Ridiculous Improv Mapping Contest

[n00b]

Inspired by a thread PlunK did last year.

Im going to set the deadline to October 1st 12:00 PM EST, but that may be overkill considering what the rules are and could change. Stay on top of your game by taking heed of any posts that are all like "Hey guys changed the deadline in the OP, you should probably check it out"

BUT WHAT IS THE CONTEST?
Create the most interesting, fun, and varied single player level you can.
In one screen.

640x480 dimensions is your limit. Jazz (i.e. the Player) cannot leave the confines of this playing field size.

You are allowed to set a specific res it has to be played at as well, if you're into that sort of thing (like 320x200).

I will grade all of the entries on a completely randomized set of standards that I'll probably decide on a whim the day submissions end, so don't worry about your skill level since it may have no affect on what Im looking for!

Finally you can pester me to explain more of my purposely vague contest rules, and I'll maybe be less vague. The spirit of the contest is to have fun and be goofy, so don't over think things and be expressive.

Wanna do a short series of tests? Go ahead! Wanna be artsy and make a level that focuses entirely on eyecandy and atomsphere? Go ahead! Your imagination is the only limit! Well, 640x480 is the limit, but thats not very inspirational. Single Player too! Thats also a limit! Don't forget it! Although you could be cheeky and submit a level that technically works in two broad gamemodes if you wanted, but don't do that just cus I said you could.


GO GO GO

Entrants
Puffie40 - Music Test Level (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6330/improv-level-contest-music-test-level/)
Dermo - Losing My Religion (http://jj2stuff.webs.com/Losing%20My%20Religion.zip)
Obi1mcd - Circuit Breaker (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6331/circuit-breaker/)
n0 - 20x15 (from n0 to n00b) (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6332/20x15/)
Djazz - Cruxmas (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/info.php?levelID=6333)
Spaz18 - Metallic Mayhem (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6335/metallic-mayhem/)

[Stijn]

I have an idea, but considering my track records for previous competitions where I originally intended to join I'd better not promise anything

Props for doing a contest anyway! Newsposting it asap.

[Speeza]

I'll have a shot. Its also 20 tiles for width and 15 tiles for height to make it a 640x480 level.

[FireSworD]

Seems like such a size would lend itself well to a puzzle type gameplay.

[Troglobite]

I haven't made any levels in a bit, but I'll throw together something ridiculous for the occasion.

[EvilMike]

I think I'll pass on this one. I'm curious to see what other people will make, but 20x15 has never been that interesting in my experience. I can think of a few neat ideas for a tiny level, but they'd all need to be a little bit bigger than one screen. As it is, these rules are just too restrictive to make anything that's worth playing.

This seems like a contest geared towards levels that look cool, rather than ones that play well. FS's point about puzzles also applies, but I doubt said puzzles would be very sophisticated.

[Obi1mcd]

Oooh. This sounds interesting. I might enter. It sounds like a fun concept, and though I never get anything finished by a deadline, surely I can finish one screen.

[n0]

I think I'll reinstall JJ2 just to make this.

[Jgke]

Can I use some space for small system? It would be seen only at the start.

[Dermo]

I'll definitely give this a shot. Question: Does only sprite 4 have to be 640x480 or do all of the layers have to be that size?

[n00b]

Jazz cannot leave the 640x480 play area. Make of that what you will.

[Toni]

I guess I am in. Where to show you our levels? To upload them on J2O or to send you via PM or ...

[Puffie40]

Hah, I don't expect to win or anything, but it turns out I have a level that fits those requirements!

The Music test level (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6330/improv-level-contest-music-test-level/)

[Black Ninja]

I shall attempt to make something for this! I am not entirely certain my idea will come out well, but we'll see I suppose.

[Jgke]

My level is already almost ready!

[n00b]

I guess I am in. Where to show you our levels? To upload them on J2O or to send you via PM or ...

Wherever you feel is best. J2O should be fine though.

[Seren]

Jazz cannot leave the 640x480 play area. Make of that what you will.
<s>I'll make a Spaz and Lori only level so Jazz will never leave the 640x480 area.</s>
I'm in, such a relaxing kind of level making is just what I needed.

[Obi1mcd]

Okay, I'm in with a slightly generic level that should be finished sometime tomorrow.

<s>Will a custom tileset give me bonus points?</s>

[Troglobite]

I'm feeling especially ridiculous for this contest. Would multiple entries be accepted, by any chance?

