The Official WITBLO12 List

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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby nin10mode » August 9th, 2013, 4:36 am

As far as I know, Dragon Valley was the first (and only) successful sonic-esque level.

Plus it looked pretty good.
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby ~MP3 Amplifier~ » August 9th, 2013, 5:54 am

So should I use my power of invisibility for good or for evil

Anyway let's just wait patiently for the results. Level predictions in past LDCs is usually what causes some fuss.
Honestly it's just better if we keep this to ourselves for now. Also the top 5 are equally as well matched IMO (yes, including TP, the only work I'm proud of). The Untold Story is also excellent. So please let's not forget any, they did well enough to get in the top 5 in the first place..
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby Megar » August 9th, 2013, 6:00 am

nin10mode wrote:Dragon Valley was the first (and only) successful sonic-esque level.


F.

And Amp, do you really expect me to be patient? DO YOU KNOW WHO I AM?
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby ~MP3 Amplifier~ » August 9th, 2013, 6:01 am

Mega then I challenge youuuu~

Jk. We're only waiting for one writeup, so it shouldn't be that long. :P
"I treat everyone equally, depending on how much I like them." ~Me
The below image is a montage of my individual highest placing LDC creations, as a reminder to myself that level designing is a part of my life that I can't just leave behind

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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby MessengerOfDreams » August 9th, 2013, 11:03 am

Okay, I've got all 5 writeups, but I came into this with the final countdown knowing that 4 of the final 5 were going to be of the judges of WITBLO13, and I felt awkward about that, so I decided to shine a light on the judging system and how it works.

For the first part, each judge plays all 33 of the WITBLO13 levels. They take into account everything in the levels and, by their own list of internal criteria, rank them 33rd to 1st. My criteria was what levels were most unique and most well crafted, which is why Mx7 took the top spot. Blackyoshi had more of an affinity towards levels of ingenuity and simplicity. Yoshi Boo had more of a general outlook on the levels. Each had their own reasons for their list.

Eventually, after everyone had finished, as many of us that could got together and started debating what order we wanted the levels to place in. Usually, the entirety of the list is undecided but in this case nearly everyone had the same levels in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. The winner of the debate was going to be whoever snagged fourth. Some parts of the debate were easy, others were really tricky; some got their way more than others. Eventually, though, we were satisfied, and we sent the list to the two who didn't attend the chat. After further debate, the list was finalized.

Then, it was time for the writeups, which we divided equally.

After the list is posted later today, I will be sure to post everyone's individual lists for future reference. When one level in the poll reaches ten votes, I'll post the results for the poll. And, of course, we will continue to have an emphasis on public opinion for future votes.
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Because the world needed a Samus/Dedede story
Fanfic: Ecstatic Silence
Just wanted to write and ♥♥♥♥ like this happens, you'd think I'd know better.
Fanfic: Far From the Edge
It's a dance that's been a long time coming for a brand new man and an unchanging woman, but once one takes the plunge there's no falling back up.
Original: Jealous Ghosts of the Mississippi
The story of Rachel meeting Amber after a lifetime of silence and being shunned
Original: Your Hand in Mine
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Recent LDC Work:
Level Series: Leaves From The Vine (ft Star King)
For the 29th LDC, a theme of grassland taken through the growth of our designing society. Won the 29th LDC!
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby ~MP3 Amplifier~ » August 9th, 2013, 11:17 am

Posting our personal lists is a good idea. It might even give a little more feeling of achievement to those who placed lower in WITBLO12, if they found their level was actually quite high in somebody's list.

Either way- I wish the top 5 placers the best of luck! (except me :p)
"I treat everyone equally, depending on how much I like them." ~Me
The below image is a montage of my individual highest placing LDC creations, as a reminder to myself that level designing is a part of my life that I can't just leave behind

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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby ChaosYoshi » August 9th, 2013, 2:23 pm

I feel kind of bad about submitting my vote now, since my opinion was incredibly biased since I only played the Dragon Valley before I played the others (and I was tired at the time so I felt like voting at that time before I forgot). I still haven't gotten to them since I've been working on my 25th LDC entry, but maybe if it's possible you could remove one of the votes for it since I think it was submitted rather prematurely?
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby nin10mode » August 9th, 2013, 2:32 pm

Oh, just an FYI for anyone that has yet to vote, you can choose multiple. :p
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

Postby Raz » August 9th, 2013, 2:56 pm

I voted all of them because I haven't played any of them.
I am a great voter, i know.
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Re: The Official WITBLO12 List

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Postby MessengerOfDreams » August 9th, 2013, 5:42 pm

Final 5 time. We are about to reveal the winner of WITBLO13. We're also one vote away from the winner of the peer vote. Two have 9 votes, two have 8. If we subtract the vote from Chaos Yoshi for Dragon Valley the lead is 9-8-8-8.

