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Reviewer: TrademarkedTWOrantula (talk · contribs) 04:21, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Tears of the Kingdom, GTA, and now this? 2024 is really the year for good articles! TWOrantula^TM (enter the web) 04:21, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Rate	Attribute	Review Comment
1. Well-written:
	1a. the prose is clear, concise, and understandable to an appropriately broad audience; spelling and grammar are correct.	Prose is a bit rocky. However, it has improved post-GA review.
	1b. it complies with the Manual of Style guidelines for lead sections, layout, words to watch, fiction, and list incorporation.	Lead section is of an adequate length. Layout is up to code. Article is not infected with words on the WTW list. Fiction is out-of-universe. List incorporation policy does not apply.
2. Verifiable with no original research:
	2a. it contains a list of all references (sources of information), presented in accordance with the layout style guideline.	No bare URLs spotted. References and further reading sections are in the correct place.
	2b. reliable sources are cited inline. All content that could reasonably be challenged, except for plot summaries and that which summarizes cited content elsewhere in the article, must be cited no later than the end of the paragraph (or line if the content is not in prose).	Reliable sources are cited (save for a few Kotaku articles).
	2c. it contains no original research.	Spotchecking proves text-source integrity.
	2d. it contains no copyright violations or plagiarism.	Earwig shows no concerns.
3. Broad in its coverage:
	3a. it addresses the main aspects of the topic.	The conception, design, description, reception, and impact are mentioned—material that is adequate for an article about a fictional character.
	3b. it stays focused on the topic without going into unnecessary detail (see summary style).	Article stays focused.
	4. Neutral: it represents viewpoints fairly and without editorial bias, giving due weight to each.	Article is neutral.
	5. Stable: it does not change significantly from day to day because of an ongoing edit war or content dispute.	Article has not been in any recent edit wars.
6. Illustrated, if possible, by media such as images, video, or audio:
	6a. media are tagged with their copyright statuses, and valid non-free use rationales are provided for non-free content.	Promotional art and skin variant images are tagged with the correct copyright status and have valid non-free use rationales.
	6b. media are relevant to the topic, and have suitable captions.	Character art is relevant (obviously). Image of skin variants support the article's content. Captions are adequate.
	7. Overall assessment.	"Steve, I'm stuck!"

Quickfail?[edit]

• Y Nothing too problematic.
• Y It has minimal copyright violations according to Earwig.
• Y It has zero citation needed tags or cleanup banners.
• Y Article is stable.
• Y This is the first GA review.

Few notes before we begin[edit]

• EventHubs and SVG are unreliable per WP:VG/S.
  • Will remove soon.
• What makes Quartz, Deadline, Huffpost, and Lego Club Magazine reliable?
  • All of the above except Lego Club Magazine are reliable per WP:RSP. Lego Club Magazine is a print source from Lego themselves, so I would say it's perfectly fine.
• Per WP:VG/S, content from CBR post-2016 is considered unreliable.
  • The situation regarding CBR is more complex than that, and several editors have differing opinions beyond "post-2016 is unreliable". The discussion that determined that was around 50/50. I've removed it anyways since it didn't back up all that much, though.
• Optional: Italicize game names for references per WP:CONFORMTITLE - personal preference
• Are all of the sources listed in the further reading section reliable?
  • They're all published papers and journals from experts, and they're not really sources per say. I think they're all fine.
• Reference number #39 (Sakurai tweet in Japanese) could use an English translation
  • Not sure how to go about this as I don't speak the language, nor did I add the reference.
• I'd suggest linking every website name (up to you, I prefer blue links)
  • Will do soon.
• Esports coverage on Dexerto is considered iffy per WP:VG/S.
  • I personally dislike Dexerto, but the discussion at the RS noticeboard pointed out that they did get some awards for their esports coverage. The rest of the site is iffy, but esports coverage (especially in a section about banning the character) should be okay.
• I see a duplicated reference in the further reading section. Not sure which one to keep.
  • Removed duplicate references.

