Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 5:28 pm Post subject:
Can you code your way out of a paper bag contest!
Subject description: Ends 3/11/2009
Can you code your way out of a paper bag contest!
Competition Start 1/10/2009
Competition Ends 3/11/2009 1:01 AM
What is this you ask? It’s a mini mod competition for RA2/YR,TS/FS. There have been many VXL/SHP competitions, but all those require some amount of skill. This kind of competition I don't think will need too much. But anyways you have full creative input on whatever you want to do as long as it remains in INI files only. You could just do a balance mod or maybe something like a total conversion were every unit is different or whatever its really up to you. For this competition I don't want any new GFX's, but you can use whatever is in the original mix files.
From what I can remember this has only been an idea, Well I'm going to try to put it in full effect. I'm not 100% sure on how I want to go about scoring this, so what I have so far may change... Maybe... I'm not a fan of rules changing wail the comp is active so it will have to be pretty damn important to get me to change something.
*When the judging is done I will make a mod launcher for each mod submitted, and if you don’t want your code to be public let me know and I will leach kill it.
*Note* this is not meant to be a major or perfect mod. This is meant to be somewhat small. As mods can take forever to make, and I can imagine it’s going to take some time to judge. There is no need for new GFX's and I personally think it makes it a little more fun and challenging to try to make something out of what you have at hand. For people that are worried about GFX's I will not take off points if you re-use units. for example if you want the allies to have a heavy tank just use the apoc gfx, or say if you want to have a hover arty unit just use one of the transport units gfx's (I do not care if it looks 100% right. Hell you could add the turret tag to a unit even though it doesn’t have a turret.). The same thing goes for buildings.
*Also Note* To make this fare the mod must be new and not be something pre-existing or something that you are already working on.
*Only one mini mod submission per person!!!
*You can use RockPatch/NewPatch/ETS!!! (You do not have to use it if you don't want to. You must tell me what version you are using! I will not try to guess!)
No Mod launchers, leachkillers, or mix's!!!
*No strings (.CSF) needed!!! (You can add them if you wish... I will not dock or add points for including them.)
*No new GFX/Map related files!!! (But you can use the un-used files from the original game mix's. But you cant send any new files with the inis.)
*No Mod maps!!!
*No team mates, one person per submission!!!
INI files ONLY!!! *RULES(MD)(FIRESTRM).INI
*ART(MD)(FS).INI
*AI(MD)(FS).INI
*SOUND(MD)(01).INI
That is the list of INI files I will take and score (If you have more I will not count them, Maybe a pie factor or something....). As the ones in the list are the only ones I see needed. I may consider Game modes INI files... if people seem interested in it. It just seems like more and unneeded stuff (Again maybe just a pie factor or something....).
*The scoring on this is going to be very difficult and rather hard to judge I think. As everyone will do something different and everyone has their own play style. So I will keep an open mind. But for the scores I have been thinking and this is the best I can come up with. Also to make it easier for me to judge including a change log will be nice, But it is not needed (Score will not be affected with or without it.).
Score
---------------------
Technical 20 Points (Is the code good and solid, like no IE's or fancy if there is such a thing when it comes to coding.)
Balanced 20 Points (Are the sides equal or are the uneven spamming nuclear grizzly tanks.)
Creative 20 Points (Are you able to pull something good off with only code.)
Game play 20 Points (At the end of it all is it any good.)
AI 20 Points (Does your AI use new units or did it grow smarter.)
---------------------
Total 100 Points
Plus
Pie factor 10 Points (Where I see fit, if any.)
*NOTE* for every IE I find in the code or in game (Only one deduction per IE found), I could take off up to 5 Points on the Technical part, And if need be, it will then start to come off the Game play Section.
Send your submission to me (MadHQ) Via Private Message, At Revora or at PPM only! NO E-MAILS or IM's!
Judge's
---------------
MadHQ
---------------
So far... I am the only judge, as I haven't said anything to anyone about this. Do not offer yourself as a judge right now. I will pick at least one other judge at a later date. I just do not want the only people who might seem interested in entering this competition to be a judge.
*Judging results could take a few weeks after the deadline. Depending on your mod, on-line game play could be tested. Specifically if you are going for a Balance type mod. Simple changes will not need on-line testing.
*Do not steal code from other moders! Make up your own!*
Competition Start 1/10/2009
Competition Ends 3/11/2009 1:01 AM
*Up-Dates*
*<- If you see "*" next to the competition info that means new info or updates.
