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I read this thread https://howlongtobeat.com/forum.php?&thread=922 about compilation games but I have still some questions related to editing game info.

When editing game info, there is Game type: compilation and Single player: Combined Stats - Compilation. Should they both be checked for compilation games or is there some difference between them? There's also Genre: compilation, what is this for and should it also be used together?
Also, I noticed some titles like Uncharted and Devil May Cry collections are not compilation but others like BioShock and Metal Gear Solid collections are. Is there some specific reason for that some collections are not compilations?

The type adds a comment on game pages and sometimes changes how its displayed on the site. Example, DLC having a different colored background on search. When compilation type is selected there will be a message displayed on the game page "Note: This game has been flagged as a compilation title. Some statistics will be combined."

When you check Combined Stats, times will display as a range (Single-Player: 41½ Hours - 136 Hours) instead of categories main, main+, completionist.

Compilation genre just adds it to the genre list, which allows the genre selectors on the site to find compilations.

Seems a bit convoluted, I know. Maybe I'll auto check the right options for you.

So when you have a compilation the following should be selected:
Game Type: Compilation,
Single-Player: Combined stats
Genre: Compilation

Uncharted and DMC just needed to be updated, which I have done.

I have cleaned up the thread. It's certainly fun to respond to the troll but I want people to be able to see real feedback and respond to it.

I know, I'm no fun.

I have cleaned up the thread. It's certainly fun to respond to the troll but I want people to be able to see real feedback and respond to it.

I know, I'm no fun.

Wow, all that time I spent lovingly crafting that post...now letstalkaboutdune will never know I said I hoped he was well :(

What is your formal stance on the Mass Effect 2 issue? On PS3, it is a compilation with base game and DLC. So is Oblivion on PS3. I'm genuinely curious what your determination is and how you make it.

Wow, all that time I spent lovingly crafting that post...now letstalkaboutdune will never know I said I hoped he was well :(

What is your formal stance on the Mass Effect 2 issue? On PS3, it is a compilation with base game and DLC. So is Oblivion on PS3. I'm genuinely curious what your determination is and how you make it.

Ideally versions with different content have their own entry. This is a weird example where the games were marketed under the same name and not special editions right? For older titles that share the same game name but have different content, I often enable platform individuality. That could be done here but they wouldn't even separate because the HLTB times are so similar.

They could be separated into their own entries but then that's confusing for users and would result in a lot of incorrect submissions.

It's a substantial amount of content based on individual DLC submissions. However, there are very minor differences in the HLTB times by platform 360 vs. PS3 (couple hours).

Mass Effect PS3 extras based on DLC entries:
5 - 6 hours

Oblivion PS3 extras based on DLC entries:
4 - 12 hours

Basically, it's a crap-shoot and I don't have a good answer here. It doesn't seem like it matters enough to take action on.

As the site grows in popularity, it's very difficult to get everyone to log correctly. People can't even figure out how to properly categorize between the 3 completion options. Add in the confusion of where to add DLC and multiple editions of the same game. The way games are developed and updated is drastically different than 10 years ago when the site was created. I need to figure out how to solve some of these problems whether it be better onboarding, FAQs, combining editions of titles, more submission options (like a "Does this include DLC?" checkbox) or something else.

Ideally versions with different content have their own entry. This is a weird example where the games were marketed under the same name and not special editions right? For older titles that share the same game name but have different content, I often enable platform individuality. That could be done here but they wouldn't even separate because the HLTB times are so similar.

They could be separated into their own entries but then that's confusing for users and would result in a lot of incorrect submissions.

It's a substantial amount of content based on individual DLC submissions. However, there are very minor differences in the HLTB times by platform 360 vs. PS3 (couple hours).

Mass Effect PS3 extras based on DLC entries:
5 - 6 hours

Oblivion PS3 extras based on DLC entries:
4 - 12 hours

Basically, it's a crap-shoot and I don't have a good answer here. It doesn't seem like it matters enough to take action on.

As the site grows in popularity, it's very difficult to get everyone to log correctly. People can't even figure out how to properly categorize between the 3 completion options. Add in the confusion of where to add DLC and multiple editions of the same game. The way games are developed and updated is drastically different than 10 years ago when the site was created. I need to figure out how to solve some of these problems whether it be better onboarding, FAQs, combining editions of titles, more submission options (like a "Does this include DLC?" checkbox) or something else.

Interesting, thank you. I have no strong opinion on the matter, but I'm glad that Chez's drama was able to lead to this insight.

The type adds a comment on game pages and sometimes changes how its displayed on the site. Example, DLC having a different colored background on search. When compilation type is selected there will be a message displayed on the game page "Note: This game has been flagged as a compilation title. Some statistics will be combined."

