VOTING DEADLINE: TUESDAY, MAY 14th
Figured I'd give everyone a few days head start on this...
NewDark “64 Cubed” Contest
For Thief 1 or 2
Starts: February 1st, 2013
Ends: April 5th, 2013
Grace Period: April 30th, 2013
Rules
• Build an entire mission inside a singleairarea brush with dimensions no bigger than 64 x 64 x 64 or something of equivalent volume size (see details below).
• Build your mission using the NewDark (Unofficial 1.19/1.20/1.21 patch) version of Dromed.
Details
All missions must be built using the NewDark version of Dromed. There are no other NewDark requirements beyond just using the new version. Get the patch here and check the very bottom of the post for an updated version of Dromed which allows sunlight to cast object shadows. Authors are of course allowed (and encouraged) to use as many of NewDark's features and capabilities as possible.
All missions must be built from scratch.
Even though we’re calling it a “64 cubed” contest (because that just sounds cool), entrants are allowed some flexibility in the shape of theirairarea brush. Total volume still should not be larger than 262,144 total dromed units (64 X 64 X 64). Some other examples of allowed area brush sizes would be 128 X 64 X 32 or 128 X 128 X 16, but the final dimensions are up to you.
Objects & brushes used within the area brush may extend beyond the borders of the brush, but the player must not be able to reach any area outside of it.
Blue rooms are allowed outside theairarea brush.
Authors should target the period from April 1st to April 5th for mission release. Voting will be available to players at this time. A grace period of approximately one month has been built in, so April 30th is the absolute last day to release a contest entry. To be eligible for this grace period, you must contact me before April 5th to confirm your intentions to enter the contest.
If you want to submit your mission anonymously, contact myself or one of the forum moderators and we’ll release the mission for you.
Voting, 3 categories, use a scale of 1 to 5:
1) Use of Space – How well did the author use the limited amount of space?
2) Technical – Scripting, visual & audio enhancements, custom material, etc.
3) Narrative – Story, plot, objectives, readables, briefings, etc.
Good luck! If you have any questions on the rules or requirements, post them here for all to see.
UPDATE: Mission releases have begun...so far we have the following:
T2 - Way Home, by Notesthes
T2 - Till Death Do Us Part, by MysteryMan
TG - The Unseen, by skacky
T2 - Schizophrenica, by fibanocci
T2 - The Sinkhole, by Weasel
T2 - Cell 6, by YanRanTan
T2 - Zealot's Hollow, by Xorak
TG - Dead Night Sweet Delight, by MysteryMan
T2 - Dead Night Sweet Delight, by MysteryMan
The Voting Thread is HERE.
All votes must be cast within two weeks after the grace period is over. In other words, voting ends at the end of the day on May 14, 2013.
Last edited by Tannar; 11th May 2013 at 15:15. Reason: Added summary of contest entries
Looking forward to the outcomeI hope many great entries will come from this!
Thought I'd share some useful links:
Contest discussion thread - http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=140605
A list of Dromed 1.19 tutorials - http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthread.php?t=131800#1.19
A list of all known 1.19 features - http://www.ttlg.com/forums/showthrea...=1#post2144065
Like R Soul and Tannar in this post I echo the idea of making the contest anonymous for everyone.
Last edited by The Phantom; 31st Jan 2013 at 10:37. Reason: added link
Thanks for the links The Phantom, those are very helpful.
One thing I'm not sure on, now that I think about it. Can a Thief 1 or Thief Gold FM be created using NewDark? Maybe someone can clarify for me.
Whoohoo!
Thief1 and Thief gold can use newdark dromed. I was actually making my mission in t1, but my laptop died. I may get a replacement soon, but it depends on a couple things.
Oh yeah I missed this. Brethren, Between These Dark Walls was started with normal Dromed and then completed with Dromed for NewDark for obvious reasons, so it definitely works with Thief 1/Gold. I'm not sure you can do colored lighting on T1 NewDark though.
