most Lemmix and NL levels in these styles will have been designed with black in mind
Perhaps, but it's been said from the beginning that the SLX development isn't concerned with
previous (Neo)Lemmix content; this isn't to be dismissive or inconsiderate of the work that has gone into the many fantastic NL packs over the years, it's so we can have something of a fresh start and generate new ideas free from having to worry about existing content preservation.
When I mention concerns about overriding creator content, I'm referring more to content which is created (or ported) specifically to SuperLemmix; I want creators to feel like this is a platform on which their content will be presented exactly as intended, wherever possible. The fact that it's so easy to mod your own copy does somewhat fly in the face of this ideal, though, I realise.
Black as default, give the original levels blue backgrounds using the blue background image in the special style.
This is the more tempting option, because it would be the easiest to achieve with things as they currently are. Also, players could mod their own copy of the OG levels quite quickly, since they'd be able to change the background image for the full set of levels at once instead of having to change the background
colour in theme.nxtm for each style.
My biggest reservation is that this would mean that those who prefer blue would have to manually add the background tile every time a level is made in an OG style. I suppose I could add the tile to each of the OG styles for quick access, but then that clutters up the folders.
Have a drop-down option for black or blue (maybe with GemLems colours as a third option?) for levels in the original styles, not globally
Yes, this is better. Makes more sense, and protects custom content.
It's the
how that slightly holds this one back; it might take me a while to figure out how to do this, and it might end up being more effort that it's worth, especially since it's no longer an accessibility-friendly global option.
With that said, here's what options could be if we were to go in this direction with it:
Original Styles Background Colours
- Always get from level theme* (this would be the default)
- Always Amiga blue
- Always DOS black
(*For the GemLems colours, these would simply be added to theme.nxtm for each style, and would therefore be available when selecting 'Always get from theme').
Presumably, levels that specify a background image, even if it's single-coloured, would continue to have this override the background colour, so won't be affected. So level creators still have this as a way to get their preferred colour.
Yes, that's the case. Background images can currently be deactivated, though, leaving the default/theme background to display instead (I've considered removing this option as well, for similar reasons to not wanting to implement a background colour menu option).
I think I need to hear a bit more from people who'd want the option: what are your reasons/needs/preferences/concerns with this? Are you thinking of playing/creating levels in SuperLemmix or just interested in the discussion?
Also, I wonder if this ever got discussed as an option for Lemmix or NeoLemmix?