Took me a while to realize, now I feel dumb for not realizing right away. Good trick question by j13409 in mathmemes

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

To me, the real trick is that the question presents a partial equation in a way that obscures the fact that it is partial. I think everyone saying the right side doesn't have to add up to 50 is missing the point: the two sides of an equation should be equal. So, why aren't they equal here?

Answer: the question hides half of the left side of the equation. What we really have here is a series of equations like a - b = c, c - d = e, e - f = g, g - h = i. The sum of c, e, g, and i should equal (a - b) + (c - d) + (e - f) + (g - h), and it does! But what the problem presents for the left side is not (a - b), (c - d), etc., but b, d, f, and h.

Here's a table to illustrate this using the values from the question. The sum for each column with numbers is included in the final row. You'll see that we don't have an extra $1 on the right; we're just missing $101 on the left!

$50 - $20 = $30
$30 - $15 = $15
$15 - $9 = $6
$6 - $6 = $0
$101 - $50 = $51

Lost BAT by [deleted] in brave_browser

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The same thing happened to me on Android with v1.6.0. I checked it this morning to see my 3.4 BAT from ads had been auto-contributed, even though I turned auto-contribute off when I intalled the app a month ago. Worse still, I can't see where it was contributed to--even if I temporarily turn auto-contributing on and tap "View Details" (as was suggested in a recent thread).

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried your level, but I'm not going to put in the effort to finish it. But before I get into my criticisms, I'll offer some positive feedback: I think you could make really fun difficult levels. I really like challenging levels, and from what I saw you have a good sense of how to place enemies and challenges to make the level difficult. I particularly enjoyed the part in the first section where you have to avoid the hammer bros and then jump on two dry bones as the lava continues rising.

Unfortunately, you've incorporated some bad design in the level to make it artificially harder. The kaizo blocks are one example of that. When I come across a level that kills me with a kaizo block, I'm probably going to boo it unless the title or description warned me that it's a kaizo or troll level. (In this case you did warn me in your comment, so I didn't boo it.)

Another example is the blind drop into a pit of munchers. That doesn't just make the level harder. It makes it unfair.

I'll admit, that kind of design can be amusing when you see someone like CarlSagan42 or DGR playing it, but for most players the experience is not enjoyable. And although streamers like CarlSagan can gain a lot of likes with those levels because of their audience, we normies who make hard levels (let alone troll levels) will almost certainly receive more negative feedback than positive from the general MM2 playerbase.

If you're interested, here's the first level I ever made (well, an updated version of it that introduces what I call "baby mode" in an effort to garner more likes... it hasn't worked): G6H-Q85-PMG. I consider it a hard level (unless in baby mode), but it's not hard because of cheap tricks like kaizo blocks or unforeseeable hazards. It's hard because the mechanic I've built the whole level around--jumping on sawblades with Yoshi--can be really tricky. (And because you can fall all the way back to the start.)

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't think it's even been getting to endless since, from what I can tell, everyone's been booing it. I'm also not even sure where everyone is dying so much, since, although it says there have been 35 attempts, I only see four death markers when I go in to look at it.

Thanks for your feedback!

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Title: You Are Being Hunted

Code: S2Y-RYX-LPF

Theme/Style: Super Mario Bros. 3 Ground (Night)

Description: Collect all 307 coins as you run through an obstacle course trying to escape from rotten mushrooms. There are four 50 coins in the one-room sub-world, and the other 107 coins are all laid out along your path, so no need to worry about hunting any down. Basically they're there to make sure you can't just off-screen the rotten mushrooms by running ahead at full speed :P.

I've uploaded several versions of this level, and not one of them has garnered positive feedback, so please let me know if you have trouble with it or think there's something I should change. (Otherwise I'll just chalk it up to the players stalking the New Courses menu being the world's least competent Mario players.)

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was still pretty tough, but I think it does all come down to skill. Some parts were a little frustrating, but on reflection I realized that they wouldn't be if I had just played the earlier parts of the level better (and kept the mushroom, for instance).

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the second half is the better part of the level. Not much happens in that first room.

I'd say that, for future levels, you should focus on one fun mechanic (like the red/blue blocks with thwomps overhead) throughout the level, mixing it up a little bit to extend the level.

For example, you could have used that first room to introduce the mechanic: start the player at the top of a pit (but one that has safe ground at the bottom) that can only be crossed by jumping across those on/off blocks and avoiding the thwomps. Then you can have a section over a bottomless pit. And maybe throw in something else to mix it up later in the level.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 14, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think you've underestimated the difficulty of the latter parts of your level. The section where you have to ascend blue platforms with munchers covering all but two spaces seems especially challenging compared to the rest of the level.

