I think a single player or historical theme would be good, handed in around Christmas.
As for judging, I wouldn't mind a vote for all the people who have played all the maps.

Good stuff, Enginerd. I would like to see a new system of judging - just for this one! It'd be nice to have userr actively reviewing maps, yet this may be open to fault. Nonetheless, I expect I'll be helping out as much as possible.

Suggested theme; local history! Take an event from your local area/region and have the whole community enjoy it as a map.

Ah, here it goes I have few ideas about theme so far, but they need to crystallise better in mind yet, so I'll have my say now about the rest:

Timing
I think I would support Christmas, too. It's almost 2 moths from now - certainly enough time for making a map of even few of them), but it will not keep people waiting too long for competition finish.

Judging
I see the point in increasing number of people taking part in deciding on scoring, however, this option has a strong drawback: Few, if any, people will play all of the competition maps, while much more will wish to take part in choosing the winner. It would probably lead to situation when many players will just vote for the first map that caught their attention, without checking other scenarios entered for tourney. Therefore I would support the three person panel system, since it seems to give all mapmakers equal chances.

Quoted from CrazySlyHawk:

Suggested theme; local history! Take an event from your local area/region and have the whole community enjoy it as a map.

Hey, CSH, that's great idea! I haven't noticed your post at first since I was posting almost at the same time with you, but I fully support this. Should a great opportunity to make an interesting map(s), and learn something interesting from history

Here is my idea for theme.

Everyone to submit a single player map to be used in the starting mapset for a new campaign.

I'll explain.

First assume the starting mapset will have three maps. The maps should progress your main leader and any heroes to about level 8 by the end of the third map.

Map 1 would be a simple introductory map introducing the main character and the purpose of the campaign. Hero levels should be capped at 2 or 3. The map should be small with a max to four races involved and take up no more than two surface levels. (I.E. surface and caverns or with a little creativity caverns and depths)

Map two would bring the story into motion with the leader traveling to a new location. The starting leader should have a beginning level of 2 or three and levels should be capped at 4, 5 or 6.

Map three should add some kind of twist or or resolution. Leaders should start at level 4, 5 or 6 and hero levels should be capped at 8.

Within these confines the mapmaker is free to make any kind of map he or she wishes.


As a bonus after the judging the maps could be rearranged into a mini campaign. If there are enough entrants, both a keeper and a cult mini campaign might be constructed.

I would have a huge advantage in such a competition having many such maps in various stages of construction so rather than compete; I would rather judge, and then attempt the construction of the mini campaign from the best entrants.

I realize this is a rather ambitious competition but it might be rather fun to see what the community creates.


I should add that you need only submit one map. Hopefully between all entrants there would be a variety of all three map types.

[This message has been edited by Arctic Wolf (edited 10-28-2008 @ 09:21 PM).]

Hey, I see some great ideas coming in. CSH's is a stroke of genius, and that seems a rarity from him. I would like to add a possible Christmas theme, with it being that time of year and all. I know what you're thinking, "What the heck?! How can you make a map Christmasy!!!" But I have found a solution. The map itself doesn't have to have different mountain ranges shaped like Christmas trees, far from it. In fact, I was thinking more along the lines of the story surrounding the map. Perhaps it is the time of the year that the Blessed Continent celebrates some sort of similar festival, not Christmas because I doubt they celebrate the birth of one that may not have existed in their world. One obvious requirement is that the terrain would be mostly snowy, with the Frostlings not necessarily having to be involved. Maybe the ways I've come up with to link it to Christmas can be bettered but if you can improve this theme then post your views. After all, it's just one of my ideas.

Why.

Sounds good anyways, I never went up north with the Dwarves in the campaign. Best I give it a lash!

There have been some great new releases; I haven't looked at the new AW scenario but I'm sure its inspired
Perhaps I too should whip something up before the new mapmaking comp.... as a taster!

[This message has been edited by CrazySlyHawk (edited 10-30-2008 @ 05:33 AM).]

I am intrigued at the idea of having the map be related to some historical event/place. I'm thinking how could I make a map (yes, my first one) of my hometown or my adventures as a kid growing up...

Christmas in the theme could work out. There's a great SM map out by the Groll called David's Winter Wonderland, he did a great job with the Christmas theme (and it's a good mp map too)

AW massive campaign approach is interesting but may be too aggressive for a competition. I like the idea though, maybe pull it out and have a group work on it. The last great campaign attempt fizzled out.

What else do you guys think. Any other ideas out there...

Well, why not do two of the things mentioned? In my opinion, the success of the mapmaking tournaments is partially due to the fact that you allowed mapmakers to submit (mostly) whatever they wanted. (the 'anything goes' section in the last tournament for example).

Having both a Christmas-themed and a historical event related mapmaking competition could be fun!

I remember that two years ago (i think?), at the summer mapmaking contest there were 3 categories (correct me if I'm wrong), single player, multiplayer and a category for new mapmakers, and it turned out great.

Perhaps a Christmas/historical/anything goes tournament?

Actually, the previous summer competiton really had two categories, that for rookies was really a subcategory, since it was about maps that were submitted for one of two "regular" ones. I see your point in suggesting to run a competiton with three scenario categories, but well, it's a themed competition after all, and if made so general, how would it differ from summer contests?

