Weekend Mapping Madness #3 - Peaceful

[Vengeancekael]

Contestants are to create an experience containing no battles, blood or any traces of violence.
The map type is still quite open, but make sure to create something original.

• No submission may violate any of the site rules.
• If a submission does not follow the map submission rules the creator will be disqualified.
• All submissions must follow the current theme. If any model does not fit, a moderator will tell you as soon as possible as to avoid confusion.
• Your submission must be posted before the deadline. The post containing your final submission must also contain the following:
  • Several screenshots of terrain and gameplay.
  • The file in the appropriate format.
• You must show at least one unfinished preview of your submission, before the deadline, as proof that it’s yours.
• Your submission may not be started/made before the official launch of the contest.
• Judges may not participate.
• Your final submission must be more-or-less bug free.
• Teamwork is not allowed.
  • Finding testers and voice actors to help you with your submission is not considered teamwork.
• Imports may be used in the map, however they must all be credited.
• All multiplayer maps must be under 8mb, so they are playable on Battle.Net.

• First Place: 30 reputation points and your entry on the award icon
• Second Place: 20 reputation points and an award icon
• Third Place: 10 reputation points and an award icon

• Ardenian
• rulerofiron99

Originality	Does the entry bring any new ideas to the table? This may include gameplay mechanics, genre or different iterations of an existing concept.	25pts
Gameplay	The fun factor: Does the whole package create an enjoyable experience for the player? e.g. Are the spell effects satisfying, is there replayability, is the plot compelling, ...?	25pts
Theme	Does the entry conform to the contest's assigned theme 'Peace(ful)'? A map containing blood, gore, violence, fights, anger, unrest, etc. will lose points in this category.	20pts
Aesthetics	The beauty of the map: how well-made is above all the terrain? This includes the right choice of doodads for the theme of the environment, the lighting, the proper use of imported models, etc. Overall, the visuals of the map are judged in this category, thus the terrain and, additionally, the spell effects, the atmosphere of the map (which may include the use of an atmospheric soundtrack), etc.	15pts
Triggers/Performance	Does the map run well performance-wise? Factors which influence this category are: efficiency of the triggers/coding, memory leaks, game-breaking bugs, etc. Due to the contest's short duration, small bugs here and there, which do not retract much from the user experience, will not reduce the contestant's points in this category.	10pts
Polishing	Does the map have a title, an in-game description, a quest log? Is the in-game text clear to read (this may include proper use of colors)? Are there assigned hotkeys for skills and are they easy to use? Are the hero/skill tooltips clean and easy on the eyes? If custom icons were used, were their counterparts (e.g. 'DISBTN', etc.) properly imported?	5pts

The above table is only preliminary and may change till the start of the contest.

• 65% of the winner shall be determined by the contest's appointed judge(s).
• 35% of the winner shall be determined by the results of a public poll.

Weekend Mapping Madness #3 is set to begin on Friday the 14th at 00:00 GMT and conclude on Sunday the 16th at 23:59 GMT.

 

[Vengeancekael]

So uh, I've taken the liberty of changing the judging criteria a little and decided to put more on emphasis on originality, gameplay and theme than the terrain and polishing since this is a three-day contest.
Obviously, since I'm also going to be a contestant, I can't just set the criteria on my own, so the above table is up for further discussion till next week.
For further reference, you can check out the previous mapping madness' criteria and also the criteria of the last mini-mapping contest for reference.

Oh and I'm gonna add a header image later.

 

[hiphop4eva]

Lucky peaceful, it won stealth with only one point more.

 

[Vengeancekael]

You lose.

Ardenian has been chosen as the first judge.

 

[PublishedShadow]

If I'm available that weekend I'll participate.

 

[Vengeancekael]

Great! We need all the contestants we can get.

 

[Shar Dundred]

Does "peaceful" include that other factions (like AI vs AI) are forbidden as well or just for the player?

 

[Landmine]

For the sake of rule clarification: violence is defined by malicious intent. With that in mind...
1. Would natural disasters that hurt/kill players be allowed? Like falling rocks or avalanches; random events that shake up the normal gameplay.
2. There is a map called Sheep Farmer, which is exactly what it sounds like; you build a farm, feed and breed sheep, mostly peaceful gameplay but you can/kinda have to slaughter sheep on occasion (like for money or food). Would that negatively impact the score of the game if it was submitted for this contest?
3. The judging guidelines include "anger and unrest" under the "not-peaceful" umbrella. I'm wondering what this means, like is the gameplay not supposed to be stressful and challenging or you just can't use them as themes for the map?

 

[Cokemonkey11]

Potentially interested

 

[Vengeancekael]

Does "peaceful" include that other factions (like AI vs AI) are forbidden as well or just for the player?

