trusted-editors
237
edits
Josh Lee: Difference between revisions
→Level Sets
Flareon350 (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
Flareon350 (talk | contribs) |
||
| (16 intermediate revisions by 2 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[File: | [[File:20231023 155505.jpg|thumb]] | ||
'''Josh Lee''', also known by his CC alias '''Flareon350''', is a well known [[Chipsters|Chipster]] who is often noted for his consistent level design and strong liking of the ''Pokémon'' franchise, as his main avatar is his favorite Pokémon, [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flareon_(Pok%C3%A9mon) Flareon, | '''Josh Lee''', also known by his CC alias '''Flareon350''', is a well known [[Chipsters|Chipster]] who is often noted for his consistent level design and strong liking of the ''Pokémon'' franchise, as his main avatar is his favorite Pokémon, [https://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Flareon_(Pok%C3%A9mon) Flareon,]. | ||
Josh was one of two co-leaders of the CCLP4 staff and the head of the CCLP5 staff. | Josh was one of two co-leaders of the CCLP4 staff and the head of the CCLP5 staff. | ||
| Line 285: | Line 285: | ||
*Walls of CCLP3 - designed in 2018 | *Walls of CCLP3 - designed in 2018 | ||
*Trading Places (collaborated with Jeffrey Bardon) - designed from 2019-2021 | *Trading Places (collaborated with Jeffrey Bardon) - designed from 2019-2021 | ||
*Walls of CC1 (collaboration with VT and J.B. Lewis) - designed from 2022-2025 | |||
| Line 295: | Line 296: | ||
In addition, Josh has also compiled a best of best of set, titled JoshL0, that consists of 200 levels with levels across the three JCCLP sets. | In addition, Josh has also compiled a best of best of set, titled JoshL0, that consists of 200 levels with levels across the three JCCLP sets. | ||
| Line 303: | Line 303: | ||
*Flareon2 | *Flareon2 | ||
*FlareonRejects | *FlareonRejects | ||
He also created a few "meme" level sets, including: | He also created a few "meme" level sets, including: | ||
| Line 317: | Line 315: | ||
=== JoshL/JoshL1 === | === JoshL/JoshL1 === | ||
Josh's early levels, what would become JoshL.dat, primarily consisted of ripoffs or sequels to existing levels in CC1 or otherwise, long tedius block pushing levels that lacked in quality. The use of invalid tiles were also heavily used, thanks to the presence of this throughout CCLP2. These two sets were his prime | Josh's early levels, what would become JoshL.dat, primarily consisted of ripoffs or sequels to existing levels in CC1 or otherwise, long tedius block pushing levels that lacked in quality. The use of invalid tiles were also heavily used, thanks to the presence of this throughout CCLP2. These two sets were his prime source of inspiration as they were the only two packs of levels he knew of at the time. This level set contained 202 levels and was submitted for CCLP3 consideration, however, no levels got in thanks to majority of them not being compatible with the Lynx ruleset and Josh not being familiar with it. | ||
Over the course of his design career, this pack of levels would later be revised into JoshL1, removing all levels containing invalid tiles and fixing other issues to make it Lynx compatible, reducing the level count to 120. This revised version includes levels that got into [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 1]], such as [[Ruined World]], [[Heat Conductor]], and [[Design Swap]]. | Over the course of his design career, this pack of levels would later be revised into JoshL1, removing all levels containing invalid tiles and fixing other issues to make it Lynx compatible, reducing the level count to 120. This revised version includes levels that got into [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 1]], such as [[Ruined World]], [[Heat Conductor]], and [[Design Swap]], however, it is still very much a product of its time and only the beginning stepping stone of Josh's design style. | ||
=== JoshL2 === | === JoshL2 === | ||
