Seriously now, why no FAQ for this forum?

[CMoon]

OMG! AWESOMENESS!!

You know, some of us bitch about things, then other people (like Incognoscente) actually make things happen. Sticky this shi-nizzle NOW!

The one thing (and not to open pandora's box), but it would have been nice to see Dragon Blaze in the PS2's surprisingly short list, but as said, that's opening a can of worms. I'm 100% in support of just putting up that post as it stands.

[Ed Oscuro]

MAKE IT SO

gg @ Incognoscente

[Zach Keene]

Before my inbox gets flooded with sticky requests, last I heard Pirate1019 was also working on a FAQ, so we'll wait and see how that turns out first. I dunno yet if we'll put it up to a vote or hammer out some sort of combined version; guess we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

[Pirate1019]

Okay, Pirate1019, your turn

Haha. I can't best this. I have since discovered that I am much better as an editer or contributor than actually writing something as big as this. Good job. Very thorough.

I PM'ed Zach Keene and he said to just post it as a separate topic and if they deemed it worthy they would sticky it. You might want to PM one of them (the Mods) yourself though.

[Zach Keene]

You might want to PM one of them (the Mods) yourself though.

That isn't necessary. I've already brought this to the attention of the other mods and if they have no objections we can just split it off from this post.

(Besides, the disasters that result from me getting near the split button are always amusing. )

[Pirate1019]

(Besides, the disasters that result from me getting near the split button are always amusing. )

They have a button for that?

Anyway, incognoscente mentioned to me that he didn't have any particular desire to actually maintain the faq or it's thread after it was written. If this still holds true to him then I would be more then happy to take over that duty.

[CMoon]

*quivers in anticipation*

I really can't wait for the first completely taco-able post to just get a curt reply: "READ THE FAQ!"

[incognoscente]

Thank you for the kind words.


Dragon Blaze was very close to making the list. I had it in mind to help balance out the Cave titles, but couldn't remember its full title offhand (and was too lazy to look for it when I got there), nor could I remember if it was one of the contested "FILTERED!" titles.

But if I were to add it, that's about the only title I'd feel comfortable adding.


Content:
Games lists aside, I am curious if there is anything anyone feels is missing?
Is the hardware information accurate? I've never used a bootdisk, so I don't really know the process beyond what I could glean from a short article.
Should the RGB section be expanded to cover other video modes and signals?

Does this FAQ need to cover how to use the forum software (like using the Quote button)?




Language:
Are there any sections that are too hard to follow or feel patronizing?
Are there any typos I skimmed over?

[Pirate1019]

or feel patronizing?

That's why I can't write anything decent.

Really, it feels quite solid. I think that explaining the forum software isn't necessary. I figured it out in all of 15 minutes. Besides, when you scroll over the buttons for the link/code/image commands and such it explains how you should put them into your post. If you are confused then that's what the 'Preview' button is for.

[Ceph]

Are there any sections that feel patronizing?

Yeah, scrap the Jap-thing. For most people (especially non-Americans) it's simply an abbreviation with no negative connotations (search the net if you don't believe me). Why create sensitivities where none are necessary? By singling out this word you turn it into a problem. Besides, racism has never been an issue here.

To make a longs story short: Instructions on PC-behavior don't belong in this guide [or any guide; Political Correctness is for morons in my opinion].

[incognoscente]

Ceph:
Noted.


Also, happy to be your moron for the day!

[CMoon]

Another bit. Newbs should be really careful about posting on-topic (IE about video games).

There's a new junk thread about where to book skiing resorts from someone with only 1 post (and this is it.) I mod on another board and I wouldn't hesitate to delete it as spam, even though it could conceivably be real (but completely moronic).

Of course, this bit of etiquitte could be eliminated if newbs couldn't start their own threads. OF course, then they'd just wreak havoc inside of threads.

Of course, those of us with over 1000 posts should be able to make threads about the thickness of our ass hairs if we want to!!!

