I'm almost finished, just a few moar triggaars

This is part of why theme should be enforced, half the point is to stop this from happening in the first place.

One way to do this is make it so that "Theme" is part of the rating

so those who don't follow the theme will probably not win

Someone submitting a map that has nothing to do with the theme shouldn't "probably not win," they should definitely not win anything whatsoever. You should not get a score or minerals. It isn't fair to people who made a new map for the contest, it isn't fair to people who handicapped themselves by working within the confines of the theme, and it completely goes against the spirit of the contest.

The theme is very clearly defined in the first post of every contest. No one has any reason to ignore it, unless they are submitting a map which was already made before the contest started. This situation is a good example.

A better way would be to make theme not part of the scoring at all, but instead a simple "Yes/No" category. If 2 out of 3 judges mark you "No" for meeting the theme, you are disqualified.

Alternatively, using the current system, if 2 out of 3 judges give you 0 for theme then you should be disqualified.

this is an unfinished version of my map, but its fun to try it a bit, and if it is out of the bounds related to the theme I still had fun creating this heh, no problem about it.
I don't know how many time remains, i'll repost this quickly.

Attachments:

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Aug 14 2011, 6:00 am by Kusari. Reason: file added

You have until 11:59 PM on the 14th.

The problem is that the theme is left to interpretation. The theme in part serves to make the contest specific so it is highly unlikely that anyone would already have a map in-theme, but it ends up being with themes like "over the top" that you could submit anything at all and have it work. Sorta. And then it gets into someone submitting a map that feels over the top for the designer, but no one else seems to think so. Then what do you do? Do you disqualify him based upon opinion? But then the person feels cheated too, and now It's my fault because of my opinion.

Just some thoughts.

In order to score it 0 out of 5, you'd have to think it didn't adhere to the theme at all. If 2 of 3 judges agree that is the case, then chances are the map wasn't made specifically for the contest (why would someone make a map for it but ignore the theme?)

I understand that this theme is somewhat open to interpretation, but that is a failing of the chosen theme. As you can see from the submissions, people can simply submit whatever they want to. I certainly have a few finished maps which I could submit and no one would ever know the difference. In most cases, whether the person adhered to the theme is pretty black and white.

It's sort of ridiculous that someone can work for 2 months on a map, then submit it to a week-long contest where the theme is totally unrelated to it, and end up winning because the judges didn't want to hurt their feelings by disqualifying them.

The opinion of the judge does matter. If they failed to convey "over-the-top" for the judges, then they will receive a low score in that area. If there is no attempt to provide that sort of feeling, then they will be disqualified. The difference between scoring for the theme and disqualifying them for it is implementation vs. intent.

So while a map may not provide an "over-the-top" appeal, it can still be judged.

I'm entering at the last minute.

Edit:
To add to that "over-the-top" feel of my map, I'm going to complete it in a few scarce hours whereas I could've had two long weeks to complete it, just for that extra sense of heightened awareness when the deadline is overwhelming.

you have 3 hours and 2 minutes.

Don't worry, I've actually been working on it for like an hour already.

Uh, that won't happen because:

here's my map ... still buggy a bit, but finished in one week. [attach=7982]

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Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Aug 15 2011, 1:48 am by Kusari.

Right, so stating it as a rule means that no one will ever do it. Except the fact Leeroy just did it sort of proves you wrong, yes?

Fact: People will submit previously made maps because it requires no work, in comparison to making a whole new map. The best way to stop this is by enforcing the adherence to theme. That is part of the reason why it's there.

Ah yeh, but obviously they won't actually judge Leeroy's now...

I guess a better argument from you would be people submitting previously made work and the judges NOT discovering this.

Ambiguity still exists. Was this demo originally the map, or did he start over from scratch? Can he copy/paste systems into a new map? If so, what's the limit. If not, then can he manually put it in? If so, how is that distinguishable from copying. Must hyper triggers be manually put in, does copying them disqualify you?

I don't know all I know is Chia said it was from Week 6 contest.

Finished with plenty of time to spare.

https://skydrive.live.com/?cid=681c2250300dd052&sc=documents&id=681C2250300DD052%211130

Nukes!

The contest is over, no more submissions will be accepted after this post.

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We have a whopping total of six entries.

Oligarchy by newBorn
Zombie House 13 by K_A
Nukes! by Vrael
Chiarena by chia-tyrant
Deathright by Kusari
Mario by Leeroy_Jenkins (disqualified)

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Oligarchy by newBorn

Forgoing nukes and bloody deaths, Oligarchy is an economic game. It's like Risk for stockbrokers.

Gameplay: 6
Having to control a massive money empire can be far from easy, as you try to fend off other players. But even with a reputation system and hectic stock market, this game fails to deliver a satisfying gameplay, even upon victory. Maybe those nukes should have been included.

Originality: 8
Essentially economic risk, this game is completely original and new to me, with some interesting concepts, such as the zergling battles in the stock market. The terrain used a creative, yet simple blend I've never seen either.

Aesthetics: 7
It proportionally represents the Earth in a very simple yet elegant design. Departing from terrain blending from any kind, the map pulls off a low graphic complexity while still looking good. Other effects could definitely use some spice.

Theme: 3
It's difficult to really exude an "over-the-top" feel in any map, but Oligarchy makes a fair attempt to overwhelm the player. Not quite what I'm looking for though, but it certainly has potential.

Completeness: 5
This map is finished. It is glitch-free without glaring holes in gameplay. The map is ready to be released publicly.

Total: 29/40, 72.5%

Rank: C


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Zombie House 13 by K_A

A zombie-shooter using an interesting kill system. It was thoroughly enjoyable, until a zombie glitched and wouldn't die. But it did give me time to explore the the map.

Gameplay: 8
A fun shooter with a knife mechanic. Was actually thoroughly enjoyable.

Originality: 4
Zombies have been done and redone. Points for the kill system, though.

Aesthetics: 7
The terrain had an interesting feel to it, and the effects were clean, simple, and appealing. But the terrain did have a blending problem, and there is much that could be added to improve visuals.

Theme: 3
While not quite qualifying for over the top, there were some tense moments or almost too many zombies. It pushed me to the ledge, but not quite off of it.

Completion: 4
Completing a map entirely in a week is difficult, and even more impressive is just how complete the map was for a two-week contest. Even judging by such criteria, the map scores high in this rating. More could be added, and a few things here and there could have been tweaked and fixed. Also a zombie glitched, but altogether a nearly-finished map.

- Total: 26/40, 65%

Rank: D

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Nukes! by Vrael

An ambitious 3 hour submission by our lovable moose. You're a chicken. Cross the plain filled with ghosts launching nukes.

Gameplay: 4
The nukes can make things difficult... Sort of... There's much to be wanting in the gameplay area.

Originality: 6
It was an okay original idea, but nothing truly revolutionary.

Aesthetics: 3
Ghosts weren't cloaked, terrain was lackluster.

Theme: 2
It could have gotten higher, should there had been more nukes. A lot more. Didn't feel overwhelmed at all.

Completeness: 3
Not really complete at all, needs work in a lot of areas. Things wouldn't work the best, and all of the ghosts amassed near the top. But the map did work. Not bad for 3 hours.

- Total: 18/40, 45%

Rank: E

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Chiarena by chia-tyrant
A fun little arena map. Glad to see all of the fun put into it. Directional ranged attacks aren't the easiest thing in the world to do, so props for that.

Gameplay: 7
More gameplay features would definitely have been nice. But with what it has, it's tons of fun with lots of people.

Originality: 5
You don't see directional ranged attack all that often. The map was an original work, but nothing too new or unique.

Aesthetics: 5
Could definitely use some polishing to make the effects more spectacular. The terrain was rather bare, and left much to be wanting.

Theme: 3
Not quite hitting what we're looking for here. But it did make a fair attempt.

Completeness:: 4
More polishing is definitely needed. But the map worked as intended without any glitches. Didn't feel all the way complete, but nearly so.

- Total: 24/40, 60%

Rank: E

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Deathright by Kusari

A movie-map. You run around a city attempting to escape from impending nuclear disaster and mutant zombies.. Or something. Also trying to get into some girl's pants.

Gameplay: 3
This is where using a movie-map genre will hurt, there is little gameplay beyond running over civilians and avoiding traffic/mutant zombies.

Originality: 6
And original map with an okay story-line. Nothing that really stuck out for creativity.

Aesthetics: 6
All right, the mutant zombies and people dying everywhere was okay, and I guess the roads were good. But the rest of the terrain requires some much needed doodads and polishing. Cut-scenes were also okay.

Theme: 3
The sheer number of mutant zombies was silly, and the ability to run over civilians was lulz. But still didn't find the quality I was looking for. But don't blame yourself, it's something really hard to accomplish.

Completeness: 4
Apart from some polishing and terrain, this map was complete. and worked just fine. There was a collision glitch with crashing into other cars, however.

- Total: 22/40, 55%

Rank: E

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Congrats to all the winners. Everyone who submitted a valid submission will receive 20 minerals. Thank you for participating.

Post has been edited 5 time(s), last time on Aug 15 2011, 5:25 pm by Sacrieur.