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#1

How your locked levels are being played

Archive: 108 posts

Ever wondered how your locked level mysteriously ends up with a few plays when you check on it? The answer seems to have been found. This was on the workshop forums:

I was always wondering how people had played my locked levels, and today I managed to play one too using the quick play option. I've just played an amazingly well made level, mostly it was using the METAL GEAR SOLID Pack. It looked beautiful too.

I wanted to heart it and the author instantly. Unfortunately, I didn't bother to check who the level author was while I was playing it and when I went to check on my recently played levels, it was locked so I couldn't even highlight and find out who it was by.

The problem seems to be quick play. When you use quick play, locked levels are included in the search.		2009-04-23 13:27:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575

Wow, that's a pretty amazing find!2009-04-23 13:37:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

well, that solves that mystery. great job. gang2009-04-23 14:44:00

Author:
RickTheRipper
Posts: 345

The problem seems to be quick play. When you use quick play, locked levels are included in the search.

Wow, that's a pretty silly bug. Too bad this is nearly impossible to confirm, I guess I'm a little skeptical because of that.		2009-04-23 14:54:00

Author:
Walter-Kovacs
Posts: 542

I SUSPECT that there is a second or 2 after you initially publish a level where it's not technically locked and a player can get in, whether it's through the play instantly or other means.

The reason is because it seems like those initial random plays on my levels have only occurred IMMEDIATELY after publishing, then not again.		2009-04-23 15:19:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

I always thought it was moderators or something checking the level. Seems I was wrong.2009-04-23 15:31:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

This is at least more likely than Media Molecule playing your level. lol

I also suspect there's a very little time window where a locked level could be played. It's a very likely bug because this might also explain the guy's situations here. I mean, if the quicksearch catches the level in that little time window it would totally be playable.

I'm skeptical that locked levels are truly included in the quicksearch because our levels probably would get more plays than that.

.		2009-04-23 15:49:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

And how come that there are never any star ratings left either, the game forces you to rate the level and most times mine have no rating after the few plays they get??2009-04-23 15:57:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

Well, that's another LBP mystery solved! I too also thought it was the moderators checking your level.2009-04-23 18:15:00

Author:
lk9988
Posts: 1077

Should be pretty simple to fix (for the talented Mm team anyway). Very bad bug though...... you have to be unlucky to have it done on your level though!2009-04-23 18:21:00

Author:
Coxy224
Posts: 2645

So THAT'S how my online storage got some plays!!!2009-04-25 17:43:00

Author:
tjb0607
Posts: 1054

I feel somehow verified. I already thought that it has something to do with quickplay. That's why i use sticker keys to protect my betas. It's totally "quickplay resistant". 2009-04-25 18:05:00

Author:
Vanemiera
Posts: 329

I see..
So it is best to lock the entrance in somce sort of closed box.
Well, now that that's solved, lets solve the "Termometer auto-fill" glitch mistery!		2009-04-25 18:48:00

Author:
Silverleon
Posts: 6707

And how come that there are never any star ratings left either, the game forces you to rate the level and most times mine have no rating after the few plays they get??

Guys, this may not be completely solved yet. After playing a Quick Play game and you able to rate a level?		2009-04-25 21:23:00

Author:
Unknown User

Guys, this may not be completely solved yet. After playing a Quick Play game and you able to rate a level?


Nope. I sometimes do quickplay to meet people. If you want to rate the level you got to go to "recently played" play it once and rate it. Also if the host leaves you alone in a level you don't have to judge it. I think you don't have to judge things you didn't decide yourself to play.		2009-04-25 21:33:00

Author:
Vanemiera
Posts: 329

Strange. So if you want something to STAY locked, make it protected by some in game barrier, and maybe even leave a note. But is this a big enough bug to warrent fixing? I mean... a few plays on a level doesn't seem like that big of a problem.2009-04-25 21:52:00

Author:
Zilabus
Posts: 17

Huh. Odd, but I'd imagine it's not too difficult to fix.2009-04-25 22:01:00

Author:
alexbull_uk
Posts: 1287

Huh. Odd, but I'd imagine it's not too difficult to fix.

Yeah, if media molecule just adds a code to the search engine like "if locked=0" or whatever then it would be fixed...		2009-04-25 22:54:00

Author:
tjb0607
Posts: 1054

Finally, an answer!!
This had been bugging me for so long now.		2009-04-26 00:46:00

Author:
Zwollie
Posts: 2173

I see... I always thought MM are checking out newly published levels if they needed to be moderated or not.

Ive had upto 5 plays on my The Count of St. Claire Island when i published it locked. Thats before i started giving out keys.

Ugh.. It makes me feel robbed...		2009-04-26 04:17:00

Author:
graygoose
Posts: 371

I see... I always thought MM are checking out newly published levels if they needed to be moderated or not.

Ive had upto 5 plays on my The Count of St. Claire Island when i published it locked. Thats before i started giving out keys.

Ugh.. It makes me feel robbed...


