January 10th is a short amount of time for "5 levels/original scenario". It'll be better if you just compare the games and their progress.

Prizes:
200$ first prize would be a good start.

Generally I would much prefer to stay out of this type of discussion, but I feel I must comment.

I think that the idea is quite good - though I really feel a bit more time should be spent in developing it on your part. A lot of things are still not clear, and most of them are things which should really be stated from the get go.

For me, I had been trying to figure out what I felt to be a fair contest for what I can afford to give back to the contestants. I had actually began playing around with the idea shortly after Conitec announced the summer Physics contest. In the end, you will have to come to a balance between the reward which you can give, and the ammount of work which will go into the entries. 5 levels alone are a lot of work. A strategy game (RT or turn based) is a lot of work. 5 levels in a stategy game with an intro video is a huge ammount of work.

Also, you aren't really clear what you are trying to accomplish with this. What will happen to the games when they are completed? Do you expect to keep the winning entry/entries? This is very, very important for anyone who might be thinking of entering, and it is very important that it is made clear from the start.

Finally, how will they be judged? You say a good scenario - but I could make a strategy game which uses a color coded blank map and primatives for "counters" - but uses a kick ass AI and still loose to a game which is mostly eye candy.

Like I said, I think it is a great idea - but I think more time should be spent in deciding on how you will implement it.

Something i would like to see:

+intro (not necessarily an animation, but it should explain the main story in less then 2 minutes)
+1 level about 10 minutes minimum playtime (this would recommend balancing, a very important issue in st games)
+extro statistic (splashscreen including game stats like killed and lost units)

Everything till April 1st (6 months are a minimum for guys who can do this spare time based only).

Prize: This acutally sound like a teamwork job (because it has tons of stuff to care about).

I think 200bucks are way not enough for that much work but it still might be ok for eveybody else.

Mark dont get me wrong plz i dont try to sound mean or anything. It's just a vaque contests if you compare it to the model contest or the 3AM contest. Where all is clear and users know what is expected of them.

I hope people will enter your contest but i hope also
there no hard feelings. I am in no way trying to flame your
topic

@ Marky Mark,

Quote:

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ok my post is finished

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NO, dont give up just yet, check out what people are saying and take it all as good input for you to work on to make a kick ass post about this compitition.
Ask for examples or a pattern to follow when making a post like this then use it to compile your competition post again.
Your CD is still a good idea as many with slow dial ups could win them as variouse prizes (consolation even) depending on the content.
Money will always get a good interest factor if you have it to offer.
Any way, take a break, dont let the comments get to you and come back swinging.
Cheers.

I think its very admirable and selfless of you to start this competition. I haven't seen you asking for anything in return for these prizes you are putting up. You don't have to break the bank, just do what you can afford for the satisfaction you will get out of it.

Being part of a competition is good motivation to work on something (one of the reasons I joined Myrlyn's contest was because I want to learn modeling, not because I thought I'd win). Good on you for starting one!

The others are right, you'll have to think out the rules and requirements a little more. Take in all the suggestions and develop the nature of the competition before you announce the start and end dates (announcing for the third time is okay with me).

Here are some of my suggestions:

Perhaps make it a smaller contest. For example, however many levels anyone makes, just judge the first one, that way more people can enter. That way, people like me who already have other projects (plus work, social life, shopping, laundry...) can try to bang together a small game for the competition.

Contestants should have to show their WIP. This makes it more interesting for everybody and the project unfolds like in showcase.

Be more specific about what you mean by "war game."

That's about all I can think of now.

Don't give up!

Ok. So I think 1 level is good for this contest. the 1st prize can be 200$. Before starting the contest, I want suggestions about the prizes, and your questions about this future contest. So post your ideas, it will help me.

thanks

200$ as prize is excellent
you could count me in

Is it ok for the first april?

NEED SOME PRIZES IDEAS!!! (the 1st is 200$ and your game evrywhere)

maybe this was asked before maybe not but i'd like to know who will judge the games? will there be a jury or something like that?