SnarkPit's 2008 Portal Competition

Welcome to the first official SnarkPit Portal Competition Thread!

General Info:

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[*] The theme for this competition is to create: The Best Portal Boss Battle. Take that for whatever it might mean to you. Your goal however, is to create a map that provides the richest "boss battle" experience using the Portal concept, setting and puzzles.

[*] The competition will run from April 1st through <STRIKE>April 30th</STRIKE> [color=#af38fe][UPDATE]: May 31st @ 11:59 PM[/color] your time zone.
[*] Judging will be put to a forum vote for one (1) week after entry submissions. Judging should be based on aesthetics (how pretty is the map?), craftsmanship (how well was the map was put together?), creativity (any new or interesting gameplay designs and or map construction methods?), and most importantly, relevancy to the theme (how well does the map comply with the theme of the competition?). Keep these in mind when designing and building your map!
[*] Winner will receive a Steam game of their choice worth $30.00 or less! One stipulation: There must be at least three (3) valid entries [UPDATE]: From three different people voted on for the prize to be awarded to the winner.
[*] In order to submit your map, you may either: send your map via e-mail to riven (at) genecy.net [color=white]or post a download link in this thread. You may enter your map anytime before the deadline.
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[color=white][color=limegreen]The guidelines:[/color][/color]

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[list]
[*] Your map must be uploaded within a .zip folder. Not doing so may disqualify your map.
[*] Your map should be labeled as follows: [color=red]<your SnarkPit alias>_sppc01.bsp Example: riven_sppc01.bsp
[*] Your map must be designed and created specifically for this contest; maps already uploaded or submitted for other competitions are NOT allowed.
[*] Your map MUST be uploaded with a valid Bonus Map Script file. Not doing so WILL disqualify your map! If you are not sure how to create one, you may check out this source over at www.thinkingwithportals.com and this source over at The Valve Developer Community. (Pictures for your Bonus folder and map are welcome!)
[*] Your map must be limited to one (1) map or .BSP file.
[*] You are allowed to post WIP screenshots of your map in this thread and anywhere else on the web, however, if you post your download link in this thread, I will take it to be your final entry submission, so post your playtests outside of this thread. You may start a map profile for your entry as well, but in order for it to be counted, it must be uploaded to me through either of the two methods mentioned in the "General Info" section.
[*] All custom content is allowed; i.e. custom textures, sounds, and models. Please be sure to credit the custom content you did not make! (please note: Custom .VCD files [choreography scenes] are temporarily unplayable in the original Portal game without disabling Glados voices altogether. Use of custom .VCD files may break your map and or crash the game. However, original .VCD files included with Portal are perfectly fine to use).[/color][/color][/color]
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[color=white][color=limegreen]Tips:[/color][/color]

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[*] I've come to find that people prefer a slightly longer entertaining experience versus a shorter one, or at least, longer maps get more attention than shorter ones do (normally). Try to make your entry longer, but not boring.
[*] Try to add HDR to your map, it makes it look much more professional, and makes you look like you know what you're doing :dodgy: . [color=#af38fe][EDIT]: HDR is completely optional and not required for your map.
[*] Playtest your maps often; you will gain the most feedback if you can watch the playtester play it in front of you.
[*] Don't procrastinate! If you feel you're interested, then start mapping as soon as you have the chance. The earlier you can post WIPs and get feedback, the earlier you can fix unforeseen problems.
[*] Have your boss battle include multiple puzzles and challenges in order to defeat your boss. Play other games, or refer to the Glados battle for inspiration. Also, try Googling "what makes a good boss battle?"
[*] Design your map according to the judging requirements in this order: Focus first on [color=white]relevancy [/color]to the theme, then creativity, then craftsmanship, then aesthetics and you should have one good playing (and good looking) map!
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[/color]Well, there you have it folks! If you have any questions about anything, please post them in this thread or PM me; I will get to them as soon as I can. Let us experience a good 'ol boss battle for the ages!

[UPDATE]: I should point out that our friends over at ThinkingWithPortals.com have started their April Portal contest too! Go check out their contest rules thread for more information. Now you have a choice on which contest you want! I highly advise you go check out their maps section too, as they have quite an active & creative community!

