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NEW CONTEST
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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by G4MER on Tue May 11th at 4:39pm 2010



Its time for a new Snarkpit Mapping contest...

WHAT GAME: HalfLife 2 Death Match

TIME FRAME: 5-20-2010 to 7-1-2010

THEME: Space/Base - Unreal Tournament

PRIZE: To be announced

Your map can be indoors or out. It should have 2 entry/exit points. Does not matter the placement. Mark them but close them off for later editing. The Sky texture should be downloaded and used is this one: http://www.fpsbanana.com/textures/1931

I am not sure on the space to restrict mappers too, it should not be too large, but also not too small. Something 12 players could run around in and not be too far from the action at any point. If you have any ideas on this please let me know below.

What else do I need to add to this text to help answer your questions and set guidelines?







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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Niborius on Tue May 11th at 5:03pm 2010

You mean, a mapping contest again?

Oh I just want to participate very badly, but I have to use the mouse a little less since last time it hurted a little and I don't want to take any risks.

Anyways, playing Mass Effect a lot lately, I thought it would be cool to make a city lying on a different planet (as a theme)

Like this:


Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/Nibgames



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Le Chief on Wed May 12th at 7:25am 2010

Nice pic, that's one of the styles I'm really interested in!

Another mapping challenge would be cool but I'm ultra busy these days so something small would suit me.


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Riven on Wed May 12th at 11:40am 2010

I think maybe another "Map From Base" challenge could be beneficial. It saves a lot people from having to stare at a blank slate while trying to think of an idea. And if you kept it small, it would make it faster for players to get started and still have something to show in a small amount of time. Plus everyone likes to see how others view the same space.

A "Map From Base" aspect simply implies that all people wanting to join must download a "Base" or "starting" .vmf file to begin mapping from. The user could be allowed to change some elements, but for the most part must leave the world geometry intact. That way, you might be able to leave it theme-free, and maybe game transient.

Just a thought...

Oh, and I really like space levels smiley (low grav, floating things, stars, planets, airlocks...)


Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Condus Mundus on Wed May 12th at 12:22pm 2010

I think it would be nice to have a GoldSrc mapping contest. I feel that the GoldSrc engine is a bit more customizable theme-wise, not to mention easier for modders and custom-contenters IMO.
The only problem would be that so many people have moved on to Source that noone would be interested smiley smiley .
But, crying smilies aside, I think a GoldSrc contest would be refreshing after all these Source based websites popping up recently. (not that I have anything against Source, its just that I perfer GoldSrc)


Now remember kids. Asking questions is a good way to get censored by the government.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by G4MER on Wed May 12th at 12:38pm 2010

Ok, Lets do a Space theme, lets say Unreal Tournament theme Lets say Half Life 2 Death match as the game, since its lends best to that style of game play.

I can make a general box and you fill it how ever you like, or we can give a general dimensions you can build in. I will then take each entry and hook them together as a larger map.. and edit the SnarkPit trophies and award them again. I like the colab. projects. We'll keep it small so each person can get something done and spend time on details and theme.

how does that sound people?

Some examples of Unreal Tournament..





LINK IMAGE IS HUGE:
http://www.unrealaddicts.com/forums/attachments/unreal-front-page-news/2397d1190438790-unreal-tournament-3-concept-art-ut3_sanctuary_1920x1080.jpg

If this sounds good to any of you.. I will edit the first post and get it set up for posting on the front page.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Riven on Wed May 12th at 1:22pm 2010

Quoting Muhnay
Ok, Lets do a Space theme, lets say Unreal Tournament theme Lets say Half Life 2 Death match as the game, since its lends best to that style of game play.

I can make a general box and you fill it how ever you like, or we can give a general dimensions you can build in. I will then take each entry and hook them together as a larger map.. and edit the SnarkPit trophies and award them again. I like the colab. projects. We'll keep it small so each person can get something done and spend time on details and theme.

how does that sound people?


It sounds great! But I think the base vmf should probably be something a little more inspiring than an empty "box." Anything with multiple corners or heights coated with the dev textures, and perhaps even a skybox space(s) to encourage an outdoor portion. Still bare, but with implied form I suppose. Otherwise, it would defeat the purpose of a base vmf.

