Anniversary Bash 15

[cooba]

Perhaps a tad early, but it might be a good idea to discuss organization, levels etc early on.
The 15th anniversary of the entire community is in half a year, and unless some small miracle happens (for the past several months the level design scene has been at its lowest yet) the lists are going to be abysmal. Not to mention the terrible attendance in this year's bash.

What should we do to make the 15th a bang and not a whimper?

[i:m]

a level competition!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :robo:

[Foly]

What should we do to make the 15th a bang and not a whimper?

Only put levels with firework or explosions or big bangs in the level list!

(Thrust me it will work)

[Stijn]

Focus on other things than levels/public servers. Host a grand tournament, publish a series of interviews/background articles, do a "where are they now?????", a "top 15 [whatever]", stuff like that.

:massiv:

[cooba]

where are they now?????This would be cool but who would it be about? DethMan?

[KRSplat]

Host levels that have pictures of Britney Spears
This would be cool but who would it be about? DethMan?
it could be about players active today. in 6 months they might be gone
(for the past several months the level design scene has been at its lowest yet)
Make new levels before bash

[FireSworD]

A group of motivated people making levels for the bash, or a level making competition. Preferably the latter, because the jjnet duel tournament contest was very successful at providing levels for the bash. However, most of the levels are around what is currently considered duel size, and it'd probably be better to make larger levels for the bash. If you make a contest for ideal bash size levels, I'm not sure if it'd work quite as well.

Also, what does everyone really want to play for the bash? - What in your opinion would be the ideal level to play?

Let's not forget there were some levels made before bash 14 that weren't in put in the packs, and nearly finished levels I think are decent (Finish them?).

Remakes are an option, albeit a lazy one.

So, anything that can motivate people to make levels really.

[Love & Thunder]

I'm probably going to be yelled at or something for saying this, but the reason I didn't attend this year's Bash was because almost all the levels used MP3 Music, and since I don't have Plus, I was unable to play, so maybe I'm not alone?
Basically, next year, maybe we should stick to music that JJ2 natively supports, so that even people who don't know what this site is can still take part?

That might solve attendance(Although the community isn't exactly growing as fast as it used to, and with people leaving the community(Or, in Gus's case, being kicked out), we're having a net loss), but then there's the levels issue, which -- as the others have said -- can be solved with competitions and stuff like that.

And, as Stijn said, it might be a good idea to do various other events, like a Tournament, or something like that.

That's my thoughts on the matter.

[KRSplat]

There are actually plenty of recent high-rated multiplayer uploads on J2o. However practically none of them have been played several times to my knowledge. Well maybe there are not enough so that there could be a selection of favorites from top reviewed levels. Still compiling those which got best responses so far is worthwhile.

[Foly]

As for gamemodes i think it would be nice if treasure hunt/race is hosted (they can be both played in treasure hunt mode). These are gamemodes that where there from the beginning but where always underrated. However i don't think this solves the lack of level problem so unless enough people are motivated for this, it probably doesn't work out.

I think stijns idea is nice. Also instead of hosting levels this year, the bash could be changed to a big bash where the most important levels from the past 15 years are being hosted.

[DoubleGJ]

this might sound silly and all, but looking from a very subjective point of view, I think what COULD be putting some people off is the modern level design. see, the thing is, to me most levels nowadays have so much eyecandy, so many layers incorporating things meant for layers 3 and 4, it all gets incredibly convoluted and confusing and just squeezed together into the playable dimension where I have no idea what I'm supposed to walk on. as somewhat of an oldie, I GUESS I could say I have an outdated perception for levels? but if I do, others who aren't as active in the multiplayer scene anymore might have the same issue.

[Stijn]

I'm probably going to be yelled at or something for saying this, but the reason I didn't attend this year's Bash was because almost all the levels used MP3 Music, and since I don't have Plus, I was unable to play, so maybe I'm not alone?
So get Plus? :!

Not a bad point, though. Total newcomers wouldn't be able to join, though I don't know if people like that still exist, at all. I know older bashes used to replace levels' music settings with default music so there would be no problems like this, but that does sound a bit extreme.

