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FPSC Classic Product Chat / October Level Design Competition: Official Rules

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SpyDaniel
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 13:14
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I dont see the menu as level design andif it gets marked on, thats dumb, as I thought this was a level design contest, not a "who can do the best graphical menu for your game".

Ive submitted mine, by the way.

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KeithC
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 14:03
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Anything creative, that is over and above the "regular" staged graphics in FPSC, will be considered. Including menus; which I don't consider "dumb".

-Keith


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SpyDaniel
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 14:55
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But its level design.....

If it had stated making a menu would get you more points, I would have made one better.

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KeithC
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 15:03
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Menu making itself isn't an individual criteria; but it can be considered in the "all encompassing" category.

I wanted to have a purely Level Design oriented contest, just using the native FPSC media....but NO ONE wanted to do that.

-Keith


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Benjamin A
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 15:16 Edited at: 20th Nov 2006 15:20
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Quote: "If it had stated making a menu would get you more points, I would have made one better."


You must have missed something then, just check out the first post in this thread or to make it more eaasy, here's a quote from that post:

Quote: "*Some basic criteria (what the judges will look for):
- Level Design (how well your level is layed out, and flows)

- Custom Media (this includes art and sound)

- Following the Theme (how closely did you stick to the requirements)

- GamePlay (your frame-rate is a factor)

- Fun Factor (is your level fun to play, or just something the judge has to get through; was there any innovations going on)

- Completeness (does your level have a clear beginning and end)

- Menu System (is the menu original, or standard)"


I do think it makes sense, since you can bring up the menu in the level also. Having a modern day theme throughout your level, but incorporating a scifi style level just doesn't look good.

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SpyDaniel
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 15:56
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I guess I never read that part.

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KeithC
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 15:59
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It's OK; there's a lot to read.


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SpyDaniel
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 16:06
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This time, my level is made form 98% custom media, Ive only used three stock models, which are the sci command door, the bio vial, and a scifi control pad.

JOOM, sounded shocked to see it was only 30MB :p

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filya
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 18:23
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I really dont think I shall be submitting my level this time

1. All my characters have black textures on them
2. framerates hover between 18 and 24
3. some scripts (involving 'plrmoveto=X' are not working try as I may
4. I can't get a win after killing my enemy (yes, I have set him as objective=1, and he is the ONLY objective)
5. I still have to create the dialogue image files and write the scripts for them.

But great luck and wishes for everyone entering the contest!

-filya

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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KeithC
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 19:24
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Sorry to hear that, Filya. At least you won one competition this month.

@Everyone else: The last I looked there are 7 entries uploaded. This is crunchtime for anyone left to go. Let's get those entries in; there won't be another prize package like this month's I imagine (at least for awhile).

-Keith


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Benjamin A
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 20:05
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That's a real shame Filya, hopefully next time you'll be able.

Good luck to everyone else still working on an entry!

Quote: "This time, my level is made form 98% custom media, Ive only used three stock models, which are the sci command door, the bio vial, and a scifi control pad."


Cool looking forward to seeing that. I'm not sure if I can claim 98% custom media, but I'm pretty close to that also.

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flashing snall
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 20:46
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that stinks filya. Everythng was good in mine for the test runs, but when i buildt it, the frame rate dropped to the 20s, and the fps v 104 also hurt my frame rate... But mines still in.


"these shoes are 300 hundred dollars"-Shoes by Kelly http://smallgroup.be/
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filya
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 22:13
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thank you all for your..er...condolences.
its really frustrating to get this close and not be able to get it in

I shall try again later in the evening after work. But I dont think those few hours will really change anything.

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Benjamin A
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 23:16
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How about reverting to an older version of FPSC? That may solve some of your problems.

I've entered my entry based on an older version, since the newest version only added more problems to the game, instead of solving them.

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filya
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 23:36
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I am using v1.
Never tried the beta updates since they were...er...beta.

Like I said, if I manage to get all my scripts working, and sort out the other problems first, then I may build another copy of my game using 1.04 just to see if my framerates get better.

But those are a lot of 'if's

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Benjamin A
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Posted: 20th Nov 2006 23:48
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Ouch, that doesn't sound to good then.

V1.04 was the first version that I could notice a slight improvement of framerates, but that is compared to other released updates. If I do compare my framerates from v1.00 and V1.04, I still don't see a real difference.

Besides V1.04 has some other major problems. Your framerates may improve somewhat and some have reported that the lagging problems have been gone, but I'm not sure what other problems you could encounter.

Well, let me no keep you from working any longer, going to bed anyway.

http://www.gamefun4u.nl/index.html
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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 01:30
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@filya
v1.04 improves fps, upgrade to that.
sorry to hear that you might not be entering.

