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Vanilla Level Design 2008: Submissions

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VLDCRules

Yes, as long as it still abides by the posted rules.
I've complied a list of most (Couldn't include all of them, sorry) good ideas for if we do this another time (Some from me, some not):

-Same as this one (FirePhoenix0)
-Level Design contest with Custom Stuff Allowed (Various)
-Level Design contest with only ExGFX Allowed (SNN?)
-Level Design contest where you can't use ExGFX, but edit the graphics in YY-CHR (SNN?)
-One-World Hack Contest (Me)
-OW Design Contest (SNN)
-(Ex)GFX Designing Contest (SNN)
-Hacking Grand Prix (Schwa)
-ASM Contest (Me)
-Seasonal Hacking Contest (I.E. Make the best Christmas Hack, etc.) (Me)
-Themed Contest (Make it a Ghost House, a Water Level, etc.) (Lucas)
-Challenges (I.E. Make a level without any sprites except level ender, only 3 screens, vertical level, etc.) (Various)
-Best level to fit a custom song (Lucas)
-Best Automatic Mario (Lucas)
-Best Non-Mario Game Remake (Lucas)

Prizes could include a custom sprite, a nice avatar, a hack, exclusive ExGFX, maybe even a custom color or title if it was a really important win. (Not Expecting the Idea to actually make it, just an idea)

Again, these are all IDEAS, don't expect many of them to make it.
http://www.romendo.net/house.zip

This was originally going to appear in The Adventures of Jiggles the Catgirl, but due to the recent canning of that, I'm putting this level here. It's called "The House on Haunted Hill". There are two exits.
Most of the levels so far are ghost houses or something related... Maybe if we have another contest it would be good to have a theme for all of the levels and base some of the judging on that.
Dude, that would rule...

"Layer 2, Smash 1 Command-using level design contest."

Or maybe that could just go in the Grand Prix... Either way it'd certainly weed out the less creative hackers from the rest of them.
It's me!!

High on life is the best high.
Ideas:

Best autoscrolling level
Best upwards vertical level
Best small level (3 or 4 screens)
Best automatic level
Best SMB1 style level
Best level remake of a non-mario game
Best all original graphics level
Best level to match a certain custom song
etc...
Originally posted by Lucas
Ideas:

Best autoscrolling level
Best upwards vertical level
Best small level (3 or 4 screens)
Best automatic level
Best SMB1 style level
Best level remake of a non-mario game
Best all original graphics level
Best level to match a certain custom song
etc...

At this point, why don't we just make a new section of the site for these in the forums, or better yet, a new site overall. In fact, I was thinking of making a SMW hacking contest once, but I didn't think it would be near as successful as this one. But in any case, we shouldn't get too carried away with these.
Originally posted by daaa77
Originally posted by Lucas
Ideas:

Best autoscrolling level
Best upwards vertical level
Best small level (3 or 4 screens)
Best automatic level
Best SMB1 style level
Best level remake of a non-mario game
Best all original graphics level
Best level to match a certain custom song
etc...

At this point, why don't we just make a new section of the site for these in the forums, or better yet, a new site overall. In fact, I was thinking of making a SMW hacking contest once, but I didn't think it would be near as successful as this one. But in any case, we shouldn't get too carried away with these.


Having contests in a certain section of the site would be a good idea. Here's how it would work...

In the months of February and July, the contests section of SMWC would have many different contests about different things, sorta like the grand prix.

Every other month, the contest section would be an "archive" which held the levels of past contest winners.

It would be a great addition to the site, and I truly believe it would benefit the SMW hacking community greatly.

********************************

Sorry for being picky, but here are my comments to the contest Ideas made my daa77. Please don't be offended by this or anything, daa77.

Best autoscrolling level - great idea

Best upwards vertical level - great idea

Best small level (3 or 4 screens) - that doesn't really make sense, it's just... to short. It would be a good idea to have a contest with a set number of screens, but how about something like 7-10 screens instead?

Best automatic level - Sorry for being a total idiot, but I'm Not sure what this is. If you mean a level in which mario moves by himself, why not just make a movie? If you don't mean that, someone will have to explain to me what you do mean.

Best SMB1 style level - But how would this contest work? You couldn't have any set, written guidelines, as there's no clear cut definition of what an "SMB1 style" level is.

Best level remake of a non-mario game - Where's the creativity? Isn't that the point of hacking?

Best all original graphics level - Why make a level, why not just make graphics? Also, unfortunately, I would bet about $70 that either Icegoom or Ghettyouth would win that contest.

Best level to match a certain custom song - This MIGHT work, though I'm very doubtful. I can't quite lay my finger on the reason why I'm so doubtful though, and if I can't pinpoint my reason, I probably have no right to make a comment...




Here is my list of what contests we should have. I never said everything on this list was my idea, I'm just compiling all the ideas that I like, as well as adding my own.

