LBPC community and creator spotlights.

[Arnald23]

Hi everyone I think they probably going to move this thread because is in the wrong place (I think) ifso please move it.

Im here to talk about some of LBPC most popular segments which is Community Spotlight & Creator Spotlight. I love them so much because they bring LBPC community together with some awesome levels to play. But it been almost 1-2 months without them! I know people have lives including myself but there has been a lack of this threads.

It may sound a little strange but everyone loves them and we only had 1 ever since LBP 2 came out. I just want to now why there hasn't been a community or creator spotlight, I miss them so much and I know the community does aswell.

So if you are in the spotlight team please leave a comment bellow and tell us why the lack of community and creator spotlights? (other than your regular lives)

[Hellobob5]

Im not on the spotlight crew (even though i would love to) i hav noticed the lack of spotlights aswell....

[Chump]

I'm not in the spotlight crew but I know that the few memebers that are still in it are overwhelmed with levels to play and a human being can just play a certain amount of levels before going insane. That's all I know.

But it is true that the Community spotlights were literally the spotlights of LBPC, I would just go when I see the new banner up!

[Arnald23]

I'm not in the spotlight crew but I know that the few memebers that are still in it are overwhelmed with levels to play and a human being can just play a certain amount of levels before going insane. That's all I know.

But it is true that the Community spotlights were literally the spotlights of LBPC, I would just go when I see the new banner up!

Well if they can they should add more members, if so I would love to help and play tons of levels and review them or they should creator another spotlight crew so they can slit the work.

[RockSauron]

The excuse is that the people are bogged down, yadiyadiyadda... but if the people who are doing it can't keep up, then they aren't up to it and they should ask for more help. They haven't once asked for help since this whole drought began, and maybe that's cause pretty much everyone who was on the spotlight abandoned it altogether. However, then it should be up to CC/ site staff to reorganize it, but again, CC seems too busy to do the slightest thing on LBPC (community wise, not the odd server problem that pops up- that's all he ever seems to be able to do nowadays >_<). So, in conclusion, basically if the people who are currently doing stuff aren't able to do it alone, THEN ASK FOR HELP. This goes for site staff (particulary CC >_<) as well as the subject of this thread.

... sorry, I'm just getting really ticked off that CC and the staff seem to not be doing anything and aren't even trying to ask for help.

[Ryhas]

The excuse is that the people are bogged down, yadiyadiyadda... but if the people who are doing it can't keep up, then they aren't up to it and they should ask for more help. They haven't once asked for help since this whole drought began, and maybe that's cause pretty much everyone who was on the spotlight abandoned it altogether. However, then it should be up to CC/ site staff to reorganize it, but again, CC seems too busy to do the slightest thing on LBPC (community wise, not the odd server problem that pops up- that's all he ever seems to be able to do nowadays >_<). So, in conclusion, basically if the people who are currently doing stuff aren't able to do it alone, THEN ASK FOR HELP. This goes for site staff (particulary CC >_<) as well as the subject of this thread.

... sorry, I'm just getting really ticked off that CC and the staff seem to not be doing anything and aren't even trying to ask for help.

They've asked for help, and CC has been helpful in suggesting methods to finish all the levels. I too would prefer we provide another public forum for 'hiring,' and we definitely need more help, but there is a lot going behind the scenes concerning the issue.

[v0rtex•]

I would recommend a community poll regarding the backlog. Personally I feel those hidden gems are the best part of the spotlight.

This.

Perhaps, but we'd have to ensure the options are realistic, and continuing to play 'catchup' on the backlog with the current size of the crew is not, nor is recruiting, I'd guess, about 100 people to get through it in the next couple of weeks.

Well, perhaps I misunderstood midnight_heist's suggestion, but this was going to be my suggestion:

1. Restart the Spotlight at a point after the huge backlog / surge (perhaps April 1 - or even just two weeks ago... but restart it and let the crew get back to their regular grind).
2. Then put the backlog levels into a community poll, or some web-based voting application, and give it to the community (there's a LOT of them, so this part could be tricky).
3. Let them (the LBPC community) take a month to vote (all the while reminding them that we need their help, and to get out there and vote).
4. When the month is up, take the top 25 voted levels, and have the Spotlight crew review them and write up comments.
5. Publish those results a special All-Community-Spotlight edition of the spotlight, and move on.

