::|CONTENTS
- Battle Types and Bitpacks
- Ripped Bits
- See Also
Most
battles have a bitpack, a donloadable .zip file with sources and/or rules to be used constructing battle entries. The bitpack's purpose is to give inspiration, set guidelines, and to ensure
BotBrs start their entries from scratch. A good bitpack will also create unity among the battle's entries.
At the very least, if a battle has zero
bits, the bitpack will be a text file
rulesheet. It will contain rules and/or words of inspiration from the
battle's host. Again, the point of a bitpack is to help set the direction of the battle's entries.
Some rare multi-format battles do not require a bitpack, such as major chip battles or the old
triple theme battles.
A good bitpack is very important, as it "sets a tone that resonates through all the entries it inspires" -
puke7.
A battle host may take suggestions from other BotBrs or use their own imagination to create a set of rules for an
XHB.
The bitpack may declare rules that either help BotBrs by granting liberties, or hinder them by imposing limitations.
Allowing synths and outside sounds would be an example of granting liberties. Commonly imposed limitations include certain scales, number of voices, time signature, exclusion of notes/chords, etc. Both limitations and liberties can be mixed for more interesting play!
Battle Types and Bitpacks
A sample pack is traditionally a compilation of some number of samples/sounds to be used in a
compo or
XHB. Recently, though, with the introduction of visual battles (yarh!) it also means some bitpacks will consist of color palettes or images. A bitpack may also contain the rules of the battle in particular, such as theme, scale usage, color usage, etc. And once a pack is uploaded to the site, it'll become part of the database of the site for all to download and use.
25 Samples 48 Hours remix is the original BotB tradition. The bitpack is created by the BotB community by submitting and then voting on each bit. The bitpack is made available when the remix period begins, containing the community's favorite samples.
XHBs require a set of bits and/or a specific rule created by the host.
Duels don't exist yet. The hosting is still vague. . .
Winter Chip is a multi-format chiptune and/or
chip music battle. In the past, there has been no bitpack for these, though the official BotB rule 'All entries must be original' is displayed on the battle's homepage.
Surprise Remix bitpacks typically contain themed audio samples.
Photomash bitpacks will contain photos.
Ripped Bits
S3XMODIT bitpacks tend to be a single module file with samples/instruments preloaded and ready to g0g0g0g0g0! A good
Host will provide an original combination of bits for the pack. Taking a module and deleting its song data is not good hosting.
See Also
Battle
XHB
Bit
