Adventure Building Challenge

[Legacy_henesua]

               

The ADVENTURE BUILDING CHALLENGE seeks participants. That means you.

"What?" you ask.

Let me elucidate, friend.

In the spirit of the Custom Content Challenge, we are kicking off holding a new monthly challenge in which the participants challenge themselves to conceive, complete and submit their creation by the end of the month. The focus of the ABC however is to build adventures for the community's players rather than art assets for builders. Its like a game jam for NWN, but instead of two days you get the better part of a month to make your adventure. Like the CCC we plan to conduct a monthly poll to decide the themes of the next ABC, but for this first challenge we are leaving adventure options wide open.

BUILDER'S REVIEW
Participants are currently reviewing each other's submissions to the March challenge.
2013 March's Modules are available on the vault.
Feel free to discuss the modules in the March 2013 Thread.

CHALLENGE:
April's Adventure Building Challenge begins Monday April 1st and ends Friday April 26th.

POLL:
The Poll for the Adventure Seeds to be sprouted in the next Challenge are currently closed. In May we will be doing something completely different.



RULES:

• Modules may be of any play length you like. It is recommended that the adventure require no more than an hour to complete, but like the Pirates say, this is just a guideline.
• Modules shall be playable in vanilla NWN, meaning that third party add-ons (NWNX, NWShader etc...) are not required to play it.
• The Module itself shall be the work of the participant, BUT scripts, conversations, blueprints etc... may be from any source. This means that anything contained within the module is NOT restricted. Please do provide credit to the makers of any resources you are using in your Readme.
• Module Specific Custom Content (AKA the other stuff you submit with your module) is restricted to one of each filetype: HAK, TLK, Character File, Movie, etc... AND to a maximum combined size of 12 MB. Including a READ ME is encouraged as players will at the least need some installation instructions. (Note: It is strongly encouraged that HAK, TLK and Module all share the same name to make things easier for users.)
• Sponsored Custom Content is NOT restricted. Please see Adventure Building Challenge Resources for a complete list of custom content you may use in addition to the Module Specific Custom Content described above. Keep in mind that you will not be packaging Sponsored Custom Content with your submission. Players of your work will thus need to be directed to download and install the content in order to play your module.
• Optional Player Content is NOT restricted. You are welcome to encourage players to use enhancements with your module. For example, you could upload custom music to the vault that your module is setup to use. Players that download the music will hear it. Others won't, but otherwise can still play. The same goes for sound affects, overrides etc.... Feel free in your installation instructions (README) to encourage players to download these. As long as the resources are not required to play your module there is no problem with setting up your module to take advantage of them.
• All Deliverables which includes your Module, and Module Specific Custom Content are to be sent via email in one archive (eg. ZIP, 7Z, RAR). Although not required, including a Readme in the archive is recommended as players may need instructions. (If you are particular about the name you would like your work posted under or any other pertinent details, please let us know when you send it in.)
• Entries received after the deadline will not be accepted.

RIGHTS OF THE PARTICIPANT

Builders retain ownership of their submittal. It is important to us that you understand that you retain full rights to your work. When you submit your work to the ABC you are giving us the right to post it under your name as one of the submissions in the month's challenge. If you do not want your work posted by us, but still wish to be recognized as a participant in the challenge, please contact us and we'll work something out.


SPONSORED CUSTOM CONTENT:
In order to get this challenge off the ground, we need sponsors. That means you, Artists, Creators, Musicians and all other NWN Creatives. Please step up and sponsor your art for use in the ABC.

Sponsored Content is CC offered by its creator(s) to be used in the Adventure Building Challenge. The idea is to give the latest and greatest content a chance to shine, and have a common list of resources available for builders participating in the challenge. To be Sponsored Content the CC must be in a package ready to be used by a module, and available for download somewhere on the internet, like for example a HAK pack on the NW Vault. Typically this does mean a HAK, but we're open as long as you explain how your content is used out-of-the-box.

We'll maintain a list of links to all Sponsored Content available for use in the challenge. This list will not be updated in the middle of the challenge. So if you want your art work to be used by participants, let us know that you want to be an ABC Sponsor before the first Monday of next month.


OUR SPONSORS (SO FAR) INCLUDE:

• Project Q
• Custom Content Challenge
• ShaDoOoW
• Senemenelas
• Tarot Redhand
• NWN Baba Yaga
• PLUSH HYENA of DOOM
• _six
• Asymmetric
• Zwerkules

               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 26 mars 2014 - 09:40 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Squatting Monk]

               

henesua wrote...

