Modding Competitions Plan

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).

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.

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!

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.

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*

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.

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!

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.

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...

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...

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!