Track Talk - Green Hill Zone

[@AFriendlyElfFella]

The Nintendo community is so funny because I just finished watching a video of someone making an entire fan remake of a Sonic game without any attempt to hide it, and then I click one video where a guy merely MODDED this Mario game, and he can't even show footage of his own mod for fear of litigation. Sincerely hope this gets resolved soon because your track is excellent.

[@nerdtoad600]

As much as sega screwed up between 06 and Forces that's one thing they've always done so much better than Nintendo

[@SuperPerry1000]

Honestly same. Sega does a lot of crap things but I'm always genuinely pleased with their lenient stance on fan content. Granted this comes from a place of "they probably realise that a lot of them made better games than THEY did in the 2000's", but we got Sonic Mania out of it. And despite my distaste for Classic Worship I won't deny that game is amazing. Sega has a very healthy relationship with the community (to the extent I'm paranoid that someone will come along and take the piss by charging for a fangame (OMENS HMMMM) and ruin that goodwill forever). Nintendo isn't even consumer unfriendly as much as consumer HOSTILE.

[@AFriendlyElfFella]

@@SuperPerry1000 What makes me saddest most of all is this was a Nintendo FAN issuing takedowns on their behalf. They’re so hostile they’ve bred a generation of bootlickers

[@KingGoji-m1r3]

Nintendo only takes down fan games that make money from ads or something And like you said most takedowns are issued by imposters

[@SuperPerry1000]

@@AFriendlyElfFella Maybe not FANS per-se. A while ago a lot of Nintendo addons got removed from the GMOD workshop by one copyright troll calling himself Arron Peters. Nintendo outright said he wasn't one of theirs. But ol' Garry spread his cheeks for him anyway.

[@Rimea]

Good job adapting this format into something that doesn't use in-game footage, the video is very enjoyable regardless. From what I know of Nintendo's copyright policy due to my dealings with them over the past year, I completely agree with your skepticism in regards to Kaze's and others' claims that almost every Nintendo takedown on KZbin was likely faked. This situation has really muddied the waters when it comes to smaller creators having to deal with Nintendo's copyright policy, because as far as I can tell, every takedown me and many of my fellow modders have had to deal with over the past few years has been legitimate.

[@GameJam230]

I think one thing that could have been really cool to have in this level would be an alternate route that relied on having enough speed to get to, which could be accomplished via a mushroom OR a boost pad activated by other track elements similar to the one in Hyrule Circuit. It’s very well-known for Sonic levels to have several alternate paths through certain parts of courses that depend on your skill level and awareness of the levels, so having something to replicate that feeling would be great.

[@Squadaloo]

I actually did this thing in my course based on Kirby for Mario Kart Wii a few years back and honestly it would probably be easier in Mario Kart 8 given Wii had the giant mushroom which made planning such shortcuts difficult. Obviously too late for this course, but perhaps an idea to revisit if I ever get around to a Chemical Plant or some other level I can take all of the textures from Sonic Generations for.

[@GameJam230]

@ Chemical Plant zone or even something like Casino Night/Studiopolis would be a lot of fun, but I’m not sure if those have assets in the modern 3D games or not. One of my favorite courses has always been Waluigi Pinball just because of how well it replicates that feeling of being in a giant pinball machine on a night in Vegas, and the music for those all are always so catchy and jazzy, so I think one of those other two would be a great addition to the Mario and Sonic Kart roster lol.

[@latenitewaffles7926]

I'm not personally a Sonic fan but this is still my favorite custom course simply because of how high quality it is. The shadows look stellar and it was really impressive at the time (and honestly still is) given how many 8 custom tracks don't even attempt to make the shadows on the track or racers or sometimes both look good. 10/10.

[@stanzacosmi]

another issue i see with the rings vs coins thing is it also depends on what color the rings were made since they already suffer from "a ring in hand looks like a banana from far away", so that's another valid reason. The hyrule and animal crossing ones work because the coins are either drastically different or just a slight flavor thing

[@Mr_Sideways]

My reason for this being one of my favorite all time custom tracks is just because it’s so high quality. The lighting and design is up to if not better than base game mk8, the music is amazing, and it feels so alive as an environment. You are one of my favorite all time mario kart track creators since you’re always making high quality tracks that I love watching.