Unique Custom Content is restricted to one of each filetype: HAK, TLK, Character File, Movie, etc... AND to a maximum combined size of 12 MB. (Note: It is strongly encouraged that HAK, TLK and Module all share the same name to make things easier for users.)

Emphasis mine. Does this allow for usage of common packs like Q or the CEP?
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Squatting Monk, 25 janvier 2013 - 01:27 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_henesua]

               Sponsored Content is where packages like Project Q, CEP, or the CCC releases come in. Someone with control of those projects will have to sponsor their availability for use in the challenge by January 31st to be available during the challenge in February.

The main idea behind Unique Custom Content is to enable some flexibility for the builder. It will allow for coordination of different HAKs (once we have some sponsors), creation of custom spells, feats, races or classes, and a small amount of unsponsored CC if you really have to have it.

[edit]
I renamed Unique Custom Content to Module Specific Custom Content to help clarify things.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 25 janvier 2013 - 06:29 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <dropping a couple...>

So the idea behind the ABC is to have some fun doing some light mods (as opposed to the opuses we are all working on (for years, in my case)).

The idea behind the sponsored CC is to give another highlight to neat new stuff, and increase the options for designers.

The idea behind allowing unique, but limited, CC is to further expand builder options while still keeping the scope from getting out of hand.

I.e. we want quick, fun, light mods everyone will be willing to take for a spin.

This should be for *designers* what the CCC is for Makers.

That about right, H?

edit: oh. And I'm definitely participating... ;-)

<...coppers>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Rolo Kipp, 25 janvier 2013 - 03:01 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_henesua]

               You got it, Rolo.

Here's what I said about the idea some years ago:
"I'm really tired of over thinking my own NWN modules, and just want to blitz out a few mods. I've been taking NWN too seriously, as if I was making a commercial grade game. Its time to simply rough it up and have some fun."

After getting bogged down in Arnheim recently, I realized again that I had lost touch with why I have been using NWN instead of Unity (my first love) these past couple years. I want to do some quick and fun prototyping that others can play as a relatively finished game.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 25 janvier 2013 - 03:22 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <squirming...>

Ok. Got my first mod :-)
Ooh, it'll be good!
I think...

This thread should be the overview thread... So we need a monthly thread for Feb. :-)

<...with impatience>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Pstemarie]

               I think I can safely speak for the Q Team when I say that we more than happily endorse this endeavor and the use of Project Q in it.

The most current build of Project Q is v1.5 which is available for download from the Project Q site.

http://www.qnwn.net/...id=45&Itemid=94
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Pstemarie, 25 janvier 2013 - 04:32 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_The Amethyst Dragon]

               I like this idea a lot.

Much of it is not my personal work, but as the current CCC cat herder, I'd say previous month's CCC haks (when a combo hak version is available) can be considered sponsored content.  For example, the hak for December 2012 (To the Winner Go the Spoils / End of the Road) is the latest one available, so it would be a good option for February.

This is what makes NWN the greatest game around.  An easy to learn/use platform for adventure/story creation, with the ability to relatively easily include community-made additions.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Lightfoot8]

               hmm,   Just not to burn anyone out or make people have to choose.   Perhape you may want to alternate this with the CCC.   One month do ABC the next do CCC.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <grabbing everything...>

@ AD: Perfect! The previous months CCC feeding into the ABC with the potential of creating one (or more) great demos to feed back into the CCC ;-) Synergy!  

In this case, I'll be using every bit of Spoils for what I hope is a short but wild ride :-)

The dragon's gonna be difficult, though :-/ But then, they should be :-)

@ LF: We thought about that, and are still thinking about it, but
1) the monthly schedule for the CCC works well, and we want to keep the workflow going
2) we're trying to reach all those designers who feel they are not talented enough for CC (they're wrong, btw), but are itching to make *something*; the designers who are bogged down in their own magnificent opuses and need a break (*raises hand*); and the lurkers who love us, but don't really participate.

I.e. we're not trying to seduce people away from the CCC, but to recruit a new segment of the community.

Admittedly there are a few mad men *cough* who will attempt both, but we'll see how the schedule works.

Caveat: I've discussed this challenge with several people and been involved in an advisory capacity to try to get it going, but I don't want people to think it's *my* challenge.
It wasn't my idea, and I'm not coordinating it.
I support it fully, but I'm not herding these cats, either ;-)
My admiration and respect to those who do!
(*whispers* AD, in a pinch, I'd herd the CCC, but I'm immensely grateful you're snapping that particular cat-o-nine-tails ;-)

<...he can get his dwarf to carry>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par Rolo Kipp, 25 janvier 2013 - 01:09 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_henesua]

               **********ANNOUNCEMENT**********

Adventure Building Challenge Resources is posted to the Nevewinter Vault.
Thanks for the snappy approval, Rolo.

