How about a 2006 Mapping Competition???

Why not make a new one?

PS: I would like to know who won the last one...

I'm up for it.

Let's have the theme be "Archaicism"

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I tried sniffing coke, but the ice cubes kept getting stuck in my nose.
http://www.dimebowl.com

The 2005 competition kind of fizzled, in all honesty. I doubt there's going to be another one. :\

How about an unofficial one? With a generous deadline date.

That is to say, why does it have to be moderated by admins of this site? We could narrow it down to finished maps then post a poll thread and have a deadline for votes ... make a new chapter or thread stating the winner(s).

The only difference between this and one supported by well ... Lep ... is that there'd really be no prize.

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Blame it on Microsoft, God does.

We've been brainstorming for a mapping contest over at pg with some cool prizes in mind (xbox 360 controller which also double as a pc controller is one of the prizes in mind).

We're thinking either CS Source or Hl2DM/CTF to do the contest on. We're currently deadlocked on which mod to do it for, your suggestions are welcome.

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I sell useless stuff to stoned people

PixelGames

Well, these competitions are like pulling teeth and I don't expect to see one come together with any ease.

That said, I've always wanted to see a signleplayer competition - a small map where we try to create the most kick ass, sculpted, scripted experience we can. It doesn't have to be long, and would be a nice change from DM mapping. We don't get much singleplayer love around these parts.

One of my staff members is in love with single player maps. Personally for a single player map, I would love to have to have to fight my way back into black mesa, taking a different route and seeing different things. The reason would be upto the map makers themselves. Wouldn't it be cool to be in an old lab with broken glass and tables, gore everywhere and then out of the blue, combine come rappling down through the roof.

But like you said SP maps don't get much attention and its hard enoguh to get a good quality contest rolling without having it be DM.

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I sell useless stuff to stoned people

PixelGames

I wouldn't mind learning how scripting works. It seems like a
very fun way for a mapper to be more directly involved with the player.

I think a fun scripted challenge (not really a competition, just a
bunch of friends deciding to do the same thing together) would be
worthwhile. Finger, if you want to set up a guideline, I'd be
happy to give it a shot, and maybe others would too.

Im already working on my SP map, TheFallenPath,
So if a competition is going to be made, im in..

DM

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.::Dark|Masta::. - One name. One legend.

Due to the complexity of the engine, and the schedules of most of the more talented members I suggest a competition thats so simple that anyone could finish it, given proper motivation.

Perhaps, a theme where you cannot exceed a certain size (area not files)

I do not want to see a killbox comp. but say, an arena theme with the size of a killbox in displacement?

Anyone can create an arena map in a day/week/month?

Anyone worth their salt can make a map this small.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I like Finger's idea, actually... As long as we keep it small and restrict ourselves. I remember for the 2005 comp a lot of people wanted freedom and loose criterion, but that clearly didn't work out, as people were kind of at a loss for what to do.

So... I propose a one-room, scripted singleplayer map competition. Size limit being 2048 x 2048 x 2048 not including 3D skybox (I've seen size limits in mapping competitions for Thief / Thief 2 / Thief 3, they're very useful). Also, limited to vanilla HL2 assets, so people don't get carried away with making all kinds of custom stuff either. :smile:

Target playtime is a few minutes at most. The player has to do something (climb and push a button, kill 20 grunts, something creative) to open the exit, the goal being quality of play rather than quantity. Then a community vote at the end somehow.

Good? Bad? Singleplayer mapping can be fun too, c'mon guys! :smile:

Campaignjunkie said:
Good? Bad? Singleplayer mapping can be fun too, c'mon guys! :smile:

Yeah, right. What are us stupid people who cannot copy a successful Multi-Manager supposed to do while you brainy types are having fun? :rolleyes:

/giggles

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The best things in life, aren't things.

Good thing they scrapped multi-managers in favour of the new I/O system then isn't it :wink:

I'd be up for a little single player compo - it's an area of mapping I really need to actually do something in, so a little contest like this would serve dual purpose for me. I'm still feeling guilty about being to lazy/busy to bring closure to the last contest however :sad:

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

ReNo said:
Good thing they scrapped multi-managers in favour of the new I/O system then isn't it :wink:

They may have, but I imagine that there is still plenty of stuff left to show you exactly how stupid I am. :rolleyes:

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The best things in life, aren't things.

It wouldn't be about winning, Orph, it would be about having fun (or LEARNING to have fun) with singleplayer mapping! So in that respect, it wouldn't matter if you were stupid, which you most certainly aren't.

Yeah Reno, I feel kind of bad about the 2005 compo too, especially for the people who entered. Plus, I think Snarkpit has gotten pretty stagnated lately in terms of "mapping activity." Something quick and easy is in order. :smile:

How about the dimensions limit, but anything HL related. Consider, some of us still only have HL1.

I would never build anything but DM, and some might wanna build another mod totally.

Why not broaden the chances of getting some entries? The way its worked in the past, 100 entries translates to roughly 3 finished.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

If it's HLDM or HL1SP, I'm in too... If that makes any difference...

