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Chirmaya
Chirmaya
Join Date 04/2008
+45

Modding Competitions Plan

July 28, 2009 11:09:16 AM from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Once most of the modding tools are out there for people to start making stuff, I am hoping to start off a modding competition. I am still thinking of the details right now, but I am thinking of the following setup:

Runs for 2 months: It will be open for submissions of mods through the 1st to the last of the month. In the following month people will vote on the mods in the first competition. After the voting period is up, a winner shall be announced, and they shall get a cash prize (and perhaps some YouTube videos showing off their stuff if they haven't done that already?). And then the competition will open for the next month.

Now, I am willing to put down some money every competition for this, though I am not exactly the most wealthy of persons by a longshot =P I would like to setup a good system for donations to the prize pot, so I'll need to research that. Is PayPal a good system for that?

I'll also need to find a good voting system.

Any tips or ideas would be great!

elemental
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Chirmaya
Aesir Rising
Join Date 12/2006
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Reply #1 July 28, 2009 11:11:57 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

like to setup a good system for donations to the prize pot,

Entry cost perhaps.  Those contributing have a shot at the prize.  Though tbh, I'm not driven by cash prizes (money is good, but without a disinterested 3rd party judging it, I'm more concerned about seeing a prize awarded to someone that figures out how to game the system, instead of producing the top model/mod).

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Chirmaya
Scoutdog
Join Date 07/2008
+195
Reply #2 July 28, 2009 11:15:53 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

By what criteria would the mods be judged? Number of downloads? Aestheitcs? Totality of conversion? Technical difficulty? Also, one of the main problems I forsee is that people who have access to expensive graphics and development software will be place at a HUGE advantage over the people who are stuck with freeware.

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Chirmaya
Chirmaya
Join Date 04/2008
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Reply #3 July 28, 2009 11:46:45 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

I don't want to do an entry cost, because then it would totally limit who would join.

Hmm... judging vs. voting might work. The good thing about voting is that people will vote for what appeals to them and what they have fun playing with, compared to what just looks good.

One of my main issues is that there will be tons of models, maps, whole mods, gameplay mods, etc. that I am wondering how well it will work just comparing them. Perhaps there are some good alternatives.

Thanks for the ideas so far. Going to keep thinking on this!

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Chirmaya
Scoutdog
Join Date 07/2008
+195
Reply #4 July 28, 2009 11:52:18 AM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

One of my main issues is that there will be tons of models, maps, whole mods, gameplay mods, etc. that I am wondering how well it will work just comparing them. Perhaps there are some good alternatives.

Well, I thought of a system vaguely similar to the Oscars, where different awards are given for different categories and areas, like:

  • Most technically difficult mod.
  • Most balanced.
  • Best graphics.
  • Largest amount of new stuff.

and so on, for different categories of mod like:

  • Pure graphical mod.
  • Imitative TC (a total conversion based off of Tolkein, MoM, or another existing work).
  • Imaginitive TC (A total conversion with little or no "inspiration", largely created from the modder's own ideas).
  • Balancing/Gameplay-enhancing mod.

Now, not all awards would apply to all mods, but with a little thinking you could make it work.

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Chirmaya
Chirmaya
Join Date 04/2008
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Reply #5 July 28, 2009 12:06:12 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

I really love that category idea. I am just wondering how I would work the prize into that system. Maybe if the categories were limited. Or perhaps only prizes for certain categories. Hmm... *Ponders*

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Chirmaya
Tridus
Join Date 03/2008
+110
Reply #6 July 28, 2009 12:40:55 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

It seems like it's pretty premature to be organizing a contest. Once the mod tools are out, people will need time to learn them.

As for a prize, when release time is getting close, it might be possible to persuade Stardock to donate some swag for prizes. An entry fee would deter people, and a cash prize would be pretty tempting for someone to try and game the voting system, but marketing can usually part with some t-shirts or something.

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Chirmaya
Chirmaya
Join Date 04/2008
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Reply #7 July 28, 2009 1:07:51 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Yeah, I would like to give enough time for people to learn the tools, but it would also be a nice incentive to learn faster. Once I have a better idea of what I am doing and actually have a solid plan, I do plan on asking Stardock about something like that. Thankies!

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Chirmaya
Aesir Rising
Join Date 12/2006
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Reply #8 July 28, 2009 2:08:42 PM
from Stardock ForumsStardock Forums

ok for a couple of reasons mentioned and a couple of reasons not mentioned, I'll drop the entry fee suggestion (not that it was going to go anywhere).  I'm probably most inline with what Tridus says, "..it might be possible to persuade Stardock to donate some swag for prizes."  And I think what I'd like to see Stardock do is have 'winners' get a prize consisting of a coupon code discount for the game to give away to friends.  Since my friends don't game this doesn't help me any - but I see this as a way to benefit Stardock (through increasing their player base) as well as the larger player community, without requiring an outlay of cash/swag.

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Chirmaya
Scorpiana
Join Date 02/2006
+10
Reply #9 July 28, 2009 3:20:55 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

I really love that category idea. I am just wondering how I would work the prize into that system. Maybe if the categories were limited. Or perhaps only prizes for certain categories. Hmm... *Ponders*

As you seem to think about doing more than one competition, why don't you choose a different category everytime? That way, you can start with something relatively easy (Best new model) and work up to some really extensive mods (Best Total Conversion). This way, you also give people a chance to improve their knowledge of the mod-tools and the game and start out with something easier...

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Chirmaya
pigeonpigeon
Join Date 11/2008
+71
Reply #10 July 28, 2009 3:40:33 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

This way, you also give people a chance to improve their knowledge of the mod-tools and the game and start out with something easier...

And give them time to actually make the more complicated stuff. Learning how to mod is only part of the challenge - it takes people months (sometimes years) for people to finish some of the more extensive mods out there, even after they're comfortable with the modding...

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Chirmaya
SaberCherry
Join Date 03/2009
+5
Reply #11 July 28, 2009 3:44:09 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

I'd be interested in an AI-mod competition, based on objective results from an AI-only tournament.

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Chirmaya
KellenDunk
Join Date 10/2008
+15
Reply #12 July 28, 2009 8:59:21 PM
from Elemental ForumsElemental Forums

Quoting SaberCherry,
reply 11
I'd be interested in an AI-mod competition, based on objective results from an AI-only tournament.

This one could actually be fun.

Although Brad may be tempted to enter, and I think he would have an unfair advantage!

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