Ridiculous Improv Mapping Contest
 

Inspired by a thread PlunK did last year.

Im going to set the deadline to October 1st 12:00 PM EST, but that may be overkill considering what the rules are and could change. Stay on top of your game by taking heed of any posts that are all like "Hey guys changed the deadline in the OP, you should probably check it out"

BUT WHAT IS THE CONTEST?
Create the most interesting, fun, and varied single player level you can.
In one screen.

640x480 dimensions is your limit. Jazz (i.e. the Player) cannot leave the confines of this playing field size.

You are allowed to set a specific res it has to be played at as well, if you're into that sort of thing (like 320x200).

I will grade all of the entries on a completely randomized set of standards that I'll probably decide on a whim the day submissions end, so don't worry about your skill level since it may have no affect on what Im looking for!

Finally you can pester me to explain more of my purposely vague contest rules, and I'll maybe be less vague. The spirit of the contest is to have fun and be goofy, so don't over think things and be expressive.

Wanna do a short series of tests? Go ahead! Wanna be artsy and make a level that focuses entirely on eyecandy and atomsphere? Go ahead! Your imagination is the only limit! Well, 640x480 is the limit, but thats not very inspirational. Single Player too! Thats also a limit! Don't forget it! Although you could be cheeky and submit a level that technically works in two broad gamemodes if you wanted, but don't do that just cus I said you could.


GO GO GO

Entrants
Puffie40 - Music Test Level
Dermo - Losing My Religion
Obi1mcd - Circuit Breaker
n0 - 20x15 (from n0 to n00b)
Djazz - Cruxmas
Spaz18 - Metallic Mayhem

I have an idea, but considering my track records for previous competitions where I originally intended to join I'd better not promise anything

Props for doing a contest anyway! Newsposting it asap.

I'll have a shot. Its also 20 tiles for width and 15 tiles for height to make it a 640x480 level.

Seems like such a size would lend itself well to a puzzle type gameplay.

I haven't made any levels in a bit, but I'll throw together something ridiculous for the occasion.

I think I'll pass on this one. I'm curious to see what other people will make, but 20x15 has never been that interesting in my experience. I can think of a few neat ideas for a tiny level, but they'd all need to be a little bit bigger than one screen. As it is, these rules are just too restrictive to make anything that's worth playing.

This seems like a contest geared towards levels that look cool, rather than ones that play well. FS's point about puzzles also applies, but I doubt said puzzles would be very sophisticated.

Oooh. This sounds interesting. I might enter. It sounds like a fun concept, and though I never get anything finished by a deadline, surely I can finish one screen.

I think I'll reinstall JJ2 just to make this.

Can I use some space for small system? It would be seen only at the start.

I'll definitely give this a shot. Question: Does only sprite 4 have to be 640x480 or do all of the layers have to be that size?

Jazz cannot leave the 640x480 play area. Make of that what you will.

I guess I am in. Where to show you our levels? To upload them on J2O or to send you via PM or ...

Hah, I don't expect to win or anything, but it turns out I have a level that fits those requirements!

The Music test level

I shall attempt to make something for this! I am not entirely certain my idea will come out well, but we'll see I suppose.

My level is already almost ready!

Wherever you feel is best. J2O should be fine though.

I'll make a Spaz and Lori only level so Jazz will never leave the 640x480 area.
I'm in, such a relaxing kind of level making is just what I needed.

Okay, I'm in with a slightly generic level that should be finished sometime tomorrow.

Will a custom tileset give me bonus points?

I'm feeling especially ridiculous for this contest. Would multiple entries be accepted, by any chance?

Il consider doing this, as I did similar contests for ctf a few yrs back. When I did that I found that a 40x30 (2x2 screens) had much better creative potential because it was small enough to inspire but big enough to not be cramped and/or limiting. Anyways props for the contest!

My entry:

http://jj2stuff.webs.com/Losing%20My%20Religion.zip

Sendspace mirror link:

http://www.sendspace.com/file/180jl4

(sorry it was too big for J2O so there went the convenience factor)

(Also I mirrored it on Sendspace just in case I run out of bandwith on the first link)

I feel that if your 20x15 level is too big for J2O, you're doing something wrong.

Not at all, it's just the music file weighing it down.

I'm music piece short of completion.

Here ya go

Edit: Use this entry instead

Done my entry! :cool:

I see that the tuf boss is a popular choice.

Keep the entires coming guys! Shortened the deadline to October 1st so anyone still working has about a week and a half left. This date is negotiable if enough people feel they need more time.

Yes.

Multiple entries, you say? What about a series of entries (that must be played in order)?

Ooh. Maybe I'll come up with a better concept.

Is it a bad thing if the level must be run from JCS?

I tentatively want to say yes, but I'm not sure if it will jive with how I'm planning to handle multiple entries. I'll get back to you.

Just make a note of it, it'll be alright

I forgot to mention. This MUST be played with Jazz. And pausing it WILL break it. Keep that in mind. Difficulty doesn't matter. I don't see why this level wouldn't be legal, based on the rules I've read throughout this post. I hope I get a placement with it :D at least second or third.

And I know it's been done before... So shut up. This one was done differently, however.

Damn, after seeing all those entries I knew it'll happen. I guess there won't be any other people in need for more time so I'm going to rush. Hope I'll make it before the deadline.

I have now sent you my submission through PM.
Edit: Almost forgot, remember to run it from JCS. Make sure that Caps Lock is off.

Oh right, I'd also like to ensure if TSF-only levels are accepted (I believe they should as there's no rule saying they aren't, just ensuring not to waste time working on something what wouldn't get accepted).

By the way, is there a prize of any sort?