A History of LDC Entrants

[MessengerOfDreams]

Hello, everyone. The 20th LDC is upon us, but there are already 20 winning entries, so I may as well waste some time rambling about them and all the rest. First, we'll go through lesser known entries!

Unexpected placing entries
Entries from people you didn't know designed who apparently design a lot better than you thought!

Niklaw, 4th LDC (Halloween), second place with Halloween Special
Not only was the entry from the first global moderator surprising (Niklaw had only dabbled in designing and this was his first LDC) but the entry itself, which scored 17 points (the same score as Desert Oasis and one of the all time highest second place entrants) was only 30x50 on the grid and made almost entirely out of one tile and a tight storyline. However, it was because of this that it struck fear in the hearts of its players and such a high placement, joining 24murph to place just below the legendary Ethereal Mansion.

MessengerOfDreams, 7th LDC (Buried Treasure), fifth place with Treasure in the Atmosphere
It wasn't that MoD didn't design, it was that he wasn't all that good. Even though it pales in comparison to current works, however, he grabbed fifth place with his basic platformer level (that technically broke the rules, being set in Space) which was unusual in the way that it incorporated use only of platformer items with no tiles, enemies or decor. Perhaps it was its unusual approach that got it its place.

Cryokenetic, 8th LDC (Garden), first place with Garden in the Clouds
The poster child for unexpected placing entries, Cryo swept the 8th LDC with one of the most respected and well-played LDC winners around. He had a very short, illustrious career, spawning four levels, all of which made the top of the old portal list. A simple platformer across the skies that is elegantly executed, Cryo only stayed around for a month (long enough to enter a justifiably less successful entry to the 9th LDC) before disappearing from the site, never to return.

OldSchoolGamer, 10th LDC (Space), fifth place with Asteroid Galaxy
Another relative unknown, OldSchoolGamer pulled off a surprise fifth placing during one of the more heated LDCs, ran by Runouw himself. A well constructed silver star level, OldSchoolGamer brought some OldSchoolCharm to it, with great gameplay and stellar graphics and very few flaws.

Myst, 14th LDC (Pure Platformer), fifth place with Classic Mario-Revamped
While it could be argued that King's win was unexpected as he had not entered an LDC before, he was a strong presence on the portal at the time. Myst, however, was known only as the beloved, ethereal ninja of the forums and the girlfriend of Venexis, so when she pulled off a short level with his help, it was unusual on its own. Add that to the fact that she was in the backseat of a car he was driving, designing from a laptop and had never designed anything before, then her fifth place and high scoring is certainly an achievement. With an amusing tribute to Mario games, it was a favorite only let down by the slightly controversial but well appreciated use of narration.

Underrated LDC Entrants
I'm going to give my opinion on entrants that I found were much better than they placed- some placed in the low medalists but achieved little fame, and some got nothing at all. Now, I'm giving them a spotlight.

Kirby859, 6th LDC (Airship), 3 way tie for 7th place with Airship Battle (13/20)
The simplistic style deceived its classic, fun gameplay and the slight graphics did well for the atmosphere. With three levels that all seem to be useful and full of enjoyable gameplay, this entrant certainly deserved a ribbon in the contest but perhaps stiffer entrants were what kept it out, as well as a slightly underwhelming final boss. Still, it's a magnificent testament to simplicity and what it can do for a level.

Aznchau4ever, 7th LDC (Hidden Treasure), 6th place with The Locked Castle (15/20)
All seven of the levels in the top 6 placings of the 7th LDC had a high amount of skill, but somewhere along the line Aznchau4ever's bold follow-up to his 6th LDC winning entry, The Locked Castle, never found its way to glory. It's a shame, because even despite its occasional shortcomings it delivers one of the best cave atmospheres in designing history, an entirely unique feel overall, a well managed story, great platforming and even greater puzzle. Certainly deserves to be played by many, as in my opinion it easily matches up to his winning entrant, flaws and all.

