So let's talk about QED stepfiles. (Let's talk about StepMania actually.)

[Gundam-Dude]

Good read and covers pretty much my ideals for present day SM.

I'll admit, I was a try-hard and wanted to be recognized as a PoPuLaR simfile author like QED but along the lines of the eLiTiST spectrum with all that Dark and Light Chancellor bullshit. When I finally did get "recognized" as some elitist new school simfile author, I realized that I'm not satisfied at all. On the contrary, I've learned that being elitist about the way simfiles are stepped is absolute bullshit and goes absolutely no where. And in the end, I don't even like more than half of the stuff that's being produced nowadays but I rarely do I ever complain.

Back in 2009/2010 I shared the close-minded ideal that "-this- simfile should be stepped in -this- method" but there are just so many ways to layer and represent a song that it's nearly impossible to choose one, single way to do it without completely re-stepping it as your own file to please -your- ideals. Having judged for several megapacks throughout the years, I learned that almost every single individual that plays SM has their own preference and criteria as to what designates a "good" file, which creates a huge inconsistency and confusion as to how a song "should be stepped". Playing and reviewing countless files from different simfile authors from communities all over the place also helped open up my viewpoint towards simfile making as it has shown me that there really is no -correct- way to step a file because everyone has their own unique preference and criteria. It's also impossible to make a simfile pack everyone will enjoy; there will always be people who dislike files and packs regardless.

Present day, I'm very open minded to different ways to step and represent any song and I'm quite carefree and lenient with judging/reviewing. I see no reason to enforce any sort of elitism onto people because as I mentioned there is no -correct- way to step. I couldn't care less about being 200% technically correct because I myself break -technical- stepping conventions in order to make songs more interesting to play. As long as the file is fun and interesting to play, that's all that really matters to me nowadays. As an example, I can outright say that I like every single file in LCP3 (this is why you didn't see me post a public review when the pack released. I can honestly, wholeheartedly say that I enjoy every single file in the pack, some more than others, but that's already an impressive feat itself). If you thought that there was some sort of elitist criteria used to determine what files were pack-worthy, you're wrong. I judged the pack solely based on fun/interesting factor and what was the result? A large pack that has gotten quite good feedback with tons of variety in song choice and diversity. Sure, the pack name itself still contributes to the so-called elitist spectrum and it only encompassed a select group of people, but the point of it was to give a starting point to break that -set standard- of elitism by appealing to a larger majority as opposed to a small inner circle of elitist circlejerkers. It's also part of the reason as to why I made the decision to disband the LiGHT CHaNCeLLoRS after pack release (I was completely serious. LC is dead for good).

To put it simply, I'm tired of elitist bullshit and don't see a point in dividing up communities even further by isolating a small inner circle of simfile authors when pretty much anyone can make a file that people would enjoy, even appealing to a larger demographic than any elitists (see QED). Step files to appeal to yourself and to match your criteria as to what designates a "fun and interesting" file. If others like your file, that's just an added bonus knowing that you're not the only person that likes it. Also, be aware that it's nearly impossible to appeal to every single person on the planet; there will always be people that will dislike your file so you should learn to cope with that.

On the topic of QED, I couldn't care less about the way in which he chooses to step. The only problem with him is that he's way too passive-aggressive and emotional about his viewpoint towards how simfiles should be stepped.