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Mario Kart >> Mario Kart 8 >> Beta Test the New Players' Page
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Message started by Jazzy on 03/28/16 at 15:01:05

Title: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 03/28/16 at 15:01:05

Some of you may be aware that a brand new version of the MK8 Players' Page is under development. If you haven't heard of this, it's true!--I've been working on it for the past year along with Mick and Scott Abbey (IsThatAGoodTime). You can read more here: http://www.mariokart64.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1426272560 (although some of this info may be dated).

There's still plenty to be done before the site is ready to go live and replace the current Players' Page. However, we'd like some help testing the site in the mean time. As of now, the main features that have been developed are an account system (you heard it!) and a submission form to submit your new records (which is great news!)

We're looking for testers for two reasons: (1) to make sure the site functions properly, and (2) to get some feedback to see where we can improve things. If you'd like to be considered for our testing program, feel free to sign up below.

We can't invite everybody to test our site, though. We need to keep the pool of testers fairly small, at least for the time being. Mainly, we are concerned about active MK8 players, as well as people who have played MK8 but are more active in the other games. But please don't shy away from putting your name on the sign-up list - we'd love to see everybody's interest in this project!

We'd like to get the testing program rolling starting some time next month (April). In the mean time, let this thread be the official discussion thread for the Players' Page upgrade.

A special thanks to our testers:

Blaze
cwifier
Cynda Quil
Frederiek Warreyn
Lafungo
Max (TengusQua)
Sam F
thewebinator
Tim van Ham

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by I¢£ on 03/28/16 at 15:32:06

I'd love to help, but I read your cancer signature so nvm.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by canadianwifier on 03/28/16 at 15:34:28

can help test. [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 03/28/16 at 16:27:19

2E24222220207675747372470 wrote:

I'd love to help, but I read your cancer signature so nvm.

Aww well that's too bad then. To be completely honest I was contemplating how people would react seeing my signature there as I made this thread. I don't mean to offend anyone and if I am, let me know and I will happily remove it.

Edit: Just removed that forum signature of mine. I'm sorry if it was offensive and I really didn't mean for that. Let's just put this behind us now. Don't forget, my dedication to this project over the past year shows how much I care to make this community and its site better. So I'm hoping we can move on with the testing program as intended.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Cyndaquil on 03/31/16 at 09:06:28

I'd be willing to help in any way I can. You know my Skype already from the pp chat, so you can add me there to contact.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 03/31/16 at 15:21:49

A big thanks to all those who have been testing the site the last few days. So far things have gone very well, so let's keep it up! Glad to have the support, it means a lot to me [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Sam F on 04/01/16 at 06:02:10

I could help.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Terrence Fenner on 04/01/16 at 07:39:50

You guys should do this for ALL the Mario Karts 8-)
Awesome idea

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Mick on 04/01/16 at 13:15:40

22262622202020100 wrote:

I could help.

We have enough people for our testing purposes at this point.

However, if you want, I can put you on a waiting list for when we will expend the beta further and open it to more players :)

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 04/01/16 at 13:16:00

4B6C7865416B787E0A0 wrote:

You guys should do this for ALL the Mario Karts 8-)
Awesome idea

I'm really hoping this is how it will turn out. If the MK8 site is successful, the plan is to bring it to all the games eventually [smiley=thumbsup.gif]

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Terrence Fenner on 04/28/16 at 09:39:50

Awesome. I can totally submit my stuff on all the MKs :)

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Latrellyancy on 07/27/16 at 09:32:41

Can y help me ;D ;D

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 10/29/16 at 15:00:38

Just an update on the development status:

The submission system is developed, and players can submit times on our test site using a form (no more YahooGroups or Forum submissions with a specific format to follow -- you just type the times into boxes for each track).
There are profile pages which list a player's times, and another page with a list of all the players on the site.
There are charts for each of the courses, and a total times rankings page (for both non-DLC and DLC). The other rankings, such as AF, will be done later, as it is much easier for me that way.
You can view the PR history for each player (i.e., a list of all the times a player has submitted over time, even if they are outdated PRs)
There are some other pages such as a site/regional/national records page.

