Psych0sis on 10/12/2018 at 01:00
I don't believe anyone dropped out of the TDP20AC because of the restraints of the stock resources.
trefoilknot on 10/12/2018 at 01:45
Well, they wouldn't “drop” out, they'd opt out. The rules were clear from the start, so it's not like people would have to drop out if they didn't like the rule.
I, for one, didn't throw my hat in to begin with. I had a mission in mind that I wanted to make, and doing so with only stock resources would have required too great a compromise. I toyed with some ideas, but ultimately decided to just make the mission I wanted, and skip the competition. I'd imagine I'm not the only one.
I'd also imagine the opt out rate would be far steeper the second time in short succession.
Anyone who wanted to continue with stock resources would be free to do so. And if we used a well calibrated rubric, it wouldn't put them at any disadvantage.
My point is just that using blanket bans is a simple but suboptimal solution to the problem.
Marzec on 10/12/2018 at 11:00
If you ask me, you can create no restrictions contest then let people do FMs with stock resources only or with highest quality graphical content. Just make sure the voting does not include categories like "graphics" or "special effects" - instead of that focus on story and gameplay. I would even drop "atmosphere" and similar terms from voting, because it is also somehow related to graphical factors.
Quote Posted by bbb
I like Skacky's idea of doing a poll. Either way, some authors may not join the contest, but in the end we will end up with new missions to play. I for one think the 20th Anniversary contest was a huge success and whatever the rules of a T2 contest, it will be a big success as well.
IMHO, if the community is about to divide to two groups: vanilla and HQ, let's approve both of them and let them compete in the same time.
We can even make another poll for it and ask everybody if they want to split it to two "disciplines": "vanilla" and "custom content", so that the graphical factor is eliminated completely. How about that?
Purgator on 10/12/2018 at 14:00
Tell you what, how's about we all meet up in Boston in 2020 and have a few beers. Take a pilgrimage to the old Looking Glass Studios building, maybe? :cheeky:
trefoilknot on 10/12/2018 at 14:23
I'm in.
bbb on 10/12/2018 at 15:43
Purgatory:
Since I live in the Boston area, I think this is a great idea. I have driven by the building where LGS was located and felt a little magic. Also, many of you will remember Komag. He lives in the area as well. I will be happy to buy the first round and maybe the second.
I know Paul Neurath started another gaming company in the area and hired some former LGS employees. He is located about 20 miles from Boston.
Final thought. Any contest that produces more quality missions to play is a good contest.
bbb on 10/12/2018 at 15:44
Misspelled Purgator. My apologies. Damn auto correct.
Purgator on 10/12/2018 at 15:58
Clear your schedules, girls and boys. Thief 2 Convention 2020 is on. FMs, Cosplay and dioramas! All are welcome.
Seriously, it would be nice to meet some other Taffers out there in the tafferverse(?). Sorry for off topic waffle.
Stock resources all the way!
Random_Taffer on 10/12/2018 at 16:41
I would be down to meet up with some folks.
PinkDot on 10/12/2018 at 18:51
Quote Posted by trefoilknot
Well, they wouldn't “drop” out, they'd opt out. The rules were clear from the start, so it's not like people would have to drop out if they didn't like the rule.
I, for one, didn't throw my hat in to begin with. I had a mission in mind that I wanted to make, and doing so with only stock resources would have required too great a compromise. I toyed with some ideas, but ultimately decided to just make the mission I wanted, and skip the competition. I'd imagine I'm not the only one.
I'd also imagine the opt out rate would be far steeper the second time in short succession.
Anyone who wanted to continue with stock resources would be free to do so. And if we used a well calibrated rubric, it wouldn't put them at any disadvantage.
My point is just that using blanket bans is a simple but suboptimal solution to the problem.
I totally agree and I like a lot this idea of weighted categories (and I vaguely remember there was a contest once, where this was implemented, but I might be mixing up contests\forums\games etc...).
We could even make a poll with a list of voting categories to check their importance for people and adjust weights accordingly, before the contest.
This approach could possibly apply to all the future contests.
Besides, going for eye candy is like a double edged sword. It may give an extra credit at the start, but once people realize, that a gameplay does not match the visual quality, they would down vote it in a let's say "Overall impression" category, as a result of disappointment.
Quote Posted by Marzec
Just make sure the voting does not include categories like "graphics" or "special effects" - instead of that focus on story and gameplay. I would even drop "atmosphere" and similar terms from voting, because it is also somehow related to graphical factors.
Just what trefoilknot said earlier - removing these categories completely is just a different form of a discrimination. Instead give them an appropriate weight, based on the overall community's taste and preferences.