Good luck and get mapping!
-Riven

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

Sounds good Riven! I shall make a front page news item if you so desire?

I just got through making one with a smaller .jpg of the logo. But thanks!

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

One quick question, if this was summarized up above then I apologize:

What classifies as a boss? Anything? Brush based traps from hell, or a specific (monster) entity from Portal itself? Or some other creation from the mapper's devious mind?

Ultimately it sounds like a fun contest, good luck to all those who participate :smile:

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Breaking the laws of mapping since 2003 and doing a damn fine job at it

Yes.
Yes, I very much likey. Question: Anything can be considered a boss,
yeah? We who don't have extensive modeling experience can improvise
what a "boss" is I would assume?

<span style="color: silver; font-family: Verdana;">(edit)
Gball beat me to the question by a minute :wink: </span>

Anyone read that recent Gamasutra article with Kim Swift? They went through quite a few endings before coming up with the final one. And I bet there are endless possibilities. Good theme idea!

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Why snark works.

I am a procrastinator but since it says April 1st i wont start it today. At first since you said 'BOSS' i have a Q for you, do u actually mean like, "OH MY GAWD! there is a big thing attacking me how can i defeat it!" like for example a Zelda boss? but hey my mind is exploring the possiblilies right now and i got some GEWD ones.

-EDIT-

I need to read other peoples replies first dont I :sad:

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YeaY! Fer MesPehling WerDs

The expression for success is
(energy x enthusiasm)

~Zein

G.Ballblue said:
"What classifies as a boss? Anything? Brush based traps from hell, or a specific (monster) entity from Portal itself? Or some other creation from the mapper's devious mind?"

Answer is: yes; those are all good examples for what a "boss battle" could be. When building your map, try to think if the player will recognize it as a boss battle too. If the player can recognize it as a boss battle, then your map should be good to go.

Your boss battle can be modeled off of other boss battles from other games, but keep in mind that you're trying to build it in the world of Portal. You would get more recognition if you kept it original by design.

The theme is left intentionally vague, translate it however you like!

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

I just added a few UPDATES (in purple) to the rules thread, including a credit to ThinkWithPortals.com. They supplied the theme for this month's contest. If you havn't gotten the chance to check them out, I highly recommend it.

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

I want to enter, but the HDR bit puts me off, I know how to create it, but my PC is just a tiny bit too weak to use it. So I might have to test it without HDR then give it someone on here with a HDR enabled PC

That's alright; if you're unable to compile a map with HDR, then don't worry about it. It's completely optional and not required. I was just making a suggestion for those that could. A map without HDR will play just as well as one with it.

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

ok, well thats good to know. Im having problems with hammer, it wont launch my portal for testing, not even n the expert panel :sad:

I'm curious if we have anyone working on entries? If so, speak up!

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

Maybe i should have told you this earlier but the comp falls dead center with my finals. I'll have time to map more seriously starting Tuesday. But that leaves me with one day to start and finish a map. If you extend the comp one more month i will enter and accept the fact that u have a one month head start. You might find many peoples finals interfered with the comp. How many people do you know of who are going to have a entry in by the 30th?

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Reality has become a commodity.

Even if I were a Portal mapper, it would be out of the question - this is the time of year for assignments for me - going by the age of quite a lot of pitters (and gamers across the net), it's a difficult time to crank out some work with all the academic concerns weighing on them.

I'm new to the SnarkPit forums; but I've been behind the scenes working on an entry.

-- and although I've had some serious time constraints I've managed to
pull in a ton of hours on the computer and it looks like I will make
the 30th :smile: -- so I'm hoping I'm not the only one aiming to enter as
I'd hate for the contest to not go through - it's been a big motivation
to get my first Portal level public.

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"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." -Albert Einstein

Ah welcome to snarkpit ecco, love the avatar :wink: .

Riven, I was thinking about entering the contest, but I really have no experience with Portal mapping and I haven't even finished the game yet!