When Media Molecule explained their moderation process awhile back, they said they weren't checking the levels that were being published. They don't have ressource for it. They only check a level if they receive a certain number of good grief on them. I don't know where and why the rumor Media Molecule was looking at our levels did start...

.		2009-04-26 05:40:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

This annoys me. I always keep an online backup of a level when I'm working on it.
My current backup has 4 plays 		2009-04-26 09:14:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

Yeah, if media molecule just adds a code to the search engine like "if locked=0" or whatever then it would be fixed...

you mean "if locked==0"
you need two equals signs for an equality check, one equal sign is for assignment.

my guess is:
"if (level.is_locked()) continue;"		2009-04-26 16:36:00

Author:
Walter-Kovacs
Posts: 542

you mean "if locked==0"
you need two equals signs for an equality check, one equal sign is for assignment.

my guess is:
"if (level.is_locked()) continue;"

Whatever, I'm not much of a programmer, so I wouldn't know...

But Media Molecule really needs to know about this, it's annoying how your locked levels are getting plays, and it would be very easy to fix.		2009-04-29 19:16:00

Author:
tjb0607
Posts: 1054

Ah right so... I been wondering about that. My locked storage level got a few plays. Still waiting to see my items being used or given away as gifts somewhere...2009-05-20 17:21:00

Author:
Chicago51
Posts: 258

Yeah MM really need to fix this. I got 20 plays on my locked level last night, then I realised I had'nt published it locked. Doh! 2009-05-21 07:23:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

Bump.

Does anyone know whether you can copy locked copyable level if you end up in one via quickplay?		2009-08-01 12:12:00

Author:
Syroc
Posts: 3193

@syroc, no. When you play quickplay you never get to see the icon, so you can't select it, rate it, copy it, find out who it's by (unless they have credits in there) etc.

@walter-kovaks. Obviously I'm late, but that depends entirely on what language you are using. Plenty of languages use single equals for assigment and comparison. And plenty don't use single equals for assignment. And then in some you can overload the symbols to do whatever you want.

If you're gonna correct people, at least be right about it!		2009-08-01 13:43:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I always thought it was just a number glitch. Looks like I'll have to double lock my private levels with a password now. lol 2009-08-01 14:18:00

Author:
Reef1978
Posts: 527

@syroc, no. When you play quickplay you never get to see the icon, so you can't select it, rate it, copy it, find out who it's by (unless they have credits in there) etc.

I think you could press start and go to about level, then see who it's by and the title. But you wouldn't think to do that while in the level, because you wouldn't know it's locked. But who uses quickplay anyway?

Another find: I'm almost positive locked levels only get these plays when they're newly published. So they have to be locked AND on New Levels. I always notice a few plays after I update the locked version, but never seen any in between publishings.		2009-08-03 11:07:00

Author:
TripleTremelo
Posts: 490

Well you might look who it was by / level name if it was good

But am I still right that you can't copy them from inside the level though? I'm pretty sure you're right about the quickplay picking out from cool levels btw as well. Which means that a week after release it shouldn't come up at all in quickplay - which is worth knowing if that's right.		2009-08-03 11:26:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I have published 2 locked levels before.

One was locked on my moon and then published (still locked) and the other was published unlocked and then locked straight away.

The level that was locked before publishing has been up for about a month now and still has no plays. However, the level that I locked after publishing (now deleted btw) had 3 plays and went up like a play every couple of days.

This may just be a coincidence, but I recommend locking the level before publishing if you want a locked level to stay unplayed!		2009-08-03 11:32:00

Author:
Leather-Monkey
Posts: 2266

I uploaded a bunch of locked concepts that have been knocking about my moon gathering dust for the last couple of months, to free up profile space. All were locked before publishing and no one has a key. I've got 3,2 and 0 plays on these three levels, so I don't think it makes a difference, just down to luck of the draw. All the plays occurred in the first couple of days and then nada.

I think I'm going to upload a blank level to fill up a spot on my levels for the next time I have a significant WIP to upload. That way it should automatically miss the 7-day cool pages period and not get any plays at all. Maybe.		2009-08-03 11:37:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

well here is my solution for this

heres as follows:

1.take a picture of whatever you want with your eyetoy (make sure its something you can remember and find if you are those who have many eyetoy stickers)

2. cover your beginning checkpoint and the spot where you spawn into a big box of dissolve material

3.make a sticker switch with the switch being the eyetoy sticker you took a picture of (since you made it just recently means no one on earth has it or can use it for your level)

publish and enjoy as you watch plays appear but no one can access your online storage level because they do not have the rarest sticker to activate your switch...your eyetoy sticker

ps. i know its pseye but i couldnt be bothered with worrying about that at all		2009-08-04 00:01:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

URGENT!!!!!!!!!

Is there any way to fix this problem?

I was about to post a thread asking for help when this popped up. I am getting plays and someone gave one of my levels 5 stars.

Do they know it's locked when they play it? And can your friends actually choose to play your locked levels?

This is bad.		2009-10-07 05:21:00

Author:
Unknown User

URGENT!!!!!!!!!

Is there any way to fix this problem?