Anyways, here's the final 5 in order.


We start off with...


#5 Timpani and Blumiere: The Untold Story by SuperMIC
Written by MessengerOfDreams

Ticket to Fame: A very, very narrow 2nd place in the 20th LDC (All Things Mario), falling behind Buffooner by just .6 points (only one judge’s quarter point would have made the difference.) Regardless, it is still the 8th Highest Scoring Level in LDC history, gaining 17.63 points.

Type: Story, Lake, Grass, Castle

Most Memorable Moment: The trial by fire in the very beginning of the first level as Blumiere transforms into Mario.

As time goes by, it becomes easier to incorporate stories into levels. However, it is still very difficult to make the level fun while still telling an amazing story. As a veteran of such designing, I tip my fedora to SuperMIC for creating one of the best story-based series of all time.

The Untold Story serves as a prequel to Super Paper Mario, focusing around the memorable romance within the center of the game. Romance is a very tricky subject to pull off in a SM63 level, and perhaps the only one who has ever pulled it off with the utmost success is in fact the man who designed this series.

The gameplay matches up the big talk, with awe-inspiring puzzles, tribute bosses, classic platforming and plenty of secrets around to keep one on their toes following the twists and turns of the story. Graphically, it is a master achievement, with some truly remarkable set pieces all throughout the series. And of course, the story itself is masterfully done, but you could expect no less from a guy who’s won a Runouw Votes or two for his writing.

The Untold Story has earned its way into the top 5 as one of the best examples of storytelling in a level. If you want to learn how to perfectly balance the two, this is who you want to learn from.






Prepare your torches.

#4- Dragon Valley - by Star king
Written by: "♥♥♥♥" Volcove

Ticket to Fame: The widely acclaimed second level in his Super Mario Countdown series

Level Type: Exotic, City, Pure Platformer, Speedrun

Most Memorable Moment: Witnessing all the large-scale Chinese settlements

I was skeptical when I first went through this, despite all the hype, but I was pleasantly surprised by what it turned out to be. True to its name and description, it offers something rather unique, and probably stands at the best pure platformer of this year. The atmosphere is splendid, the structures are very authentic and original, and it plays very well on top of it all. Even the background theme reinforces both the theme and the speed involved. Although there are a few hiccups in the platforming in a few areas, it is easy to get back on track, and it makes great use of the turbo Fludd as well, something which few levels achieve. The multiple pathways and different, despite remaining linear at its essence, adds extra flavor to the experience overall, and it is definitely worth playing more than once.

(MoDNote: I want to add that, again, this was the debate winner with the top 3 being satisfied beforehand, and I don't recall the last independent level to ever garner such hype. This is definitely an all-star level.)








#3 Tearing Paper by MP3 Amplifier
Written by: Blackyoshi

Ticket to Fame: Gaining some hype before the release; won the duel against Volcove; can get found in several subforums on the site.

Level Type: Story-driven, Dream, City

Most Memorable Part: The flying cap challenge in China's Dream Pt1 when you fly through the city.

It's one of those very few level series you need to take your time while playing. Of course there are enough reasons to do so. Examples for this would be the awesome graphical work which deserves to get noticed. May it be some well thought out patterns, a whale watching you beneath your feet or simply the amount of decoration and colours overall. The story, one of the best I've read through a level series, fitted perfect with the dream like atmosphere you can simply feel while playing. If spending enough time into reading all those signs and trying to understand the whole scenes, one can feel a great variety of emotions while playing.

