TS Rules (12-24)

[size=6][u]I. Rules[/u][/size]
	[size=3][b]a.) Parameters[/b][/size]

- In order for a song to be used on ThirdStyle, one of these two rules must be satisfied:
	a.) the artist of the song must grant explicit permission to allow ThirdStyle to use one or any of their works.
	b.) the song in question must fall under a Creative Commons license [b][url=http://thirdstyle.com/forum/showthread.php/834-Post-Stepable-Music](see this thread for details)[/url][/b].
- Every submission must have four difficulties - Beginner, Easy, Medium, and Hard. All difficulties must be contained within a single .sm file, and each submission should have only one .mp3 file. [b][color=red]Files with .ogg audio will be auto-rejected.[/color][/b]
- Beginner difficulty charts must average less than two notes per second (example: 190 notes in a 1:40 song = 1.9 NPS). An ideal average to shoot for in a Beginner chart is one and a half notes per second.

	[size=3][b]b.) Limitations[/b][/size]
- Holds are acceptable in any difficulty.
- Triples and quads can be used in any non-Beginner difficulty; however, use them sparingly on Easy and Medium difficulty charts.
- BPM changes and stops are acceptable in any song, but use them appropriately. ThirdStyle's game engine does capture BPM changes, and the in-game scroll rate is affected by the average BPM of the song.
- Mines cannot be used in any chart, on any difficulty.
- The recommended song length is anywhere from 1:30 to 3:00; however, there is no minimum or maximum song length.

[size=6][u]II. Implied Rules[/u][/size]
- You are not allowed to plagiarize another simfile. This includes, but is not limited to:
	[i]- directly copy and pasting patterns from another simfile
	- reuse a simfile artist's gimmicks without their permission
	- reuse simfile graphics from another simfile. Our skilled graphic artists (Nocturne and Heronius) will gladly handle your graphics if you are not capable of creating them yourself. Please note: if you create graphics that fall below the standards of our graphic artists, they will be replaced.[/i]
	[i][color=blue]- You [b]are[/b] allowed to use another simfile artist's offsets to use as a skeleton. If a song has a dynamic tempo, you are allowed to use a skeleton with proper BPMs. [b]If you use a previous chart as a skeleton, let us know in the e-mail.[/b][/color][/i]

[size=6][u]III. Consequences[/u][/size]
- Failure to follow the parameters/limitations listed under "I. Rules" will result in an immediate rejection for the simfile. Multiple offenses will result in the file being passed over without any indication.
- Submission of plagiarized charts is a very serious offense, and will result in removal from the simfile artist group, removal from Stepcloud access, and a submission blacklist. Submission of simfiles during a blacklist on any account (main or alternate) will result in a site-wide ban. Continued submission/harassment will result in a permanent ban from ThirdStyle.
- Obtain permission from simfile artists if you intend on using gimmicks from a previous chart. Your first submission of charts with plagiarized gimmicks will be auto-rejected. Sending a second submission with plagiarized chart gimmicks will result in removal from the simfile artist group, removal from Stepcloud access, and a submission blacklist.

[size=6][u]IV. Submission[/u][/size]
- Send all ThirdStyle submissions to [email protected]. Submissions must be attached to the e-mail as a .zip that contains a properly labeled folder [an example of a properly labeled folder is song name (user name)]. The mp3 quality should be anywhere from 192 Kbps to 320 Kbps, constant bitrate. If your artist is not located in the Blanket Permissions section of the [b][url=http://thirdstyle.com/forum/showthread.php/1370-Permission-List]Permissions List thread[/url][/b], list how you found the song (Newgrounds, permission link, Creative Commons, etc); otherwise, your e-mail might be ignored.

All file submissions end up in the [b][url=http://thirdstyle.com/forum/forumdisplay.php/19-Simfile-Review-Design-and-Development]Simfile Review, Design, and Development[/url][/b] sub-forum. If you do not see your submission, you either did not follow the rules listed above, or it has not been seen by the simfile moderation team.