Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

[meno_rocks123]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Sent mine in, but forgot to mention that I stepped it on challenge and I don't know how to delete the empty steps on heavy.

[Patashu]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Here's something most people might not notice:

In Stepmania, chords are treated as cohesive holds. That is, if you miss one note you miss the whole thing, and when you hit the last note it judges the whole thing. This is because Stepmania was originally built to emulate DDR.

In FFR, however, chords are not cohesive and treated as a bunch of notes that happen to share the same timestamp. This means that you can hit one and miss another, or hit one late and the other on time.

What are the consequences of this? In Stepmania, it is far easier to mash through chained jumps accurately, while in FFR you'll find yourself rushing ahead since most of your keytaps aren't suppressed. (This doesn't matter so much since FFR has no 'you hit it but break combo' timing window, however.) A pattern to pay attention to is the jack; while you are hitting a jack, any other notes also on the jack can only be registered as fast (or slow) as you are hitting the jack itself. Any keytaps that are redundant won't count against you. For example, the pattern
12
1
12
1
12
can be hit as
12
12
12
12
12

Lastly, hold notes in Stepmania, no matter how short they are, do not obey this convention; they are treated FFR style, like separate notes. Any notes attached to a hold's start will still act as though part of a chord.

(Mines in a sentence: Mines prevent keytaps from 'passing' through them to apply to a note that's beyond them (for example, a note with a mine a 64th before it can't be hit early) and will explode if you have that key held down the instant it's over the targets.)

[Patashu]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

hey guys. stargroup has this to share with all of you:

Lecture 0 - Understanding the Basics

DISCLAIMER: This lecture is a first draft that was improvised in little time. Expect edits and possibly overhauls if needed.


Okay, obviously we're all here to step files, but you have to ask yourself some questions first.

Why do I want to step files?
What do I want to accomplish by stepping files?
What makes a good file?
How can I express my voice in my files in the best way possible?
What is the meaning of rhythm simulation?

They may sound really philosophical and stuff but actually I'm just looking for a simple answer. (Well, 3-5 aren't THAT simple unless you really understand them.)

"I love music, I love games, and I love making stuff."
"Have people enjoy the best files possible."
<I'll explain the rest.>

So let's start.



Ultimately, StepMania and FFR are rhythm simulation games, which means the purpose is to create a game which will emulate the music, make you feel like you're playing the music, or at least following the music in some way. StepMania is special because there is no limit to the amount of expressive techniques you can use, where as commercial rhythm games have to adhere to standards and technicality to a certain degree.

So what makes a file good? Depends on your goal. I have no idea what the distribution is, but some of you will want to make files for scoring, others for fun. The majority, however, will want to step for spread styled play. The problem is, since StepMania originates from DDR, most spread files have adapted their style from index, which doesn't make sense at all. Spread files should be spread, and that's why the play styles are different. I will focus on the spread aspects. Other professors such as Kommisar will explain other play styles such as pad.

Since we are no longer playing index, different keys will no longer feel the same. So when a file is said to be generic, that is because they place the notes in ways that are easily interchangable with other patterns, resulting in a simple file that could even be generated by a computer program, hence having no significant value in feel or playability. We want to avoid that.

For example, notice how a 12 jump feels different from a 34 jump, which feels different from a 14 or 23 jump. 12 jumps will primarily be used for bass sounds, and 34 jumps will primarily be used for treble lines or snare hits. You generally don't want to use 12 jumps for snare hits (although there are exceptions obviously) because they don't feel like they are following the snare. As a result, you should take much consideration in the patterns you choose, as they will be the primary factor for your own expressive approach and for the spread feel in general.

Other topics of mention include freeze abuse, jacks, and triple/quad usage. You don't want to abuse freezes, especially putting arrows around freezes of the same hand, because these will result in awkward patterns that don't work well as spread. You want to FOLLOW THE MUSIC and create a fun file, not hold down a thousand keys while mashing with your unoccupied fingers. And since we can hit more than 2 keys at a time now, feel free to use a healthy dose of triples and quads. They will really add a lot of color to a spread file and will open a new dimension of possibilities.

Now the issue of expression. If you give everyone the exact same song, I guarantee you that they will all step it differently. What you want to do is find your voice (specifically, develop your own style in choice of patterns and layering) and create the best file that you can out of that style. That will make your files distinguishable, enjoyable, and playable. This is what makes a good file.

Of course, if you're making a file for scoring only, just layer as much crap as you want in there and you're done. But chances are, if you here, you don't want to just do that. If you want your files to be taken somewhat seriously and actually create something that's fun and not dumpy, these rules should be adhered to to a basic level. (Again, most of the above applies to spread. Other styles have different rules.)