[plunK]

Il consider doing this, as I did similar contests for ctf a few yrs back. When I did that I found that a 40x30 (2x2 screens) had much better creative potential because it was small enough to inspire but big enough to not be cramped and/or limiting. Anyways props for the contest!

[Dermo]

My entry:

http://jj2stuff.webs.com/Losing%20My%20Religion.zip

Sendspace mirror link:

<a href='http://www.sendspace.com/file/180jl4'>http://www.sendspace.com/file/180jl4</a>

(sorry it was too big for J2O so there went the convenience factor)

(Also I mirrored it on Sendspace just in case I run out of bandwith on the first link)

[Violet CLM]

I feel that if your 20x15 level is too big for J2O, you're doing something wrong.

[Dermo]

Not at all, it's just the music file weighing it down.

[Obi1mcd]

Done. (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6331/circuit-breaker/)

[n0]

Me too. (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6332/20x15/)

[Jgke]

I'm music piece short of completion.

[djazz]

Here ya go (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/info.php?levelID=6333)

Edit: Use this entry instead (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6346/minisode/)

[SPAZ18]

Done my entry! (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6335/metallic-mayhem/) :cool:

[Obi1mcd]

I see that the tuf boss is a popular choice.

[n00b]

Keep the entires coming guys! Shortened the deadline to October 1st so anyone still working has about a week and a half left. This date is negotiable if enough people feel they need more time.

I'm feeling especially ridiculous for this contest. Would multiple entries be accepted, by any chance?

Yes.

[EvilMike]

Keep the entires coming guys! Shortened the deadline to October 1st so anyone still working has about a week and a half left. This date is negotiable if enough people feel they need more time.



Yes.

Multiple entries, you say? What about a series of entries (that must be played in order)?

[Obi1mcd]

Yes.

Ooh. Maybe I'll come up with a better concept.

[Jgke]

Is it a bad thing if the level must be run from JCS?

[n00b]

Multiple entries, you say? What about a series of entries (that must be played in order)?
I tentatively want to say yes, but I'm not sure if it will jive with how I'm planning to handle multiple entries. I'll get back to you.

Is it a bad thing if the level must be run from JCS?
Just make a note of it, it'll be alright

[Dermo]

My entry:

http://jj2stuff.webs.com/Losing%20My%20Religion.zip

Sendspace mirror link:

<a href='http://www.sendspace.com/file/180jl4'>http://www.sendspace.com/file/180jl4</a>

(sorry it was too big for J2O so there went the convenience factor)

(Also I mirrored it on Sendspace just in case I run out of bandwith on the first link)

I forgot to mention. This MUST be played with Jazz. And pausing it WILL break it. Keep that in mind. Difficulty doesn't matter. I don't see why this level wouldn't be legal, based on the rules I've read throughout this post. I hope I get a placement with it :D at least second or third.

And I know it's been done before... So shut up. This one was done differently, however.

[Seren]

Keep the entires coming guys! Shortened the deadline to October 1st so anyone still working has about a week and a half left. This date is negotiable if enough people feel they need more time.
Damn, after seeing all those entries I knew it'll happen. I guess there won't be any other people in need for more time so I'm going to rush. Hope I'll make it before the deadline.

[MrAlextov]

Here is mine!!! Click!!! (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6336/robo-in-park-20x15/)

[Jgke]

I have now sent you my submission through PM.
Edit: Almost forgot, remember to run it from JCS. Make sure that Caps Lock is off.

[Seren]

Oh right, I'd also like to ensure if TSF-only levels are accepted (I believe they should as there's no rule saying they aren't, just ensuring not to waste time working on something what wouldn't get accepted).

[Obi1mcd]

By the way, is there a prize of any sort?

[Dermo]

Oh right, I'd also like to ensure if TSF-only levels are accepted (I believe they should as there's no rule saying they aren't, just ensuring not to waste time working on something what wouldn't get accepted).

Continue your project. You can convert it without losing anything here: http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/5368/tsf-to-123-j2l-converter/

[Seren]

Continue your project. You can convert it without losing anything here: http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/5368/tsf-to-123-j2l-converter/
That's nice of you and so I hope I won't dissappoint you too much saying that I'm not that newbie not to know about it. The problem is 1024+ tiles tileset.

[Troglobite]

Done (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6339/micro-levels/).

Although it looks like there's a lot of other awesome entries. Good luck everyone.

[Slaz]

Done (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/info.php?levelID=6343).

