Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 A while back I made a post in the New Contest Ideas thread suggesting a contest where each of the contestants has to make a scenario taking place in the starter town, Warrior's Grove, and without changing any terrain, but the contestants are allowed to add as many characters, items and special encounters as they want in order to make an original scenario. The idea is that the scenarios would be short, and not a lot of work to make. After thinking the idea over I decided to make a few changes to the original rules. The new rules are as follows: 1. The scenario must take place in the starter town, Warrior's Grove. The town boundaries will be set to the edge of town so the party cannot access any outdoor sections. 2. You are allowed to make 5 changes to the terrain of Warrior's Grove. A "change" would constitute modifying a single tile, not a larger area. These changes would mainly be for adding entrances to your second town. You can also make changes to the default graphics. Each graphics change counts as 2 changes, unless the custom graphic only appears once in the town. Torches are a free terrain, so you can add as many torches to the town as you need. 3. You can make as many changes as you want to characters, items, encounters, and scripts. The only changes that count towards the 5 are changes to floors, terrain and graphics inside of the starter town. Sign text can also be changed without counting to your 5 changes. 4. You are allowed 1 large-size town of your own, which can be connected to Warrior's grove by using the move_to_new_town() call. There are no restrictions regarding custom graphics, terrains or characters used in this town. If you think anything about the rules should be changed or clarified, say so. I have created a very simple Warrior's Grove scenario entitled Bats in the Belfry. It can be downloaded here. (Same version for Mac and PC since there's no custom graphics.) Obviously I didn't put a ton of work into it; its sole purpose is to illustrate the concept of a Warrior's Grove scenario. It should take five minutes or less to beat. Would anyone be interested in participating in/judging for such a contest? If not, what are some other contest ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Jerakeen Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I think it's a great idea. Something small and simple like this might even encourage some people to participate for the first time. And it would be interesting to see how creative designers could be within the constraints given. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Sure. I need an excuse to refine Discord. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody BJ Back From the Beyond Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 I have other projects that demand my attention right now, not the least of which are my own scenario ideas. However, I would gladly judge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted April 27, 2011 Share Posted April 27, 2011 Specify "changes". Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 Quote: Specify "changes". Not quite sure what you mean by that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan tridash Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Probably Quote: 2. You are allowed to make 5 changes to the terrain of Warrior's Grove. does that just mean that 5 tiles can be changed? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 A "change" can encompass every number of things, which is why I wanted you to be more specific. Am I allowed to make an entire building or level the entire town, or are these changes limited to single tiles? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 Each change would be for one tile. These would be for small changes such as adding stairs or trap doors to lead to your second town, not for major things like redoing buildings. Edit: The main post has been edited to clarify this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody BJ Back From the Beyond Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Would "changes" encompass moving or deleting characters and doing other non-terrain related things? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Jerakeen Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I think the original idea was that you could do whatever you wanted with items, characters and scripts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 Quote: Would "changes" encompass moving or deleting characters and doing other non-terrain related things? The idea is that you can make as many changes as you want to everything but the terrain. You can do whatever you want as far as creatures, items and encounters. You could even change the text on signs if you wanted to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall BainIhrno Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Sign me up for judging! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted May 4, 2011 Share Posted May 4, 2011 I... I might want to make something. Do "changes" include graphical tweaks? Like, swap out a wallset, replace all the default trees... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted May 4, 2011 Author Share Posted May 4, 2011 Quote: Do "changes" include graphical tweaks? Like, swap out a wallset, replace all the default trees... I think a few small graphical changes like this should be allowed. The point of this contest is to produce fun and creative scenarios, and if you need a little change of scenery to make that happen then go for it. Just try not to go overboard and completely overhaul everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Niemand Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Originally Posted By: Duck in His Old Hat Quote: Do "changes" include graphical tweaks? Like, swap out a wallset, replace all the default trees... I think a few small graphical changes like this should be allowed. The point of this contest is to produce fun and creative scenarios, and if you need a little change of scenery to make that happen then go for it. Just try not to go overboard and completely overhaul everything. That sounds like a good policy, as I understand that the idea is to create a level playing field for making scenarios that don't involve a lot of laborious terrain drawing (and also so that experienced designers don't completely steamroll the beginners using technically detailed ideas). I'm not sure if I'll enter or not (as this will depend on whether I can think of an idea for a scenario), but if I don't enter and another judge is needed I would be happy to help out in that way. (And, in the spirit of the first part of the post, if I do enter I won't try to subvert the rules by overwriting the all terrain at run-time. ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 So... replacing all the default trees counts as how many changes? (I like looking for excuses to use those trees.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Quote: So... replacing all the default trees counts as how many changes? I think that every edited graphic should count as 2 of your terrain changes, since graphic changes would affect more than one square of terrain. Each change would be one graphic icon, not a whole sheet. However, if you want to make a terrain with a custom graphic to place as one of your 5 changes that would only count as 1 change since it's only affecting one square. And, of course, you can use as many custom graphics as you want in your second town. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Do changing signs count as changes? What about that pointless sign inside of the inn that should be outside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Understated Ur-Drakon Celtic Minstrel Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 This reminds me of a BoE scenario I started involving a (heavily modified) Warrior's Grove town. I may consider entering. And working on something BoA-related could serve as a reminder to get around to releasing my scenario from the previous contest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Mistb0rn Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 Are you accepting BoE scenarios too, or is it exclusively for BoA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dintiradan Posted May 5, 2011 Share Posted May 5, 2011 To avoid what happened for the last design contest, I recommend against allowing BoE unless we have multiple people volunteering to judge for BoE before the contest begins. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted May 5, 2011 Author Share Posted May 5, 2011 Quote: Do changing signs count as changes? What about that pointless sign inside of the inn that should be outside? Changing signs will not count as changes, since there's more than 5 and if you want to change one of them you will most likely want to change all of them. However, if you want to add a sign or delete a sign that would count as a change. Quote: Are you accepting BoE scenarios too, or is it exclusively for BoA? Like Dintiradan said, BoE scenarios will most likely not be accepted unless we have volunteers who can judge for BoE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Handyman Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 Why not just make one of the judging criteria, like, "adherence to the original?" Set up a rubric, or something, like: (Final score) = [(Adherence) * (Quality)] / 100 Where "Adherence" and "Quality" are scales ranging from 1-10. (So, if your scenario is garbage, adherence won't matter; and if your scenario doesn't adhere to the original at all, quality won't matter.) I dunno. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Handyman Posted May 6, 2011 Share Posted May 6, 2011 I mean, I guess I shouldn't care at all, because this contest seems way too stupidly easy to really quibble over; but on the other hand, this contest seems way too stupidly easy to really quibble over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan tridash Posted May 8, 2011 Share Posted May 8, 2011 when would this be happening? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted May 9, 2011 Author Share Posted May 9, 2011 That depends on everyone's schedule. My plan was to have the contest go for three weeks, or even a whole month. I was thinking some time in May or June. For everyone who's interested in participating, when works best for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted May 9, 2011 Share Posted May 9, 2011 june/july Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted May 12, 2011 Share Posted May 12, 2011 Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet! june/july ^ this Really need to get back into... everything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan tridash Posted May 15, 2011 Share Posted May 15, 2011 Originally Posted By: Ephesos Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet! june/july ^ this also this for me I think Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted May 21, 2011 Author Share Posted May 21, 2011 Since I'm likely going to be missing a few weeks in July, it looks like June will be the best option. How about starting June 9th and ending June 30th? Is this good for anyone else who was planning on entering? We're obviously going to need a few more entrants. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I'm very busy and out my computer, so I might not be able to join in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast keira Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 This sounds very interesting, I'll try to take part, just have to see what's going on around then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Niemand Posted May 21, 2011 Share Posted May 21, 2011 I would like to participate, but I'm leaning towards helping by judging rather than designing. (I don't have an idea for an entry, and I feel that I'm at the point where if I'm going to make a scenario it's more like a disservice to the community if I don't put my skills to work and make it substantial.) If, however, there is a surplus of useless types like myself who will only stand around and criticize others' work without designing anything, I could probably be talked into making an entry. (Timing might be a little tricky for me, since I'll be super busy in late June because I've gotten roped into helping run training at work at that time, but I should be able to manage.