Here's an idea I like to use to picture your own voice. Everyone steps differently for a reason. Even though we listen to the same concrete sounds, they still sound different to different people, and different sounds in relation to others will be even more dynamic. You should listen to how the song sounds to you, highlight the parts of the music that you want to emphasize (pick effects and melody lines that are significant) and find someway to express it. In order to make a good file, you also want a good interpretation of the music, so make sure you know the song well. Also realize that since you are limited to 4 keys, you can extend your techniques and create some interesting patterns without having to shove in notes just for the sake of layering. In other words, find CREATIVE ways to layer.

So when you are creating your files, you should have a clear focus of your goal, find your own way of expressing the music through these keys, and optimize it. But most of all, have fun with it. If you have fun, then chances are the people playing your file will have fun. Good luck.



Assignment #0 -

Get a basic understanding of your style of play (probably spread) as well as rhythm simulation in general, and focus your goals and your own voice. Then answer the 5 questions above to yourself, possibly asking yourself some more questions of your own.

Once you have focused your mind to a set goal for your stepping, you can begin to pick songs to experiment from, and continue reading other lectures. You should be able to understand the other lectures much better, have an easier time stepping, and be able to focus your energies to creating a solid file with practice and a few tips.

[dag12]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Also, I don't know if you guys have brought it up, but could you guys make a brief synopsis of what you talked about on IRC (after the lesson or something), for those of us who miss a particular lesson / can't get on? I think it would be really helpful.

[moches]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Yeah. Giving summaries would be nice because IRC WON'T WORK FOR ME would be a good idea.

[trumaestro]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

1. get firefox (http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/)
2. get chatzilla (https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/16)
3. join irc (after you install chatzilla, restart firefox, then go Tools -> Chatzilla. choose a nickname, then type "/attach irc.chatspike.net". then type "/join #smu")
4. ?????
5. PROFIT!!

[moches]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

I tried registering on ChatSpike, but the friggin' bot said <insert email here> is not a valid email. Damn.

[-paexaea-]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

just get chatzilla on mozilla

[operationstrawbarry]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

WHEN YOU HAVE COMPLETED your 20 measures, upload the .SM FILE ONLY to a file hosting website of your choice and send it in a PM to gnr61, Patashu, and kommisar[os] with the subject title "Stepmania Assignment 1"

Is Dwi. ok? Ive already started and it seems like I only have dwi in the folder. (I think I know the answer to this though)

[Patashu]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Stepmania will read dwis as well as it'll read sms so it doesn't matter. Just be aware that dwi doesn't support edit charts, mines and maybe not 192nds (have no clue on that one)

[TC_Halogen]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Just got the first assignment. Let's see what I can do.

[mnnicol]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Yeah, I'm in for student (spotted the question mark next to my name). Anyway, I think the university proxy will not let me connect to IRC but I may send in a file or something.

[operationstrawbarry]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Stepmania will read dwis as well as it'll read sms so it doesn't matter. Just be aware that dwi doesn't support edit charts, mines and maybe not 192nds (have no clue on that one)

ya I dont do any of that crap...

Alright thx.

[TC_Halogen]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Question:

The progression of pitch in 2-note jumps is generally [12] [13] [23] [14]* [24] [34].

Now that I hear the song, there are quite a few grace notes in it--does the progression work the same way?

[kommisar[os]]

Re: Stepmania University: We'll make your files suck less (under construction)

Layering:

This can be done so many different ways, it's impossible to cover the various theories that connect to the idea. The basics however are quite simple to follow.

Layering is incorporating different instruments/melodies in your chart, most commonly percussion and melody. The melody is usually followed using single notes, then overlapped with percussions, often on 4th/8th notes. This would create a jump note on each percussion hit while the melody follows single arrows on every other note. Layering is very easy to exaggerate. Simply because two melodies are playing, this doesn't mean you should add jumps to every 16th because of dual melodies. The easiest way to layer a simfile is to determine which sounds you're going to follow. Refrain from trying to follow every sound in your chart; this would lead to overlayering and would be very unpleasant for the player. Only step more prominent sounds that aren't hidden in the background or aren't important to the feeling of the song. After all, an important aspect of playing a simfile is feeling like you're actually playing the song.

Layering with pitch relevancy becomes a little more complicated, since you now have two notes to place in accordance to the melody. In most cases, the 2nd note would be percussion, in which case pitch relevancy isn't much of an issue as long as the main melody is still following. When you have two distinctive notes (ex: piano) they much each be placed in accordance to their pitch relevancy. Since you can't place two on the same arrow, pitch relevancy can variate to fit what 4 arrows can give you.

Vocal theory (as told by Necros) - When vocals are being layered in a song, step them as single notes with pitch relevancy as required, but make them blend in the chart. This means they aren't to be counted as layered notes, thus anything else wouldn't over lap on these vocal notes. They would still be pitch relevant and present in the chart, but wouldn't have excessive jumps due to layering. (i'm not sure i'm explaining this right)