What rating should Geometry Dash get?

[ShoneChello]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/322170/Geometry_Dash/
I think this is an interesting case that may require discussion.

As far as I'm aware, the official levels contain no woke content whatsoever. However, this game has a level editor that allows players to create and publish levels for others to play. Due to the nature of player-made content, It's inevitable that some custom levels would contain woke content.

Since this game is practically built with custom levels in mind, the review that it gets could have ramifications for future reviews of games that are based around custom content.

Considering the above, what rating should it get?

Edit: I think we know the answer now.

Edit2: I'm laughing so hard right now: https://www.reddit.com/r/geometrydash/comments/1jxzvwn/boy_aint_no_way/

[ShoneChello]

I'll start off by saying that (unless the developer censors stuff or encourages such content) I don't think this game deserves a "Not Recommended" because it isn't the developer's fault that woke content exists in some custom levels.
We could either give it an "Informational" review that says this game has player made levels that may or may not contain woke content, or leave player made levels out of the equation and give the game a "Recommended" rating.
In the case of a "Recommended" review, the description could say something along the lines of: "The main game contains no woke content. That being said, this game contains custom levels that may or may not contain woke content." Which is similar to the description that was given to some other "Recommended" reviews.

[› Furin]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

I'll start off by saying that (unless the developer censors stuff or encourages such content) I don't think this game deserves a "Not Recommended" because it isn't the developer's fault that woke content exists in some custom levels.

I agree.

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

We could either give it an "Informational" review that says this game has player made levels that may or may not contain woke content, or leave player made levels out of the equation and give the game a "Recommended" rating.
In the case of a "Recommended" review, the description could say something along the lines of: "The main game contains no woke content. That being said, this game contains custom levels that may or may not contain woke content." Which is similar to the description that was given to some other "Recommended" reviews.

I don't think any of our recommended reviews have that kind of disclaimer. The reason is, our position is the one you articulated above: We don't hold a developer responsible for player-created content unless that content is featured/endorsed by the developer.

So unless the developer has featured/endorsed levels with Woke messaging, this game will likely be added as recommended.

[Gekkogahiya]

Geometry Dash

Geometry dash contains subtle LGBTQ+ messaging. Not only do the colors in the level Cycles resemble several pride flags, but it is easily possible to make pride flags with the character avatars.

[ShoneChello]

Originally posted by Gekkogahiya:

the colors in the level Cycles resemble several pride flags.

I don't think it's noticeable and if true, might just be a coincidence.

There are also rainbow blocks, but they have 7 colors. (the rainbow flag has 6)

Originally posted by Gekkogahiya:

it is easily possible to make pride flags with the character avatars.

I don't think this counts though, this curator doesn't really care too much about player-made content (unless the developers encourage woke player-made content) and I think character avatars can be considered as player-made content. Although, I will mention that there's a rainbow trail that can easily be mistaken for a pride flag.

[madeline]

Originally posted by › Furin:

So unless the developer has featured/endorsed levels with Woke messaging, this game will likely be added as recommended.

The developer of the game has done this. He has the ability to "rate" levels, which makes them give in-game rewards and places them in special menus for all to see. The developer is the only person who can rate levels.

Here are some Woke levels that are officially rated/endorsed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajt2_9oouBI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeENSCjK80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_WEj5Iros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCIxfGbhTWU

[ShoneChello]

Originally posted by madeline:

Originally posted by › Furin:

So unless the developer has featured/endorsed levels with Woke messaging, this game will likely be added as recommended.

The developer of the game has done this. He has the ability to "rate" levels, which makes them give in-game rewards and places them in special menus for all to see. The developer is the only person who can rate levels.

Here are some Woke levels that are officially rated/endorsed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajt2_9oouBI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeENSCjK80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_WEj5Iros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCIxfGbhTWU

Ok good. In light of this information, this game will probably receive an informational at best (it will most likely get a not recommended).

There is a reason you shouldn't theme your level around this stuff; not because it's bad (although it kind of is), but because it will be very controversial. If you don't believe me, go check the comment section of one of these levels. The amount of hate, criticism, and flame wars friendly comments these levels get are definitely worth seeing.

[H-Foundry PIXIV]

Just looked at the first vid and anything with queer-coded color schemes and saying Pride every now and then just raises the question in my mind which way the dev is compromised (ESG pledge, personal bias, USAID/Government subsidy etc).

