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#1

Everything about the Cool Levels Pages.

Archive: 73 posts

Ok I've been thinking about making this thread since a while now and I felt today is the day. So many questions periodically popping and people having tons of misconceptions about the Cool levels pages incitated me to clear things up. And since we are having a new wave of users thanks to the GOTY edition, it might be the perfect time for this thread to pop up.


What are the Cool level pages?

The Cool levels Pages is the only place the game is "promoting" your creation. It's where you'll have most of your plays, hearts and comments. Your only place to distinguish yourself in the game, outside of LBPCentral. Level out there are ranked by an order of popularity. Cool level pages are accessible in the middle planet when you click "community".


How does it work?

It's pretty simple actually. First off, everytime a level is published, overwritten (republished), had a change in name, a change in description, or a change of level icon it will pop on the first page. Now the level will stay in the cool level pages or slowly drop down, depending its popularity and certain rules.


The seven days rule

Since Cornish Yarg update (last spring) the cool pages adopted this rule in order so more people can have visibility and plays. Gone are now the days when a popular level could stay on the first page for 3 months and rank in 300 000 plays. Now everybody is having only 7 days to compete for the top page! When you publish your level for the first time or in a new spot on your planet, that level will count in the Cool levels pages' pool for 7 days. This means that your level will fall into that order of popularity I mentionned earlier. The more heart and plays you get, the higher your level will get, the closer to the first page you will be. After 7 days, you will be out of the cool pages' pool. Your level fall into Oblivion and chances are it will not be played much anymore. Unless of course you publish it again but in a new spot, therefore it will be considered as a "new level" in the system and the 7 days rule will apply again. As it is a new level though, the plays and heart counts will start back at zero.


What happens if I republish (overwrite), change the description, change the name or change the icon of a level that is older than 7 days since its first publication?

Like I said up there, that level will pop on the first page but it will soon drop down as it won't get in the popularity pool. Still, you'll get some plays and hearts from that 10 mins or so that level will be there.


So how do I get my level to the first page?

Republishing. And republishing. Each time you republish it, remember that you will pop on the first page and this will increase your plays and hearts alot. What will happen during the first seven days when you do this? Your popularity will increase and therefore your level will climb the Cool Levels Pages. Keep doing this and you will climb up to the first page. You only have 7 days to do this. After seven days you'll be out of the pool and you will fall out of the Cool Levels pages, to make place for new levels.


A LittleBig catch about the republishing...

Ok you really thought it was that simple? Hell no. There's another thing you need to know. You have multiple ways of republishing your level and some of those ways will not count. Your level will not pop on top of the cool level pages if you republish it a certain way.

-Everything you do from the "my published level" page on the central planet will not count. Changin a description, name, level icon or moving your level there will not make it pop in the cool pages.

For your level to pop in the cool level pages, you need to save it again while on your moon. Why? Everytime you save there's an ID that changes. While invisible to you, this ID is recognised by the system. This lets the system differenciate from a publication and republication. There's also a "creation date" somewhere in your level's system ID. This one will NOT change when you save again so don't think you'll pass over the seven day's rule with that little trick.

To make a long story short, if you want your level to pop again on top of the cool level pages, you need to enter your level in creation mode, press pause, click "save level" and then "return to pod". Now you're ready to republish. If you change the name, description or level icon while on your moon it will probably work too (since your level need to be saved again) but this method hasn't been tested so I can only theorically confirm it to you.



-------------------------
Tips/Advices
-------------------------

Since the cool pages are designed the way they are, this created alot of spammers out there. Those people will watch for new level published and purposedly rate them bad so their own level gets more chances at climbing the pages. There are also kids that don't necessarily understand your level or they don't exactly know what they are doing to this also might harm your level too. Your first 2 days will probably determinate if your level is a success or not regarding the climbing to the cool pages.

First solution: Have friends that will help you "launch" your levels. Trusted friends that can rate your level 5 stars and give it a heart + positive tags. This way, with a little headstart your will prevent some ill intentioned people from butchering your level.

Second solution: Publish your level intelligently. Later in the night you will have less kids so if your level is hard or isn't adressed to kids, you might find a better audience in the evening. To publish during the week instead of the week-end will also save you from some spammers and kids.

Third solution: Why don't you make your level better? LBPC members and your trusted friends can give you great feedback and help you improve. Afterall, the better is your level, the higher the chance it will get popular and therefore climbing the cool pages.

Also, another useful thing to keep in mind is that plays and heart ration is important for your popularity rating. If you boost your level in plays too much, this ratio will suffer and your level will NOT climb faster in the cool level pages.



