UnrealSP.org

Just wanted to know if there were going to be any more speedmapping contests.
I'm obviously not expecting one to be soon, but wondered if there would be another one at any point.

Sure, why not?
We will probably have one to celebrate the new website. When that happens, however, is written in the stars...
I definitely wouldn't mind if people threw in some ideas on what the next contest theme should be already. Just don't expect anything anytime soon!

"Environment theme" Mapping contest.

I kinda like contests with constraints or a requirement, like the 300k max file size contest or the theme design contest all given the same BSP to start with.Those might be better for DM, but something along those lines of thinking.

I'm always for another one, though next time I think we should avoid awards, prizes and judging. I know that kind of goes against the whole idea of the word contest, but sometimes just making the stuff is its own reward. I'm thinking a merging of talent akin to what Deja Vu was.

If we could get someone to build that hub map now, and then somehow-someone get the maps or something to make a pack for a ONE TIME one file .zip or rar finalized package.

Yeah I like contests.
Maybe a low-poly contest would be good (I think there were 5 of these at UP for multiplayer).

First contest: Can any of you stick out your tongue and touch your nose?

Or did you mean something else?

Evilgrins post makes no sense, WTF ?

Maybe something like redeye said starting with the same bsp or maybe starting off with the same storyline, and you've got to continue from that startoff.

@evilgrins:
I can do that!

redeye wrote:Evilgrins post makes no sense, WTF ?

You just can't do it.

Captain Clark wrote:@evilgrins:
I can do that!

We have a winner!

I always thought restrictive ruleset for competitions and compilations were fun as long as they encouraged creativity. A forced texture set, for example might push mappers to think outside of their "comfort zone" when it comes to setting and story. 300k works well for DM, but try to do SP in under 300k and you will end up with something lackluster and unfortunate.

Mister_Prophet wrote:I'm always for another one, though next time I think we should avoid awards, prizes and judging. I know that kind of goes against the whole idea of the word contest, but sometimes just making the stuff is its own reward. I'm thinking a merging of talent akin to what Deja Vu was.

I think it should be be something of a trade off. A lot of people aren't so intrinsically motivated, but competitions come with competitive attitudes, even if the prize is only recognition.

Of course I'm all in favour of a (speedmapping) contest even though I lack the knowledge and imagination te participate.

However, seeing that there are still unfinished projects from the 2010 speedmapping contest (no pointing fingers - life or changed interests are valid reasons) I'm a bit (selfishly) worried about seeing a new batch of unnfinished projects.
We've discussed this before and agreed that speedmapping is acceptable in the sense that it doesn't take all that long and shouldn't interrupt other projects, perhaps even provide a welcome break.
A lot of fun maps (even the ultra short ones) came from that contest but also too many started and abandoned "projects". Such a contest is only worth it if those entering are commited.
BTW: judging a map is perhaps expressing it too strongly but I'm quite sure every mapper wants feedback and that eventually amounts to a "hypothetical" result. And I think some kind of prize (be it only in the form of a "diploma" from unrealsp.org) would be nice for something achieved.

A limited texture set idea could be cool. Stock assets + only X set(s).

But you'd have to allow at least one major set + a smaller set, or even two major sets, like Mine and GenEarth, or PlayrShp and Starship, or NaliCast and SkyCity, etc. Things like the skybox would have to be excluded, of course. Just the level itself would need to utilize the vast majority of its textures from the assigned pack.

I think a bunch of maps all using the same texture sets could really highlight the design styles of everyone involved, especially if people took really unconventional approaches to their maps. I wouldn't mind seeing a bunch of Mine.utx maps.

Good luck DecayedS users!
Who knows maybe someone will use the unused textures for once.