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The 7th Annual VLDC: Discussion

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I just BARELY got my level in before the time limit. I'd admit that I procrastinated quite a bit, but better late than never! I do feel like I rushed the last part of my level a bit...
I didn't really need much Map16 on my level, anyways. All I used it for is to make those Ghost House ledges, add some bushes, add a block, and that's pretty much it.

Anyways, I can't wait to see the entire hack put together.
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A Mario and Luigi Story: The Universe's Star Demo 2:
50%
Status: Dead until I regain interest. Link to hack thread.

Basically allI did with my map16:
• Made a bare-bones cave tile set for BG3 (72)
• Made switch palace tiles for doing one secret (6)
• Made a donut bridge added into BG3 (2)

Decoration? Well if you want to call any of this decoration, be my guest.
woag.....

(previously superdragonyoshi1. sup yall.)
I updated my zip file to make dax happy

Also I forgot to add my music samples - they're now in. So yeah. SNN, if you downloaded it already you should redownload mine .-.

EDIT: Updated again. I forgot to add the message box text.
I didn't really need that much for a Map16 page, since all I did is to add no more than three tiles, but I had fun making my entry overall and it was at least better than other entries I've made for past contests. I kinda procrastinated during last month, but I guess I made a good effort in it.

I have to say - a lot of entries were well made, but I think a certain ice level won't make it to the collab. Still, can't wait for the results!
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Just dropping a note that my ExGFX file should be in FG3 (just posting it here so there are no mistakes; I think Lunar Magic does indicate somehow but oh well, better state it where it is obvious). Yep. Also I started playing some entries they seem to be pretty neat so far. Good job people.
So I guess an Overworld should be designed? I'll take the Worst Submap if it can be claimed, I have a good feeling that I can poll it off.

BTW, would it be a good idea if we also hosted a "Vanilla Overworld Design Contest" within the VLDC? Just sharing my idea.
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Originally posted by Giant Shy Guy
Also I forgot to add my music samples - they're now in. So yeah. SNN, if you downloaded it already you should redownload mine .-.

EDIT: Updated again. I forgot to add the message box text.

Is this okay? If so, I can think of a few things I want to change in mine, as well.
Originally posted by SLBros.
The only real trouble I had was with the limited space I had in my allocated Map16 slots. But I guess it isn't so bad, as I mostly wanted to add more scenery.

This was definitely one of my biggest roadblocks. Not because I wanted the space for additional decoration but because for any graphic I used I had to have three additional variations to fit the level's gimmick. The BG allocation is what really worried me and I had to do some careful tile manipulation to ensure I could fit everything I needed - surprising considering how simple the BG is.

Anyway, while I've never been one for entering contests, it was fun trying my hand at a level after being away from hacking for so long.
Originally posted by Mineyl

I noticed your presence in a very large number of the level threads. Even though you didn't have to, you went out of your way to provide detailed feedback and constructive criticism and even supplemented screenshots to back you up. Even though I didn't get an IPS up quickly enough for you to do the same to my level, I really admire the initiative you took in this contest. It was pretty great!


Again, it's probably going back to whole the collab-hack nature of this year's contest. In previous contests, it was pretty much everyone for themselves: it was typically assumed that you were on your own (with those rare instances of co-op designers), and you alone called the shots when it came to your level, unless you were getting others to privately test your level to find flaws (which kind of went against the spirit of those contests).

This year was a big game-changer for the VLDC. Turning the entries into a collab hack rather than just sending them in for judging means there are going to be players that will download the finished product a month or so from now and try to enjoy it. That reason alone compels me to go out of my way to give feedback on levels, to try and see things as smoothed out as possible to make for an ultimately enjoyable player experience. The addition of creating our own level threads this year not only made it easier for us to share our creations and show progress, but also allow others to provide feedback that used to be difficult to convey in past contests.
Originally posted by GeminiRage
This year was a big game-changer for the VLDC. Turning the entries into a collab hack rather than just sending them in for judging means there are going to be players that will download the finished product a month or so from now and try to enjoy it. That reason alone compels me to go out of my way to give feedback on levels, to try and see things as smoothed out as possible to make for an ultimately enjoyable player experience. The addition of creating our own level threads this year not only made it easier for us to share our creations and show progress, but also allow others to provide feedback that used to be difficult to convey in past contests.


That sums it up very nicely. I also really liked the overall approach of how things got done. Felt more like creating a team effort instead of a competition. I'm glad that this approach was possible.

Curious to see how the hack(s) will turn out in the end.

I am very paranoid... #ab{o_O}

I keep believing that I'm going to get disqualified because of the last year's Vanilla Level Design Contest. I was really hurt

I honestly do not care what place I get, I just want my level to be accepted.#ab{;_;}

But on the upside, I hope you guys did well with your entries!
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So in case anyone is curious, ROM 1 has 46 levels and ROM 2 has 36, meaning a total of 82 levels were submitted. That's pretty good!

I've already started judging, and I can safely say this may be one of our best years in terms of design. I think those of you that utilized the feedback you received is really going to benefit you.
Hm. So does that mean there will only be one ROM?

And to touch on an earlier subject, I actually enjoyed having been given a small part of Map16 space to work with. Made it challenging.
Originally posted by Gregor
Hm. So does that mean there will only be one ROM?


It's actually possible in theory, but it would require a lot of effort to repoint tiles/ExGFX/secondary exits. We'll see how I'm feeling once I'm done judging, and if it's reasonably doable, I'll merge them into one ROM.
Originally posted by Gregor
Hm. So does that mean there will only be one ROM?

And to touch on an earlier subject, I actually enjoyed having been given a small part of Map16 space to work with. Made it challenging.

That looks like a possibility. I mean, SMW can have 95 levels (I'm not including level 000, which is not a real level). The question is whether S.N.N. would be willing to remap resources used by levels with the same resources, while possibly adding bugs. It isn't impossible however, so perhaps...

As for level design, well, I was worried that my level could find the way in the worst world (hey, it doesn't abuse vanilla graphics), considering how good other entries are. I wonder, would it be possible to not have the worst world, if it turns out that there are no awful entries?
Originally posted by GlitchMr
I wonder, would it be possible to not have the worst world, if it turns out that there are no awful entries?


Yeah, I'm kinda worried about my level ending up in the ROM's hall of shame as well. I think I have a good gimmick in my level, but I'm afraid it might be boring.

If the Bad World were scrapped, though, I think it would save two level numbers that would otherwise be used for exit tiles.


I know several of the levels were pretty light on the resources usage from what I've seen during testing. It could very well be possible to just have a single ROM instead of two.

While we're still on the topic of submission statistics, could we possibly get an idea of how many levels were submitted under each theme category? I remember we initially started this whole discussion with concerns regarding a possible oversaturation of grassland levels (which I can assure you, is not the case this year), so now that the contest is over, I'm curious how many levels each theme-world will contain (not counting the Best/Worst of course).
Originally posted by GlitchMr
I wonder, would it be possible to not have the worst world, if it turns out that there are no awful entries?

I have a good feeling that there is already at least one candidate for that. Thankfully it's so blatantly obvious you'll know it when you see it.
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I think I'll get marked down quite a lot. Nowadays when it comes to vanilla, people expect you to mix tilesets, use fancy palettes, and etc. I don't like doing that, which is why my vanilla levels are simple, straight to the point (level design and fun), no decoration, just... a level. I wonder how bad of a score I'll get... I hope that's just my self esteem talking, though.
I would prefer that everything would be in one ROM, and since you got all the entries anyway, well, why shouldn't the people here which participate help you out SNN? Simply decide what would be the best way to describe who gets which resources and people could rearrange that.
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