Last week I posted a blog regarding my LBP created level
"Bone Quest" (not quite "Boner Quest" but clearly a homage/a title that people can relate to). So, yeah, I was rather proud of my creation. It wasn't technically brilliant but it did the job and provided a sound challenge for those into no-nonsense 2D gaming. Anyway, turns out somebody didn't like it and it has now disappeared.
To be fair, I have no real concern over the fact that my level has gone. OK, it took me TEN HOURS to make and probably pushed me to the point of insanity at times but, at the end of the day, it was my first try. My next one is probably going to be something of a treat in comparison. And I guess I was taught to not be too attached to my levels after others were taken down without warning for being Mario or Sonic tributes or whatever.
It's just that it has all happened so under-handedly, without prior warning and without any reason that I can make out. I haven't recieved a message regarding it. All I got was a message at the top of my screen saying (in those wonderful, friendly letters) something like: "Your Level "Bone Quest" has been moderated". But what does that mean? Why? I didn't infringe anybody's copyright, I used no foul language and even threw some zombies in for good measure to match today's gaming trend of throwing zombies into every game released.
I guess what I'm trying to say is that I don't think Sony/Media Molecule are doing themselves any favours by taking things like this down without given the creator good reason for it. I know they are busy but come on!? I spend money on a game and invest time into it and all I get is a kick in the face for my trouble. The sequel to "Bone Quest" has been scrapped (a new IP on the way) due to this... I just don't know whether a new one would last.
Maybe Homer J. Simpson was right: "If at first you don't succeed, give up and never try again" (or something like that).... Thing is, I know I will go through it all again.
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Sounds like sony is dropping the ball on censorship.
If some "Unseen" force deletes one of my levels (Don't have a PS3), I'd like a reason(s) and a chance to edit the level.
Oh well.
Precisely
That is such ridiculous crap. What the fuck, Sony and MM?
What does the EULA for LBP say?
Remember it's an "E" rated game. You sure that there was *nothing* in there that could be the slightest big objectionable? According to the press releases that have been made over the last 3-4 weeks, all of the complaints are reviewed.
@SnakeDude4Life
I would encourage all would-be level designers to confirm with the LBP EULA before actually stating that anything is "your level". I wouldn't doubt for a second that the EULA states that by uploading the level you hand over all rights of the level to the parent company.
Also, LBP players are using a 3rd party's servers to store their levels. I bet the EULA states that the level can be permanently removed without warning.
@Jamnontheone,
Who are you working for?
I tell you there was absolutely nothing that would have brought the game's rating up...
The EULA may state these things but:
1) The rules need to be looked at and tweaked to encourage people to actually WANT to create a level.
2) My levels section shouldn't be called "My Levels" in that case. It's a written contract as far as I am concerned.
Clance, I feel for ya bud, I really do, but there has been front page article after front page article saying that this exact thing was going to happen. Sony and MM are being very stern about this, and as a result some innocents such as yourself are going to get caught in the crossfire. Is it fair? No. Are they going to change the EULA or rules? No. You just gotta keep your head up, get to working on the next one, and pray that the Sony overlords don't see it as offensive.
"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is, never try." -Homer Simpson
Is there an option to make levels friends-only/private or something, where you can do whatever you want?
@JamnOnTheOne
SPY SAPPIN" MEH EULA!!!
But, really;
I have no doubt that the EULA gives Sony or MM full power of attorney over "My levels, and that Sony and MM will enact an Schutzstaffel-like black bagging when "My level" has some sort of "objectionable" thing(s) in it.
HOWEVER, I'd like an notification with a list of why the level was holocausted and a chance to change that level.
Get moderated'd.
Cheers for that quote Char... Also, no there isn't, which is a shame.
It would at least be nice to have a small message to tell me it was "taken down at such and such time by so and so... due to violation of rule number whatever".
I feel like I've been dumped by post-it.
What bothers me more than the censorship and the counter effect this is having on any creative boom, is this fact that "moderation" means all your hardwork gets deleted. Its completely opposite of the effect that this game should be having on the industry.
I guess this means I should stop working on my level which happens to be called "Boner Quest."
You can't blame them, it is a 7+ game so this kind of thing needs to be done! Try my newest level Tower of Pizza!
call it stiffy quest, or even chubby quest, i think its time for clever naming. i will make one called Mandy X with a lot of rockets, cucumbers, carrots, hot dogs and other phallic references but no actual Mandy X. maybe even an arabian temple ala aladdin.
Does not matter what the game is rated. Online content is never rated by the ESRB so the E+ rating is only for offline content. What I don't understand is why the levels can't be saved to your hard drive? Ok so they delete your level from their server big deal, but you should still be able to access the level yourself. I really wanted to buy this game but after this horseshit moderation I'm steering clear of it.