[› Furin]

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Originally posted by madeline:

The developer of the game has done this. He has the ability to "rate" levels, which makes them give in-game rewards and places them in special menus for all to see. The developer is the only person who can rate levels.

Here are some Woke levels that are officially rated/endorsed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajt2_9oouBI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeENSCjK80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_WEj5Iros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCIxfGbhTWU

Ok good. In light of this information, this game will probably receive an informational at best (it will most likely get a not recommended).

There is a reason you shouldn't theme your level around this stuff; not because it's bad (although it kind of is), but because it will be very controversial. If you don't believe me, go check the comment section of one of these levels. The amount of hate, criticism, and flame wars friendly comments these levels get are definitely worth seeing.

Yes, in light of this new information, this game will be updated to not recommended.

[SarmaCube]

Originally posted by H-Foundry PIXIV:

Just looked at the first vid and anything with queer-coded color schemes and saying Pride every now and then just raises the question in my mind which way the dev is compromised (ESG pledge, personal bias, USAID/Government subsidy etc).

You didn't even do a proper research and already jump into conclusions.

Originally posted by › Furin:

Originally posted by ShoneChello:

Ok good. In light of this information, this game will probably receive an informational at best (it will most likely get a not recommended).

There is a reason you shouldn't theme your level around this stuff; not because it's bad (although it kind of is), but because it will be very controversial. If you don't believe me, go check the comment section of one of these levels. The amount of hate, criticism, and flame wars friendly comments these levels get are definitely worth seeing.

Yes, in light of this new information, this game will be updated to not recommended.

Star rate and Featured status in Geometry Dash might have been intended as a mark of high quality, but nowdays they're more like "you did fine, take this and fk off" mark

The lowest two grades of Star Rate, that is basic rate and "Featured" are literally a conveyor. The same conveyour as your reviews.

There are 48 thousand star rated levels, out of which 80% are Featured. The system works like: army of moderators pick levels and send him, then he reviews that stream of levels and rates whatever he considers worthy of a starrate, often looking at them very surface-ly, not bothering to check what's really inside them. Just like you.
If it got higher Star Rate ranks than Basic Rate then it might be placed at the Featured list (or might not), until it gets overshadowed by more and more new rates, then gets into oblivion. Forever. The system might have been created as a "mark of quality", but now it's degraded into literal endless conveyor where players work for the developer hoping to get that star rate.

These levels have already long into oblivion, the only way you can actually find them is, searching by their name.
Afaik he doesn't care about politics, he just doesn't hate or kick whoever is not straight up extremist or radical or dangerous, regardless of left or right. Which is what all centrists do. I think he only rated the levels bc he thought no one would notice. In fact, no one did notice them.

What actually counts as "officially endorsed" then?

Well... two highest Star Rate grades, Legendary and Mythic. There's not much of these, 111 and 22 respectively since they were added just 1.5 years ago. Temporary event levels, since they actually ARE at hotspot, there are 3 types of them: Daily Level, Weekly Demon and Event Level (the last one appears randomly, as of now it's only been used for collabs since it's a very recent addition).
And of course, The Gauntlets, formally known as The Lost Gauntlets.
These are the officially endorsed packs of 5 levels that give you a unique character creator item on completion, that is not obtainable in any way otherwise. Out of all "officially endorsed" levels, I'd say these are the most officially endorsed due to the said unique rewards. Heck, they even do contests for these Gauntlets.

Questionable are: Star Rate Grade "Epic", getting that one is an honor, but there's like over 4.5k of these already, aand... "Featured Lists", basically player made Gauntlets that the dev sorta liked (these are also a new addition, thus there aren't many of these yet... 341... okay, that's pretty big amount...)


Now... You might ask me whether there are some questionable "woke" themes that the community tends to put into hot spot. Well... as for the levels, there actually is one that can be considered this, and it's not the LGBT theme. There might be pretty many of these weird ppl in the community, but if we speak of the levels, there is a completely different theme that might really seen immoral by conservatives considering this game is very popular among kids. This theme does not just "exist", it's a huge part of Geometry Dash's identity, and that is why it's so wrong. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you:

Satanic themed levels: the "Hell Style" and its tremendous popularity among Geometry Dash community

Yep, that's right. Levels with that theming. With inverted crosses and pentagrams and red and black all over the place. Are one of the most famous levels within the community.

