Adventure Building Challenge

[Legacy_henesua]

               Hmmm.... I like that. If I get through my Tarantino-ish module before times up, I'll see if I can do a one room masterpiece theater kabuki kabob too.

As it is I've only got 4, maybe 5 scenes sketched out for the whole thing and I still don't know if I'll finish my module in time. Maybe I need to reduce to 2 or 3 scenes. Ugg...

One room huh?

*musing*
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_olivier leroux]

               This is a great idea, I'll definitely consider participating at some point. But there are some parts I'm not entirely convinced of yet:

- Why does it have to be an original adventure? Wouldn't e.g. a conversion of an existing story, P&P module or whatever be just as much fun, if well done? The CCC doesn't have this requirement either, if I'm not mistaken - CC creators are allowed to submit new models or icons that were converted from pre-made 3rd party stuff, for example, and I think that's cool. So why not allow the same freedom for builders? The module will still be an original creation, even when all of it's parts aren't.

- A module of 2-3 hours gamelength created within a month, assumably even by some newbies or debut authors, that seems a bit too optimistic to me, but since that's just a guideline, I'd happily ignore it. '>

- I don't really dig the rules about haks; I mean it's cool to put some CC in the spotlight, and especially the one from the CCC, but why not say so up front, e.g. "This month the challenge is to make a module for this specific CC, and this one only". Saying that you can use something as popular and widely-spread as CEP only if it's explicitly offered as "sponsored" content seems a bit strange. And what's the use of trying to keep the downloads for players at a minimum when at the same time everything can theoretically be snuck in through the backdoor of "sponsored" content?

- Why go without a theme for the first challenge? Isn't that what makes these challenges both "challenging" and attractive in the first place? At least for me, it is. I admit I'm kind of lost without a theme, if I wasn't I probably would have created dozens of mini-mods by now ... '> I've noticed there are at least two CCC entries that lack a demo module (Demonic theme and Underwater stuff). Wouldn't it be a great way to establish this new challenge and connect it to the CCC if the first theme was something like: "Pick a CCC entry without demo module and showcase its content in your own short adventure"?

Anyway, just some thoughts and suggestions. '>
               
               

               

                     Modifié par olivier leroux, 31 janvier 2013 - 12:43 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_henesua]

               

olivier leroux wrote...
This is a great idea, I'll definitely consider participating at some point.

Great to see you here, Olivier! And I am glad you are considering participating. But I hope it is sooner rather than later. The time is now! '>

olivier leroux wrote...
- Why does it have to be an original adventure?

The CCC started this way for what I think are good reasons. I also am uncertain that a remake could be churned out in one month. But anyway we'll see how it goes, and if the original adventure only is killing the energy we'll kick the rule to the curb. I'm not convinced its a problem though, and like the pressure it puts on builders to be creative rather than technical. In my view there is too much focus in the world on technical proficience rather than being creative or thinking for yourself. I prefer to encourage people to put their ideas forth rather than allow them to go the safer route of a path already tread.

Still I would like to remake Castle Amber too. '> So I understand. But anyway....

olivier leroux wrote...
- I don't really dig the rules about haks;

Well we'll see how the rules work in practice. So far they are achieving the goals I stated above. Builders have a range of content to use if they want, but its limited. And the art available is the work of an artist still active in the community. The CCC does slightly break this rule, but the CCC is an active group and I think a natural fit for the ABC.

As I stated above in the thread: Originally we were going to limit CC as you described to only specific releases of the CCC. The problem is that this doesn't work in practice. If you want to discuss this decision in depth, please send me a PM. I do think down the road it would be fun to have a month where we simply follow up on the CCC theme, but its not practical to do this every month.

Also I want to be clear we aren't going to post every single HAK that is sponsored by the creator. We are being selective to keep the list of content undercontrol. The rules will evolve to be more selective overtime as well so that the list remains limited to active artists in the community and so on.

olivier leroux wrote...
- Why go without a theme for the first challenge?

Because the decision to launch the ABC came too late to run a poll. I have other reasons too, but for me that was the kicker. The time to launch this challenge is now, and I didn't want anything to stop it from happening.

We'll have themes in the future. I'm putting together the plan for that now. I want it to be tailored for module builders in the same way the CCC theme works for artists, but I am not convinced that the using the same method every month is necessary. I'd like to mix it up so that we have opportunities to team up with the CCC theme, or do a Remake month, or poll for Adventure Seeds on another month. Stay tuned.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 31 janvier 2013 - 01:08 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jackkel dragon]

               I'm so tempted to jump the gun and start something for this. I'm holding myself back by making a sort of mini-hub module and coming up with ideas on how to approach this challenge. I do have a few questions though:

1 - The guideline module length is a suggested maximum, correct? I have a hard time believing I'll get much more than 1 hour of playtime without getting too ambitious for the challenge, so I want to make sure I'm not releasing something too short.