-------------------------
Etiquette
-------------------------

There are stuff we don't like to see in the Cool level pages. A great bunch of members here in LBPC and many other places don't like certain behaviors that, sadly are possible to happen. Here are some behaviors we don't want to encourage:

-Extreme publishers: don't freaking publish every 5 mins. Make better levels instead. Even if you'd republish only 3 times a day you could still make the top page. Many creators from this very forum are doing it REGULARLY.

-Page cloggers: Don't publish like 5+ levels at once. Let's face it, there's only like ~20 slots for levels on each page. This means a couple of people could completely monitor a page. This is ridiculous and goes against the health of the community. It's already hard to get recognised, be considerate for others. Also, if your levels are quality this means you don't need mean tricks for them to get popular. Here again, make better levels instead of clogging our pages.



-------------------------
Other notes
-------------------------


Why is there levels with a soft glow around their level icon and some others that don't have it?

The ones with the glow are currently "floating" because they've just been republished. they will drop down soon into Oblivion or if they are 7 days old or less, they will soon fall back into position according their current popularity.


So what does count in the popularity rating?

Your plays, heart and rating versus how long it's been published for the first time.


Why is my level having a bigger or smaller icon than others?

The size of your level icon is indicative of your popularity. This means that most of the time, the biggest icons are the ones that will climb the pages the sooner.


My level was having a huge icon on page 3 but now that it is on page 2, the icon is small

The size of the icon tells you about the popularity of your level in the current page. In the case described here, it means you aren't popular enough yet in page 2 to have a huge icon.


My level was stickied in page 3 but it did drop down BEFORE it's been 7 days:

This is simply because the popularity of your level did drop. Levels are constantly reclassified in the cool pages so you've been re-ordered according your popularity.





I will continue to add to this thread gradually. Maybe someone might also want to sticky it or something (if you think it's helping enough.)


.		2009-10-05 18:04:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

How about this one:

At the mercy of the LittleBigAudience

Since the better ratings and hearts you get determines how quickly your level moves up cool pages, it helps to have friends who you trust to provide decent feedback (to work the bugs out) and initially rate your level well during initial publication.

The more highly rated your level is initially, the more likely it is others will rate it well - and therefore it will rise up cool pages quicker. Also, finding the bugs by listening to feedback will prevent frustrating players, and therefore will help also.		2009-10-05 18:13:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Also, it should be noted that this technique should be used with caution. If everyone learns to republish over and over, then Cool Pages will be flooded with mediocre levels made by people who know the tricks of republishing. I'm not sure how I feel about making this info public to everyone... hmmm. :/2009-10-05 18:24:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338

You can also go into the level and add something or remove something, a sticker or a block of DM works. Save and republish and that bumps it up to.2009-10-05 18:40:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

Also, it should be noted that this technique should be used with caution. If everyone learns to republish over and over, then Cool Pages will be flooded with mediocre levels made by people who know the tricks of republishing. I'm not sure how I feel about making this info public to everyone... hmmm. :/
I'm not totally sure... virtually everyone knows it now (even Wex has an early thread showing how this works), however the lack of hearts and ratings tend to hold most levels down. The levels that progress in cool pages always have merit..... to someone.

(for instance, my son loves to sit and play bomb and ramp levels.... although I make him use his own psn now)		2009-10-05 18:40:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

You can also go into the level and add something or remove something, a sticker or a block of DM works. Save and republish and that bumps it up to.

I said that. In the case you describe here, the level pops in the cool page because you saved, not because you add or changed something. Saving changes your level ID regardless you actually made a change or not. Therefore, don't even lose time changing something in your level, just save it and call it a day.

.		2009-10-05 18:49:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Thanks for sharing this info RangerZero! I was unaware of the 7 day rule.

I'm glad we only have a 7 day window to republish because honestly, I don't feel like republishing my levels all the time.		2009-10-05 19:01:00

Author:
Powershifter
Posts: 668

The 7 days thing came in February didn't it? Definitely before CY anyway.

But meh. Nice guide, will be useful to many 		2009-10-05 19:04:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

Also, it should be noted that this technique should be used with caution. If everyone learns to republish over and over, then Cool Pages will be flooded with mediocre levels made by people who know the tricks of republishing. I'm not sure how I feel about making this info public to everyone... hmmm. :/

Actually, I thought about this but really, the cool pages cannot really be worse than now so at least I'm teaching good creators how to push good levels to the top. I will also had a trouble-shooting section that answers other possible questions from people and also a ethical section speaking about what we encourage and discourage here in LBPC. Extreme republishing is indeed lame and shall be seen as bad as HFH and Trophy levels.

.		2009-10-05 19:11:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Thanks RangerZero, this will be very helpful 2009-10-05 19:12:00

Author:
olit123
Posts: 1341

I said that. In the case you describe here, the level pops in the cool page because you saved, not because you add or changed something. Saving changes your level ID regardless you actually made a change or not. Therefore, don't even lose time changing something in your level, just save it and call it a day.

