

Whatever you reveal in your game topic (through the post, listed features, screenshots, acknowledgment, videos, etc), those should be credited. Failure to provide the necessary requirements (including credits) means the game doesn't get approved.

We realize that some games will have 100+ people to credit, and we can't expect that every single credit will be in the game topic, so we only require the credits of what is actually presented in the game page (be it art, project developers, audio, scripts, or other resources).

While I cannot agree with LockeZ initial post (and how it was worded), his most recent post clarifies a bit of what he was saying. Why ban the person when you can just choose not to approve the project? Eventually they'll figure it out, especially if they really want to get their games posted on this site?

Edit: I re-read the OP and understand they'll be given time to fix it. I suppose that's okay. Still, just not approving their game seems like it would work better than banning them; and once they do figure it out (if they figure it out), they may become a decent game designer.

Unless they take claim to a resource not theirs - that should be an immediate ban.
I'm glad this post was unlocked, as I missed the shitstorm and wanted to weigh in on Lockez's posts.

@Lockez: I understand what you're saying about credits. For me, it's a matter of narcissism: I don't want to credit someone for, like, a single sound effect, because then they would be given as much screen time as my name, which I don't think is fair, as they just have decent audio equipment and recorded something and cleaned it up real quick. That's not to say that there's no skill to it, but relative to the work I put in, it seems ridiculous to have to credit them for something they had no input in.

That said, my solution is to simply not use that sound effect and find another one or make one myself. If someone makes something, it's not my right to determine if my art supercedes theirs. I appreciate your life philosophy about increasing the aggregate happiness in the world, but that's a personal philosophy--pushing a philosophy on others has been the root of every major conflict in the human experience, so, since you're involving others, don't get militant about it. I could make an argument over how happiness shouldn't be the primary thing we strive for. I could also make an argument about how video games could be viewed as escapism rather than reaching true happiness. I'm not saying I fully agree with either of those two arguments, but I can see there's merit to them, and it's enough that I wouldn't develop some militant life philosophy over producing the net amount of happiness is the right thing to do.

Anyway, credits are a social expectation. Players won't get upset to see credits in a game. If you feel that they detract from the experience, figure out a way to add gameplay or interactivity to the credits. Many credit rolls will have scenes playing with them, and Smash Brothers: Brawl (I think it was Brawl) had a little game where you could shoot the credits and get a score at the end. What you shouldn't do is undermine someone else's work, as what those credits mean for them is a chance to get their names out there in a world of the aggregate white noise of everyone shouting, "I'm special, too!" In other words, that credit could get them more work.
@amerk: As already stated, warning first, then banning if they're insistent and act like asses. Just as with any other rule of the site. Also, in a lot of cases, the game page has already been approved and the art added at a later date. Sure, we could just remove the game itself, but then what? They resubmit after removing the image? What's to stop them from reposting it again (as has been done before)?

The harsher the penalty (if they don't listen) the more likely they are to do the right thing. Like I already said earlier, we're not going to ban a person just because they couldn't find the correct credit fast, but if they do act like assholes (as, again, has been done before) or claim the piece when it's been proven that it's not their work, then yes, banning.
SunflowerGames
The most beautiful user on RMN!
13323

Does banning work if the person can just create multiple accounts and even use a different isp address if they want to be real covert.
Most aren't smart enough to use a different ip address, though.

Liberty - fair point. I didn't think about people who add things after the fact.
We usually have a pretty good sense of peoples' characters. ;p Eventually they slip up~
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
Gee, I don't think we've had this much drama since that incident with Magi way back when... Though this was no where near as bad.

@amerk: Most forums have an IP comparison thing that mods can use, so changing the IP typically doesn't work as well as it should. At least I know RRR does, since I was a staff member there at one point.
BurningTyger
Hm i Wonder if i can pul somethi goff here/
1289
Just remember, Locke's concerns are somewhat justified- resources are a form of art, so the distinction you're making between that and page art could be considered overly fine.. In many cases, with regards to resources, it's been mostly a courtesy in the past. Changing that would change the dynamic. Sometimes It isn't possible to give credit for things, ask permission (the artist may be dead or unknown) or items may be in the public domain.(If i add wings to a porn star i found on Facebook and use him as a placeholder, for example, does that count?) not to mention that some people say don't bother to credit. Now, you make it clear that you're only speaking of game pages, but you could see why you come clear to stepping on people's toes.

Liberty
@amerk: As already stated, warning first, then banning if they're insistent and act like asses. Just as with any other rule of the site.