[DJ Incompetent]

In Manners:

-You may want to make it a more direct note to say it is more ok to search-out and bring back an old thread with on-topic, sensible information rather than make a new topic.

-I agree on Ceph's "Japanese" bit. I don't think anybody bitches about "Jpn", "-J", etc. Maybe "Jap", but that can be adjusted for.

-Explaining the shmupper mentality that people only work to finish a game without continuing. Never credit feeding. (It'll save the new guy from looking stupid later)


Add the worst shmups on that Topics to Avoid also. Point out Ghegs's sig:
"No matter how good a game is, somebody will always hate it. Likewise, no matter how bad a game is, somebody will always love it."
This is the law that when tested, leads to many-a-pointless flame wars
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=9963
http://shmups.system11.org/viewtopic.php?t=793

...funny I only needed to include R-Type Final in my searching to track those down

The only other thing I can think of is a possible few-lined shortlist summary of what noobs should avoid doing at all costs. The FAQ looks very much complete, but the waste-threads we wanted to prevent may get lost in the multi-screen jumble of FAQ paragraphs in the eyes of a new user. Also, it's possible this long rulebook without summary may dissuade new users from wanting to make the jump to register and post here.

Of course, the downside of making a summary of no-nos at the beginning is if done incorrectly, the noob will read the summary, not the FAQ, and go about repeating the mistakes that long FAQ was supposed to stop in the first place.

The FAQ could be rolled out as-is. But it's something to think about adding later after the document has had a test run.







Otherwise excellent work! You're good at what you do. Thanks for doing that.

[incognoscente]

-I agree on Ceph's "Japanese" bit. I don't think anybody bitches about "Jpn", "-J", etc. Maybe "Jap", but that can be adjusted for.

JPN and JP are the official country codes for Japan. -J is being used in a similar vein when seen appended to NTSC.


"Jap" is the term in question here. It is considered to be a derisive term by many Japanese-Americans. Ceph is correct in pointing out that it has widespread usage in nearly every English-language country besides the USA.
The passage is patronizing to non-Americans, so I'm re-thinking it.


The line was included because of a discussion or series of discussions I was thinking about when writing the first draft of the FAQ.

On this forum and/or Click-Stick's forum, there was some musing on why there are not more Japanese players posting. Amongst the hypotheses were:

• collectively this forum not taking the games seriously enough.
• Japanese players feeling that their English is not good enough and wishing to avoid ridicule.
• Casual usage of "Jap," which can be seen as derisive.
• Perceived jingoism in either direction.
• Lack of access to or interest in internet discussion for some players.

I cannot do anything about some of those, but I felt I could address numbers 2 and 3 here.

Ceph's comment is precisely why I wanted feedback before this FAQ becomes official. The first draft is one voice and opinion. This is not my forum.
I would like revisions to not be just the one side. If there's a guideline you'd like to see in place or one you'd like to see removed, I'd rather hear it now than six months from now.

If you'd like to argue for or against someone's suggestion, that's good, too!


DJ Incompetent: I'll try to incorporate your ideas in the revision.

Yours, too, CMoon!

[Ceph]

Amongst the hypotheses were:

• Japanese players feeling that their English is not good enough and wishing to avoid ridicule.
• Casual usage of "Jap," which can be seen as derisive.

Trust me, it's only poor English skills; most Japanese people simply can't understand it and that includes the term "Jap", which has absolutely nothing to do with it. [Ask anyone who has studied Japanese and who has been in Japan for an extensive period]

The reason why I'd like you to delete that passage is because by specifically mentioning Japanese people, you are singling them out. Instead you'd have to write "Don't ridicule people because of their nationality", which isn't necessary because it's common sense. Including it seems akin to "Don't use the microwave oven to dry your cat".

[Neon]

Instead you'd have to write "Don't ridicule people because of their nationality", which isn't necessary because it's common sense.

You've never been to the States, have you?

[zakk]

I agree, drop the part about 'Jap'. The biggest barrier is language, and there's not much we can do there. I really wouldn't even put in the part about 'ridicule'; it's probably not the primary issue.