.

I wish I'd known that lol. Your guides helped me, I don't know how much time I've wasted adding pointless stickers into my levels 		2009-10-05 19:41:00

Author:
GruntosUK
Posts: 1754

OK - How about this:

It's all relative

The rate at which your level pops up (or down) the cool pages is related to your own level's popularity (play count / hearts / ratings) for certain. But it is also relative to the popularity of the other levels on those pages. So if you rocket up to page 4, but then suddenly plateau there, it is likely because other levels on page 4 are getting more attention than yours. This can even cause you to slip backwards in the pages.

Badges (Badges!? We don't need no stinking badges!)

As your level gains momentum on a given page, the size of the badge will grow. The largest badge on any page is the one most likely to "pop" next, or move up to the next page.

While we're on the subject of badges... you may also note that some have a pulsating glow about them. These are new levels that have not yet cemented themselves a position on the cool pages and will drop quickly from page 1 to their rightful position. Once this glow is gone, your level has been cemented into the cool pages and, except for being forced back down by your competition (see relativity, above), it will not recede any lower.		2009-10-05 20:04:00

Author:
v0rtex
Posts: 1878

"Other notes" section is updated in the OP.

Thanks guys for poiting some of the things I forgot to talk about. Let's continue to improve this thread.

2009-10-05 20:22:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

For your level to pop in the cool pages, you need to save it again while on your moon. Why? Everytime you save there's an ID that changes. While invisible to you, this ID is recognised by the system. This lets the system differenciate from a publication and republication. There's also a "creation date" somewhere in your level's system ID. This one will NOT change when you save again so don't think you'll pass over the seven day's rule with that little trick.



so saving it to a different spot in the moon takes up more space to create less levels is it a good idea to delete the older version of a republised level to save space for different levels?		2009-10-05 23:48:00

Author:
siccology
Posts: 279

so saving it to a different spot in the moon takes up more space to create less levels is it a good idea to delete the older version of a republised level to save space for different levels?

I think you're misunderstanding here. when he says you must save it, he just means you have to save it. You don't need to copy it or save it to a different crater or anything, just pop into create mode, save, and republish.

But yes, if you have an older version you may want to delete it. Saving an older version of your LBP data as a backup is highly advised though.		2009-10-06 00:27:00

Author:
Burnvictim42
Posts: 3322

I think you're misunderstanding here. when he says you must save it, he just means you have to save it. You don't need to copy it or save it to a different crater or anything, just pop into create mode, save, and republish.

But yes, if you have an older version you may want to delete it. Saving an older version of your LBP data as a backup is highly advised though.

ok thanks i thought he was meaning saveing to another crater
glad i asked before i tried anything		2009-10-06 02:35:00

Author:
siccology
Posts: 279

Tips, advices and Etiquette section added in the OP!!

2009-10-06 03:00:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Tips, advices and Etiquette section added in the OP!!



your doing a great job with this thread. it should get stickyed with ARD's thread about the zeros in the info moon		2009-10-06 09:40:00

Author:
siccology
Posts: 279

Thanks for the info!! I didn't know how it worked.....
All this time I wondered how my last level got that many plays.. Thanks again.
I do have a question, what happens if you republish within those first 7 days?
would it get glued back again? or what happens?		2009-10-06 14:39:00

Author:
javi haguse
Posts: 744

epic thread, thanks alot, now all i have to do is build a really awesome level 2009-10-06 15:40:00

Author:
springs86
Posts: 785

Thanks for the info!! I didn't know how it worked.....
All this time I wondered how my last level got that many plays.. Thanks again.
I do have a question, what happens if you republish within those first 7 days?
would it get glued back again? or what happens?
Everytime you republish within those first 7 days (over the current level) it temporarily goes to page 1 until other newly-published levels push it down to its "cemented" position in cool pages. During this time your icon is "glowing".

After the 7 days are up and your level disappears from cool pages, you can still republish it and it will glow at the top of cool pages for a bit and get some more plays... but it will not get cemented again after the 7 days unless you publish it as a fresh new level.


Just an additional notes on this thread....

From the moment you publish a brand new level, it is ALREADY cemented in cool pages..... it's just REALLY REALLY REALLY far down (like.... page 40 or something). Then, it has a chance to rise all through the first 7 days. Of course, no one would EVER go down and look for a level on page 40, so it doesn't do you much good (in fact, most of the time LBP won't let you go to that page... it times out after a while)		2009-10-06 15:55:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Why is my level having a bigger or smaller icon than others?

You didn't explain this one fully. When an icon is on page 2+, the larger the icon, the closer the level is to moving to the next page. If you're icon is large, expect it to jump to the next page soon. As soon as it gets to the new page, it will revert back to minimum size until it starts to pick up some steam again.