When you check Combined Stats, times will display as a range (Single-Player: 41½ Hours - 136 Hours) instead of categories main, main+, completionist.

Compilation genre just adds it to the genre list, which allows the genre selectors on the site to find compilations.

Seems a bit convoluted, I know. Maybe I'll auto check the right options for you.

So when you have a compilation the following should be selected:
Game Type: Compilation,
Single-Player: Combined stats
Genre: Compilation

Uncharted and DMC just needed to be updated, which I have done.

Ok, thank you for the detailed answer, now I understand it better.

I think there are still some games that should be compilation (like Collection of Mana) that show up when you simply search "collection" but the biggest names seem to be good now.

Currently, trying to change profile photo currently loads to a blank page but also doesn't change profile photo.

I just noticed that your games lists will still show your retirement notes on a game after it's been removed from retirement. I thought maybe this was intentional, but there's no way to edit the retirement notes of a game without marking it as retired. Again: a game that is no longer marked as retired still shows the retirement notes on the games lists (e.g. Completed).

Having just joined and added my list of games completed, I've noticed that there isn't a Game Version # for posted times, which makes 100% Achievement/Completionist times inaccurate as time goes on. For example, Risk of Rain 2 adds Steam Achievements with every content release, which for a completionist means additional time is required to complete everything. Even using the most recent speedrunning strategies, it is not possible to get 100% achievements in ~30 hours anymore, and even the Steam profiles of people with posted times show they haven't revisited the game to get the new achievements. Hexceed, which adds new DLC frequently and gets additional achievements with each pack, can technically be broken into Completionist runs for each wave of DLC, but games like Risk of Rain 2 aren't expanded with DLC, it just gets additional content added in certain patches.

TL;DR: Game version/patch numbers for posted runs to allow for more accurate completionist times.

Having just joined and added my list of games completed, I've noticed that there isn't a Game Version # for posted times, which makes 100% Achievement/Completionist times inaccurate as time goes on. For example, Risk of Rain 2 adds Steam Achievements with every content release, which for a completionist means additional time is required to complete everything. Even using the most recent speedrunning strategies, it is not possible to get 100% achievements in ~30 hours anymore, and even the Steam profiles of people with posted times show they haven't revisited the game to get the new achievements. Hexceed, which adds new DLC frequently and gets additional achievements with each pack, can technically be broken into Completionist runs for each wave of DLC, but games like Risk of Rain 2 aren't expanded with DLC, it just gets additional content added in certain patches.

TL;DR: Game version/patch numbers for posted runs to allow for more accurate completionist times.

Just in case it helps - each time entry comes with the date that it was submitted, so it would be easy enough to know when someone entered their completionist time and work from there. =)

Just in case it helps - each time entry comes with the date that it was submitted, so it would be easy enough to know when someone entered their completionist time and work from there. =)

Yep, I saw that! From what I could tell though, those entries were still calculated in the averages; which for any game still releasing content would continuously make the average more inaccurate as time went on. Most games aren't releasing more content so it's not that big of a deal, but its still a small something. A stats and/or post 'filter by: date range" would also probably be just as great a solution.

I just noticed that your games lists will still show your retirement notes on a game after it's been removed from retirement. I thought maybe this was intentional, but there's no way to edit the retirement notes of a game without marking it as retired. Again: a game that is no longer marked as retired still shows the retirement notes on the games lists (e.g. Completed).

This will be fixed in the next update. Thank you!

I'm sure you mentioned it already and I missed it, but I just noticed that when searching for games, DLC are shown with a lighter background. It looks really nice! It immediately stuck out to me in a good way.

Click on a playthrough list and there is a drop down option box at the top right, that will currently say 'List'

Clicking on the arrow gives you options of List, List/Box or Box.

This will save your preference for all playthrough lists.

I'm not sure how you feel about this, but the list sorting button says NORMAL and for me it wasn't obvious what it actually did, which was toggle the direction of sorting (ascending or descending). Would it make more since to have the buttons say ASC or DESC? I feel like that's more typical, but I could be mistaken.

That's just a suggestion. Hope it makes sense in my tired state.

I'm not sure how you feel about this, but the list sorting button says NORMAL and for me it wasn't obvious what it actually did, which was toggle the direction of sorting (ascending or descending). Would it make more since to have the buttons say ASC or DESC? I feel like that's more typical, but I could be mistaken.

That's just a suggestion. Hope it makes sense in my tired state.

It's not DESC or ASC because the different options sort differently. Name ASC, date DESC, etc. I'd have to change the button dynamically based on the option, which is totally doable but more work.