[@CalebWillden]

Amazing work! So sad you can't show it in-game, but the Blender visuals definitely helped. Thanks for the explanation on the vertical loop. I was confused about that, but it now makes sense. Good design decisions! Recreating and using the original level as background elements is genius. Turned out very appealing and making the track feel rich and immersive. No idea how difficult it would be to set up a "first-person view" path for the Blender camera, showing the track as if someone were driving on it, in addition to the zoomed-out shots, but that would be something pretty cool to consider for future tracks (assuming it's practical and not an unreasonable effort of course).

[@superflameking03]

I'm glad to hear your thought process behind this track. I always thought of it as amongst the pinnacle of modding and what fan communities can accomplish. I honestly think you could probably do just about anything after that, you could possibly even make your own game. Best of luck in all your future endeavors! Your hard work has payed off and I hope it continues to do so.

[@jaydabomb2510]

I know most people where upset that you couldn’t use footage, but personally, I look seeing the blender part of it. I have some knowledge of blender and have drawn up my own courses since MKWii days, so I have been wanting to model my own tracks but haven’t done it yet. It’s so cool to see the process!

[@Squadaloo]

Honestly, I recorded that part of the intro when I originally thought i was just going to use unrendered footage in blender and screenshots. It wasn't until editing that I thought about looking up how to do camera animations in blender so it turned out better than I originally feared. It would still help to show gameplay footage as well, though.

[@YoshKen]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one that thinks that long straightaways are boring and needs something something to spice them up.

[@JarenJohnson-rb4dt]

When I first heard Wii Rainbow Road, I thought it was Sonic, so I've always associated the two, music wise, and I was always upset about there not being a sonic track in 8 Deluxe until I found out Sonic has his own racing game multiple in fact.

[@3DperspectiveJS]

As a massive Sonic fan and Blender nerd, AWESOME JOB.

[@Shayzis]

Well you CAN be proud! First time seeing it and it looks so darn official! The looks, the layout, the details and reference, it's amazing! If only I could try it in a non hypothetical way... oh well.

[@Turbo-vo6hh]

I honestly liked this style of editing, lol. It's a shame you can't drive on the track itself and show gameplay, but it was still an enjoyable video to watch (of course, if it was theoretically possible to play... which it isn't, Nintendo).

[@Redeemed-v6c]

GOSPEL MESSAGE!!!!! THE GOOD 👍😀😀🌍😃😃👏: -God made EVERYTHING through Jesus Christ!!! (Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-3) THE BAD ☹️⛓️👎😭💔😔😔: -We created sin (bad deeds) and are all imperfect beings due to the first human’s big mistake… (Genesis 3, Romans 3:23) -The payment for this bad is death (spiritual, being in the heart, or literal, meaning actual killing)… (Romans 6:23) THE BETTER ☁️❣️☦️❤️‍🩹❤️‍🔥⛓️‍💥🛟: -Jesus came down from His throne in Heaven to serve as the saving sacrifice for us and our sins!!!!!!! (Romans 5:8, Romans 6:23, Matthew 20:28, Mark 10:45, John 13:1-17, Isaiah 53:5, Romans 4:25, 1 Corinthians 15:3-6) BIG NOTES 🤔🧐🤨⚠️⚠️🚨‼️: -Repentance is necessary (Acts 2:38, Mark 1:15, Romans 6:1-2) -Salvation does not come by good works, but by faith in this truth (Letter to The Ephesians 2:8) ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 📖🧠🗡️❤️‍🔥🤯🫡👀: -The Bible (Hebrews 4:12 (The Word of God is a sword), Matthew 4:4 (man shall not live by bread alone but by every word of mouth from God), 2 Timothy 3:16 (All scripture is God breathed), Psalm 119:105 (God’s word is a lamp under your feet lighting your path)) MY TESTIMONY 👋: -I was once addicted to bad content -I was associated with witchcraft -I mocked God frequently -I manipulated my friends -I participated in immorality -I disobeyed my parent(s) (unfortunately I still do a lot of times) -So on “The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.” ‭‭Numbers‬ ‭6‬:‭24‬-‭26‬ ‭KJV‬‬

[@thewanderingchelmet]

@@Redeemed-v6c bro, instead of copying and pasting your resume on random videos, you can convert people to christ by actually interacting with them in public. If I were still an atheist and saw your comment, I would not consider jesus at all. Don't do that. Even if your genuine. It doesn't help anyone.

[@Kamil_Horvath]

If it was me who had received that many comments i would have made to coins into chaos emeralds instead, just to spite people. Nice work on the track. Looks great.