While the gameplay in the first level of the series could have been a bit better, the other three levels had nearly flawless and surprisingly creative platforming elements in common. It's been a great challenge to get past those obstacles and gave a quite satisfying feel once you've passed another transition. The smaller loading time issues could nearly get ignored most of the time because the whole experience was worth the waiting time. Also the music choice added to the unique feel this level series provides.














Well, this is it. This is the deciding moment. Either Volcove or I are going to win the best level of 2012. It's funny, his level was made in a duel against me, and mine beat out his for the 18th LDC. They're both considered our best work, and I'm glad to see them both up here as the top 2. So which one's going to win?



















...god, running WITBLO12 is boring, yet incriminating.



#2 Into the Depths by Volkove
Written by: MessengerOfDreams

#2 Into the Depths by Volcove

Ticket to Fame: Winning a much-hyped duel between himself and MessengerOfDreams, scoring over 18 points in the process and being lauded as the best work of a master class designer.

Type: Sewer, Pipe

Most Memorable Moment: The encounter with the first custom-made block entry.

Volcove has topped the tier list for over a year, with no one able to match him. He has been the pinnacle of the game for the longest time, hitting a revival after topping WITBLO10 when it was separated from the original WITBLOAT and scoring an accidental 1st Place in the 15th LDC. He hasn’t stopped since, scoring very high with LDC entrants he doesn’t even have to try very hard with. During his valiant efforts to complete his full house of medals by scoring a 5th place ribbon (which he did in the 19th LDC), people have desired to see Volcove once again at his A-Game.

And boy, did he deliver.

Into the Depths throws everything you know about Mario and SM63 out the window and starts anew. With an utterly original design scheme, Volcove introduces a whole new way of designing that can never be replicated. Typical Mario enemies are scattered lightly around unique block-based enemies, intricate Touhou-inspired bullet hellions, and many ingenious water puzzles laced together with finesse and marvelous technique, creating one of the most flawless levels ever created.

The boss in particular demands reverence. A three-tiered masterpiece, the Parasite Queen troubling the depths is a boss that has caught the LDing world off guard, combining excellent construction with dynamic showmanship and magnificent gameplay. It is a unique masterpiece that can never quite be replicated, its influence affecting levels from its inception even to this day.

We have always known Volcove was at the top of the tiers for a reason. We know he is capable of greatness, but with Into the Depths he has shown that he hasn’t mellowed out yet. ITD is a balls-to-the-wall, one-of-a-kind, impeccable masterpiece that feels like none before it yet still bears a style easily linked to the legend of its creator.









So, we know how it ends, don't we? I always find it awkward to announce my own victory, but I don't need to talk. Volkove knows exactly how to make me cry, apparently.



#1 Dark by MessengerOfDreams
Written by: Volkove, damn you...

Ticket to Fame: The distant winner of the extremely competitive 18th LDC, theme being Freestyle

Level Type: Story, Dream, Darkness, Fortress, Bullet-heavy

Most Memorable Moment: Probably the final journey / finale

There's quite a lot of deja vu with this announcement, I must say. Where to begin with this?

I suppose the story is a good place to start. Such a style of level designing is usually viewed skeptically at best, and for good reason. However, this one proves not only to be the exception to the rule, but to go well beyond what anyone could have expected in an already heated contest. Without going into too much detail, it is powerful, heartfelt, philosophical and inspiration with its overall message. The storytelling itself is well paced and properly structured, scattered throughout the level at different intervals, yet never being intrusive or a burden. Meanwhile, the actual content is superbly crafted, expertly written and, most of all, actually believable (something most story levels fail to achieve). The chosen soundtrack further emphasizes this, imbuing further life with the right feel to resonate with one's undertakings.

The ending in particular is breathtaking, for it offers an ending that isn't so easy to foresee or predict. Without spoiling the final outcome too much, it catches you off guard in a good way, ensuring that the finale has the greatest impact of all, regardless of how you choose to end it. It is quite monumental, yet touching, no matter how you go about it.

The gameplay is great as well, offering a surprisingly interesting platforming experience and a good variety of challenges and obstacles to overcome. It isn't flawless, of course, for it can often become too chaotic and/or laggy at times, but even that feels like it has an intended purpose / meaning for what one's objectives are. In addition, the overall boss offers something unusual in its design, and despite the simplicity, it plays out better than one might have expected from a first glance. The level overall, from a gameplay perspective, is full of unexpected surprises.