It all started with these:
https://youtu.be/bVUVS5dG7qQ
https://youtu.be/xWGtvzz2ZQ4
The previous two were very tame, but this one is gonna be juicier...
https://youtu.be/1uEvUAYZEdY

It was 10 years ago. Nowadays these are one of the most famous levels in the game, with the second level of the Hell Trilogy, named very fittingly for the kids game "Bloodbath", being the 5th downloaded and 6th liked level of ALL the 100M+ levels in game despite not being in any gauntlets, map packs etc (once was a Weekly Demon on an April Fools, next year it was its remake "Bloodlust"). It has 4.4M likes and over 96M downloads, soon to reach 100M.
And the last one, "Death Moon"... One of big Geometry Dash influencers even called it the most iconic and influential level of all time.

As you can already guess the Hell style is very strongly associated with the hardest difficulty "Demon", and its hardest sub-difficulty "Extreme Demon". And Geometry Dash is famous specifically for its' weird sort of cybersport where ppl spend thousands of hours to beat one of these extremely hard levels. The videos of completions, or even just hacked "level showcases" gain millions of views on YouTube, and hell styled levels are very popular. The song from aforementioned "AfterCataBath" Hell Trilogy as well as its remakes "BloodLust", "Apocalyptic Trilogy" is literally The Most Famous Song of the game, and one of the symbols of this community.
Now... these were levels from 10 years ago. Modern levels though...

https://youtu.be/RB8g4CZLik4
https://youtu.be/pZlRHWuVDn4
https://youtu.be/7W5bZJY2IPI
https://youtu.be/bQXnREyaO34

Yeah... even more pentagrams and inverted crosses than ever.

You'd think... well, at least they'll never get to something like Gauntlets...
Heck no, they did. He even dedicated a whole Gauntet to those "satanic levels" (actually it's just 3 of 5, but still), the "Cursed Gauntlet"

https://youtu.be/cdJSB_o4nDo

These levels are much, MUCH easier, they are mere Easy Demons which means kids can beat these. And yes, these are endorsed in the most official way possible, more endorsed can only be Event levels.
Also, there's this level (also an Easy Demon) which got a 6th place in the NCS Gauntlet Contest, and... WTF is that ending cutscene?!
https://youtu.be/sG3YfX0T58Q

They placed the level as the first level of "NCS II Gauntlet", which was the final gauntlet back then, meaning literally everyone could see this
After oomf saw this, he immediately reported the game to Google Play, they raised the age rating to 12+ :GDNormal:

So yeah, that's the whole story.

[goose]

Originally posted by madeline:

Originally posted by › Furin:

So unless the developer has featured/endorsed levels with Woke messaging, this game will likely be added as recommended.

The developer of the game has done this. He has the ability to "rate" levels, which makes them give in-game rewards and places them in special menus for all to see. The developer is the only person who can rate levels.

Here are some Woke levels that are officially rated/endorsed:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajt2_9oouBI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FTeENSCjK80
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4r_WEj5Iros
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCIxfGbhTWU

I dunno, Rob rates these levels based on how good quality the levels are. As you can see in these videos, while most of these levels are promoting woke messaging, they are relatively good levels by decoration standards, which is what Rob bases them off of.

He doesn't seem to have a bias against other messaging, as he has rated this level, titled "Trump Circles:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iJaUAla1jJ8

[ShoneChello]

Originally posted by SarmaCube:

Star rate and Featured status in Geometry Dash might have been intended as a mark of high quality, but nowdays they're more like "you did fine, take this and fk off" mark

The lowest two grades of Star Rate, that is basic rate and "Featured" are literally a conveyor. The same conveyour as your reviews.

There are 48 thousand star rated levels, out of which 80% are Featured. The system works like: army of moderators pick levels and send him, then he reviews that stream of levels and rates whatever he considers worthy of a starrate, often looking at them very surface-ly, not bothering to check what's really inside them. Just like you.
If it got higher Star Rate ranks than Basic Rate then it might be placed at the Featured list (or might not), until it gets overshadowed by more and more new rates, then gets into oblivion. Forever. The system might have been created as a "mark of quality", but now it's degraded into literal endless conveyor where players work for the developer hoping to get that star rate.

These levels have already long into oblivion, the only way you can actually find them is, searching by their name.
Afaik he doesn't care about politics, he just doesn't hate or kick whoever is not straight up extremist or radical or dangerous, regardless of left or right. Which is what all centrists do. I think he only rated the levels bc he thought no one would notice. In fact, no one did notice them.