Only when the level is cemented on page 1 will the size reflect its popularity. The biggest levels on page 1 are the most popular. If it's large on the second page, it's just preparing the jump to page 1.

Cheers.		2009-10-06 16:04:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338

You didn't explain this one fully. When an icon is on page 2+, the larger the icon, the closer the level is to moving to the next page. If you're icon is large, expect it to jump to the next page soon. As soon as it gets to the new page, it will revert back to minimum size until it starts to pick up some steam again.

Only when the level is cemented on page 1 will the size reflect its popularity. The biggest levels on page 1 are the most popular. If it's large on the second page, it's just preparing the jump to page 1.

Cheers.

Isn't it exactly what I said? It's popularity that makes you climb so if the next level to climb is the biggest icon, it means that level was the most popular...

.		2009-10-06 16:08:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Probably more technically correct to say the bigger bubbles have more of a combination of plays, hearts, ratings then popularity.


I've seen some levels that had REALLY low ratings and hearts, but the creator was ruthlessly republishing every 30 seconds to get more plays. Fortunately, even though a level may be getting a bigger icon and more plays, it seems that whatever algorithm is being used by MM seems to favor hearts and ratings over plays.

I noticed last week with Splat III that on page 2 I was sitting next to a level where the icon was almost EXACTLY the same size as mine, and the creator was publishing constantly. My level had around 2000 plays, 300 hearts, and a 4 star rating. His had 10,000 plays, 200 hearts, and a 3 star rating.

So, mass plays OR popularity will drive your level up cool pages - but having a good quality level will certainly make it a lot easier to climb. I hit page 1 in about 2300 plays... he never made it.		2009-10-06 16:32:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Probably more technically correct to say the bigger bubbles have more of a combination of plays, hearts, ratings then popularity.



You're starting to make me wonder if my guide is clear... There's no term defined by the game for the ensemble of factors that makes you climb up therefore I called it "your popularity". I explained it's your hearts, plays and ratings. Or is it really unclear??

.		2009-10-06 16:56:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

So, lets say I'm cemented to page 2.. and I republish. I would go to page 1 for a little bit and then go back to page 2?2009-10-06 17:08:00

Author:
javi haguse
Posts: 744

Here are some behaviors we despise and don't want to encourage:

-Extreme publishers: don't freaking publish every 5 mins. Make better levels instead. Even if you'd republish only 3 times a day you could still make the top page. Many creators from this very forum are doing it REGULARLY.

I have to completely disagree with you here. Especially because you put forth that "we" "despise" it - even a red "despise".

If someone on my friend's list is having trouble getting plays, and I see them only republishing 3 times a day ... I PM them and recommend they republish more.

If it bothers you, unfriend them - but they shouldn't be despised for using the system in the very way we are telling them to use it here in order to promote their level. If they put in hundreds of hours working on something, I say let them republish every 5 seconds if that's what it takes and they care about it enough to do it.

No doubt there should be some ettiquete about this. Perhaps at the very least a warning to friends if you intend to do this - but I don't like the harsh judgement placed upon people in the post.

If it means that much to them to give an entire day or an entire week to put the fruits of their labour up for show before it falls into oblivion, it certainly means much more to them than the top inch of my screen means to me if I choose to play an online level at the same time.		2009-10-06 17:16:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

"we" doesn't necessarily includes everyone. It's in general. I know alot of members here that don't like extreme publishers.

Also, and extreme publisher is extreme, it means litterally publishing every freaking 3 mins. And at this point this create notifications constantly in your friends screen and it's pretty annoying. It is a form of spam and will totally boost you more and unfairly towards 99% of other people because they simply won't publish this much.

Now to demonstrate how extreme publishing is exagerrated and annoying, I went to the complete other end of the spectrum to demonstrate it's possible to even publish trice a day. This is the other extreme. I'm not telling people to publish trice a day, i'm just demonstrating how it is possible to acheive a nice recognition by a minimum of publishing.

If ever Confused Cartman wants to encourage extreme publishing I will then totally remove my little warning, no sweat.

.		2009-10-06 18:14:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

It is a form of spam and will totally boost you more and unfairly towards 99% of other people because they simply won't publish this much.

Isn't what we are suggesting here already "unfair"? We're already exploiting the system here - it just seems to be because there are some who find the constant notices annoying, which admittedly is worth adressing, but not this other argument.

I don't think the "fairness" argument really holds water.		2009-10-06 18:29:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

So, lets say I'm cemented to page 2.. and I republish. I would go to page 1 for a little bit and then go back to page 2?
Yes, that's exactly what happens. Your icon appears on page 1 for a bit (glowing), then goes to page 2 again (still glowing).... then settles unglowing on page 2 again.


If someone on my friend's list is having trouble getting plays, and I see them only republishing 3 times a day ... I PM them and recommend they republish more.

