Dev_Anj on 27/6/2016 at 12:02
I got an idea for a new Thief contest. In this contest, authors will select any Thief: Gold/Thief 2 level they like as a base, and will rework them. This is different from just being straight up remakes though, as here they will rework the mission to be as bizarre or as otherwordly as possible. Think of The Sword or Maw of Chaos levels of bizarre.
I personally think this could be an interesting idea and it would certainly pose a different kind of challenge to authors. Hopefully we get some good levels out of it too!
The criteria:
Levels will be judged based on these factors:
Bizarre factor: Just how crazy the level is, conceptually or in execution.
Technical factor: How well does the mission play technically i.e, does it have good execution of Thief's mechanics or are any new mechanics introduced well executed?
Aesthetic factor: How good/bizarre the level looks.
Bring up anything you would like to add.
JarlFrank on 27/6/2016 at 12:07
This sounds like a very nice contest. I'd definitely be in!
One question on the levels: are the OMs to be used as actual mission bases, or are the FMs just going to be obviously inspired by the OMs?
Dev_Anj on 27/6/2016 at 12:56
Both options are equally valid, so long as it's obvious that it's taking an original mission as inspiration.
ValmontPhl on 27/6/2016 at 14:45
I always thought that a real challenge, to those proficient in writing and dromeding, would be to retell one of the OMs in a different FM, maybe similar, but not the same. Maybe call it "Rebooted Contest". And I'm sure many of you will jump on the whole copyright thing, even though our source material for Reloaded is IP to begin with.
Renault on 27/6/2016 at 14:58
There aren't any copyright issues, Looking Glass released the editor and the unstripped official missions very publicly.
Dev_Anj on 28/6/2016 at 03:38
I've decided on the details and rules.
The contestants should stay anonymous for the duration of the contest and submit their entries either to me or to Brethren.
The contestants can choose a Thief: Gold/2 mission as a base if they wish, but that's the only levels they're allowed to use as a base.
The contestants can make brand new levels if they prefer to do so, but they must base it upon concepts from the original level, i.e. make a warehouse level with the locking mechanism from Shipping and Receiving or a bank mission with cameras, robots and traps like in First City Bank and Trust. Their inspirations should be clearly written in the mission readme.
The contestants must not aim at making straightforward remakes of the levels, rather they should try to focus on making them as bizarre or otherworldly as possible while still aiming to create an enjoyable level.
The contestants can make maps of any size they want, there are absolutely no size restrictions.
The contestants will get 2-3 months of time to create their submissions. Submissions past the due date will not be considered for voting, though exceptions can be made if the contestant's level is almost done and the contestant is confident of finishing it up within a few days more of time.
Voting will be done based on the three factors, with each one being graded from 1-5 and the voters being able to write comments. The comments will be published but they will remain anonymous.
Anything else to add? When would be a good time to announce this contest?
FireMage on 28/6/2016 at 04:43
Hmmmmm... Hmmmm...... Hmmmmmmmmmmm.... Well... Let's do this! I will join the party!
JarlFrank on 28/6/2016 at 07:56
Yep, I'm definitely in! :D
Quote Posted by Dev_Anj
Anything else to add? When would be a good time to announce this contest?
Early July should be fine. That would give us July to September as building time, which is when some people are likely to have summer break.
skacky on 28/6/2016 at 08:16
That's a good idea for a contest, but to me the appeal of surreal/bizarre missions such as The Sword is largely due to how unexpected this surrealism is. When you play The Sword for the first time you don't know ahead of time you'll break into some mad god's playground.
If you state it before the mission even begins this sense of surprise and shock disappears, as you're now expecting the designer to throw all kinds of weird things at you.
That's just me though. I certainly love surreal missions.
