Add a formal method on the website for users to request patches, mods, transaltions, etc.

[Zenjir0]

Currently the issue I see, is that there is an informal method of requesting translations patches, Quality-of-Life Patches, Relocalization Patches, etc by simply mentioning it on the forum for the respected game.

There can be a few different methods to implement this. Easiest would be to add an option to the existing ticketing system to allow users to submit the patch(es) they want. I do recommend that there be some required fields such as what is the final hash of the game, where is the patch found via a web link, and a way so that others can easily see what has already been submitted. This would also allow a way for people to add a tally to how much the community would like to see said patch implemented.

Something else to consider is that not all patches should be allowed and the devs should be able to reject a patch on current guidlines for said patches. Such as:

Patches must be intended to be used with No Intro, Redump, or FinalBurn Neo bases.
Do not submit patches to be used with GoodTools or TOSEC unless there are absolutely no other options. This should only be relevant with very few unlicensed or homebrew games.
The majority of patches are and should be in BPS format. IPS is allowed for NES due to headers and xDelta is allowed for larger files. DO NOT use any other format without a very good reason for doing so.

As well as rejecting a translation or relocalization on the grounds that they add unfair advantages

If a rom hack is incomplete or in a beta/prototype/testing state with potential game-breaking glitches, crashes, or bugs, intact as a result of hacking, it is usually not allowed.

All-in-All would like to just see a way for the community to be able to formally request. And avoid the spam and disarray like in https://retroachievements.org/viewtopic.php?t=902&o=180

[Zenjir0]

Here is a rough rough draft for just an overview of the feature I am requesting to be added and some of the areas that need polish based on the feedback given here. Feel free to provide feedback. It does come down to if this is ever implemented these are just a list of things to keep in mind.

Introduction
RAWeb should implement a way for users to submit patches for games that they play. To do this there needs to be a formal method for which both users and devs can seamlessly work together while also adhearing to current practices.

Feature Overview
Currently this could be done in a similar fashion to how a ticket is created:
RAWeb could add an option in the existing ticketing system for users to submit patches.
Users who wish to add a patch need to follow some guide lines such as:
- Post link to were the patch is sourced from.
- Answer a few questionaire tick boxes such as "Does this patch change gameplay or behavore?" If yes then it can be immidiately decined as it goes against community policy, and quote it for them. "Avoiding patches that provide unfair advantages or cause game-breaking issues"
- Another question can also be if the patch is in the right format BPS, IPS, or xDelta, or you can prompt to only allow those file types to be submitted.
- Must provide save states for when an achievement will trigger to assist devs in ensuring the current set is compatibile with the patched file.
- Must Provide the final hash of the patched rom.
- Must Provide the original base hash of the No-Intro or Redump file.

For Devs considersations:
Devs also need to have rights and privilages to accept or deny these requests. Transparency to the users is also needed of why a decision was made.
- Devs should be able to submit a response for reasoning on why something was or wasn't accepted (Against Community Policy, Changes Memory Locations, etc)
- While these requests can be closed they should still be visible for several reasons:
- To prevent future repeat requests for items that have already been declined
- So show interest in a certain patch via a tally system, much like how it is already done for requested games, only much more lean and only displays for the reqpected game in question.
- By no means does a Request equal a Demand, users should tamper expectations and it should be convayed that simply because a request is made does not mean it has priority to be implemented.
- That being said, users can help Devs by leading them to documentation on how to test to see if the triggers already work. They can provide savestates and save files to help with the development and testing. Saves time that way.
- Also to avoid confusion there should be something that conveys to the user that this system is for Translation, Relocatioalization, Uncensored, Quality-of-Life Patches and not Content Patches or complete homebrew romhacks or unlicensed games that should be a seperate thing and I believe already is.