Through my years (ok a little over a year but whatever) of experience with playin and making keyboard simfiles I have made observations with "styles" of making simfiles. You know what I am talking about when you play any certain file and say to yourself, "Hmm, this feels like a <insert sim artist> file." It is true that the fun factor of a simfile is all based on personal opinion. However, how enjoyable the sim may be is different from the idea of how "good" or "technically sound" (a common phrase used to describe it) it is. Through the many simfile artist's styles I started to observe a possible subconscious (or conscious) theory for some of them.
Arch0wl
Many of you have probably heard of the theory Arch uses (or used) in making files. The idea of the steps being "technically sound" as much as possible to create the perfect file. Unfortunately, most people do not honestly know what it really means. Arch takes this approach to making files its seems: A sound in the song should have an assigned pattern type. This pattern should be used when the sound is played in the song. People would obviously find this boring so in order to prevent that you change around the position of the pattern while keeping the same basic feel to it. For example: In Absolute (Rock Guitar) arch uses a 6828 type of pattern for the noticeable guitar 24ths. Now, whenever you here this sound in the entirety of the song you may notice that it is a similar pattern each time (but not exactly the same). Every time it is made of 4 different 24th notes containing and offstep-to-triplet pattern such as 4626, 4828 or 6242. Now he applies the same idea to the rest of the sounds in the song creating an assigned pattern for each repeating sound. Many times in his files the same EXACT pattern will repeat (you can see this in something such as Geno's Woods). This is due to the fact that it is the same EXACT sound repeated so naturally the same notes should be used.
Kilgamayan
Kilgamayan's theory is a contrast to Arch0wl's theory. Kilgamayan sees the fun factor to be far more important than the technically sound aspect. It makes sense seeing as how it is a game, meaning that you're supposed to have fun. Kilgamayan avoids repetativeness as much as possible in order to keep the sim from being boring. He also makes it more fitting for the one handed player seeing as how he is one himself. This means that he is not shy when it comes to jackhammers. Kilgamayan is the best example of one with a theory conrasting Arch's. The flaw in Arch's theory was pointed out in Kilgamayan's Air (now at bemanistyle) by showing what a perffectly technically sound file would be like. This includes the same pattern over and over again. Again, whether the player prefers sims by Kilga or Arch is all because of personal opinions. One could call Kilga's files untamed but in reality this could lead to a more fun file in general for some people.
Ren/Skor
Ren and Skor are all about pitch. The patterns that they make fit as well as possible with the pitch of the sound. Ren actually created a system to guide patterns in which 2 = lowest, 4 = second lowest, 8 = highest, and 6 second highest. When it comes to patterns that follow drums any pattern will do as long as it is onbeat. The idea of being technically sound has worked it's way into every sim artist at least a small bit so Skor seems to lean towrads it more than Ren (who has stopped creating dwis before the whole theory really came to be important). The main difference between Ren and Skor is the style they cater towards. Ren caters towards one handed players often (being a one handed player) while Skor adjusts the catering with each song. Emerald Sword is obviously a very index friendly song while something like Jack suits the one hander more.
Toph
As moogy put it: <Moogy> toph theory = omg teh musix. Toph follows the same sort of technically sound approach Arch does but focuses more on smalls sounds in the music. A good example of this is his Bring Her Down. Most people find some of the doubles used in the dwi to be pointless saying that they don't go to anything. They do, in fact, go to something. It is just hard to notice for most people who do not pay close attention to the music. It is guaranteed that a file made by Toph will be on beat because it seems as if he slows down the music very often in order to figure out what steps to use easier. This can be seen in files such as the a la menthe and Girl/Boy Song.
Cynic
Cynic creates his files quickly and with proper difficulty in mind. Often you will find 16 to 4th steps that are there to fill in space and eliminate boredom. He creates files with the mindset of making it difficult enough to be just on the borderline of a AAA for the decently skilled player. Aside from this, he follows a method similar to Arch except with a bit of a cater to 4 finger players.
Eggman
Famous for his seniority and EXTENSIVE amount of simfiles. His approach is that of IIDX. He is mostly known for dwis of bemani songs in which notes are very similar to IIDX. This is not necessarily a bad thing considering that many people enjoy IIDX charts. The patterns that eggman chooses are somewhat random but remain index friendly (no double stepping but with occasional crossovers). A generic approach but enjoyably at most times.
NVLM_ZK
NVLM bases his simfiles on difficulty more than anything. He makes files that progressively come out harder than the last. The files push the limit of skill but do not really fit the music too well for the most part because it is made to be HARD. You'll often see people posted brags on NVLM_ZK stepfiles because it is no doubt an accomplishment to do well on them. They are considered fun by very few people.
Mwerp
Best explained by Arch: Mwerp has his own style, except it's very unorthodox and usually only people who know him 'get it'. He has this thing for following 'accented notes' and the 'climax points'. He doesn't go apeshit in this on his old files, but if you play his new ones such as his No. 13 or something you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. It's why he'll have like, a seemingly random run because it follows the 'climax' of the song, and it'll seem like a pad simfile the rest of the way through.
Those are the main approaches to styles of dwi. Popular artists not mentioned are mostly a mix of what was displayed in files by these.
dantheman = Kilgamayan
Dukamok = Skor + Kilgamayan
pfx13AE (me) = Kilgamayan(earlier) + Skor + Arch (lately) + Toph (pretty versitile in order to please as many as possible)
Reach = Skor (lately), Kilgamayan (prior)
aperson = Cynic + Kilgamayan
I'm sure I forgot someone, and if I did forget someone or if there is something else to add please tell me.