[cooba]

Total newcomers wouldn't be able to joinThey would if they didn't have the MP3s downloaded (if it's not found vanilla won't crash). It would be enough to just slap a warning on the zip.

[Vegito]

But asking the creator of such level wouldn't be a big problem. It gives the creator a choice: change the music for bash and let the level be played during the bash ... or don't change it and don't have your level in the bash.

Edit: or that ^

[Jgke]

cooba's solution is better in my opinion, it's faster, easier, allows more levels and the only downside I can see right now is that nabs complaining about some level not having music.

[KRSplat]

What if mp3 files are archived separately?

[FireSworD]

this might sound silly and all, but looking from a very subjective point of view, I think what COULD be putting some people off is the modern level design. see, the thing is, to me most levels nowadays have so much eyecandy, so many layers incorporating things meant for layers 3 and 4, it all gets incredibly convoluted and confusing and just squeezed together into the playable dimension where I have no idea what I'm supposed to walk on. as somewhat of an oldie, I GUESS I could say I have an outdated perception for levels? but if I do, others who aren't as active in the multiplayer scene anymore might have the same issue.

Low detail?

[Stijn]

That's an excellent option if you want the game to look like a fragmented mess.

[Love & Thunder]

So get Plus? :!
I can't, it isn't compatible with the LK Avalon TSF version of JJ2, and since that's the only version of JJ2 I own, I'm unable to get Plus. :L

Back on subject, though, I'm pretty sure that Vanilla crashes if it doesn't find Music. Although, I've never tested it online, so I'm probably wrong. XD
Oh, and if Vanilla JJ2 does indeed cope without the Music Files when playing online, KRSplat's idea(Having the MP3s in a seperate Archive) could be quite good.

[minmay]

Not finding the music file is one of the few things guaranteed *not* to crash JJ2's music system.

Anyways we should just make it so JJ2 supports animations and generators and stuff tied to mod pattern data and then get tigsource or someone to call it a REVOLUTIONARY MUSIC-BASED RETRO PLATFORMER or some junk like that, and I'm thinking that would solve our attendance problems

[PurpleJazz]

I'm seconding Stijn's proposal - lets shake things up a bit. Most active JJ2 players get easily bored of wandering around in public servers for more than about 10 minutes. The bash desperately needs a makeover to appeal more to the current community - more planned events, tournaments, competitions, articles, whatever - anything that draws people into playing JJ2 again for the bash - for reasons other than simply "paying homage".

I would like to help organise something if anyone else is willing. I've been considering hosting a stream featuring live chat and interviews with past and present players during the duration of the bash, though obviously this would take some doing to get everyone together. I reckon anything's worth a shot if it revives interest in the game, even if only for the few days the bash takes place over.

If I have time I'll try to cook something up in JCS too - though I'm incredibly lazy on that front!

[KRSplat]

One event per day of each custom and default game mode? Tournaments range in lengths from one day tournament to months of tournament. Competitions like level design for different game modes or styles require a judge and usually get nice entries. Articles are topical and current.

We may want to play LRS, TLRS, RT, JB, BR, Assassination, DCTF, CtF, Battle, Treasure, Race. That is why I suggested one event per day. Tournaments like 1v1 could be spontaneous and team tournaments with signups. A competition in level design has to allow entrants time such as a month or two months. Articles could be on topics like recent levels, frog hunt, software applications, clan ladder.

My best contribution could be articles since I have some background in journalism and editorials. I would like to write on subjects of community choice though and take enough time to include proper punctuation. Also I suggest host special bash hotels.

[DoubleGJ]

Most active JJ2 players get easily bored of wandering around in public servers for more than about 10 minutes.
yes verily

I second suggestions contained in the rest of this post as well as propose that this may be a very valid point (meaning what I quoted)

[FireSworD]

Previous anniversary bashes already had 'side events' that featured other gametypes, and not all of them were very successful.

That's an excellent option if you want the game to look like a fragmented mess.

I don't know exactly what you mean by "fragmented mess", could you be more specific please?