2 - Are the modules expected to be something to the effect of a miniseries, or is that optional? I ask this because I created a few ideas that require continuity to work, but I'm not sure what kind of themes might pop up in future months and thus can't really plan out very far ahead. If these are standalone monthly modules, I might want to pull back some of my ideas so I can focus on the contest and my massive NWN2 project rather than have 3 modding projects.

3 - How would a custom (module-specific) HAK file be treated if it's used to specify specific parts of CCC work to include in the module? While CCC stuff is sponsored content, making a HAK with just what the builder needs would also mean an extra download for players, so I suspect it would count towards the 12 MB limit. Am I correct?

I'm sure I have more questions, but I'm drawing blanks when I try to think of them. Kind of like trying to figure out what to do for the first challenge module now that I have a base module with a bunch of psychopaths living together.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_henesua]

               

jackkel dragon wrote...
I'm so tempted to jump the gun and start something for this. I'm holding myself back by making a sort of mini-hub module and coming up with ideas on how to approach this challenge.

I have the same problem. I've been writing in order to avoid the toolset.

jackkel dragon wrote...
1 - The guideline module length is a suggested maximum, correct? I have a hard time believing I'll get much more than 1 hour of playtime without getting too ambitious for the challenge, so I want to make sure I'm not releasing something too short.

Yeah. a 30 minute adventure is likely much more realistic. I just wrote that so that potential participants didn't try to produce epics. I suppose I'll revise it. But it is only a guideline. Any length is acceptable.

jackkel dragon wrote...
2 - Are the modules expected to be something to the effect of a miniseries, or is that optional?

Completely optional. We'll find ways to encourage builders to keep going in a series if they are so inclined. Perhaps as a backdoor around being limited to the theme. In otherwords we see value in the miniseries, and are looking for ways to enable it, but it is certainly not a requirement.

jackkel dragon wrote...
3 - How would a custom (module-specific) HAK file be treated if it's used to specify specific parts of CCC work to include in the module?

Any custom HAK will count as Module Specific Content regardless of what is in the HAK. You can put anything you want in your Module Specific HAK. We're not going to check their contents. Keep in mind however that all ancillary files HAK, TLK etc... together have the 12 MB limitation, AND you only get one of each. That means at most one character file, one movie etc.... AND that if you have a HAK, a TLK, a BIC, feelies, and README together, a 12 MB HAK will push you over the limit. Module Specific Content is essentially everything except the module in your release. You won't of course need to include the prepackaged Sponsored Content in your release since you'll just be giving players a link to that.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 31 janvier 2013 - 12:10 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Rolo Kipp]

               <nobody can jump the gun...>

Hah! I've already written mine :-) *And* built it! <in his head>
Yup :-) Works perfectly :-) <he's been sitting there, smoking his pipe, drinking his brandy and giggling>
That's at the good part. <for hours>
Well, it's funny. <he's so proud>
*beaming*

Besides, I actually *did* build something of a prequel to the ABC... A year ago. <oh, no>
Yup. "Get Ducky". <*face-wing*>
I built it in a month with only CCC content and it's the first in a little mini series... <redundant>
...I plan to continue with "Hordes!" <haven't you been planning to build sequels all along?>
Hush, bird. That's our dirty little secret. <right>

Anyway, that's part of the challenge, for me; to take whatever theme or serendipitous... <you just made that word up!>
...circumstance (no, I didn't) comes along and warp it... <*that's* apt>
...to my ends.

So "Hordes!" Will continue where "Into the Green" left off. <you mean "get Ducky">
Nope. <you haven't made a mod called "into the green">
Sure I did. It's all up here. *taps temple* <*face-wing* doesn't count, then>
Does to me. < great. so, you're claiming ducky as the first abc?>
Don't be absurd, Bother. I'm only saying that I've built a mod under ABC restrictions and it's part of a series I will continue. <and you're proud of it>

Well, yes. The trick is to not only take this challenge to stretch your skill and get the juices flowing, but to *own* it and really have fun :-) None of us are getting paid for this... <especially cestus>
...so let's enjoy it! <ok. *that* i can agree with>

<...like rolo can jump the gun>
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_olivier leroux]

               I guess the "only one file per file type" rule also means no more than one new song? I've played the hell out of NWN during the last six years or so and I can't really stand to hear the same old songs over and over again ... (also considering that, while generally great, most of the soundtrack of NWN is a bit too dramatic for my taste)

Anyway, even though I'm not sure yet whether I'll participate, I've announced the challenge on the forums of the GOG.com and the Forgotten Realms Unlimited Adventures communities, just in case that encourages some people over there to join in the fun (you never know). I hope that's okay.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par olivier leroux, 31 janvier 2013 - 04:12 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_henesua]

               It is more than OK that you spread the word. Thank you very much.