I'm no active JCSer, it really took me more than 2 hours long to get this done. :p

[Jgke]

My entry, now published. (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6345/runner/)

[djazz]

Minisode (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6346/minisode/)

[cooba]

Can I make a bigger level (say, 40x40) but still restrict the playing area to 20x15?

[Speeza]

Can I make a bigger level (say, 40x40) but still restrict the playing area to 20x15?

640x480 dimensions is your limit. Jazz (i.e. the Player) cannot leave the confines of this playing field size.

So basically yes.

[cooba]

Fair enough. This might be a little unfair towards anyone who actually made 20x15 levels though...

[Seren]

I ask for moving the deadline by 2 days. I can't really work much besides weekends, and October 1st is Friday. If the time will be extended, I should manage to finish it, if not, then not, I won't feel cheated nor disappointed.

Edit: Ignore the above text, my doctor just said I must stay in home until the weekend. It seems I'm lucky when it comes to becoming ill.

[n00b]

Going to have to say no to packs that must be played in order, entries have to be standalone.

Oh right, I'd also like to ensure if TSF-only levels are accepted (I believe they should as there's no rule saying they aren't, just ensuring not to waste time working on something what wouldn't get accepted).
Any type of JJ2 level will be accepted. You can even submit a Battery Check level if you wanted to be out of left field (not that I'd imagine it'd work well but you could).

By the way, is there a prize of any sort?
Maybe!

I ask for moving the deadline by 2 days. I can't really work much besides weekends, and October 1st is Friday. If the time will be extended, I should manage to finish it, if not, then not, I won't feel cheated nor disappointed.

Edit: Ignore the above text, my doctor just said I must stay in home until the weekend. It seems I'm lucky when it comes to becoming ill.
I can still extend it by two days if it turns out you need it. Let me know before October first if anything comes up.

[EvilMike]

Going to have to say no to packs that must be played in order, entries have to be standalone.

That's too bad because DJazz's pack is probably the best entry so far (or at least, the most fun). You should have made that rule clear before he submitted it, instead of of being vaguely positive about entries like that. Hopefully you can at least count it as 6 separate entries, assuming he agrees to that.

[djazz]

Hopefully you can at least count it as 6 separate entries, assuming he agrees to that.

The levels don't have to be played in order, so yes. But i recommend that u play it as a group of levels.

Wanna do a short series of tests? Go ahead!
Going to have to say no to packs that must be played in order, entries have to be standalone.

:confused:

[Jgke]

Well, on my submission, the levels that qualify for this are runner1.j2l and runner2.j2l.

[cooba]

:confused:I think n00b was referring to a series of tests within a single 20x15 square.

Standalone entries only - fair enough, I probably wouldn't have had the time and/or the willpower to work on my submission(s) because I'm a -&gt; <img src="http://chaos.foxmage.com/cooba/emot-downs.gif" />

This contest is turning out very good so far.

[n00b]

That's too bad because DJazz's pack is probably the best entry so far (or at least, the most fun). You should have made that rule clear before he submitted it, instead of of being vaguely positive about entries like that. Hopefully you can at least count it as 6 separate entries, assuming he agrees to that.


But like if you gave me a map from his pack at random, it'd still work on its own right?
You don't have to play them in a specific order for narrative/pacing reasons, right? Otherwise thats just piecemealing a larger level and not really in the spirit of the contest. The stand-alone only was directly in response to your question about requiring an order, which was a "let me think about it" and I wasn't exactly positive on it so I don't see any foul play.

You can submit them as a group, but the individual levels have to be able to be judged alone.
(also @djazz the short series of tests was like in one map)

[Seren]

Okay, looks like I overrated myself, I'll need those additional two days. Sorry for changing my mind so much and causing problems, but I'm really trying to work as fast as I can.

[n00b]

Sorry for being late in my response, but deadline extended to tomorrow, october 3rd, at 12 pm est.

[Seren]

I'm not sure if I'm late or not with my entry (http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6360/straight-to-hell/), couldn't find what's the est time. Useless Internet.

Anyway, I didn't manage to finish the level I originally wanted to send, so even in case if my entry won't get accepted, it's not really that bad. The one I'm sending is rushed, almost fully made today. I expect to someday upload the second one, just because it's halfway done and there's no point in stopping to work on it.

[n00b]

I totally meant 12 hours later from what I actually said anyways and just typed it wrong because I was tired. So going by the post you're an hour late but thats not what I meant so you're cool.

I guess though since no one else has expressed needing more time, no more entries will be accepted from this point.