[Seren]

I don't know exactly what you mean by "fragmented mess", could you be more specific please?
http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6805/screenshots/1/

[cooba]

How about this: on April 9th, a vanilla JJ2 server hosts the original version of Capture3 all day long.

I guess I can try asking around for interviews again. Also would love to get Dethman around again because when he came around for bash 10 I was so starstruck I didn't ask him anything meaningful...

[DoubleGJ]

interview everyone even remotely notable like in the good old days

interview party!!!!!!

[KRSplat]

How about this: on April 9th, a vanilla JJ2 server hosts the original version of Capture3 all day long.
Yes, this would best honor community tradition and maximize enjoyability.

However, nonplus servers delist.

[DoubleGJ]

you don't need to have plus to join a plus server iirc

[FireSworD]

http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/6805/screenshots/1/

I've seen that, but when I turn low detail off and on again the fragmented mess disappears.

[!Tman!]

If you host it, they will come.

Oh Hi :)

[FireSworD]

The time's approaching, so what are we going to do about this?

Also, I wouldn't let DJazz host the event again. He was a decent host until he decided to take control of the event and switch around level packs to suit "his" needs.

[Jgke]

I have a fibre connection, would you like a nice host? ;)

[Ragnarok!]

Now would be a lucrative time for a level contest, with the new plus and bash coming closer.

[FireSworD]

I might start a contest then, perhaps with another person or many people running it. I hope it would be truly motivating, but the last time I started a contest (with a money prize) I only had several contestants, which isn't very bad, but less than I hoped.

Thoughts?

[Toni_]

I might start a contest then, perhaps with another person or many people running it. I hope it would be truly motivating, but the last time I started a contest (with a money prize) I only had several contestants, which isn't very bad, but less than I hoped.

Thoughts?

Sure! I would be in!

[djazz]

bump

[DarkSonic]

I'm a bit worried about the amount of good levels uploaded last year. I hope some people will still be able to release something before the Bash.. I uploaded one level and I made another level after that but that level probably won't be uploaded as a single upload.

[Newspaz]

Host levels that have pictures of Britney Spears
Good times... What did happen to Aiko anyway, I haven't seen him in years.

[DarkSonic]

Ok, so there are a few things that I would like to know. The first thing is, will the Bash be this weekend if there's going to be one? Because I don't think someone has made a list of levels, actually we don't know who will organize the Bash. The other thing is, has anyone made an entry for FireSworD's contest or is that still going on? I think I read that it ended at the start of April.

[FireSworD]

I'm not taking charge of this one. If there's going to be an anniversary bash, now is the time for someone to speak up.

[Superjazz]

I can volunteer to compile the level lists if no one else will. If there doesn't seem to be any other suitable host available, I can try to ask DanZeal to arrange a server.

[Violet CLM]

Do it.

[sAlAmAnDeR]

So ... if this bash were to happen, when would it be exactly?

[Jett]

How about the weekend of April 13-14? I can host, although I can't guarantee no accidental downtime.

[Foly]

I also think april 13-14 is a good idea. Until wednesday i will be very busy, but if there is any help needed after feel free to ask me, although im not sure if there is anything i can do. I was also thinking about hosting some ground force during the bash, not sure if people want this though :)

[Superjazz]

Since this year had only a very few battle levels, I decided to go for a more classics kind of list for battle. So the list is mostly old stuff, but I included new levels as #5, #10, #15 and #20 on the list(2 of them were released before AB14, but were not included in it.)

Battle:

01 - Officials VS Competitors by EvilMike
02 - Ain Mosni by ShadowGpW
03 - The Warden Woods by Cooba
04 - A Victorian-Urban by Birdie
05 - Ascension by Superjazz
06 - Carrotus Squash by martin aka partydude
07 - Relics of Minoria's Temple by Past of Leveldesign
08 - The Chasm by Blackraptor
09 - Dethroned by BlurredD
10 - 0 by Snooze
11 - Rainy Rain Forest by Splash
12 - Cannon Calamity by Scizor CT
13 - Daring Rebels by Hitch
14 - Sandstone Ruins by Quickz
15 - Nuostabus Pobudis by Loon
16 - SandStrand O' Hazes by spy
17 - A lighty X-Mas Lava Version by Dx
18 - Enter The Chaos by FireSworD
19 - Apocalyptic End by BlurredD
20 - Sodan Valtakunta by Snooze

With CTF-list I decided to go kind of 50:50. I guess it seems clear enough what is new/old. I did not only put in "classics" here, but also levels that I specifically wanted to give some more attention, which people hadn't already played a 100 times in JDC Events.