It has single handedly sparked a wave of other story-oriented series and projects, and has a clear backing / fanbase to back it up, and it is the sort of legendary handiwork that will likely remain relevant for a long time to come. You would have to go through it to truly understand its impact, and it is not something that you would soon forget.

So, here's the final list.


33# Xero- Done by Amp
32- Sandy Soil in the Skylands- Done by MoD
31- MAYA Temple- Done by YB118
30- Paradise Escape- Done by Amp
29- Eternal Caves- Done by Volkove
28- Quicksand Cave- Done by SuperMIC
27- Sliverfall Cove- Done by Amp
26- Yoshi Mania- Done by MoD
25- Realm of Provodeum- Done by Amp
24- Twin Towers- Done by KT
23- Northern Temple- Done by Amp
22- Beyond- Done by MoD
21- The Escapists- Done by YB118
20- Deserted Hell- Done by MoD
19- TTOMTC- Done by MoD
18- Asphodel- Done by Amp
17- You Can't Escape Death- Done by SuperMIC
16- Infernal Tower- Done By Amp
15- Big Boo's Rainbow Road- Done my MoD
14- Underwhere- Done by Volkove.
13- The Blind Experiment- Done by YB118
12- MMMMMMM- Done by MoD
11- Temple of Heart- Done by YB118
10- Shyguy Island- Done by Amp
9- An Act of Antichesm- Done by MoD
8- Omniquet- Done by MoD
7- Savage Labyrinth- Done by Amp
6- Mirror Island- Done by MoD
5- Timpani and Blumiere- Done by MoD
4- Dragon Valley- Done by Volkove
3- Tearing Paper- Done by KT
2- Into The Depths- Done by MoD
1. Dark- Done by Volkove

Well. Another year, another winner, another step forward. It seems every year, we seem to progress further before, but what I think the most shining quality I've seen this year is people truly owning their styles. This was a year of fearless designs. They were saying that 2012 was the year the world ends, so maybe that was it. Maybe it was the dooming apocalypse, maybe it was the growth of Last Legacy that threatened to make 2012 the last legacy of Super Mario 63. Regardless, I have never been prouder of my fellow designers. I feel like Tim Gunn in the midst of all stars.

Winning feels improbable, impossible ans amazing.

Much love,
MessengerOfDreams
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My Most Recent Works: show
I switch my signature a lot. If you wanna see some of my past ones, here you go.
Silent Conversations and a Crow's Final Song!
My latest story, and one of my personal favorites. A girl bound in silence finds the words to say to her prospective girlfriend as they visit her religious father in a dusty town on the edge of Kansas, where the crows' migration south brings forth anchored memories, the path to resolution, and a new start.

Form (25quared)
This might be like nothing you've seen before.
Updated Works! Some of my past best and current stuff: show
Writing Works!
Fanfic: Shut Up and Dance
why do I write so much about dancing you don't dance you've never danced in your entire life
lying little ♥♥♥♥ with your ♥♥♥♥ story ♥♥♥♥ you
also Diddy/Lucina <3

Fanfic: Worth a Thousand Words
Because the world needed a Samus/Dedede story
Fanfic: Ecstatic Silence
Just wanted to write and ♥♥♥♥ like this happens, you'd think I'd know better.
Fanfic: Far From the Edge
It's a dance that's been a long time coming for a brand new man and an unchanging woman, but once one takes the plunge there's no falling back up.
Original: Jealous Ghosts of the Mississippi
The story of Rachel meeting Amber after a lifetime of silence and being shunned
Original: Your Hand in Mine
One of my most personal stories about a dangerous romance. Now to be published in a college lit journal!
-------------------------
Recent LDC Work:
Level Series: Leaves From The Vine (ft Star King)
For the 29th LDC, a theme of grassland taken through the growth of our designing society. Won the 29th LDC!
--
Levels at Large:
Level Topic: Collection of MoD's Levels!
If you've ever wanted to see any level I made worth a damn, go here! From the quiet 14th LDC entrant Finis to the megasmash level series Dark, you can find links here!
"You were always a revolutionary, now there's just less of a chance of you crying in the corner." ~Ridder
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