What actually counts as "officially endorsed" then?

Well... two highest Star Rate grades, Legendary and Mythic. There's not much of these, 111 and 22 respectively since they were added just 1.5 years ago. Temporary event levels, since they actually ARE at hotspot, there are 3 types of them: Daily Level, Weekly Demon and Event Level (the last one appears randomly, as of now it's only been used for collabs since it's a very recent addition).
And of course, The Gauntlets, formally known as The Lost Gauntlets.
These are the officially endorsed packs of 5 levels that give you a unique character creator item on completion, that is not obtainable in any way otherwise. Out of all "officially endorsed" levels, I'd say these are the most officially endorsed due to the said unique rewards. Heck, they even do contests for these Gauntlets.

Questionable are: Star Rate Grade "Epic", getting that one is an honor, but there's like over 4.5k of these already, aand... "Featured Lists", basically player made Gauntlets that the dev sorta liked (these are also a new addition, thus there aren't many of these yet... 341... okay, that's pretty big amount...)


Now... You might ask me whether there are some questionable "woke" themes that the community tends to put into hot spot. Well... as for the levels, there actually is one that can be considered this, and it's not the LGBT theme. There might be pretty many of these weird ppl in the community, but if we speak of the levels, there is a completely different theme that might really seen immoral by conservatives considering this game is very popular among kids. This theme does not just "exist", it's a huge part of Geometry Dash's identity, and that is why it's so wrong. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you:

Satanic themed levels: the "Hell Style" and its tremendous popularity among Geometry Dash community

Yep, that's right. Levels with that theming. With inverted crosses and pentagrams and red and black all over the place. Are one of the most famous levels within the community.

It all started with these:
https://youtu.be/bVUVS5dG7qQ
https://youtu.be/xWGtvzz2ZQ4
The previous two were very tame, but this one is gonna be juicier...
https://youtu.be/1uEvUAYZEdY

It was 10 years ago. Nowadays these are one of the most famous levels in the game, with the second level of the Hell Trilogy, named very fittingly for the kids game "Bloodbath", being the 5th downloaded and 6th liked level of ALL the 100M+ levels in game despite not being in any gauntlets, map packs etc (once was a Weekly Demon on an April Fools, next year it was its remake "Bloodlust"). It has 4.4M likes and over 96M downloads, soon to reach 100M.
And the last one, "Death Moon"... One of big Geometry Dash influencers even called it the most iconic and influential level of all time.

As you can already guess the Hell style is very strongly associated with the hardest difficulty "Demon", and its hardest sub-difficulty "Extreme Demon". And Geometry Dash is famous specifically for its' weird sort of cybersport where ppl spend thousands of hours to beat one of these extremely hard levels. The videos of completions, or even just hacked "level showcases" gain millions of views on YouTube, and hell styled levels are very popular. The song from aforementioned "AfterCataBath" Hell Trilogy as well as its remakes "BloodLust", "Apocalyptic Trilogy" is literally The Most Famous Song of the game, and one of the symbols of this community.
Now... these were levels from 10 years ago. Modern levels though...

https://youtu.be/RB8g4CZLik4
https://youtu.be/pZlRHWuVDn4
https://youtu.be/7W5bZJY2IPI
https://youtu.be/bQXnREyaO34

Yeah... even more pentagrams and inverted crosses than ever.

You'd think... well, at least they'll never get to something like Gauntlets...
Heck no, they did. He even dedicated a whole Gauntet to those "satanic levels" (actually it's just 3 of 5, but still), the "Cursed Gauntlet"

https://youtu.be/cdJSB_o4nDo

These levels are much, MUCH easier, they are mere Easy Demons which means kids can beat these. And yes, these are endorsed in the most official way possible, more endorsed can only be Event levels.
Also, there's this level (also an Easy Demon) which got a 6th place in the NCS Gauntlet Contest, and... WTF is that ending cutscene?!
https://youtu.be/sG3YfX0T58Q

They placed the level as the first level of "NCS II Gauntlet", which was the final gauntlet back then, meaning literally everyone could see this
After oomf saw this, he immediately reported the game to Google Play, they raised the age rating to 12+ :GDNormal:

So yeah, that's the whole story.

This is honestly a very well made analysis into what the developer and the community likes to endorse and how. I will officially endorse this post by marking it as an answer and giving it an award.