Flash Flash Revolution - Queue/Batch Discussion Thread v2

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- - Queue/Batch Discussion Thread v2 (http://www.flashflashrevolution.com/vbz/showthread.php?t=116884)

Queue/Batch Discussion Thread v2

Simfile Submissions for FFR

You can find the old thread here.

TABLE OF CONTENTS
>>> EMAILS - shows the email to use for your file submission.
>>> CURRENT BATCHES - shows which batch recently closed, and which batch is currently open.
>>> SUBMISSION RULES - shows what to include in your file submission.
>>> RESUBMISSIONS - explains how resubmitting a file works. Resubmitted files don't count towards your SAP cap.
>>> SUBMISSION CAP AND SIMFILE ARTIST POINTS (SAP) - explains SAP system for maximum number of file submissions in a batch period.
>>> GENERAL SIMFILE MAKING GUIDES - some tutorials for creating a stepfile.
>>> JUDGMENT SYSTEM - shows what ratings are used in judging.
>>> THE QUEUE LIST - shows the files currently accepted in the queue.
>>> CONDITIONAL QUEUE - shows files that will only be accepted into the queue with certain fixes.

>>> EMAILS

All submissions need to be sent as an attachment, either .zip or .rar files.

Do NOT send submissions via an external link to a file-hosting site.

These are the three submission e-mails and what you should be sending to each one:

regularffrsubmissions@gmail.com
- Submissions to the regular FFR batch.
- Fixes for a file in any regular FFR batch that is not under judgment.
- Resubmissions from a regular FFR batch.

ffrsubmissions@gmail.com
- Fixes for a file that has been accepted into the queue. Do not send regular submissions to this e-mail.
- Fixes for a file in the conditional queue.
- Rating appeals for files currently in conditional queue or rejected with at least a 6 rating or resubmission privileges.

specialsubmissions@gmail.com
- Submissions to a special batch, which runs concurrently but separately from the regular batch.

>>> CURRENT BATCHES

The Batch Search Engine is used to track submissions. Look there for what's currently in a batch.

Also note the policy from the New Judgment System below related to sending fixes for a closed batch period. Regular batch periods span 2 months, starting on the first day of the first month to the last day of the second month.

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Judgment System

Fixes for a file can be sent in at any time as long as a judgment for it has not yet been posted. If this rule is abused, it will be removed.

>>> SUBMISSION RULES

First make sure that FFR has permission to use the song. Check the permission thread before you step/submit.

File submissions are to be attached in an email in .zip or .rar format. The folder name must include the song name and the stepartist name in the following format:
<songname> (<username>)
Example: Magical 8bit Tour (jimerax)

We will notify you if your submission was sent in the wrong format.

At a minimum, your .zip or .rar file must contain the following:
- A folder in the format listed above. This folder must contain the two files specified in the next list item below:
- It must have one .sm file with one difficulty. If your .sm file has multiple difficulties, your submission will receive a rating of 0/10.
- It must have one .mp3 file with at least a bit rate of 128kbps, stereo. If the sound quality is poor we may request a better mp3.

More specifically, these also must be taken into consideration:
- The song artist must be created in the .sm file. If we see "Unknown Artist", we may request you to give us the song artist so we can also check for valid permission.
- If you only use a part of the mp3 for stepping, cut unstepped parts of the mp3. This will reduce the size of the level. For instance, don't use the full 4 minute mp3 of a song if you only step the first 2 minutes.
- Do not include graphics or cdtitles in the submission. Along with that, do not put your username in the .sm file.
- Again, multiple difficulties are NOT allowed. If you want to submit multiple difficulties for one song, submit them as separate files.
- Holds, Mines, Rolls, and Attacks are NOT allowed. If any of these are found in your submission it will receive a rating of 0/10.
- Stops are not allowed. You can use any (4th to 192nd) notes and BPM changes, but stops make DDReam unusable.
- The difficulty you submit should be one of Light, Standard, Heavy, or Challenge. Don't use Beginner or Edit.
- If at least half the judges in a set mention audio issues for a file submission, that file will automatically be put into conditional queue even if it's accepted. In addition, the GM Team has the right to lower the volume if it is deemed necessary.

>>> RESUBMISSIONS

This system is only available for the regular batches.

A file rejected with 6.25 to 6.5 rating will get resubmission privileges. See the New Judgment System Policy on this below:

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Judgment System

RESUBMISSIONS (send to regularffrsubmissions@gmail.com)
Files that are given an RS receive resubmission privileges, which will last one month. When resubmitted, the file will be appended to the end of the list of the latest batch to open for judgment. (If Batch A is not fully judged but has its unjudged files claimed and another judge has started on Batch B, the file will be added to Batch B.)

Resubmissions aren't counted on your submission cap.
Just put [Resubmission] at the top of the name of zip/rar file and folder, then submit.
e.g. [Resubmission] Magical 8bit Tour (jimerax).zip.

Only these files can be counted as resubmissions (other files are counted as normal submissions).

If you want to send a fix on a queued chart, resend the revised file in a .zip or .rar to the submission e-mail. Do NOT only send a .sm/.dwi file. Include the audio file along with all other necessary components.