When you're submitting a completion and click a game's alias to autofill it into the custom title field, if it's any alias other than the first one it'll include the space before the name. For example, if the aliases are:

Alternate Game Name 1, Alternate Game Name 2

then if you click AGN2 your custom title will be

Alternate Game Name 2

(See the space at the start? At least, I hope the forum doesn't automatically remove that.)

EDIT: Okay the forum automatically removes the space, but hopefully you get what I mean.

When you're submitting a completion and click a game's alias to autofill it into the custom title field, if it's any alias other than the first one it'll include the space before the name. For example, if the aliases are:

Alternate Game Name 1, Alternate Game Name 2

then if you click AGN2 your custom title will be

Alternate Game Name 2

(See the space at the start? At least, I hope the forum doesn't automatically remove that.)

EDIT: Okay the forum automatically removes the space, but hopefully you get what I mean.

I get what you mean, thanks for reporting.

EDIT: Worth noting... Once you save, it will strip out that space.

Site Update:

Today's update revolves around itch.io API integration

Game Editing
- itch.io API is now built into my admin tools to easily find and add game information.
- Users can view or attach itch.io id during game edit (which is unlikely since their ids aren't surfaced anywhere like Steam)

General
- https://howlongtobeat.com/itch (Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality) has been fixed.
- Nintendo Network IDs now allow periods.
- Wrong user avatar would show in navigation due to caching. (FIXED)

EDIT: One thing to mention... If possible, please provide a link to the itch game or author in the comment section so I can make sure it's the right one. itch has no rules about naming there can often be 5+ games of the same name.

Site Update:

Today's update revolves around itch.io API integration

Game Editing
- itch.io API is now built into my admin tools to easily find and add game information.
- Users can view or attach itch.io id during game edit (which is unlikely since their ids aren't surfaced anywhere like Steam)

General
- https://howlongtobeat.com/itch (Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality) has been fixed.
- Nintendo Network IDs now allow periods.
- Wrong user avatar would show in navigation due to caching. (FIXED)

EDIT: One thing to mention... If possible, please provide a link to the itch game or author in the comment section so I can make sure it's the right one. itch has no rules about naming there can often be 5+ games of the same name.

Nice. Glad the itch.io Bundle overview is back online.
I just happened to notice by chance that the listing of a game called "Remember Me" on that overview page links to the Dontnod/Capcom game even though it's actually something completely different that isn't in the HLTB database yet.

- Matt

Nice. Glad the itch.io Bundle overview is back online.
I just happened to notice by chance that the listing of a game called "Remember Me" on that overview page links to the Dontnod/Capcom game even though it's actually something completely different that isn't in the HLTB database yet.

- Matt

Yeah, unfortunately I had to change something on the backend and it broke a few titles and the link.

Not sure if I'll fix that due to the fact that the page sees like 1 view a week.

I lied, it'll be fixed in the next update which might be in a few days.

Site Update:

Today's update revolves around itch.io API integration

Game Editing
- itch.io API is now built into my admin tools to easily find and add game information.
- Users can view or attach itch.io id during game edit (which is unlikely since their ids aren't surfaced anywhere like Steam)

General
- https://howlongtobeat.com/itch (Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality) has been fixed.
- Nintendo Network IDs now allow periods.
- Wrong user avatar would show in navigation due to caching. (FIXED)

EDIT: One thing to mention... If possible, please provide a link to the itch game or author in the comment section so I can make sure it's the right one. itch has no rules about naming there can often be 5+ games of the same name.

- Users can view or attach itch.io id during game edit (which is unlikely since their ids aren't surfaced anywhere like Steam)

I found a way to find the Itch.io ID of a game. At the bottom of a game's page, there is a link to get an embed code for your website. In that embed code, they use the ID number.

For example:





A bit annoying, but it works.

- Matt

- Users can view or attach itch.io id during game edit (which is unlikely since their ids aren't surfaced anywhere like Steam)

I found a way to find the Itch.io ID of a game. At the bottom of a game's page, there is a link to get an embed code for your website. In that embed code, they use the ID number.

For example:





A bit annoying, but it works.

- Matt

Very nice, that's an awesome tip!

For fun, here is what I see as an Admin on the game edit page now:

It searches the itch.io API for the game title and returns any matches. So in this case, Oxenfree found a match on itch.io

Very nice, that's an awesome tip!

For fun, here is what I see as an Admin on the game edit page now:

It searches the itch.io API for the game title and returns any matches. So in this case, Oxenfree found a match on itch.io

So, what happens when it finds multiple itch.io games with the same title? Does it just choose one at random or whatever is the most popular? Or does it give you the entire list to compare and check?

- Matt

So, what happens when it finds multiple itch.io games with the same title? Does it just choose one at random or whatever is the most popular? Or does it give you the entire list to compare and check?

- Matt

The entire list to compare.