Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

As has become a tradition, this is a simple level design challenge for December. Download past levels here.

April Contest: a tie between Danjen02 and B.J.Earles
May Contest: won by Danjen02
June Contest: won by B.J.Earles
July: a three-way tie between Bigwig, Danjen, and Mystic.
August: a three-way tie between B.J., Danjen, and Jeff.
September: won by B.J.Earles.
October/november: won by the Stew Boy.
December: won by The Mystic.



It works like this: you download the template level found here ( well, except for this month ), and use that to make a level.

The rules are as follows:
(1) You can add whatever you like, but you can't move or delete the objects already placed in the template.
(2) The only exception to the above is that you may change a square wall into an exit.
(3) You can't put anything to the right or below the no-scrolling block.
(4) Levels must be completed in this month, and posted in this thread.
(5) One entry per person; quality trumps quantity.
(6) Majority vote on this forum decides the winner.

Special rule for this month:
(A) 'Tis The Season! Pick either SubTerra or ST2 and make a level with a holiday theme. The obvious pick is Christmas, but feel free to substitute Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Sancta Lucia or something similar in december. No template this month, but try and keep the level below approx. four times the size of your screen. How you fill this in is up to you; you could e.g. have falling rocks and say they're heavy snowflakes, or do something with gifts and chimneys, or whatever. Enjoy!

Good luck!

____________________________
= Radiant =

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[Last edited by Radiant at 01-31-2010 10:16 PM]

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

Despite how simple this template looks, I can tell we we'll be seeing some very interesting puzzles. Can't wait to get started!

Edit: Are you allowed to place extra player objects? It doesn't say you can't but I just want to be sure.

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

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[Last edited by Danjen02 at 04-02-2009 08:44 AM]

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

Danjen02 wrote:
Edit: Are you allowed to place extra player objects?

Yes.

____________________________
= Radiant =

The Stew Boy
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 247
Registered: 05-10-2005
IP: Logged

Question: Do we post our levels here? I've already finished mine.
If so, do we upload 2 levels, one for the left solution, one for the right solution?

Edit: Also, once we submit a level, can we later retract it and submit a new one?

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[Last edited by The Stew Boy at 04-02-2009 11:49 AM]

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

The Stew Boy wrote:
Question: Do we post our levels here?

Yes.

If so, do we upload 2 levels, one for the left solution, one for the right solution?

That would be cool, actually. For that matter, you can also post the level without solution here, and send me the solutions in a private message. Since you can't (to my knowledge) attach files to PMs, that'd require that you upload them somewhere.

Also, once we submit a level, can we later retract it and submit a new one?

I'd rather you didn't, because this kind of defies the whole "one level per person" idea.

____________________________
= Radiant =

The Stew Boy
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 247
Registered: 05-10-2005
IP: Logged

File: april_stew_none.SUB (1.3 KB)
Downloaded 75 times.
License: Public Domain

Ok, well, I'm going to start off with my submission.
This has no working solution, but I don't think it's that hard.

Kwakstur
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 385
Registered: 05-05-2006
IP: Logged

Nice! I'm working on my level right now. It's a little messy, though.

But as far as the contest goes, there aren't a lot of regulars here. I haven't counted, but I think it's currently around 4-5. I think an ideal number would be 7 or 8 entries each month, so I'm going to advertise it in my sig.

Something I thought of: If there is something specific you would like it to say, Radiant, you can revise it. Otherwise, I'll just leave it as is.

____________________________
Also known as ExpHP everywhere else.

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

Kwakstur wrote:
I think an ideal number would be 7 or 8 entries each month, so I'm going to advertise it in my sig.

I think that's a very good idea, thanks.

Oh yeah, SubTerra is one word, not two

____________________________
= Radiant =

wonkyth
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 15
Registered: 06-18-2007
IP: Logged

I'm working on one, but I want a little quality, and most of the levels I (half)make are in subterra2, so I need to get used to the way it works.



____________________________
"Satire denounces the world;
Wit penetrates it;
Humour accepts it;
But Nonsense Transforms it"
- Cedric Whitman
w.r.t. Aristophanes

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

I know what you mean. The ability to make a section of a puzzle solvable by two or more paths is hard under the best circumstances. For mine, I decided to take a more modular approach, and I have the base laid out, I just need to fill the level up with puzzly goodness.

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

Danjen02 wrote:
I know what you mean. The ability to make a section of a puzzle solvable by two or more paths is hard under the best circumstances.

You are welcome to take leeway with that rule if it makes designing things easier for you.

____________________________
= Radiant =

wonkyth
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 15
Registered: 06-18-2007
IP: Logged

We'll see, at the moment I'm just following my nose.

____________________________
"Satire denounces the world;
Wit penetrates it;
Humour accepts it;
But Nonsense Transforms it"
- Cedric Whitman
w.r.t. Aristophanes

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

The Stew Boy wrote:
Ok, well, I'm going to start off with my submission.
This has no working solution, but I don't think it's that hard.

Not to nitpick, but I notice that you removed some of rounded walls to get to the "inner" part of the template. This would break rule 1, as you removed an object already placed.

Radiant wrote:
You are welcome to take leeway with that rule if it makes designing things easier for you.

And not challenge myself to improve my level-making skills? Heck no!

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

Just updating everyone on my level entry so far. Its just over halfway done, having populated 5 out of the 8 rooms. It takes a modular approach, letting the user pick 4 rooms to complete (and only four) before they have to exit the level. The difficulty of the level depends on which path taken, which in turn determines how each room is solved. I have no idea how I did it, but two of the rooms care which way you enter them from, each giving a different "advantage" when working on the puzzle contained within. Hopefully it will be posted before next weekend.