For those of you who saw it, think back to when RAM posted on click's about mushi. We got some useful information out of it, but it was HARD. Lots of subtle misunderstandings and repeating of the same information 3 or 4 times just to clarify it. You could tell it was a bit frustrating for RAM too. I can see how other japanese players who aren't confident in their english skills wouldn't really want to participate; it's quite a bit of effort unless they happen to be very good at english.

[Ceph]

Instead you'd have to write "Don't ridicule people because of their nationality", which isn't necessary because it's common sense.

You've never been to the States, have you?

Thankfully this board isn't representative of the general populace of the USA. And I'm saying this with all due respect

[CMoon]

So how is this FAQ thing going? Gotta get this puppy up!

[incognoscente]

I'm shooting for the revision to be finished tonight or tomorrow and will post it then.

After that, it can be made into a new thread.


My preference for FAQ owner is one of the mods first, to remove a middleman in case a reader sends a message to the thread owner instead of reading the moderator list inside.

If no moderator wants to maintain the FAQ, then it goes to one of the regular Joes that volunteers. Pirate1019 is the only volunteer thus far :)

[CMoon]

Why don't you maintain it?

I'd also volunteer if no one else wants, but am already overwhelmed with duties on other forums and real life.

[incognoscente]

It is not necessary to read this article at once. It is meant to complement the board rules, but you can read the sections you want at your own pace.

Every now and then you'll see something like Topics to Avoid at #SFE.1
Type the code into your browser's search function (typically Control-F) to jump to the relevant section. Searching for ::: will jump you to the next topic.



:::About This Forum (#SFA)

This is the forum for Shmups.com. This is an international community, but we prefer discussions to be in English so more people can read them. Please don't worry if your English is not perfect. :)


Important people to know:

• Shmups.com is owned by Malc.
• This forum is owned and maintained by bloodflowers.
• The moderators are: Zach Keene, Shatterhand, Ghegs, Thunder Force, and jiji.
  Please contact them if you have a forum-related problem.

Shmups?

Shmups: shoot 'em ups, shooters, STGs, or scrolling shooters like Raiden, Gradius, R-Type, Flying Shark, or Dodonpachi.
On this forum Metal Slug, Rolling Thunder, Virtua Cop, and Rez are not considered shmups, though you are free to discuss these games and others in the Off-Topic section.



:::Table of Contents (#SFB)

Organization (#SFC)
Manners (#SFD)
Topics to Avoid (#SFE)
Getting the Most Out of the Search Feature (#SFF.1)
Importing (#SFG)
Superguns (#SFH)
Emulation (#SFI)
Superplays (#SFJ)
RGB (#SFK)
Tate (#SFL)
The Quick List of Systems and Games (#SFM)
Other Resources (#SFN)





:::Organization (#SFC)

• Please keep posts on-topic with the current thread and forum section.
• Post threads in their proper sections. Moderators will move threads that are considered to be in the wrong place:
  • High Score boards on this forum are for shmups only. Sorry, no Rez or Metal Slug threads.
    High Scores are single credit only!
  • Shmups Chat is for shmups discussion only. Discussion of other games goes in the Off-Topic section.
  • High Score threads may contain strategy discussion with scores, but if the discussion is long and involved, please move it to the Strategy section. Please mark new strategy threads with the appropriate tag.

:::Manners (#SFD)

• When starting a thread, please be clear in your topic title. "Seeking opinions on new ABA game Titanion" is more helpful than "Check this out!"
• When possible, search for answers to your question on Google or using the forum's search feature (more details: #SFF).
  If you have a question that relates closely to an existing topic, you may ask it in the same thread. ("Necroposting" is okay on this forum.)
• Be polite or friendly when possible.

