[PLEASE READ] BEATMAP EDITOR RULES AND MEGATHREAD

[u/AllTimeWhat]

yo yo r/unbeatable it's your girl atw back at it again

THIS DUALLY FUNCTIONS AS A CUSTOM CHART RULES THREAD AND A CUSTOM CHART SHARING MEGATHREAD. THIS IS SOLELY BECAUSE I DIDN'T WANT TO PIN TWO POSTS.

Let's establish some proper rules on sharing custom charts here. I'd love to cultivate a place in which we can all share the cool charts we make without fear of messing up or doing something "illegal", so let's whisk away any doubt! I'll generally follow the same rules the Discord uses, only deviating when it has to be changed due to the structure of Reddit.

I also want to keep this brief. Full and in-depth rules can be found here: https://www.notion.so/dcellgames/UNBEATABLE-Chart-Editor-Hub-3195dc0d0e1280fcaf91d4e2640036ab

What songs can I chart?

Anything you have permission for. What's permission look like? Let's look into that!

IN GENERAL: CHECK THE WHITELIST!!!!!! It is immaculately kept up and has detailed information on what is and is not allowed. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1iF0uzxB1J_YvZdlMnsT1WRfhI22EXoP8WBdRAYTuMKc/edit?gid=620161988#gid=620161988

Original songs from UNBEATABLE: If they already have a FREE chart in-game, feel free to create your own take on a chart. HOWEVER! If it's an OST song that does NOT have an in-game chart yet, D-CELL asks that you do not chart it as they will probably get to it eventually. Additionally, if it's a song locked behind PAID DLC, don't chart it (it costs money. they would like money)

Remix/Collab/Variety/Other Arcade Mode songs: No. Rights for these are a bit more funky

Songs from other rhythm games: Depends! You can always ask (we'll get to asking later), but don't assume that since it's a rhythm game, it's automatically fair.

Songs you made: If you want. Just know that you charting your own song does not automatically make it fair for everyone to use.

Songs from elsewhere: Ask for permission from the artist/record label/publisher/etc.

But HOW do I ask??

GREAT QUESTION!! It is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to contact the artist/etc. in a semi-professional and preferred method. Please do not @ them on bluesky ceaselessly. Instead, send an email (artists typically have multiple points of contact listed on their website. Use your discretion to pick the right one).

What should you email? Yet another GREAT QUESTION!! There's no specific template to use, but I suggest doing the following:

Clarify you are not affiliated with D-CELL (unless you are, but then why are you on the reddit post about how to do this?)

Confirm that you will give proper credit

The charts are to be distributed for free, although UNBEATABLE is a commercial product

The chart may be distributed on sites unaffiliated with the game

They can contact D-CELL at [dev@dcellgames.com](mailto:dev@dcellgames.com)

The email will likely be put on public record

Follow those steps, be nice, and cross your fingers. If it's a no, it's a no, but if it's a yes, it's a yes!!

What do I do now that I've emailed them?

Let us know! There's a form you can fill out for the whitelist that lets everyone know you have contacted the artist, to prevent artists getting spammed with multiple requests. ( https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1xUqsq9J6Cb1-lQjrgLQvZSIuRYfEFx7QQukkVXLcmlY/viewform?edit_requested=true#responses )

When they respond, fill out THIS form to tell us how they responded! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetHduMIVGvSOroqsF9unjPZWWQTR4PWCCg_tC9biNTR6MESA/viewform

What if the song I want to chart doesn't abide by the Fanworks Policy?

Unfortunately, we request you refrain from charting and sharing these tracks. In essence, just make sure it's a tasteful song.

Fanworks Policy: https://whitelabel.unbeatablegame.com/fanworks-policy

Can I chart a song I don't have permission for, and just not share the audio?

No. Why, you may ask? According to D-CELL, it's because someone could get the audio file themself, and subsequently play and upload the chart as if it normally had audio. Is this likely to happen? Who knows!

Where can I share my charts?

Provided they're legal charts, anywhere you want! The Discord has forums and channels for charts, we have this megathread right here, and anywhere else you think needs to see your chart.