I was about to post a thread asking for help when this popped up. I am getting plays and someone gave one of my levels 5 stars.

Do they know it's locked when they play it? And can your friends actually choose to play your locked levels?

This is bad.
The only way people can play your level is if it is unlocked, are you sure you didn't accidently unlock it? Send a key to a friend? Or play it with a friend? Because those are the only ways.


On a side note, I too have a theory on how Locked levels are being played and it is way different from the info that is in this thread. I've been too lazy to actually post it but hopefully in the next few days I'll create a thread on it. 		2009-10-07 06:20:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

It's been a while we think that there is actually a bug. I'm not saying the "quickplay theory" is bad but it's my second place guess.

There must be a little window of time where you locked level appear as unlocked for someone loading the cool pages exactly at that moment. This would be some very common type of timming bug we see all the time in QA and making multiplayer games.

.		2009-10-07 06:36:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

It's been a while we think that there is actually a bug. I'm not saying the "quickplay theory" is bad but it's my second place guess.

There must be a little window of time where you locked level appear as unlocked for someone loading the cool pages exactly at that moment. This would be some very common type of timming bug we see all the time in QA and making multiplayer games.

.

That's a good guess but that isn't the way they are being "played"		2009-10-07 07:08:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

Ive experienced this accumulationg around 50 plays a day. The rating and hearts remained the same, but every so often 1-4 people would show up as in my locked level.2009-10-07 08:30:00

Author:
SteveBigGuns
Posts: 423

Yeah MM really need to fix this. I got 20 plays on my locked level last night, then I realised I had'nt published it locked. Doh!

yeah i did that aswell:blush:got 15 downloads with 1 publishingit'll get loads of downloads when i finish:.the stupid fools who played it rated it 3 star even though the level was brokenshows what sort of unreliable voters we've got. reminds me of a level that was just a entrance & a scoreboard & got 4 stari almost grief reported it		2009-10-07 12:58:00

Author:
lifeiscrapislife
Posts: 396

That's a good guess but that isn't the way they are being "played"

Why are you so sure? You programmed this game?
Share your ideas instead. There are multiple possibilities for this to happen.

.		2009-10-07 17:30:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

the quickplay theory is sound if you are getting plays and have no ratings as is the case on my locked levels. In this case the delay on locking falls down.

The delay on locked theory is sound if you have ratings, and I'm pretty sure I've seen the delay happen a couple of times. Other times I've specifically seen it not happen. If you aren't getting ratings from the mysterious plays then this is probably not happening (barring system crashes I suppose).

@endless_echo: Please don't attempt to put down someone else's theory without any reason. You're not helping anyone.		2009-10-07 17:48:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

the quickplay theory is sound if you are getting plays and have no ratings as is the case on my locked levels. In this case the delay on locking falls down.

The delay on locked theory is sound if you have ratings, and I'm pretty sure I've seen the delay happen a couple of times. Other times I've specifically seen it not happen. If you aren't getting ratings from the mysterious plays then this is probably not happening (barring system crashes I suppose).

@endless_echo: Please don't attempt to put down someone else's theory without any reason. You're not helping anyone.

If you would enter a level from quickplay, wouldn't you be able to finish it given the level design permits it?

What's REALLY odd if when you have a name on the leaderboard and no ratings. You seen that case before? I'm really wondering what happened in that case. I would be more on the quickplay side for that one because the fact the level could be considered "locked" for that player might prevent the rating to appear or something. If it was the "window" bug, the level would probably not be considered locked for that player and the rating shall appear...

.		2009-10-07 17:55:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Rating has nothing to do with whether you finish or not though. You just aren't given the options to rate and tag with quickplay.2009-10-07 18:54:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I'm not putting anyones idea down. I'll post my thread with my theory in a few hours when I get home, I am on my phone at the moment and can't really express my opinion much when I am on it.

So you guys don't think I'm just playing around I will say this, There is NO ONE playing your locked levels, it is simply a glitch... How it occurs I will explain later, this glitch is pretty deep and does explain alot of how things work on Little Big Planet.

I'll explain in a few hours...		2009-10-07 19:26:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

D'you know what, I've just thought of something.


If we want to know how people are getting to our locked levels.... we could always just ask them. I'm a freakin' genious 		2009-10-07 20:41:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Ugh, I got 2 plays on my locked level last night but I had no idea how! I figured it was because i played in from 'My Levels' but I wasnt sure. It could be just like how it says your level has a new comment but its just from republishing #_#2009-10-07 20:46:00

Author:
iGotFancyPants
Posts: 1355

It doesn't count when you play your own levels. Just imagine the kiddies constantly restarting over and over because lol.2009-10-07 20:48:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Well, I wasn't sure... just kinda figured from the comment thingy.... 0.02009-10-07 20:50:00

Author:
iGotFancyPants
Posts: 1355

I'm not putting anyones idea down. I'll post my thread with my theory in a few hours when I get home, I am on my phone at the moment and can't really express my opinion much when I am on it.