I think I'm gonna take the 4.5 hour drive home tomorrow night, and I'll
be home for a couple days. While I'm home I'll definitely try to
learn enough scripting to make a small level like you suggested CJ.

Hrmm, I could script something for HL1, not HL2. :/ I'm sure it'd suck either way, though, unless I could use Spirit. ;D Spirit's good times.

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One day you'll know what you're talking about, I can hardly imagine

Maps! - Audio blog!

A HL2SP compo is just what the doctor ordered......ftw!

Why couldn't you do it for HL2 hugh?

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

I'd like to see a restriction based HL1DM compotition like orph said, no limits just size. that way we get to see some nice arena maps :smile:

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I need a new sig

Well I guess I could do it for HL2, except it'd suck 'cause I haven't done much for 'er yet... my 256 megs of RAM... not suitable for HL2 compiling. :razz:

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One day you'll know what you're talking about, I can hardly imagine

Maps! - Audio blog!

Hugh said:
not suitable for HL2 compiling. :razz:

Need I mention that you prolly have a few dozen friends here who would help with that small issue?

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The best things in life, aren't things.

I'm going to have my mosaic map site back up. I was thinking
about a good way to get people into it so I figured I'd make it a
contest!

I'll have more news and my site up in a few days.

Glad its resurfacing.

I was thinking about scripting and then I realized its hard and I gave up. So instead of scripting, I eventually created a simple bridge map with 7 combine on one end and 3 npc_makers on the other (spitting out zombies, 10 each 1 every 5 seconds). I created a little glass platfrom from which I could watch the action from above. I have to say it was really amusing to watch the combine fight a horde of respawning zombies. It's just amusing to watch the AI duke it out, and to adjust the number of zombies and combine (and weapon types) to get an interesting battle.

Here's a screenshot of the level in action:


It reminded me a lot of the old sven coop map where you ran around an arena pushing buttons to spawn enemies (or friends) and then you could teleport in.

So, I was thinking this could be a pretty cool (and small) mapping assignment. Come up with the coolest looking arena, and put the most amusing/entertaining gladiators inside. Obviously, you'd need a safe spectating zone (or a lounge with multiple TV's inside displaying the carnage :smile:

I was thinking that this wouldn't take any scripting skill, a little mapping skill, and a lot of imagination. I don't know what would be more entertaing, watching the combine fight off zombies that spawn around them, or finding out just how many rebels it takes to kill an antlion guard.

Anywho -- I'm gonna go ahead and whip something up and post the .bsp here (if I can finish it before going back to school) so if you'd like to join me, feel free :smile:

Indeed, watching NPC's fight is oddly satisfying. It's really easy with Garry's Mod, and tonnes of fun :biggrin:

Ah... I've never tried Garry's Mod. I guess what I'm doing is a primative version of his mod, but it sure is fun. I'm working on an arena right now, but I'm having trouble making the monsters leave their spawn chambers :smile:

I like the NPC fight idea, but without interaction it may not be too suited for a contest. Perhaps something where you as the player will have to open or shut doors, or perform other actions on the field below, so that a group of Combine or whatever type you choose can make it through? Like popping up obstacles that give your groupie cover (but sink into the ground after a while or such) or dumping explosive barrels next to their enemies, stuff like that...

Whoever creates the most interesting interactions could win... just an idea. :smile: <br style="font-family: Verdana;">

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Create-ivity - a game development blog

How about combining orphs idea with the singleplayer suggestion?

The task:
To make a small arena-style map for singleplayer and make it as fun as possible.

Serious-Sam styled arena fighting? :razz:

Perhaps something that doesn't rely on fighting per-se but more on puzzling: a clearly visible goal is set for the player, but currently not reachable. Make a clever puzzle that's set in and around a single are(n)a.

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Create-ivity - a game development blog

The task:
To make a small arena-style map for singleplayer and make it as fun as possible.

Seconded!

Although adding a puzzle in there, like CaptainP suggested isn't a bad idea either.

I'm down.

I've got an idea brewing... its too bad I have to leave my nice desktop and go back to my junker of a laptop at school. I'll still give this a shot.

"The task:
To make a small arena-style map for singleplayer and make it as fun as possible."

Ready, set, GOGOGO.

How about a custom arena is made, and a link to the .vmf is made for everyone to download. contest entries will have to be in that arena.

Serious-Sam styled arena fighting? :razz:
Perhaps something that doesn't rely on fighting per-se but more on puzzling: a clearly visible goal is set for the player, but currently not reachable. Make a clever puzzle that's set in and around a single are(n)a.

Well, that is up everyone to decide. The goal is to make it as fun as possible, if puzzles are fun, then add puzzles!

Just to clarify, is this HL1 or HL2?

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My site

I'm working on it HL2.

Loco said:
Just to clarify, is this HL1 or HL2?

I think/feel that someone needs to take charge and post some definitive ideas.