The next step is for me to get working on the "verifications system", where trusted members can verify the times that players submit. This is a big chunk of the development and will replace the "times updating" system that the updaters use now.

Feel free to leave any comments or questions about the new site, I'd love to hear!

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Cole on 11/20/16 at 11:21:12

Here are my ideas for a verification system:

-Times that new players submit must be verified by updaters.
-If a player is on the site for 3+ months and had 100+ PRs submitted and verified, they get "auto-update" enabled, meaning they don't have to wait for updaters to approve their times. When they submit times they are instantly shown on the site.
-Updaters can revoke this status or give it to anyone that they feel can be trusted (e.g. a well-known member of the community who wants to join the PP).
-If someone tries to submit a time .5 faster than WR, the system will warn them. They can still submit the time but it must be verified (even if they have auto-update).
-Each player has a limit of 100 submissions per day.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 11/20/16 at 11:58:19

I like these ideas, but some more thoughts about it:

Quote:

If a player is on the site for 3+ months and had 100+ PRs submitted and verified, they get "auto-update" enabled, meaning they don't have to wait for updaters to approve their times. When they submit times they are instantly shown on the site.

This is an interesting idea, and I've thought of it before. However, what if they had 100 verified times but several rejected times? Then what? Are they trusted? We could say that they have to have a 100% clean record, but if they make a typo once, are they now un-trusted? Something to think about. Edit: When I originally thought of this "auto-update" feature months ago, my idea was that times by any "trusted" players should still go through the verifications system, but they will appear on the site right away. This is just so we can prevent typos or other fakes more easily.

Quote:

If someone tries to submit a time .5 faster than WR, the system will warn them. They can still submit the time but it must be verified (even if they have auto-update).

I'd say that they should only be warned if they have auto update. Either way, the verifiers will be warned. This is an attempt to catch possible cheaters/liars more easily.

Another edit: It is worth noting that there are different "roles" staff can have on the new site: "verifiers" are responsible for verifying submissions; "moderators" have more power over players' profiles and their submissions (I haven't decided exactly what these powers will be), and "news updaters" can edit the news.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Frederiek06 on 12/04/16 at 12:04:28

About Cole's ideas:

Time updating will already be less time consuming. I don't know if it's needed to have auto-updates. But yes there are players that you can fully trust.

"-Updaters can revoke this status or give it to anyone that they feel can be trusted"
I fear a bit for peer pressure here. A lot of players are in group chats and and I'm imagining that time updaters will be asked things like "why does his times get auto-updated and not mine?". And when you don't give in, you will only get negativity.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Mick on 12/04/16 at 17:03:37

0B3F2829283F2428267D7B4D0 wrote:

Auto-updating status would be a relatively limited privilege, not something handed out like candy.
Also, attributing such status would have to be well justified, and could possibly require the opinion of more than a single person of the staff.

The details on how to implement such feature are still up for discussion, and it's unsure it will be in the first version of the site since it's not absolute priority, but it could still be a good addition even if, as you say, updating should be much faster than before.

Title: Re: Beta Test the New Players' Page
Post by Jazzy on 02/26/17 at 12:17:00

Just providing an update on the status of the new site:

Support for MK8 Deluxe has just been added to the current (unfinished) version of the site. When the site launches, you will be able to submit times for both the Wii U and Switch versions of the game. For now, the charts are separated, but we may make a combined chart in the future.
The verifications site is near complete, however I'm still working on a "mod tools" site which will allow moderators to manage the charts and players. What tools will be provided to mods is still being discussed.
There are course charts and total times rankings on the new site so far. AF and PRSR are planned for site launch, with ARR coming in the future (when standards are made).

The site is about two-thirds complete, and I hope to have it ready some time this year (probably later rather than earlier). It really depends on school/work which is currently very busy. However, I'm trying my hardest to work on the site when I can -- it's a big job for one person.

I'd like to thank all those who have seen the site's development and given their feedback. It's great motivation to keep going, and I'm just as excited for the new site as all of you :)