14th Level Designer Contest
Posted: July 8th, 2011, 1:53 pm
Hello, all, and welcome to the 14th Level Designer Contest, ran by yours truly! You may be asking, why have I started the post with the theme? Well, for a simple reason- this theme will cause a lot of rule changes for this competition.
But, first, some Q/A
What does this theme mean?
What this theme means is that you are to simply make a level that goes from point A to point B. That simple. But there are some catches.
You are NOT ALLOWED to do any of the following.
Miniseries
Collaborations
Glitches/Tricks
Storylines.
Red Coins or Silver Stars.
Disabling or having people talk
You may do the following
Checkpoint systems via pipes and instruction signs
Bolding/Italicizing fonts for instructions
Yes. All I want you to do is make a level akin to something like Super Mario World and the like. But there's a good catch this time.
You may do any theme you wish in regards to design.
Yep. As long as it abides by the other rules, you can do whatever you like. Jungle, Beach, Castle, Underground Lake, throwback, reproductions, anything you want, just so long as it's a Point A to Point B Pure Platformer!
The Summary- Make a single glitchless a to b level without storyline or red coins by yourself, but you can do whatever design theme you want.
Why this theme?
Let's face it. When we think LDCs, we usually think "OMG I have to do a bigass level series with every trick in the book to win!" Then you're halfway through and some ♥♥♥♥ happens- you get tired of level making, you procrastinate, you run out of time and can't finish, you're overwhelmed, your computer crashes, you lose the code and are too far in to restart. It's happened to me a number of times- most notably, the 12th LDC, where I overplanned to death.
So I believe if I MAKE YOU make easier, smaller, simpler levels, you'll have a much easier time making the level, and the judges will have a much easier time playing/judging the level. Less dropouts on both sides! Ka-chow!
What are the rules?
Ah, yes, the rules. There will be some re-ittirations of the theme, just so you can find all the rules in one easy place.
Construction Related Rules!
L1) You may not do a level series.
L2) You may not do a collaboration.
L3) You may not use red coins, silver stars.
L4) You may not incorporate story. You may use signs for instruction, but nothing more.
L5) If our computers cannot load the level, the level will be disqualified. Myself and the judges will test the levels before the deadline to see if we can load them. If not, you may go in and edit the level before the judging starts. This is to ensure the levels aren't too crazy/we can judge them.
L6) You may do any design related theme you want.
Contest Entering Rules and Criteria
C1) As usual, follow the Level Designing rules! No cutoff, no spam, none of that!
C2) You may edit your level all you want until the deadline. After this, you may no longer edit the level.
C3) IT WILL BE HARD AS HELL TO GET AN EXTENSION, because there should be no reason considering the theme and that I'm giving you a long time to work on the level. You better have had drastic stuff or sudden stuff happen- just 'oh school got in the way' won't be good enough. You will get no longer than a week.
C4) Don't take a level you've already started on or have already made for a contest entry. It must be a fresh, new level.
C5) No mature content in your levels; i.e. don't make a p**is shaped platform or have the instructions say "You dumb sh**, you don't know how to do this? F*** you!" Kids are entering/playing your levels!
Judging Rules
J1) I am judging, and I want a level mod to judge as well, and I have one more reservation I'd like to make for a judge. You will only be applying for the 4th judge and possible backup judges, unless my reservation doesn't come through.
J2) The judges must be dilligent! Don't abandon ship! I want this to go drama free in regards to judging, and the way I have it set up, it should be easy to judge.
J3) If you must drop out, let me know. If you have a good reason, I'll let you slide. If you're just, say, bored lol I dunno, I'll tell you you better finish it, and if you refuse, you're gonna get punished. But that's a worst-case-scenario.
J4) Do NOT announce your judgings/hint at results/other such things before the contest is over. We'll do our judging work/trading through PM.
J5) You must give full reviews, and I'm gonna check to make sure there aren't any BS reasons. I see those more often than not- not opinions, but just plain BS. But I'm gonna pick ubercompetent people so that shouldn't be a problem.
J6) No BIAS. I mean, sure, there's an underdog we may root for or someone we'd be bored to see win a 20th medal *is shot* but base it off the levels, not the drama of the results. This isn't reality TV.
J7) I want judging wrapped up in 2 weeks at the most, unless we get a massive surplus.
How will my levels be judged?
Fun! Counts for 10 out of 20 points!
The basis of classic Mario Platformers is that they're hella fun and addictive, and the levels you make should be as well. With all the boring crap out of the way, all we have is the potential fun of the level! So impress us!
Graphics! Count for 5 out of 20 points!
Also, the level should look good as well. I mean, unless you're going for a retro feel, I want to see it look like a level- you know, touches and good tilework, and how well it fits with your design feel.
Other Touches/Bug Report! Between 1-5 points!
This was formerly simply the 'Other' Category, but I feel its purpose should be clarified. What this one is for is if there's something cool in the level, a little thing, but one that deserves merit or scolding, i.e. a cool feature with some platforms. And there's also bug report- i.e. if there's something out of place or that makes it hard to complete the level, i.e. no Shine Sprite, then you take a point or something like that.
Prizes!
Of course, there is prizes! There is the traditional 3 medals, the induction to the hall of fame, and being down in history as a true force to be reckoned with in the history of Level Designing. And also, I'll throw in a sig/title with a screenie from your level, and winners will be entered into the Best Levels of 2011 list (provided we get the current one off the ground without it being a sickening failure. Second and third placers will be considered as well, with no guarantee.
Who's judging?
Ah! The judges! Here's the list setup!
1. MessengerOfDreams, site moderator and winner of the 10th LDC with Venexis.
2. Yoshi Boo 118, level moderator and acclaimed levelmaker
3. Doram, the current crownholder of LDCs after winning the 13th LDC
4. Volcove, winner of mulitple awards, including 1st in the 9th LDC
Also, the judges and the host may enter, but cannot review their own levels, cause we don't want random suspicious twenties.
What's the deadline?
The deadline is at 10:00pm, Pacific Standard Time, SUNDAY, August 14th! A bit shorter of a deadline because the levels should be simpler, but still long enough to give you extra time for fine tuning!
Alright, is that everything!
Yes, that is everything. If you have more questions, I'm open to them! Also, here's the Detached Level Designer! Makes it even easier to load. For those of you who like music in levels, there's http://www.youtuberepeat.com, with instructions on how to loop youtube videos. Set it up so we can listen to a fitting soundtracks whilst we play. (Like I love to do.)
Alright, you can get started. Best of luck!
MoD
