The Current Path of FFR

[ryuyasha]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

Maybe completing the missions could award extra credits, which could be used to purchase features in the game (like since early on people play one handed, maybe 100 credits could allow you to purchase custom key setup, or a custom speed-mod option). Then newcomers will have a lot to do, unlocking various options in the engine and progressing in skill level, and would overall make FFR a lot more appealing to outside users.

This is a terrible idea. It is exactly what made Final Fantasy XIII a bad game. If people had to play to unlock core game features it would become even more inaccessible to new players.

Step Three: Separate legacy ranks and hide them from view on the main song screen - maybe we can add a legacy achievements system using tokens or profile badges, but off sync charts don't bring in new players and looks unprofessional. I've been told by a friend who recently started playing that it's like a minefield trying to find a good song to play, and the blue note charts are the mines. I suggest having a 'show legacy songs' option in the settings menu and adding legacy achievements to incentivize playing the site's original files. Having them in their own ranks and hidden from view would make them more optional and make it easier for new players to find good charts to play.

Step Four: visual makeover - this game is about a decade old and sure looks it. Let's get a new design that is more user friendly and then maybe the new players would use the forum more as well.

Now those are good ideas! I have wanted legacy songs to be in their own levelrank category for a long time. There is sort of progress on this, in that some legacy songs have skill token requirements to unlock synched and colored versions. I wish there were more of these. It is one of the only things that gives me incentive to play legacy other than my very favorite songs.

I think one of the problems is actually the people stepping the songs? The charts are getting better but tougher and tougher too, and I think that's because the simfile makers are the active players, and active players are usually pretty good. Since simfile makers step files that they're personally gonna love, they're gonna have to be difficult files, because they obviously prefer files that are quite challenging to them or at their level.

Yes and no. If you sort the levelrank page by difficulty there are a fair number of songs in every range.

[qqwref]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

when he says stuff like "ignore anything[...]by Silvuh" it's like nah.

I've got a good reason though - piano files with changing BPM and grace notes aren't useful to people who are just learning to read patterns and keep on the beat. They may be technically correct, and of low difficulty, but they're not good training files for people who are just getting into the game. There are a few exceptions, of course - he has a lot of files, and some are quite appropriate.

[Stage:]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

Yes and no. If you sort the levelrank page by difficulty there are a fair number of songs in every range.

Yeah, but I'm talking about now, obviously people were not as strong as they are right now. Files that were difficult back then are considered easy now

[dAnceguy117]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

I've got a good reason though - piano files with changing BPM and grace notes aren't useful to people who are just learning to read patterns and keep on the beat. They may be technically correct, and of low difficulty, but they're not good training files for people who are just getting into the game.

a thousand times this. I've been playing a bunch of "easy" files on here for the first time, and I was thinking the exact same thing. it's weird that your post was the first I've seen to put this idea into words, but I guess not many are concerned with the issue.

will actually read this thread later. I think it's healthy for a thread of this kind to be made now and then. you rule dynamer

[ryuyasha]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

Yeah, but I'm talking about now, obviously people were not as strong as they are right now. Files that were difficult back then are considered easy now

I am also talking about now. Skilled, community oriented step artists chart songs below their own skill level, which really helps the community. Of course this is just a generalization, but it seems that if people only stepped songs at their skill level there would only be hard songs because the people who are not good at playing in the first place are unlikely to be able to chart songs well. Yet we have easy songs. And plenty of them once you learn how to search by difficulty. I do wish we had a better interface for that, because the levelrank page seems to be the most convenient way, and going back and forth between the site and the engine is awkward even if you use a standalone or have the engine in another tab.

[Poison-]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

I am also talking about now. Skilled, community oriented step artists chart songs below their own skill level, which really helps the community. Of course this is just a generalization, but it seems that if people only stepped songs at their skill level there would only be hard songs because the people who are not good at playing in the first place are unlikely to be able to chart songs well. Yet we have easy songs. And plenty of them once you learn how to search by difficulty. I do wish we had a better interface for that, because the levelrank page seems to be the most convenient way, and going back and forth between the site and the engine is awkward even if you use a standalone or have the engine in another tab.

There is a way to search by difficulty on the Velocity engine, you know.