So you guys don't think I'm just playing around I will say this, There is NO ONE playing your locked levels, it is simply a glitch... How it occurs I will explain later, this glitch is pretty deep and does explain alot of how things work on Little Big Planet.

I'll explain in a few hours...

Actually there is someone playing the locked levels, because I once caught a trespasser in the act. While browsing "My Levels" I noticed that someone was actively playing in my locked workbench and so I jumped in to confront them, but before I could ask them what the heck they were doing there, they beat a hasty retreat and immediately quit the level. I only caught a quick glimpse of them, but enough to notice that their sackboy was sporting a lion's mane. All my experimental gadgets had evidently been messed around with and strewn all over the place. Very suspicious behaviour if you ask me.		2009-10-07 21:18:00

Author:
Ungreth
Posts: 2130

Lol @Ungreth

Anyway, I haven't heard of any locked levels getting played for a long time now...I think this has been fixed for a while.		2009-10-07 21:19:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

Lol @Ungreth

Anyway, I haven't heard of any locked levels getting played for a long time now...I think this has been fixed for a while.

Half hour ago recent enough for ya?

And indeed, lol @ ungreth.		2009-10-07 21:19:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Half hour ago recent enough for ya?

Really?
Hmm...I've published several different levels locked over the last few months, all at 0 plays. Last time I got any plays on a locked level was months and months ago 		2009-10-07 21:24:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

Here's what I know is fact . . .

1. My levels were locked before I published them, and I checked after to make sure they were still locked and only I could edit.

2. It's not a bug or anything of the sorts causing plays to increase (although I can't say one doesn't exist), and I'm not sure about the rating. Someone actually IS playing, like an actual human controlled character, lol, like UNGRETH said.

3. As for the quick play theory, that seems a sure thing to me. Because how else is someone with no key going to play a locked level when you can't play locked levels through community or search? Unless I'm forgetting something.

@ARD:

Not everyone's levels get played, one of my 3 published levels has zero plays. Strange I know.		2009-10-07 21:32:00

Author:
Unknown User

couldn't you just get a large block of stone then crush the checkpoint? then the level can't be played.2009-10-07 21:46:00

Author:
applepod124
Posts: 163

D'you know what, I've just thought of something.


If we want to know how people are getting to our locked levels.... we could always just ask them. I'm a freakin' genious

Yes I did that when I saw someone had played one of my locked levels ages ago because they left a comment about there being no finish.

I messaged them and said that's because it's not finished and is supposed to be locked, which it was on my end, but he replied saying that it wasn't locked on his end at all !

BTW applepod you can't do that because you need the entrance yourself to get into the level to edit it.

BTW rtm Aren't you generally known as the resident spellchecker? If so I just thought you might like to check your spelling of 'genius' lol.		2009-10-07 21:53:00

Author:
mistervista
Posts: 2210

Hmm... well, it isn't phantom sackplayers. I've had some plays on locked levels, zero plays on others. But it isn't a glitch, or at least, when I play one of my locked levels with a friend the play count goes up by one.

Alternatively, it could be Bill Gates testing them all. Nah, they would all have General Protection Faults by now 		2009-10-07 22:08:00

Author:
MrsSpookyBuz
Posts: 1492

Yes I did that when I saw someone had played one of my locked levels ages ago because they left a comment about there being no finish.

I messaged them and said that's because it's not finished and is supposed to be locked, which it was on my end, but he replied saying that it wasn't locked on his end at all !
Well that adds some weight to RangerZero's theory, you can't comment on levels through quickplay.



BTW rtm Aren't you generally known as the resident spellchecker? If so I just thought you might like to check your spelling of 'genius' lol.

Geeeennnioooosss. Between having a mild learning difficulty and everything I write going through a spellchecker, my spelling has gone to ****. Annoyingly I can instantly spot errors in other people's stuff, I just can't write it and I can't proofread my own. It's a shame really. And mostly I pick up on "wenches", but that one is just for teh lulz 		2009-10-07 22:14:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Hey everyone! Before I joined the forum I use to read it daily and still remember the threads created by people wondering how their locked levels were being played, my friends even use to ask me about it. When I first began locking my levels back in March, I too wondered who was truly playing my levels.

It wasn't till around early Summer when I began noticing a Trend. At the time I was creating a level which I republished locked Everytime I had finished creating in it, and In another level I had some of the objects that were going to be included in the main level. I noticed that the play count would Almost always increase everytime I republished the main level and the level in which I had stored objects(I never republished) would always have Zero plays. So this is when it got me thinking What If Nobody was actually playing my level, What if it was another glitch on LBP? There are countless others, wouldn't be surprising if there was another.

What if almost everytime we republish our levels, the play count increases? Then I thought about the "Republishing glitch" that alot of people use to get onto the Cool Pages. From what I know, in order to get onto the Cool Pages you have to get a certain amount of plays before your 7 days are up. So, it all made sense by then...the reason you have to republish your level lots of times to give it a better chance to get noticed is because Republishing adds to your play count. I wasn't really sure what to think at the time, there I was possibly discovering another glitch on LBP. At the same time I was kinda mad because I am someone who cares deeply about the Heart to Play ratio of my levels so republishing would just add "Fake Plays."