Well you can still include a faction vs faction aspect, but you'd have to make sure the two factions aren't fighting each other or something ;P

For the sake of rule clarification: violence is defined by malicious intent. With that in mind...
1. Would natural disasters that hurt/kill players be allowed? Like falling rocks or avalanches; random events that shake up the normal gameplay.
2. There is a map called Sheep Farmer, which is exactly what it sounds like; you build a farm, feed and breed sheep, mostly peaceful gameplay but you can/kinda have to slaughter sheep on occasion (like for money or food). Would that negatively impact the score of the game if it was submitted for this contest?
3. The judging guidelines include "anger and unrest" under the "not-peaceful" umbrella. I'm wondering what this means, like is the gameplay not supposed to be stressful and challenging or you just can't use them as themes for the map?

1. Obviously wouldn't be allowed - that's pretty much the opposite of peaceful
2. Yeah, I suppose the slaughtering part would make you lose points. Slaughter -> violence -> blood ≠peaceful
3. Lol, no. The plot, the atmosphere and the characters may show signs of anger or unrest, which wouldn't be allowed. But if the gameplay would make the player angry or uneasy, then that might make you lose points in the gameplay category, not the theme category.

Potentially interested

Yaaaay!

 

[Kino]

How would a map that mentions violence but does not depict it be rated?
For example; a character mentions wars/battles in the backstory even though no real fighting is included in the map's gameplay.

 

[Daffa]

I don't see it not peaceful through word mentioning, but if a flashback of the war is created, then I think it's not peaceful.

 

[Vengeancekael]

^What he said.
edit: Also guys please do give your thoughts on the judging criteria in the main post.

 

[Arad MNK]

I Join.

 

[Vengeancekael]

Great!

Again guys, thoughts on the judging criteria if possible. Even if you agree with the points, at least let me know with a short comment.

 

[Arad MNK]

Yeah !
The Criteria seems Fine, However adding a "Uniqueness" Table wouldn't hurt. Right?

 

[rulerofiron99]

Great!

Again guys, thoughts on the judging criteria if possible. Even if you agree with the points, at least let me know with a short comment.

I'm perfectly happy with them, good adjustment.

Yeah !
The Criteria seems Fine, However adding a "Uniqueness" Table wouldn't hurt. Right?

That's under the Originality section.

 

[Cokemonkey11]

I'm going to sit this one out. Have fun, everyone

 

[Arad MNK]

That's under the Originality section.

I believe Uniqueness depends on Gameplay but Originality depends on The Plot.

For example The Idea I have for my map for this Contest might be Original, but not Unique.

 

[Aeroblyctos]

So next weekend huh? Maybe I should skip a party and do something fun I used to do so much back in the past.

First I, just like everyone, have to think a nice idea.

 

[Rex.]

Aww, 40 reputation isn't enough Kael! +5 to all of the places!

 

[Ardenian]

I believe Uniqueness depends on Gameplay but Originality depends on The Plot.

For example The Idea I have for my map for this Contest might be Original, but not Unique.

I partly agree with Arad MNK here. I make a difference between uniqueness and originality.
Tho, I don't think there should be a separate section for it and in case there is, just a minor with a maximum of 5 or 10 points. One can simply add it as sub-point to originality, I guess, as it was said.

 

[rulerofiron99]

I believe Uniqueness depends on Gameplay but Originality depends on The Plot.

For example The Idea I have for my map for this Contest might be Original, but not Unique.

Originality includes both plot and mechanics choices.

Something that is original is the first thing like it to be created. If there is only one of something (after its first creation), it is also unique.

 

[Vengeancekael]

^ What that green butcher up there said.

Seriously, uniqueness is mostly a synonym of originality. (Yes, I know, there are different nuances, but let's not get into discussions about that)

Both plot (if there is one) and gameplay ideas are included under 'Originality'.

 

[Landmine]

With everyone debating uniqueness/originality, I want to mention that I think giving that section 25 points is a little high. It's worth more than following the theme, which is basically the point of having the contest. Maybe swap them: theme is worth 25, originality is worth 20.

 

[Vengeancekael]

Yeah sure, I'd be okay with that.

 

[All_Time_Pro]

Where would we submit our map once we are finished with it? Haven't started yet just wandering

 

[PublishedShadow]

I understand violence is a no go, but out of curiosity would units dying of old age be considered against the rules? As in not killed, but more so a natural death?

 

[rulerofiron99]

I understand violence is a no go, but out of curiosity would units dying of old age be considered against the rules? As in not killed, but more so a natural death?

That's fine.

 

[Ardenian]

With everyone debating uniqueness/originality, I want to mention that I think giving that section 25 points is a little high. It's worth more than following the theme, which is basically the point of having the contest. Maybe swap them: theme is worth 25, originality is worth 20.

