Home    Site Stuff    Site Updates
#1

On Reviving the Community Spotlight

Archive: 55 posts

Hey folks. As you may have seen from this thread (https://lbpcentral.lbp-hub.com/index.php?t=55225-LBPC-community-and-creator-spotlights.), LBPC Spotlights have not been running as punctually lately. For the Community Spotlight, this has partly been due to the volume of levels released shortly after LBP2's release, which caused the crew to fall behind.

Now that levels are being released at a more manageable level, I and Aya and the new recruits and the rest of the crew are preparing to start releasing a regular, punctual spotlight once PSN is back up.

At the moment, however, a large problem for the Community Spotlight is the immense backlog of unplayed levels that has amassed since LBP2's release while the crew took exams, went on holiday, or left. This thread has been created so we can get you, the LBPC community, to help decide on the course of action the Crew should take. Here are the options we have come up with so far. The entire list is written off and everything carries on. This would save the crew a lot of work, but many, many excellent levels wouldn't get the recognition they deserve. The entire backlog of around 2000 levels is put in an online survey and can be voted up by LBPC members. The top raft of levels would be played by the crew and reviewed normally. Whilst this also reduces the workload slightly, some of the lesser-known/-publicised gems that the Spotlight usually picks up on would not be voted up, and wouldn't receive their due recognition. 100 or so backlogged levels are played alongside the current potentials every two weeks, and are included in the final post. This spreads lots of work out across a longer period of time, and nothing is missed, but this would take a long time to do - possibly 6 months' worth of Spotlights or more. Putting together a temporary crew of volunteers whose job it is to play through the backlog at a steady pace, spotlighted levels from which could be featured alongside the regulars as they are found.The poll is now closed, and Option 4 has been chosen by a sizeable majority. If you wish to help out in the temporary team, please send me a PM (http://www.lbpcentral.com/forums/private.php?do=newpm&u=6647), and selected volunteers will be invited to access our level database, where they will be able to give verdicts on backlogged levels. From this result it is clear that the community wish to help to get this popular LBPC project back up and running, and for that, we can't thank you enough.

The Community Spotlight have, up until now, made every effort to play every level in the Level Showcase, so that no masterpiece slips through the net. I'm afraid to say that with this backlog, some good levels are extremely likely to do this, but it's something we'll have to accept if we want to see the Community Spotlight current and regular once more.

Also, expect another Spotlight (from around February time!!) once PSN comes back up. 		2011-05-01 23:28:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

*hugs hol*

good luck guys with reviving
I really cared for teh spotlights!		2011-05-02 00:29:00

Author:
Luos_83
Posts: 2136

Cool! Glad this is coming back since its a key feature of the site. Also glad that you took the initiative and jumpstarted the movement to get it back on its feet...As for the the backlog I would probly go for option 2, 3 or 4. Option 2 could be cool since our very own members could pick and be apart of the process. The third option could be inducted easily I think. 100 level per person for each spotlight would be playing 7 levels from the backlog a night...unless im doing the math wrong . Could be done I think. My idea for option 4 would be to recruit some of the active people from the review section of the site as a backlog team or as part of the crew. They play alot of levels so they've seen all types of quality, too. Im sure some might not mind helping out. Just my 2 cents... 2011-05-02 00:40:00

Author:
L1GhTmArE
Posts: 519

Some people have mentioned putting together a temporary spotlight team to deal with the backlog. It could work if the right people were found.

Whatever we do, I think the levels should definitely be given a chance to make the spotlight. I also think ALL levels should be eligible no matter how much notoriety they've received.

I just think out of fairness....

Edit: sniped		2011-05-02 00:45:00

Author:
smasher
Posts: 641

OK, added that option to the list. Keep 'em coming!!2011-05-02 00:54:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

My vote is for 3 or 4. Number two would end up being a popularity contest.

Spotlight was /is a highlight of this site, glad to see you all working to keep it alive. Thanks for all your hard work thus far and into the future. 		2011-05-02 02:28:00

Author:
CYMBOL
Posts: 1230

Oh! I hope this works!

