Automatic Level Design Contest #2
Welcome to the second official automatic level design contest!
What is an automatic level?
An automatic level is basically what it sounds like; a level that beats itself - ALL by itself. On top of your entry having its own original design, you should use various blocks, sprites, and other methods to cause Mario to move throughout the stage without the player having to use any controls. This is a pretty basic example of an automatic level which S.N.N. showed for the first official contest (You should, however, make something more grand than this). Your entry doesn't need to follow any specific theme; just go crazy!
Rules
1. Your stage must be in the form of an IPS/BPS patch.
2. If you choose to leave the overworld unchanged, your stage must use level 105 (Yoshi's Island 1) or else it will not be judged. (Changes made to the overworld won't be scored, as it's not part of the contest)
3. Your stage must be at least 90 seconds in length. The longer, the better, but try to not have your entry last over 5 minutes.
4. Your stage must end with Mario reaching a goal (a goal tape, a goal ? sphere, this block, etc), or Mario "defeating" a boss.
5. A lot of automatic levels have cut-off graphics. Some cut-off rope graphics here and there or something similar is fine, but having a bunch of it or something that looks blatantly ugly will result in a deduction of points.
6. Most importantly, Mario must not die, get stuck, or require controls anywhere in the level. If this rule is not met, your entry will be automatically disqualified. pun intended :o)
7. Please upload your entry to your file bin. (or dropbox, if you must)
8. You may work with a partner.
Deadline: Your entry must be submitted by December 8th at 6:00 EST. (Exactly one month after launch)
Tips
1. Making your level slippery allows for easy movement.
2. These boost blocks are key for giving Mario a big shot of momentum.
3. Use teleport blocks if you want to switch environments.
4. Mario shooting out of a diagonal pipe is a good way to start off a level/section with a lot of momentum.
5. Sticky blocks can be used to stop Mario when he's going really fast.
Scoring
Creativity/Complexity (25): Did your entry contain a good amount of neat quirks and "automated puzzles" that made it unique and fun to watch, or did it consist of nothing but a bunch of note blocks and moving platforms, and/or was just overall very repetitive?
Appeal (15): Did your entry contain different blocks/sprites/etc to make it look stylish and eclectic? Is there little cut-off throughout the stage?
Overall (10): What was the judge's overall opinion of the entry?
Total: 50 points
Can we sync the sounds in the level with music?
If you can pull this off, it will help you in the appeal category, but it has to be done very well for it to be noticeable, and it won't automatically give your entry a high score. Go ahead if you want to, but remember that level design is most important.
Prizes
There will be trophies for the 1st place winner, 2nd place winner, 3rd place winner, and all other participants.
1st:
2nd:
3rd:
Participant:
Note: Don't submit a level that you clearly put no effort into simply because you want the badge; you'll just be disqualified.
That's all! Good luck and have fun! Remember that questions/comments/concerns/whatnot go in the discussion thread.
Welcome to the second official automatic level design contest!
What is an automatic level?
An automatic level is basically what it sounds like; a level that beats itself - ALL by itself. On top of your entry having its own original design, you should use various blocks, sprites, and other methods to cause Mario to move throughout the stage without the player having to use any controls. This is a pretty basic example of an automatic level which S.N.N. showed for the first official contest (You should, however, make something more grand than this). Your entry doesn't need to follow any specific theme; just go crazy!
Rules
1. Your stage must be in the form of an IPS/BPS patch.
2. If you choose to leave the overworld unchanged, your stage must use level 105 (Yoshi's Island 1) or else it will not be judged. (Changes made to the overworld won't be scored, as it's not part of the contest)
3. Your stage must be at least 90 seconds in length. The longer, the better, but try to not have your entry last over 5 minutes.
4. Your stage must end with Mario reaching a goal (a goal tape, a goal ? sphere, this block, etc), or Mario "defeating" a boss.
5. A lot of automatic levels have cut-off graphics. Some cut-off rope graphics here and there or something similar is fine, but having a bunch of it or something that looks blatantly ugly will result in a deduction of points.
6. Most importantly, Mario must not die, get stuck, or require controls anywhere in the level. If this rule is not met, your entry will be automatically disqualified. pun intended :o)
7. Please upload your entry to your file bin. (or dropbox, if you must)
8. You may work with a partner.
Deadline: Your entry must be submitted by December 8th at 6:00 EST. (Exactly one month after launch)
Tips
1. Making your level slippery allows for easy movement.
2. These boost blocks are key for giving Mario a big shot of momentum.
3. Use teleport blocks if you want to switch environments.
4. Mario shooting out of a diagonal pipe is a good way to start off a level/section with a lot of momentum.
5. Sticky blocks can be used to stop Mario when he's going really fast.
Scoring
Creativity/Complexity (25): Did your entry contain a good amount of neat quirks and "automated puzzles" that made it unique and fun to watch, or did it consist of nothing but a bunch of note blocks and moving platforms, and/or was just overall very repetitive?
Appeal (15): Did your entry contain different blocks/sprites/etc to make it look stylish and eclectic? Is there little cut-off throughout the stage?
Overall (10): What was the judge's overall opinion of the entry?
Total: 50 points
Can we sync the sounds in the level with music?
If you can pull this off, it will help you in the appeal category, but it has to be done very well for it to be noticeable, and it won't automatically give your entry a high score. Go ahead if you want to, but remember that level design is most important.
Prizes
There will be trophies for the 1st place winner, 2nd place winner, 3rd place winner, and all other participants.
1st:
2nd:
3rd:
Participant:
Note: Don't submit a level that you clearly put no effort into simply because you want the badge; you'll just be disqualified.
That's all! Good luck and have fun! Remember that questions/comments/concerns/whatnot go in the discussion thread.