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

The Mystic
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 09-20-2006
IP: Logged

I'm about 25% done with my entry, and probably won't finish until the end of the month.

Radiant wrote:
Special rule for this month:
(A) Early in the level, the player must have a choice of where to go (e.g. left or right). This choice must affect how he plays the rest of the level. Ideally, he'll end up at the same obstacles but deal with them in different ways.

I actually ended up with 3 (count 'em, 3) paths, all mutually exclusive. I'll post the solutions when I post the level.

____________________________
Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.
If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Oh well. Another day, another dementia.

The Stew Boy
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 247
Registered: 05-10-2005
IP: Logged

Danjen02 wrote:Not to nitpick, but I notice that you removed some of rounded walls to get to the "inner" part of the template. This would break rule 1, as you removed an object already placed.

I don't see how using bombs to blow up the walls is breaking rule 1 - I haven't moved or deleted any of the objects placed in the template, have I?

Kwakstur
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 385
Registered: 05-05-2006
IP: Logged

I concur, I don't see anything that was removed. I believe this is a valid entry,

____________________________
Also known as ExpHP everywhere else.

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

D'oh! Stupid me, I was looking at the gaps in the wall during the level, not in the actual editor.

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

The Stew Boy wrote:
I don't see how using bombs to blow up the walls is breaking rule 1

Breaking those walls is certainly allowed. Had I not wanted that, I would have made them steel walls instead.

____________________________
= Radiant =

The Stew Boy
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 247
Registered: 05-10-2005
IP: Logged

File: april_stew_none.SUB (1.3 KB)
Downloaded 61 times.
License: Public Domain

I just realised today that the level I posted here actually isn't possible when going left. What happened was that I recorded the going-right demo, then started the going left, realised it wasn't possible, changed it a bit and recorded the going-left demo. Since they are two separate levels, I actually sent in different levels to Radiant for the left and right solutions. Here is the correct level, all I've done is remove the vertical motion field strip in the top right-hand corner.

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[Last edited by The Stew Boy at 04-12-2009 11:59 PM]

Kwakstur
Level: Smiter

Rank Points: 385
Registered: 05-05-2006
IP: Logged

Whoops, I had better get cracking on this.

I guess the [something DROD-related omitted here for secrecy] will have to wait...

EDIT: Stupid bug.

____________________________
Also known as ExpHP everywhere else.

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[Last edited by Kwakstur at 04-14-2009 07:15 PM]

Danjen02
Level: Roachling

Rank Points: 11
Registered: 11-08-2007
IP: Logged

File: Tetravex.SUB (1.4 KB)
Downloaded 65 times.
License: Public Domain

Here is my entry. Hope you guys like it!

Try and solve it all four ways!

____________________________
SubTerra
- Ultimate rank
- 2009 level design contest, 2nd place

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[Last edited by Danjen02 at 04-19-2009 12:32 AM : I was an idiot and did not attach it. ]

The Mystic
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 09-20-2006
IP: Logged

Radiant wrote:
(2) The only exception to the above is that you may change a square wall into an exit.

I've had a thought. Since my level requires separate exits depending on the direction the player goes, can I change more than one square wall into an exit?

____________________________
Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.
If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Oh well. Another day, another dementia.

The Stew Boy
Level: Master Delver
Rank Points: 247
Registered: 05-10-2005
IP: Logged

Well, the wording of the rule ('a' square wall, not 'exactly one' square wall) suggests that you could theoretically change all of them into exits (except maybe not the rounded ones?)

Radiant
Level: Moderator

Rank Points: 142
Registered: 02-05-2003
IP: Logged

The Mystic wrote:
I've had a thought. Since my level requires separate exits depending on the direction the player goes, can I change more than one square wall into an exit?

Yeah, sure. Go for it.

____________________________
= Radiant =

The Mystic
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 09-20-2006
IP: Logged

Thanks, I just wanted to make sure before I finish my level; it's only about two-thirds complete at the moment. I should have it ready in time; if not, I'll submit it for the 2009 level design contest.

____________________________
Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.
If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Oh well. Another day, another dementia.

wonkyth
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 15
Registered: 06-18-2007
IP: Logged

The Mystic wrote:
I should have it ready in time; if not, I'll submit it for the 2009 level design contest.

I'll say the same about my level, although it's only about a quarter done at the moment. hopefully I should be able to find a gap in my schedule, an hour or so should be enough.

____________________________
"Satire denounces the world;
Wit penetrates it;
Humour accepts it;
But Nonsense Transforms it"
- Cedric Whitman
w.r.t. Aristophanes

The Mystic
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 09-20-2006
IP: Logged

File: 3LevelsIn1.SUB (1.4 KB)
Downloaded 61 times.
License: Public Domain

Finally finished! My entry: Three Levels in One!

____________________________
Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.
If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Oh well. Another day, another dementia.

The Mystic
Level: Goblin
Rank Points: 18
Registered: 09-20-2006
IP: Logged

File: 3LevelsIn1.zip (6.1 KB)
Downloaded 55 times.
License: Public Domain

Here's the solutions to my level.

Radiant: I'll PM you shortly with the password.

____________________________
Either I'm crazy, or everybody else is nuts. And I know I'm not crazy because the little man who lives on my shoulder told me so.
If people don't think there's something wrong with you, there's something wrong with you.
Oh well. Another day, another dementia.

B.J.Earles
Level: Goblin

Rank Points: 18
Registered: 04-29-2009
IP: Logged

Sweet! Contest! I love challenges like this . I may be a little late on starting, but I'll give it my best shot. Be back in a couple of hours.