Postponing Files:

See the New Judgment System Policy on postponing files below.

Quote:

Originally Posted by New Judgment System

POSTPONING ACCEPTED FILES
- Postponed files will be listed on the Batch Search Engine with a status of “Postponed” in addition to the postponement end date. Postponement requests should be posted in the Resending or postponing submitted files thread.
- Stepartists are allowed to postpone any accepted file they have in the queue if they want to send file fixes in the near future, but are currently unable to do so. They must declare the length of time to postpone.
- The maximum allotted time for postponing a file is 30 days. If the stepartist fails to make any fixes after the declared time period, the file(s) will be taken off the postponed list and will become eligible for release as is. Stepartists cannot postpone a file more than once.
- When fixes are sent for a postponed file, the email must state the changes applied.

>>> SUBMISSION CAP AND SIMFILE ARTIST POINTS (SAP)

Having a file (or more) in the game or queue -> +10
File with 9.75 - 10 rating -> +5
File with 9.25 - 9.5 rating -> +4
File with 8.5 - 9 rating -> +3
File with 7.5 - 8.25 rating -> +2
File with 6.75 - 7.25 rating -> +1

* Collaboration files won't add points for you, but when you submit a collaboration file it's counted as 0.5 submission for each stepper.
* A conditionally queued file will not receive SAP until fixes are sent in and it is fully accepted.

Along with gaining SAP, there are also penalties.

Submitting more files than the cap and not informing us which file to remove after we ask -> penalty -2
Submitting more files than the cap intentionally with alt account -> penalty -5
Apparently stealing steps from other simfiles -> penalty -10

The spreadsheet below shows SAP for each stepartist.

SEE THIS SPREADSHEET FOR YOUR CURRENT SAP AND SUBMISSION CAP.

- If your name is not on the spreadsheet and you are a Simfile Author, your cap is automatically 3. If you are not a Simfile Author, your cap is 2.

(period 1) Jan-Feb, (2) Mar-Apr, (3) May-Jun, (4) Jul-Aug, (5) Sept-Oct, (6) Nov-Dec)
Maximum number of files you can submit in a period:

Negative points - 1 file
0-9 SAP - 2 files
10-16 SAP - 3 files
17-39 SAP - 4 files
40 SAP or more - 5 files

- If you submit more files than your submission cap, we'll notify you about it. If you don't respond, we'll randomly determine files and your SAP may be reduced by a bit).

>>> GENERAL SIMFILE MAKING GUIDES

Patashu's Stepping Guide for 2011

How do I make a stepchart (for FFR)?

How to make simfiles (for real guys edition)

A real guide on how to make a good simfile

stargroup's Rhythm Simulation Guide - 4k/6k Notecharting

>>> JUDGMENT SYSTEM

Remember we will Auto-Reject files that have multiple charts/freezes/mines/rolls without even playing it.

[Main Ratings]
[Supreme, 10/10] Reserved for real masterpieces or flawless files, rare rating. As good as or even better the best in-game files.
[Excellent/Great, 9.5/10 to 8/10] File is strongly accepted by the judge, maybe with minor suggestions.
[Good/Acceptable, 7.5/10 or 7/10] File is either weakly accepted or is good enough for FFR but could use some improvement before going in-game.
[Mediocre/Almost, 6.5/10 to 5/10] The file is decent overall but needs some important tweaks in certain areas or has many small technical errors. Not accepted without changes. The 6.5 rating, being just under acceptable, is the only rating that says a file should get resubmission privileges.
[Sub-par/Bad, 4.5/10 to 3/10] The file has potential, but needs significant reworking in order to be good enough for FFR. Not close to acceptance.
[Awful, 2.5/10 to 1/10] The lowest rating that you will likely achieve. The file is basically pretty bad and needs to be completely redone, or the file was rejected for the following:
-A significantly incorrect BPM was used
-A section of it was way, way, way too hard, like a wall of 64th quads or something similarly ridiculous
If any of the above are noticed, the judge has the right to immediately quit out and give the file a [-] rating, regardless of the quality of the rest of the file.
[Unutterable, 0/10] Extremely bad file, or files just for kidding judges. Rare rating, and completely waste of time for judges. You will get some penalties if your file gets this rating from 2 or more judges. A freeze or mine in the file is an automatic 0.
[PASS] The judge feels unable to properly judge the file, often due to bias or playing ability.

[Sub Ratings] - Add these ratings with the main ratings if needed.
[*] Conditional Queue Flag. The file was given an acceptable rating given under the condition that a certain something is fixed.
[!] The judge did not play the file for some reason, such as blatantly obvious permission issues (like anyone submitting a Led Zepplin file, for example), technical problems, or multiple difficulties in the file. This is treated as a 0/10.

>>> FILES IN QUEUE AND CONDITIONAL QUEUE

See the Batch Search Engine Status Page for currently Queue'd and Conditional Queue'd Files.

In addition, the Queued Files Spreadsheet is currently used for a more visually friendly way of determining whether or not a file is awaiting fixes (or a rating appeal), is accepted, or pending review.