[foxfire667]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

This is a terrible idea. It is exactly what made Final Fantasy XIII a bad game. If people had to play to unlock core game features it would become even more inaccessible to new players.

Also core features (even if with minimal effort to unlock) could admittedly be a huge pain for anyone who had SM, KBO, or other rhythm game experience. I was just saying that perhaps certain features could be unlocked through the use of credits (thereby making them more useful in terms of spending, and not just stashed away for secret songs).

Didn't completely think that idea through earlier whoops.

[Pseudo Enigma]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

I am also talking about now. Skilled, community oriented step artists chart songs below their own skill level, which really helps the community. Of course this is just a generalization, but it seems that if people only stepped songs at their skill level there would only be hard songs because the people who are not good at playing in the first place are unlikely to be able to chart songs well. Yet we have easy songs. And plenty of them once you learn how to search by difficulty. I do wish we had a better interface for that, because the levelrank page seems to be the most convenient way, and going back and forth between the site and the engine is awkward even if you use a standalone or have the engine in another tab.

If anything we just need to make more things available in the engine. For instance, a new person doesn't know where to look for things like the picture dictionary, or the standalone, or even the song list. These things should all be in one place, and yet they are all scattered around the site. Picture Dictionary is in the confusing bowels of the forums, the standalone link is off poking the FFR Radio somewhere in the hidden corners of the site, and the Song List is a letter "S" that I at first assumed was some sort of sound feature.

Maybe below the engine on the actual site we can include some sort of FAQ for newbies?

[Hazelle]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

If anything we just need to make more things available in the engine. For instance, a new person doesn't know where to look for things like the picture dictionary, or the standalone, or even the song list.

Maybe below the engine on the actual site we can include some sort of FAQ for newbies?

It'd be REALLY nice if there was a simple tutorial. This was part of the problem with MP - newbies had no idea how to make a game, or join one, or the simple fact that they had to play the same song. Sure, it seems obvious to us, but to them it doesn't.
Simple tutorial: Here's where it shows the difficulty - here are the genres. How you gain songs in Secret genre. Where do you go to buy songs?
ALSO: A lot of newbies probably don't visit the forums, so, yeah. The FAQ/Tutorial/both/whatever has to be RIGHT IN THEIR FACE.

[Netjet!]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

I think having a full-length, available tutorial that covers everything a user needs to know about FFR in its entirety would be really useful. And I do agree that making FFR more appealing to new users would definitely help the game's viability in the future rhythm gaming market and redefining FFR as an independent imitation of DDR/SM.

[DossarLX ODI]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

In the drop down menu when you hover over the "FFR the Game" tab on the main site you can just include another website page that lists all the important sticky FAQ threads in the forum rather than just "FFR Standalone Guide". This is really simple and it should already have been done a long time ago.

Also qqwref has amazing ideas and has done so much on Indeed. He really does deserve an admin position here.

I think having a full-length, available tutorial that covers everything a user needs to know about FFR in its entirety would be really useful. And I do agree that making FFR more appealing to new users would definitely help the game's viability in the future rhythm gaming market and redefining FFR as an independent imitation of DDR/SM.

I actually have FFR Special Mix v2 in the works. It's a tutorial similar to the ancient one but will be better in its explanations.

[Hazelle]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

In the drop down menu when you hover over the "FFR the Game" tab on the main site you can just include another website page that lists all the important sticky FAQ threads in the forum rather than just "FFR Standalone Guide". This is really simple and it should already have been done a long time ago.

Also qqwref has amazing ideas and has done so much on Indeed. He really does deserve an admin position here.

There has to be some incentive to at least reading the FAQ - like 100 credits or something. Otherwise, the newbies are gonna not want to read through.
Even if they skim over the FAQ to get the credits, at least they know where it will be when they actually find themselves needing it.

[justin_ator]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

I'll just go ahead and dump my thoughts on what's been said as well~
Not numbered this way for any particular reason, just basically to keep my post organized.

1) I don't feel we need to flood the game with more easy files, nor should we cut beginners off from harder, more challenging files - I think the amount of files that gets added here and there is pretty decent for keeping all the skill levels included. I don't feel we should stop adding easy files, just don't think we need to increase the amount. Also, some people are intrigued by the obstacle harder files provide, and removing access to those for beginners would definitely ruin keeping those people around.