CTF:

01 - Dusk v3 by Ragnarok
02 - WHANTIL by Lark
03 - Underrated Paradise by Sir Ementaler
04 - Religion by CelL
05 - Mansion Crown by Snooze
06 - Turbo-Shock Star Cruiser CTF by BlurredD
07 - Rat Race by Loon
08 - Happy Castle by stripe, Fquist and Bobby aka Dizzy
09 - Battleship's Reactor by BattleSpaz
10 - Helldome by EvilMike
11 - Starlit - CTF by Plumbe
12 - Chemical Gases by FawFuL
13 - Overgrown Backyard by Snooze
14 - Industrial Intersect by DarkSonic
15 - MOTILAND by moti
16 - Demon Rampart by P4ul
17 - Khopesh by Rabid Rabb
18 - Extraterrestials by Sacrush
19 - Crystalline - CTF by Plumbe
20 - City of the Sn00zE v2.0 - by PurpleJazz

And finally, DZ is willing to give us a special server in use for the bash. I assume I will set it up and running on Friday the 12th, somewhere in the evening. Then will switch the list on Sunday morning, and run it possibly on Monday too, but I won't be able to monitor the server myself that much on Monday especially, I think.

And if there are any more levels to be released next week, they should be done before Friday evening in order to make it in the bash.

[Stijn]

kudos for organizing this!

[cooba]

As much as I second this:kudos for organizing this!I have to say that's a rather bland Battle list. I hope people finish some new stuff real fast.

Officials vs Competitors should be replaced with the OvC 20 edition, which then allows you to take down Warden Woods and use a better EM level (olcbat03 is a very obvious candidate) instead.

A limit of one level per maker per list would be good too, since as much as I like blur's and Snooze's levels they don't need special treatment.

Big thanks for organising this though, and shame on me for not doing anything :drugs:
I was also thinking about hosting some ground force during the bash, not sure if people want this though :)I'm always up for some ground force :!

[DarkSonic]

I was hoping that there would be more new levels after the release of the JJ2+. There is still time but it probably won't be enough. I haven't been that active lately so I have to say there are a few new levels on that list that I don't even know :D

[Superjazz]

Experimenting.

Battle:

01 - Officials vs. Competitors #20 by Cooba
02 - Ain Mosni by ShadowGpW
03 - _________ by EvilMike
04 - A Victorian-Urban by Birdie
05 - Ascension by Superjazz
06 - Carrotus Squash by martin aka partydude
07 - Relics of Minoria's Temple by Past of Leveldesign
08 - Green Beret by Bluez
09 - Trembling Tundra by Ragnarok
10 - The Chasm by Blackraptor
11 - Rainy Rain Forest by Splash
12 - Cannon Calamity by Scizor CT
13 - Nuostabus Pobudis by Loon
14 - Daring Rebels by Hitch
15 - Sandstone Ruins by Quickz
16 - SandStrand O' Hazes by spy
17 - Sodan Valtakunta by Snooze
18 - A lighty X-Mas Lava Version by Dx
19 - Enter The Chaos by FireSworD
20 - Apocalyptic End by BlurredD

CTF:

01 - Dusk v3 by Ragnarok
02 - WHANTIL by Lark
03 - Underrated Paradise by Sir Ementaler
04 - Religion by CelL
05 - Mansion Crown by Snooze
06 - Turbo-Shock Star Cruiser CTF by BlurredD
07 - Rat Race by Loon
08 - Happy Castle by stripe, Fquist and Bobby aka Dizzy
09 - Battleship's Reactor by BattleSpaz
10 - Helldome by EvilMike
11 - Starlit - CTF by Plumbe
12 - Chemical Gases by FawFuL
13 - A flying star above us... by Zoro
14 - Industrial Intersect by DarkSonic
15 - MOTILAND by moti
16 - Demon Rampart by P4ul
17 - Khopesh by Rabid Rabb
18 - Extraterrestials by Sacrush
19 - Bannerwatch Base by Ron97
20 - City of the Sn00zE v2.0 - by PurpleJazz