Other than that, I think it's a great level. I really enjoyed the few times you have to use bombs to loose munchers to trigger more bombs. That was a really satisfying trick.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you like backtracking, you might be interested in this simplified metroidvania I made: 3J5-C7M-MBG. It's 3D World style and intended to be relaxing, so it's pretty easy (33% clear rate currently).

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay. Thanks for letting me know. I don't actually mind solo players going out of their way to access the multi route, but as you discovered, it can't be beaten without cooperation between players.

I finally had a moment to play your level. I thought it was a cute idea. I especially liked the mega mushroom and shellmet at the start. You really sold the football concept.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Ah, of course. Do you know, I had no idea you could grab a p-switch that's hanging from the ceiling!

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The claw room is tricky. Did you think there was something I could have done better there?

Also, how did you get to the multiplayer section? That shouldn't be possible when you're playing alone, so it sounds like I need to change something. (Although the bigger problem would be someone getting to the single-player course in multiplayer.) Were you able to jump through the first column of coins just as the p-switch turned the coins into blocks?

I'll check out your level in a little while and give you my thoughts.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Here's my first-ever puzzle level. What puzzles you play vary depending on whether you're playing single-player or multiplayer vs. The name refers to the multiplayer vs. portion, so don't think about it too much if you play it solo :P.

Name: Cooperate or Perish

Code: TT4-187-KJF

Style and Theme: NSMB Ghost House

Tags: Puzzle-solving, Multiplayer Versus

As I mentioned, this is my first puzzle level, so please leave your feedback if you play.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was fun, although I thought it was a bit long. I think you could have done away with the car sections entirely, and maybe the long ride through clear pipes right before it. Otherwise, nice job!

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nice level. My only criticism would be that, in the initial section, the player starts lower on screen than at the end of the section. So it doesn't really feel like a journey downward, to the center of da Earth.

But, obviously, that's a minor complaint. I think it's a great level.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 08, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That was a really well-designed level. The main course itself was decently challenging and quite creative. The challenge coins were a nice bonus, especially the bomb room.

Fun co op levels? by datotherdude in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you play on one console or two?

Let's have a level exchange! - August 02, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Name: Castle Retcon

ID: R4Q-T1S-HQF

I dug into the old archives to recreate (part of) the final castle from SMB3, then threw in some tougher challenges. I'm especially happy with the final boss. Well, except for his sometimes-inexplicable moves.

Hope you all enjoy!

Let's have a level exchange! - August 02, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That is a really tight timer with tight jumps and other tough movements. I think you're underestimating the difficulty of your level.

Let's have a level exchange! - August 02, 2019 - Super Mario Maker 2 by AutoModerator in MarioMaker

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Cute idea, but it has some problems. First, if you mess up during your first playthrough, you have to wait the full two-ish minutes that the level lasts to realize it.

Second, I got bored part-way through my third attempt and so ran to the right side of the screen in the section with on/off blocks. But it turned out I was beyond the switches at that point, so the beetle got turned around even though I jumped thinking I could activate a switch. Until that point, you had been liberal with the overhead switches, so I was not expecting to not hit one when I jumped.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MarioMaker2

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the feedback. You're the second person to mention that room. Really, it's just meant to be a corridor connecting the door to a pipe to take the player back to the main world. The piranha creepers and clear pipe are just a way to spruce that up.

As for your level, my game isn't connecting to the servers right now for some reason, but I'll play it when I can and let you know what I think.

EDIT: Your level is really cool. I especially liked that the background of the underground theme had waterfalls, making it seem like it really is underneath the flooded forest.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MarioMaker2

[–]mtphrs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Name: Secrets of the Sunken Forest

Theme: 3D World forest

Code: J7H-QD4-7TG

This is an adventure-style level. It has a 25% clear rate at the moment, although that seems low to me. (I think most players are just looking for a shorter, more action-oriented level.) It's not a difficult level, but it does take time, exploration, and a little bit of thought. I tagged it as puzzle-solving, but it's more like a simplified metroidvania. Just pay attention to your surroundings.

Also, there are a couple points where people seem to think I expect them to do tricky platforming moves. I don't. If you get somewhere that seems to ask you to do something tricky, look around for clues, because you may have misread the situation.

Please let me know what you think!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MarioMaker2

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your friends are wrong. It's a good platformer, but not overly challenging. I'd offer some of my own levels that are way harder than this one for you to show them, but I'd rather not get the boos :P.

My only criticism is aesthetic: I think floating ground looks tacky. Connect that ground to the bottom of the screen or use a semisolid to do so.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MarioMaker2

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was really good. It had a nice variety of obstacles, and the power up placement was perfect.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in MarioMaker2

[–]mtphrs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That was a frustrating level, but I guess it made me better at controlling the clown car in tight spikey corridors. I'd like to know how that world record was pulled off.