Following CCLP3's release, along with a year long break away from all things Chip's Challenge, Josh began work on JoshL2, the sequel to his first set. The overall objective was simply to build a set that was compatible with Lynx, which helped Josh study the key differences between it and the MS ruleset he was used to. This set contains 150 levels and would see some improvements of design quality compared to the first, such as a prominent showcase of Josh's knack of designing variety levels, part in thanks to playing CCLP3 and the vast array of concepts shown in that set. However, there still remained a few renaments of his prior set's sufferings with some heavy block pushing levels or small, short, and easy levels for the sake of quantity. Despite that, it still holds quite a good amount of original concepts. This set hosts the home to levels such as [[Frozen Labyrinth]] and [[Sapphire Cavern]] (under a different title), which also made their way into CCLP1. This was also | Following CCLP3's release, along with a year long break away from all things Chip's Challenge, Josh began work on JoshL2, the sequel to his first set. The overall objective was simply to build a set that was compatible with Lynx, which helped Josh study the key differences between it and the MS ruleset he was used to. This set contains 150 levels and would see some improvements of design quality compared to the first, such as a prominent showcase of Josh's knack of designing variety levels, part in thanks to playing CCLP3 and the vast array of concepts shown in that set. | ||
However, there still remained a few renaments of his prior set's sufferings with some heavy block pushing levels or small, short, and easy levels for the sake of quantity. Despite that, it still holds quite a good amount of original concepts. This set hosts the home to levels such as [[Frozen Labyrinth]] and [[Sapphire Cavern]] (under a different title), which also made their way into CCLP1. | |||
This was also the first of many sets of Josh's to have gotten Let's Played, this one in particular done by [[Trevor Hedges]]. Watching this let's play allowed Josh to see this set played in the player's perspective, something that would be a key factor in how his design style evolved in later sets. | |||
This set's general positive feedback eventually led to Josh joining the CC community as he was previously unfamiliar with one existing. | This set's general positive feedback eventually led to Josh joining the CC community as he was previously unfamiliar with one existing. | ||
| Line 343: | Line 345: | ||
=== JoshL6 === | === JoshL6 === | ||
Initially, JoshL5 was intended to be last of his CC1 designs for a long while as it was assumed ideas were starting to become scarce. CC2 was also released around this time and designers were quick to put out new content for the game, including Josh himself. But after some frustration with CC2's built in level editor and a lack of an alternative, along with playing several other CC1 sets such as Ultimate Chip 4 and Ultimate Chip 5 both by [[Jeffrey Bardon]] and | Initially, JoshL5 was intended to be last of his CC1 designs for a long while as it was assumed ideas were starting to become scarce. CC2 was also released around this time and designers were quick to put out new content for the game, including Josh himself. But after some frustration with CC2's built in level editor and a lack of an alternative, along with playing several other CC1 sets such as Ultimate Chip 4 and Ultimate Chip 5 both by [[Jeffrey Bardon]] and ZK3 and ZK3-A by [[Zane Kuecks]], he felt inspired enough to try to pursue the project. | ||
This set's focus shifted more to aesthetics and how levels look from editor view, although keeping the fun factor intact with its content, which largely emphasized unusual tile combinations such as monsters atop of certain elements that still allowed for Lynx compatibly, along with many mazes and unseen concepts up to this point. Walls of levels were prominent here as well, especially upon the final update. It was initially released at 40 levels and later updated to a total count of 90, before submissions for CCLP4 closed. Many levels from this were selected for official set inclusion, such as [[Fire Is My Enemy]], [[Nectar Meadow]], [[Flipper Departments]], and [[World of a Thousand Flames]]. | This set's focus shifted more to aesthetics and how levels look from editor view, although keeping the fun factor intact with its content, which largely emphasized unusual tile combinations such as monsters atop of certain elements that still allowed for Lynx compatibly, along with many mazes and unseen concepts up to this point. Walls of levels were prominent here as well, especially upon the final update. It was initially released at 40 levels and later updated to a total count of 90, before submissions for CCLP4 closed. Many levels from this were selected for official set inclusion, such as [[Fire Is My Enemy]], [[Nectar Meadow]], [[Flipper Departments]], and [[World of a Thousand Flames]]. | ||
| Line 353: | Line 355: | ||
=== JoshL7 === | === JoshL7 === | ||