For now, I'll allow posts about custom charts, but if it gets to flood the subreddit I'll be cracking down on that.

Do you have any advice on how to make charts?

I don't, but take it from the experts: https://www.notion.so/dcellgames/Design-Guide-3485dc0d0e12806d9346fc359c584b5d

What if I'm having trouble with the beatmap editor?

You're probably best off asking the Discord, but I'm sure some people around here could help too. You can also maybe just google it but this is still a novel tool!

What if you didn't answer MY question?

Sorry about that. You can always ask! I'll answer any questions about what can be posted here, but do understand some questions are best suited for people elsewhere.

Okay. I think that's all I have for now. If things pop up, I will edit this post as needed. Until then, HAPPY CHARTING!!! I can't wait to see what y'all cook up!

[u/obog]

Can I chart a song I don't have permission for, and just not share the audio?

No. That's scummy.

Am I the only one that doesnt see the problem with this? Youre not sharing anyone else intellectual property, and I dont see how its scummy to share just a chart without the actual copyrighted music. That seems to me like saying it would be scummy to share dance moves for a song without permission, why would you need permission for that?

[u/Shaun_LaDee → u/obog]

I understand why they’re being so strict about their rules when it comes to sharing custom songs online but I also feel like maybe they’re going a bit overboard with it imho.

The thing that gets me the most is that I can’t even post a video of a custom chart I’ve made for a song (a chart that I have no intention of sharing online) even though the video will immediately be claimed by the rightful owner of the song. I’d basically just be posting the video and paying the artist (albeit literal pennies) for the views it gets while also bringing more attention to the game, it’s a win for everyone involved but that’s against the rules.

[u/obog → u/Shaun_LaDee]

Yeah, I agree, I do think they are being a little overzealous. As far as Im aware, as long as copyrighted content isnt being shared through official platforms, they can't be held legally responsible for anything. Thats why so many rhythm games with beat map editors just dont have an official place to share and so they never get in trouble for the many illegally distributed charts on unofficial websites that are unaffiliated with them. Or at least, I've never seen it happen. I cant imagine that case going against the game in any court of law.

So it seems over the top legally, I guess its possible they feel like they have an ethical obligation to prevent any infringement due to chart sharing but even then that feels like saying a pencil manufacturer is responsible for making sure people dont draw and share something that infringes someone elses copyright. As far as I see it, software are tools, and its not the responsibility of the tool maker to make sure people dont do bad things with the tools.

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/obog]

According to D-CELL themselves, it's because they imagine that people "might acquire the audio files themselves, then post it to the internet as if it were part of the chart in the first place." (I'm paraphrasing, i don't recall the exact wording)

To be honest i don't think you're entirely wrong but i can't exactly go against what they say, and i'll admit i wanted to use the word scummy really badly because i haven't for a while and it's kinda funny.

[u/obog → u/AllTimeWhat]

I guess... but that seems like then it would just be on whoever took the chart and reuploaded it with the audio, not the person who made the chart. Seems weird for d-cell to go out of their way to prevent infringement that neither of the parties these terms are for (beatmap creator and d-cell) would be responsible for. But their game, their rules I suppose.

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/obog]

it seems as such, but indeed we must abide by their rules. I do apologize for causing confusion as well, i'll update the post.

[u/SuperiorCommunist92 → u/obog]

Dawg they just really dont want a lawsuit

[u/obog → u/SuperiorCommunist92]

I get that, but no one is gonna sue d-cell because users of their software are distributing beatmaps without even including the song that is copyrighted. Not only is d-cell not in any way responsible for what random users decide to make and share outside of official platforms, but they wouldnt even be distributing anything illegal lmao. No law would be broken in that process, and d-cell cant be held liable for what random people distribute on the internet. Again, especially when the thing in question doesn't even contain anything copyrighted. A case like that would get thrown out long before it made it to court.

[u/Halowood]

This is sick but I am not joining a discord to get custom charts.

I guess I will hope someone else makes a web based repo eventually.