----------------------
Jan 10th 3pm-ish
-Added sound ini allowance
-Added no new GFX/Map related files (Guess I needed to clarify)
-Added allowance of ETS
-Added notes for one submission per person
-Added code allowance info
-Clarification about strings
-Added Change log request
-Added more info on judging
-Added more info about the competition
-Added no mod maps
Jan 10th 10:30pm-ish
-Added TS/FS INI names
-Added no team mates one person per submission _________________ MadHQ's Graveyard - Click here!
(Permissions) - (F.A.Q.) Last edited by MadHQ on Sun Jan 11, 2009 3:47 am; edited 11 times in total QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Scotland, starting a Revolution Cameo: metricon. Posts:???
Posted: Sat Jan 10, 2009 6:28 pm Post subject:
I would like to enter for TS/FS.
can i ask
Is the use of ETS allowed?
Can you include maps?
How many submissions per person? 1 RA2/YR/TS/FS or 1 RA2/YR 1 TS/FS etc
and
Are you allowed to place working versions of files or a replacement in with the Ini files to replace a non working file/game file in game?
eg a working probe.hav or a new load screen _________________ Creator of TS:BoB and some other things that might be good when finnished. QUICK_EDIT
Humm... this looks good, Looks like people are interested. I didn't know if people would be to hot for the idea or not.
Quote:
Soo is a mini- mod contest, and you will have to use just the red alert 2 codes and no more assets and make a mod?
Yes, just use what you have at basic install of RA2/YR/TS/FS. Along with RP/NP/ETS.
Quote:
I would like to enter for TS/FS.
can i ask
Is the use of ETS allowed?
Can you include maps?
How many submissions per person? 1 RA2/YR/TS/FS or 1 RA2/YR 1 TS/FS etc
and
Are you allowed to place working versions of files or a replacement in with the Ini files to replace a non working file/game file in game?
eg a working probe.hav or a new load screen
My bad didn’t even think about ETS.
No new maps only INI files.
Only one submission per person.
No new gfx related files only inis.
Quote:
Will the codes be posted for the rest of the community? That would be AWESOME!
I will post the mods once judging is done. And If the person doesn’t want the code for public view I will leachkill the mod. _________________ MadHQ's Graveyard - Click here!
(Permissions) - (F.A.Q.) QUICK_EDIT
hmm this does indeed sound interesting...if I can find the free time then perhaps I will get in on this one too. Though free time is something I don't have much of anymore. _________________ Kalistia Crestland (2)
In Soviet Russia, grass grows on tiberium! QUICK_EDIT
I want to say I'm sorry for all the changes that have been made so far, This type of comp hasn't been done before and needs to be worked out. And it should only be for a few days I think... Here pretty soon it all should be worked out... I hope...
But thanks for every one who seems interested, I hope to see your submission.
Quote:
Can there be more than one ppl per entry? (i.e., teams)
No... Sorry only one person per mini mod. If this comp kicks off good, and looks like another Comp can be done. Me or if anyone else wants to do a comp like this can allow for teams.
Quote:
Hey MadHG, there is a problem if we want to create new tanks with the images of the red alert original ones?
What do you mean?
If you mean like useing 1tnk/2tnk/3tnk/4tnk or any other un-used GFX's in the original mix's, Then YES!!! Please do! Dont worry if it looks odd. Thats not what this comp is about. Its about the coding and the challenge of making a mod with only ini files.
Oh! And its MadHQ! (LOL MT got to it before me. )
Quote:
Great. Time to unleash mammoth mk9001 Ion launcher.
That just sounds awsome on so many levels! _________________ MadHQ's Graveyard - Click here!
(Permissions) - (F.A.Q.) QUICK_EDIT
If you mean like useing 1tnk/2tnk/3tnk/4tnk or any other un-used GFX's in the original mix's, Then YES!!! Please do! Dont worry if it looks odd. Thats not what this comp is about. Its about the coding and the challenge of making a mod with only ini files
Okay thanks, and i don't worry with thoses, i maked a lot of funny mods in tibed in the past xD QUICK_EDIT
alright kickass ive been meaning to convert a mapmod i made into a mod for TS. _________________ Go to CJ get yo BJ only 2.99 fo a limited time - The Chronicals of BJ written by myself. QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 25 Sep 2006 Location: Teamblackistan Posts: Over 9000
Posted: Sun Jan 11, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject:
hah, this is bringing me back to my beginner days; I started out modding with just rules and art up till I joined the community in 2006.