Ok, there's lots of things in my head right now that I have been holding for months so I am not sure if I have said everything I need to. So, please tell me what you think of my theory. I am not 100% sure if this is the only way Locked levels are being played as I have heard other stories. For Example, in the other thread mistervista said that while he published a locked level, it was open to someone else. So, who knows...maybe there are different ways Locked levels can be played, my theory being one of them.

Anyways, please discuss! And keep it clean, it seems everytime I give my opinion on this forum I am demonized.		2009-10-07 23:22:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

I believe it has already been found that locked levels are being played because Quick Play includes Locked Levels in its search for some stupid reason. so yeah, I'm pretty sure it's because of some person quick playing and landing on your level.2009-10-07 23:25:00

Author:
RockSauron
Posts: 10882

interesting theory, it got annoying when locked levels started reaching double figures but if this is the case theres no need to worry 2009-10-07 23:28:00

Author:
springs86
Posts: 785

Here's what I know is fact . . .

1. My levels were locked before I published them, and I checked after to make sure they were still locked and only I could edit.

2. It's not a bug or anything of the sorts causing plays to increase (although I can't say one doesn't exist), and I'm not sure about the rating. Someone actually IS playing, like an actual human controlled character, lol, like UNGRETH said.

3. As for the quick play theory, that seems a sure thing to me. Because how else is someone with no key going to play a locked level when you can't play locked levels through community or search? Unless I'm forgetting something.

@ARD:

Not everyone's levels get played, one of my 3 published levels has zero plays. Strange I know.

Even lock levels pop in the cool pages when they are released.
This doesn't remove or increase the possibilities for getting a quickplay bug but it does bring the possibly of my other guess, the timing bug.

.		2009-10-07 23:29:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

And this needs a separate thread why?


TBH, this doesn't discount the possibility of other reasons and it can neither be confirmed or denied. The thing really here is that there is no actual evidence for it. Yes we can't demonstrate that this is inaccurate, but there is no reason to believe it is accurate.

The other two theories, on the other thread, have some distinct weight behind them....		2009-10-07 23:30:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I believe it has already been found that locked levels are being played because Quick Play includes Locked Levels in its search for some stupid reason. so yeah, I'm pretty sure it's because of some person quick playing and landing on your level.

Yes, I do know about that theory as well, though I don't think any have actually been confirmed yet.

Also, I forgot to add that while I do think the Quick Play theory is a viable one I just don't think enough people on LBP actually use that function and if they did, what are the chances that they will be sent to a locked level? The few times I have used Quick Play, it always took me to some empty trophy or H4H level. If the Quick Play theory was ever confirmed to be taking players into locked levels I would use it many times and hope I'd get the chance to play some of my favorite author's locked levels.		2009-10-07 23:32:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

And this needs a separate thread why?


TBH, this doesn't discount the possibility of other reasons and it can neither be confirmed or denied. The thing really here is that there is no actual evidence for it. Yes we can't demonstrate that this is inaccurate, but there is no reason to believe it is accurate.

The other two theories, on the other thread, have some distinct weight behind them....

Because it was a completely different theory than the others, and I think mine would get too lost with all the others. And if you read my entire post you would know that I never said it discounted the other possibilities.

Also I gave proof as to why I thought my theory was correct.		2009-10-07 23:36:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

What if almost everytime we republish our levels, the play count increases? Then I thought about the "Republishing glitch" that alot of people use to get onto the Cool Pages. From what I know, in order to get onto the Cool Pages you have to get a certain amount of plays before your 7 days are up. So, it all made sense by then...the reason you have to republish your level lots of times to give it a better chance to get noticed is because Republishing adds to your play count. I wasn't really sure what to think at the time, there I was possibly discovering another glitch on LBP. At the same time I was kinda mad because I am someone who cares deeply about the Heart to Play ratio of my levels so republishing would just add "Fake Plays."


This here doesn't seem to make sense. First off, the republishing in the cool pages is NOT a glitch. The game is designed like that and Media Molecule explained it. Also, you get plays when you republish your level because it pops on the first page of the cool level pages. Everybody entering the cool level pages see it and some are trying it therefore you get plays.

EDIT:

Also, the other thread's subject was to talk about our theories of "why our locked levels are getting played". What you're sharing with us here is a theory therefore it's 2 thread with the same purpose.

Also, your theory and opening post there prooves nothing.

.		2009-10-07 23:37:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I did read that that you said that, it was more the confirm or deny aspect I was pushing. I don't get what the proof is, that it happens when you republish? I thought that was because quickplay was selected mostly from cool pages and the newest pages. The plays don't tend to happen at the time of publish either... although that could be all sorts of reasons.

I suppose we don't know. It's a pretty slim theory IMO. I have an experiment running that I started earlier this evening that might provide some more tangible evidence though, if it goes differently to how I expect it to, so maybe this can be proven.

