NEW CONTEST

[IMG]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MuhnayShot/Logos/Illiumcitysnarkpit.png[/IMG]

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?

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:

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

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.

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Aaron's Stuff

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 (low grav, floating things, stars, planets, airlocks...)

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

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 .
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)

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

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.

Muhnay said:
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

"Condus Mundus" said:
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 .
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.

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

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

Also maybe in the future we can do:

[IMG]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c149/MuhnayShot/Logos/goldsource.png[/IMG]

Condus Mundus said:
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 .
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?

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Never think about bad things!
TNKqwe:The New Killer qwe
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I am Engineer - Play Free Online Games
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Citizen Arms

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

Muhnay said:
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.

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

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?

===================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?

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

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!!!

Single player contest sounds kinda cool, actually.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

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...

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.

• A repeat of the "Doors Competition"
• The Shifting room. A small room that shape-shifts (supernaturally/mechanically/however...) to a different look, feel and function.
• A cool physics puzzle
• A short repeating Rube-Goldberg machine. Simulated or actually physically simulated, wouldn't matter.
• "Elevator Presentation" As the elevator descends/ascends, a host of different scenes take place on each level as it passes through a virtual "ride."
• "The Abstract Map"
• "The dream sequence"
• "The flat shaded map"
• "The Coolest Explosion"
• "1 Megabyte of Awesomeness Map" + a theme to make it competitive.
• A Brushworks Only Map. + a theme
• Best Scary Map
• best Trap
• Real-Life recreated -A photo of a real place recreated in a map.
• best nature map
• Coolest architecture
• Uncommon map themes: holocaust, heaven, in an airplane (while flying), stylized (like psychonauts), care-bear land, etc...
• A New enemy encounter -however you'd pull that off.
• Most original theme within the abstract restrictions. Make your own theme in other words.
• Escher'ish architecture...Upside down rooms and the like, or illusions.
• Surrealism outside of HL2 themes
• A small 'rats' theme
• "light a scene" -take a pre-made scene and light it up!
• A view from a space station
• Another Contrasting Themes competition
• Cool use of sounds in a map
• best acting for a map (NPCs, voice-overs, any other way you can codify "acting" in a map.
• best shortest battle.
• A boss fight
• Teach a complex topic through your map. (themed?)
• A game within a game...
• A roller coaster
• 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.[quote=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.[/quote]

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!

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

Riven said:

• A repeat of the "Doors Competition"

/me remembers something about this.

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.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Orpheus said:
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

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Aaron's Stuff

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.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

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?

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

I would love to see a competition based on traps so I could learn a few things and maybe incorporate some of those ideas into future maps. My brain has yet to get wrapped around using all the entities to even half their potential. I admit, I probably wouldn't take part in the competition because it might be possible for my brain to melt or overheat. I tend to like map competitions based on a theme of some sort. Best space map, best rats, best outdoor, lab, xen, etc.

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web
Half-Life, Half-Life 2, and Q3 engine mapping

Muhnay said:
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.

this sounds cool as well

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web
Half-Life, Half-Life 2, and Q3 engine mapping

If you all still want to do this.. I may spring for a STEAM copy of QUAKE or UNREAL or Some game like that for the winner.

SOMETHING WITH MIRRORS!

Ok, let me insert an update as to how I'm expecting this Competition to go...

As far as ideas go, I've decided what might be best, is to stick with an abstract goal. That is, you can make up whatever theme you want. Doesn't even have to be a theme although quality of execution of the endgoal might entail a nice theme you make up!

Here's what I mean by an abstract goal:

• Make an explosion!
• Make a crash!
• Use mirrors in a scene.
• Make a scene around given object (prefab) or description of object.
• Make an event type map

There are a few abstract competition ideas in the list I posted before, so feel free to push those forward too, if one interests you.

So, why an abstract theme?
-Well, Here's how I see it: We want as many people to participate that want to. So, in order to accommodate others, we should encompass other engines! -And I'm not just talking about valve's games, I mean any (first person shooter) game with a public SDK and enough capabilities to pull off whatever the required goal of the competition is.

Maps can be graded on their level of creativity, which as we know isn't limited by what game engine you're using. Quality, architecture, design aesthetics. This allows us to pit maps from various engines (new and old) against one another and grade them fairly.

And I can assure that every entry will get a detailed review with custom pics. More can be revealed when the competition starts... (probably tomorrow; still working out some *features ) Let's just say there will be multiple categories and these categories won't be based on engine. Also Other changes as the competition rolls on.

But for now, knowing that it will be an abstract theme, can I get you guys' opinions on what you'd be looking forward to? -Or perhaps you want a better explanation. I'll be online for the next 10 hours, so feel free to ask any immediate questions so I can discuss them before the competition begins!

-oh, and Muhnay, that would be a terrific idea! In-fact as of when I typed this, there is a QuakeCon Steam Sale going on right now where you can get the complete Doom Pack for just $13.59! It's not Quake mind ya, but still a classic game for anyone who might have missed out! This also includes Doom 3 and expansion! which came out almost the same time as HL2.

Looking forward to the competition! Something for everyone!

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

Ok, so, I'm gonna link this thread to the competition it helped inspire so that when I go looking through it again, I can find everything!

The SnarkPit 2010 Mini-Competition is here!

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