So, March contest theme?

[msleeper]

Okay, I've slacked off on this enough, only going to allow voting for a few days so be sure to get what you want.

Let me know what contest theme everyone likes best.

BTW, since there has been almost zero revenue from the ads (IE, nobody is clicking them) and there haven't been many donations recently, I cannot promise the Video Card prize. We'll see though!

[rellikpd]

Ok, i voted for Boss/GLaDOS, because i think it will provide the most open contest for everyone... I would actually PREFER to see new challenge elements, however. i believe the only way to provide new elements (in these days) is to make really hard puzzles. and although i love challenges i don't want things to be impossible, plus the only way to probly get these going is if someone already has some good ideas stashed away already and waiting; and i'd like to see really interesting BTS/story elements but i think it would take to much setup and design to get this working properly. all in all i think the boss testing mapping will allow people to make good maps in a short ammount of time, because you can focus on one (or several small) areas. GOOD LUCK YOU MAPPERS!

[Duffedwaffe]

[taco]

"Innovation Challenge (Most original new element)" means most innovative anything right? It doesn't necessarily have to be puzzle related, does it? Could it be an innovation in story telling, visual design or, um, waffles?

[msleeper]

Yup, anything you think that would wow the community into voting for you.

[youme]

Voted BTS because I think there is a big gap in the maps that have been made so far, there hasn't been a terrific amount of BTS and the stuff that has been done doesnt match the original as well as people's normal chambers do

[MrThompson]

I'm sorry, but, BTS?

[youme]

Behind The Scenes
basically means the escape sections of portal (not outside aperture though, still inside the facility)

[Riven]

I voted for a new interesting boss battle; however, I don't think it should be limited to a Glad0s battle of sorts. Perhaps a combination of turret and rocket enemies in a cool layout could prove to be a quite interesting and entertaining mix. Most custom Portal maps today already try to incorporate some kind of cool innovative gameplay mechanic. This also goes for custom sp maps for HL2. I don't deny that if the contest was indeed to build an innovative "element" we wouldn't get some cool entries; I just think that it would NOT make for a very unique contest (even if it is for Portal).

If we focus on doing something like a cool boss battle, we can expect every entry to be unique and cool! Think about it; how many custom maps for any game have you played that has a cool boss battle? Not many I imagine. A competition like this should push the creative backbone for any participant and stand out from a lot of the other competitions.

/my 2 cents

[rellikpd]

[Ricotez]

A boss fight could also be a really big puzzle centered about something else than just reaching the next elevator. Like putting multiple orbs in their catchers whilst keep getting attacked by Androids and Rocket Turrets, and first when all orbs are placed, the attack stops. It can also be a good idea to add some kind of time limit, time pressure makes a simple game mechanic look far harder and more complex (like the GLaDOS fight, for an example. Getting the chips loose and dropping them into the incinerator is very simple. It's the time limit that adds the difficulty-feeling.)

[appunxintator]

This is a tough one, but I would say most original concept because those are always fun. I've never really though BTS was fun because in the retail maps, they always seemed too much like the testchambers, but with different textures.

But I'm guessing its too late to vote (original concept won anyways)

[Duffedwaffe]

CAN IT HAS BE CONTEST TIEM NOWS?

[youme]

[Ricotez]