New Game Submission Requirements

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ID:60629
 
Apr 2 2009, 6:19 pm
Keywords: news
To better serve as a resource to players, a new rule has been added to the BYOND Action Submission Requirements:

All games must now either be downloadable, have a dedicated 24/7 host, or have an accurate hosting schedule posted on their hub to be listed


Hopefully, this change will trim the BYOND Action game listings down so only active or playable games are listed.

It wouldn't be fair to make this change without warning, so consider this "three weeks notice." After two weeks pass and only one week is left, I'll post a list of all the hubs that are in danger of being removed. Any active developers should be able to prepare host files or arrange for some basic hosting by then. However, all new submissions will be held to this rule.

If you are the owner of a hub currently accepted into BYOND Action and are afraid you won't be able to meet the three-week deadline, don't worry: any games that are removed can simply be resubmitted once they meet the new rules.

I know any Action fans like me are looking forward to being able to browse this guild and play any game they see, and no doubt many developers will appreciate their games not drowning among dead hubs :)
Apr 2 2009, 6:29 pm
Great addition. It's really a good move.
Apr 2 2009, 7:23 pm
Do you have the same problem with nostalgic games that everyone from five years ago loved, that have no development at all and people complain if you want to remove it? <.<
Apr 2 2009, 7:28 pm
There are a number of sticky situations that are a little ambiguous under these new rules though.

What about games that have download for subscribers only?

What about old games, like Tiberath mentioned, that no longer have the executable files on the hub, but are available elsewhere?

I believe that games like these should be listed under the Action Guild.

There has to be maybe an exceptions process that allows a game to be submitted that doesn't meet the requirements that you outlined.
Apr 2 2009, 7:29 pm
I go with activity. If someone wants the game to stay, they start playing the game, or else it goes until it's activity is confirmed. That's at least the method I'd like to implement.
Apr 2 2009, 8:21 pm
Well, I guess any authors with games that are in unique or uncommon situations can argue their cases by submitting through the forums.

Tib, originally I had planned to use activity as a method as well, but without asking for a new feature, it would be a logistical nightmare keeping track of it. However, I would fully support a "Last Active" field on a hub, as it could be useful to players and guild masters alike.

Even if such a feature was implemented, though, I think this rule should be left in place. It ensures a certain level of completion among the listed games, and helps weed-out games created on a whim and then dropped.

As for "vintage" games with authors that are long gone and host files long expired, I would like to keep them around. However, if their host files are lost and no one is hosting, I don't see any point in listing them. Still, if you have a game in mind, track down the host files and post them ;)
Apr 2 2009, 10:38 pm (Edited on Apr 3 2009, 11:26 am)
This is a great idea. A lot of the other guilds would be way better off if they implemented something similar.

It is pretty pointless to have a featured game if it isn't downloadable and hasn't been played in X amount of years. I know I've come across more than a few HUB entries like this.
Apr 2 2009, 10:38 pm (Edited on Apr 3 2009, 1:00 am)
I think this is a good idea; official guilds really shouldn't have games that aren't being played actively, or at the very least are playable.

I'd love to see some contests held with the cool games, where people competed ;)
Apr 3 2009, 6:40 am
It does seem like a good idea
Apr 3 2009, 10:52 am
It is pretty pointless to have a featured game if it isn't downloadable or hasn't been played in X amount of years.

Make that "or" an "and" and I'll agree with you. If inactivity alone is enough to get a game removed then each guild will only have a handful of games left. Guilds should be promoting games rather than merely collecting what is already popular.
Apr 3 2009, 11:01 am
I agree with ACWraith on that one. Take some of the really old games that someone might just have host files to. If they want to host it for some good old fun then it would be nice if you could see this classic game in the action guild listings.

Some people, such as myself, have an extremely difficult time finding a good host. This is why I'm fairly worried about this new rule. I often have extreme difficulties getting a good host to host often or on a scedual. The best host I can usually find, or the one I have right now, host at fairly random times. But when they do host, everyone is happy to find it in the guild listings and say "yay! it's up again!"
Apr 3 2009, 11:27 am
ACWraith wrote:
Make that "or" an "and" and I'll agree with you. If inactivity alone is enough to get a game removed then each guild will only have a handful of games left. Guilds should be promoting games rather than merely collecting what is already popular.

Yeah you're right. Fixed.
Apr 5 2009, 2:06 pm
Hmm, I read over the comments. I agree and disagree, since some games are classics and hosted on occasions but rarely(And their host files download ceise to work). And like some other people mentioned, some games CANNOT find a dedicated host and it's tough. Some games are REALLY good but the community does not want to host it.

Although, I agree with getting rid of games never hosted. Such as for example, all mine that I no longer have the sources to should all just be removed. Unfortunately some people have the host files to some of my games, but I cannot find them or anyone that has host files to my public games.
Apr 5 2009, 2:28 pm
Flame Guardian wrote:
Hmm, I read over the comments. I agree and disagree, since some games are classics and hosted on occasions but rarely(And their host files download ceise to work). And like some other people mentioned, some games CANNOT find a dedicated host and it's tough. Some games are REALLY good but the community does not want to host it.

Well, if they have trouble finding a host, all that they need to do is upload a set of host files. Since this is BYOND Action, I can't foresee many games needing an official 24/7 persistent server (like one might see in an RPG setting) that would lead them to keep their hosting files private.

Apr 6 2009, 10:19 am
Oh. I misinterpreted what you meant. I thought you meant even if the host files are uploaded, the game still MUST contain some sort of host which hosts it regularly or 24/7.
Jun 10 2009, 5:59 am
What WHould I Hove To DO To get a game of mine in this Guild
Jun 10 2009, 7:28 am
"All games must now either be downloadable, have a dedicated 24/7 host, or have an accurate hosting schedule posted on their hub to be listed"

Also it must best fit the theme of the action guild which is a fast paced actiony game. It should also have some stuff done in it for it to be playable.
Aug 10 2009, 6:38 am
So, once KHO is hosted, I'll be able to submit it to the guild, correct?
Aug 10 2009, 6:39 am
Christhesith wrote:
So, once KHO is hosted, I'll be able to submit it to the guild, correct?

Wrong Key lol
Mar 12 2010, 1:59 pm
Why aren't there any dbz games submited to this guild? I only see a megaman game and it's anime :p
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