Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 This is a suggestion for a fast scenario design contest. The contest is to create a very short scenario over a weeks time. It should consist of. 1) A town. 2) An outdoor area with at least two encounters. 3) An original two level structure-- it cannot be a "dungeon" in the original sense of the word, but could be a ghost town, haunted mansion, gremlin still, wizards lab, etc. 4) There must be at least one new monster and one new item. Just a thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Nicothodes Posted July 31, 2004 Share Posted July 31, 2004 That's a good idea, but I think the time limit should be two weeks instead of one, as people have jobs and other commitments and scripting can take a while. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Tristrana Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 I'd say it's more of a matter of town designing than scripting. There are lots of good scripts floating around already. Towns are still as hard to create as they were before, with BoA being silly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 We have done short contests with BoE before with moderate success. ButteredToast, I appoint you the contest coordinator. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 Alright. Here is a bit more fleshed out contest set up. This is the first time I would be doing this. This is short scenario design contest. You have two weeks to submit your scenario by August 15, 2004. We will have one week to judge the entries. There are two winners. 1) Best overall scenario design. 2) Most original scenario ideas and execution. The parameters for the scenario are: 1) One town with between 4-12 structures. 2) One outdoor section with at least two encounters and three types of terrain. 3) One original structure wizards lab, gremlin still, bandit fortress, border outpost, volcano, etc. This cannot be a traditional dungeon. There should be be no more than two levels. 4) At least one new monster and one new item. The item should be something usable by the characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 Because I am new to this. Is there a place where I might host the contest. I do not have a separate web page. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Aran Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Questions: a) What do you refer to with "structures"? What's a gremlin "still"? c) "One original structure wizards lab, gremlin still, bandit fortress, border outpost, volcano, etc." What all of these? d) Only one town, which is already taken up by the dungeon? Wouldn't that be two towns, or with a 2-level dungeon three towns? Scripting doesn't seem to be a requirement, so I'll get right on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Sign up for free webspace. It is not much usually, but it should do. GeoCities has improved a bit and there is always Tripod. Look around, you might find something. Post something at the Lyceum too: http://p080.ezboard.com/bthelyceum Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 1) It would be one traditional town with 4-12 buildings in it. 2) An outdoor section with two encounters. 3) Another structure which can be entered separately from the town with two levels. This should be an original dungeon idea, not a cookie cutter dungeon. Some examples might be a gremlin still-- gremlins have take over the local brewery outside of the town and are brewing gremlin wine and have stolen the local grape harvest and set fire to a couple of homes. Wizards Tower-- a local wizard has gone mad, has been making monsters, and they have been escaping into the countryside. Border Outpost-- the empire has run into a small potentially hostile kingdom on another continent, they have built a small colony. They want you to raid the kingdoms border outpost, kill everyone inside and get maps of the kingdom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast *i Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 I see a lot of subjectivity on the original dungeon part. What is a 'cookie cutter' dungeon to one person is completely different to another. For instance, someone who has played a lot of BoE scenarios would see a Wizard Tower as very cliched and unoriginal. I'd say leave the originality up to the judges and not as part of the entrance criteria. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Overwhelming Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 Who would be the judges? Btw, you can post that contest in my forum as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 1, 2004 Author Share Posted August 1, 2004 I haven't even figured out who the judges are yet. This is all new to me. I also have to figure out prizes. I think there should be about 4-5 judges. Here is the first try at a web page for the contest. http://butterytoast.tripod.com/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Kelandon Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 I volunteer to judge. I just judged the Lyceum's Shark contest, so I have a bit of experience. Before a whole slew of n00bs volunteer, bear in mind that judging is difficult and thankless, and it gives you no benefits: the scenarios will presumably be publicly available at the same time as the judges get them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Nicothodes Posted August 1, 2004 Share Posted August 1, 2004 It has to be during the two weeks of my summer I'm actually busy...*sigh* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Donald Hebb Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Are these dungeons supposed to be part of a greater scenario? Which is to say, can I make a plot uniting all four aspects, or should they all stand intrinsically? I may or may not enter. We'll see. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 2, 2004 Author Share Posted August 2, 2004 It would be fine to make a plot uniting all four aspects of the short scenario. I have set a date of August 17, 2004 for submissions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Morgan Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Personally, I'd say scrap all the parameters, and leave it up to the designer. That way each scenario is judged on its merits, and those who are able to design the best scenario in the given time period will win. You might want to post a formal announcement topic as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Well-Actually War Trall The Creator Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Do we really need another contest right now? We already have four running. The 1st Annual Scenario Design Contest The BoE People's Choice Awards The 1st BoA Graphics Contest The 2nd Scenario Ranking Contest Why not wait a while, until one or two of these have run their course? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Morgan Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 Out of the four, though, one won't reach fruition until November of next year, two only apply to Blades, and one has nothing to do with scenario design whatsoever. That said, I'm pretty indifferent either way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Tristrana Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I'm willing to take on judging. WIll there be a judging forum of some sort? If so, I can set up one pretty quickly on my site. PM me if that's needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Overwhelming Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I've announced it in my site. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Donald Hebb Posted August 2, 2004 Share Posted August 2, 2004 I'm starting mine now. It'll be done in 24 hours, since I'll need to tacke my real project shortly thereafter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Aran Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 What are the 'four aspects'? Did I miss something in this conversation, or is this some sort of external guideline someone laid down for short scenarios in general? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatchling Cockatrice Lilith Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 I think he means the four criteria for the scenario, listed in the first post of the topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Easygoing Eyebeast Morgan Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 I should be able to make an entry in the next few days. Shortly, I should have a lot more free time on my hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Aran Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 Ugh, I just noticed... one outdoor section is one heck of a small space if you don't surround it with cliff wals to prevent the party from seeing over the edge. You get a little over a quarter inside the section... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kyshakk Koan Tristrana Posted August 3, 2004 Share Posted August 3, 2004 The judging forum is up. Now, it's ButteredToast's job to inform the other judges of it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 4, 2004 Author Share Posted August 4, 2004 I've told Kelandon about the judges forum. Am still looking for one-two more judges. Some thoughts on the challenges in the scenario. 1) The outdoor section will have to be either surrounded by high walls or possibly water then blackness. I think water might add an interesting effect to the outdoor section. 2) I think that you may have to use the Louvre for pictures of some of the new items or creatures. http://www.personal.psu.edu/staff/b/x/bxb11/boa/louvre/ 3) There is going to have to be a transition between levels for the two level structure. These are a few thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 15, 2004 Author Share Posted August 15, 2004 Here goes. There seems to be some problems with the submission process. This is especially true with beta testing. Kelandon has written an article on what to do when testing a scenario. However, there seem to be some problems before you the beta process is started. 1) Lack of an effective email to send and receive messages. Do not use hotmail it looks like spam. Norton antivirus sometimes blocks sending messages to multiple recipients with hotmail and other free emails. Yahoo email is fairly reliable for sending and receiving email if you want to create an account just for betatesting. 2) Do not expect that all of your betatesters will actually do betatesting. Assume at least one will not follow through. Waiting for everyone to send in reports sometimes doesn't work. 3) Factor in the time after beta- testing to fix the bugs which people spot. The person who sends out the beta test early can both fix the bugs and create scenario updates v. 1.1, v. 1.2, etc. before a contest is finished. This is true of Emerald Mountain. 4) Try and finish the beta before it is sent out. Incomplete scenarios are frustrating. 5) Assume it will take longer to create a small scenario than you planned. It took 6 days for Emerald Mountain to reach beta. It took 7 days for Edge of Ciprius to reach beta. Real life interrupts all the time. It will take at least 2 days to receive reports for a small scenario, then another 2 to fix problems. For a really fast experienced scenario designer it takes 10 days to do a small scenario. For others 14+ days. These are some thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Donald Hebb Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 Quote: Originally written by ButteredToast: Here goes. There seems to be some problems with the submission process. This is especially true with beta testing. Kelandon has written an article on what to do when testing a scenario... No, no he didn't. Quote: 5) Assume it will take longer to create a small scenario than you planned. It took 6 days for Emerald Mountain to reach beta. It took 7 days for Edge of Ciprius to reach beta. Real life interrupts all the time. It will take at least 2 days to receive reports for a small scenario, then another 2 to fix problems. For a really fast experienced scenario designer it takes 10 days to do a small scenario. For others 14+ days. 1) EM took 5 days. Karzoth's scenario still hasn't reached beta. 2) 10 days for a really fast and experienced designer? You mean I don't count? And I most definitely don't agree with some of the additions you're proposing, even among those I can understand. (Language barrier between grade levels is inhibiting my cognizance here- apologies.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Kelandon Posted August 16, 2004 Share Posted August 16, 2004 While I am flattered by this case of mistaken identity, my member number is not 4, which was definitely the member number of the one who posted that article. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 16, 2004 Author Share Posted August 16, 2004 Oops. Sorry about that. I should have said Terrors Martyr. I was a little bit tired when I posted this. I was saying ten days because. It took 5 days to finish the scenario-- then it took another couple of days for the beta test-- 2 days I think to receive the comments and then another 1-2 days to finish updating the fixes for the scenario so 9-10 days to have it ready to be posted. Then there was talk about doing a next version-- 1.1, 1.2, etc. I was looking at the whole process to complete a scenario and submit it for publication in the spiderweb scenarios section. I think that it might be good for someone more experienced than me like Kelandon, Terrors Martyr, Eldiran, or someone else to give some hints on how to do betatesting and updates for scenarios if you are the designer. The point at which the scenario is finished and it sent up for beta. Go over some of the mistakes or hints to make the process easy for someone doing their first scenario. It may be helpful for the regular upcoming Spiderweb scenario contest. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulate Vlish FZ Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Is the deadline still... erm... today? Since I've only noticed this thread just now, and it is kinda unrealistic for me to write an entry in minus 18 hours... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 17, 2004 Author Share Posted August 17, 2004 I received an entry today from Erik Westra -- Death at Chapman's in the morning. So far there are two scenarios that are definitely part of the contest Death at Chapman's and Emerald Mountain. I am hoping that Edge of Cipirus and (Xerch'de-- Johnny Zolohani's scenario) will be entered. I think that I may allow enough time for these to be finished and entered. Please give me feedback on what you think. Is this enough to have a complete contest? I am not sure about adding any new entries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magnificent Ornk Donald Hebb Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Four is passable, I suppose- there were only four scenarios in the second short contest, and it was... ...technically a contest. I'm not sure that you'll get the number of entries you want, so at some point, just accept the number of entries you actually get. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulate Vlish Erik Westra Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Just to clarify: Quote: I received an entry today from Erik Westra -- Death at Chapman's in the morning. The scenario is actually called "Death at Chapman's" -- there's no "in the morning" in the title. Question: should I wait until after the competition has closed and judging is complete before letting others have a go at my scenario, or should I announce it now? It makes no difference either way as far as the competition goes (since it closes today), but I don't want to announce it if that'd annoy the competition judge(s)... Thanks, - Erik. PS: I deliberately didn't ask for beta testers, as I didn't think that'd be allowable for a competition entry. Hopefully there aren't too many bugs in it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Overwhelming Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 In about an hour, the limit time is over (in my country. A few more hours over there). I guess tomorrow would be ok to announce your scenario, Erik. And it would be nice if you could let me know, to announce (and host) it in my site too: webmaster@boa-center.cjb.net . edit: already noticed that your scenario is online. I'll announce it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Articulate Vlish Erik Westra Posted August 17, 2004 Share Posted August 17, 2004 Hi Overwhelming, In about an hour, the limit time is over (in my country. A few more hours over there). Actually, I'm in New Zealand, so the competition closed over here yesterday I guess tomorrow would be ok to announce your scenario, Erik. Righto, thanks -- so long as ButteredToast is okay with it, I'll post a message to the main BoA forum tomorrow, then. And it would be nice if you could let me know, to announce (and host) it in my site too I see you've already done that -- thanks! Oh, and I think I still owe you a reply to a message you sent out to my old E-Mail address about the BoA Editor Cookbook. You're more than welcome to host a copy of the Cookbook there, and to include a link to it from your site -- just do whatever you think is best. Sorry -- I've changed to using gmail, and I haven't been checking my old E-Mail address all that often. Cheers, - Erik. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 18, 2004 Author Share Posted August 18, 2004 I am okay with you announcing it in the morning. It is good to see new scenarios out for people to play. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Overwhelming Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 When can we expect an annoucement about scenario's entries and the contest results? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Unflappable Drayk Fyora Toast With Roamer Butter Posted August 19, 2004 Author Share Posted August 19, 2004 Just did some followup with posters who said they were interested in starting dungeons for contest. Should have done this about three days before contest ended. Going to leave idents alone. One said started scenario designing for contest-- had outline, start of town, and beginning of structure. Also reading through the posts, both here and on The Blades of Avernum got a couple comments about not having scripting ability yet. Another two are holding off on scenario development until later. Haven't heard back about adding other two scenarios in development Edge of Ciprius or Xerch'De. Looking at the timing involved, I realize now that initially didn't factor in betatesting and programing together. Should have run 4 weeks to allow for new programmers. This leaves Emerald Mountain and "Death at Chapman's" as the two entered scenarios. Both are excellent scenarios. We are running through them to get a feel for the scenarios right now. Just a note. Both Terrors Martyr and Erik Westra are excellent scripters. Terrors Martyr wrote the first scenario for Blades of Avernum and Erik Westra wrote the Blades of Avernum Editor Cookbook. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Zxquez Zolohahni Posted August 19, 2004 Share Posted August 19, 2004 BT: I will not send in Xerch'de, for one reason: It only meets half of the requirements. I might make an outdoors, but I don't exactly get what you mean by 'encounter'. Also, I don't have an original item, and I don't think I have any original monsters. (Also of note, if you can't spell Jonnie, spell Jonah—sorry, it just bugs me. Blame TGM! He's to blame!) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rotghroth Rhapsody Overwhelming Posted August 28, 2004 Share Posted August 28, 2004 What's the contest status? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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