3 themes? xP
i was suggesting for it to have a theme category and an 'anything goes' one

i think a winter/Christmas theme would be fun
it is the 'Winter Holydays 2008 Themed Mapmaking Competition' after all

[This message has been edited by sKout77 (edited 11-03-2008 @ 05:11 AM).]

I'm thinking two categories....

Christmas - Or other Holiday related to the Dec Winter Holidays like Hanukkah, New Years etc. Doesn't just have to be the Christian Holiday and as was pointed out above who knows what they celebrate in the Age of Wonders. Have fun with it.

Historical - Could be a sp map of your personal journey through life in a make believe world, your home town, a historical place or event. Too bad AW just uploaded Ode to Van Vogt as I learned a whole lot about an historical author that wrote sci-fi.

Since the categories have themes I don't think we would need a third "anything goes" type category. There is sufficient opportunity to be as it is. Maps could be SP or MP or any MOD. I don't think that limits anyone. Judging gets to be tricky but can be figured out.

I'll give this a few more days for comments before posting something official but these are my thoughts (much too busy with the 1v1 tourney right now )

I'm not to fond of themes but I guess I could come up with something historical.

"Your greatest map ever" theme would be nice otherwise

I like the idea of some sort of winter/Christmas/yule theme. Perhaps there should be some sort of guide as to the type of map, such as, maxium size of "Large" and no more than 2 levels?

One of the things that I loved about Arctic Wolfe's wining map, Snowscapes and Mirages, was the the specific objectives and unique winning conditions of the map. It wasn't just, "wipe out the whole world and win." It gave me more motivation and got me into the story more.

I would support the idea of two categories, Historical and Christmas/New Year/Whatever-Event-You-Are-Celebrating Further limitations (say size or number of map levels) doesn't seem necessary - it would drastically decrease the number of possibilities for mapmakers, and make the contest less attractive.

Also, I can recall that when we were given the results of previous summer mapmaking tourney, the judges gave every map a rating in scale from 1 to 10, so we could see how each scored compared to other scenarios, but after the recent contest, this wasn't revealed anymore. Could we see this again when the Winter competition will be over?

I just realized that I submitted my "historical" science fiction homage map already.

Too bad it won't count.

Oh well maybe an ode to Ray Bradbury could be next. I could call it THE ILLUSTRARED MAP!

[This message has been edited by Arctic Wolf (edited 11-04-2008 @ 11:04 PM).]

Anything related to author of Martian Chronicles will definitely be worth playing!

great idea, I could make a map related to recent Venezuelan violent protests (a political map? Hugo chavez sympathizers die!!) or go a bit back and make something about Petrolium discovery and Exploting since Im seeing a lot of that in my Career right now. Sound interesting? or should I go for Christmas crap?

Btw will there be any restriction if it will be strictly single player or multiplayer? Cause Im thinking single player for mine, shame is cant be played on further tourneys. what enginerd or arctic wolf think?

slipkyes

Be as original and creative as you can. For ideas on your Petroleum exploitation map, download my original Apprentice map in the multiplayer section. The map has nothing to do with original AOW story line. Instead it parodies the politics of construction and development in a small city.

Another great map to look at is Vince Bly's most excellent 'Star Ranger Academy'. (Single Player Map) He exports AOW into a loosely based Sci Fi theme.

These maps show how you can throw off the shackles of the AOW world and create something unique and different.

thanks for the advice arctic wolf, Ill check out your apprentice map. Im already working on the story for my map from what I can remember from my hydrocarbons class. So im thinking a 1v1 which would be more fun to play in PBEMs. Im definitely in for this competition! fear the Venezuelan!

I'm liking the way this tournament seems to be shaping up, it allows a lot of room for creativity and also for mapmakers to vent about their past in a different way. I would definitely enter, after missing out on the last one I'm just bursting to make a map.

Header has been updated... the tourney has officially begun (well... many of you have already started on your maps). Anyways....

I want to register my map.... Historical theme... map title Andelin's Quest (yikes... now I really have to finish this map )

excellent!

historical maps aren't my thing but I think I can come up with something fun for all you winter holiday lovers ;P

you can register a map if it isnt done yet? enginerd did it, right? Mine is Called "Mene in Venezuela" in the historical theme. About halfway through

I'll register my map "War of 1812" for the historical category.

[This message has been edited by Froster (edited 11-17-2008 @ 06:12 PM).]

Yes, the map does not need to be completed before you register it. You can register it at any time, now you just must upload it before the deadline. Also, you can make changes to your map before the deadline even if you uploaded it. The judging won't begin until after the deadline.

3 Maps... all Historical and looks like we might have one in the works for a Festive theme..... sounds like a great start

Just Curios

Would a joint submission be acceptable in the Holiday Category? I'm thinking of a mini campaign with two mapmakers combining their efforts in order to meet the deadline.

Would a joint submission be acceptable in the Holiday Category?

Interesting idea.... I'll have to think about it... I'm leaning towards allowing it.... go ahead and start working the project while we gather some feedback.... any objections from the other mapmakers?

I think that's a great idea!

I'm not missing this competition like the others. I'll probably enter the festive theme. Also, I don't mind the idea of two mapmakers working together but the campaign might outweigh single maps by its storyline. Just a thought but I generally don't mind.