runouw.com

Yes ‘tis me! Me & MoD are both hosting this one together, as I’ve only been around long enough to experience 3 LDCs. So he’s helping me out a bit. Anyway, you wanna see the theme? Here it is:



Have fun with it! I will admit this theme is very challenging and therefore it’s a true test of talented Level Designers.

For this, if you don’t know, you need to create a level that is based around ONE piece of music. The music can be a theme tune to a TV show/film, a video game theme tune or just a song in the charts or a song on your iPod. ANYTHING. But it can’t be Mario music, or you may as well make an ordinary SM63 Level. Try and let it be something you’re familiar with, so you know the layout and the backing track of the song you’re using. For example, if I were to do the song “Super Bass” by “Nicki Minaj” (which I’m not by the wai) then you should realise, if you listen to the effects very closely, that the second verse sounds like aqua bubbles (in my opinion) and include the atmosphere used in the video too. That’s the main thing anyway.

MP3 EDIT: Lmao why did I use this song as an example again

NINEDIT/EXPLANATION: Choose a song to play as background music for your level. Make the level fit the music's mood; if it's a fast techno song, you may want to make a hard or fast-paced space/futuristic level. If it's a slow waltz or classical piece, you might want a renaissance period theme. Get hints from the title if you need to. Orchestral/ensemble songs usually have very straightforward titles which are easy to understand. The title might be "Gates of Orion." The level can have hints of royalty stuck in it. A song called "Voodoo Dance" can take place in a witch's cave. If you still need help figuring out how to make a level fit into a song, pick a song, close your eyes, and listen to it. Hopefully, you'll start seeing images in your head. Use them to your advantage.

Right, the rules of course:

• If you want, you can make a mini level series (like always) but it must be the same song for both levels. This time round, I’d suggest you didn’t do that unless you really can’t fit everything into one level and because of this it could cause extreme loading time/lag.
• Your level MUST fit the theme, or it will be disqualified.
• No insults, rude remarks (like swearing) or euphemisms in the level. It must be viewable to all ages. And if there is a song with swearing in, at least try and find a clean version.
• Don’t post an older level. Start from scratch please.
• You can collaborate with another user, although it shouldn’t really be a short notice collaboration. If, by the time I’ve posted this through, you haven’t decided to collaborate with anyone, please just leave it and do a level by yourself.
• Silver stars and red coins allowed of course.
• Instead of choosing music on SM63 Level Designer, put the link to the music in the description if you post it up onto the portal and on the vault put the music link somewhere in your message with the code to your level.

And since this is a complex theme, there are some music rules too:

• Well … there’s not really much to it. Try and stick to an instrumental track, it’s so much easier to identify the mood and therefore easier to translate it into a level.
• If the lyrics are meaningful, then exploit them, use them as storylines etc. There are so many options.
• No Mario Music or Music from other platform game. Other Nintendo is fine, but there cannot be any video game music based off of terrain (i.e. Jungle Japes or Space Something, and so on and so forth).
• And reminder as its one of the most important rules – ONE SONG ONLY. Anymore than that and you’re level will be disqualified.
• Also, if you have started a level with a song, CLAIM IT! That means this time you reserve a post in the Vault with a bit of the level you've completed and the song name! Then no one else can use it!

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How the levels will be judged:

Same as always, to be honest.

10 points: Fun.
Was the level enjoyable? Is there spamming (from enemies, coins etc.) that decreases in enjoyment? Is it frustrating or annoying in places?

5 points: Graphics.
Was the level decorative? Did it have cut-off? Did it match the theme?

5 points: Other.
In this one you start with 3 points, which is neutral. The judges can decide whether to take off or add on points. That can mean lag/loading, bugs, secrets, puzzles and other awful/awesome things in the level.

Help for the ‘Other’ category for judges:

This totally was not taken straight from the last contest wrote: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.

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Judges:

1. ~MP3 Amplifier~
2. MessengerOfDreams
3. NanTheDark
4. SuperMIC

Please PM me if you want to be a judge. Judging must be done within a 2 week period (unless there is a major problem with judging or some judges have to pull out) and if that is the case then we might need backup judges. But we’ll decide that at the time, if we have any problems. Please, if you’re a judge and you need to drop out, give good reasons, not just because you can’t be bothered.

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Deadline:

You will have 5 weeks exactly, so that takes us to 5th December at 11:59 PST. You have slightly longer because of the complex theme. If this needs shortening, then of course it will. But because of this deadline, there should be no need for extensions. If you have any problems whatsoever, you must have a pretty good reason to get an extension. EDIT: Extension has been made to the deadline because of the Halloween mini-LDC and MoD has announced that everyone will have 4 days extra.

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Like always, there will be the Level Vault to post your levels onto. Please use that, do not post your level here. Of course, you can use the Runouw Portal to create your level or any other websites for SM63. Thanks. MoD & I will have fun with this theme!

Stand Alone Level Designer

Eh, I don't want to be a party pooper, but I probably won't be entering this contest mainly due to the fact that I'll be working on my story for the SWC, and also because I'm not sure I'd be good at following this theme. :X

However, I suspect certain music-lovers will join.... *coughpanikcough*

Well, I hate to say this, but I think I'll sit this one out. This is just gonna be a bit too hard for an amateur like me. Although I have my own project coming along...>=3

Edited first post - grammar corrections, fixing quotes and adding Stand Alone Level Designer Pop-up.

Ok, I'm probably staying out of this one. I can't even get Earth and sky right. There's no WAY I can do this. (But good luck to anyone who tries to make a level.)

Ugh, crap.

I sadly have to say I won't be entering this contest due to several reasons.

...have Nan's duels destroyed LDCs? Or our theme?

Chessplayer wrote:Ok, I'm probably staying out of this one. I can't even get Earth and sky right. There's no WAY I can do this. (But good luck to anyone who tries to make a level.)

You won't get better unless you try, though.

Volcove wrote:

Chessplayer wrote:Ok, I'm probably staying out of this one. I can't even get Earth and sky right. There's no WAY I can do this. (But good luck to anyone who tries to make a level.)

You won't get better unless you try, though.

I doubt that one contest will matter much. But, then again, you're the legend.

Ok, I guess I'll enter. Now I just need to find a song...

Yoshi Boo 118 wrote:Eh, I don't want to be a party pooper, but I probably won't be entering this contest mainly due to the fact that I'll be working on my story for the SWC, and also because I'm not sure I'd be good at following this theme. :X

It's pretty much a free choice. You can do the level about anything, but it must fit a song of your choice.

You could work out some tricks and choose a fitting song for...who knows? A sky temple? A waterfall? Icy cave? UNDERGROUND LAKE? A mansion?

This is pretty much a freestyle theme. You just have to pick a song and work it out with that song.


Also, I'm entering. Let's see if I haven't lost my skills.