Lead[edit]

• I'd unlink "video game" (rephrase to "2011 sandbox game")
• Is "video game developer" a necessary link? Kind of feels like I'm floating in a MOS:SEAOFBLUE.
• Shrink link: "Java-based version" -> "Java-based"
• and introduced in the initial Java-based version of Minecraft which was first publicly released on May 17, 2009, -> ...and introduced in the 2009 Java-based version...
• I'd recommend linking "skins" to the redirect Skin (video games)
• by the developers of Minecraft - What's this part mean? This could be cut.
• "predefined character" -> "default(?) character"
• was first introduced
• "have a chance" -> "have a choice"
• or any of the other
• variant skins
• "account, although" -> "account. However,"
• the skin is easy to change from the client or website -> "...the skin can be changed from the client or website" - Side note: What does "client" mean?
• Link video game industry?
• Link Minecraft (franchise) at "Minecraft franchise"
• Add in-universe gender?
  • Not 100% sure what you mean by this.
    • The article describes Steve using he/him pronouns (so I'm assuming he's male)
• has appeared extenstively
• including wearable apparel
• Link Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
• "the games" -> "the game's"
• he has been -> he had been - also cut "subsequently"?
  • Not changed as he remains controversial and continues to be banned or unbanned from tournaments.
• Link "tournaments for the game" to Super Smash Bros. in esports?
• Sudden realization: Merge sentence about Steve being banned from several tournaments with the previous one?
• has additionally been
• "utilized" -> "used"
  • Done all of the above unless specifically noted otherwise.
    • Have you made some edits to the lead?
      • I... somehow forgot to publish the changes. They're up now. I don't know how I forgot that, my bad.

Concept and design[edit]

• Steve was designed for Minecraft by the game's creator Markus Persson. - Change to active voice Changed my mind; rephrase sentence to "Steve was designed by game creator Markus Persson."
  • Done.
• He is presented as a human character
  • Done.
• which is consistent with the aesthetic and art style of the game - most people know what Minecraft looks like
  • Not removed since there's still the off-chance some people in a general audience isn't aware of what exactly Minecraft looks like, so better to be safe than sorry in my opinion.
• is a eight-by-eight pixel image -> is an eight-by-eight pixel image
  • Done.
• "usually adorned" - why "usually"? I thought that was his default skin?
  • This is referring to his goatee, which has appeared off and on throughout the games history.
• In the console edition of the game...
  • Done.
• in a variety of different outfits
  • Done.
• from Persson due to being "generic" -> ...due to Persson thinking it was "generic"
  • Done.
• So people just started calling him Steve out of nowhere?
  • Per this source from PC Gamer ([1]), yes.
• Why is "Bedrock Edition" italicized?
  • Don't know but it isn't anymore.
• In spite of his masculine name and features, Persson claimed that Steve's gender was never intended to be fixed. - Should be cited + "claimed" is a weasel word + "fixed" is a strange word to use IMO
  • Fixed, also the citations are at the end of the next sentence.
• Also, the word "masculine" should be linked earlier
  • Done.
• reinforced a default aesthetic for the game which is "traditionally masculine" -> ...reinforced the "traditionally masculine" aesthetic of the game
  • Done.
• where "gender doesn't exist" -> ...where everyone was included(?) Better idea: "He emphasized that Minecraft was designed to be an inclusive, genderless game..." (word is repeated later)
  • Done I think?
• Cut comma between "exist" and "and"
  • Done.
• "intended to represent a human being" - Why is this in quotes?
  • It isn't anymore.
• "intended to represent a human being" who was genderless -> ...supposed to be a genderless human being...
  • Done.
• the gender option ("options") to just male
  • Done.
• "is telling everybody this is a boy game only" -> would insinuate Minecraft was a "boy game only"
  • Done.
• Again, there's the word "claimed"
  • Reworded.
• claimed that he
  • Reworded per above.
• character model
  • Done.
• Remove comma between "Minecraft" and "but"
  • Done.
• "the results have been extremely sexist." -> the final design had been "extremely sexist".
  • Done.
• As part of the motive behind making the game more gender-neutral -> "To keep the game gender-neutral"...
  • Done.
• Steve's goatee was removed in 2009, but continued to appear in other media -> "Steve's goatee was removed in 2009 but has reappeared in other media."
  • Done.
• another default skin that is complimentary for all Minecraft players named Alex -> "Alex, another complimentary default skin for all players, was added..."
  • Rewritten based on this.
• Link Windows, Macintosh, and Linux?
  • Sure.
• Not sure why Java Edition is italicized
  • Not anymore.
• ...mobile versions of Minecraft...
  • Done.
• Cut comma between "Steve's" and "but"
  • Done.
• she has orange hair tied into a ponytail and narrower arms -> ...her orange hair is tied into a ponytail. (I don't see how mentioning narrower arms is important here)
  • I would personally argue it to be a significant detail, since its technically a different character model and describing how the models are different should be kept in. Reworded it as advised beyond that, however.
• Commenting on Minecraft's reputation for better gender representation compared to other video games in the industry as of the 2010s -> Commenting on Minecraft's campaign(?) for better gender representation compared to other games...
  • Done.
• Helen Chiang, the Microsoft studio head responsible for the Minecraft franchise, - Person = Studio???? Misread, misinterpreted, sorry.
• to leverage the power of the Minecraft brand to subvert traditional gender stereotypes. -> "to use the Minecraft brand as a tool to subvert gender stereotypes."
  • Done.
• "as having" -> "with"
  • Done.
• "identical" -> "similar"
  • Done.
• "physical capabilities" -> "abilities"
  • Done.
• Cut "as each other"
  • Done.
• "this reinforces" -> "it would reinforce"
  • Done.
• "and their commitment to its ideals" - kinda unnecessary?
  • Done.
• Cut "to allow for more detail" - doesn't really add on to the sentence + sounds awkward imo
  • This is a pretty widely used feature in the game's skins, so I don't think the detail should be completely cut. Maybe a reword depending on your suggestions?
• In August 2022, an update to Minecraft - already said
  • Done.
• for both Steve and Alex
  • Done.
• "which utilized" -> "using"
  • Done.
• more detailed texturing
  • This is a detail I don't see a point in cutting, personally.
• also restored
  • Done.
• Add comma between "goatee" and "which"
  • Done.
• removed a more than a decade prior
  • Reworded to say thirteen years instead, since I believe that's more accurate.
  • Done.
• Steve and Alex character model - "character models"?
  • Done.
• Cut "as part of a push"
  • Done.
• to increase
  • Done.