4 sounds pretty sound.		2011-05-02 03:18:00

Author:
Maxi
Posts: 1176

I like option 3 or even option 4, but only if there are those extra folks that can help out.

..and thanks much for doing all this. 		2011-05-02 03:28:00

Author:
jwwphotos
Posts: 11383

Incredible I was the one how started the talk about this lol

Anyways good to know that you guys are coming back! I would love to help specially playing levels I would love to help. I hope I can become an even better better contributer to the site XD

Also I go with opinion 3 and 4 because I can see many members of the community helping out on this 		2011-05-02 03:29:00

Author:
Arnald23
Posts: 1843

Well put smasher.
I feel #4 is the best option.		2011-05-02 07:05:00

Author:
midnight_heist
Posts: 2513

I have to vote for either 3 or 4. Many people dedicated themselves to creating levels in the past 3 months and they deserve an equal chance. Leaving most or all the past levels outside would be quite unfair and go againts the Community spotlight concept. I believe 3 would be the best one though, time is no longer an issue considering the spotlight pretty much stopped in the last months, and having the same people analyze all the levels would be more fair..2011-05-02 10:55:00

Author:
Vergil
Posts: 155

OK, just realised I can't turn the OP into a poll. Any chance a mod could do it for me? Although it seems option 3 is the most popular at the moment ...2011-05-02 13:42:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

OK, just realised I can't turn the OP into a poll. Any chance a mod could do it for me? Although it seems option 3 is the most popular at the moment ...

You can, Thread Tools > Add a Poll to this Thread...

http://gyazo.com/1563e588448670c5af9ef79596201ca2.png

My vote goes for 3 or possibly 4. Though, I think it would be better to just have more spotlighters in general than to have a set that play the backlog only. Just seems to make more sense. So I vote 3.

2011-05-02 16:21:00

Author:
Doopz
Posts: 5592

Thanks doopz. The poll has been added. It will close in 3 days as we want to make a quick decision on this, so get your votes in!2011-05-02 16:27:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

I can't wait to see whats happens 2011-05-02 21:16:00

Author:
Arnald23
Posts: 1843

While we wait for the results to come in, a few things to bear in mind:
* People are still creating, waiting for the opportunity to upload their levels when PSN comes back up. Expect another spike in available levels.
* Is there anything stopping you guys from moving forward on the new levels while we wait to see what's up with the backlog? (Also, given the option currently in the lead, it gives time for backlog players to get organized.)		2011-05-03 00:29:00

Author:
BlackWolfe
Posts: 299

Thanks doopz. The poll has been added. It will close in 3 days as we want to make a quick decision on this, so get your votes in!
Then could this perhaps be added to the annoucement notifications that come up?
Surely this is an important community issue?
(I don't think sticky is enough)
But what would I know, the results are hidden lols.		2011-05-03 05:24:00

Author:
midnight_heist
Posts: 2513

option 4 is clearly the best for finding awesome levels. I'll throw my hat in the ring to help out once PSN is back. Added bonus: it'll let you vet potential spotlight reviewers.2011-05-03 10:15:00

Author:
roux-
Posts: 379

I personally favor Option 4 as I'm sure there are a good handful of members that have tons of time and don't mind playing a ton of LBP Levels. However, Option 3 is also a good idea as well. At least all of the lesser-played gems will be noticed with both options.2011-05-03 12:03:00

Author:
Night Angel
Posts: 1214

While we wait for the results to come in, a few things to bear in mind:
* People are still creating, waiting for the opportunity to upload their levels when PSN comes back up. Expect another spike in available levels.




* Is there anything stopping you guys from moving forward on the new levels while we wait to see what's up with the backlog? (Also, given the option currently in the lead, it gives time for backlog players to get organized.)

Episode 60 is continuing as normal (hopefully!). Episode 59 expected to be released soon.


Then could this perhaps be added to the annoucement notifications that come up?
Surely this is an important community issue?
(I don't think sticky is enough)
But what would I know, the results are hidden lols.

Sorted! (thanks Aya)		2011-05-03 16:35:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

Good luck and thanks.
I picked up option number 4, since I saw there was a lot of good willed people around.
Still I think that a merge of option 3 and 4 would be the easiest way to go.		2011-05-03 17:13:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Personally, I feel option 1 is the best way forward.

It's unfair for everyone who had their levels bypassed, but best not to jeopardize future spotlights due to the massive amount of work needed. If people are up for putting in the hours, great, I just feel like it would be a bit of a burden for the team to carry and could cause lag in the spotlights quality.

That's what I think, good luck in finding the best option and can't wait for a new edition!		2011-05-03 17:14:00

Author:
Mr_T-Shirt
Posts: 1477

I really like option numbers 2, 3 and 4. But I voted for 3.

Concerning 3 however, I think it would be very nice to have a little 'Hidden Gem' section every week or similar, spotlighting a level from a while ago. People that have already played it, can be reminded of it and want to play it again, while those who didn't manage to play it can.

I'm sure we've all witnessed the steady decline of plays after a few months of a level being published, and this is a great way to keep the amount of plays up on the levels that really deserve it! 		2011-05-03 17:15:00

Author:
Plasmavore
Posts: 1913

I'm voting for option 4, because this would put the current team back on track immediately to handle the current stream of new levels. I would suggest that the backlog team consider a very stringent approach to identifying candidate levels, and include them alongside current levels as they are found.

As I suggested before, we don't need to have 40 levels spotlighted each month. This goes double for the backlog, because there are more great levels out there than there is time to play them. If there are 2000 levels in the pile, maybe you guys could decide how many slots you would like to fill from this. 30? 40? 50? A fine-toothed-comb approach is only going to make the process longer and more tedious. I suggest you focus on expediency.		2011-05-03 17:17:00

Author:
Thegide
Posts: 1465

I was wondering what happened with Spotlight, but with PSN down it's not much of a concern anymore. I would love it to make a return though, you always manage to really show off the best the community has to offer 2011-05-03 17:59:00

Author:
kirbyman62
Posts: 1893

I picked option #3 mainly because I don't think it would be that difficult. 100 extra levels per week, divided by maybe 5 crew members (or however many you have) and that's only about 20 levels extra per week from each crew member. Not too bad considering crew members are used to playing 100+ levels every week.

If I could pick a close second, option #4 without a doubt. If you decide to do option #4, I would suggest having a primary team member or two joining the temporary team to guide them in the process. Who knows, maybe some of those temporary team members would turn out to be long time members? I think it's a safe guess that the spotlight crew could always use a bit more help

Edit - About the 'fine tooth comb' approach as mentioned above: Unfortunately, most levels don't require that amount of effort to decide whether or not they should be in the spotlight. So while it's a big number of back logged levels, I still think the crew could go through them quickly and efficiently as long as the work is spread evenly. That's probably the real trick.

Both options are good and honestly, #3 just seemed a tad easier of an option to me, which is why I picked it. But #4 gives the team a short term solution with some possible long term benefits. Both options give every creator a fair chance at being in the spotlight, and it would be a shame if those 'lesser known' gems went unnoticed.

Thanks for the great work and good luck! 		2011-05-03 18:28:00

Author:
Powershifter
Posts: 668

YAYZ, the spotlight is coming back
I'll finally know if mah lv is worth teh spotlight or not.(Probably not.)
Anywayz,I voted for option 4 because some of the awesome lv's are gonna get lost when we just ignore them ...
But im sure that the community will vote for the best decision.		2011-05-03 18:31:00

Author:
nysudyrgh
Posts: 5482

In my opinion the most important thing is to get it back on track. I don't really care too much what happens to the backlog, just as long as it doesn't get in the way of new levels. The last thing I want to see is you guys putting yourself in a situation where you'll fall behind again due to having to play more levels each week than you have time for.

I say either ignore the backlog or get a seperate spotlight team to play them. I'd rather see some of those levels spotlighted because many deserve it, so I voted number 4.		2011-05-03 19:26:00

Author:
Nuclearfish
Posts: 927

LBPC now introducing:
~THE BACKLOG SPOTLIGHT~
This special spotlight includes older levels with a thick layer dust on them.
But are still awesome to play, if you're only bothered by the newer ones, please visit the regular one.
Have fun. 		2011-05-03 19:52:00

Author:
nysudyrgh
Posts: 5482

Ok, I'm pretty stoked about this. I've been pretty sad at the recent failure of this site to produce the spotlights...but I understood why. I'm glad to be able to do my part in helping this site get back on track with these, b/c in my opinion, it's one of the main things that makes this community greater than LBP in general.2011-05-03 20:13:00

Author:
Lockstitch
Posts: 415

wow incredible many people picked option number 4 because they want to help the community XD2011-05-03 20:26:00

Author:
Arnald23
Posts: 1843

Yeah Arnald, that's a point me and other members around have tried to highlight recently.
I hope this is a turning point where the "direction" of the site can learn to not underestimate the community.
I found particularly reasonable what Powershifter said.
Unfortunately there are a lot of levels that are "skippable" due to a low quality that is clear in the very first minutes of gameplay.
I tried to do a spotlighter's work for a "quest" I had with Comph, so I know what Power means.
Then I tried to have a look at the amount of levels posted and saw a lot of betas, tests, and other things that weren't "properly" levels, and that should, by their own nature, not considered eligible for the spotlight
Once the work begins, there will be an auto comb.		2011-05-03 20:56:00

Author:
OmegaSlayer
Posts: 5112

Do #1
.... NUKE the list and start over is always the better idea because it has the word NUKE IN IT!
No really... I mean it... DO IT DO IT DO IT~

PS: man i by mistake pushed #2 >:'/		2011-05-03 22:19:00

Author:
Lord-Dreamerz
Posts: 4261

or, you could create a list of all the levels and have us play them with the knowledge that theyre probably good.2011-05-03 22:23:00

Author:
nk827
Posts: 193

I personally love the 4th options, and would help out this wonderful site in anyway possible 2011-05-04 00:55:00

Author:
fireblitz95
Posts: 2018

I would say option 4, as is the one I see would "slow down" the Spotlight the least, in general.
Tho 1 doesn't sound like such a bad idea either, (To me.), I would probably rank the options from best to worse, 4 -> 1 ->2 ->3, but that's just my view.		2011-05-04 01:36:00

Author:
Silverleon
Posts: 6707

I picked number 4 because it seems like the best option to me. I feel that number 1 would be a rather terrible idea, and would just destroy the purpose of the spotlight entirely. Thats just my opinion.2011-05-04 01:47:00

Author:
ATMLVE
Posts: 1177

Way to go guys. Much thanks to Holguin, Aya, and all the volunteers and voters. You guys are fantastic. Here's to hoping I get back in the game over the summer. 2011-05-04 04:43:00

Author:
Ryhas
Posts: 179

I've always been of the opinion that once the game becomes work instead of fun, it's time to hang up the controller, so I would vote for option 1: the one that requires the least work... but then I don't think I've ever played a spotlighted level so I'm not sure that my opinion is particularly relevant.2011-05-04 09:59:00

Author:
Sehven
Posts: 2188

?????????????????????????????????????????????????? ???????????????????2011-05-04 16:02:00

Author:
Unknown User

I went with option 4, reviving the community spotlight is something that this site needs desperately, and I think that if some work is required to improve people's expeirence with such a community based game, it would be doing a big thing for everyone.

However, we have to face the facts and realise the reality of this situation. No matter what option we go with, theyre's still going to be quite a few gems lost within the oncoming wave. But that's the reason we have a "Recommendations" forum section on LBPC!		2011-05-04 22:22:00

Author:
grayspence
Posts: 1990

Indeed, smae here. (=2011-05-04 23:57:00

Author:
Thug_Life_EQ
Posts: 181

Option 4, because it'd be the best for all those starving, withering creators yearning to break free from their shells and eat something.

(not that I recently published a full level or anything.)		2011-05-05 03:10:00

Author:
SLS10
Posts: 1129

I'm split between 3 and 4. They're the same in most ways except one is done with volunteers who may manage it faster than the regular spotlight team because they only have the backlog to focus on, while the spotlight team focus on newer levels. It's just managing to find decent volunteers for option 4 to make it work better than 3.2011-05-05 11:09:00

Author:
Moonface
Posts: 310

Wow! Three days to vote... I feel silenced! (Atleast we got the solution right! : ) Ignoring those creations and creators any longer would have been a further shame onto this site. If you need any help, just send me a pm. I am willing to play a hundred or so levels. Just send me the showcase dates to play... and I can either submit the worthy to the team or write a blurb-worthy review. Congratulations to the Community for attempting to salvage our pride and joy... It just didn't feel right around here. And Thanks to all those who volunteered their time. Thanks also to Holguin and Arnald23 for getting the ball 'jump-started' rolling.2011-05-06 15:26:00

Author:
Gravel
Posts: 1308

Okidoki Gravel, PM being sent with all the details 2011-05-06 16:08:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

I too will help to, if you need any extra help I play LBP in almost all of my free time, and I have a iPad for easy access to the website 2011-05-06 21:06:00

Author:
fireblitz95
Posts: 2018

Maybe the spotlight crew should post a new spotlight right now since they cannot play any levels atm and It would show how much they have done.2011-05-08 05:35:00

Author:
WESFUN
Posts: 1336

Maybe the spotlight crew should post a new spotlight right now since they cannot play any levels atm and It would show how much they have done.

From what I can tell we are pretty close to releasing Episode 59. However I just recently came back after a break.
After we thought we had finished 59 a month to a month and a half ago we started Episode 60 so when the servers come back online (which probably will not be soon...) we will get started on that immediately.		2011-05-08 15:31:00

Author:
tanrockstan34
Posts: 1076

I would love to help out all I can! I love reading the spotlights!


Do #1
.... NUKE the list and start over is always the better idea because it has the word NUKE IN IT!
No really... I mean it... DO IT DO IT DO IT~

PS: man i by mistake pushed #2 >:'/
lol Fumet		2011-05-08 15:47:00

Author:
kabirdsall14
Posts: 180

Maybe the spotlight crew should post a new spotlight right now since they cannot play any levels atm and It would show how much they have done.

Yeah, the only down side is that no one could queue up a level to play it.

But oh well, it would be something to read. Been a bit if a ghost town here lately. 		2011-05-08 16:50:00

Author:
CYMBOL
Posts: 1230

Expect Episode 59 when PSN comes back up. It's completely ready, but there's not a lot of point releasing it when no-one can play any online levels.

2011-05-08 19:34:00

Author:
Holguin86
Posts: 875

Will "missed" PSP levels be included in this? I have on good word that mine was picked, but simply outside the last catchup window.2011-05-08 22:54:00

Author:
Voltergeist
Posts: 1702

Are you guys still going to be making PSP spotlights?2011-05-08 23:49:00

Author:
Random
Posts: 673

None of the PSP spotlight crew has been very active. Some of them seam to have disappeared.2011-05-08 23:49:00

Author:
tanrockstan34
Posts: 1076


LBPCentral Archive Statistics
Posts: 1077139    Threads: 69970    Members: 9661    Archive-Date: 2019-01-19

Datenschutz
Aus dem Archiv wurden alle persönlichen Daten wie Name, Anschrift, Email etc. - aber auch sämtliche Inhalte wie z.B. persönliche Nachrichten - entfernt.
Die Nutzung dieser Webseite erfolgt ohne Speicherung personenbezogener Daten. Es werden keinerlei Cookies, Logs, 3rd-Party-Plugins etc. verwendet.