I disagree. If you just reproduce a peaceful map it is not very original.
While the theme is the main focus and the essence of the map, I think it is also important the map idea itself is unique.

Originality shouldn't lose points in favour of theme, in my opinion.

 

[Vengeancekael]

Where would we submit our map once we are finished with it? Haven't started yet just wandering

You'll definitely have to post WIPS (work-in-progress, either a test version or just screenshots) and your final entry will be attached to a post you make in this very thread.

 

[Arad MNK]

There's a Question:
Should we bring out a BB-Coded/Qualifying Map Description here as well as the Map section or no?

 

[Vengeancekael]

No, just write a line or two about how the game works. No fancy bbcode needed.
Credits will of course have to be mentioned in the post/in-game, in case you use imported resources.

 

[A Void]

It's hard to grasp peace in a "War"Craft game.

 

[Landmine]

It's hard to grasp peace in a "War"Craft game.

That's what makes this contest interesting. I think I have my idea planned out for the weekend. But coming up with interesting mechanics without any violence is definitely a challenge.

 

[A Void]

That's what makes this contest interesting. I think I have my idea planned out for the weekend. But coming up with interesting mechanics without any violence is definitely a challenge.

I would join too but I can't find any good idea that doesn't involve anything that is peaceful. A character who worries or is stressed out is not peaceful, it's just hard to think of anything interesting and not boring with peace in mind.

What exactly does your idea involve? Any clues? (You don't have to reveal")

 

[Vengeancekael]

Nature's always an easy possibility.

 

[hiphop4eva]

I would join too but I can't find any good idea that doesn't involve anything that is peaceful. A character who worries or is stressed out is not peaceful, it's just hard to think of anything interesting and not boring with peace in mind.

What exactly does your idea involve? Any clues? (You don't have to reveal")

That is where your brain needs to work hard.

 

[Kino]

It's hard to grasp peace in a "War"Craft game.

That is the unfortunate side effect of the theme being suggested and set by people with no intention of joining.

 

[Landmine]

I would join too but I can't find any good idea that doesn't involve anything that is peaceful. A character who worries or is stressed out is not peaceful, it's just hard to think of anything interesting and not boring with peace in mind.

What exactly does your idea involve? Any clues? (You don't have to reveal")

Go Fish 2 is the root of my idea. A leisurely game where you go fishing that is somehow fun every once in awhile. Now that I think about it, I wonder if fishing counts as violence (against animals); not to say I'm doing fishing.

 

[Vengeancekael]

Well yeah, you're essentially killing the fishes.

 

[Chaosy]

Giant nope. This is pretty much the only option didn't want to win..

 

[Vengeancekael]

Boo.

Come on guys, be a little creative. Just imagine what you'd think of when you hear the word peaceful. ;D

I think my idea's all set, though I still need to extend it or else my map will be quite short...

 

[Landmine]

Boo.

Come on guys, be a little creative. Just imagine what you'd think of when you hear the word peaceful. ;D

I think my idea's all set, though I still need to extend it or else my map will be quite short...

People have to think outside the box with this challenge. Though, checking my entire map collection I can only find 2 100% peaceful maps: Maze Builder and Pictionary (and the first still has you shooting slow-missiles at creeps, IIRC, so that's a no-go without changing it to a slow-aura or something). I mean there's also Go Fish, Blizzard's Grand Prix, and Blizzard's Funny Bunny Egg Hunt but one has the death of loads of fish; another the mass slaughtering of sheep, battleship bombardments, and blowing up other racers (to name a couple things); and the last contains demonic bunnies from hell trying to murder your butt. There's probably a reason for such few maps of this type to reference.
But for my map I just need to think of mechanics that keep it interesting after 5 minutes; otherwise I'm pretty much ready for the weekend. This certainly is a tough challenge, though.

PS: If any of you not-very-creative people didn't pay attention, I just listed out a bunch of references. Use them as inspiration for your own ideas.

 

[Vengeancekael]

But for my map I just need to think of mechanics that keep it interesting after 5 minutes

Literally me.

 

[rulerofiron99]

I'll probably be making the factory automation map I've been wanting to make for the better part of a decade.

 

[Shar Dundred]

I've decided to participate as well. Let's see if I can make a "peaceful" map interesting enough...

My incredible mind already got some ideas...

 

[A Void]

I won't reveal much, but it will be about solving puzzles, exploring and making choices. One choice will change the outcome of your perception.

 

[hiphop4eva]

My first WIP!

I won't reveal much, but it will be about solving puzzles, exploring and making choices. One choice will change the outcome of your perception.

WIP 01

Wrong site buddy.

 

[Shar Dundred]

@A Void: The contest starts on friday, not thursday..