:::Topics to Avoid (#SFE.1)

Some people get annoyed by answering the same questions or seeing the same flamewars erupting again. Here are some topics we suggest you avoid:

• What are the best shmups ever?
  This is a perennially contentious topic that spawned the Top 25 Shmups of All Time voting to abate flamewars.
• What are the worst shmups ever?
  Example 1, Example 2
• Is Radiant Silvergun overrated?
  Example 1, Example 2 (a little hard to follow now as the original thread was cut in two. laurie47 asked for opinions on Radiant Silvergun and received... that.)
• Which version is better?
  Donpachi:
  1 2 3
  Dodonpachi:
  1 2 3
  Gunbird:
  1
  Gunbird 2:
  1
  Strikers 1945 I and II:
  1 2 3
• Complaining about Battle Garegga and its rank (roughly: its dynamic difficulty):
  Example 1, Example 2
  For direct information on how the rank system works, please consider the Battle Garegga treatise.

:::Searching (#SFF.1)

You can find the Search function at the top of each page.
On the Search page itself, you have several options available to you.


How to search:

The text you're looking for always goes in the top text field, even if you change other options.
One of the first things I do before each search is change the Search for any terms or use query as entered option to Search for all terms.

Why?
If you want information on Dodonpachi stage 2 chaining, you will get about 3,000 results with the default option. With this option changed, you will get about 20. You should have a lot less threads to look through before finding what you're looking for.

You may also want to change the "Display results as:" option from Topics to Posts to see what the content of the results are.



What to search:

It helps to know specifically what you're looking for. If you are looking for help with Radiant Silvergun's final boss, try radiant silvergun xiga or radiant silvergun final boss.

Try to avoid unnecessary words or phrases like "the", "an", or "help me". In a general search matching any word, they will cause too many threads to show in the results. In a specific search matching all words, one or more of those words may not be in a post that's perfect for you.

Try to be specific, but don't go overboard. If you are asking the search to match all words and get nothing, try removing a word or two at a time. There may be another way to write what you're looking for.



Related Searches

Also be aware that some players may use abbreviations or nicknames for certain games. Sometimes you'll find more if you search with these. Here are some examples:

Batrider = Armed Police Batrider
Garegga = Battle Garegga
DDP = Dodonpachi
DOJ or DDPDOJ = Dodonpachi daioujou
GB2 = Gunbird 2
Mushi = Mushihime-sama
RF2 = Raiden Fighters 2
RFJ = Raiden Fighters Jet
RSG = Radiant Silvergun
S1945 = Striker 1945
S1945II = Strikers 1945 II
S1999 = Strikers 1999 (Strikers 1945 III)
Souky = Soukyugrentai
V-Five (Toaplan's V-V)






:::Importing (#SFG)

Most shmups are developed in Japan and many are only released on consoles or in arcades in Japan. Many fans import games or hardware to get around these geographic restrictions.

Most arcade boards use the JAMMA standard, so the boards should be fit to use with any JAMMA-compliant cabinet or supergun. Importing arcade boards can be tempting if the game was never released outside of Japan or if the Japanese version is preferred by the player. Some boards can have their region changed by DIP switch, but this is a specific and advanced topic outside the scope of this article :)

For consoles, some players in PAL territories prefer to play 60Hz games in their original 60Hz presentation (not all games have a 50Hz/60Hz option). Other reasons for importing may range from wanting the game in another language to wanting the best version of a game. But often with Japanese games, the reason is because the games simply aren't sold in other territories.


There are a few ways to play import games, but which options are possible depends on the system in question.

Some systems may have a special adapter catridge that can be set to override the game's regional encoding to match that of the player's system. Some consoles can be modified directly with a switch to perform the same function. Others have more elaborate regional protection schemes and may need a mod chip or boot disk to bypass.


Mod chips can be difficult to install. They take a steady hand, soldering skill, and patience.
Region switches can also be difficult to install as they typically require soldering and minor modifications to the console's casing.
Some boot disks require little to no physical modification to the console, but they require a special disk to be loaded each time an import game is to be played.
Adapter catridges require very little work to use but only work on cartridge-based systems.