Remember, how enjoyable a simfile is is based solely on the opinion of the player. So do not start a flame war over this somehow.
Discuss.
Arch0wl
Many of you have probably heard of the theory Arch uses (or used) in making files. The idea of the steps being "technically sound" as much as possible to create the perfect file. Unfortunately, most people do not honestly know what it really means. Arch takes this approach to making files its seems: A sound in the song should have an assigned pattern type. This pattern should be used when the sound is played in the song. People would obviously find this boring so in order to prevent that you change around the position of the pattern while keeping the same basic feel to it. For example: In Absolute (Rock Guitar) arch uses a 6828 type of pattern for the noticeable guitar 24ths. Now, whenever you here this sound in the entirety of the song you may notice that it is a similar pattern each time (but not exactly the same). Every time it is made of 4 different 24th notes containing and offstep-to-triplet pattern such as 4626, 4828 or 6242. Now he applies the same idea to the rest of the sounds in the song creating an assigned pattern for each repeating sound. Many times in his files the same EXACT pattern will repeat (you can see this in something such as Geno's Woods). This is due to the fact that it is the same EXACT sound repeated so naturally the same notes should be used.
Kilgamayan
Kilgamayan's theory is a contrast to Arch0wl's theory. Kilgamayan sees the fun factor to be far more important than the technically sound aspect. It makes sense seeing as how it is a game, meaning that you're supposed to have fun. Kilgamayan avoids repetativeness as much as possible in order to keep the sim from being boring. He also makes it more fitting for the one handed player seeing as how he is one himself. This means that he is not shy when it comes to jackhammers. Kilgamayan is the best example of one with a theory conrasting Arch's. The flaw in Arch's theory was pointed out in Kilgamayan's Air (now at bemanistyle) by showing what a perffectly technically sound file would be like. This includes the same pattern over and over again. Again, whether the player prefers sims by Kilga or Arch is all because of personal opinions. One could call Kilga's files untamed but in reality this could lead to a more fun file in general for some people.
Ren/Skor
Ren and Skor are all about pitch. The patterns that they make fit as well as possible with the pitch of the sound. Ren actually created a system to guide patterns in which 2 = lowest, 4 = second lowest, 8 = highest, and 6 second highest. When it comes to patterns that follow drums any pattern will do as long as it is onbeat. The idea of being technically sound has worked it's way into every sim artist at least a small bit so Skor seems to lean towrads it more than Ren (who has stopped creating dwis before the whole theory really came to be important). The main difference between Ren and Skor is the style they cater towards. Ren caters towards one handed players often (being a one handed player) while Skor adjusts the catering with each song. Emerald Sword is obviously a very index friendly song while something like Jack suits the one hander more.
Toph
As moogy put it: <Moogy> toph theory = omg teh musix. Toph follows the same sort of technically sound approach Arch does but focuses more on smalls sounds in the music. A good example of this is his Bring Her Down. Most people find some of the doubles used in the dwi to be pointless saying that they don't go to anything. They do, in fact, go to something. It is just hard to notice for most people who do not pay close attention to the music. It is guaranteed that a file made by Toph will be on beat because it seems as if he slows down the music very often in order to figure out what steps to use easier. This can be seen in files such as the a la menthe and Girl/Boy Song.
Cynic
Cynic creates his files quickly and with proper difficulty in mind. Often you will find 16 to 4th steps that are there to fill in space and eliminate boredom. He creates files with the mindset of making it difficult enough to be just on the borderline of a AAA for the decently skilled player. Aside from this, he follows a method similar to Arch except with a bit of a cater to 4 finger players.
Eggman
Famous for his seniority and EXTENSIVE amount of simfiles. His approach is that of IIDX. He is mostly known for dwis of bemani songs in which notes are very similar to IIDX. This is not necessarily a bad thing considering that many people enjoy IIDX charts. The patterns that eggman chooses are somewhat random but remain index friendly (no double stepping but with occasional crossovers). A generic approach but enjoyably at most times.
NVLM_ZK
NVLM bases his simfiles on difficulty more than anything. He makes files that progressively come out harder than the last. The files push the limit of skill but do not really fit the music too well for the most part because it is made to be HARD. You'll often see people posted brags on NVLM_ZK stepfiles because it is no doubt an accomplishment to do well on them. They are considered fun by very few people.
Mwerp
Best explained by Arch: Mwerp has his own style, except it's very unorthodox and usually only people who know him 'get it'. He has this thing for following 'accented notes' and the 'climax points'. He doesn't go apeshit in this on his old files, but if you play his new ones such as his No. 13 or something you know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. It's why he'll have like, a seemingly random run because it follows the 'climax' of the song, and it'll seem like a pad simfile the rest of the way through.
Those are the main approaches to styles of dwi. Popular artists not mentioned are mostly a mix of what was displayed in files by these.
dantheman = Kilgamayan
Dukamok = Skor + Kilgamayan
pfx13AE (me) = Kilgamayan(earlier) + Skor + Arch (lately) + Toph (pretty versitile in order to please as many as possible)
Reach = Skor (lately), Kilgamayan (prior)
aperson = Cynic + Kilgamayan
I'm sure I forgot someone, and if I did forget someone or if there is something else to add please tell me.
Remember, how enjoyable a simfile is is based solely on the opinion of the player. So do not start a flame war over this somehow.
Discuss.
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