[@GlacialSkyfarer]

Cap the speed at 7 coins and have the characters go super when you reach it

[@thewanderingchelmet]

thats a lot of chaos emeralds, imagine how eggman would react

[@XenoPon2]

This looks so good! Great job 👍

[@Stevoisiak]

The format works well!

[@thomasharrington1477]

Sonic Levels would be amazing in Mario Kart. Green Hill and Chemical Plant are the two most perfect Zones for Mario Kart

[@De_an]

Now I feel stupid for not noticing the entirety of GHZ Act 1 in the background.

[@Poyostar]

Gosh, this is such an incredible track, and I'm glad to see you talk about how you created it! Shame that you had to put up with all those angry commenters, though. Atleast now they can be satisfied, since recent developments have allowed for rings to replace coins here!

[@Squadaloo]

i wouldn't call them angry, although more than a few had the aura of "this track is bad because you forgot that", it was more that it was irritating.

[@quagiscool]

After this video Squadaloo went to the nearest jewellery shop and began ranting how the stupid hollow circles, known as rings, are the bane of his existance.

[@blast8111]

What an absolutely amazing way to continue Track Talk! I was a bit nervous the series wouldn’t come back, but I’m really happy it is! As someone who definitely didn’t play this course that definitely doesn’t exist and definitely loved it to death, it was cool seeing your thought process for the loop, the spiral, the tunnel, and even the very first jump! I somehow didn’t even realize you remade the entire level in 3D in the background, not to mention the fully recreated Sonic logo. You went over them kinda fast, but I think these little details play into your amazing skills and dedication as a level designer. I think I enjoyed this editing style a lot more overall. Combined with the script, it felt like I could see your vision way better. Hope to see more Track Talks in the future! Happy Holidays!

[@bobalinx8762]

Squadaloo, we’re off!

[@ThatOneDudeWhoPostsStuff]

One thing you could do is have the buzz bombers fly over the logo on the final lap as an in-air obsticle to avoid, as well as a nice little hurrah for completing the course.

[@Wongel_mit_Hut]

We DEFENITELY need a Nintendo Kart. Like Smash Bros but with mario kart.

[@CheddarVG]

I mean, it's understandable why you didn't want to use footage, but I'll definitely get some in-game views by having the mod installed.

[@blastkidz1037]

I think it would have been cool if at the beginning there was little stuff like at the beginning of green hills act1 and you could go and they're using the glide panel

[@NerdFromColorado]

My speculation is that the copyright claims are coming from somebody posing as Nintendo and not Nintendo themselves. It would be insane if they completely shut down many of your videos that don’t receive too many views to begin with and leave many of the custom track compilations, some of which with over 100k views, up willy-nilly. If Nintendo was that strict about modding their games, they would be better about taking down ALL of the modded content and not some of it.

[@Squadaloo]

I think I cut it when I made altercations to the script to tighten up the beginning but basically my end takeaway was that it didn't really matter whether it was Nintendo or not since it still resulted in the videos taken down and the appeals denied. It doesn't mean I'm entirely done showing stuff from Custom Tracks on KZbin, but it does matter much more for a video such as this where if the video is taken down, then it's a complete wash where a track release video taken down still manages to keep the track up, and unscripted videos of me playing games doesn't take nearly as much effort to produce.

[@NerdFromColorado]

@@SquadalooThat’s good at least

[@SleepyKaiju7]

I mean...you say you don't think you could top it but, I think you would absolutely do Chemical Plant, Stardust Speedway and Sky Sanctuary some justice.

[@thewanderingchelmet]

Sega should hire this man and pay him 500$ an hour

[@zaadbaad541]

Where are the rings?

[@GideonHannsz-ht3qm]

Yeah where are the rings?

[@user_hat]

how could you forget about the motjerficvking rings?

[@supermannygamer2003]

4:14 and yet again in 2024s sonic×Shadow generations

[@phil2160]

To be fair it's in the Sonic Generations remaster, not the new game included (Shadow Generations)

[@supermannygamer2003]

@phil2160 fair point

[@cutecharacterpower]

This track is truly incredible! One of my fav! But I have a question regarding something you said (not about the track itself): 12:30 you say "at the time" but, outside of that one popular modpack (because I belive the code isn't really public), has anyone found a way to do that? Replace an object only on a specific track?

[@Squadaloo]

Not to my knowledge.

[@cutecharacterpower]

@@Squadaloo alright, thanks for your anwser! And keep up the good stuff!

