Ideas for more mapping contests?

(Ifurita) #1

Building on the success of Seven_dc’s 1024^3 contest, what else would people like to see? This could be full on maps, prefabs, things that do things, etc.

How about:

  • Prefab, multistage constructable
  • Prefab, Destructible objective
  • Prefab, single, standalone buildings
  • Prefab, machinery, generators, or other things that go bump and put out smoke
  • Prefab, control panels, bunkers, consoles, etc
  • Prefab, Vehicles (planes, trains, and tanks)
  • Prefab, artillery pieces and rockets

Themed prefabs are near because you can pack them up and make them easily available for other peoples’ maps. Some of these could be run in as little as a week, some more

Let’s hear some ideas

(D3C0Y) #2

all maps around 1 theme ?

(G0-Gerbil) #3

Is anyone aware of prefab maps? I am concerned they would all end a bit samey… how about all around a new custom texture set, possibly the mediterrainian one so Chavo One’s Venice has a bit of company? :slight_smile:
Basically I may not fully understand the prefab map idea - clarification please!

(MindLink) #4

The contest would not be creating maps out of prefabs but creating prefabs FOR maps. The best prefab wins.

(Ifurita) #5

No, a themed set of prefabs. If the theme is artillery pieces and rockets, then anyone can submit a prefab as long as it is an artillery piece or a rocket. I for one would love to find a prefab of a Kaytusha rocket launcher, a 6 pounder gun, some nice anti aircraft pieces.

This could be full on maps, prefabs, things that do things, etc.

Notice, there was a comma between thoughts, meaning that you could have a contest around a mapping theme (e.g., 1024^3, single returnable objective, etc) OR you could have a contest around a themed prefab, like a constructible, with script and entities, which would incorporate the script and brushwork.

(Ifurita) #6

You could have a contest to produce a set of signs or underlying sign textures that people could use to make their own.

(sock) #7

Prefabs would have to be done with a month, certainly to the month’s theme. There is no real point in a silly mix of prefabs like a chair and a beach barricade being in the same set. Everyone needs to vote on the theme and go with it. At the end of the month we could all vote on the best prefab and the winner would get a SD t-shirt prize. :wink:

I will then package up all the prefabs, make sure they work, no missing textures, no dodgy texture sources (like other games) and then set it up on a preview page with a download.

Its certainly quick and easy to create prefabs (especially within a 1 month timeframe) and if enough people enter it could be a fun idea.

Sock
:moo:

(chavo_one) #8

Would models count as prefabs? Alot of the things ifurita mentioned (rocket launchers, artillery guns, etc.) work better as models than brushwork IMO.

(Ifurita) #9

Yeah, I think you could do models or a mix of models and brushwork - like the constructable MG nests

(sock) #10

I dont see why models cannot be included as prefabs. To me a prefab is like a slice of cake, as long as people don’t submit complete maps and are sensible with what they submit. The main points is that the prefabs have to be of a certain theme otherwise it will be a very odd collection.

The most frustrating thing I remember from the development of ET was prefabs for the constructions and especially the multi-stage constructions which can involve up to 5 models depending on how complex you want the thing to visually look. But generic ww2 objects would be very cool, especially the everyday items that often make a map. General furniture, items, blown apart old buildings, strange ruins, ammo dumps, spent shells. The list could be virtually endless.

What would be especially good is to supply the original photo source image as well. So people can see how well the prefab has been made and if the scale is right.

Sock
:moo:

(MindLink) #11

Yeah that would be nice.
If you ever do some “ruins” prefab-contest, count me in :wink:

(Ifurita) #12

Yes, a contest involving the construction of a single ruined building, 1-3 stories tall could be cool. Is 3 stories too high?

(Ifurita) #13

Dual stage command post prefabs could be cool too. One stage to enable the spawn, the second stage to increase charge rates. I was thinking of something like a truck with construction crates inside, the first stage would erect and antenna and drop the unopened CP, the second stage would enable the CP

(Nathan Havok) #14

Do polygon/face/tris counts get factored into these prefab contests (IE: is there generally a number to shoot under)?

(Ifurita) #15

I don’t think so, but you could impose a brush limit or equivalent

(TFate) #16

Taking a ride through Philly today I was struck by this one location, it was a pretty open place with a low bridge you went over and a wood beneath it, and two buildings on either side of the wood/bridge, and it made me think. It made me think, “Man this would make a killer ET map.” Was it beautiful? Not really, but then again it’s just barely spring. But was it inspring? Totally. So I’m going to make a map based on that.

But I was also thinking it would be awesome to have an outdoor-mapping competition. With so many indoor custom maps, I really think ET deserves some more lush, green maps (however unrealistic that may be). So, how about an outdoor-mapping competition based on actual places? And without a size limit, which deterred me from the 1024^3 (which by the way looks excellent).

(Domipheus) #17

i wouldnt mind seeing some sort of contest for best represented real-life area ingame, even if it didnt exist back then :slight_smile: