Sony, via its Threespeech website (sorry, semi-official website) has stated that both it and LittleBigPlanet developer, Media Molecule, "...couldn’t be happier with the initial efforts from our community members".
The reason for the happiness with the 'initial' efforts? "84,000 individual levels have been uploaded and more than 27 million level play throughs have been completed."
Talking about those individual levels, well, some LBP users have not been as happy as Sony and MM. The debate about level deletion that kicked in a few weeks ago, continues. Sony's take on the matter is:
"The vast majority of content uploaded to date has been fun and suitable for all of our community members.
"In a very few cases we have upheld complaints regarding unsuitable content or infringement of intellectual property, with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
This, of course, agrees with Media Molecule's own percentage , as reported last week, which stated:
"To date there have been fewer than 200 levels which have been blocked - considerably less than 0.5% of all the levels published. The great majority of moderated levels were removed due to containing obscenity."
So, MM says, "moderated levels were removed due to containing obscenity". Sony's announcement is more considered; more formulated and deserves a closer look.
"In a very few cases we have upheld complaints regarding unsuitable content or infringement of intellectual property, with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
For a start, the word 'removed' or 'deleted' does not appear. Had you a vague idea about what 'to moderate' means, you might believe that Sony has 'reduced the excessiveness of; made less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous".
One of the biggest problems with the current level submission system is that no levels are moderated. No feedback is provided to the level creator as to what needs to be changed. This means that, in fact, nothing has been moderated. The levels have been deleted - although obviously not from the user's own drive.
Next up is the wording of the "In a very few cases we have upheld complaints...with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
Leaving aside the euphemism of 'moderated'. Does this mean that the remainder of the levels 'actively moderated' (rather than passively so?) came not via complaints of other users? We're trying to find out.
The sooner a new moderation (not deletion) system gets into place, the sooner people can get on with designing levels rather than consigning the LBP box to the 'good idea but now back to Banjo' shelf. Let's hope that when Sony says, "Sony Computer Entertainment are committed to continually improving our moderation procedure and the methods of communication we use, in particular regarding the reasons that user complaints are upheld", it actually means "is doing this now".
Have you had any levels 'moderated'? Does this whole 'Level Moderation' issue leave you cold? Tell us on the Forum.
Source: Threespeech
The reason for the happiness with the 'initial' efforts? "84,000 individual levels have been uploaded and more than 27 million level play throughs have been completed."
Talking about those individual levels, well, some LBP users have not been as happy as Sony and MM. The debate about level deletion that kicked in a few weeks ago, continues. Sony's take on the matter is:
"The vast majority of content uploaded to date has been fun and suitable for all of our community members.
"In a very few cases we have upheld complaints regarding unsuitable content or infringement of intellectual property, with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
This, of course, agrees with Media Molecule's own percentage , as reported last week, which stated:
"To date there have been fewer than 200 levels which have been blocked - considerably less than 0.5% of all the levels published. The great majority of moderated levels were removed due to containing obscenity."
So, MM says, "moderated levels were removed due to containing obscenity". Sony's announcement is more considered; more formulated and deserves a closer look.
"In a very few cases we have upheld complaints regarding unsuitable content or infringement of intellectual property, with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
For a start, the word 'removed' or 'deleted' does not appear. Had you a vague idea about what 'to moderate' means, you might believe that Sony has 'reduced the excessiveness of; made less violent, severe, intense, or rigorous".
One of the biggest problems with the current level submission system is that no levels are moderated. No feedback is provided to the level creator as to what needs to be changed. This means that, in fact, nothing has been moderated. The levels have been deleted - although obviously not from the user's own drive.
Next up is the wording of the "In a very few cases we have upheld complaints...with less than 0.5% of levels actively moderated as a result of complaints from other users."
Leaving aside the euphemism of 'moderated'. Does this mean that the remainder of the levels 'actively moderated' (rather than passively so?) came not via complaints of other users? We're trying to find out.
The sooner a new moderation (not deletion) system gets into place, the sooner people can get on with designing levels rather than consigning the LBP box to the 'good idea but now back to Banjo' shelf. Let's hope that when Sony says, "Sony Computer Entertainment are committed to continually improving our moderation procedure and the methods of communication we use, in particular regarding the reasons that user complaints are upheld", it actually means "is doing this now".
Have you had any levels 'moderated'? Does this whole 'Level Moderation' issue leave you cold? Tell us on the Forum.
Source: Threespeech
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Comments
Bud 21 Nov 2008 09:26
1/4
I think on one hand that it's a little unfair that Sony have just pulled the levels without explanation - no one wants to see their work just disappear, after hours of devoted toil.
On the other hand, if people's levels are yanked because they're infringing copyright, fair play to Sony. It might mean that people actually try and make something original and unique, rather than just applying someone else's ideas to the game.
On the other hand, if people's levels are yanked because they're infringing copyright, fair play to Sony. It might mean that people actually try and make something original and unique, rather than just applying someone else's ideas to the game.
Joji 21 Nov 2008 14:41
2/4
Such a shame. LBP is one of this years hot games, and brains of U.K developers no less, and to let it fly then shoot it down like this is terrible.
This is why I have such a problem with copyright infringement law, which is that it doesn't take into account the concept of the homage to a said IP. Had such a thing been written into it, fans would get a fair break and this wouldn't be happening.
This is why I have such a problem with copyright infringement law, which is that it doesn't take into account the concept of the homage to a said IP. Had such a thing been written into it, fans would get a fair break and this wouldn't be happening.
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TimSpong 21 Nov 2008 17:13
3/4
Joji wrote:
Such a shame.
Everything I've created in it so far is utterly copyright free. Now, I haven't published any of it - because it's mostly crap and full of noises that are vaguely disturbing. But it's all my own work - well, mostly Media Molecule's work with me tacking it together. Frankly, all this "Ohhh look, I've recreated something that someone's already done" business smacks of the decline of civilization to me. Then again, I think Guitar Hero and Rock Band will lead to the death of garage-based teen band formations.
Yours, tired, niggley, stone-cold sober and old.
Tim
Joji 21 Nov 2008 20:49
4/4
Sure it could sow the seeds of our end. So much over the top protectionism for the sake of money (its like the tower of babel or something), its quite sick to see it get laced in law, since even laws can be wrong. And the big irony is that if you buy this game, all your fruits and hard work could be dashed without warning. Lol, it wouldn't be the first time Sony do things without warning us, like its too much to ask.
Imagine if this same kind of logic were applied to games like Saints Row, or any game that lets you create anything. What's clear is that copyright law needs adjusting
While the PC market is still looking pretty bleak, this is one area where it could yet shine, with LBP style games popping up, that won't sting you train or thought and hardwork, as the PC is still the king of game creation. Hold that thought and imagine if LBP (or perhaps a LBP style game, letting you create any genre of game) were made by Valve instead. That could be epic.
Imagine if this same kind of logic were applied to games like Saints Row, or any game that lets you create anything. What's clear is that copyright law needs adjusting
While the PC market is still looking pretty bleak, this is one area where it could yet shine, with LBP style games popping up, that won't sting you train or thought and hardwork, as the PC is still the king of game creation. Hold that thought and imagine if LBP (or perhaps a LBP style game, letting you create any genre of game) were made by Valve instead. That could be epic.