Something that annoys me (waddle derps stupid opinion)

[Waddle]

Hi guys.
With everyone reviewing levels lately (seriously, everyone is really active ATM), I noticed something weird. Here's an example review.
*level name*
Looks:
*blablabla*
4/10
Npc placement:
*jadajadajada*
3/10
Music:
10/10
^
This. This annoys me. This level's score is greatly increased due to the fact that someone picked the right music, but it wasn't a good level at all. So I found a (simple) solution: merge "looks" and "Music" into "atmosphere". This way, levels will get more balanced grades.

-Derp

[Black Mamba]

Okey dokey

[underFlo]

That's exactly my opinion. Generally balancing out the ratio of the seperate sections is important.

[Marina]

That's why music for me is just 1 or 2 points in the Design section of my reviews.

[HeroLinik]

I actually tried doing that in one of my level reviews by reducing the music score to 5, but it screwed up the final score of the level by making it comparatively low. That's why I stuck to keeping the music score at 10. But I might remove the Music section because it doesn't serve a purpose, and it'll only be a rubbish choice if it's a joke level or if the level designer really screwed up.

[silent_]

I actually brought this up over at this thread: http://www.smbxgame.com/forums/v ... =35&t=6655

But yeah, I agree. Having music for a category is really stupid.

[zlaker]

That's why music for me is just 1 or 2 points in the Design section of my reviews.

What does music have to do with design?

[Chip Potato]

That's why music for me is just 1 or 2 points in the Design section of my reviews.

What does music have to do with design?

Music ties a level's atmosphere together. A grassland level has a happy, upbeat tune. A castle has somber or maybe even spooky/threatening music playing in the background. I could go on, but I think I can explain it simply:

Take a level you really like. It could be one of your levels, someone else's level from the level section, or from an episode. Now, go into the editor and take out all of the music, and play it. Sure, everything's the same gameplay-wise, but doesn't it feel like there's something missing?

Still don't believe music's at least a little important? Alright, then make a level on your own. Any kind of level! Grassland, Desert, Lavaland, Underground, whatever. Try playing through it without music. Don't you still notice something missing?

The point I'm trying to make here is that while music does not directly influence the level, it can affect the level (and possibly the player) in an indirect fashion. An unfitting song for a level can unnerve some people, a happy song can brighten someone's mood, etc.

So to answer your question, music has a lot to do with design. Not having the correct music for something, anything, can ruin the entire experience.

[underFlo]

That's why music for me is just 1 or 2 points in the Design section of my reviews.

What does music have to do with design?

That's one of the dumbest questions I've ever seen on a computer screen.

Music ties a level's atmosphere together. A grassland level has a happy, upbeat tune. A castle has somber or maybe even spooky/threatening music playing in the background. I could go on, but I think I can explain it simply:

Take a level you really like. It could be one of your levels, someone else's level from the level section, or from an episode. Now, go into the editor and take out all of the music, and play it. Sure, everything's the same gameplay-wise, but doesn't it feel like there's something missing?

Still don't believe music's at least a little important? Alright, then make a level on your own. Any kind of level! Grassland, Desert, Lavaland, Underground, whatever. Try playing through it without music. Don't you still notice something missing?

The point I'm trying to make here is that while music does not directly influence the level, it can affect the level (and possibly the player) in an indirect fashion. An unfitting song for a level can unnerve some people, a happy song can brighten someone's mood, etc.

So to answer your question, music has a lot to do with design. Not having the correct music for something, anything, can ruin the entire experience.

Design is mostly referred to as Level Design though, rendering your main point useless.
And of course, while it adds to the atmosphere of a level, it still takes less effort then general Atmosphere or Design and should thus not be directly compared to one of them.

(Also the first sentence was a little rude)

[Chip Potato]

Design is mostly referred to as Level Design though, rendering your main point useless.

I didn't know he meant level design. I thought he meant design in general. I guess I missed something.

And of course, while it adds to the atmosphere of a level, it still takes less effort then general Atmosphere or Design and should thus not be directly compared to one of them.

