Archive: 50 posts

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Here's an interesting one... It's probably happened to a lot of us. You know the feeling, you've got your ideas, and maybe you've even started building an entire level, and then lo and behold, you come across a level where your ideas have been more or less covered! Here's an example to start you off... About 7 months ago, I started building a Wizard of Oz tribute. I had basic characters, the good 'ole Yellow Brick Road and a wicked witch. I was maybe 60% into the level, when a young whippersnapper called wexfordian published his brilliant Wizard of Odd level. Now don't get the wrong idea - wex did not copy or steal my ideas (or even know about them), but boy oh boy, I cursed him using only language that a thick-skinned, beer-guzzling Irish bloke would understand!!! I messed with my level, and eventually it turned into Hyper Cube (I know, I know, please don't ask!). Have you had any 'grand designs' that you discovered were already out there, and gave you that sinking feeling?

2009-08-14 22:17:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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This happened to me as well, it was before the whole Jumping/Running/Grabbing/Flying Challenge craze came along, I wanted to make a course with some challenging sections and if they got mad, they could skip it if they wish, affecting their score. But, then the Challenge era came and almost everyone made a level like that, (Except the Skipping, of course.)so, I just scrapped the idea and abandoned the level. It's still in my Remote Moon, waiting there... Probably for all eternity. Now, I know we're talking about 'They made the better one/added more.' levels, but, this is the closest thing that happened to me.

2009-08-14 22:23:00 Author: Ryutei Posts: 244

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I've been there many times espicially with Miguel543. He makes my "level" look like just a art gallery rather than a "level". And there's ussally a level I think of but is already out there (and is better). (but miguel is a awesome vehicle level maker) and I think I should expect this in the vehicle level category. I hope I did'nt sound mopy

2009-08-14 22:24:00 Author: Thundersmacker Posts: 21

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Oh yeah that happened to me too. My brother has some kind of homebrew music thing on his DS and it had the NES Legend of Zelda Title music along with the notes that play. So i thought we'd work together to try a music level. Well not only did he refuse to help after the day we decided to do that (its his homebrew thing after all). But I found some of Ciao_PSN's new levels (I think thats his name, he's the one that did those Mario Levels when Cool Levels always had the same levels like Ramp) and his had the full perfect overworld Zelda song. Oh well i guess music levels aren't for me.

2009-08-14 22:29:00 Author: JKthree Posts: 1125

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sometimes if i got a idea i first check out the level if there is already one i wil see if i make it

2009-08-14 22:37:00 Author: Unknown User

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sometimes if i got a idea i first check out the level if there is already one i wil see if i make it Yes, that makes a lot of sense!

2009-08-14 22:39:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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I don't worry too much about it. I figure with 1,000,000+ levels already published, most of the good ideas have been taken. So perhaps my version will just have a different viewpoint of twist on the idea.

2009-08-14 22:44:00 Author: v0rtex Posts: 1878

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Yes, I tend to agree, especially at this stage of the game's history. It was a bit different 'back in the day', when ramps and dark mattered stairs were new innovations! lol

2009-08-14 22:47:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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I was going to do a level where you solve puzzles in a bunch of rooms, and then ride an epic looking dragon - and at the same time shoot other dragons. Turns out, it had been done. THEN, I was going to make another level where you drag around cubes to solve puzzles. Turns out that had been done too. So then I decided to get TOTALLY WACKY and do something that there's no WAY anyone had done before. So, I built kind of a castle-atmosphere with a bunch of moaning and screaming amputated legs and arms and stuff. Guess what?

2009-08-14 22:51:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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Definitely had this happen a few times. The first was when I decided to make a Star Wars themed level (thanks alot Julesyjules!... jk). I pretty much shelved the idea until recently when I realized I had the opportunity to meld two completely different styles of levels together to form my own SW level that is a little different. I've seen quite a few SW levels pop up, and then realized that just becuase someone else did it first doesn't mean you can't do it and add your own style, flare, or game mechanics and still have people enjoy your work too. I've also come across objects that look remarkably like ones I've created... most notably a floating robot in that Starcruiser level recently that got all that attention. My design is from about the first week after the Killzone pack was released so I know it simply comes down to the fact that there are no original ideas anymore. Someone, somewhere, is thinking of the same thing as all of us at one time or another. I have come to realize that you should still go ahead with your ideas regardless of whether someone else has published similar creations or levels or if they are better or worse than yours in your own eyes. This isn't a competition after all... it's just good clean fun. Oh... it also helps to not play a lot of other folks' levels when creating heavily. It's part of the reason I don't play much. I don't want to be influenced in any way or disappointed in seeing another level like the one I'm working on. My 2 cents anyways.

2009-08-14 22:52:00 Author: Rustbukkit Posts: 1737

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it was rubbish? aw rustbukkit you ruined that!

2009-08-14 22:53:00 Author: Matt 82 Posts: 1096

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I was going to do a level where you solve puzzles in a bunch of rooms, and then ride an epic looking dragon - and at the same time shoot other dragons. Turns out, it had been done. THEN, I was going to make another level where you drag around cubes to solve puzzles. Turns out that had been done too. So then I decided to get TOTALLY WACKY and do something that there's no WAY anyone had done before. So, I built kind of a castle-atmosphere with a bunch of moaning and screaming amputated legs and arms and stuff. Guess what? Gah, that must have been frustrating for you! Same happened to me - I wanted to make a series of 80s-inspired arcade levels, but some old geezer from Cape CodPiece beat me to it. The cad!

2009-08-14 22:57:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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It`s never happened to me. Something similar did though. Not long after I published my second Pirates level, Wyth published his second McSetbacl level. In it, there was a similar scenario where a boat roacks back and forth with a ball in the middle going from side to side. I remember wondering if I was going to be accused of stealing it with him being the creator of one of the most successful, proper levels out there. Thankfully that didn`t happen. When I was planning a King Kong level, one of the first things I did was have a look to see if anyone had done it before. There were a couple of levels and none were anything great so I went ahead. Ended up changing it to a sequel to my pirates level as I was afraid it`d get modded. Lastly, I remember someone saying they were going to make a Deadspace level, then someone pointed him in the direction of Darknessbear's one. I think the dude was close to tears when he saw that! No way to compete really.

2009-08-14 23:04:00 Author: Matt 82 Posts: 1096

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Yeah, this happened to me. I was gonna make an automatic Skateboard ramp (which you can use the skateboard over and over again on the ramp), then I saw another level which has the same ideas as mine, then so, i deleted it.

2009-08-14 23:13:00 Author: Unknown User

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I made my LittleBigMemory level, though before I made it, I searched around and couldn't find anything. After publishing it, I got a comment from someone who had made the same thing, but it worked better. I searched around after, using different key words and such, and I found another one that worked perfectly. I did get a sinking feeling, but I just convinced myself that mine is simply better, and then I was fine again.

2009-08-14 23:34:00 Author: BSprague Posts: 2325

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I started building a Wizard of Oz tribute. I had basic characters, the good 'ole Yellow Brick Road and a wicked witch. it turned into Hyper Cube I know that you wrote "please don't ask" but :eek:??????? This happened to me long ago when i published a level proving that i have the biggest hugest thing on lbp then found another person had one, even though mine is bigger Thats no joke, it all true

2009-08-14 23:48:00 Author: springs86 Posts: 785

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Yes hard to find an idea that nobody else already had... The thing is to find a way to make it yours by a different treatement : concept, visual design etc... When I had the idea of a Super Market level (not a very regular and popular video game theme), I search all the levels about shop and market (there was more than I expected)... I played some of them, best rated/most played, to see how they were made, but in my opinion, they were not that good, so I thought I could do better... And now I have the best rated and most played Market themed level in LBP...wow...what an achievement!... Seriously, sure, in some case, the existing levels are so good that it's hard to do better... and that is frustrating!

2009-08-15 00:04:00 Author: dajdaj03 Posts: 1486

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Funny you starting this thread MrsSB, the level I've been working on for the last few months used to have a background effect as seen in your Project G3N3515 level. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you'd had the same idea lol. I went back to the drawing board.

2009-08-15 00:38:00 Author: Kiminski Posts: 545

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I started making my human body level right at launch, and i got hit with the "Fail to load level" Glitch when it was COMPLETE It would have been out in december. I was so mad i quit lbp and came back when i heard a patch was going to fix the fail to load level thing. I come back to find ggmax had beat me to the punch. I thought mine was way different as his was essentially a bunch of minigames and mine was actually journeying through the body. I went ahead and published it, and did great. But i got some comments saying idea has been done and such, and overall feel mine was overshadowed by his.

2009-08-15 01:03:00 Author: Jrange378 Posts: 573

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I made this working calculator in the beta and it worked perfectly. You could fly around and look at the mechanics. It took ages! And guess what... I lied. I wouldn't be able to do that. XD

2009-08-15 01:15:00 Author: moleynator Posts: 2914

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Funny you starting this thread MrsSB, the level I've been working on for the last few months used to have a background effect as seen in your Project G3N3515 level. Couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you'd had the same idea lol. I went back to the drawing board. LOL!! ..well funny you should mention that as when I was planning out the actual finish of Space Escape... (well before I realized that and the final battle would never fit with the thermo I had left) I happened upon some level called Project G3N3515.. AAAarrgh... well ok.. maybe I won't do meteors like that!!

2009-08-15 01:18:00 Author: jwwphotos Posts: 11383

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LOL!! ..well funny you should mention that as when I was planning out the actual finish of Space Escape... (well before I realized that and the final battle would never fit with the thermo I had left) I happened upon some level called Project G3N3515.. AAAarrgh... well ok.. maybe I won't do meteors like that!! Hehe, no way! She really is Spooky!

2009-08-15 07:46:00 Author: Kiminski Posts: 545

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I've stopped working on about ten levels because of this! It's so frustrating. My next level is quite original and I seriously doubt there is anything similar, but if I have to stop working on this one I'll give up on LittleBigPlanet.

2009-08-15 08:42:00 Author: Killian Posts: 2575

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My next level is quite original and I seriously doubt there is anything similar. You mean the one you showed me that had loads of CONFIDENTIAL spinning around the CONFIDENTIAL? That was looking pretty epic, never seen it done before. Yet Anyway, waaaaaaaaaay back when I first got the game, this was on like the second day I had it, I was making a level, and I stumbled upon something I called the 'toy soldier glitch', because it was caused by a toy soldier. It was similar to the trippy glitch. I started experimenting. I never showed anyone though, because I assumed it would be common knowledge (to this day I still assume everyone knows these things, when apparently they don't). Then a little while later, a level was published showing off something called the 'trippy glitch'. Apprently it was newly discovered. I facepalmed. I'm not even sure if the toy soldier glitch is the same though, becuase all the tuts I've seen for the trippy glitch use emitters. So, yeah. *cries*

2009-08-15 11:28:00 Author: ARD Posts: 4291

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Hehe, no way! She really is Spooky! lol - that's really funny! Sorry about the GENESIS thing - mind you, if I know Kiminski, her stickered balloons would've been so much nicer than mine. EDIT: Why do my recent posts all sound rude!

2009-08-15 13:08:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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lol - that's really funny! Sorry about the GENESIS thing - mind you, if I know Kiminski, her stickered balloons would've been so much nicer than mine. Oh I dunno.. I think the helium might be escaping from mine.

2009-08-15 13:41:00 Author: Kiminski Posts: 545

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HA HA HA! Brilliant! Now listen, young lady, you cannot be an elite creator, a creative artist and a stand-up comic with leaky balloons. It's the 21st Century - I'm sure there are things that can be done to help you! Having said that, I've still not found any suitable counter-action for gravity yet

2009-08-15 14:30:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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Gravity Tool FTW!

2009-08-15 14:43:00 Author: Kiminski Posts: 545

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lol - yep, I agree completely. How strange that this thread was titled 'That Sinking Feeling' too. lol

2009-08-15 14:48:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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I've talked about this on another thread, but I feel it's relevant here as well. My second level was un-originally titled "LB Space invaders" I look back, and have no Idea why I thought I was being so clever. Any-way I published it, and was super-pleased with my-self. a little while later, I thought it'd be fun to find my level with title search.... O.....M.....G..... I found my self staring a a planet full of space invaders levels. sinking feeling didn't even come close! My heart plummeted like Wiley coyote off a cliff. poor me! poor me? Poor us! A whole page of people who will learn the terrible truth if they make my mistake of searching their titles. But then I started playing those levels, and almost every one had some different take on it. Mine was one of the few that didn't base it's self around the paintenator, so I got back the feeling of pride (even though I couldn't have if I had thought of it, not having the MGS pack at the time). But mostly, I felt amazed that so many people, with exactly the same reference could come up with such a wonderful variety of ideas! So when I hear "It's been done before", I feel like saying "Well, if you feel that way about it, how many people have had the idea to do a LBP level?" I actually did another based on "moon patrol", but haven't had the heart to look it up yet. lol

2009-08-15 14:53:00 Author: swanbrown Posts: 898

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When I first started out (in March so I landed on the scene pretty late) I thought it would be cool to mess around with old video games. Yeah my shock when I saw how many results there are for little big lander Actually I thought my lander vehicle was better than most, it's a stable flying system made out of metal, not floaty, and the controls involve balancing your sackboy for steering and R1 for thrust. I may still release that, I was waiting for angle sensor to come out when I dropped it. I didn't really have the issue of other people doing the stuff I'd done before with Setbacks. Mostly because the "plot" and "themes" are generic staples of the videogame industry (wake up in an unknown location, travel to get out, find the generator to switch on the elevator, twist and turns when you aren't expecting them) that no one can claim them. That I think is the key to success - just taking the themes that have been done before, combine several of them, and just find ways to turn them on their head - make them be your own. I did also just pump so much tech into the various set pieces that very few could have replicated them, and specifically tried to do things that are quite rare, simple mechanics that are well outside of the staples of LBP.

2009-08-15 15:23:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Before the games release I had a level planned called 'Clockwork Chaos'. I even sketched out everything in my notepad. When I went to make the level I found that someone in my friends list (TOBSn08) had already made something pretty much exactly what I had in mind. I didn't bother creating my version because it would seem like I was copying him, especially since he's in my friends list. His level (Tick Tock Clock) has been featured in the early Mm picks.

2009-08-15 15:29:00 Author: Leather-Monkey Posts: 2266

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I haven't truly felt "that sinking feeling", but thats because I scrap most of my projects. I am making a mario galaxy level, and looked it up to see if I could get any inspiration...Every level stinks.

2009-08-15 16:20:00 Author: Sunrise_Moon Posts: 469

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Interesting, because I've never been the victim, but I've had a couple of people come up to me and say, "I was gonna do that!". Or, more specifically, they were going to make a DMC Tribute level, their main reason being that there aren't any good ones...Except for mine (oh the modesty!)

2009-08-15 20:53:00 Author: KoRnDawwg Posts: 1424

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I had that once. Spent about 3 days making an RPG battle setup. It was still a pretty early version of it. Anyway, the thought then occured to me to search RPG. Found a guy who had made an in-depth battle setup. I then tried turning my level into a retro RPG parody, but gave up when I realised the RPG idea was becoming a bit more popular and that I'm not very good at writing the funnies. However, you may see my idea make a comeback. Maybe.

2009-08-16 00:32:00 Author: persona3fan93 Posts: 155

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Im sorry to hear you were doing a wizard of Oz tribute that was scrapped, look on the bright side...it lead to you creating one of the most recognisable series in LBP to date! So.....in a way....you could say..... I was responsible for the Hyper series!! Yes you can thank me for bringing the world such a great set of levels allbeit indirectly Id love to see any of the Wizard of Oz stuff you have if you still have it? Maybe when online create comes in we could do a sequal? I also got that sinking feeling when I played through mrsupercompers newest and I saw a load of thing almost exactly like what I had on my moon for the Good, The Bad, The Sackboy Episode 3 (gotta come up with shorter title next time!) After playing it I had to go in and redo a load of stuff.

2009-08-17 12:07:00 Author: wexfordian Posts: 1904

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No need to apologise, wex - wasn't your fault at all! In fact, way back in January, I had a Wizard of Oz level, a Matrix-themed level and a Sack and the Beanstalk level! It my naivety, they were all 'great ideas' for LBP levels. How right I was! As for the Hyper thing - yes, you did indirectly conceive them. I had a forced-perspective crossroads in my yellow brick road, and I wondered how I could make it more 3D. I built a few rooms with Scarecrow, Lion etc, but it started to look too Tron-like. And somehow, having Dorothy getting plasmified didn't seem to fit! Hence, further change of setting, and viola, Hyper Cube (it was even called Hyper Cube Wizard at one stage). The rest is history... EDITED TO ADD: Ooh, forgot to say - my Wizard of Oz was a pile of goat's entrails compared to yours!

2009-08-17 13:30:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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No need to apologise, wex - wasn't your fault at all! In fact, way back in January, I had a Wizard of Oz level, a Matrix-themed level and a Sack and the Beanstalk level! It my naivety, they were all 'great ideas' for LBP levels. How right I was! As for the Hyper thing - yes, you did indirectly conceive them. I had a forced-perspective crossroads in my yellow brick road, and I wondered how I could make it more 3D. I built a few rooms with Scarecrow, Lion etc, but it started to look too Tron-like. And somehow, having Dorothy getting plasmified didn't seem to fit! Hence, further change of setting, and viola, Hyper Cube (it was even called Hyper Cube Wizard at one stage). The rest is history... EDITED TO ADD: Ooh, forgot to say - my Wizard of Oz was a pile of goat's entrails compared to yours! I think my brain just popped..... it's kind of like saying "I set off to write a plumbing how-to book.... but by the time I was done I had written a romantic novel. Go figure."

2009-08-17 13:33:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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I think my brain just popped..... it's kind of like saying "I set off to write a plumbing how-to book.... but by the time I was done I had written a romantic novel. Go figure." lol Cub! Yes, a bit of a change of scene, eh? It didn't help that I'd recently watched Stepford Wives (you know the one?) - so in the interim, it was a 'futuristic' Wizard of Oz with robots and room-shifting stuff. I scrapped it though, because my Tin Man looked naff. In fact, the Scarecrow was crap too. Okay, okay, it all sucked. Funny how level ideas constantly move and develop - I'm surprised I've ever finished anything, never mind something that vaguely follows a path or story!

2009-08-17 13:38:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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Yeah but where's the fun in making a plan and sticking to it? I have to do that at work all the time My level started off as a complex puzzle-based thing in a futuristic sci-fi setting. Ended up being mostly set in caves. Go figure. Now my next level, that's going to be a complex puzzle-based thing in a futuristic sci-fi setting. I wonder how that will turn out...

2009-08-17 13:43:00 Author: rtm223 Posts: 6497

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Yeah, I know the feeling... Splat Invaders Saga was supposed to be a LBP rendition of "Gone with the Wind". But my Scarlett looked naff.