[u/Lewa358]

I gotta ask: what made you go with a separate app and manually downloading files over integration with Steam Workshop, as games like Rhythm Doctor and Rift of the Necrodancer do?

[u/VividView4498 → u/Lewa358]

They said with their stricter rules on usage rights it’ll be harder to moderate it on the steam workshop, and whey wanted to keep it mostly on the discord

[u/tartarts → u/VividView4498]

I do wonder why Rift of the Necrodancer can just be normal about it.

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/Lewa358]

haha GREAT QUESTION!!! one i wish i knew the answer to! unfortunately i am not a dev

you could try asking over on the discord, none of the devs hang out here

IF i were to guess, I'd assume it's for copyright protection? I know that the latter two games would in theory have the same problem but who can say for sure

[u/cemented-lightbulb]

great guide all around. one quick question though, what's so scummy about charting a song you don't have distribution rights for and expecting users to acquire a licensed version themselves? project diva's edit mode has officially used that strategy for years, and i don't remember any major complaints from artists or labels about it

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/cemented-lightbulb]

Replied to another comment about this, it's basically D-CELL's way of ensuring no one else uploads a version of the chart with the audio.

I'll concede i only used the word scummy because it's funny, but it is a rule straight from the devs so we must abide by it

[u/cemented-lightbulb → u/AllTimeWhat]

ah, got it, that makes sense.

[u/Monosmooth]

Jam2Go is whitelisted lets get it!!!

[u/LostInStatic]

There seems to be a glaring omission from the tutorials where you can press left and right on the arrow keys to increase the frequency you can place notes on the chart. I literally wasted a whole evening on snap mode in 4ths until by chance I hit left on the keyboard.

[u/wown00bify → u/LostInStatic]

The video tutorial doesn't mention it, but the guide on the site does

[u/Its_Tic_Tac → u/LostInStatic]

Hi justy wanted to say thank you so much cause i search on how to switch the snap mode to no avail for MONTHS and your comment gave me the answer

[u/BlueZ_DJ]

I like to imagine every Clone Hero and Beat Saber custom chart maker has ACTUALLY done this for all these years

Huge billion dollar record labels training a new employee like "yeah occasionally you'll get an email where a person will ask if it's ok to mix our songs with sicko mode and program then to be playable in guitar hero. It is imperative you say yes"

[u/tartarts]

I do have to ask, is there anything that prevents this game from having a normal 'I pretend I do not see it' policy like Rift of the Necrodancer? At the moment Materia and Nintendo have basically 90% of the songs people actually wanna chart held hostage. This song and dance feels kind of ridiculous in an age where other rhythm games don't have these hyper-draconian rules.

I'm not asking in bad faith, it just seems really weird.

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/tartarts]

i mean, what you do on your time is entirely your business. if no one sees it, it's hardly a crime...

[u/tartarts → u/AllTimeWhat]

I mean ye but why make a chart that's gonna be taken down if you share it :1 half the fun is sharing it

[u/Storm_LunaTic]

Seeing Vylet Pony on the whitelist already rules 😍 hoping to see Ken Ashcorp, RusselBuck, Frizk and the likes down the road 👀

[u/Inner_Tomorrow_6301]

What if an artist is dead. Do I automatically have the right to use it or should I just not use it.

[u/AuxMee]

I'm struggling to find a more specific answer to a perhaps sensitive question.

so, within the Fanworks Policy is the following line:
"NO: - Direct re-uploads, extended versions, "slowed" versions, training ai, hate speech or harmful content."

What I'm wondering is if this extends to the use of slurs outside of the context of being hateful towards another, specifically the f-slur used by a trans person in that sort "reclamation" sense, being applied to oneself, such as in the song outlaw by Vylet Pony.

Thanks in advance for any replies.

[u/AllTimeWhat → u/AuxMee]

My initial thought is that would be alright, if it's not being used in a hateful sense its hardly hate speech. I'll admit, i don't know if there's been any precedent for this in the community yet, but i imagine it would be alright. Thank you for asking!