We all have posted our opinions. Let there be finality. :smile:

The only thing left to decide is, who/whom/who's.

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The best things in life, aren't things.

<span style="color: gray;">BUMPSKY-DOO

Hellllllloooooooooooo..................2006 mapping compo plz.

Ideas:

+An arena (like above) where you have to complete a certain task

or

+You have to create a Rube Goldberg machine. Don't know what a Rube Goldeberg is? A Rube Goldberg machine is a </span>device that is exceedingly complex and performs a very simple task(s) in a very indirect and convoluted way. Here is an example. It could be assimilated to a domino effect type situation.<br style="color: gray;"><br style="color: gray;">or<br style="color: gray;"><br style="color: gray;">+Just a broad Single PLayer map in which the task can be dicided upon by the user<br style="color: gray;"><br style="color: gray;">Also, about the HL1/HL2 debate....why not have it for both? Users could submit either/or OR just have two simulataneous compotitions...one for HL and one for HL2.<br style="color: gray;"><br style="color: gray;">Allllllllllllllllrighty then kthx.

All these ideas, they seem a bit abstract, don't they?

How about we go back to the basics?

Idea 1: A space map.

Lunar base, mars recon mission, spaceship battle(makes for some kick-ass 3D-skyboxes :biggrin: ), you get the idea.

It's a broad topic, not overly complex, but can become very complex with the right thinking. :wink:

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Also change the texture of the dock. Docks are rarely tile. -Facepunch
As I Lay Dying

Might try this arena style map sometime. Whats the size limit? 2 unit cubed block at highest grid setting (2 units in each axis creating a block consisting of 8 grid boxes)? Or how about 8 blocks at highest grid setting, and you can arrange them in any way, so 4 blocks high, or an L shape, or even teleporting to seperate blocks completely?

8 Blocks would keep it nice and small, allowing for high detailing and quick layout design- should yeild more results if we have this limit. Maybe force the use of a second concept; not something like "warehouse", but more "concept art", or "cartoon", or "hi-tech", etc...

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-[Better to be Honest than Kind]-

Okay, I got a good one.

I don't know if any of you have seen "The Cube". It was a movie about a bunch of people in a giant cube, made up of smaller cubes, some of different colors, and some with traps in them, and the cubes were in constant motion, so the cube was ever-changing.
We could get a definite size for each cube, then each person could make their own couple of cubes, and fill them each with their own kind of trap, and then we could disperse them anomgst normal cubes, thus making a big maze.

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Also change the texture of the dock. Docks are rarely tile. -Facepunch
As I Lay Dying

Lunar base, mars recon mission, spaceship battle(makes for some kick-ass 3D-skyboxes :biggrin: )

It's an old topic (which now has the ever-friendly green snark next to it), but does nayone else remember the last reference to space battles and skyboxes...?
Probably just me being cynical. :smile: Never mind.

It's actually probably quite a good idea. 3D skyboxes seem pretty under-used/under-emphasised these days.

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My site

Taking some of the previous posts into consideration, I have a few ideas:

• Map a scene out of a movie of your choice. Anybody could do this -- mappers using HL1 or HL2. You have your choice of making the map small or large and can pay attention to as much detail as you want without restrictions.
• Recreate a scene out of movie, but make it (for the lack of a better word) dynamic. This would be great for those seeking to learn more about entity usage and how they are able to interact with another. Plus, those of us who are meaning to try out faceposer could get a chance to. Those who only have HL1 could have a separate competition just for them.
• Single Player campaign with a central theme thought up by the community (for those who have troubles coming up with a story).
• A template map is made, setting up boundaries in which the contestants must work in. It is up to one's choice to make the space whatever one wishes it to be, as long as it stays in the space provided.

I could conjure up some more ideas later.

The limited size idea is certainly one that people have suggested before, but your use of the word "template" made me think of a slightly different approach. How about a simple template map that sets the layout being provided, and entrants have to turn that layout into a proper map. It would take the pressure off tihnking up a good layout and put it on making a cool theme and nice visuals. To stop it being too difficult, entrants would be allowed to deviate slightly from the preset brushes (ie. move a corridor 16 units to the left, etc...) in order to fit in with their designs, but the overall layout should remain almost completely faithful to the original.

I also like the movie scene recreation idea, though feel the complexities involved in making it involve the acting or action would put a lot of people off.

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[img]http://card.mygamercard.net/sig/Default/reno84.png[/img]
Designer @ Haiku Interactive | ReNo-vation.net

AlexW: If you mean making a scene as in just the architecture/landscape, with some hidden entity work (stuff blowing up etc), then I'm all for it. I agree with Reno that the acting would be a bit of a nightmare if that's what you mean.

I also like the template idea, assuming it's a basic template textured with those grey and orange dev textures.

I'm really easy to please here... :biggrin:

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My site

Layouts are my worst nightmare, so 100% for the template thing.

<div class="quote">I like the template idea too. I think I've seen it done before somewhere... TWHL maybe?

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