Anyhoo, this really needs a merge, it's not a separate topic.		2009-10-07 23:41:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

I did read that that you said that, it was more the confirm or deny aspect I was pushing. I don't get what the proof is, that it happens when you republish? I thought that was because quickplay was selected mostly from cool pages and the newest pages. The plays don't tend to happen at the time of publish either... although that could be all sorts of reasons.
I suppose we don't know. It's a pretty slim theory IMO. I have an experiment running that I started earlier this evening that might provide some more tangible evidence though, if it goes differently to how I expect it to, so maybe this can be proven.

Anyhoo, this really needs a merge, it's not a separate topic.

Yes, I don't really know why it is that plays take awhile to register, but I have noticed that if I quit the game and restart it, the play count increases by one.

And to everyone else, it really isn't that hard to understand. You have a locked level and Almost everytime you republish it the play count will increase.		2009-10-07 23:47:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

didnt killian already make a thread explaining this??2009-10-08 00:25:00

Author:
siccology
Posts: 279

didnt killian already make a thread explaining this??

No, he made a thread that had a much different theory than mine.

Also to those that do not believe me, you can test it yourselves. Publish Level A and publish Level B. Publish Level A Many Many Many times and never publish Level B. Level A will have plays while Level B will have none.		2009-10-08 00:35:00

Author:
TheFirstAvenger
Posts: 787

I'll merge these threads to keep the discussion in one place.

Echo's theory is a pretty good one as the additional plays have only ever occurred for me in the first while after publishing. The thing is, the last time I published it locked I quit the game for a few minutes and came back online and saw that there was two people in the level. Then again, it's possible that sometimes new levels get additional plays and new levels show up when using quick play.

I currently have six plays on my current project and it has forced me to create a dark matter cage around the entrance.		2009-10-08 01:19:00

Author:
Killian
Posts: 2575

Well, regardless of all the theories all that's know to be fact is that there are actual people playing the locked levels.

Therefor, it does seem the only solution is to close off the entrance and maybe throw in a magic mouth or something saying that the level is locked and not finished or something of the sorts, even in level description to be safe.		2009-10-08 05:04:00

Author:
Unknown User

Well, regardless of all the theories all that's know to be fact is that there are actual people playing the locked levels.


This is indeed the only thing we can be 100% sure of!

.		2009-10-08 06:32:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Well, regardless of all the theories all that's know to be fact is that there are actual people playing the locked levels.

Therefor, it does seem the only solution is to close off the entrance and maybe throw in a magic mouth or something saying that the level is locked and not finished or something of the sorts, even in level description to be safe.

use my solution:

1. dissolve material box with starter checkpoint inside...sealed so no sackboy can get in or out..not even drop down.

2.use eyetoy or create your own special sticker

3.sticker switch dissolve with your special RARE sticker that only you have

4.???

5.PROFIT

but seriously follow this method and YES...there will be plays...but you can rest easy knowing they can't do sh*t so enjoy		2009-10-08 08:34:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

just electrify the floor under the start gate. This is the quickest method to do / undo each time you want to publish / test.2009-10-08 09:41:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

If we want to know how people are getting to our locked levels.... we could always just ask them. I'm a freakin' genious

If you want to do this, I'd say the best method of sealing the entrance is by putting a finish just below it. Then you get PSN's to interrogate. You could make a custom finish with under construction signs and a message saying the level is supposed to be locked and a request to explain how they got in.


1. dissolve material box with starter checkpoint inside...sealed so no sackboy can get in or out..not even drop down.

2.use eyetoy or create your own special sticker

3.sticker switch dissolve with your special RARE sticker that only you have

Couldn't you do the same thing with a sticker made by the photo tool?		2009-10-08 12:16:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

I just build a dark matter box sealing the checkpoint, since I don't playtest them directly off lbp.2009-10-08 22:56:00

Author:
croissantbuncake
Posts: 572

If you want to do this, I'd say the best method of sealing the entrance is by putting a finish just below it. Then you get PSN's to interrogate. You could make a custom finish with under construction signs and a message saying the level is supposed to be locked and a request to explain how they got in.



Couldn't you do the same thing with a sticker made by the photo tool?


thats why its said there....eyetoy anyone? pseye (eyetoy) is the photo tool		2009-10-09 03:24:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

I already read the method this thread ShadowCrazy.

But what is the point of the sticker thing? When you edit you can move around freely. So all you need to do is close off entrance. Now if the purpose of the sticker is for playtesting, well you only need to block off entrance each time you publish, otherwise you're working on your level on your moon where you won't have the entranced blocked.

My purpose for publishing locked is to backup my level in case something goes wrong, so I don't need a sticker or anything for playtesting. Only when I publish will I need entrance blocked. Other than that I am working on the level and saving it on my moon which is different from the backup where the entrance block is needed.		2009-10-09 04:43:00

Author:
Unknown User

I already read the method this thread ShadowCrazy.

But what is the point of the sticker thing? When you edit you can move around freely. So all you need to do is close off entrance. Now if the purpose of the sticker is for playtesting, well you only need to block off entrance each time you publish, otherwise you're working on your level on your moon where you won't have the entranced blocked.