[Grytolle]

Add Apple Land and it's all good

[snzspeed]

Im making a new battle level so you'd rather probably use it. ;)

[FawFul]

Battle starts with officials vs competitors #20 exactly like last year?.. pretty confusing to have 2 bash packs in a row with the same starting level. same goes for apocalyptic end @ 20 like bash9, but that's less of a problem.

[Superjazz]

Whoops. I really forgot about that starter. I meant to pay tribute to the AB5-list more like originally, but cause of the remake I will consider that order again. The last level pays tribute to AB9 yes, and it fits that place quite nicely by it's name imo.

[cooba]

Two more suggestions:

hellwarp is (an edit of) a better and not as overused Shadow level, and it would be nice to have at least one AngelScript level in the bunch. Then again, forcing everybody to go plus only could be a bad idea, and it could go against the "one level per author" limit...

Frontier Falls is better than Chemical Gases, too.

[Superjazz]

01 - Nuostabus Pobudis by Loon
02 - Ain Mosni by ShadowGpW
03 - _________ by EvilMike
04 - A Victorian-Urban by Birdie
05 - Ascension by Superjazz
06 - Carrotus Squash by martin aka partydude
07 - Relics of Minoria's Temple by Past of Leveldesign
08 - Officials vs. Competitors #20 by Cooba
09 - Trembling Tundra by Ragnarok
10 - The Chasm by Blackraptor
11 - Rainy Rain Forest by Splash
12 - Cannon Calamity by Scizor CT
13 - Combustion by Lark
14 - Sandstone Ruins by Quickz
15 - Daring Rebels by Hitch
16 - SandStrand O' Hazes by spy
17 - Sodan Valtakunta by Snooze
18 - A lighty X-Mas Lava Version by Dx
19 - Enter The Chaos by FireSworD
20 - Apocalyptic End by BlurredD

[DarkSonic]

I will try to upload my level today or tomorrow so if it's good enough it would be nice if I got it in the Bash :D

[Superjazz]

I decided we should try to keep the bash playable to anyone. I did consider the option to make the bash plus-only to get in levels like hellwarp, or DS' latest level with a small script. They would have been a fun addition. However I thought we should not force the oldies to pay extra effort to be able to play only due to a few levels. So unfortunately I say no to plus-only this time. As well I requested DS to make his level available without a script file too:

BTL:

17 - Sinister Setting by DarkSonic
18 - Sodan Valtakunta(or a newer upcoming level) by Snooze

CTF:

12 - Frontier Falls by FawFuL

[cooba]

Probably for the best. :)

[Superjazz]

Also pending on a new level by FawFuL and Battleship's Reactor, because of it's NoClip-tubes.

[Violet CLM]

And finally, DZ is willing to give us a special server in use for the bash. I assume I will set it up and running on Friday the 12th, somewhere in the evening. Then will switch the list on Sunday morning, and run it possibly on Monday too, but I won't be able to monitor the server myself that much on Monday especially, I think.
Do you think you can be any more specific than this? In particular, what people think of as the "evening" can vary a lot. Also what timezone are you using?

[Superjazz]

Yes, Violet.

The server is aimed to start tomorrow at 18 CET, which is a bit less than 26 hours from now on. My timezone is EET, so I should be just nicely able to run it at 19 my time. The Bash will start with the battle list traditionally, and will switch to the CTF one, on Saturday night, at some yet undefined time.

[Ragnarok!]

Btw, personal request but if you do use a Dx level:

http://www.jazz2online.com/downloads/3927/beneath-the-xlm-castle-v24/

Use this. It's pretty fun.