I'm pretty sure you can, skacky. It's a NewDark mission just running using the T1/G resources, but with all the features of NewDark like coloured lighting.
I like the idea of having it be anonymous again, like in the old days.
Also, Mike, you may want to make the requirement to use v1.19 or higher, or simply to use NewDark. On the off chance that an update to Dromed is released during the contest period, you don't necessarily want to disallow authors from switching to it if they want to. Of course that may mean that players will have to upgrade to play that mission, but that's life.
Last edited by Yandros; 30th Jan 2013 at 18:03.
I'm going to start making my mission tonight
Sounds awesome. I'd like to offer my assistance to anyone requiring a briefing. Let's say, No more than 30secs per customer. which would normally be just the opening text over flames of your choice.
Awesome! Long live Thief!
There seems to be a decent amount of interest in an anonymous contest - maybe we should change things up and go that route. Anyone want to make a case against anonymous entries?
I like the idea of making the contest anonymous, too.
But then there is a question: How should the contestants search for betatesters then?
Another question (because my English is not good enough for that):
Does "All missions must be built from scratch." mean that the contestant have to begin at February 1st (and not before), or does that mean that the contestant have to begin with an empty file/mission?
The rule doesn't forbid authors revealing their participation, so contestants ask the usual way, but without saying what their mission is.Originally Posted by Notesthes
Yes. It would be an unfair advantage if people could adapt small missions that they've already been working on for several months. It could also be a disadvantage if you find that too many existing ideas are being compromised (e.g. some nice streets can't go anywhere because the nice mansion was outside the boundary and had to be cut).Does "All missions must be built from scratch." mean that the contestant have to begin at February 1st (and not before), or does that mean that the contestant have to begin with an empty file/mission?
Brethren, it would be a good idea to mention this in the Editors' Guild.
@Notesthes - You can start anytime now, but yes, the mission should be made completely from scratch, I guess "empty file" is a good a way to say it. Any missions previously created should not be used or multibrushed or anything like that. Start 100% fresh.
On the beta testing/anonymous issue, I'm sure any author could always have a moderator post their request for help for them, and then replies could just be forwarded to the beta testing forum. Or, we could start forming a pool of beta testers and then assign them to a mission as needed. Lots of options here.
Yeah, can't believe I didn't think to do that, I'll post over there ASAP.
would be nice if this contest had a futuristic theme,i played some of the older fan missions with system shock textures and they were good,and maybe those textures can be upgraded with new dark?
The contest has no theme, so futuristic is OK. I get the feeling however, that a futuristic theme is not high on the list of most Thief players.
(With apologies to Sliptip...)
LolI know. . . . I know. . .
Yes! This is exactly the kind of contest I'd been waiting for. I'll be doing a marathon when they're all released.
I'd also be very happy to offer some of my own services. I never really thought about doing it for Thief before, but I'm actually a voice-actor and I'm itching to do some original voice work for fan-missions, which is more often than not lacking (be it in presence or quality). If anyone's thinking of having any dialog or just feels like a voice anywhere would add to the mission, please consider me and I'd love to provide(, just PM and I could send anything in).
Perhaps you'd like to add yourself here.
Thanks Nickie, I guess I should've looked for that first.
Hey! Is the Contest Started???
It's anonymous, so ok, it's normal to see no screenshots or anybody saying what he is doing.
But don't we know who's in?
Hi FireMage, if it is anonymous, it might be better not to know who is in until after the contest is over.Hey! Is the Contest Started???
It's anonymous, so ok, it's normal to see no screenshots or anybody saying what he is doing.
But don't we know who's in?
Have to rely on faith. Everyone who has shown interest is more than likely going to participate.
FM, yep the contest is started, but it's only been going for 10 days. I sure some people are still deciding if they're interested, and it's a bit early for progress screenshots.
Are we doing prizes for this one? If so I can throw a couple into the pool.
Prizes are always welcome - I had nothing planned personally. Didn't we have some leftover stuff from the last contest?
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