Some Random Ideas

[ki113r]

The picture idea could be a good idea if we had to replicate the picture so exaxct that you should be able to put your screenshot next to the original and they should look very similar. so the goal should be to replicate the original image, then take a screenshot of your replication and then post them next to each other. who ever has the best replication, lighting, geometry, atmosphere ect. should win.

[Chasester]

The biggest problem i see is layout. Mostly comes to the question in such a contest are we trying to make a map or just replicate an image. Now ovbiously one could take this 'Artistic' map and turn it into a "playable" given time and effort, sense the majority of the detailing is done.

I think what im getting at is what is the point of the contest, to replicate a picture to exact precision? Or are we trying to help map making by giving artist grounds to work from?

The idea is good but....
chasester

[Windecker]

The way I would like to see it, is not exact replication at all. It leaves little freedom.
I think the mapper should merely try to set the theme like the image. It's allowing quite a bit of freedom.
Though, exact replication would also be a good test. In that case, I don't think it should be a very large area. Replication of an image or environment can be very useful to test the eye, and see how well somebody can compose something based solely on what they see, to a reasonable extent. ( If it were a building or something similar, the scale should be 1:1 )
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We could try a little test between three or four people to see how each idea could work, and perhaps refine them.
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I had an idea a while back for a contest format that would let users track progress of various works, from beginning to end. It would be an entire map and it allows lots of time; everything is done in stages. The mappers have complete freedom, so they can more easily work in their comfort zone.

0: joining : people sign up
1: layout stage 1 - mappers begin laying out their map with basic structure and layout and upload their progress.
2:layout stage 2 - mappers refine layout to an extent that will help facilitate details. ( some details are needed for gameplay ) mappers would also work on weapon layout at this point if they have not already.
3: detailing stage 1 - mappers lay down rough details and light and further refine the map to a semi detailed playable map
4: detailing stage 2 - mappers add finishing details, tidy up textures, finish up the lighting, etc
5: detailing stage 3 - entities are added to aid in the environment of the map. Sounds, models, etc.
6: cool-down stage - mappers are giving time to leave their work, and come back and reevaluate it.
7: turn in - mappers submit their finished content.

Mappers could upload their map or images of it at or throughout any stage, along with drawings or ideas if they wish. The layout stages could be counted as one, but this kind of helps as a basic guideline. The detailing stages could also be counted as just one. The whole contest would likely last a fairly long time. Perhaps a month or so.
This setup allows mappers complete freedom, and it allows us to track progress... assuming they upload content at regular intervals.
With users being able to see progress, they can give the mappers ideas, tips, and bits of constructive criticism helping them improve their works overall.

[SheeEttin]

I like the "picture" idea. Basically provide an image or two for reference and say, "here, make a map out of this".
Some kind of other guideline/restriction might make it more interesting, but then again, more leeway could result in more creativity or more entries.

[Chasester]

@wind's point 2&3

Having test contest maps would be great: 0
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A stage idea would be interesting but could be limiting, to new users, or contestants that cannot start on the first stage, then are not able to do any of the other stages.

This idea would allow for more polished map, especially if comments are made about the map as the users complete them. This is better than the drop in run method;, where you leave a competed map there and some one tears it apart, but many of the element that need fix, needed fixed to-wards the start of the map.

Issues are of course Time, Devotion, Deadlines, Personal schedules etc.

I think we can try this as a contest but we need to make sure that ever stage is at least a week long if not longer.

Also if we could require users to work in groups, not only to help the learning process but also so that the above issues would occur less because there are 2 people.

@ idea one - PICTURE

Yes that what i envisioned, a general mood to a map that is predefined by a picture, rather than a replica.

I probably mentioned this above but again:
I think we should have pmodel contest, cuz we have only 5 pmodels for the game and honestly only about 2 of them should be in the game. Although I'm not sure how many modelers we have the cube community-or in his community. But i would suggest to do it as follows if we were to do something like this:

• 1: Conception - basic 2d drawing of character from at lest 3 sides (front back right perspective)
  
• 2: Modeling - Basic model of the character in blendor (or any other program); contestants would post pictures.
  
• 3: Completion: User would finish the model and have it able to be implemented into cube
  

IDEAS, IDEAS
chasester

[Windecker]

How could they screw up the first stage? All it is is 'Signing up for the contest'
Regardless, the joining period would last a few weeks ( two or more ) to rally up enough competitors.

[Chasester]

ok i think you misunderstood:

say that a person joins QMC on the 1 of may. Say that we started this contest on the 1 of april and stage one ends on the 31 of april, then said user would not be able to partake in the contest.

chasester

[Windecker]

I think there is a name for this sort of event.

It goes something like this: "S.O.L."

If they cannot join in time, then too bad, they will need to wait for the next time around.
Keep in mind, that was only a method for a single type of contest. Others may still have joining at any point during the contest. It's all dependent one what we decide to do.

For something like replicating an image, we could likely allow people to join at any point during the contest.

[Windecker]

Shall we have a poll?

List your ideas ( summed up and to the point ) and everybody can just vote on what they want to do. We can refine from there.

[Chasester]

ok i created a pole on this topic and created a subboard of ideas:

www.quadmapcontest.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=questionforcon2#ixzz1DJuQHJij

if you have any comments about what i wrote for your idea or some on elses post them under there thread

if you have new ideas post them here

if i miss literated something please leave a comment

[Suicizer]

Another idea,

Create a map which is focussed on trickjumping (as the accelarate-, pistol-, rifle, machinegun-, rocket-, grenade-jumping and/or a combination of those weapons and/or movements).
The map shouldn't focus on just 1 particular trickjump, like most race-maps are (as for example, all "little-race-x" maps made by Brian), but contain several trickjumps.

Of course, it's not the intention to deliver maps which have a poor quality from other factors like texturing, geometry, detailing.

There could be an additional factor which could make it a little bit harder:
- It also has to be playable for a mode like ffa, teamplay, ctf, hold, (regen)capture or protect.
Of course, that particular factor shouldn't be focussed on, as trickjuming should stay at first place.

Some interesting maps could turn out in this challenge, as it isn't restricting anything else than trickjumping.