I think we're talking about EXTREME republishing... literally every 5 minutes.

Here's the problem:

A young kid who may create an unpolished level, however wants attention, will publish every 5 minutes ALL DAY on Saturday and get a crummy level on page 1 within a day. Then, his level sits there for a week on page 1 and prevents, possibly, a GREAT level from climbing. So, the person who designed a decent level must also give up his life for several days to compete at the same level.

The problem is, if everyone starts publishing constantly it's kind of a domino affect. To some extent, it's the "Nice" thing to allow the community as a whole determine which levels are popular, instead of jamming it in their face.

However, wheres the line? At what point do you cross the line of wanting fair plays and forcing people to look at your level for a solid week while other levels can't climb?

I can't say I'm personally willing to draw that line... its more a "being polite" issue.

I personally don't spam publish. I make corrections and improvements, and republish each time I think I've improved the level a bit. As it happens, this results in about 20 republishes. That's generally enough to get me to page 1 in the 7 days, but certainly not enough to get 30,000 plays.... but thats fine with me because I think I get better quality plays (I also try to avoid being at the top on Saturday because I get more little kids...who are into a different type of experience).


You're starting to make me wonder if my guide is clear...


Isn't it exactly what I said? It's popularity that makes you climb

I was making a joke on the previous post.... I think there's quite a few levels on page 1 that are not what I would call popular. Many of the "jump as much as you can without dying" will be on page 1, but I think most people play it 5 times or so, die quickly, and move on without highly rating it or giving it a heart.		2009-10-06 18:33:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Isn't what we are suggesting here already "unfair"? We're already exploiting the system here - it just seems to be because there are some who find the constant notices annoying, which admittedly is worth adressing, but not this other argument.

I don't think the "fairness" argument really holds water.


What's fairer? Publishing constantly or in some more reasonable fashion? You choose. I can't prevent you to publish every minute of your life if you'd want to to that anyways.
Now what is it with most people having problem with extreme behavior? Isn't normal we don't want to encourage them?

I wonder what there is to NOT understand in what I am saying or maybe there's a better way to word it? Suggest along if you think it's the case.

.		2009-10-06 18:36:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

What's fairer? Publishing constantly or in some more reasonable fashion? You choose.

What's fairer? We don't use the republishing trick at all. We all publish once, like so many others.

I'm not suggesting this, however.



I wonder what there is to NOT understand in what I am saying or maybe there's a better way to word it? Suggest along if you think it's the case.


I'd raise the issue with out simply putting a big red "this is despised by us" tag on it.		2009-10-06 18:41:00

Author:
Jagrevi
Posts: 1154

Since the word "despise" can cause problems in this "over-politically correct" world, I removed it.

.		2009-10-06 18:46:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Let me just interrupt this debate with a random question.
Why did people star calling it 'Cool pages'? It sounds weird...
It is, and always has been called 'Cool levels', no?		2009-10-06 18:46:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

Let me just interrupt this debate with a random question.
Why did people star calling it 'Cool pages'? It sounds weird...
It is, and always has been called 'Cool levels', no?
How about the "Cool levels" pages.		2009-10-06 18:48:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

Isn't it exactly what I said?

Regardless of the term we use for [popularity] you didn't make it clear that the size will shrink back down on a new page. Even if it's crazy [popular] on page 3 doesn't mean it will be large when it gets to page 2 (at least not right away).		2009-10-06 18:53:00

Author:
comphermc
Posts: 5338

Regardless of the term we use for [popularity] you didn't make it clear that the size will shrink back down on a new page. Even if it's crazy [popular] on page 3 doesn't mean it will be large when it gets to page 2 (at least not right away).

oh ok I get what you mean now. Will add something about this.

.		2009-10-06 18:54:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

How about the "Cool levels" pages.

That makes sense. I was just wondering why people started to think the pages themselves were the focus of the coolness.
Then again, you don't see many cool levels on cool levels...		2009-10-06 19:04:00

Author:
ARD
Posts: 4291

So, lets say I'm cemented to page 2.. and I republish. I would go to page 1 for a little bit and then go back to page 2?

Yes.


That makes sense. I was just wondering why people started to think the pages themselves were the focus of the coolness.
Then again, you don't see many cool levels on cool levels...

Fixed it.

.		2009-10-06 19:54:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

geez..... I wish I knew this before...
I guess I had a pretty good run since I got about 5k plays and I only republish it about 3 times that first week..

Now about that discussion: this is going to end up being a problem, because as time passes more and more people are going to do this republishing trick. Then, the other people are going to have to republish even more to keep up.. So where does it end??!

I do wish that you could only publish it once.. and then the name "Cool Level Pages" would actually make sense.		2009-10-06 20:28:00

Author:
javi haguse
Posts: 744

I do wish that you could only publish it once.. and then the name "Cool Level Pages" would actually make sense.