Note: mod chips may not be legal in your country. This is something to check before pursuing that option.


For more information or answers to questions, please consult the forum's Hardware section. You may also want to consult the Import Gaming section of the Other Resources (#SFN) at the end of this post.





:::Supergun (#SFH)

A supergun is basically a smaller, more portable arcade cabinet without a dedicated monitor. These are often built in a modular fashion to allow multiple controllers, monitors, and speakers to be hooked up over time.
Superguns can be built with the right parts and patience.

Commercial models exist, but the Mas Systems Super NOVA should be avoided like the plague. Beyond that, search or ask!





:::Emulation (#SFI)

Software emulation is a process to allow programs written for one hardware to run on another. An emulator is a program that performs this function.

Examples:
Gens emulates the Sega Genesis / MegaDrive hardware on a PC.
MAME emulates various arcade hardwares on a variety of platforms depending on the version of MAME used.
SSF is a Sega Saturn emulator for the PC.


To use an emulator, you need a few things:
1) an emulator written for a computer or console that you own that emulates your choice of hardware.
2) a ROM or disc image (ISO).
3) sometimes ROM files for the BIOS or system ROM of the target hardware.
4) patience and an ability to follow instructions.

Most emulators are written by programmers primarily for their own use, so they often have quirks or tricks you may need to use to get them to work. Readme.txt files will often explain how to use the emulator they are bundled with.


On this forum, discussion of emulation is okay, but discussion of where to get ROMs and disc images is not.

Examples:
"Hey, I was playing Air Gallet in MAME and I was wondering... what are the end-of-game bonuses?" = okay.
"WHERE CAN I DOWNLOAD DODONPACHI????1???" and "Hello, you can download Dodonpachi at..." = not okay.

Remember: ROM and disc image distribution is considered illegal in many countries and you are legally responsible for anything you post here. Don't try to sneak around these rules. Use common sense.
If you are unsure if something is okay to post, please contact one of the moderators.






:::Superplay (#SFJ)

If a replay is simply a video playback of someone playing a game, a superplay is a replay by someone possessing great skill. A superplay typically concentrates on score and scoring systems above all else, but the player may also clear the game without dying even if this is not integral to scoring. Several world record attempts were released as superplay videos.


Replays come as three main types: commercial DVD or VHS, video files, and input files (INPs).

• Replay DVDs and replay DVD purchasing may be discussed. Links to DVD rips are not allowed. Play-Asia and CocoeBiz/VGM World often have a selection of replay DVDs in stock.
• Videos are generally hosted on personal websites with limited bandwidth, so be courteous and please do not download too much from one server in one day.
  Most replays are recorded by Japanese players and the ability to read Japanese can help greatly in finding replays.
• Inputs are for use with MAME, but the viewer supplies his own ROMs for the game in question. In command-line MAME, inputs are replayed with the command-line format: (MAME.exe) [game name] -playback [replay name].
  MAME32 variants have an option in the File menu to "Playback input...".
  
  When the MAME core undergoes major revisions, controls for some or all games may prevent .INPs from working in newer versions. It is therefore important to note which version the game was recorded with and to try to match that. Personally, I've found that in terms of .INP content, most MAME builds with the same version number (eg: 0.67) will play the same replays. If MAME32 0.67 is easier to find than the exact build in question, it may still work.
  
  marp.retrogames.com and www.mog-rep.net have replays for many games. Make sure to always note the MAME version used and please don't ask for ROMs.

:::Tate (#SFK)

Many vertically scrolling shooters use a display that is taller than it is wide (aspect ratio 3:4). That is tate in Japan. This is accomplished by using a standard display rotated 90 degrees.

Tate or the colloquial verb tateing can be accomplished with many televisions and monitors and can increase the visual fidelity in home ports of vertically scrolling shooters that support this display type.

Be aware that not all televisions can safely be rotated in this way and there are potential risks involved.





:::RGB (#SFL)

Red, Green, Blue -- refers to a very nice type of video signal.
Questions about RGB signals, RGB monitors, and anything else about RGB should be posted in the Hardware section.