01. Best level made using only LM as a tool.
02. Best auto-scrolling level
03. Best vertical level
04. Best level which is exactly 7 screens long
05. Best overall level, no rules involved
06. Best Music, (no level involved, just the .txt file.)
07. Best custom Boss (and a level for him to go in.)
08. Best custom sprite (no level involved, just the .asm and .cfg file.)
09. Best custom block (no level involved, just the .asm file with the relic offsets and such.)
10. Best overworld
11. Best level made using only one sprite. (the sprite which would end the level.)
Mabye like a 6-contest rotation, a month for entries for a contest and a month for judging and results... the rotation could be like

Level Design
Mosts
Overworld Design
*Some forum-based thing*
Custom Music - Making your own music
Site scheme design *make a scheme for smwcentral*
Your layout has been removed.
As long as not anyone is allowed to start contests, I'm with it. It sort of sucks when there's like 4-5 things in the same time, and submission lack of quality due to shortage or time, and will. It should be a rule.
to anyone that downloaded Verdant FG: I've fixed it with the gameplay page and a readme, so get the fixed version.
Wow, you guys are really thinking about this a lot.

For the record, I have no problem with a contest allowing all sorts of features, so don't label me as only wanting another contest like this.
On another note, this isn't the thread for discussing future contests. Please contain these thoughts until after the contest is over, or, if you absolutely must say something, PM me or FP.
Originally posted by FirePhoenix0
For the record, I have no problem with a contest allowing all sorts of features, so don't label me as only wanting another contest like this.

Don't worry, I'm not the labeling type. Instead I tend to get labeled by others. Yay for Autism. XD

I said this before, but my only concern is that if we do this often, it'll get stale and we won't get many participants anymore, especially if there's no prize... I think we would need to think of an incentive for winning the contests.

I have a few ideas... I could code a custom sprite exclusively for the winner to use in his own hack (and the winner could share the sprite with others if he chose to, and it would be entirely up to him)... Same with SNN composing some custom music, though I can't speak for him in terms of whether or not he'd be up for doing that... If anyone on SMWC is good with computer art, that person could make the winner a specialized avatar or layout... I suggested this earlier but someone really good at level design could make a custom level for the winner... The prizes don't have to be hacking-related, either. If everyone's into the whole Smash Bros. Brawl scene, when it comes out in March we might end up incorporating that into the prizes, but that's a longshot. Prizes are hard to think of when none of us know each-other in person and it's all done over the Internet, but there's still room for some creativity.

Bottom line, to get it to fall into place we need community members who are willing to put some of their time and energy into managing the contest prizes and stuff. For instance, SNN might be willing to make new custom music every other time a contest rolls around, but he might NOT be, nor is he expected to be.

Now that I've shared my thoughts, you all owe me a penny. >=)
It's me!!

High on life is the best high.
I have a question that i am not sure of.

1.Are we allowed to use Palette Editor and the 16X16 Tile Map Editor options in Lunar Magic?

http://smwhc.forumsland.com/
New SMW Hacking contests everyday...


For more info, visit my user bio on a profile...
I believe Custom Palettes and Map16 modification are allowed. I've seen this used in several of the entries. Same with bypassing the time limit. The only thing you can't do in LM is actually change the graphics, and this includes recoloring.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong, of course.
It's me!!

High on life is the best high.
You're correct Schwa. He can change palettes and map16.
Originally posted by Boingboingsplat
Edit: Not only that, but ExGFX, sprites, and blocks allow themes that the original SMW can't convey. Like having to find a way into a locked tower.


True, but someone with ExGFX skills, sprite making skills, etc. could just crush anyone else with aesthetics in such a contest, whereas good level design might go overlooked because of it. And I find it funny that the level you posted is exactly what I was talking about being annoying in hacks. Too many Super Puzzle Quest 8s, and not enough Super Mario World 8s.
...Waitwaitwait... You think my level is annoying?? :O

I mean, it's cool and all that you have your own opinion, but... it's... my baby... *bawls*

Ah well. We can't discuss our entries in this thread, but if you have some heavy criticism about my entry, I would REALLY like you to PM me and tell me them. Or at least do so when the contest has ended. You know as well as I do it would help me improve, which is what we're all going for (hopefully).
It's me!!

High on life is the best high.
I think he was talking to Boing, Schwa, not you.

I agree fully with asdf. It's sad to see level design shunned for a cosmetic appeal instead.
Originally posted by asdf
Originally posted by Boingboingsplat
Edit: Not only that, but ExGFX, sprites, and blocks allow themes that the original SMW can't convey. Like having to find a way into a locked tower.


True, but someone with ExGFX skills, sprite making skills, etc. could just crush anyone else with aesthetics in such a contest, whereas good level design might go overlooked because of it. And I find it funny that the level you posted is exactly what I was talking about being annoying in hacks. Too many Super Puzzle Quest 8s, and not enough Super Mario World 8s.

That's where the SMW Hacking Grand Prix could come in.

VLDCRules

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