Epic Pad Release Coming Soon

[stargroup]

Status:
6 files total
0/6 completed

Track 1: 28% done (singles full charts almost completed)
Track 2: 8% done (main chart finished)
Track 3: 2% done (basic sync half done)
Track 4: 0% done
Track 5: 0% done
Track 6: 1% done (epic marathon, basic sync about quarter done)

Projected release date: 7/18/08


Alright, I do admit this thread is fairly useless, but I figure it's a good place to gather information.

So here what's happening. I'm currently working on a one-man minipack pad project, and when released, will probably have some of the best pad files to date (While it does seem egotistical to say this, I have been known to be able to carry out what I say. People within the keyboard community should know this quite well.)

However, I will need to gather some information before I release it, since I am relatively unfamiliar to the pad world.

1. Where should I post the minipack when I have completed it?
2. Based on the above, what is the predicted amount of people that will download it?
3. Is there anything else I should know about how/when/where to release pad files?

Thanks for reading and replying. I hope this set of pad files will be as successful as my keyboard files.

[cpubasic13]

Originally Posted by stargroup

1. Where should I post the minipack when I have completed it?

Here, probably, using Mediafire or whatever hosting you want to host it.

2. Based on the above, what is the predicted amount of people that will download it?

Kind of hard to tell with that little info you supply. For the most part if you post it at Stepmania's main boards you can get a LOT of downloads if they approve it for the front page, but I think it'd get downloads just by posting the pack there. I don't pay much attention to what pad players (or keyboard players for that matter) say are great packs, so someone else probably knows a bit more on this...

3. Is there anything else I should know about how/when/where to release pad files?

This... um, varies between sites. Here, it is just submitting single files to the DB and that's it. Usually posting about 1 simfile is considered advertisement and results in a locked thread from what I've seen. I know Stepmania's main boards allow for that, however.
If it is a pack or mini-pack (which is what you are doing obviously), this section is the right place. You just have to post a thread with some info about the pack, a link to it, and that's about it. Usually Ben or a mod (if there is one here for that matter) will edit the sticky thread here with a link to it so it isn't just lost.

For the most part this section is for threads pertaining to packs of the group variety, but the Albumix and DWI series posted here as well, so you should be fine in updating this thread with info about your mini-pack.

[Ramengan]

Stargroup makes pad files?

Well, cpu answered the questions very thoroughly and correctly, from what I know. People visiting this forum will see your thread, and many will probably take a look. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try the official Stepmania forums, or even FFR.
Just out of curiosity though, what style of pad files are you making, and about what difficulty range can I expect? If you want to leave it secret, that's fine; I can wait. I'm looking forward to these.

PS. You've looked at Xiao's pad guide on FFR, right? Also, if you want someone to test your pad files, I'd be glad to help.

[braintrust (joel stud?)]

1) Post the mini-pack here, at FFR, at R21 Freak, and at Stepmania's official boards. That will cover the bulk of the community. Just do a copy and paste from wherever you post it first and it will take you an extra 10 minutes. I'd say if you can get some webspace from someone that would be the best choice for uploading. Actually, you have enough of a history now you could probably start your own website. Just consider whether paying $15 a year for space to upload your own files is worth it. If not, than put it in the usual databases and get it on all of the websites that catalogue packs and store them all.

2) If you post it at all four places, a lot of people will download it.

3) Make sure you have it R21 ready--if you don't know what all that entails, than look it up. BUT, also consider providing an alternate link for mp3s instead of oggs for better sound quality. Those people that do play on R21 machines want the oggs, but at home some people personally prefer the mp3s--sometimes they have better sound quality, and its easy then to pop onto an mp3 player or into iTunes if you like the song.

Also, make a modded course or entrust one person with a modded course for all 6 songs. Also, changing backgrounds like in your Planet Karma or Vospi's We Met Dat Night are always a nice touch, especially on pad.

[MixMasterLar]

Hate to admit this, but Im rather looking forward to trying a pad file form you (unless you already made a few and I missed them.)

That said, please do forget every KB method. ever. No pad player really cares about pitch that I know of.

[cpubasic13]

Originally Posted by braintrust (joel stud?)

3) Make sure you have it R21 ready--if you don't know what all that entails, than look it up. BUT, also consider providing an alternate link for mp3s instead of oggs for better sound quality. Those people that do play on R21 machines want the oggs, but at home some people personally prefer the mp3s--sometimes they have better sound quality, and its easy then to pop onto an mp3 player or into iTunes if you like the song.

Also, make a modded course or entrust one person with a modded course for all 6 songs. Also, changing backgrounds like in your Planet Karma or Vospi's We Met Dat Night are always a nice touch, especially on pad.

This isn't mandatory, by the way. This is just preferences. If you want MP3 you can release it in MP3. If you want it OGG you can have it OGG. It doesn't matter.
And courses aren't mandatory either for the mini-pack.

[stargroup]

Thanks for all the replies, I'm getting a lot of good info.

Now to reply to your comments.

No, I don't make many pad files. In fact, I only have one released pad file (super old), and one unreleased file that's not part of this pack.

I did read Xiao's pad guide, but there really wasn't anything I didn't already know hehe.

The project is super secret, but I can spill a few details. The songs are in no way electronic. It's completely recorded live. Also, since there are full charts, the difficulties will range from 2-4 foot Beginners to 13+ Challenges. Muahahahaha.

The style of the steps is very keyboard-biased (index), but I feel that they are still incredibly fun on pad, so it won't matter much anyways. Besides, it'll make it feel more polished.

[will-i-am]

Originally Posted by stargroup

I'm currently working on a one-man minipack pad project, and when released, will probably have some of the best pad files to date

Sorry, but I highly doubt it, just for the plain fact that making a switch from creating simfiles entirely for KB/FFR to intruducing yourself to the concept of pad files is the most difficult change you will ever experience in simfile making. Of course, I'm not saying you'll be doomed at making pad steps. It's just very hard to believe that your pad files will be of the quality your KB files have been in the past.

It's still nice to see that you're opening yourself to this, but whether or not it's even possible for DDR players to pass the songs, since your charts are obviously being based on the ITG style of steps, is entirely up to you.

Oh yeah, and listen to Lar. He's right about the fact that pad steps don't follow pitch exactly as KB does. Create fun patterns, but don't over-repeat them and don't follow the pitch the whole song through! Pad steps are more fun when you don't have to follow complex synth patterns the whole time. Remember, you're going to be "dancing" to the songs, or at least moving your feet instead of your fingers. Playing the song on an actual dance pad or just tapping your feet to the note chart is a very effective method at proofreading your work.