Frankly I find that description rather vague. Why not have a clearly-laid-out policy in terms of approach and consequences, as with law? If the aggrieved artist has already requested credit and been refused, they should submit a report so the admins may review the case. Then implement specific clearly laid out penalties for each additional infraction/theft of a picture. (That is, they show a repeated pattern of offenses, not merely putting the same picture up three times in a row.). For example, the first offense would get a reprimand, the second lead to losing half their makerscore, and the third a temp ban of up to a month. Permanent banning would be for long-term repeat offenders.
Decky
I'm a dog pirate
19645
Resources are included in this, BurningTyger. Things in the public domain (indie or otherwise) are typically in there because the artist is fine with them being used anywhere, which is great, but we shouldn't expect that of everyone - especially if people want to make a living out of art. Resource packs typically have very specific credit and licensing requirements, and for good reason: the artists should be compensated for their work, and their names should be credited so they can have just as much of a chance at a job opportunity as those who worked on other areas of the game. Some resource creators are undrstandingly particular about what games their work appears in. Think of it this way: if you're an actor, would you want to star in an awful movie? Possibly not: it may damage your upside, and you might get typecast.

The main reason rips aren't included in this is because the RM community has a long history of using them, and such a massive change would grandfather out about 50-75 percent of the games on this site. But more importantly, the consensus seems to be that rips are from successful games in which the artists were already established and working at the apex of their possible career - and no financial loss or damage to the artist(s) future will occur. Plus, everyone recognizes FF6 or CT rips, so you can't pass that stuff off as your own. The work of an indie artist is (1) not as recognizable, so it's easier to manipulate credits and obscure the source; and (2) typically not yet recognized by a major career opportunity, such as a major dev studio. The indie artist thus should have complete control over their work so that they can shape their future in the craft.
BurningTyger
Hm i Wonder if i can pul somethi goff here/
1289
author=Deckiller
Resources are included in this, BurningTyger. Things in the public domain (indie or otherwise) are typically in there because the artist is fine with them being used anywhere, which is great, but we shouldn't expect that of everyone - especially if people want to make a living out of art. Resource packs typically have very specific credit and licensing requirements, and for good reason: the artists should be compensated for their work, and their names should be credited so they can have just as much of a chance at a job opportunity as those who worked on other areas of the game.

The main reason rips aren't included in this is because the RM community has a long history of using them, and such a massive change would grandfather out about 50-75 percent of the games on this site. But more importantly, the consensus seems to be that rips are from successful games in which the artists were already established and working at the apex of their possible career - and no financial loss or damage to the artist(s) future will occur. Plus, everyone recognizes FF6 or CT rips, so you can't pass that stuff off as your own. The work of an indie artist is (1) not as recognizable, so it's easier to manipulate credits and obscure the source; and (2) typically not yet recognized by a major career opportunity, such as a major dev studio. The indie artist thus should have complete control over their work so that they can shape their future in the craft.
True, but how exactly is the procedure defined- must the artist file a report, or is the judgment up to the observing moderators alone? Because the latter allows a great possibility for missteps, confusion, and vague judgment. Likewise, having clear consequences for each step would help ensure people knew what they were getting into- "if you do X you get hit with this"- which is much clearer than merely "being an ass."
Decky
I'm a dog pirate
19645
The artists will report. Also, if people notice a possible issue, they could contact the artist for confirmation. Mods won't be policing things here; they will be enforcing the rules based on confirmation and consent from the artist.
BurningTyger
Hm i Wonder if i can pul somethi goff here/
1289
author=Deckiller
The artists will report. Also, if people notice a possible issue, they could contact the artist for confirmation. Mods won't be policing things here; they will be enforcing the rules based on confirmation and consent from the artist.
Understood. Thanks for clarifying; I am reasonably convinced justice will be balanced with mercy.
Decky
I'm a dog pirate
19645
Absolutely. We understand how touchy a subject this can be in the community, but we needed to update the rules to reflect the changing tide in the community. RM really is "srs bsns" now.
BurningTyger
Hm i Wonder if i can pul somethi goff here/
1289
Just don't get so serious you forget that gam mak is all about having fun. This site may have some pay game,s but don't regard it as a business. Use levels of progressive sanctions so people have a chance to learn from their mistakes and redeem themselves. A single misstep shouldn't be a game-breaker any more than a single bug should. Law must aid creativity, not stifle it, or all is lost, and we become merely followers of rules, not contributors to the world. There must be room for gray.
author=Deckiller
The artists will report. Also, if people notice a possible issue, they could contact the artist for confirmation. Mods won't be policing things here; they will be enforcing the rules based on confirmation and consent from the artist.


Will efforts be made to ensure said person is actually the artist?

And what of materials that have been passed around to a point where finding the original artist is virtually impossible? I know I have a couple resources where, after finding them public with the phrase "I don't remember where I got these," I've tried to track the artist down and have been unsuccessful.