New 2008 mini competition

So, I granted myself with the powers that be the
authoritarian charisma to suggest a new SnarkPit mini competition; you know,
something that more people could get involved with. But alas, I have no
creative backbone to suggest any ideas of my own, and I feel it's just too late
to bother searching the old competition threads for lost ideas that were never
seized upon. So, I turn to my fellow Snarkers to reach back in the recesses of
their minds to come up with some awesome ideas.

But to help you along, I've come up with some simple guidelines that you can
follow whether you choose to or not. Remember, this is a MINI
competition, no full blown multiplayer or singleplayer maps here.

• *time to build entry shouldn't be longer than two weeks, small maps don't
  require a long time to build!
  
  *Think of ideas that could be contained in an inside environment rather than
  outside. We don't want mappers to waste their time building scenery
  rather than fleshing out their idea!
  
  *The idea should be able to be constructed in sp or mp games. Meaning
  that we probably shouldn't stick to a specific game mechanic because not
  everyone may own the orange box nor ep1 even. So this means no ideas
  requiring NPCs.
  
  *Perhaps maps that illustrate the mechanic with dev textures is sufficient
  enough, or is a scene required to give atmosphere and setting for such a
  mechanism?

-And that's all I can think of (phew, that was tough!). All I know is
that I'll be in on this competition for sure; I need to finish SOMETHING!
But I think we're open to just about anything here, so have at it! :biggrin:

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

I know you said singleplayer or multiplayer, but what if we create a map where we have to make the most awesome encounter (monster battle).

The map can be whatever size and theme, but should essentially be a small (or large) space for the encounter to take place, the deadline should be taken into account when deciding the size and quality of the map's aesthetics.

The map should be judged first and for most on the quality of the encounter (using triggers and intelligent level design to make the encounter). Things like aesthetics and sounds design should also be taken into account (as they can potentially improve the encounter) but not the major influencing factor.

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Aaron's Stuff

Hmm, an encounter you say? Sounds good to me. Sure it may limit to singleplayer maps, but that shouldn't be a big hindrance. I'm for it; I think it could work. It sounds like you're leaving it pretty open though. Any setting with any kind of encounter with whatever you've got in two weeks? Sounlds like a good idea. Let's hear some more!<br style="color: white;">

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

Sounds like using a lot of scripted sequences though, and tweaking/retweaking things to set up paths. I think there would be a much bigger response to a project focused around a small and specific (eg limited grid area) DM map.

Gwil said:
"I think there would be a much bigger response to a project focused around a small and specific (eg limited grid area) DM map

I totally agree with that. However, I wouldn't wholly rule out an 'encounters' idea though, as an interesting closed-in layout with dev textures may be enough to provide action in an interesting way. But I see where you're getting at, and ideas not requiring NPCs are on my list too.

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

I think small/dm is probably the best way to go. In fact, a map designed for 1-on-1 might be interesting. Not sure why, but I usually don't think of most HLDM maps being made with 1-on-1 in mind.

lol how about a killbox contest? :x As in one big area/room anyway. That will drastically limit how much detail we can add (set a max rspeed limit?), making it a real challenge.

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Action Half-Life - <A HREF="http://distraction-mod.com" TARGET="_blank">Distrac

Heh, killbox competition FTW -NOT! However, a DM map does sound like what you guys would like to see, although it's hard to say quite yet; we need more responces!<br style="color: white;">

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

Well I might be a bit off track but Ive been daydreaming about a haunted-house style map to coincide with Halloween. By haunted-house I mean the concept where you go in an entrance and proceed linearly through various exhibits...it would be pretty easy to have separate map components joined by teleports or what have you.

Could be done within the constraints of DM with a lil imagination and a lot of entity triggers :P

Hmm, that idea could have a lot of potential. But I hope that it wouldn't be too broad. Meaning, that to make anything noteworthy in two weeks might be a little strenuous. Most people aren't able to work on their entries during the week, so most people are really looking at just two weekends to work on their maps. That's just four days! I don't think I could make a little haunted house with enough features to make it competition worthy.

However, it might be possible if it was cut down a little bit. Like a scary scene, or a little room that has something in it that might scare you. So maybe not a whole 'ride' through a haunted house, but instead a little feature-et of just one scary part of the ride or two.

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

Jinx said:
I think small/dm is probably the best way to go. In fact, a map designed for 1-on-1 might be interesting. Not sure why, but I usually don't think of most HLDM maps being made with 1-on-1 in mind.

lol how about a killbox contest? :x As in one big area/room anyway. That will drastically limit how much detail we can add (set a max rspeed limit?), making it a real challenge.