It's like coming full circle _________________ The Fall of Hammerfest - Epic Tiberian chain story
Tiberian Odyssey mapping department. Discord The Team Black Index QUICK_EDIT
You said that we can use whatever is in the original mixes right? Can we use the turret swap method to create new units? as long as we can reference the original westwood work? _________________ You come for the modding but you stay for the Crap Forum. QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Location: laptop? ... otherwise the Czech Republic -> south Moravia Posts: long int Posts;
Posted: Mon Jan 12, 2009 1:47 am Post subject:
I have more important things to do now...
this reminds me old stage of my mod (ugh, it's 5 years back in time)... _________________
Don't blame the others if you haven't checked your own (in)ability in the first case. QUICK_EDIT
Hey, madHQ, we can use all features in the rock patch like new superweapons,etc... or just can use the 200 unit limit, new colors,etc...?
MadHQ wrote:
*You can use RockPatch/NewPatch/ETS!!! (You do not have to use it if you don't want to. You must tell me what version you are using! I will not try to guess!)
I would assume yes to most features.. but nothing that requires new art..
QUICK_EDIT
How about allowing HEX-editing (modifying the Game.exe file with a HEX editor, preferably INSTEAD of allowing ETS, RockPatch or anything like that)? _________________ Last edited by Bittah Commander on Mon Jan 12, 2009 5:17 pm; edited 1 time in total QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere in Germany
Posted: Tue Jan 13, 2009 11:14 am Post subject:
Re: Can you code your way out of a paper bag contest!
MadHQ wrote:
*NOTE* for every IE I find in the code or in game (Only one deduction per IE found), I could take off up to 5 Points on the Technical part, And if need be, it will then start to come off the Game play Section.
Hm, will IEs that are not caused by the mod count against it as well? this might be a bit problematic with TS/FS submissions, I recently played against a friend and both matches ended with a IE, even though the game was patched with 2.03 and un-modified. In at least one case it was the dreaded WaveClassError. QUICK_EDIT
Not all systems get waveclass errors from TS and I'm sure the judges won't be so unreasonable they'll take points because they keep getting waveclass errors.
Damned Machine wrote:
Why "INSTEAD" of using rp/np/ets/etc? not everyone would be willing to hex edit the exe.. how about hex edit ALONG with the patches.
Well, in my opinion everything should be your own work and aside from that ETS isn't exactly stable FAFAIK (meaning you'll get plenty of IE's from it). In my opinion it's simply fair if all coders have the same unmodified stuff to work with (it would be ideal if everyone would simply only use TS or TS and RA2 minimods are judged separately even IMO). _________________ QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 26 Apr 2003 Location: Somewhere in Germany
Posted: Wed Jan 14, 2009 7:07 pm Post subject:
Slave Miner wrote:
If he allowed hex edits I'd win, it's that simple.
Yeah, I can imagine that
Bittah Commander wrote:
Well, in my opinion everything should be your own work and aside from that ETS isn't exactly stable FAFAIK (meaning you'll get plenty of IE's from it). In my opinion it's simply fair if all coders have the same unmodified stuff to work with (it would be ideal if everyone would simply only use TS or TS and RA2 minimods are judged separately even IMO).
Agreed. It would also make judging a lot easier (and potentially faster). QUICK_EDIT
Well, in my opinion everything should be your own work and aside from that ETS isn't exactly stable FAFAIK (meaning you'll get plenty of IE's from it). In my opinion it's simply fair if all coders have the same unmodified stuff to work with (it would be ideal if everyone would simply only use TS or TS and RA2 minimods are judged separately even IMO)
You have a good point there. what exactly could one accomplish by hex editing the exe anyways ? (after looking with notepad++ in hex view I found myself lost instantly ) QUICK_EDIT
It's true the average modder can't do a whole lot with a HEX editor, but there's a bunch of simple things that can be done... Drop Pod infantry can be changed, colors can be changed and for the hell of it you could even rename all INI flags
Now that I think of it changing the Drop Pod infantry would probably be the only thing I'd really want to do (HEX editing-wise) for the minimod however...
Maybe I'll make a couple new discoveries while messing around with it however, it has happened twice while I was working on DTA after all _________________ QUICK_EDIT
Joined: 19 May 2008 Location: Scotland, starting a Revolution Cameo: metricon. Posts:???
Posted: Wed Jan 28, 2009 4:48 pm Post subject:
BUMP
is there any more information on this topic and is this contest still going ahead as we havent herd any thing for a while _________________ Creator of TS:BoB and some other things that might be good when finnished. QUICK_EDIT
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Can you code your way out of a paper bag contest!
I didn't know if people would be to hot for the idea or not.