@higgins
sound cool with all of the custom media, can't wait.
yours was only 30mb??? wow, mine is about 250mb, it's because of the fact that fpsc only allows .avi, so one of my videos is 118mb, but mpg it was like 4mb.

I hope that that is included in the next update.



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filya
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 03:58 Edited at: 21st Nov 2006 06:32
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I have uploaded the game.

I know a lot of problems with the game, a few being :
1. character textures are all black
2. the dialogues with characters are just a linear flow instead of changing according to gameplay)
3. some items in the game are not spawning and acting as needed.

But I did improve my framerate
Even with a open sky map covering the complete 40*40 grid, I have managed a framerate of over 25 (on my 1.6 GHz/ 1 GB RAM / 128 bit video card).

Inspite of this not being anywhere close to what I had wanted, it is still a complete level (it has a beginning and an end) and you can play it (even if not as I wanted), I would really really appreciate it if the judges do take time to judge it on all the criterion given to them.

I am so hoping that I may make up for a lot of points lost in the few things my game may be good at.

Thank you all for your encouragement!

-filya

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Benjamin A
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 09:56
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Great that you still made it. I didn't notice you're black character textures and I know it's to late now (I just woke up), but does your level use fog?

I recall having fog on and getting black textures as well in the past, switching for off made all the textures appear again.

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KeithC
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 13:16
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If you want to try to turn the fog off, and re-upload it (since you made it on time with the first one); I'll give you the whole of today to do so, before I send out your link to the judges.

Glad to see you took a stab at it though. So far I'm seeing some great levels. Everytime we have one of these competitions, everybody out-does their previous attempts.

-Keith


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filya
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 14:31
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@Ben, yup, my level did use fog. Tried using it to lower framerates. You really think that made my textures black? Funny!


@Keith thanks for the great offer Keith, but I think it would be unfair for others if I got another day to do this.
I knew the deadline more than a month in advance, so I guess I was just stupid enough to (once again!) leave things to the last minute.

I know I have learnt a lot again (especially scripting) from this month's contest and it was fun the whole month. Just that I really wanted to win these wonderful prizes and the last 2 days got messed up pretty bad


Anyways, good luck and wishes to all the entries!

-filya

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Benjamin A
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 14:39
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Quote: "@Ben, yup, my level did use fog. Tried using it to lower framerates. You really think that made my textures black? Funny!"


It turned my characters black in my game Commander Josh, so I took out the fog scripts. You can always give it a try and se what happens. If it works then I'm OK with you sending in the level today, since that is something you didn't know.

Using Fog in FPSC is kind a a foggy area for all of us, there hasn't been enough experimenting with it to know for sure what influence it does have on games. I do think when using fog, dynamic light features are also turned on automatically (fog relies on those) and those features are known to cause black characters. It's all related somehow.

So check it out and see what happens and please do re-enter if it works.

http://www.gamefun4u.nl/index.html
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filya
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 15:40
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I shall be at work till 5 or after, only then will I be able to take a look if removing the fog does help. I shall let you know then.

And as much as I love & appreciate the offers from you and Keith, I really wonder if other contestants would like that.
After all, they did finish and upload their levels on time.

And there always will be more contests coming up (though I guess none would contain such an amazing prizelist!)
So lead me not into temptation

-filya

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KeithC
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 16:46
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I don't think anyone will have a problem with you re-uploading the level if turning the fog off works for you. You put just as much time into your level as anyone else; it's not your fault FPSC has continuing issues. If anyone has a problem with this, put it down here; otherwise, I suggest you try turning off the fog. That is the only change you are allowed to do. If it works, then re-upload it.

-Keith


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filya
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 17:07
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ok Keith. I will try switching off the fog once I get home. If it works, I shall upload the game again.

Thanks for this opportunity!

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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Avenging Eagle
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 18:01
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Well now the competiton is over, i suppose we have that agonisingly long wait for the weeks (how long are we talking, a week? Two weeks? Hopefully not a month).

My 007 Edition of my level is ready, i just need to upload it. Could i use Ozark games as a host site so community members and friends can play it?

AE

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KeithC
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Posted: 21st Nov 2006 18:30
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Nope; I want to have the judging said and done by the last day of November, and the rules ready to go by the first day or two of December.

PM the Old Man about uploading your level, AE.

-Keith


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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 01:34
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@filya, just so you know, I wouldn't have any problem with you re-uploading, I don't know why anyone would object.

Well, now we all just have to wait, if I win or if I don't, I've learned a ton about fpsc and level building from entering this compo, and that would mainly be, whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.