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Originally Posted By: Niemand (I don't have an idea for an entry and I feel that I'm at the point where if I'm going to make a scenario it's more like a disservice to the community if I don't put my skills to work and make it substantial.) Does anybody here have an idea for an entry? I was planning on making it up as I went along. Though yes - as, I suppose, an "adept" designer, I probably should make something more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Dintiradan Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 If I had to enter, I could retrofit an idea I had for a D&D session into a scenario. It would take some thinking to convert it from Unfinished Setting That I Would Never Get To Use #43 to the Avernum universe, but it would be doable. If I were to touch BoA again, it would probably be to finish existing projects. Like Niemand, I can judge if judges are needed, and enter if entries are really needed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody BJ Back From the Beyond Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 As I've said, I'm hot on the trail of one of my own projects and I'd like to get through it before starting something else. If I can get my next scenario to beta before June I might be able to participate, but I have a lot of work ahead of me before I can beta. If I don't make it, I can judge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted May 22, 2011 Share Posted May 22, 2011 Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet! Originally Posted By: Niemand (I don't have an idea for an entry and I feel that I'm at the point where if I'm going to make a scenario it's more like a disservice to the community if I don't put my skills to work and make it substantial.) Does anybody here have an idea for an entry? I was planning on making it up as I went along. Though yes - as, I suppose, an "adept" designer, I probably should make something more. I actually do, but I just have to get around making it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk nikki. Posted May 23, 2011 Share Posted May 23, 2011 I had an idea for this whilst eating a sandwich today. The sandwich will feature prominently. I'm in, and planning on eating plenty of sandwiches as research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Ephesos Posted May 26, 2011 Share Posted May 26, 2011 Originally Posted By: Impudent Strumpet! I was planning on making it up as I went along. Though yes - as, I suppose, an "adept" designer, I probably should make something more. We need plans? Oh god. Also, yeah. Nothing is really possible for me until June. Work is in major super epic actually-pretty-unreasonable crunch mode. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan tridash Posted June 8, 2011 Share Posted June 8, 2011 what's happening w/ this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted June 9, 2011 Author Share Posted June 9, 2011 My proposed time frame is from Saturday, June 25 to Sunday, July 17. Does this work for all of you who are planning on entering? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan tridash Posted June 18, 2011 Share Posted June 18, 2011 that's fine for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted July 2, 2011 Author Share Posted July 2, 2011 So, I'm going to assume since there were no replies that the dates just didn't work for anyone else? Obviously the contest will need to be postponed now, what do you guys think about going from around the 10th of July to the 30th? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall Niemand Posted July 2, 2011 Share Posted July 2, 2011 Ack, no, I lost track of when exactly the dates were. They do work for me, or at least the remaining time period does, and I'll see if I can come up with an entry. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Enraged Slith Posted July 3, 2011 Share Posted July 3, 2011 I'm plodding along and fine either way. Extra time is always nice, but if my entry is going to get finished, it's not going to be because I had more time to complete it in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Handyman Posted July 6, 2011 Share Posted July 6, 2011 Can we get a "free" edit to remove that stupid "step here to end the scenario" nonsense? If the gates are the "end" of the scenario, then having the cart there is awkward and redundant; but getting rid of it brings the remaining edits to, like, 2. And while we're at it, that "spider-in-secret-passage" only has ONE of the two entry spaces blocked to monsters, so the spider could conceivably wander out. Also, the inn has its sign ON THE INSIDE. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted July 7, 2011 Author Share Posted July 7, 2011 @Handyman: The only edits that count towards your 5 are edits of the terrain and graphics. If you want to get rid of the special encounter to leave the scenario, you're free to do so. However, getting rid of the cart would count as two terrain changes so you might as well just leave it as decoration for the town. As for the spider problem, you could either add another blocked square, or get rid of the spider and webs entirely, since those are both free changes. Those of you who expressed interest in joining but haven't yet replied if the days work for you, please do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garrulous Glaahk Handyman Posted July 8, 2011 Share Posted July 8, 2011 Does changing the text of a sign count as a terrain change? Because I'd feel pretty cheated if I was forced to have the shops we're given by default. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Duck in a Top Hat Posted July 8, 2011 Author Share Posted July 8, 2011 Nope, sign text doesn't count as terrain. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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