My purpose for publishing locked is to backup my level in case something goes wrong, so I don't need a sticker or anything for playtesting. Only when I publish will I need entrance blocked. Other than that I am working on the level and saving it on my moon which is different from the backup where the entrance block is needed.

my method for the stickering i use in the "just in case" sort of fashion...for me im sort of paranoid so i have the whole "you never know if blah blah blah can happen" so for me i just do this method for some added security....i even made my levels copyable just in case something were to happen with my current account that id need to copy to another account...and from there copy the levels and such		2009-10-09 07:15:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

I already read the method this thread ShadowCrazy.

But what is the point of the sticker thing? When you edit you can move around freely. So all you need to do is close off entrance. Now if the purpose of the sticker is for playtesting, well you only need to block off entrance each time you publish, otherwise you're working on your level on your moon where you won't have the entranced blocked.

My purpose for publishing locked is to backup my level in case something goes wrong, so I don't need a sticker or anything for playtesting. Only when I publish will I need entrance blocked. Other than that I am working on the level and saving it on my moon which is different from the backup where the entrance block is needed.

it was me... you gave me a key so i could playtest it... ive been going on it alot		2009-10-09 07:44:00

Author:
Kern
Posts: 5078

thats why its said there....eyetoy anyone? pseye (eyetoy) is the photo tool

I mean, you can take a photo of something in game, the tool is next to the sticker editor tool at the top of most pages in the sticker menu. That one makes a sticker, I'm sure that one can be used to make a unique sticker key when you don't own the Eyetoy, right?		2009-10-09 10:03:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

I mean, you can take a photo of something in game, the tool is next to the sticker editor tool at the top of most pages in the sticker menu. That one makes a sticker, I'm sure that one can be used to make a unique sticker key when you don't own the Eyetoy, right?

......i know....i said that as well in there if you read carefully it was the first thing i said		2009-10-10 07:32:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

What If Nobody was actually playing my level?


I'm on board with this now. I made a level with just a checkpoint and published it locked.

3 plays, no ratings, 1 name on the highscores.

So:
Locking delay theory: there would have been a rating.
Quickplay theory: The same guy quickplayed into my level 3 times?
Phantom plays theory: Feasable for 2 of the plays.

So I got one play through quickplay and 2 through phantom plays. I did also see a locked level get played and rated this week as well, so bump some weight to the locking delay theory.

I think it's a combination of all three.		2009-10-10 11:53:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

it was me... you gave me a key so i could playtest it... ive been going on it alot

I know, but one of my levels no one has the key. So that was what was confusing at first, but of course I now know that locked levels can be played without a key after finding this thread.		2009-10-10 12:03:00

Author:
Unknown User

Wow learn somethin new every day!2009-10-10 13:09:00

Author:
tru3_skitz0
Posts: 114

I'm on board with this now. I made a level with just a checkpoint and published it locked.

3 plays, no ratings, 1 name on the highscores.

So:
Locking delay theory: there would have been a rating.
Quickplay theory: The same guy quickplayed into my level 3 times?
Phantom plays theory: Feasable for 2 of the plays.

So I got one play through quickplay and 2 through phantom plays.

Or, the one guy replayed twice because uhm... he got stuck... or... he enjoyed it so much? 		2009-10-12 12:02:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

Or, the one guy replayed twice because uhm... he got stuck... or... he enjoyed it so much?

Well, yes. The level does have a significant amount of replay value. It's kinda like those vehicle levels where you just hold R1, but for extra lazy people; or a level that plays itself, for really impatient people 		2009-10-12 12:39:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

D'you know what, I've just thought of something.
If we want to know how people are getting to our locked levels.... we could always just ask them. I'm a freakin' genious

I've asked that question several times to the people who played my locked levels, they all got into them by doing quick play. (don't know if you still can do that with 1.19 though...)

misty.		2009-10-12 13:12:00

Author:
Mother-Misty
Posts: 574

I had several scores on a level I posted locked a while ago, it was a template for someone else. Though locked, it had 3 or 4 names on the score list. I sent them all PSN messages and didn't get a single one back. 2009-10-12 14:51:00

Author:
BSprague
Posts: 2325

RTM223 I don't know if this sounds logical or not (I need to go to bed) but, about the two phantom plays. If someone paused as they hit the scoreboard and returned to pod, then it wouldn't show up right? My son does that (as annoying as it is, he does the run ahead of everyone and make them die thing to)2009-10-12 15:01:00

Author:
thefrozenpenquin
Posts: 479

actually it does show up....i do this countless times whenever i play a crappy level that i hate to do...but sometimes i fall on the scoreboard while i leave the pod and it activates as im leaving...next thing you know i have some prizes that i never had before...suffice to say its from that very level i exited with the pause but happened to land on before the exact moment where im ejected back into the pod2009-10-12 21:59:00

Author:
Shadowcrazy
Posts: 3365

RTM223 I don't know if this sounds logical or not (I need to go to bed) but, about the two phantom plays. If someone paused as they hit the scoreboard and returned to pod, then it wouldn't show up right? My son does that (as annoying as it is, he does the run ahead of everyone and make them die thing to)

Totally would. As soon as you enter a level is registers a play.