2) Administration/staff needs to be reworked just a tad - I'm not going to rag on our current staff. They do what they can with what they have. The mods work pretty hard to keep things neat and under control. There's just a few things that in my opinion need to change.. we need to have more of a power check in place for administration, because the only admins on the site that haven't abused their power are jimerax (with the exception of his cool stars thingermajig) and bmah, and it can/has lead to several community arguments and problems. I also feel like there should be another SECTION of staff. Hear me out on this. There should be a coder title. They'd be below admins (and maybe even mods still) in power, but would have access to staff chat and other necessary things, ONLY in order to help get shit done that the staff had approved and was talking through with them. It'd SERIOUSLY help move things along, in my opinion. Obvious example of someone that would EASILY go in this category is qqwref. Not going to jump on the qq for admin bandwagon, but I definitely feel that he could do some cool shit to help develop/fix the site/game more. Next thing is by far the biggest one, staff communication. You guys have done a much better job in general of discussing things and keeping in touch, and you have my appreciation for that. In terms of coding projects, and things like that though, a team of developers/coders that are actually ACTIVE and TALKED all the time, could do some amazing stuff for this game. The biggest issues now for changing things on the site is the code being a HUGE mess, and anyone with access to the back end knows I'm not making that up. I've heard it from too many staff already.

3) Use these fuccing amazing profile badges! - Hell, even if they don't unlock anything, make use of them! I made a post in the FFR Suggestions thread with this same info, but I'll say it again: If all the Synthlight songs were removed from levelranks, those that still want to brag about having knocked the AAA's out could do that with a sexy new Legacy songs AAA'd badge. This is just one example, but there are a TON that could be done. It's like the token system without the rewards aside from bragging rights. I don't see any reason not to use it, tbh.

4) Site Organization and accessibility to new-comers - This category is relatively short, because I do believe new members and visitors still see the welcome banner on the home page. Perhaps we could add a few more banners or in-window-pop-ups explaining things, etc for each page. Click the forum button? Loads the forums, and if it's your first time, bam, thing pops up providing links to things like the Introduction thread, Standalone thread, picture dictionary, etc. Click the game button? Loads the game, and if it's your first time, bam, thing pops up providing info on what does what (takes two seconds to make a picture image, and hell I'd be willing to do that even) and how to work the game/remap keys, etc, as well as some links to other stuff.

If I think of more, I'll post another post later.

edit: I agree with another FFR tutorial level, as well as some kind of incentive to reading the FAQ and acknowledging where it's at.

[ryuyasha]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

There is a way to search by difficulty on the Velocity engine, you know.

Yes, but is not nearly- >_>

When did that get implemented? Last time I looked there was either no option to sort by difficulty or it was not working so I ignored it. You can sort by lots of things now. How convenient...
You sir have just made my day.

For instance, a new person doesn't know where to look for things like the picture dictionary, or the standalone, or even the song list. These things should all be in one place, and yet they are all scattered around the site. Picture Dictionary is in the confusing bowels of the forums, the standalone link is off poking the FFR Radio somewhere in the hidden corners of the site, and the Song List is a letter "S" that I at first assumed was some sort of sound feature.

Maybe below the engine on the actual site we can include some sort of FAQ for newbies?

These things should all be in one place. At least there is a link to the standalone thread on the navbar now, but that is not good enough. Everything relevant should be easily accessible. What engine still has S for the songlist instead of saying 'songs'. I thought that was fixed everywhere. It used to bother me too.

I think having a full-length, available tutorial that covers everything a user needs to know about FFR in its entirety would be really useful. And I do agree that making FFR more appealing to new users would definitely help the game's viability in the future rhythm gaming market and redefining FFR as an independent imitation of DDR/SM.

Yes, that! There could be a tutorial link in the navbar (edit: Ninja'd by Dossar. Glad you agree), from which people could find the relevant pages such as the picture dictionary.

As for FFR being an imitation of DDR/SM I used to think that, but I have definitely come to think of it as a unique rhythm game. It was only after I fully accepted this that I could play spread instead of index and do not mind hands and quads as much, because I finally got over the notion of comparing the keyboard to a dance pad.

[00Razor00]

Re: The Current Path of FFR

lol i dont recall bmah ever abusing powers but ooooooooooooook