:::Quick List of Systems and Games (#SFM)

There are shmups for most systems, but there are a few systems blessed with many shmups or a good number of quality shmups.

Here are some popular consoles for shmups and some sample titles for each system. These lists aren't meant to be exhaustive, but may help if you're starting out with a system, new to the hobby, or simply looking for something to try.

Discussing favorite games, hidden gems, or even other systems can be fun, so don't limit yourself to only these. See the Xenocide Files (#SFM.8) for more titles.


PC-Engine:

• Blazing Lasers / GunHed
• Gate of Thunder (PC-Engine CD)
• Kyukyoku Tiger
• Lords of Thunder / Winds of Thunder (PC-Engine CD)
• Nexzr / Nexzr Special (PC-Engine CD)
• Soldier Blade
• Spriggan (PC-Engine CD)
• Super Star Soldier

MegaDrive / Genesis:

• Biohazard Battle / Crying
• Fire Shark / Same! Same! Same!
• Gleylancer
• Gynoug / Wings of War
• MUSHA Aleste
• Thunder Force 3
• Thunder Force 4 (Lightening Force in the USA)
• Truxton / Tatsujin

Saturn:

• Batsugun
• Battle Garegga
• Darius Gaiden
• Dodonpachi
• Hyper Duel
• Radiant Silvergun
• Rayforce / Galactic Attack / Layer Section
• Soukyugurentai
• Strikers 1945

Playstation:

• Donpachi
• Einhander
• G-Darius
• Gradius Gaiden (one stage runs slow on the PS2)
• Raiden DX
• R-Type Delta
• R-Types
• Strikers 1945 II
• Toaplan Shooting Battle (runs at the wrong speed on the PS2)

Dreamcast:

• Border Down
• Giga Wing
• Gunbird 2
• Ikaruga
• Mars Matrix

Playstation 2:

• Dodonpachi Daioujou
• Dragon Blaze (via the Psikyo Shooting Collection vol. 3)
• ESPGaluda
• Gradius V
• Ibara
• Shikigami no Shiro 2
• (plays most of the PS1 games)

Arcades:

• 1942
• 19XX: The War Against Destiny
• Armed Police Batrider
• Battle Garegga
• Blazing Star
• Darius Gaiden
• Dodonpachi
• Dragon Blaze
• Flying Shark
• Giga Wing
• Gradius
• Gunbird 2
• Guwange
• Mahou Daisakusen
• Mars Matrix
• Parodius Da!
• Progear no Arashi
• R-Type
• R-Type Leo
• Raiden
• Raiden Fighters
• Rayforce / Gunlock
• Salamander
• Strikers 1945 (also try the sequels!)
• Truxton / Tatsujin
• Twin Cobra / Kyukyoku Tiger

Other Lists:(#SFM.8)

For more shmups on various systems, please see the Xenocide files. As Malc is busy for now, you may also want to look through the Xenocide Files Updates thread to see what's missing.


If you were wanting a "Best of" list, try the community voted Top 25 Shmups of All Time. (You may also want to look through the voting and discussion threads.)




:::Other Resources (#SFN)

• Shmups Glossary, lovingly maintained by BulletMagnet. (Discussion thread is here.)
• Xenocide files and the Xenocide Files Updates.
• Chronology of Shooting - oxtsu's current project.
• Danmaku Gata - Japanese site giving up-to-date shmups news. Frequent updates. !!

Arcade game information:
System16.com
KLOV.com
(MAWS - only lists games currently in MAME)


Emulation information:
MAMEdev.com - MAME official site.
MAMEWorld


PC Shmups:
Shoot the Core


Import Gaming:
www.gamesx.com - RGB video and console importing information
www.namakoteam.com
www.ntsc-uk.com


Miscellaneous:
gamengai - features several translated interviews with Cave staff and other Japanese gaming information

I Records di Gamest - arcade world records as recorded by GAMEST and Arcadia.