[@eramferguson1701]

Have you tried making a race course based on the classic/original Mega Man? If you haven't, here's a suggestion, Wily's Castle from Mega Man 1/Powered up

[@Squadaloo]

Yes, actually, as recently as yesterday, although it'd be more of an amalgamation of Wily Castles so I could use Mega Man 2 Wily Stage 1 music. Don't hold your breath on it ever happening, though, I'd have to make so many textures and custom character models it'd be excruciatingly difficult Edit:I misread this as thought about rather than tried. I've never actually started working on a Mega Man course.

[@thewanderingchelmet]

Where are the rings? (JUST KIDDING PLZ DON'T TURN COMMENTS OFF!)

[@AdamAtwood-f2h]

gilder for that sure

[@Eiko...]

Hi Squadaloo, just wanna say I've been subbed for a while and remain mega impressed with your stuff. I wanted to wait a while before making this comment, but I've finally got a team pulled together for a mod-focused PC kart racer I'm developing and would really like to show you what we've got, and get your input. Is there any way I can contact you outside of KZbin comments? Thank you! :]

[@MERCHIODOS]

With all the custom tracks you made, I surprised you didn't try to recreate the Booster Course Pass tracks to make look like base Mario Kart 8 Deluxe tracks

[@whisper_ishere518]

He literally explains why he didn't do that in this video

[@Squadaloo]

I actually did later on, but (spoiler alert for future episode) ultimately realized if I was putting so much time and effort on a course, I'd rather bring something new into the game.

[@chair_dib]

Can’t wait for the marble zone track👍 nah jk.

[@Deftphones]

I guess you won't do another track roundup video since you don't want to show gameplay. I wonder though, what's your opinion on the modding community recently?

[@Squadaloo]

I may make a smaller version of it in the future since those require minimal effort, and I wouldn't feel as burned if they were taken down, but I'm not guaranteeing it. Basically, when I'm not playing the game like I haven't since August or so, I completely stop paying any sort of attention to what's going on in the community so I have no opinion.

[@InvaderZimpressions]

Why do you sound like a shy guy?

[@QuanIvan2007]

Whats ur favorite MK8 CT modder right now? (besides u lol)

[@Squadaloo]

Probably Rimea, but I will say I haven't played custom tracks in like 5 months so if someone dropped the track of the century in that time I wouldn't know it.

[@QuanIvan2007]

@Squadaloo Ahhh theres been good ones. Top 3 for me for u to check out are Area 64 (Remake) by FatCat, SNES Choco Island 1 by Rod and the recent updatte for SNES MC2 by Rimea u mentioned

[@rhetti6368]

i bet you any money MK 9 is going to release with a green hill track. thats why.

[@thewanderingchelmet]

Nintendo was scared and thought he leaked it

[@KBM_Sonic]

3 minutes ago is insane

[@apagan0075]

Should of used footage of Ring Racers or something to confuse them

[@thewanderingchelmet]

it's probably a bot that looks at transcripts across youtube, and copyright strikes videos with certain keywords. Keyword: mod

[@Sombre_Elvio]

HI , i have a question , how long did it take you to finish the modeling , and all the other stuff of the race ?

[@Squadaloo]

I'm horrible with estimates like these, so I'm going to give a wide range, but I'd guess somewhere between 50 and 100 hours.

[@Gabo2oo]

It was me, Barry. I made them post 500 comments asking about the rings so that YOU would shut comments off, reducing your video's engagement just enough for Nintendo to copyright claim it.

[@phil2160]

3:08 bro Lost World and Forces are fine

[@Squadaloo]

We'll agree to disagree. ESPECIALLY about Forces.

[@CryptorYT]

Um... Have you played Forces?

[@Squadaloo]

Yes. It's certainly not the worst game I've ever played, but the level design is mostly bad with levels that are way too short and ok at best and broken at worst (glares at that water slide level). The physics are changed from Sonic Generations for the worse because there's some weird acceleration where once you reach a certain speed, your rate of acceleration changes, which makes platforming feel horrid. I liked the story only because it's so bad it's hilarious. I also think the soundtrack is mostly forgettable. Really, I played it for about 4-5 hours, which was enough time to beat the game and start getting red rings before thinking, "Why am I playing this?" and didn't play it again for 7 years until I fired it up for the sole purpose of getting footage for a bit in this video.

[@CryptorYT]

@@Squadaloo Oh I agree with you 100%, was responding to the other guy

[@Squadaloo]

Sorry, KZbin apparently emails me for any reply to any comment and I misread it. ​@CryptorYT