I support the notion of an arena map - perhaps not 1 on 1 but we aim for something which is 2v2 max, to give a little leeway. It then lends itself better to having a dominant weapon in a prominent/risky position ala the small arenas seen on Q3A.

We could do a similar MapCore 1024x1024 unit competition. For those interested here was there voting thread: MapCore HL2DM 1024-unit Official Entries Thread

Does that sound like fun? -And if so, would you guys want a particular theme or anything goes? Or maybe something a little different for the arena, meaning that it doesn't have to have to fit a certain size, but you can only use so many 90 degree corners, or you must have 10 columns in your map, or maybe each arena must include a particular feature and make it difficult to retrieve a weapon, or.... (I could keep going, but you get the idea). So an arena with a theme or gimmick that fits a particular size? -Sounds like a cool idea! But don't worry; I'm not closing the idea doors yet, keep em coming!

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

Riven said:
Hmm, that idea could have a lot of potential. But I hope that it wouldn't be too broad. Meaning, that to make anything noteworthy in two weeks might be a little strenuous.

Actually I was thinking it might work more as a group effort, where all the components could be combined by someone ( with a fast machine! ) and compiled into one map. That way everyone just has to do one "exhibit" and specify the ways in or out (teleport, door, fall death,...)

Doesnt qualify as a competition really.

The only downside I can see with the mapcore plan is that the game is already flooded with thousands of maps. Many of them never see more than one playtest ( rightly so in most cases ), even they may have a lot going for them. I know that doesnt matter to those who are building portfolios, but I can't see it adding to the current state of the game.

But whatever, I'm more player than mapper, so I'll shut up.

We did a Snarkpit map before.. I made a lava, metal refinery room, but that was back in 1.6 or before. I would love to do another one of those.. but we will need a pit master, someone who holds the bits and joins them together... instead of sending the whole project around and waiting for each piece to be done.. we send in the bits and it is joined up.. that way we have a working model from the start.. and were not held up waiting for each person to complete their piece. And if someone drops out we still have what we made. If we have another comp.. lets also do the snarkpit map too.

As for Spawn points.. how will we do that? And for what game? ( TF2 I have no clue how to do.. hey that rhymed. =))

Let me know.. as they say.. I'M GAME!

haymaker said:
"Doesnt qualify as a competition really."

Sure it could!

Muhnay said:
"If we have another comp.. lets also do the snarkpit map too."

Well, for the three years since I've been posting here, I've heard a lot about this fabled 'SnarkPit Community Map' and I've even downloaded and played around in it. It's a really cool idea and all, it's just all about the coordination. I know for a fact that other people have been wanting to do this for some time now (including myself!), I could look into figuring out how it might all come together as a competition AND community project if this is something people really want.

Let's put it this way; if our comp is going to be like this, then this is what I propose: We decide right now whether we want a small sp or mp map for the competition, then we decide on a theme, or I'll pick one if no one has a preference. themes so far: 'haunted house' by haymaker, and 'small 2v2 arena' by Jinx & Gwil.

Then we'll decide what game we want to make our entries for (don't forget, we can build maps in your favorite mod too!). Then I'd write a rules page and then we'd have the competition, then we vote, and THEN we could pick who wants to sew these maps together. After doing that and uploading the sewn map online, we find a server and play it together!

But once again, this is all speculation, and doesn't mean that's what the competition is going to be. If you've been reading this and haven't commented yet, please do so! We're always looking for more members and participants ...and ideas for that matter! If you have an idea, feel free to post it within the next few days. The competition will be a surprise until I actually post a rules thread for it. So, no-telling what it might be about; I'm always looking out for any new creative ideas, so post away!

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

Did you see the entry's for the 1024 comp? Talk about a long project for most people. What they enter would take me months.

Im down for the grope thing if someone would set up the base.

EDIT:
Portal breaks down into small sections real easy!

No red I didn't where can I see them? 1024, humm wonder if I can even map something that scale..

Muhnay said:
No red I didn't where can I see them? 1024, humm wonder if I can even map something that scale..

Riven has a link posted a few posts up.

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Reality has become a commodity.

RedWood said:
"Im down for the grope thing if someone would set up the base. "

Well I'm almost 100% sure that whatever we churn out for this competition will be compiled by someone AFTERWARDS into a single map with props to each author's part. -Even if I have to assemble it myself!

[EDIT] Also: -Sorry for forgetting the days of the week. I said that I would have something ready by last Saturday or Sunday but nothing happened then. I apologize, but not to worry, I'm working on it!

I will say however, you should expect something to arrive up on the front page or in the forums by this Friday! -This should leave a little time for those that have something to say to go ahead and say it!

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