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I would like to think I'm the exception to this rule, but uhh.. yeah, Gameboy music ain't my forte. I'm more of a NES guy

I'm all for music theory discussion on cm.org; we don't get enough of it imo.

Fm13/Bb simply means, Fm13 over Bb. So, the Bb would be our base note, but Fm13 would be played over it.

You seem to be conflating what a 'scale' and a 'key signature' is. A scale is a set of notes, where as a key signature defines the tonality of the music. Using the C major scale is not the same as 'being in C major.'

As roman numerals, you'd write Protodome's passage as:

In C major: I6/9 ->   I13 ->  IV9#11 -> bVII11 -> iv13/7 or bVII13*

*(I'm not quite sure about that last one. Fm13/Bb can alternatively be voiced as Bb13 as they contain the same notes... I think.. I am not great at 13th chords admittedly Protodome or some other music theory buff here could clarify me on this one).

But yeah, the B-flats, A-flats and all other notes that are not within the C major scale would be written in as accidentals.
You only change key signature/tonality in a piece of music if a new tonal centre is established (so if it's clear that a passage of music has well and truely resolved to a new key).

Lastly, whether or not a note is written in as a flat or sharp depends on the key signature we're in and the function of the chord.
(To give a basic example, the chord C7 would be written in as C, E, G, Bb. The B, ie, the '7th degree' is flattened in this case. C7 chords often resolve to F. If we're in C major (and the next chord is F major), the Bb would be written in as an accidental as we haven't fully modulated yet). This can be confusing to tracker musicians who haven't studied music theory because everything in a tracker is in sharps C, E, G, A# (on sheet music anyway) would be incorrect because, even though the tones are the same and it sounds the same as a C7, the A# causes it to spell Caug6 instead.

haha, I completely forgot I made that

PLEASE STOP. Lets end this discussion before it begins,

...ahem... so, favourite moments in chiptune history guys? Idk mine was accidentally discovering 8bc and the chiptune community through getting my music stolen *thumbs up*

Join competitions (battleofthebits has one going on right now, hehe), make things for compilations, make albums, work on projects, hit up net-labels, promote yourself via social media, be social and talk to people... do gigs if that sort of thing is possible for you??

Basically give people a reason to listen to your music rather than just post stuff and pray that the listeners will come to you. This is general "music industry" advice, rather than specific to chipmusic but it still applies for the most part. 'Getting noticed' isn't something that happens overnight unless you're really, really lucky - otherwise it's the result of years of work.

I haven't listened to much music on this site, and I feel the same way about the music section; nowadays, I almost always ignore it cuz it's shoved right up there in the top.

Also half the time it doesn't work.

My short answer is: No, it's not necessary... (necessarily).

Music theory can give you an understanding of how music can work. Learning about music history can be pretty useful because simply knowing bits of trivia and exposing yourself to all kinds of different music is great for inspiration. However you don't need institutionalised education for either of those things.

Just keep writing, listen to lots of music, and get feedback on your stuff. Most of it is getting comfortable with the medium and finding your own "voice."

Hmm, I don't completely agree. Augmented 6ths, jazz theory, alternative scales/modes, rhythmic tension/resolution - there's some pretty neat stuff to learn from those things, even if you don't end up using any of those techniques in your own compositions.

Anyone looking to start really exploring music theory beyond the basics (particularly harmony), I point them in one direction: J. S. Bach... and then work your way along from there.

EDIT: OH, the writing down thing... uhh, well if you don't know music notation, record yourself singing, jot down the idea some other way (using just the note names, or the shape). Have something readily on you at all times (yeah this sounds a bit obsessive, but ideas can come at you at any point). I used to always keep a notepad on me (tho nowadays I just use my phone and make notes).