This time the prizes include at least $500 dollar in cash (Updated)
The goal is to create a mini game that is so much fun that it could have been part of the Super Mario Galaxy series. So it has to be more fun than just running around searching for the level exit, shooting enemies and picking up things. The game preferably runs on Blender 2.49b and uses some Bullet physics such as rigid bodies, possibly with constraints, soft bodies or cloth (flags), or vehicles.
Update December 15, 2009: Please update your wiki-page entry, linked from above contestant matrix, using the same login/password from the Bullet forums.
Update March 2010: added voting links, and result date.
We need to agree on a dedline date. We definately will need at least 3 months to make the games. See the other thread for some of my ideas for rules of the contest.
[edit] I think we should have the three catagories you mentioned, and then a best-in-show(a prize for best in show could be a trophy or something. All the other catagories could have a money prize.)
Will the use of 2.5 be ok? Or will it be restricted to 2.49b?
Would it be “illegal” to (heavily) update my game for the last contest? I’d like to use the same “character” (an animated cube) with somewhat similar gameplay mechanics… however, everything would be MAJORLY overhauled, I’d use Python, and I’d do tons of physics stuff.
TheSambassador: Perhaps we can give you an exception. But you must REALLY update your game(it can’t be the same just more levels). Also, you can’t include your previouse levels from the last competition. Just change everything a little(maybe new color for the cube, or a different shape, a new menu, etc. Maybe even a new name for the game) And yes, you can use 2.49 and above.
TheSambassdor: Well, I guess if you change everything, then you can enter that game. Right now the deadline is august 2010(I am not sure what day). I am thinking we should push it another month though…
mokazon: Don’t let it get to your head… you’re making “exceptions” for people to enter? wtf?
GRRR! A contest was my idea too!
Dude, chill out… unless you donate any money to the competition I’m not even going to pay attention to your posts, erwin personally donated a [very] generous amount of money to it, I’ll listen to him exclusively… sorry, but 12 year olds running a competition that’s giving away prizes and the ability to present your game at a national game conference is a bit much… sorry little buddy =)
I’m making something before February, August is waaaay too long… I’d make it shorter than February if I could. August would be almost a whole freaking year to work on something, there’d be waaay too many entries.
Personally I like only having one category =/ I’d like everyone to have an equal chance, therefore I [personally] think that one category is plenty.
killer: Seriously! Stop flaming people! No, I am not making ANY exceptions. I let TheSambasador put his game in the contest because basicly, it isn’t the same game. Everything will be comepletely new.
I am not “running” the competition, I am simply helping organize it.
When I said “GRRR! it was my idea too!” I was joking! Don’t you now what a joke is? Take a chill!
Oh, sorryy! Did I say august? I meant february. lol I don’t think it should be any sooner(possibly even later) The reason it should be later is so that more games will be started and finished. Right now, not very many games are going(that aren’t n00b projects).
Also, the three is better then one, because that would give give an equal chance. I.E.: A graphics demo wouldn’t stand a chance to a logic brick game, and a logic brick game wouldn’t stand a chance against a python game(some logic brick games could be better though ;))
I thought the threads were merged. I move my questions for Erwin to this thread.
Hi,
this sounds interesting.
Erwin
I know that you will update your thread with more informations later, here are some suggestions and questions.
Can you give more explanations about “the winners will be shown at the Game Developers Conference in San Francisco in March 2010”.
My understanding is that it will be displayed on some screens to make a demonstration of the Bullet Physics Library. Am I right?
Or does it have to be something about “Blender + Bullet” ?
Do you have more informations about that (who is the owner of the stand that will display it? Blender-related, Bullet, other? Are there any other plans yet?)
The goal of this competition is to show the capabilities of the Blender Game Engine/Bullet.
I know it sounds strange to ask, but does the competition allow open source mini-games only?
I think that some artists won’t enter the competition because they wouldn’t like their work to be shared.
A good (even closed-source) game would provide nice visuals/executable file/videos to showcase Blender/Bullet. Isn’t it good enough?
The aim of this competition should be to provide access to tools that would protect executables.
It would be useful if the possibility to protect executables files was filled before the end of the competition. That would bring a lot more attention to artists, and more choice for you to display at the Game Developers Conference.
I don’t know if I explain myself well?
I don’t know if my suggestion is good, but it’s worth to be discussed and I’d be happy to know your opinion.
Competition
a. I agree with the need to focus on mini-games development, and not big (often empty) open world
b. It would be good, if you merge the two competitions, to explain the prizes clearly (mac in the other thread, 500$ here).
What category, what prize.
c. It would be useful to provide video links to “create a mini game that is so much fun that it could have been part of the Super Mario Galaxy series”.
That would give a direct access to the videos, and a little explanation on what the developers should focus on (as seen in the videos).
The aim of this competition should be to provide access to tools that would protect executables.
It would be useful if the possibility to protect executables files was filled before the end of the competition. That would bring a lot more attention to artists, and more choice for you to display at the Game Developers Conference.
If you want to protect your work, you should look at the BPPlayer, or (if you know how to program) use Erwin’s GameKit (aka: BlendRead library).
Correctly me if I’m wrong, but I believe the competition is to show what the BGE and Bullet-Physics engine is compatible of achieving. Therefor you might be asked to release your blend files.
Plus, you have to ask yourself if it’s really worth protecting a “mini game”.
Therefor you might be asked to release your blend files.
Well, there is no pb with that. But it will scare some of the users, for sure.
I thought the main goal of that competition was to provide nice demos for Bullet to be shown at the Game Conference, not specifically provide demos to be used by the blenderartists community.
Plus, you have to ask yourself if it’s really worth protecting a “mini game”.
I can see why you are saying this, but the quality, work and effort put in the development of a game is not related to its “size” if there is a deadline : mini game (world size) means in that case (I can understand it from Erwin’s words) more polished 3d models, textures, gameplay researches.
That means a lot of work, same as a “big” world (in a limited amount of time) but with a different focus.
And I can understand that some people would like to protect it.
So, knowing that, you can also ask yourself if it’s not worth protecting a “mini game”
BPPlayer and Erwin’s gamekit are great solutions, thank you.
I thought that some users brought the fact that executables could still be open? Maybe I misread.
I thought that some users brought the fact that executables could still be open? Maybe I misread.
You are correct. It is very easy to extract blend files from the BlenderPlayer.