A CCZone create competition was held February 2017, using the walls of CCLP1 to make a new level within them. Josh participated with three entries and in doing so, another string of inspiration soon followed into what would shape into JoshL7. The main focus this time being a combination of everything previously learned from the past several sets, difficulty, aesthetics, gameplay styles, ultimately balancing them all out into 70 levels. Some level genres that Josh isn't too keen on designing also appeared here, such as monster dodging and manipulation. In addition, some levels previously seen in prior JoshL sets were repurposed in this one, such as [[Trick or Trap]] using one of Josh's first sokobans and mixing it with recessed walls for a new experience. This level, along with many others like [[Drops of Jupiter]], [[Warehouse of Lost Hopes and Dreams]], and [[Fuego Ironworks]], made | A CCZone create competition was held February 2017, using the walls of CCLP1 to make a new level within them. Josh participated with three entries and in doing so, another string of inspiration soon followed into what would shape into JoshL7. The main focus this time being a combination of everything previously learned from the past several sets, difficulty, aesthetics, gameplay styles, ultimately balancing them all out into 70 levels. Some level genres that Josh isn't too keen on designing also appeared here, such as monster dodging and manipulation. In addition, some levels previously seen in prior JoshL sets were repurposed in this one, such as [[Trick or Trap]] using one of Josh's first sokobans and mixing it with recessed walls for a new experience. This level, along with many others like [[Drops of Jupiter]], [[Warehouse of Lost Hopes and Dreams]], and [[Fuego Ironworks]], made its way into [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 5]]. | ||
This is currently the last entry in the JoshL series lineup and is Josh's personal favorite. | This is currently the last entry in the JoshL series lineup and is Josh's personal favorite. | ||
| Line 366: | Line 368: | ||
With the prominent walls of levels throughout level design continuing strong, Jeffrey and Josh teased the idea of building a set together that consisted of using wall templates of each other's latest level sets, Ultimate Chip 6 and JoshL7, along with several from their other respective sets to total it out evenly at 150 levels. This project ended up taking over three years, with each designer building 75 levels apiece and combining into one of the greatest level set collaborations to date. Several levels from Josh's half made it into CCLP5 as well, such as [[Fragmented Lamina]], [[Yellow Fever]], and [[Broken Paradise]]. | With the prominent walls of levels throughout level design continuing strong, Jeffrey and Josh teased the idea of building a set together that consisted of using wall templates of each other's latest level sets, Ultimate Chip 6 and JoshL7, along with several from their other respective sets to total it out evenly at 150 levels. This project ended up taking over three years, with each designer building 75 levels apiece and combining into one of the greatest level set collaborations to date. Several levels from Josh's half made it into CCLP5 as well, such as [[Fragmented Lamina]], [[Yellow Fever]], and [[Broken Paradise]]. | ||
=== Walls of CC1 === | |||
Shortly after Trading Places release, there was talk between Josh and VT on collaborating to build a levelset together, and the idea to build a CC1 version of Walls of CC1 was tossed out there since one existed under CC2's rules via [[Joshua Bone]]. After making around 10 levels, J.B. Lewis joined in as part of the project after showcasing a level that happened to use the layout of [[Chipmine]] without having known the project was a thing. Further discussion was had regarding dividing levels evenly so each of the three designers had the same amount of work; 48 a piece, along with 3 collabs between each duo and 2 designed by all three. | |||
Unfortunately, overtime VT had to drop out of the project due to life circumstances and this distribution of levels was rediscussed, where both Josh and J.B. arranged to build 64 levels each and 2 collab levels, while keeping VT's 19 levels. | |||
This set of 149 levels was finally released on 28 February 2025, after over three years in the making. | |||
==Future Plans== | ==Future Plans== | ||
With Walls of CC1 coming to a close, Josh has shown interest in going back to CC2 level design by going back to adding to his in progress Flareon2 levelset as he would like to retire from CC1 level design after making countless levels and explored most of what it has to offer. | |||
There are also some possible plans of revisiting certain levels within JoshL2-5, in hopes to modernize them to match Josh's design style today, but this is uncertain. | |||