I share your sentiments about the default music in NWN. Music however is what I call "player optional". A module can be played with or without it. I have no problem with a builder suggesting that a player download music which they upload to the Vault. The key point is that it not be required to play the module. There is plenty of room in the Module Specific Content to include the ambientmusic.2da. One could suggest GBs of music if they wanted. But it would be up to the player to download it.

Incidentally you aren't the only one desiring new music, Olivier. I've been sent PMs asking this very same question. I will have to state that all builders have permission to suggest specific overrides to potential players. This goes for music, portraits, tilesets, any asset type actually. I am sorry to all that I assumed that this would be understood. I think its pretty clear by now that we are figuring this out together as we go along. So don't be shy about asking questions.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 31 janvier 2013 - 05:00 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_jackkel dragon]

               

henesua wrote...
You won't of course need to include the prepackaged Sponsored Content in your release since you'll just be giving players a link to that.

This line intrigues me. When the challenge starts, will there be a HAK that includes all the sponsored content, or are we just using preexisting specified HAKs from the sponsors?
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_henesua]

               Exactly.

We are just using the preexisting HAKs from the sponsors.
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Ribouldingue]

               Hello folks! Well... er... I've been adviced to come and join here. That is done now. I've read above and didn't get half of it. But I'll definitively participate. I don't know when I'll be done but I guess you'll be done for years then. Whatever... I'm there... and glad to be...
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_henesua]

                Glad to have you.

Here's the meat of it:
You have next month to build a module, and submit it to the challenge. Deadline is March 1st.

The rest is garnish.

I will be opening a thread for this particular challenge on February 4th. The idea is like the CCC in which participants post updates of their progress, share in their trials and triumphs. (Here's an example of this month's CCC.) Gratuitous screenshots are welcome, as are you. Typically participants in the challenge declare their participation at the start and give a working title for what they are working on.

Thanks for joining in the fun.
               
               

               

                     Modifié par henesua, 31 janvier 2013 - 10:20 .
                     
                  

            

[Legacy_Asymmetric]

               I'll gladly sponsor my packhorses and shield models:
- Shield models
- Pack horses
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_PLUSH HYENA of DOOM]

               Shabby Hyena Object whinges in a pitiful and REALLY ANNOYING WAY!

I'm having a REALLY hard time with this 12MB thing... I'm all for keeping these Modules simple, but at the same time, I'd like to do something that looks good, and offers the occasional "ooh, that's interesting" moment... For example, there are two of my Custom PHoD Skyboxes I want to use but the texture for a skybox cost 3MB each... I'm sure I'm not the only one running into problems with 12MB...
Any chance of pushing it to, say, 15MB? That's still a manageable size, not nearly enough to support El Epicada Gargatuoso type things but will allow for a few good textures or a few extra little bits of music as others have mentioned, ambient sound etc so each Builder can really add a little touch of their own to their project (whilst still keeping us all more or less under control)!
To me, 15MB would just make all the difference and I think having just enough space in the Module Specific Hak to "personalize" things a bit more would really add to the creative energy... and that's what this is about... right?
Hint, whinge, foam, mumble... (rolls over, sticks all four paws in the air)
PPPPLLLLEEEEEAAAASSSEEEE!
               
               

               
            

[Legacy_Kara_Lucielle_Pythiana]

               Hey, Rolo! It's me, Chaos_Theocrat (You can just call me Jessica if you like, that's my real name).  Did you get my email about my saying Yes to having the four CSP parts combined into one? The first one I sent thruogh AOL got messed up by the Mailer Daemon, so I sent you one through the Vault itself. Also, I am very interested in this contest! So, can anyone participate in the contest once it begins? Would we put on the module itself that it is for the CCC, or will there be an option to choose that in the dropdown list on the module submission page? Lastly, I was curious... are we restricted to using only the custom content on the sponsor list? I'm cool with it either way. Thank you for letting me know about the CCC too... it looks very, very interesting indeed.