Like I said earlier, the Cool level pages are already full of crap. They can't really get worse. This guide then serve the purpose of at least informing the good creators or else they won't pop more in the cool levels pages.

Also, to ask for the cool level pages to ever wear its name is to ask Media Molecule to completely redesign their game.

.		2009-10-06 21:21:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

It would be cool if there was a system that Mm could play the levels and organize them accordingly... It sounds a bit impossible though..

There's just no solution for finding great levels and playing the crappy ones...		2009-10-06 21:44:00

Author:
javi haguse
Posts: 744

It would be cool if there was a system that Mm could play the levels and organize them accordingly... It sounds a bit impossible though..

There's just no solution for finding great levels and playing the crappy ones...

If you lurk a bit more in the forums you'll find that we actually discussed solutions for the cool pages problems quite many times. I think there definetely are possible solutions -- not for fixing it perfectly but -- for making it way better than it is right now. But I wouldn't want to this thread to become the place to talk about this. Feel free to revive another thread or something.

.		2009-10-06 23:18:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I have never got onto cool pages for more than 10 minutes... My levels aren't amazing, but I got a couple new ones on my moon ready to publish. I made a social group that will heart and rate 5 stars to other group members new levels, so join it if you need help.2009-10-18 05:21:00

Author:
srgt_poptart
Posts: 425

The seven days rule

Since Cornish Yarg update (last spring) the cool pages adopted this rule in order so more people can have visibility and plays. Gone are now the days when a popular level could stay on the first page for 3 months and rank in 300 000 plays. Now everybody is having only 7 days to compete for the top page! When you publish your level for the first time or in a new spot on your planet, that level will count in the Cool levels pages' pool for 7 days. This means that your level will fall into that order of popularity I mentionned earlier. The more heart and plays you get, the higher your level will get, the closer to the first page you will be. After 7 days, you will be out of the cool pages' pool. Your level fall into Oblivion and chances are it will not be played much anymore. Unless of course you publish it again but in a new spot, therefore it will be considered as a "new level" in the system and the 7 days rule will apply again. As it is a new level though, the plays and heart counts will start back at zero.

We all know it. The seven days rule. Seven days and your level is lost forever. Seven days and only a complete delete and republish will help you out. Seven days, and... WRONG!

Fellow Sackfolk, I don't know if the data base is somehow messed up, but somehow, my "Bubble Caves" (first published 3 weeks ago) is now on page 1 of the cool levels. I just did a few changes (some stickers, some cam zones), republished it over my current published version, and there it is, hanging 'round on page 1. Now that's strange.		2009-10-20 22:08:00

Author:
Treas
Posts: 223

Fellow Sackfolk, I don't know if the data base is somehow messed up, but somehow, my "Bubble Caves" (first published 3 weeks ago) is now on page 1 of the cool levels. I just did a few changes (some stickers, some cam zones), republished it over my current published version, and there it is, hanging 'round on page 1. Now that's strange.

Not strange at all. EVERYTIME you publish a level it will pop on first page...
Is it still there now? After 10-15 mins it drops down the pages because it can't stick after 7 days.

.		2009-10-21 17:19:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

I think this deserves a Sticky.

Very useful information here.

Also, fixed the title.		2009-10-21 19:19:00

Author:
Whalio Cappuccino
Posts: 5250

Tks. I hope this will prevent the bi-weekly threads about this subject.

.		2009-10-21 20:10:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Face it: It's us vs the children of the earth and we're losing.2009-10-21 21:38:00

Author:
BasketSnake
Posts: 2391

Hi guys!
I'm from Russia, so excuse my bad english )

Here are some rules I've understood while created and posted my levels:

1. My levels were located on Cool Pages no more than 30 minutes since they've been posted 1-st time, after that they got about 12-16 plays, 2-3 hearts, 5 stars and gone in Nowhere ))
2. Only way to back'em on Cool Pages was to repost, but... I suppose MM improved their system of estimation of levels popularity and if you repost your levels too quick you lose not even popularity status but STARS!! So after 3 or 4 reposts my level have 2 stars and no more than 30 plays )) (after 5 stars!) and very-very bad popularity level )
3. So I think only way to force your level to got 7 days in Cool Pages is to have many-many friends or to be occupied with H4H or P4P ))
4. I haven't seen in this thread exact rules how to enter 7 days on Cool Pages, my experience tell me following:
You must got in first 7 days after you first posted your level
10 hearts,
10 comments (no matter bad, good or even messages about reposting level),
and finally 100 plays (I think this number may include your own plays)
After your level satisfied those conditions it may start grow to 1-st cool page

And you must be warn about folowing:
if you'll want to cheat to get around this rules and will get 10 accounts on your PS3 to get 10 hearts it gives you 10 hearts, but... nothing more )) your popularity level will be very bad... so it doesn't work ))