Company-Specific Fansites

Cave, Raizing/Eighting, and Psikyo:
www.world-of-arcades.net - The Sheep's site, now maintained by rtw.

Seibu Kaihatsu:
http://nmt.cside.com/raiden/index.htm - Raiden DX (in Japanese)
http://www2c.biglobe.ne.jp/~abfuku/raiden/rf_index.html - Raiden Fighters series, Raiden DX, and Viper Phase 1 (in Japanese)
http://www.rf-emporium.net - Alluro's tribute to Seibu Kaihatsu's games and Psyiko's Strikers series.

Taito:
Huge Darius Battleships - devoted to bosses in the Darius series.

Toaplan:
http://homepage1.nifty.com/shootingstar/index.html -- very nice Toaplan fan site in Japanese.

Treasure:
http://www.ikaruga.co.uk



Official Sites
http://www.alfasystem.net
http://www.cave.co.jp
http://www.grev.co.jp
http://www.mile-stone.co.jp/index.html
http://www.mossjp.co.jp
http://www.skonec.com
http://www.taito.co.jp
http://www.takumi-net.co.jp
http://www.treasure-inc.co.jp/index01.html
http://www.triangleservice.co.jp
http://www.warashi.co.jp/



Forums in other languages:

Chinese:

• HK-STG

French:

• Shmup.com

German:

• Triggerzone.de

Italian:

• Arcade EXTREME

Swedish:

• STGFAN

FAQ creation and discussion thread here.

[incognoscente]

CMoon: A small variety of reasons. The shortest and easiest is, "I don't want to." :)

A slightly more convoluted answer is that, speaking in general, I prefer to start and/or finish a project rather than keep it alive or continually modify it. I don't like too much of that kind of routine in my life.

Besides, I already have a thread or two to update.



Changes in the revision:

• Removed the political correctness section
• Added "worst shmups" to Topics to Avoid
• Added Dragon Blaze to PS2 list
• Removed link to Super-Play (did not receive a reply via e-mail)
• GEMANT approved linking to the Gamest high scores list
• Modified the Organization and Manners sections to be shorter and a little less obtuse.
• Made Topics to Avoid the skip-code example up top so that anyone that bothers testing that feature will skip immediately to the topics to avoid :)
• Removed the MAME-specific subheading for Emulation information as there are no non-MAME links yet.
• Changed the Dodonpachi daioujou shorthand from DDP:DOJ to simply DOJ in the Related Searches subsection
• Made a link to this discussion thread at the very bottom.

Things to consider (for the next person)

• Changing all links to link format. In the Firefox build I use, at least, some links render with and others without underlines. This is why.
• Finding or asking for links to emulation news sites that do not contain or link to ROMs.
• Make the games lists consistent in the regional names given. I think I may have listed the US name first for some, JP first for others.
• Give the regions the listed games are available in? I did this initially until I couldn't remember which titles received PAL releases.
• Rearrange the links section. I put it there, gave it basic formatting and didn't touch it again. It could use a hand.
• Finish tagging the subsections. Then, if someone on the forum decides to pull the "read the FAQ, n00b!" move, they could at least have the decency to provide a (#SFM) section code.

The credit-feeding note did not make it in except in regards to the high score section as this is not nearly a universal value. It could be considered a topic to avoid, but I think most that don't credit feed find it cathartic to complain about the unwashed swine that do.

[CMoon]

So what are we waiting for on this? A mod to make it happen? A user willing to maintain it?

[Zach Keene]

Sorry, I've been pretty busy lately.

[Minzoku]

The FAQ looks awesome! Thanks, incognoscente [and ZK]!

[CMoon]

Thanks for putting it up Zach! I hope it helps keep the stupid to a minimum.

[incognoscente]

Thank you, Zach!


(I was out of town for several days, hence the lack of reply.)

[MJR]

I just had a look at the FAQ - Excellent stuff there! Thanks!

[Ceph]

Please include Eliminate Down among the best MD shmups.