New Construct 2 Competition!!!

With the support of the great folks at Scirra, we (Fun Chowder Games) have been permitted to promote a new Construct 2 games competition on the forums!

Details including contest guidelines, and prizes will be announced shortly (including a Construct 2 business license for the 1st place winner courtesy of Scirra!).

In the meantime I will ask the forum this, would you prefer a "free-for-all" competition where you are free to make whatever sort of game you like with whatever theme you like? Or would you prefer a specific theme to follow, akin to the last competition's "space" theme?

Also, would you rather have entries subdivided into generlized categories: e.g. Puzzle game, shooter, platformer, adventure, etc..., with the winners in each category competing for the top positions? Or just have the entries all lumped together for judging and merely sorted into categories for convenience?

Until things get hammered down, we are very fluid :) Fun Chowder Games is still just a work in progress, and this competition is being rolled out as we prepare for an official launch later this year. http://funchowder.com/

Any thoughts/feelings/ideas would be welcome :)

Edit: Finalized competition details will be posted 4pm tomorrow (Nov.11), Atlantic Standard Time. Feel free to provide input until then <img src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" align="middle">

Disclaimer: Posted with the permission of Scirra

Update:

Still about 5ish hours away from the official rules posting. However here is a little information until then.

The theme of the competition is "Reclamation" (as in to reclaim something). This is a pretty broad topic, for example this includes, but is not limited to: something lost or stolen... an object, memories, or person.

Visual style and location is up to the developers.

This will be a 6 week competition with a deadline of December 23rd 8pm Atlantic Standard Time.

There will be also be secondary, Fre-for-all, competition. At the moment this competition will have no prizes except the prestige of winning. Only one entry per person.

This will be a 3 week competition with a deadline of: December 2nd , 8pm Atlantic Standard Time

Note: Games completed before November 11th, 2011 are not eligible.

Ideas/thoughts/feelings so far?

A free for all is good in that you get a lot of folks who can take what they are working on and direct it to a competition. I think you might want to set up a few things - like saying the game has to have a start screen, a "score" of some kind, and an ending -- basic things like that instead of saying "it has to be a space shooter".

If you have a theme, try to do something like "rebirth" or "seasons" -- something folks can take and run with.

Don't just have 1 winner - folks may give up if they thing they would only come in 2nd or 3rd. Perhaps having winners like "best use of theme" and "best overall" but also "people's choice" perhaps...

I really like the idea of a theme-based competition, with the game type left up to the developer. I think breaking the games up into categories would be useful, but I had no issue in the first competition with them different categories being mixed.

Have there been any internal discussion about the length of the competition?

Appreciate the thoughts :). There will be lots of prizes to go around. <img src="smileys/smiley1.gif" border="0" align="middle" />

We are definately leaning towards having a free-for-all, however there are people that enjoy the challenge of having their hands tied, so figured we would ask.

There will also be a longer timeframe to complete games in this competition, but havn't decided on the exact date yet.

I would say a theme is a must. It levels the playing field and also promotes original ideas (by minimizing use of premade stuff).

A neat thing to have would be a slightly more generous timeframe, the two weeks of the last contest were a bit tight.

Other than that - great to hear more motivating stuff is happening.

Theme is funnier

'cause you know, game is challenge and challenge induce fun

Fixed Theme is challenge, Therefore it's funnier

And I'm tired...

Are games going to be judged on Play only, or is it going to be multiple things like Graphics and Technical stuff as well.

are Teams entering or solo game makers.

Competitons are great, but limit some people who have great ideas but are rubbish at graphics, Then Teams may have an advantage as they have a graphics person, sound person etc.

What about best TEAM game and best SOLO game..? mind you it depends on how many teams there are.

a challenging theme because it allows different creators to interpret the theme base on what they think!

Are games going to be judged on Play only, or is it going to be multiple things like Graphics and Technical stuff as well.

are Teams entering or solo game makers.

Competitons are great, but limit some people who have great ideas but are rubbish at graphics, Then Teams may have an advantage as they have a graphics person, sound person etc.

What about best TEAM game and best SOLO game..? mind you it depends on how many teams there are.

Games will definately be judged on a variety of different qualities. But playability and fun factor would definately have more weight then just graphics. Artstyle is often more important than sheer graphical fidelity. Though a polished look can be nice, if a balance is not struck it could effect gameplay (e.g. game slowdown). Note that not all games need an HD feel either, e.g. retro style games.

As far as entries by solo game makers or teams, we will make no distinction. However, it couldn't hurt to add additional information about the game's development. Sometimes knowing the developers motivations can help players become more deeply connected to the experience. I am reminded of the recent game "The Convergence" by forum member Gammabeam who developed the game in secret to surprise his wife on their 10th anniversary. That backstory certainly aided in the popularity of the game...also there will be a fan favorite poll similar to the last competition, so you never know what can get you those extra votes from players.

themes and subdivided into categories. :)

A theme would be good, puts everyone on an even start :) As long as it isn't something too restrictive.

The CClassic boards had a few competitions, the best of which had some guidelines regarding the theme of the contest. As for the type of game, that's best left to the contestant. Can't wait for the next competition--the last one was a blast!

I would prefer to have a specific theme to follow (it'd help me know what to do instead of being paralyzed not knowing what to do), and have the games divided into sub-categories. Makes better organization sense, and would allow for more winners. :)

Guys, please we must to be realistic !!!

A competition theme means that all those persons are already working on their own

Project have to stop it and start another One for the Challenge Theme.

Imho an open competition to all kind of theme/categories could be great and even receive more projects.

With all these projects You could divide the winners by categories, eg. A winner for a puzzle game, another for the platform, another for the space game, etc...

Having a specified theme allows to have judgement criteria to which the entrants and the jury can relate to. (determined criterias, known from all)

It is realistic to have three top winners over the same theme. It is not realistic to have tons of "winners" in numerous "category". (reminder to everyone that the "Your creation" section is there if you want to post your games)

I mean it would be nice to entrants but honestly, a pain in the ass for those who organize.