Info:
A while ago a made a game called Rhine which was basically a simple rhythm game engine. There were a lot of problems with it so I'm making a sequel with more features and better optimization. The last game also only had 4 levels that were all made by me so I want a decent amount of levels to be available for this one at launch. I've already finished the engine for the game so now I just need some level creators to make some decent beatmaps while I work on adding menus, multiplayer and leaderboards for it. PLEASE NOTE: Knowing a little bit about timing and rhythm (like what beats and quarter-notes are and stuff) will be extremely helpful. Also if you have an understanding of making beatmaps like in Osu! or Clone Hero or Beat Saber that'll be extremely handy.

How Level Creation Works:
Right now the way levels are made are through sprites that contain the song file, level skins, and song values like the bpm of the song. Level making basically just involves typing numbers and letters into one long string that represents the level. When the game runs, it reads the string and sends notes accordingly. So if you feel like making a level, let me know so I can add you as a manager to the studio, and then remix rhine 2 (it's in the studio) and read below \/

The Specifics of Level Creation:
Step 1: Initialization
A level editor is underway but I honestly think the easiest way to create levels will always be in the scratch editor with a google doc open. To make a level, first clone the level template sprite. Inside you should see a script that looks something like this (although some of the values may be different):

Each level has 3 main data values: offset, bpm, and fall speed. The bpm is the tempo of the song so make sure this number is exact otherwise the timing will start to skew. The offset is the amount of seconds into the song file that the first beat of the song actually starts at, so try and time this one correctly too. Fall speed is how fast the notes fall. Please choose a number from 6-10 because I haven't coded support for faster or slower speeds. Then, add your song mp3 into the sounds tab and make sure to change the “when i receive song” block to start your song. Also change the outgoing message so that it doesn't also play the other songs.

Step 2: Placing Notes
This is where you should make a google doc for the string of your level to go. I think it's easiest to make levels look like this:

On the top, I typed the note reference key. It shows you which character will send each combination of notes. (A copy of the note reference key is in a notepad in the song sprite). Each character in the string represents one quarter beat (or 16th note). A zero sends nothing, so thats basically how you time between notes. I have my margin set so that each line can only fit 32 characters (or 32 quarter beats). This makes it easy to read because I know that each line represents eight beats (or two notes). I then highlighted groups of 4 lines with different alternating colors to make it further easier to read.
*PLEASE NOTE: I found out later that certain fonts have characters that take up different amounts of space which is annoying for having all your notes line up, so choose a monospace font. Most of them have the word “mono” after the font title. For example I am now using roboto mono which comes with google docs.

Some Examples:
For reference, if I wanted to map a simple “boots and cats and” drum beat it might look something like this:
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I represent the kick drum with a 1 (far left note), I represent the hi-hat with a 4 (the far right note), and I represent the snare drum with a 2 (the mid-left note). The zeroes mean nothing and are there to make sure the timing is correct.

Now the way actual drums operate are slightly different since the hi-hats keep going even if there is a kick playing at the same time. So in order to map the drum beat in the way it would actually be played in real life, it would look like this:
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The 1's have been replaced with 7 because a 7 sends a far left and far right note at the same time, and the 2's have been replaced with 9 because a 9 sends a mid-left and far right note. And the 4's have stayed the same because they are mapped to the sound of only the hi-hat. So now, the far right note has to be hit consistently just like an actual hi-hat.

Step 2.5: Skinning:
This isn't really a step because you don't need to do this but if you want to, you can change the costumes of the notes and add a background image and stuff like that for your level. All of these graphic changes only apply to your level so you can pretty much do whatever you want for the visual style of your level. (Although I would recommend keeping the general size and shapes of the notes and hitboxes the same so that the level isn't too confusing to play)

Step 3: Testing the Map
Once it comes time to test the map, all you gotta do is copy and paste the long string of notes you typed in the google doc into the “set leveldata to” variable block. Then change the “if level = 0” block to any level number that isn't already taken and then go to the stage's scripts and make sure the “set level to ” block has the right level typed in it. Then once you click the green flag, your level should start running.

Step 4: Finalizing the Map
Once you finish, upload your remixed project of rhine 2 to the studio and then let me know, and I'll check out your beatmap and if it's timed right, then I'll add it to the game.

Studio, Rhine 2

Question on making levels, is there a specific genre, or style of music you'd prefer, or any that you'd rather not include?

Nope, you can choose any genre you want

Sounds cool, I'll get making a song to map.

I found an unused song in the game files in Rhine 1, Is there any chance this could be added to the game?

DERTYUI12 wrote:

I found an unused song in the game files in Rhine 1, Is there any chance this could be added to the game?

Possibly. I'd have to actually go and finish the level but I could try.

I did my song btw I just need to be added to the studio to share it!