Good luck! )		2010-01-11 14:07:00

Author:
Unknown User

Hi guys!
I'm from Russia, so excuse my bad english )

Here are some rules I've understood while created and posted my levels:

1. My levels were located on Cool Pages no more than 30 minutes since they've been posted 1-st time, after that they got about 12-16 plays, 2-3 hearts, 5 stars and gone in Nowhere ))
2. Only way to back'em on Cool Pages was to repost, but... I suppose MM improved their system of estimation of levels popularity and if you repost your levels too quick you lose not even popularity status but STARS!! So after 3 or 4 reposts my level have 2 stars and no more than 30 plays )) (after 5 stars!) and very-very bad popularity level )
3. So I think only way to force your level to got 7 days in Cool Pages is to have many-many friends or to be occupied with H4H or P4P ))
4. I haven't seen in this thread exact rules how to enter 7 days on Cool Pages, my experience tell me following:
You must got in first 7 days after you first posted your level
10 hearts,
10 comments (no matter bad, good or even messages about reposting level),
and finally 100 plays (I think this number may include your own plays)
After your level satisfied those conditions it may start grow to 1-st cool page

And you must be warn about folowing:
if you'll want to cheat to get around this rules and will get 10 accounts on your PS3 to get 10 hearts it gives you 10 hearts, but... nothing more )) your popularity level will be very bad... so it doesn't work ))

Good luck! )


How about reading the opening post? All the info is there.

.		2010-01-11 18:01:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

Oh man. If only I had known about this thread sooner The Cave Ruins 2 might have made it to the Cool Levels. 2010-01-18 05:37:00

Author:
galacemiguel
Posts: 179

I'm glad to have this information! I'd like to get more plays on my levels but I never knew about the seven day rule or any of this!! Thanks RZ!2010-01-18 14:58:00

Author:
Aselrahc
Posts: 185

I still think the 7 day rule is not perfect.

I really think there should be a popular last week and month section, preferable with added search options within a section.
It is kind of "lame" to have been working on a level for months, only to see is dissapear into oblivion after a mere week.
But I am sure they are still breaking their little heads on how to optimise it.

Maybe have groups, i.e. a lbpc group that has its own planet with pages for levels that are submitted by people in this group.
but then again.. that can be abused just as much.

I do wholeheartily agree that you should not republish your level once the week on the cool pages is over.
Only if you really updated something in a level should be a reason to republish.		2010-01-21 17:13:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

Improving their database classification by adding a field for difficulty and gerne would already help.
Then you upgrade the search with those new possible criterias.
Lastly, you create a little new tab called "cool level pages settings" , could be in your profile settings too, but you could set the default criterias and get a personalise Cool level pages.

With this, our levels would be played alot more by the audience looking for them therefore probably making them way more popular and we would have better feedback. You'd also have more change to be in the highest rated or whatever since you would also be able to set it to a certain difficulty and genre.

I also have tons of other ideas and how to solve the interface but at the same time it's so frustrating -- I am not working at Media Molecule and I don't even know if they see their game as problematic as much as I do. I'm not paid to waste my time throwing my ideas around in order to fix this game.

:/		2010-01-21 21:50:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

well,
if you DO throw around your idea's,
all that can happen is either they fix it, they implement it, or someone else will notice your solving idea's and might hire you.

If not..
Lets sit on the veranda and drink a nice cold one 		2010-01-22 12:57:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

I have A level on this called REPUBLISHING 1012010-01-23 20:43:00

Author:
Unknown User

If not..
Lets sit on the veranda and drink a nice cold one

ooooh, this is my kind of option there!! :hero:		2010-01-24 03:01:00

Author:
RangerZero
Posts: 3901

hmm..
is there a sackboy that sells beer?
anybody?


Sorry for OT.		2010-01-25 12:37:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

Let's face it, there's only like ~20 slots for levels on each page.

FWIW, it's exactly 30 levels per page.		2010-03-04 16:27:00

Author:
Aya042
Posts: 2870

Perhaps it would be better if there were multiple cool pages or more classifications then just busiest or highest rated like pages based on genres of level or type.2010-03-15 11:25:00

Author:
Arctos13
Posts: 258

Perhaps it would be better if there were multiple cool pages or more classifications then just busiest or highest rated like pages based on genres of level or type.

I agree with this. Distinction between genre and level type search functions could help a lot of previously unseen levels get played.		2010-03-19 06:35:00

Author:
Silverpanther
Posts: 156

Also, it should be noted that this technique should be used with caution. If everyone learns to republish over and over, then Cool Pages will be flooded with mediocre levels made by people who know the tricks of republishing. I'm not sure how I feel about making this info public to everyone... hmmm. :/

Too late for that...the first page is full of the same "shark attack" levels all the time...I went into one, wondering why it was on the first page for so long when there were hardly any plays on it and notice the person republishes his level every 10-20 minutes.		2010-05-03 20:45:00

Author:
karebu72
Posts: 23

Is has been helpful as my levels so far have not got that manyplays (sniff sniff ) but I now know how to do this precisely and am gonna republish my levels
thanks for the info!		2010-08-05 00:01:00

Author:
AssassinatorRFC
Posts: 715

thank republish republish... 2010-08-10 15:03:00

Author:
Unknown User

I might give this a try. Of course the level would be more popular if the level it self is of great quality. So naturally, all you really have to do is make a really good level. =D2010-08-26 02:19:00

Author:
PurpleChaos
Posts: 155

hmm, sounds complicated and kinda a waste of time, i usually only play recommended levels by friends or levels that interest me, as for publishing my levels, i only republish when i'm fixing something, my levels may not be the best or most popular, but they were fun to make and i take more pleasure in having fun building a level, then republishing to get plays n popular, popularity isn't everthing in life, some of the best levels out there have hardly any plays....so anyho i just wanted to put my bit in... lol2010-08-26 21:57:00

Author:
calyst_aayla
Posts: 217

What kind of system is this where a bad level , maybe even full of bugs, can make it to page one just by republishing it?!
And I was always wondering how these bad levels make it to page one.

The search function is also pretty bad on lbp. If you look for most hearts or most popular (or even worse:search by tags) you only find 1-3 pages. This is the place where the cool levels should go after 7 days instead of the nirvana ....		2010-10-06 04:39:00

Author:
MirkoQuarck
Posts: 66

Good one, this has taught me things I didn't know, and taught me more about things I DID know, so........................

Thanks a lot, mate.		2010-10-06 07:41:00

Author:
mutant_red_peas
Posts: 516

What kind of system is this where a bad level , maybe even full of bugs, can make it to page one just by republishing it?!
And I was always wondering how these bad levels make it to page one.

The search function is also pretty bad on lbp. If you look for most hearts or most popular (or even worse:search by tags) you only find 1-3 pages. This is the place where the cool levels should go after 7 days instead of the nirvana ....

Republishing trick doesn't work anymore. Now you get to the cool pages by already having your levels in the cool pages before they patched it.		2010-10-07 01:44:00

Author:
GreatWhite000
Posts: 673

I should have taken more care to publish my levels, especially earlier on when LBP was new. I ended up just publishing once under the naive assumption that that's what everyone else does so I was in with a fair chance considering my levels are at least better than average. Then some jerk "plays" my level for 2 seconds, quits, and I end up with a very low rating and not many other people play it.

The whole notion of giving everyone a chance to become a superstar just doesn't work. The ones who rise to the top will inevitably have to be promoted by some website or use some trick to get to the top of the cool levels. I'm glad there are ways like joining LBPCentral to get more plays and hearts, but I'm still a long way off that create trophy in terms of creator hearts. I've tried to do it legitimately and I think I have 9 or 10 levels now, many of which are highly rated, but I'm seriously considering H4H cheating just because it's way too hard to get.		2010-10-07 11:10:00

Author:
thor
Posts: 388

The whole notion of giving everyone a chance to become a superstar just doesn't work. The ones who rise to the top will inevitably have to be promoted by some website or use some trick to get to the top of the cool levels. I'm glad there are ways like joining LBPCentral to get more plays and hearts, but I'm still a long way off that create trophy in terms of creator hearts. I've tried to do it legitimately and I think I have 9 or 10 levels now, many of which are highly rated, but I'm seriously considering H4H cheating just because it's way too hard to get.

I would strongly suggest using the F4F system in the showcase. I know myself and many other accomplished creators leave levels out there with F4F so that lesser-known creators can get good advice on their levels and get some plays. This works especially well when you first release a level - many on this site will rate a bit higher even if they feel the level needs some work, and if they enjoy it may even throw a heart on it that will help you pick up some additional quality plays.		2010-10-07 14:39:00

Author:
CCubbage
Posts: 4430

I would strongly suggest using the F4F system in the showcase. I know myself and many other accomplished creators leave levels out there with F4F so that lesser-known creators can get good advice on their levels and get some plays. This works especially well when you first release a level - many on this site will rate a bit higher even if they feel the level needs some work, and if they enjoy it may even throw a heart on it that will help you pick up some additional quality plays.

Yup... this does work. Great advice!!

By all means, go and play some F4F levels in the Cool Levels by like either him or other well known and respected creators and leave great feedback and ask to come play one of your levels. Two things happen.. not only do you get some amazing feedback from a critical and friendly eye, but it doesn't hurt having their name pop your level to the top of the showcase for a bit.		2010-10-07 16:17:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383


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