[EvilMike]

Once you have the results typed up, make sure you post something to rabbitjournal (which can then be voted onto the J2O front page). Or if you prefer something quicker, I can post something for you (just put it in this thread or PM me), as long as you write it.

[SPAZ18]

Any idea on when we can expect the results?

[Jgke]

Estimated results: Djazz wins, and I and Sir Ementaler will be second and third.

[n00b]

Any idea on when we can expect the results?

Hopefully by the end of the week, a ridiculous contest like this is going to have a few ridiculous judging categories that will take some time to put all the levels through.

I've already played through most of the levels and gave them a grade for overall quality. Theres three that I couldn't figure out and I'll contact the people who made them tonight so I can give them a fair shake.

[SPAZ18]

I don't really expect to win. I haven't really done any JCS for like over a year.

[Grytolle]

I don't really expect to win. I haven't really done any JCS for like over a year.

Yes you'd need to actually submit something if you want to win.

[Seren]

Yes you'd need to actually submit something if you want to win.
He's taking apart with Metallic Mayhem, quite a nice level but damn annoying.

I actually think the most probable winners are DJazzy, n0 and Troglobite (sorry Jake). Minisode is obviously great, it's surely my favourite series of 20x15 SP levels ever, fromn0ton00b is a lot of fun and a nice concept, and I really like the idea of Trog's Moon Rover. This contest surely did a good job, a lot of really good levels were made thanks to it.

[KiMO]

So, who won?

[Troglobite]

Hopefully by the end of the week, a ridiculous contest like this is going to have a few ridiculous judging categories that will take some time to put all the levels through.

We should find out soon. Be patient.

[Jgke]

Results please?

[Obi1mcd]

It has been 17 days. Surely it can't take too long to judge levels this tiny.

[Speeza]

I suspect n00b is quite busy, just be patient guys.

[EvilMike]

I'm just going to bump this thread as a reminder that this contest still exists and hasn't been judged yet.

[SPAZ18]

It's been 3 WEEKS since the contest ended! :eek:

[Jgke]

Ban n00b until he posts the results!

<small><small><small><small><small><small>wait, what?

[Slaz]

This is the first contest I joined in years haha.

So, here's for another bump. :p

[Speeza]

Eh I hope nothing bad has happened to n00b. Strange of him to not post anything even if he is busy with life.

[Obi1mcd]

Yeah, I mean I would have at least expected a "Sorry, gonna have to wait a while, I'm busy". But who knows.

[Toni]

Is there anyone who has a mobile number of n00b or knows him in real life? I believe there is, so tell us. 2 posts before this made me very curious. I hope nothing bad happened to him, too.

[cooba]

I think it's pretty typical for n00b to randomly come and disappear again, actually. He was away for like a year(?) before he posted this contest.

<s>All else fails we can decide a winner ourselves.</s> Let's just wait.

[EvilMike]

Typical maybe, but a bit of a bother since he didn't leave anyone else to possibly take his place...

It would be nice if the people who contributed here could be rewarded or even acknowledged, even if it's just a nice post saying "you win!!!". I don't want people to be discouraged from participating in future contests because of this.

Is anyone able to contact n00b? It's been about a month now since he last posted.

[EvilMike]

I don't think n00b plans on returning any time soon.

I actually had an idea a little while ago, which might help this. The 2010 JCS awards will be soon, and I'll probably be organizing them like I did last year (nominations would start in mid december). I figured that if n00b doesn't come back to finish his contest, I could add a new 2010-only category to the JCS awards: best single-screen level/upload. That would not resolve n00b's contest, but it would at least acknowledge the people who contributed by letting them be in the yearly awards.

[Troglobite]

I noticed that n00b has posted in a different thread today. Is there any chance this contest will be judged?

[n00b]

I noticed that n00b has posted in a different thread today. Is there any chance this contest will be judged?

Yeah there is. Originally there were going to be four categories of judging, one of which involved making crude recreations of the levels out of cardboard and stuff and trying to fit as many similarly sized balloons into the empty space as possible. Points would have been awarded based on the number of balloons that could fit in the non tile space.

Life got in the way and I wound up never having time to do that bit and like I kinda forgot this was happening. I guess I could replace it with a user voting category if theres still interest (which would probably be better since it evens out the serious and silly categories).

[Obi1mcd]

I'm still interested, and I'd say quite a few others would be too.

[Obi1mcd]

*bump*
Not to sound impatient or anything, but any word on those notes you were looking for, n00b?