Mapping competition?

[homeyduh]

Well there's that lol Idk I haven't played enough MP to know u.u

So I'm thinking of a general grading rubric:

Weapon balance
spawn locations
Map flow
Verticality
lighting
coloring scheme
overall playability

[Jediluke]

So here is how this will go. Map creators can enter up to 3 maps into the competition. A deadline will be set for maps to be entered. Perhaps by July 1st. We will have a "Get to know the maps" night in which after wards we will have Facebook poll that allows people to choose the ones they like most (you can choose multiple) This is only to shows others which maps generally were liked by the most people which will help others figure out which maps might be worth playing in matches the most.

The remaning maps still in competition will simply be entered in to rotation on the DCL and the DCL community will decide by how active these levels are played vs unique pilots.

At the end of the pre-designated time frame the match data will be collected and the winner will be crowned.

Prize/special recognition to be determined.


What y'all think?

[SeaWyrm]

I think Facebook polls = bad for those of use who don't use Facebook.

[Jediluke]

then it can be done in the FORUM here.

[Sirius]

I guess that would encourage me to finally make my thing...

Also, on reactors: Logic and Vamped have reactors. Neither level would be quite what it is without that feature. So... there is something to be said. Especially since they start making noises if it's been a while since the last visit.

[homeyduh]

Well I guess if used correctly, they're ok.

I like Luke's suggestion. It's pretty simple and let's the community choose. Perhaps voters can only vote for 3 maps since that's how many maps a person can submit? Still not sure on what a prize could be? The time to build maps will be 2 weeks to a month long. A week of polls. Then a week or 2 of playing the maps. It could be a month or 2 month long event though I think having it be a month affair will be easier so 2 weeks mapping, 1 week to vote, and another week to play the maps.

We could post the contest in several different Descent forums, including DU and SolC to try to garner a good amount of mappers to try.

Edit: actually, planning 2 weeks to map assumes the mappers start a new map at that time...when someone could easily just stock up on maps for the contest. I think a start date of July 1st sounds good to submit any maps.

For prizes, we can impose an entrance fee and the winner wins money? Top 4 maps can win a cut of the entrance fees by percentage (60/25/10/5). The cost of entrance can be $3 for the mapper and $2 for each map entered.

[Sirius]

Entrance fees of any value are going to prevent some people from participating, though - sending money from A to B isn't something everyone has good access to.

[Drakona]

I'd think you would get better prizes with some sort of contest sponsoring arrangement, even one put together by the community, than with entry fees.

[homeyduh]

I figured as much but I wasn't getting any ideas x.x lol I didn't think it would work since the Descent community is larger than just in the US so money conversion would be a pain. Not sure what we could do unless we ask WM to put a special "retro mapper" medal or title for DU then again, not all Descent fans are fans of DU

[Drakona]

Well, I don't think tying it to DU makes sense. There's some crossover, but most pilots in either community don't care about the other. Much. Yet.

A lot of level design contests in the past have just been for bragging rights. That's often sufficient. Make a web site, take entries, post reviews and winners and download links. That may be all you need to do.

And would save the hassle of trying to transfer money or prizes internationally. Awesome as prizes would be.

. . . we should have Descent tournaments with prizes.