Description[edit]

• Gah.... ref numbers... no.... must not complain about ref numbers... hrghhhhhhh!
  • I'll fix that anyways.
• that are available to(?)
  • Done.
• A skin is the appearance of the player's avatar that represents the player in the game world, which can be changed, altered, or replaced by the player. - A wikilink would work better than a sentence (actually, you can cut this sentence)
  • A quick, basic description of what an in-game skin is doesn't hurt in my opinion. See MOS:NOFORCELINK.
• All zombie mobs found in Minecraft appear to be wearing the same clothing as Steve, although no official explanation was ever given for why. - How is this relevant?
  • Removed.
• Uncapitalize "mobile" in "Mobile editions"
  • Done.
• they've -> "they have"
  • Done.
• up to eight variants of Steve were also offered, none of them female -> "up to eight male variants of Steve were offered"
  • Done.
• a greater variety of characters that were available to those who purchased them as part of bundles -> characters that could be purchased from bundles.
  • Done.
• manually selected - just sounds weird?
  • Done.
• "randomly assigned" how?
  • Reworded to say its randomized between the two.
• the version of Minecraft being played -> "depending on which version of Minecraft is being played"
  • Done.
• Cut "backstory provided in" - I get the feeling it's like fanfiction or something IDK it's 11:00 PM, and I want sleep
  • Done.
• and both have
  • Done.
• Italicize Lego Club Magazine
  • Done.
• Link Creeper (Minecraft)
  • Done.
• "got into" -> "had infiltrated"
  • Done.
• "original words" - ???
  • Done.
• Remove comma between "words" and "and"
  • Done.
• actually best friends instead
  • Done.
• Italicize "Minecraft"
  • Done.
• Link asexuality
  • Done.
• except for villagers and some animals, who can be seen having children in-game. - Pretty sure animals don't have "children"...
  • Reworded to offspring.
• by in live-action
  • Done.
• Both Steve and Alex are skins...
  • Done.
• Steve also appears a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate - Wouldn't it be better to say "fighter"?
  • To a general audience, I think "character" makes just a tiny amount more sense.
• Cut "additionally"
  • Done.
• Steve's head appear
  • Done.

Reception[edit]