Dark Lord (former rereg of Killswitch), 9th LDC (Runouw), 8th place with Level Designing Hall (13/20)
Its placing was rightfully earned due to its monstrous lag, but the judgings themselves (15/20 (the other spot being emptied due to lag), 18/20, 6/20 (largely gutted in fun and other for lag), are the most polarizing ever seen in a designer contest, with some loathing it and some feeling it destroyed by the lag. Nevertheless, even as unrecognized as it was it was still the first level designed as it was, with a graphical style so overdressed it was somehow incredible that is still often mimicked, knowingly or not, to this day. Who knows what may have happened if he was able to sort out his technical issues...

Nworlds, 14th LDC (Pure Platformer), 19th place with Fire Zone (11.81/20)
In its contest entered state, it was easy to see why it was criticized- painfully, unexpectedly hard with some tiny bugs that nearly made it impossible; however, it could easily be found that it was a victim of being misunderstood. Nwolf hasn't given up on it, renovating it and incorporating it into many things to the point that, even if it's not likely to take the place among 2011's greats, it will be recognized as a good and silently innovative level.

Nin10mode, 16th LDC (Musical Moods), 7th place with Exterrestra (15/20)
Overshadowed by a legendary top 6, Nin10mode bluntly said this about this level "[Graphics are] something I take pride in, and obviously, I lost because that's all I've taken pride in." While it may be a bit too harsh, it can be agreed that the gameplay doesn't match up with the graphics, but the graphics are among the best ever recorded. Certainly Nin10mode could be called the strongest graphical designer today, and if nothing else this shows why.

Gmdragon11, 18th LDC (Freestyle) 8th place with Shines in the Sky Ruins (15.03/20)
It suffered from technical edits, but in my opinion was a graphical masterpiece, with a gorgeous tapestry effect and excellent tile blending that created a feel I had never experienced before.

[SuperMIC]

I wasn't sure if I should've chosen Omniquet or MP3! D:

[MessengerOfDreams]

You had three votes.

[~MP3 Amplifier~]

I voted Bowser's New Castle, Secrets of Earth & Sky and Plastic Beach. (not collab level)

I see Universitas has two votes. Oh and MoD, if it helps, I can change the name to "A universe of wonderful creatures", since that what it is English for.

[GMDragon11]

How can you vote 3 times?!?


And I chose Omniquet, It was really a classic and reminded me of SMW............



WHA... We all have choices. My second vote was Secrets of Earth and Sky. But this one beat it.


U HAPPY NOW?!?

[~MP3 Amplifier~]

How can you vote 3 times?!?

It's not a contest or anything, just a vote on your three favourite bronze medal levels. It's probably just to see the vast number of opinions.

[GMDragon11]

I don't mean how it breaks rules, but how can you do it? The poll only works once of me.

[nin10mode]

You pick three bullets before you submit.

[MessengerOfDreams]

Changing the poll. Will write more tomorrow.

For any reference, here's how the Bronzes were ranked out of the vote!

1) Nin10mode's Omniquet! 7 votes 23.33% of the vote!
2) Fourinone's Bowser's New Castle 5 votes 16% of the vote!
3/4) A Universitas Creatorum Miribalis by MP3 Amplifier and Secrets of Earth and Sky by Master1.0! 4 votes each %13.33 percent of the vote each!
5/6/7) Buffooner's Ship Below, MICrophone's Lost Treasure, Star king's Plastic Beach 3 votes each 10% of the vote each!
8) AwesomeJRFD/Star king's Survivor 1 vote 3.33% of the vote!

As for the new survey? Right here! Check it out! (the two famous second placers were also entered into the poll, as well as Freezeflame Galaxy since 24's level has been gone with time.)

[~MP3 Amplifier~]

This post by ~MP3 Amplifier~ was thumbed up by:

Asterocrat (June 2nd, 2012, 1:03 am)