2009-08-17 13:44:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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off the original topic but in line with recent gabberings, I had no intentions of making a level set on mars when I started building way back when. it was just pure luck that I had a red sticker on some basic metal at the time I started playing with the colour filter. at one point on the scale, the red changed so that it was a strange mix of red and blue on the rough texture. I thought it was cool and decided to make a level around it! could probably get a whole new topic from these kinds of stories about how your level evolved and changed. someone less lazy than me should do it!

2009-08-17 17:13:00 Author: Matt 82 Posts: 1096

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...In fact, way back in January, I had a Wizard of Oz level, a Matrix-themed level and a Sack and the Beanstalk level!... So it was YOU! that did the Sack and the beanstalk level. I remember thinking about doing it and calling it exactly what you did, then I remember just before sitting down to create it, I decided to check if anyone else had...and lo and behold your level popped up and stopped my creative juices flowing for the day...lol I will always check before I make anything

2009-08-17 17:22:00 Author: dsgeeno1 Posts: 76

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I don't think that just because one creator builds a level based around a certain idea or topic that you can no longer go near it yourself. I wouldn't mind if any of the people here done something on the wizard of oz or the matrix. I would never have attempted to make a pinball level if I just stopped the minute i saw another pinball level. I wasn't the first to make a pinball level and I certainly wont be the last. Theres always room to improve on things and bring your own flavour to subject. I bet if we all decided to make a level about, lets say, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Every single level would be so different. We would all have our own ideas of what to include/exclude, our own style, etc. mnnnnn..... I lost track of what I was going to say thinking about all those awesome Charlie and the chocolate factory levels..........

2009-08-17 17:33:00 Author: wexfordian Posts: 1904

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So it was YOU! that did the Sack and the beanstalk level. I remember thinking about doing it and calling it exactly what you did, then I remember just before sitting down to create it, I decided to check if anyone else had...and lo and behold your level popped up and stopped my creative juices flowing for the day...lol I will always check before I make anything No, lol, that wasn't mine. I didn't publish the version I had

2009-08-17 17:46:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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I just went through and deleted all of the posts relating to the .gif image that was posted. Not only could it be seen as inappropriate, it was definitely off-topic. Please stay on topic from now on. Thanks.

2009-08-18 00:16:00 Author: ConfusedCartman Posts: 3729

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Thank goodness! So.... I definately agree with Wex - any level topic can be covered more than once and still reach new ground in creativity and gameplay. Great example is JulesyJules "Jack, Sack & the Beanstalk" - and the other level "Sack and the Beanstalk" from TheKillerMiller. Two excellent levels where the creators have totally different styles.

2009-08-18 00:37:00 Author: CCubbage Posts: 4430

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I actually did a quick check to prevent this from happening with my last level, luckily nobody worthwhile thought of the idea. Although there still was a few fails XD

2009-08-18 04:42:00 Author: King_Tubb Posts: 435

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I'd just like to comment on the .gif that was posted here. As its been removed I don't know who posted it but I would like to say MrsSB and me are friends. She was quoting me from another thread. Please do not try and speak about how I would feel. MrsSB obviously knows me better than you. I can take a bit of light hearted joking, how, beacuse I am a thick skinned beer guzzling Irish man and proud of it Me and MrsSB joke all the time as do CCubbage and I. Please don't come to conclusions when a few friends are having a joke about each other.

2009-08-18 09:38:00 Author: wexfordian Posts: 1904

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Thank goodness! So.... I definately agree with Wex - any level topic can be covered more than once and still reach new ground in creativity and gameplay. Absolutely - in fact, your Splat Invaders is a perfect example. The 'shoot 'em up' element is all present and correct, but with floating cows and wacky shenanigans going on, it feels fresh and original. (If anyone hasn't played these yet, they will be SO confused!)

2009-08-18 11:03:00 Author: MrsSpookyBuz Posts: 1492

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