If there's one thing I've learned working on a colab project, is to keep your goals simple. Be sure to require an entrance or exit somewhere (could also be implied in the base vmf) but also not to rely on features. I still have to finish the train inner-workings, weapon and player spawns on the compilation project... I'll eventually get around to that. I just wouldn't want this to fall under the same fate smiley

Quoting "Condus Mundus"
I think it would be nice to have a GoldSrc mapping contest. I feel that the GoldSrc engine is a bit more customizable theme-wise, not to mention easier for modders and custom-contenters IMO.
The only problem would be that so many people have moved on to Source that noone would be interested smiley smiley .
But, crying smilies aside, I think a GoldSrc contest would be refreshing after all these Source based websites popping up recently. (not that I have anything against Source, its just that I perfer GoldSrc)


Yea, GoldSrc lends itself quite nicely to such a contest that I too think would be a shame to leave out. I know there are a few active members here that still map for it, but it's another thing to get them to participate. Relying on lurkers and passer-bys might not yield any more competitors other than yourself. Of course, that's Muhnay's call.


Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by G4MER on Wed May 12th at 1:42pm 2010

Riven give me a better example of what your thinking. Please.

Also maybe in the future we can do:





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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by tnkqwe on Wed May 12th at 7:32pm 2010

Quoting Condus Mundus
I think it would be nice to have a GoldSrc mapping contest. I feel that the GoldSrc engine is a bit more customizable theme-wise, not to mention easier for modders and custom-contenters IMO.
The only problem would be that so many people have moved on to Source that noone would be interested smiley smiley .
But, crying smilies aside, I think a GoldSrc contest would be refreshing after all these Source based websites popping up recently. (not that I have anything against Source, its just that I perfer GoldSrc)


I'm a GoldScr mapper too. Although I have the Source SDK I still prefer the good old HL because It's more interesting for me.

And a GoldScr mapping challenge will be really nice.

P.S.
Muhnay, why are you writing challAnge instead of challEnge in the contest headers?


Never think about bad things!
TNKqwe:The New Killer qwe

I am Engineer - Play Free Online Games

Citizen Arms



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by G4MER on Wed May 12th at 7:43pm 2010

Cause I cant spell, and neither can my spell checker.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Riven on Wed May 19th at 10:07pm 2010

Quoting Muhnay
Riven give me a better example of what your thinking. Please.


Op, sorry about not getting 'round to providing you with another example. Let me explain....

Do you remember the MFB competition, Snickers (erm, Naklajat) hosted? "Map From Base". If you need some refreshers, here is the discussion thread about how to get it started:
MFB Discussion Thread

And then the first round rules thread:
Criteria Thread

This doesn't have to be SP or even the start of a chain map, I just liked the idea of having to take something already given, and developing it further. It's very interesting to see where each person took it. You wouldn't even have to specify a theme really.


Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by G4MER on Wed May 19th at 10:37pm 2010

Ok so I would have to build a basic map? And then have people download that map and edit it and texture it and all that jazz?



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Riven on Fri Jul 23rd at 4:23am 2010

===================BUMP===================

It would seem like this initiative fell by the wayside a bit. It was brought up to me that we should probably get around to hosting one soon for the Summer crowd. I don't mean to hijack this thread, but it already has a listing of people's input and desires for the next competition. I suggest you read about and update yourself on what others have suggested before making a new response if you're interested.

Any comments? -If Muhnay doesn't make a move sooner, I'd say we might see a nice mini-comp start up sometime in the next week or two. Kind of like our old "Doors" competition I imagine.

-Any takers? smiley


Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Zein on Fri Jul 23rd at 8:53pm 2010

IDEA ONE: EXTREMLY cinematic singleplayer experience, explosions eye catching goodness and visuals so far up your @ss that it would hurt!

IDEA TWO: ANOTHER DOOR MAKING COMPETITION YAAAAYYY!!!



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Crono on Sun Jul 25th at 2:32am 2010

Single player contest sounds kinda cool, actually.


Blame it on Microsoft, God does.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Riven on Thu Aug 12th at 1:13am 2010

=============New Competition Ideas Start Here!=============
---Anchored from front page news post---


Ok, I'm expecting a two-week mini competition to start up this Friday or Saturday!

I've been perusing the forums for old rejected ideas or ideas never-to-be to compile a list of competition ideas or "themes" to help get the whole shebang underway!