In addition, there are some unreleased levels for what is tentatively titled JoshL8 that Josh would like to continue and release properly at some point, however, there is doubt if this will continue as original ideas for CC1 levels have come more scarce than ever. | |||
==Flareon level== | ==Flareon level== | ||
[[File:CC Flareon.png|thumb|300px|right|A mosaic level of Josh's favorite Pokémon, Flareon, in [[Tile World]] graphics]] | |||
This particular level was created at the end of the JoshL3 era, and thus has become a signature level to Josh, as it is his favorite Pokémon. ''Flareon'' is the only level to be recurring throughout Josh's level sets. It is usually the last level of every JoshL set, however, there are a few exceptions; JoshL, JCCLP2, JCCLP3, Walls of CCLP3, and Trading Places are the only sets to not have this level, as it doesn't fit into the context of either Walls of CCLP3 or Trading Places and JoshL, and the latter two JCCLPs are meant to focus on the levels themselves. In its original form, it was primarily a mosaic level, featuring little to no meaningful gameplay. | This particular level was created at the end of the JoshL3 era, and thus has become a signature level to Josh, as it is his favorite Pokémon. ''Flareon'' is the only level to be recurring throughout Josh's level sets. It is usually the last level of every JoshL set, however, there are a few exceptions; JoshL, JCCLP2, JCCLP3, Walls of CCLP3, and Trading Places are the only sets to not have this level, as it doesn't fit into the context of either Walls of CCLP3 or Trading Places and JoshL, and the latter two JCCLPs are meant to focus on the levels themselves. In its original form, it was primarily a mosaic level, featuring little to no meaningful gameplay. | ||
| Line 409: | Line 420: | ||
== Scores == | == Scores == | ||
While Josh doesn't particularly [[Optimization|optimize]], he does hold a few records to his name. He was the first to score the official MS [[bold time]]s for [[Generic Ice Level]] <ref>[https://scores.bitbusters.club/ | While Josh doesn't particularly [[Optimization|optimize]], he does hold a few records to his name. He was the first to score the official MS [[bold time]]s for [[Generic Ice Level]] <ref>[https://scores.bitbusters.club/levels/cclp1/21/ms The scoreboard for Generic Ice Level in the MS ruleset]</ref> and [[Rhombus]],<ref>[https://scores.bitbusters.club/levels/cclp1/36/ms The scoreboard for Rhombus in the MS ruleset]</ref> as well as confirming the bold time on [[Blockade]].<ref>[https://scores.bitbusters.club/levels/cclp1/125/ms The scoreboard for Blockade in the MS ruleset]</ref> He has also set and confirmed several bolds in CCLP4. | ||
Despite not being much of an optimizer, | Despite not being much of an optimizer, he has put some amount of effort into CCLP1 and CCLP2 in the MS ruleset. | ||
{| class="wikitable" | {| class="wikitable" | ||
! [[Level set|Set]] !! Score !! Place | ! [[Level set|Set]] !! Score !! Place | ||
|- | |- | ||
| style="text-align:center"|[[Chip's Challenge 1|CC1]] || 5,925,160 || | | style="text-align:center"|[[Chip's Challenge 1|CC1]] || 5,925,160 || 93rd | ||
|- | |||
| [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 1|CCLP1]] || 6,000,110 || 13th | |||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack | | [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 2|CCLP2]] || 6,045,000 || 16th | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack | | [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 3|CCLP3]] || 6,053,080 || 13th | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack | | [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 4|CCLP4]] || 6,075,890 || 8th | ||
|- | |- | ||
| [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack | | [[Chip's Challenge Level Pack 5|CCLP5]] || 6,101,250 || 3rd | ||
|} | |} | ||
==Trivia== | ==Trivia== | ||
*Josh | *Josh's name is technically an alias as his last name is not Lee; his real last name is Hixson. | ||
* | *He usually names his levels after specific locations in other video games of his liking, or they are generated off a website. | ||
*Most of Josh's inspiration in level design is from the music he listens to, which is normally OSTs from video games, such as ones from various ''Pokémon'' titles. | *Most of Josh's inspiration in level design is from the music he listens to, which is normally OSTs from video games, such as ones from various ''Pokémon'' titles. | ||
*Without any level repeats or remakes across several of his sets, he has designed a total of 1,463 unique levels for Chip's Challenge 1. | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||