Guidelines For New Track / Variation Requests

Attachment 677
In order to make new track/variation request submissions to TG as efficient as possible, Twin Galaxies requires that the following core information be provided with every request. This will help to streamline the decision-making and setup process.

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TRACK VARIATION REQUEST FORMAT

Platform:
(i.e. Atari 2600, Sony PS3, MAME)

Title:
(use the exact name if it is already in the TG database, else provide the exact name of the game release...do not use abbreviations, use the exact name of the title)

Track/Variation:
This would be the way that fellow competitors could look up records on this challenge. For racing-based titles use the precise course name and whether this track/variation is for fastest lap, fastest course or, if applicable, highest speed attained. Please consult the existing TG database for samples of previously opened variations on titles such as "F-Zero X" (N64). For time-based performances, the track/variation name is not self-apparent and therefore a convention should be used.

Previous track/variation conventions include “fastest minimalist completion" among others. When in doubt, check similar titles in the TG database for sample purposes, or use your judgment and the TG staffer upon review will take your verbiage into consideration.

Score Type:
From the list below, pick the one that is most applicable to the record in question.

Whole numbers:

(i.e. 1,000 or 999,995...no decimal place such as "Donkey Kong")

Integer:

(i.e. 5.25 or 300.1 where 1 or more decimal places are required) Please provide the number of decimal places required, usually 1, 2 or 3 will cover most titles.

Time-Based:

Some titles have a built-in timer which keeps track in whole seconds, or down to thousandths of a second. Some titles have no built-in timer and, as such, TG keeps track in whole seconds rounded to the nearest whole second.

Some performances are over in seconds, some in hours or, in rare cases, game days. Please provide the format as follows when choosing to submit a suggestion for a time-based variation -

• SS - whole seconds only
  
• SS.# - seconds with one (1) decimal place
  
• SS.## - seconds with two (2) decimal places
  
• SS.### - seconds with three (3) decimal places
  
• MM:SS - whole minute/seconds
  
• MM,:SS.# thru MM:SS.### - same as for seconds, with 1, 2 or 3 decimal places
  
• HH:MM:SS - whole hours/minutes/seconds result
  
• HH:MM:SS.# etc - same with 1, 2 or 3 decimal places
  
• DD:HH:MM:SS - whole days/etc.

If the title has something not covered above, such as just a number of days, or even months/days, please provide that information accordingly as there are some titles that are unique in their outcomes.

Ranking Methodology:
There are only two choices here, Ascending or Descending.

• Descending means higher number or slower time is better. Think "Donkey Kong" where 1,000,000 is better than 900,000 or a game where duration is important ("Pooyan" and "Galaga" total game time)

• Ascending means the lower number or faster time is better. Think Atari 2600 "Miniature Golf" where the best score of "9" would beat a 10 and so forth. Or most racing-based titles where a faster time is a better score.

Score Prefix:
Some scores carry with them a prefix such as a monetary designation ($) therefore please provide the prefix information if applicable.

Score Suffix:
"Points" covers most point-based scores ("Donkey Kong", "Defender") while there are games where the score is in meters ("Track and Field"), yards, pounds, kilograms, etc. Provide what you can if applicable. No need for time-based scores since it is a given that they represent time.

Rules For Variation:
Remember that the goal here is to keep the rules simple and easy to understand, yet covering all the minimum requirements for future records.

Be concise and factual, and leave out inconsequential information. Unless absolutely necessary for the variation, no need to state the obvious such as "player choice for vehicle/character" and so forth). TG will contact you requesting additional clarification as needed.

Thank you for your patience and understanding in this matter. Twin Galaxies goal is to make everything as clear as possible so that conversations and decisions can take place thoughtfully and efficiently!