Personally, I kind of disagree. Finding the right song to fit your level can be difficult, and I'm sure it has been for a lot of people. And I never said level designing itself didn't take effort. I know better than that, trust me.

(Also the first sentence was a little rude)

Yeah, I admit, it was a little uncalled for. I'll take it out of the original post.

[zlaker]

That's why music for me is just 1 or 2 points in the Design section of my reviews.

What does music have to do with design?

Music ties a level's atmosphere together. A grassland level has a happy, upbeat tune. A castle has somber or maybe even spooky/threatening music playing in the background. I could go on, but I think I can explain it simply:

Take a level you really like. It could be one of your levels, someone else's level from the level section, or from an episode. Now, go into the editor and take out all of the music, and play it. Sure, everything's the same gameplay-wise, but doesn't it feel like there's something missing?

Still don't believe music's at least a little important? Alright, then make a level on your own. Any kind of level! Grassland, Desert, Lavaland, Underground, whatever. Try playing through it without music. Don't you still notice something missing?

The point I'm trying to make here is that while music does not directly influence the level, it can affect the level (and possibly the player) in an indirect fashion. An unfitting song for a level can unnerve some people, a happy song can brighten someone's mood, etc.

So to answer your question, music has a lot to do with design. Not having the correct music for something, anything, can ruin the entire experience.

Music is important, but however it has nothing to realate with the design of the level as the music is suppose make a good atmosphere, not good level design.

[Chip Potato]

Music is important, but however it has nothing to realate with the design of the level as the music is suppose make a good atmosphere, not good level design.

As much as I disagree, I also understand where you're coming from.

[icemario12]

That's not a stupid nitpick. It's a great downside that every reviewer has. They can give high scores on music just because they liked. Imagine that you're playing a grassland level, and the music that plays in the background is the Super Punch-Out Minor Circuit theme. Sure, I really like the theme itself (actually Super-Punch-Out is one of my favourite games of all time), but it doesn't fit in with the open world theme. It might fit with an escape sequence or with a tough enemy, but NOT with grass.

[underFlo]

That's not a stupid nitpick. It's a great downside that every reviewer has. They can give high scores on music just because they liked. Imagine that you're playing a grassland level, and the music that plays in the background is the Super Punch-Out Minor Circuit theme. Sure, I really like the theme itself (actually Super-Punch-Out is one of my favourite games of all time), but it doesn't fit in with the open world theme. It might fit with an escape sequence or with a tough enemy, but NOT with grass.

> every review
I don't think a single Level Judge does this.

[RudeGuy]

That's not a stupid nitpick. It's a great downside that every reviewer has. They can give high scores on music just because they liked. Imagine that you're playing a grassland level, and the music that plays in the background is the Super Punch-Out Minor Circuit theme. Sure, I really like the theme itself (actually Super-Punch-Out is one of my favourite games of all time), but it doesn't fit in with the open world theme. It might fit with an escape sequence or with a tough enemy, but NOT with grass.

> every review
I don't think a single Level Judge does this.

Actually, I have found a review where the music is rated alone.

[Waddle]

That's not a stupid nitpick. It's a great downside that every reviewer has. They can give high scores on music just because they liked. Imagine that you're playing a grassland level, and the music that plays in the background is the Super Punch-Out Minor Circuit theme. Sure, I really like the theme itself (actually Super-Punch-Out is one of my favourite games of all time), but it doesn't fit in with the open world theme. It might fit with an escape sequence or with a tough enemy, but NOT with grass.

> every review
I don't think a single Level Judge does this.

Actually, I have found a review where the music is rated alone.

Okay, one level judge did it once. but that wasn't the point I was trying to make. as seen in the amazing example review in the main post, the music rating really messed up the score. as for Layla's review, it didn't. the score remained relatively balanced. get it?

[icemario12]

Oh....lol I'm a n00b!
On serious note: Yeah, I got it. It should only be for messed up reviews.