User:The Jacketed Terrapin/Third-Party Universe Catalog/Ruleset

Before adding a universe to this page, it is strongly recommended to read these rules.

Recommendations:

• Outside of the "What isn't allowed" list, there are no limits on which universes are allowed here. They can have worldwide fame or be obscure to the point literally no one has heard of them, they can spawn an entire franchise or only have one standalone game, they can be exclusive to Nintendo hardware or not have a single release on Nintendo hardware, and they can be serious additions you’d think would be great for ‘’Smash’’ or simply be added for the sake of comedy (i.e. a “joke addition”); the sky is the limit.
• Files for the universe logos should follow the naming standard of "File:Universe Name logo.filetype". Additionally, transparent logos are highly preferred over ones with a non-transparent background (though it is perfectly fine to use the latter if it's the only image of the logo available).
• Consoles that are listed as the "Consoles of origin" should be ordered by their release date.
  • On a related note, any universe that debuted on macOS should use the then current name of the operating system at the time of the first game's release (e.g. any game released between 2001-2011 should be labeled with "Mac OS X", 2012-2015 should use "OS X", and 2016-onward should use "macOS")
• While this page isn't strictly tied to any universe type (whether it be major, secondary, or minor), universe descriptions may only be written like how they would appear on the minor universes pages (i.e. a brief description that doesn't write like an entire 5 or so-page essay).
• Stuff like descriptions, infobox info, or even adding universes on here is free for anyone to edit, but only I decide what can stay and what goes. Additionally, in order to avoid any unnecessary clutter on the "candidates for speedy deletion" tag pages, it is highly preferred that I or an admin would add universe logos.
• If there's a universe you want to see added, but you don't feel like adding it yourself, don't worry, I do take suggestions. To suggest a universe, simply go to this sandbox's talk page and suggest it there, just make sure it doesn't break any of the "What isn't allowed" guidelines. Do note that any universe you suggest is not guaranteed to be added to the list right away, so please be patient if a universe you suggested isn't added yet.
• If there's a universe you want to add to the list, but you're unsure on whether it qualifies or not, ask about it on this sandbox's talk page. Similarly, you can also use the talk page for any potential mistakes or if you have concerns about a certain universe's inclusion on the list.
• Should a universe on this page actually get representation in the Smash series, it should be removed from this page.

What isn't allowed:

• Third-party universes that already have representation in the Super Smash Bros. series. The dependent universes that are listed on the List of minor third-party universes page are fair game, however, as those do not have the standard infoboxes that the other universes share.
• Any universes that are already added to my List of unrepresented universes or List of Chronicle universes pages. You can, however, add anything that is listed on this page, but only if it falls under the "Third-party games published by Nintendo outside of Japan" category.
• Any primarily non-video game property (Dragon Ball, Shrek, SpongeBob, you name it). Franchises that technically started out as non-gaming media, but are primarily video game franchises (such as Megami Tensei or Strider), are fair game, however. Games based on public domain works are also valid, but they must've been in the public domain by the time their video game adaptation came out.
  • Also worth noting, just because a non-gaming property is owned by a video game company (such as Gundam via Bandai Namco or Fullmetal Alchemist via Square Enix) does not mean it can go on the list. The video game series has to have far higher priority over the other types of media in order to qualify for the list.
• Unreleased or cancelled games. While Smash games do often contain content from games that weren't released yet (with Melee even having a trophy of an IP that wasn't released yet), allowing unreleased games is more likely than not going to lead to a floodgate of universes that very well may never see the light of day overflowing the page. To keep things a lot more simple, only include games that have actually had at least one installment released.
• Anything currently owned by Sony Interactive Entertainment, as there should be a PlayStation All-Stars 2 instead unlike Microsoft, no content owned by the company has any representation in the Smash series.
• Explicitly erotic games. As Smash is supposed to be a family-friendly series, these types of games have pretty much a 0% chance by default. Do note, however, that just because a series has sexual themes doesn't necessarily mean it is disallowed from the list (For example, Bayonetta is known for its high amount of fanservice, yet its lead character is a playable fighter in the Super Smash Bros. series).
• Games that are clearly meant to promote bigoted views (e.g. white supremacy games, anti-LGBTQ+ games, games that promote ableism, etc.). While I do accept “joke universes” on the page, the project is also supposed to be semi-serious, so adding these types of games will give a false sense of interpretation that I am supportive of these games’ ideals, so I highly suggest you refrain from adding them as a joke, as well. Do note that just because a series might contain potentially offensive content (whether via lack of research or due to the series being made at a time where said content wasn't seen as taboo) doesn't necessarily mean it is supposed to promote those themes.
  • On a semi-related note, I am able to remove a universe from the page if I deem it to be too “controversial” (such as games containing subject matter that is too touchy to talk about or games that are clearly meant to showcase the creator's political beliefs) or for any other reason as to why I don't want it on the page.

Some other notes:

• The company categories are not necessarily a way of saying that these companies should have representation in Smash (especially if some of them are known to be rather scummy), but rather serve as an easy categorization for certain universes; and besides, IPs are still subject to change ownership and this page is only really focused on the IPs themselves, anyway.
• Some universes may be under a certain company not necessarily because said company may own that IP, but more because they are the main publisher of that series. This is especially in cases where the true ownership of the IP is very dicey.