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

[omgitznpv]

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

um random input

handstreams are really awkward imo if it's just hands and single arrows or whatever (like one hand, then a slew of 16ths, then another hand, etc.), and in that case i would just make them jumps. i'd use a handstream if it's somewhat long and used along with jumps. don't overuse them because then it just gets annoying like heck. if you're just going to use hands and singles then probably apply it with climax theory or something; like one measure of a hand, 3 16ths in between, etc. (repeating pattern)

i don't know what i'm saying sorry

[dandandamdandan1111]

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

i'll be in for a student.

edit: rofl never mind this song is really stupid.

[gnr61]

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

well that article about hands looks well-done.

I usually take hands as emphases (aka climax) rather than the result of layering, so I think the contrast between hands and silence/single/doubles is important.
I mean if you put decent number of jumps or hands around hands, the emphasis effect gets smaller (it's ok if you want to put climax on the whole section though).

btw do have any opinions about handstreams?

yeah i should have mentioned the contrast effect.
notice how the triples in malice's O_L have very little climactic impact whatsoever while hands in almost any old school file feel way more so because they were so sparsely used and the files were less 'clustered' in general.

incorporating hands into streams for certain layering purposes is sometimes unavoidable, though in any large quantities they form huge 8th jacks which, like i said before, are generally undesirable. they can also turn jumpstreams into great big trills if you're not careful to compromise triple placement where necessary.

[TC_Halogen]

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

i'll be in for a student.

edit: rofl never mind this song is really stupid.

SMU has its first drop-out.

[Patashu]

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

yo nother stargroup lecture coming atcha

Lecture 1.x - Importance of Playtesting

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


As we all begin to step, one of the most important aspects to keep in mind is probably playtesting. Playtesting is essential if you want to create a good file, especially an art file. Creating an art file is nearly impossible without lots and lots of playtesting.


Why is playtesting important?

If you read my first lecture, you will remember that feel is more important than anything else in a file, as it is the primary factor in deciding whether a file is good or not. We play these games to follow the music, not randomly mash keys.

In order to get the optimal, best feeling, you have to experiment with almost every combination possible and try many different techniques or layering and patterns. If you don't test a file a lot, then you won't know how it feels. Try things you may not normally do, or something you think might be cool but you're not sure. Compare, and who knows, you might discover something.

Also, when you playtest, be sure you playtest a LOT. Playtest your files over and over and over and over again. It's the only way to be sure your file is EXACTLY how you want it to feel. Parts that seem awkward at first might not be that bad when you understand what you're supposed to be looking for, and patterns that seem fine at first might actually be really annoying, too bulky, or awkward.

Essentially, you're checking for the flow in a file when you playtest. Make sure nothing weird sticks out, and the transitions between each part of the file is smooth. Flow is difficult to do and even harder to describe, so be sure to PLAYTEST CONSTANTLY.


Conclusion? Playtest as much as freaking possible.


Assignment X - Pick a song to step or one that you've already started. Focus on one section (a phrase, 8 measure section, solo, or some other chunk) and keep playtesting and trying different things until you find something you like. Even when you think you've found the best possible patterns, chances are there is something better. Challenge yourself to find it.

[Patashu]

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

here's one for the professors

Lecture P1 - Creating a Balanced, Fair Assignment

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

NOTE: This lecture is for the professors. Feel free to read it anyways if you like, as there is valuable information in here.


I haven't listened to the song yet, but from what I've heard, the first assignment is already kinda dumb. Hence, I wrote this lecture for the professors so from this point on they will know how to make a good assignment. (And in the case that the assignment was good, this will just be here just in case.)


One thing we need to keep in mind is that these people are only starting to use their newly attained information for stepping, so we have to provide them with basics. Obviously, this means we should stick to something simple. Constant BPM songs are good for this reason. No sync mess, only focus on the patterns and techniques they have just learned. This also means we should pick songs with few color note solos.

Obviously, we can't give them songs that are bad for stepping either. Boring songs will not make good files and may not even have potential for any sort of new patterns. Pick what we would normally say are good songs, and make it easier for both you and the student, and grading/playing/stepping will be more fun as well, as there are more possibilities for stepping styles.

In addition, people only have fun stepping files for songs they actually like and can get into. If you can't get into a song, you can't understand the song or know it well, and as a result, you can't make a good file out of it. Not everyone will like the song you pick, so chances are you want to pick a few songs, maybe 2 or 3, even 4 perhaps, so that your students can pick something that suits them.

Also, pick sections of the song that are appropriate. If a song is divided into 8 measure phrases, don't assign 20 measures. There's nothing more annoying than ending steps in the middle of a phrase. It's like when someone ends a sentence in the


Here's a rubric to help summarize everything and make life easier:

- Constant BPM song.
- Song should not have color note solos.
- Song is not overly simple or generic.
- Song has many notable features.
- There is more than one song/give students some flexibility.
- The section of the song that needs to be stepped is appropriately planned.
- Recommended: The lesson corresponds to an appropriate song.



As much work as the students put into stepping, you should at least put some thought into your assignments. It's only fair.

P.S. The first artist I thought of immediately was OSTER Project. Most of his songs would be perfect for various assignments, and he should have enough songs to last a while. Then if the students happen to like what they make they can finish the file even.

[Necros140606]

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

Also, pick sections of the song that are appropriate. If a song is divided into 8 measure phrases, don't assign 20 measures. There's nothing more annoying than ending steps in the middle of a phrase. It's like when someone ends a sentence in the

i was thinking about this too, but i thought you guys already covered it all.

[moches]

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

Yeah, I definitely agree with Patashu. This song was hard to step. (And I actually tried to step this for FFRpack in the olden days, but failed. Miserably.)

Also, I'd like a lecture on keysounding sometime because it's how 99% of my layering is done.

[Patashu]

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

sorry, that was stargroup again if that wasn't clear

a lecture on keysounding? anything in particular you'd like to hear about it? key sounding as in the use of a particular note type (single, double, triple, freeze, minifreeze, mine or w/e) or as in the use of a particular pattern instance/subset?

[moches]

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

Just keysounding. Is it okay? Is it a legit form of layering?

EDIT: Also I'd like a lecture on when keysounding is appropriate and when it's not.

[Dimentio]

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

this is a good idea. i support

[gnr61]

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

yeah guys don't worry about future assignments being anything like this one lol. the goal of assignment 1 was initially just to see where everyone was at individually and this song is not one that capitalizes on the mechanics like it should have. kommi was firing off songs from idk where and we just chose something that would make a cool file regardless of its specific stepable elements which was dumb. 20 measures was also a 100% arbitrary selection and wasn't even meant to be taken seriously (i hadn't even heard the song yet).
so we're sorry this first assignment is so wack, but never fear, we will review it according to whatever basic mechanics we have thus far discusses and it won't count toward your grade as a whole (lol) and future assignments will be significantly better prepared ;D

[kommisar[os]]

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

basically it's to start everyone off and to show them what it's like to step a steppable song. I don't expect everyone to make it decently but it's a start. after a few weeks learning in da university stepping songs like oblivion will seem more fun and you'll have more creative ideas to make it fun and interesting.

[t-rogdor]

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

When's the final due date on this assignment?

[kommisar[os]]

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

sometime this week