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Aaron's Stuff

Hmm, well as much as I'd hate to push deadlines back, I'd still like to see some entries, sooo...

RedWood said:
" If you extend the comp one more month I will enter"

-Your wish is my command! [UPDATE]: The competition will NOW run from April 1st through May[color=red] 31st @ 11:59 PM[/color] your time zone.


Now, since I'm sure most people held off because of the time of year, I imagine this might help some. Is everyone still in for the new deadline?

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

Well i have to enter now, don't I. LOL
I have a grate idea... now i just have to build it and have it come out nothing like i planed it.

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Reality has become a commodity.

Yay!! Now I don't have to ask!

Let's see some WIP screenshots people! I know someone has to have something finished enough to post a screenshot of it.

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

Jaw dropping!!

Anyone ells?

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Reality has become a commodity.

Seems like a start; what are we looking at here?

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

I can't say... but i'll tell you that the room your looking at is finished. I just have to change a texture and maybe tweak the lighting.

You and me aren't the only ones who are entering are we?

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Reality has become a commodity.

That room looks pretty bare, is it supposed to look like that?

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Aaron's Stuff

That room looks pretty bare, is it supposed to look like that?

yes... Seriously people; almost no one is entering and you've all seen my work. You know i have no talent. Why not enter and win $30.

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Reality has become a commodity.

Apparently ecco is entering the competition, but who knows. And I wouldn't say that you have no talent.

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Aaron's Stuff

I want to enter. But I won't be posting any WIP screenshots. I need more inspiration to complete this map !!<br style="font-family: Verdana;">

[quote=RedWood]"You and me aren't the only ones who are entering are we? "[/quote] Well, I better admit that I am not creating an entry for this competition. I figured it will be alright to just "host" it instead. I hope I didn't disappoint anyone!

But I'm not worrying; I think there are a few people entering, so you shouldn't be alone. And remember, you can send the maps to the e-mail address or post a download link in this thread whenever you're ready, no need to wait for the other guys. The entries will be kept secret if e-mailed, unless otherwise specified by the author until the deadline arrives and voting thread is created.

Once again, you still have 10 days left! Get to it!

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

Well, It has been a day since the deadline, and the e-mail that I listed isn't working ATM because I had to switch computers this week and re-setup the e-mail, which doesn't want to work for me. So, I have a back-up one you can e-mail as soon as you see this post: lancon (at) suddenlink.net I apologize for this mess-up, but if you already sent it in via e-mail, please re-send it in to this one. Also, you can always post a link to your entry in this thread too. But I haven't received any entries. (I guess I should have seen that coming...)

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

<span style="color: limegreen;">I realize
it's been about a week plus, since the contest ended. Took me a bit;
but I've finally completed my boss-battle custom map; not only was I
having a heck of a lot of trouble hunting down last minute bugs tweaks
etc; (I discovered just how much a portal level has to be play tested
for it to function properly) but this was my first experience mapping
for Portal; and I had only done a few practice maps with Half-Life in
the past-- not to mention I didn't notice a lot of interest from the
other members in the contest so I took the time to create the map as I
had envisioned it rather than rush the project and be unsatisfied. It's
so much more than just a boss-battle; it's a fairly large map with lots
of detail-- I'm proud to say it came out as I wanted it to; spent the
last week or so getting my LDR and HDR cubemap/lighting right but here
it is-- give it a run :wink:
As of today it's just on thinkingwithportals.com (look for "Tasty
Treats: Chamber 01) but I also sent it to that email address you noted.
I'll be updating and posting it to the various other sites in the
coming days as well as on my own website soon...

here are some screenshots and the download link for ya~

</span><span class="postbody">http://forums.thinkingwithportals.com/dload.php?action=file&file_id=238














</span>

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"Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life's coming attractions." -Albert Einstein

WOW, very very impressive.

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Aaron's Stuff

looks great!

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Why snark works.

heh, I was supposed to enter, but my mind went blank and I ran into many a technical problem with my map, mainly hammer being awkward and dieing for no reason. But when you get an entry will you be uploading it for us to try?

EDIT: Fail, I didn;t see this page :sad: