The Extraodinarie Graphical Contest

Hello there, it's been a while since we've had no social activities in modding.
First of all I'd like to let you know that this will be a graphical-aimed contest, it will also be somewhat aimed at new modders that have just come to SeN with those excellent new fresh ideas in their minds.

This contest will be somewhat different to modding ones as I'd like to target not only modders but actually "artists" of SeN. Which means that you won't have to actually be a modder but only to be able to create starcraft graphics, in consequence requiring only basic modding skills for SC palleting and such.

With no more words I'll just start with my classic FaQs.

So, how does this work, Corbo?
You'll simply submit several .grps (as many as you want) and hope to win reputation and most likely some minerals too.

Several GRPs?
Yes, every contestant will submit what I'll just call a Graphics Portfolio (GP for short). There will be several categories in which you'll be able to participate and you will choose only the ones you want to participate in.
As in, you will be allowed to submit only 1 grp to the "building" category as well as you can submit more than 5 into the same category or submit nothing at all to one category.
Specifications of where a grp is being submit will be on the GP.

Explain me more about the graphics portfolio, please.
Here's the deal. You submit grps to categories, in your portfolio they can either be organized in folders (I'd prefer this one) or they can be labelled in a .txt or they can have it in their names.
You can submit as many grps are you want to one category, in the end, the best one will be chosen to win the whole category.

Sounds cool, I'm in, now what's the deadline?
You can submit your GP as soon as you want. You can start with only one grp and then update it and I'll make sure to keep on compiling all your information. Additionally the limit of GP submission will be on December 1st.


Okay, cool, wait, one more thing, can I submit graphics I already made?
Of course, it's your career portfolio. Just make sure you're submitting me the BEST you have and that's it is actually yours.

Do I need something more?
I don't think so. Just remember, well organized folders containing GRPs. Before december 1st.

Now, you need to tell me the categories!
Right, the categories are:
Buildings*
Ground Units*
Ground Vehicles*
Air Units*
Abstract Concepts
Doodad
Spell
Overlays
Terrain Tiles
Critter
Portraits
Consoles´
GUIs
Icons
Background
Mouse Pointer & Other in game extras
Other


As you can see you have MANY categories to work with and to freely choose where to submit. If you have any other idea let me know and if it's good enough It will be in there.

*will be judged by race, terran, zerg protoss or custom made graphics (as in totally new).
´Note that in the case of consoles they'll have to be implemented to SC and not just random lines.


This contest would be nothing without a prize.
First place winners will get 30 minerals for each winner GRP. If two of your GRPs in your GP win you'll get 60 minerals and so on!
Second place winner will get 15 minerals for each winner GRP. Same rule as above applies here.

I'm Willing to take donations for bigger prices, of course.

To new modders I encourage you to participate, this contest if for you!
Old people are also welcome


If you need any further information let me know and I will gladly answer you in this topic.
Now, rock on! and bring me awesome GRPs!


Current Mid-Seasoners List:
DeVouReR
Excalibur[MM]
poiuy_qwert
FlyingHat
EzDay281[MM]
[Your name here!]

Additional notes: The format of the graphics as a *.grp is not required. Each file should be on their usable SC format according to the category they are participating in. i.e. If they are backgrounds no need to make a .grp, if they are backgrounds the proper format should be .pcx and so on for other graphic formats.
Additionally you can submit videos, screenshots, conceptual drawings and anything you wish to explain your project to me.
And most likely your graphics will end up uploaded to the DLDB, even if you lose, so take note that using the DLDB to send files is a +

(Take not that I study architecture so you won't win my judgement very easily )

Post has been edited 6 time(s), last time on Oct 29 2008, 2:27 am by Corbo.

What file format should Tiles, Portraits, Game Extras be in?
GRP, or their respective formats? (.smk files for portraits)

Game extras would be in their respective format. For example the minimap ping is a grp called blink.grp, thus, the format would be .grp. But for example bin extras would be on... bin, duh and/or in .pcx format.

As for the tiles, I'd like to see a "preview" in .bmp format and I'd also want the terrain tiles (.cv5 and such) to make sure it works in SC.

Everything should work in SC or else they won't be taken in count.

Portraits in .SMK, yes.

So this is like terrain ladder, but with GRPs?

I have never seen the terrain ladder topic.
Any coincidences are just coincidences.

Was just asking because it seemed similar, in which case, I would be interested.

Are the GRPs submitted supposed to be released to the general public? Is *.GRP the required submission format, or are videos or screenshots acceptable?

The grammar in the underlined portion is awkward. The red is a bit confusing and in apparent conflict. You used "only" twice, which often connotes a limitation, yet I'm not sure that's your intention. I assume you're basically trying to say we can participate in as many categories as we wish, and we can make as many submissions to those categories as we want?

I think I'm in... but I think I just wanna make one grp, which should be awesome

I've almost waited for a contest like this....
hope many will register and make awesome GRP's... so maybe the mod-dataabse willbe more filled

Btw: Are you sure your mineral-amount is enough? (just asking because I can rent you some if you haven't got enough)

EDIT: I'm out! to much to do

Post has been edited 2 time(s), last time on Dec 14 2008, 6:55 pm by DeVouReR.

Like I replied to Hat's question. They will not only be on *.GRP format. Each file should be with their proper format.
You can additionally submit screenshots and videos but the main idea of the contest is to produce material to the DLDB. So, I think I will be needing them in their useable format. It was my mistake on not to include that part.

Do you submit in the thread or by pm?

Whichever pleases you more.
They're going to the DLDB, though. So you might as well submit them there.

Well my first two submissions are already in the dldb:
Gold Piles (with shadows, wireframes, and mineral chunk)


Protoss Spike Building (with icon and wireframe)


Both are modeled, "textured", and rendered by me.

I think that's key to make clear, that the graphics are to be made available in the DLDB. Since my work is going toward STF, and only STF, I would not be able to participate.

Well, that's too bad that you don't want to share your work with our community.


Anyone else coming in soon? Don't make me set up registration deadline

I'm in. Just give me time to play in photoshop and make lotsa pwnage.

If people actually contribute to this enough to warrant it, I'll give you a pin.

I'm... uh... considering contributing. >.>
'twould be my first effort at decent custom graphics. Fun!

The idea behind custom artwork is to make your project feel different and unique. You lose that if every other mod uses those graphics too.


Although I cannot compete, here's a look at a model WIP turnaround for the Cacophyte Hellion of the Metaphyte race in STF.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Oct 29 2008, 4:36 am by Hercanic.

I don't do competition and none of my stuff is to be used by the public, anyway, so don't count on me doing anything, either.

Created in spores, right?

And okay, since it seems to be too much trouble for some of you guys I'll make the submit to DLDB a non requirement.
Should I be signing you up, Mesk and Herc?