A guide to Credit Etiquette?

[nextlevel88]

I was wondering if there are any unwritten rules on crediting people in your level. I think it's only right that if you're inspired by someone's idea or use information from their tutorials, you give them proper credit in the level. However, I could also see how someone wouldn't want their name associated with the level if it were, say, sub-par. So, is it common courtesy to ask them first? Or do you just slap LBPCentral Stickers all over the place and not worry about it? Should the credited creators have a say, or even care in the first place?

[smasher]

I'd say that if you want to give someone credit. Go for it! No need to ask them. People must realize that if they're helping people out, or giving ideas people may use them, and give credit. It goes with the territory. I'd say if you were inspired by someones work, and took some ideas and made them your own than no need to give credit at all. As long as your not copying people it's OK.

[Sehven•]

I would ask first: personally I prefer not to be credited in other people's levels unless I've done quite a lot to help them. If all I've done is gave them some advice or a simple logic chip, I don't consider that important enough to credit. And yeah, it would be annoying to be credited on a crappy sub-par level.

[biorogue]

I gave credit to some people whose objects I had used in a level, granted it was a sucky sub-par level (what makes par now?) but it was purposefully a joke level. Anyway, I got to thinking that these creators gave the objects as prizes to freely use, and didn't ask for any credit, so what is the etiquette there?

[Deftmute]

I gave credit to comphermc on my mega city levels because he made the helmet head enemies (probably the only thing in the whole series of levels that works right)
I often wonder just how irritated he is to be associated with something of such poor quality. (my levels. not his enemy)

Edit: actually, i wont be surprised to see this post disappear lol. and then some unhappy knockings at my door. (the LBPC hit squad)

[nextlevel88]

I gave credit to comphermc on my mega city levels because he made the helmet head enemies (probably the only thing in the whole series of levels that works right)
I often wonder just how irritated he is to be associated with something of such poor quality. (my levels. not his enemy)

Edit: actually, i wont be surprised to see this post disappear lol. and then some unhappy knockings at my door. (the LBPC hit squad)

Quoted so your legacy will not die (Unless they take me too)!

Anyway, yeah, like I said, I can understand people not wanting to be credited on levels that they don't care for, so checking would be the way to go. I was just curious if it's presumptuous to expect them to play a level to see if it's something they'd like their name associated with in the first place. It's interesting to hear the community's thoughts.

[CENTURION24]

I'm the type of creator that will give a total stranger credit for the smallest of things. An example is on my jack & the beanstalk level I gave credit to willtang just for adding a pony tale on the giant. I've used custom stickers from a level and gave the author of that level a shot out. I feel personly that if something has been created by another person and is in your level then you should give some sort of credit. The thing for me is that I don't want people second guessing my work. I entered the LBL fairytale copetition a year or so ago. After publishing I received 2 messages from different people stating things like,"if you win im throwing my game away because you had 4 people help you!.. 4!!" Also, " you shouldn't win because you had all that help". I did 99.99999999% of the work on that level and giving credit was some how taking away from it. At the same time I'm not going to put a detailed description of a level followed by,"oh and thanks to willtang for stopping by and popping a pony on the giant".

I guess the question is a personl opinion. When should you? And when do you feel it's not needed?

[Morgana25]

I've gone with the idea that if it's a significant part of the level, is innovative, or required a lot of time/effort from someone then I give credit. A friend popping in while I'm creating who suggests changing a light color or adding a sticker isn't likely to get a shoutout unless it's multiple times (time commitment).

I think it boils down to, did their contribution change the level or improve the level beyond where I was taking it. If the answer is yes, credit is due.

Personal choice though - but think about it, if someone helps you and you don't give them credit, what are the odds they'll help you again if your in a bind?

[Kitkasumass]

Well if someone helps you with your level they should get credit. Rather than saying thanks to willtang for the ponytail I would go the more subtle route. Something only the creators would know about. A long time ago I used a friends idea in a level (even though i never published it). His name was Sneezer75. So the little section I used had a sneezing sound effect when you walk up to it. My friend GHerkin456 made me a sweet flag sticker that I have on a flag in my little castle type level I've been working on. So when it's finished I'm going to put a sackbot dressed like his costume and he'll be hanging out and loking up at the flag or something like that. Credit is always due I guess. But "Thanks to PSNGUY12 for this cool thing" just seems kind of tacky and detracts from the experience.

[Dexist]

I think giving everybody that did / help makeing your level credits is a good thing

However:
You should just ignore those kind of comments, imo.

what you also can do, instead of giving credits in the level description, you can make a part somewhere in you level where you give all the credit. like for example where your level starts, your credits will be on the left side, and the actual level will start on the right side.(points some arrow to it) then the "noobies and rushers" (probably the ones who give those kinds of comments) wont notice the credits.

[Nuclearfish]

It really depends how much they helped and how significant it is in the level. For my Close Encounters level c_mckamey helped with a load of stuff, gave me some vehicles he'd made ages ago and spent a long time making complex logic that I ended up using. He definately deserved credit. But there was also someone who came up with the level name. As important as a level name is, I didn't think it quite compared to making a large part of the level, so giving equal credit in the level description would have felt wrong. And then there were several people who helped with feedback and bits of logic here and there. So I just compromised and said "thanks to c_mckamey and everyone else who helped and tested".

[Syroc]

I give credit to anyone who had a noticeable effect on the level I'm building. If I get feedback while creating I don't usually credit those people, but that doesn't mean I didn't appreciate their input!

[kirbyman62]

I don't think I've used anything from anyone else that much. If it's something small, I'd put it in the level thread on here, if it's big (like BETA testing the level for me), it goes there and the level description.

[NinjaMicWZ]

I hop into create with tons of friends & random people and start "doing stuff" or suggesting things, depending on what the situation is & their comfort level. Lots of people ask me Q's too... but I never expect credit. There's a difference between actively seeking out somebody to do something in your level, that you couldn't or wouldn't have done on your own... and just hangin' out & "playing" the way creators play.

In the cocreate beta, there was a guy who was in create mode with me for like 20 minutes doing his own thing, that demanded I give him credit for my boss because the winners of the boss competition would receive a bug blaster. I put jump_button on my team 'cause he built the scenery for the entire scoreboard area & killian because he hung out & tested it with me for hours, even if I hadn't said a word for an hour while busy tweaking. The guy literally did nothing and had nothing to do with the project, but completely tainted it with outrage.

In the grand scheme of things, I respect cats who do or can do everything on their own, but since I've got my clique of friends who all help & suggest stuff to each other & trade shop talk, I know everyone's got their own.

[gevurah22]

Now that you ask this, you better give me credit for last night. =P

In all honesty, I think if you feel that whomever has "helped" you contributed enough to thinking they should be credited, then so be it.

And you live in Visalia? Cali bros! *respect knuckles*