I propose to be more clear in the Ranking Criteria about which tags are allowed/not allowed, particularly with regards to whether tags about third-party tools are allowed or not.

I recently published a tool that simplifies the timing process for variable-bpm songs, and in the release video, I actively suggested that maps timed with it include the tag 'tempora_timer', which the tool generates automatically.

The idea behind the tag was to make it easier for others to discover the program and thus spend less time doing timing, and to be able to see at a glance what impact the tool has on which songs get mapped.

Before releasing the tool, I wanted to that this was okay, so I checked the Ranking Criteria to make sure, and found no rules about it. Further, I ranked this map, which got through the ranking process with the tag. No BN or anyone else pointed out that the tag was an issue. I concluded that it was not an issue and went ahead with it.

Upon releasing the program, I received this comment, which felt rather unpleasant to read, to say the least. I suppose I don't need to explain why. The tag was subsequently removed from my ranked map.

I then pinned a comment to the release video clarifying that the tag should not be included.

While it might seem like no big deal, I think clarification about this is necessary to avoid any similar situation like this in the future.

Ranking criteria already has and has had this rule


The things considered related to a beatmap are already listed in the rule. A program used to create the map is not included in this list. Timing is not typically applicable to a beatmap's style besides maybe swing or straight or alt.

Seeing as you didn't mention it even as being related or needing revisions, I have to think you didn't notice it. It was harder to notice in old rc but should be easier to find in the reorganization seeing as it's the very first point of the tags section.

im pretty sure it is already covered in the Tags section of the Metadata subpage of the Ranking Criteria:

Tags must be related to the beatmap, such as describing the style, song, storyboard, video, or background content. Misleading tags must be avoided.

in short, tags should be directly related to the song (like album names, genre, and stuff) or the beatmap itself (like mapping styles)

In that case, most likely I must have missed it or misinterpreted the RC.

I can only conclude that I caught a streak of bad luck for the tag not being removed in the ranking process and for the issue not being identified while the tool was in alpha (both of which lead to the faulty conclusion about the tag being fine), but that's no fault of RC, of course.

From where I sit, this thread can be closed.

what... i didnt know either we cant have tag for program
and my map was loved with different tool to create hitsound based on midi

beatmapsets/457392#mania/980124

i guess mine is somewhat fit under map style, if u didnt change the semi randomly generated pattern

suggest u put it in map description

Noffy wrote: 5c416y

Ranking criteria already has and has had this rule

Tags must be related to the beatmap, such as describing the style, song, storyboard, video, or background content. Misleading tags must be avoided.

I think most people would read this to mean OP's tag should be avoided, as you have, but...

Noffy wrote: 5c416y

The things considered related to a beatmap are already listed in the rule. A program used to create the map is not included in this list. [...]

this doesn't seem like the right reason to me. it doesn't have to be listed in the rule to be valid, those are just examples ("such as"). the argument to make here is that this tag isn't related to the beatmap, which I think is at least a little bit more in this tag's favor

regardless I also think current RC is good enough right now, the rule does intentionally require some judgement on BNs' part to determine what is a relevant tag and this case is probably just right on the line for some people.