*********************************


Adventure Buildng Challenge Resources contains a list of links to all of the Sponsored Content. I'll improve the entry over time. It would be helpful to have other extras uploaded there such as more information about the challenge and the rules. And perhaps a combo HAK for all of the CCC challenges...

For now it will have to do.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 25 janvier 2013 - 02:46 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Tim.G]

               speaking strictly as a player with no ability to mod at all I think this is a terrific idea.  I follow the forums and see all these great new custom content items and never see them in a module.  At a certain age a person doesn't have as much time for gaming and it is hard to do well in a persistent world when your gameplay time comes in 30 min increments.  On the other hand a small single or multiplayer LAN scenario can be played and saved when the opportunity permits.  On top of that every module doesn't have to be "save the world" and "become an epic god" type.  Sometimes it's enough to save the farmer's daughter and win her hand in marriage or free a town from the grips of a mercenary band.  Just in the last few years modules have grown to superb quality and giant size (far better than Bioware's work) and more than anything that leads to unfinished modules by players and builders.
This concept has way more potential for success than a level 1 to level 40 module that takes sixty hours to complete and 4 years to build (they're great and I love them but I don't have that kind of time and I can't be the only person who works long hours).  By all means keep the bigger stuff coming but don't let the Giant Redwoods keep the little trees from growing too.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Shadooow]

               

Squatting Monk wrote...

henesua wrote...

Unique Custom Content is restricted to one of each filetype: HAK, TLK, Character File, Movie, etc... AND to a maximum combined size of 12 MB. (Note: It is strongly encouraged that HAK, TLK and Module all share the same name to make things easier for users.)

Emphasis mine. Does this allow for usage of common packs like Q or the CEP?

Imo shouldn't, why to include 5gb of haks (cep2) or 1.7(Q) for a hour, two lasting module?

On the other hand, there is useful content in both packages the builder can use - and ripping this content would be awful to do and in case of Q which has unique content also violation of their rights I think.

Anyway, if the Q is allowed, then CEP2 should be as well, both are big CC packages and its only fair to include either both or none into this contest.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <tip-toeing lite-heartedly...>

*Any* custom content is allowed... as long as the owners give their consent (sponsor) it to the ABC, as Q did and the CCC. But we specifically want to avoid two things:

1) As you mentioned, having to DL huge packages to play these mods. If the players already have them or are willing to DL them anyway, great! But they are not *required* by the challenge.
2) Encouraging the use of content that has *not* been specifically released to the community in general or the ABC specifically. CEP has historically been unwilling to allow portions of their content to be separated out for things like this.  I hope they do get on board, but I think it'd be whistling up a storm to use them *without* their explicit, written permission.

There is a similar concern with the CTP, btw, in particular Babylon. I'm not just picking on CEP. If those projects release their content, great. If not, we'll muddle through.

But lets try to keep these mods nwn-lite ;-)

<...along the fence>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_henesua]

               Sponsored Content is an opt in system for Makers who wish to show support for the Adventure Building Challenge.


The backstory....

When Rolo and I were knocking around ideas for this challenge, we both had thought that it was a great idea to link the ABC with the CCC. So in the first month, the makers make content according to The Theme. In the second month, the builders create an adventure showcasing the resources and expanding on The Theme.

While this is a strong concept, it has a couple inherent problems. The one that struck me as a non-starter was that the content from the CCC is not posted by the first monday of the month. So tying the two together would increase the stressload of the CCC organizer. I certainly do NOT want to do that. These challenges are about inspiring creativity and having fun.

BUT I still wanted a way to build off of the CCC's energy, and celebrate the artists in our community. Sponsored Content is what I came up with.


So the main point of a controlled list of content is so that players that want to play these modules don't have to download endless GB of module specific (but likely redundant) custom content, and builders don't spend half the month compiling art assets. The question remained how do we generate this list?

I decided that an opt in system would serve the challenge best. Sponsors indicate that they support the challenge and want to see their content used in it.

The key here is that the Sponsor puts forward their own work. This eliminates the problem of all the participants arguing over which content should be made available. Let me make that even more clear: no one but those that have the right to offer the content for use can Sponsor it. This means that even the ABC can NOT sponsor the content used in this challenge.

I also think it is fun to have Sponsors.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 25 janvier 2013 - 04:42 .