You guys can offer your two cents on which one you'd be willing to participate in and offer new ideas or revisions. Or if you just want more details on any of these feel free to ask away. Making a response in this thread commits you in NO WAY. This is simply a discussion. Really any feedback would be welcome... smiley

All ideas listed below are intended to be "small" in comparison to standard larger mapping competitions. Each design idea is meant to be completed in two weeks time.
  1. A repeat of the "Doors Competition"
  2. The Shifting room. A small room that shape-shifts (supernaturally/mechanically/however...) to a different look, feel and function.
  3. A cool physics puzzle
  4. A short repeating Rube-Goldberg machine. Simulated or actually physically simulated, wouldn't matter.
  5. "Elevator Presentation" As the elevator descends/ascends, a host of different scenes take place on each level as it passes through a virtual "ride."
  6. "The Abstract Map"
  7. "The dream sequence"
  8. "The flat shaded map"
  9. "The Coolest Explosion"
  10. "1 Megabyte of Awesomeness Map" + a theme to make it competitive.
  11. A Brushworks Only Map. + a theme
  12. Best Scary Map
  13. best Trap
  14. Real-Life recreated -A photo of a real place recreated in a map.
  15. best nature map
  16. Coolest architecture
  17. Uncommon map themes: holocaust, heaven, in an airplane (while flying), stylized (like psychonauts), care-bear land, etc...
  18. A New enemy encounter -however you'd pull that off.
  19. Most original theme within the abstract restrictions. Make your own theme in other words.
  20. Escher'ish architecture...Upside down rooms and the like, or illusions.
  21. Surrealism outside of HL2 themes
  22. A small 'rats' theme
  23. "light a scene" -take a pre-made scene and light it up!
  24. A view from a space station
  25. Another Contrasting Themes competition
  26. Cool use of sounds in a map
  27. best acting for a map (NPCs, voice-overs, any other way you can codify "acting" in a map.
  28. best shortest battle.
  29. A boss fight
  30. Teach a complex topic through your map. (themed?)
  31. A game within a game...
  32. A roller coaster
  33. alternative places within HL2. Tack on a new area off of an official HL2 map. Such as any place that was ever off-limits in the game(s).

Here's a nice quote from Orpheus I picked up that should help you decide a good entry.
Quoting orpheus
1st off, we need a theme that has the greatest chance of success.
2nd, we need a theme that even the most basic mapper can achieve.
3rd, we need a theme that will draw the biggest portion of participants.
4th we need a theme that we have not yet done.


So there ya go. A good compilation of ideas I made up and others I've found throughout the Pit for the last 7 years. If you guys don't make any offers or suggestions, I'll make a decision for Friday (either way the decision happens on Friday, but your comments can influence and persuade a new or alternative decision. I haven't picked which one yet.) I tend to sway with the crowd, so if more than two of you begin to support the same idea, that one will most likely get picked. The choice will be revealed when the competition begins.

Go! smiley


Blog: www.playingarchitecture.net
LinkedIn: Eric Lancon
Twitter:@Riven202



Quote
 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Aug 12th at 3:30am 2010

Quoting Riven

  1. A repeat of the "Doors Competition"



/me remembers something about this. smiley

anywhos:
I dunno if the current Snarkpit members are capable, or even willing but here is an idea.

Make a maps where the least wins.

Now I'm serious, no killboxes with 6 walls and a light tries to win. I mean a real map.

Whomever creates a playable, fully detailed, to scale, yet smallest map in total volume, wins.

You guys would have to determine all the details to reduce any chance of someone cheating but I think it could work.

If I'm not mistaken, I thought there was a way to determine volume wasn't there?

Anywho, its an idea.



The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Le Chief on Thu Aug 12th at 8:00am 2010

Quoting Orpheus
I dunno if the current Snarkpit members are capable, or even willing but here is an idea.


Um yes quite a few of the current active members are quite skilled level designers so no need to worry about capability.

As for your idea, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Create a detailed map and the one with the smallest volume wins? That doesn't sound too clear smiley


Aaron's Stuff



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Orpheus on Thu Aug 12th at 10:25am 2010

No deliberate insult intended. I have no clue as to the current members capabilities. Its much, much harder to make a good playable map with smaller areas I assure you.

Most, if not all new mappers tend to create grandious areas. Its a flaw we all have to deal with. They tend to be big, empty constructs with no real playability.

Besides, I doubt very seriously that you guys are going to draw a crowd of oldtimers so assuming this idea flies, you're gonna get a bunch of newer mappers with BIG ideas.

So my idea was to encourage/force maps of smaller sizes.

That's about as clear as it gets.

If you still do not understand, perhaps you should attempt to make one.. IE "No_Patience" Its not as easy as you think.



The best things in life, aren't things.



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 Re: NEW CONTEST
Posted by Condus Mundus on Thu Aug 12th at 12:11pm 2010

Of the big list Riven made I've got to say, I really like the idea of 13 and 30. I have been expirimenting with a few trap ideas but haven't been able to put them into an actual multiplay map, and I have always wanted to try something like #30 in a mini map series or something.

My only question is this: Is the choice of GoldSrc vs Source still in limbo? or is it decided either way yet?


Now remember kids. Asking questions is a good way to get censored by the government.




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