@Keith, how long do the judges usually take?



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KeithC
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 01:58
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I gave them a criteria list to go off of, with instructions. You should see the results by early next week sometime.


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Prince
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 02:04
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I guess usually its about a couple of weeks, which is kinda fair enough since there are quite a few levels and am sure thats not the only thing they do . But yea earlier the better... I know how excitingly nervous it is to wait for the results

Good luck everyone!!
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KeithC
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I need to know who uploaded the level desert.zip. We have no idea as to who you are.

-Keith


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RedneckRambo
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 05:06
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I can't wait til we find out who the winners are!!!! I hope my level does good.

Why would someone put up a level and not say anything or not leave a name?


One (Blue penquin?)

I have flamable urine.
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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 07:13
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Quote from JOOM:

Quote: "Silent, your file has been backed up and transferred to a safe location. Only you and the judges will have the link till the contest ends. The file is locate here.

For the TAB key thing, I'd post it in the contest thread at the FPSC forums so everyone knows about it. Good luck..."


@Keith: so, uh, do the judges read this?

@judges: anyhow I just wanted to mention that when playing my level, press the tab button to bring up an objectives list, I completely forgot about it when I was writing up the controls.



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KeithC
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 13:40
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I'll send out the TAB feature to the judges. Just One Old Man has agreed to be the third judge.

Still need to find out who uploaded the desert.zip file.

-Keith


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filya
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 16:26
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sorry Keith, that desert.zip is mine. Sorry about it, but in the hurry to upload it, I guess I forgot to mention my name

About rebuilding the level, I guess its not really in my fate this time I reached home, tried to make the fog change and set it to rebuild. I had to go out for dinner, and I came back late to find FPSC had crashed. So I guess my original desert.zip stays

Also, Keith, I shall be emailing you about something, please do take note. Thanks

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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KeithC
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 16:40
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OK, I figured it was you; just had to be sure. I'll check my e-mail. Even if some textures are off, you make make it in the top 5 by gameplay, story, etc. You never know. There are enough entries where there will be a few losers (not necc. a good thing, just thought I'd mention it).

-Keith


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RedneckRambo
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 22:55
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I'm excited!!!

I love butter
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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 22nd Nov 2006 23:59
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Quote: "I love butter"

That's better.


Quote: "I'm excited!!! "

me too

Quote: "I'll send out the TAB feature to the judges."

Great, thanks Keith.



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SpyDaniel
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 00:06
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I dont know if my level is all I thought it would be, any more. I had an image and did the best I could with the time I had.

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Avenging Eagle
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 00:08
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I was the first one to submit a level so i feel i rushed mine...

AE

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RedneckRambo
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My level isn't all that great either. I think it has a pretty good storyline though.

Isn't that a sweet signature. My last one was erased, but it was funny. I didn't think that it would get erased though.

I love butter
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filya
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 00:29
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Quote: "I dont know if my level is all I thought it would be, any more. "


Quote: "I was the first one to submit a level so i feel i rushed mine..."


Quote: "My level isn't all that great either"


lol lol are those to cheer me up??

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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 02:00
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Quote: "lol lol are those to cheer me up?? "

possibly.


The only thing that I don't like about my level is that it's kinda hard, and in my cutscenes, the voices sound weird because I used all computer generated voices, that's the last time I'm doing that.



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RedneckRambo
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Mine isn't to cheer you up. I have only had FPSC since Oct 19th (the day I started on forums) SO i'm very new to scripting and modeling and what not. But I feel I did pretty good for being fairly new.

I love butter
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flashing snall
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every one is new at some point. can not wait for the results... my frame rate stinks...


"these shoes are 300 hundred dollars"-Shoes by Kelly http://smallgroup.be/
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Luke314pi
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 04:27 Edited at: 23rd Nov 2006 04:27
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I am excited for the results as well. I was actually the first to submit a level, which was like two weeks before anyone else. But I am proud of what I did in a short time.

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Avenging Eagle
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Oh, sorry Luke314pi, i thought i was the first (i uploaded mine on November 5th).

AE

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Silent Thunder
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 08:36
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lol, i really procrastinated, I uploaded my level at around 10:30 - 11:00.



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RedneckRambo
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That is livin on the edge silent thunder. My frame rates are OK. I have a slightly crappy computer though so it might be faster on the judges (if it works like that)

I hope I win!!!


Why is there a beer smiley

I love butter
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filya
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Posted: 23rd Nov 2006 11:29
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So did I miss it, or is it not mentioned yet? How many entries in all and who all have entered this contest?

keith, are you allowed to reveal?

-- game dev is fun...but taking up too much time --
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