.		2009-10-13 03:36:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I sometimes get a message saying the score could not be uploaded, but not often enough to explain 2 out of 3 plays not on the score board.2009-10-13 11:49:00

Author:
Rogar
Posts: 2284

uhm i actually caught someone in my locked level. and uh i thought they were level raiders coming to steal my level, so i returned to my pod and then logged in on this site...

yeah.

i went back in a second time and someone else was joining named tonika. and went back to my pod again...
****it.		2009-11-27 06:36:00

Author:
drei
Posts: 158

I think you may have been using the play online option in that case, which allows "quick play"ers to join you mid level.

Yep, nearly all of my locked levels have plays, one even has 7 plays and 1 heart!		2009-11-27 12:33:00

Author:
croissantbuncake
Posts: 572

No offense, but this theory is extremely crazy. We need proof. Not even a psn? Probably some random noob who has no idea what they're talkin about, and the creator could've easily locked the level some time after he played it. I don't know why you people get plays on your locked levels -.-. I have more locked levels than unlocked levels, and none of them have any plays.2009-11-28 19:59:00

Author:
Incinerator22
Posts: 3251

I currently have a level under construction that is locked that I haven't played online at all that has 3 plays on it. It's the quickplay situation - people do get in. Now this raider business is questionable but the people playing locked levels does happen.2009-11-28 20:19:00

Author:
Morgana25
Posts: 5983

OK! Well we looked into this, and it should actually be fixed in Leerdammer... has anyone had it happen since Monday ?

We think it was a bug that crept into Yarg all those months ago, that quickplay could indeed get you through a level's lock. =/		2009-12-02 14:47:00

Author:
Spaff_Molecule
Posts: 421

Ooohh, we'll have to have a little look into this.

Spaff, is there any chance you can confirm what the bug was that was causing this: was it ghost plays, levels taking a while to lock, people quickplaying into the level? What exactly have you patched up?

Say thanks to the guys for getting this sorted though, I think a lot of people in the community will be pleased with this news 		2009-12-02 14:52:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

Bytheway, is it me or did the update made it impossible to change a level's settings to "Locked/unlocked" and "Copyable/not copyable"
Because I have been button-bashing my controller like a madman and I could not make my level copyable :/		2009-12-03 18:29:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

OK! Well we looked into this, and it should actually be fixed in Leerdammer... has anyone had it happen since Monday ?

We think it was a bug that crept into Yarg all those months ago, that quickplay could indeed get you through a level's lock. =/
I've been publishing a locked level constantly since Leerdammer - and it hasn't been played at ALL. I would call this issue solved! Woohoo!


Bytheway, is it me or did the update made it impossible to change a level's settings to "Locked/unlocked" and "Copyable/not copyable"
Because I have been button-bashing my controller like a madman and I could not make my level copyable :/

You have been away for a long time.... . This changed in Yarg. Use the right analog stick on the controller to change it to locked. This was changed because with the old controller configuration people kept accidentally locking/unlocking.		2009-12-03 18:45:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

I've been publishing a locked level constantly since Leerdammer - and it hasn't been played at ALL. I would call this issue solved! Woohoo!

Awesome!! I hate blocking off those entrances!! Thanks for sharing!		2009-12-03 19:01:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383

Bytheway, is it me or did the update made it impossible to change a level's settings to "Locked/unlocked" and "Copyable/not copyable"
Because I have been button-bashing my controller like a madman and I could not make my level copyable :/

Have you tried using the right analogue stick - they changed that at one point (poss while you were away) so you can't do it accidentally. Quite a few people struggled with doing it on purpose after for a while though 		2009-12-03 21:24:00

Author:
rtm223
Posts: 6497

You have been away for a long time.... . This changed in Yarg. Use the right analog stick on the controller to change it to locked. This was changed because with the old controller configuration people kept accidentally locking/unlocking.


Have you tried using the right analogue stick - they changed that at one point (poss while you were away) so you can't do it accidentally. Quite a few people struggled with doing it on purpose after for a while though

Yup lol, I have been away a long time.
I really thought that I tried using the right analog.. but for some reason I might not have tried left/right.. I even pressed r3 a few times
Anyhoe, thanks!		2009-12-03 21:36:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

I have had my level played while locked since the patch, as many as 2 players. I have to lock my new levels alot due to so many haters in lbp.... i released a level i think tuesday and it is on cool pages 2 now. I locked this level for periods of 6 or more hours and had seen players on it. so i'd say something is still lletting people in.2009-12-04 03:06:00

Author:
fijski8
Posts: 159

What I always did was create a large 180 degrees rotated U that is all planes wide, and put it over the entrance.
so when people try to play the level.. all they can do is.. exit 		2009-12-04 10:55:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

It's great that this bug has been fixed. I wonder what people thought when they played a level, and it just ends?2009-12-05 19:07:00

Author:
warlord_evil
Posts: 4193


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