[Superjazz]

Final lists:

Battle:

01 - Sodan Valtakunta by Snooze
02 - Ain Mosni by ShadowGpW
03 - Nuostabus Pobudis by Loon
04 - A Victorian-Urban by Birdie
05 - Ascension by Superjazz
06 - Carrotus Squash by martin aka partydude
07 - Relics of Minoria's Temple by Past of Leveldesign
08 - Officials vs. Competitors #20 by Cooba
09 - Trembling Tundra by Ragnarok
10 - The Chasm by Blackraptor
11 - Rainy Rain Forest by Splash
12 - Combustion by Lark
13 - Gloom by FawFuL
14 - Sandstone Ruins by Quickz
15 - Daring Rebels by Hitch
16 - SandStrand O' Hazes by spy
17 - Sinister Setting by DarkSonic
18 - _________ by EvilMike
19 - Enter The Chaos by FireSworD
20 - Apocalyptic End by BlurredD

CTF

01 - Dusk v3 by Ragnarok
02 - WHANTIL by Lark
03 - Underrated Paradise by Sir Ementaler
04 - Religion by CelL
05 - Mansion Crown by Snooze
06 - Turbo-Shock Star Cruiser CTF by BlurredD
07 - Rat Race by Loon
08 - Happy Castle by stripe, Fquist and Bobby aka Dizzy
09 - Starlit - CTF by Plumbe
10 - Helldome by EvilMike
11 - Khopesh by Rabid Rabb
12 - Frontier Falls by FawFuL
13 - A flying star above us... by Zoro
14 - Industrial Intersect by DarkSonic
15 - MOTILAND by moti
16 - Demon Rampart by P4ul
17 - Epitome II by SyKio
18 - Extraterrestials by Sacrush
19 - Bannerwatch Base by Ron97
20 - City of the Sn00zE v2.0 - by PurpleJazz

[FireSworD]

I have to say, lots of apocalyptic/destruction themed levels there (Apocalyptic 'End' is the last on the battle list too), hence anniversary bash. No problem!

[cooba]

[22:54:08] *** sŔlÄmĂnDčR DM's killing spree was ended by Pyromanus[GpW]!

[ShadowGPW]

OMFG totally missed the AB15....

But however I feel honored that one of my levels got featured in this year's pack. I should finish some of my levels some day. Still have an unfinished level pack on the go.

[burnout92]

Let me a question. How long still online the Bash server?

[Superjazz]

For now the server might still run a few days if people seem interested in playing there. At the point when people are no longer playing there much, it will close. Will probably switch back to battle list for a change, soon.

[burnout92]

Thanks the information Vivando. :D

[Superjazz]

The server is now officially closed. This year's bash was a fun experience just like the others before. I have to admit that I expected/wished for a bit more of people attending in bash at once, but still we had ~20 players at most for sometimes, which was a bunch of fun. I hope you people enjoyed too. Here's a pwn screenshot from a "bonus level":

http://img688.imageshack.us/img688/5365/007wc.png

[Stijn]

Thanks for putting Best CTF Party Good Luck on, best bash organizer ever

[Nonomu198]

omg i missed Best CTF Party Good Luck :(

[Slaz]

Thanks for putting Best CTF Party Good Luck on, best bash organizer ever

Love your taste! I requested that level for bonus rounds several times during JDC21 but only few players cared. In the end it always became another regular level unworthy for a 'bonus' round. :D

Too bad I wasn't there when Bash ended.

[burnout92]

Oh man I missed the whole bash. :( No problem I will be there the next bash I promise.

[R3ptile]

omg i missed Best CTF Party Good Luck :(

shut up

[Aiko]

Good times... What did happen to Aiko anyway, I haven't seen him in years.

Hey old mate, thanks for mentioning my name.
I'm still alive, but idle.
Great to see that there is still a community here.
It was a great time back then.

[Slaz]

Wow, nice to see you check in here Aiko! :D

I remember you from online games, the JazzED tool, and your german JJ2 fanpage.

[ShadowGPW]

Hey old mate, thanks for mentioning my name.
I'm still alive, but idle.
Great to see that there is still a community here.
It was a great time back then.

Hey Aiko! My favorite German ever and ever!

Ich habe saurkraut in meine lederhosen.