I think it could work.

[OmegaSlayer]

The problem is that the site is big now, and there are a lot of users, so it can't be kept running like a forum with few users.
There is a lot of people wishing to give a hand and there's the need to increase the staff.

[Thegide]

I almost began this thread myself in the last few days. I understand the launch of LBP2 has overwhelmed the crew, however, we're beyond playing catch-up now. We're getting further and further behind as time goes on, and I'm beginning to wonder if the spotlight is ever going to return.

The lack of any sort of communications is equally as frustrating. If the team is offline or backlogged, please, let us know. If you're in the process of recruiting, then please, let us know. If you just don't care about it any more, then please, let us know, and pass the torch to someone that does.

I sincerely hope all is still good in tinseltown, but I see a lot of people getting restless and starting to question whether LBPC is starting to fade away. We need the spotlight crew just as much as we need moderators and administrators to keep this site alive and healthy. So, what's the deal?

[jwwphotos]

Well.. I guess I am at fault for the Creator Spotlights not coming out recently. I have posted several things about it, but to be blatantly honest, I am on a break and will continue to be on a break for at least another month or more.

The first bit of break I was taking was to actually be able to play LBP2 just like the rest of you. I mean it just came out and had it for almost two weeks before I could just sit back and enjoy it. I not only was able to enjoy the Story Levels, but created a new level that has gotten some great reviews. It was great just getting back to my roots as a creator.

My current issue is my girlfriend and I are in the middle of closing on a house. That means we have to pack, move, unpack and get settled. I also need to think about mowing the grass and a zillion other things that go along with home ownership.

So I know the OP didn't want us to list life issues, but that is exactly what I have right now. lol

..however, feel free to reread some of the old Creator Spotlight interviews and check out the videos we have done. Celebrate what we have accomplished over the past year or so. I mean even South Park gets a break before the next season right?

[OmegaSlayer]

Well.. I guess I am at fault for the Creator Spotlights not coming out recently. I have posted several things about it, but to be blatantly honest, I am on a break and will continue to be on a break for at least another month or more.

The first bit of break I was taking was to actually be able to play LBP2 just like the rest of you. I mean it just came out and had it for almost two weeks before I could just sit back and enjoy it. I not only was able to enjoy the Story Levels, but created a new level that has gotten some great reviews. It was great just getting back to my roots as a creator.

My current issue is my girlfriend and I are in the middle of closing on a house. That means we have to pack, move, unpack and get settled. I also need to think about mowing the grass and a zillion other things that go along with home ownership.

So I know the OP didn't want us to list life issues, but that is exactly what I have right now. lol

..however, feel free to reread some of the old Creator Spotlight interviews and check out the videos we have done. Celebrate what we have accomplished over the past year or so. I mean even South Park gets a break before the next season right?

jww, no need to apologize, you're not "the spotlight team", you're "just" a member/boss.
The overall problem around is that, even if the community is able to walk on their own feet, if someone is missing/busy, everything stops.

The whole organization of the site must be re-arranged a bit in my opinion.
No one has faults, it's just that we didn't figure out how much big the community has become, and that there's too few people working actively for the site.
Still I think that lot of people would be willing to help.
What is a huge work for a small team (20 people, mods+spotlighters+wikers?), would be a much more bearable amount of work for a greater amount of people.

[Thegide]

Well.. I guess I am at fault for the Creator Spotlights not coming out recently. I have posted several things about it, but to be blatantly honest, I am on a break and will continue to be on a break for at least another month or more.

Jww,

I sincerely appreciate your taking the time to speak up on this. And, I think we all understand that life happens and sometimes you just need a break from things. Personally, I've seen you as part of the spotlight crew for a very long time, I think you've earned your break. I would hope that you don't take it as your sole responsibility to see it thrive, but the team as a whole should be working together to ensure it's own survival.

That being said, you guys have accomplished a HUGE amount over the last two and a half years, and I don't think LBPC's success would be the same without this hard work. I think we've been celebrating this for a long time, and I hope we can continue to do so. I think just about everyone here wants to see LBPC continue to thrive, and for the spotlight to continue.

So, on that note, what can we all do to help you guys out?

[Discosmurf]

I think we're all able to dig up and spread the word about good levels now, so imo we don't really need the spotlight crew holding our hand while showing us the way to find these levels.
The introduction of LBP.me also shortens the path between the forums and new levels as well. And considering how many levels that are added to the showcase every single day, I figure it's practically impossible for the crew to be able to play every single one and scrutinize thoroughly enough to be able to select the very best ones.
I mean, I've had a thread up for two months now(even in the Cool levels board) and the crew hasn't played it yet so I guess they're kinda bogged down.

[jwwphotos]

Thanks to Thegide and Omega.

Concerning the Creator Spotlights (I have no knowledge on the Community Spotlight team at all)
I guess the main issue is it is quite a technical video project that is being done as well as some finely crafted writing. So not just anyone can lend a hand, plus it is a secret project on who we are spotlighting. Not much of a surprise if everyone knows!! To do it, we need talented writers and very gifted set and object designers. ..the patience of a saint is pretty handy as well as recording the storyline can take a ton of time. ..it really all is a ton of work. Trust me on this!! lol

I have been very spoiled for quite awhile in who I have had on my team, but unfortunately three or four of them have gone on to other things. It is true I have picked up some others, but the other issue is even then, It takes sometimes over two months just to complete one Creator Spotlight.There is the storyline, set creation, gags / special effects to contend with. Acting, recording, video editing as well. ..and that is on top of the well written interview in the first place. It really is one huge mind numbing task and then to keep them coming out every few weeks.. yikes. Just really impossible. Especially considering the amount of time needed as well as realizing the folks that do it are doing it for free.

Some of my issues are I could stand a few more writers as well as set designers, but as it sits now, I have to record almost everything as I am one of the only ones on the team that has an HD recorder. We have had Cog do some of the other normal play through recording, but anything I am acting in, I end up recording myself as well as doing the skype recording. I also am the one that does the behind the scenes recording and meet with the creator. Plus I end up in quite a few of the storyline bits as as an actor. Not like a normal movie set.. can't have tons of folks working during the recording and actually less is better due to the Loading Screen issue and lag.

...but tossing tons of people at it won't make it better. I don't want to lose the quality of what we have been doing. That I'm afraid also takes quite a bit of talent, commitment, as well as expensive hardware and software. For example.. we don't have many that can even edit our videos because we utilize some of the best software out there and it is not cheap. Chimp and I use Adobe After Effects and Adobe Premier. Leather uses Sony Vega Pro... and those two are amazingly talented editors. ..I am kinda an understudy, but have learned quite a bit having played as director, storyline writer and editor. Dayne has Adobe Premier and has been helping us doing several of the PSP spotlights.

However as much as some of you want and miss them, I don't think it has been missed as much as some think. In looking at the past several Creator Spotlight threads as well as the plays on youtube, there is a huge downward spiral for the past 3 or 4 months. Where we used to get sometimes over one hundred replies on a thread and more than 3000 - 6000 youtube views within a period of two weeks. The more recent ones have had much less activity. The most recent PSP one for example still has less than 30 replies. True, the PSP ones generally get less replies, but even the last PS3 one got something less than 60 replies and not quite 1800 views on youtube. I just think now with LBP2 out, folks are playing, creating, and reading less. Prior to LBP2, everyone was wanting a sneak peak at anything to do with LBP2. ..especially those not in the beta. Currently not as much it seems.

The reason I feel the break we are on now is cool is I figure give some creators some time to amaze us first. In LBP1 it was always a treasure trove of stuff to look at. With LBP2 out we keep getting asked by the creator to wait a bit because they want a level in progress in LBP2 to be done first.

So I appreciate everyone's concern. I might be interested in some volunteers in the future, but for now I have to be on a break until I can get moved, unpacked and settled in our new home. Stay tuned and again.. it doesn't hurt to watch the reruns!!

[OmegaSlayer]

Thanks to Thegide and Omega.

BLABLABLABLA for like 60 rows...

WTF! Look at this wall of text, who could want to read it?
Seriously, you are way too kind to explain all this stuff AND more important thing, as we ALL can imagine you're not the only responsible, so don't take all the responsibility on your shoulder, OK?
And now don't try anymore to write such an epic poem and move to do your more important stuff, try to not get tired too much and see ya when everything is settled