• Critics noted that Steve has achieved a level of cultural impact and viral recognition outside of the character's original purpose as a baseline or default skin for new players of Minecraft. - "Noted that" is only used for facts\
  • Changed.
• "original purpose" - ???
  • Changed to "origin".
• as a baseline or default skin for new players of Minecraft
  • Done.
• As the face of the franchise in promotional and advertising materials, some commentators - Commentators = face of franchise?
  • Fixed.
• has to a protagonist or main character - "protagonist" should be linked first
  • Fixed.
• This is in spite of the fact that his existence is not asserted by way of an official backstory or in-game dialogue unlike most other video game characters. - Relevant? Prose sounds kind of awkward; also, I think the same topic was mentioned earlier in the article
  • Probably relevant enough to mention again in Reception?
• staff of publications -> "publication staff of"
  • Done.
• Actually I'm just gonna copyedit small mistakes instead of pointing 'em out here (it'll save you some time)
  • Appreciate it.
• In 2010, Herobrine, a creepypasta that is a derivative design of Steve with white, solid eyes, was created on 4chan, gaining prominence amongst the Minecraft community and becoming an internet meme. - Tried copyediting this sentence. Not sure if this works.
• Ah shoot... an edit conflict
• Kotaku staff were divided over the playable iteration of Steve in Ultimate. - "playable iteration"?
  • Fixed.
• I believe "observe" is a word to watch
  • Unsure if there a better way to word this?
• Some players began advocating for Steve to be banned from tournaments, fearing the character's dominance could negatively affect viewership like Bayonetta had for Super Smash Bros. for Wii U. - ???
  • Might have fixed?
• due to the discovery of a new technique that negates hitstun, removing knockback from opponent attacks and effectively allowing Steve to immediately retaliate. - Sounds too technical
  • Attempted to make it easier to comprehend to a general audience.
• Steve embodies this possibility more than most with a process akin to a kind of scaffolded pixel art enabling the redesign of the entire surface of the body beyond changing a pre-defined hairstyle or skin color. - ??????????
  • Reworded.
• This process is particularly visible through the proliferation of online communities and forums set up to share user-generated adapted skins. - Could use simplifying
  • Done.
• Who's the "he" in "Nevertheless, he observed that..."?
  • I assume Bailey.
• due to their enthusiasm in engaging with the possibility of customizing their avatars' appearances. - ???
  • Simplified.
• which represents a player's direct input in how they want to be represented in-game. - Uhhhhhhhhhh
  • Honestly, I'm not sure what the problem is with this one in particular.
• So what I'm seeing here is that Steve can be used as a way to express one's identity and creativity because he's a customizable character (you can put a cap, sunglasses, jeans, etc.)?
  • Yes. You can change literally any aspect about Steve.
• Not sure what "regardless of whether it is similar to or in contrast to the player's identity in the real world" has to do here.
  • I would say that it represents how players can choose to be themselves or do whatever else they want. I mean, a lot of Minecraft skins don't make much sense, so...

Spotchecking[edit]

Reference numbers are of this revision.

• #1
  • N His design consists of a light blue top, a pair of blue trousers, and shoes, while his face is an eight-by-eight pixel image usually adorned with a goatee. - Nothing about the face is mentioned
    • Resolved.
  • Y While the name Steve originated as a joke due to Persson thinking it was "generic", the name was adopted by the community and became official in the Bedrock Edition of Minecraft.
  • N Like Steve, Alex initially could not be selected in these console versions, and the skin chosen is randomly assigned whenever players start a new game. - Nothing said about Alex not being able to be selected in console versions
    • To my knowledge, reference #5 verifies this, not reference #1.
  • Y Backstory in Lego Club Magazine - Moved the reference for you
• #5
  • Y In spite of his masculine name and features, Steve's gender was never meant to be specific. In 2012, Persson explained that Minecraft's blocky graphics reinforced the "traditionally masculine" aesthetic of the game.
• #20
  • N As of 2022, both Steve and Alex, as well as the other seven default skins, can be manually selected in all versions of the game, either via an in-game menu or in the game launcher, depending on the version of Minecraft being played. - Does not mention the other seven default skins
    • Added a new reference to this sentence that should resolve this problem.
• #25
  • N Steve also appears a playable character in Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, where Alex and some enemies from Minecraft are featured as alternate costumes. - Removed for you
  • Y Cosmetics based on Steve's head appear in Borderlands 2 and Hybrid.
• #27
  • N Cosmetics based on Steve's head appear in Borderlands 2 and Hybrid. - The Borderlands 2 easter egg involves punching Minecraft blocks and defeating Creepers for loot
    • Completely removed this sentence.
• #40
  • Y Patricia Hernandez of Polygon and Nadia Fox of US Gamer noticed a suggestive animation was featured at the character's win screen, which generated more publicity surrounding the character's imminent debut in Ultimate. - I miss his meat :(

All above nay's have been resolved. I apologize for some of the failed verification's, as I was not the one to originally place some of these citations. λ NegativeMP1 17:24, 29 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Alright, that should do it. Just gonna check a few more things, and we'll be done. TWOrantula^TM (enter the web) 17:28, 29 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]