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Geek Culture / Possible contest! What do you think?

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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 08:24 Edited at: 6th Sep 2004 05:48
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If I was to run a tutorial writing contest, would any one enter? I would give a prize (see below) to the winner, which would be announced Saturday, September the 18th.

EDIT: *NO end date will be set until the actual contest begins*

Rules:

1. The tutorial must be written by you, or with a friend. It cannot be copied from another source.

2. It must assume that the reader has very little to know experience in the subject chosen.

3. It must be posted by Friday, September the 17th by midnight, forum time (take note of this people in other countries, like me)!

EDIT: *NO end date will be set until the actual contest begins*


4. The tutorial must be for DarkBASIC. No Gamespace, MilkShape, C++, etc.

5. Even if you have written the tutorial, it must not have been previously released. Tutorials need to be released for this contest.

6. The tutorial must be compatible with DBpro. If you base it on DBC, that is fine, but if there are any differences, please note them.

7. If you choose a very complex topic (namely AI or Multiplayer), you can choose a genre to make a tutorial for. You can score some points in the "Demand" catagory here!

EDIT: Added rule 7 for clarity.

8. It must be in one of the following subjects:
a. Cartoon Shading (or other specialty shaders)
b. AI
c. Physics programming for 3-D
d. Multiplayer systems

Scoring:

The winner will be decided on these criteria:

50% - Clear and concise. Easy to understand and read.

25% - Examples. Don't just tell us, show us!

10% - Demand. Is it going to be widely used by the community?

EDIT: Changed "Layout" to "Demand". Layout will be part of Clear and Concise.

10% - Grammer and punciation. I'm not going to hang you for a mispelled word, but do try.

5% = On topic. Do explain any side-details, but don't give us a history lesson.

Possible Prizes:
The winner can pick any one of these for their prize:

1. Shaders for Game Programmers and Artists
Link:http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Game%20Development&subcat=2D%2F3D%20Art%20%26%20Animation&isbn=1%2D59200%2D092%2D4

2. The Dark Side of Game Texturing
Link:http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Game%20Development&subcat=2D%2F3D%20Art%20%26%20Animation&isbn=1%2D59200%2D350%2D8

3. Advanced Animation with DirectX
Link:http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Game%20Development&subcat=2D%2F3D%20Art%20%26%20Animation&isbn=1%2D59200%2D037%2D1

4. Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games
Link:http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Game%20Development&subcat=Design%20%26%20Business%20Development&isbn=0%2D7615%2D3299%2D4

5. Character Development and Storytelling for Games
Link:http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_detail.cfm?group=Game%20Development&subcat=Design%20%26%20Business%20Development&isbn=1%2D59200%2D353%2D2

6. SkyMATTER Either 1,2,or 3
Link:http://skymatter.thegamecreators.com/

7. ExGen
Link:http://exgen.thegamecreators.com/

8. SoundMATTER Any two
Link:http://soundmatter.thegamecreators.com/

NOTE: Of course, if the winner wants any TGC software product, I will be buying it and giving them my download.

So, what does anybody think? My purpose was to get some high quality DB tutorials out there on some of the more complex subjects.

Any other subjects any one can think of? Any problems? Let me know!


"What is a game if not illusions stacked upon illusions?"
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Curly Brace
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 08:52
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I dont know if I could write a tutorial but I sure would love a copy of this book:
Swords & Circuitry: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games

Thanks
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MikeS
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 09:29
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I will and I shall write a tutorial for a catagory. .

All I ask is three things.

1.) Just post some more details, and maybe make a website to keep things organized. I'm definitly interested in some of the prize listings you have.

2.) Not to be picky, but prizes 4&5 are both very similar (Kinda cancel each other out). Perhaps let the winner choose another book within $30 or something.

3.) If I write a tutorial, will it be exclusivly for you, or may I use it on my own website?

Great to see you want to help out the community with some tutorials. Hope this thread recieves some interest.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
(Formerly known as Yellow)
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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 09:59
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Thanks for your interest.

1. good idea. I was thinking about that from the beginning.

2. I was also thinking about just letting someone choose a book under $35 from the Premier Press Game Development series (http://www.premierpressbooks.com/ptr_catalog.cfm?group=Game%20Development).

3. It is all yours, as long as it stays public in one place with the rest of the tutorials. You can put it on your site or do whatever you want with it, as long as you include any updates you may happen to make with the original.

You think I could host the site on DBspot?

Very Importnant: This is still a "What do you think" thread. I want to make sure that enough people will be interested to generate a good little amount of tutorials. Maybe at least 8+ participants.

Also, the tutorials will all be kept hidden until the end of the contest, so that the bar will not be lowered, nor will any one get discouraged due to a really good tut.

I will be creating an "official" post once I get enough interest in it.


* Please note that this contest is in no way connected to The Game Creators. I will be purchasing the Prize from TGC if the winner so chooses that prize, and it is not supplied or endorsed by TGC.


"What is a game if not illusions stacked upon illusions?"
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Curly Brace
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 12:17
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im interested but i have some questions. Does the tutorial actually have to be related to DB or can it discuss some theory behind game dev or like ai for example.

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Lost in Thought
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 12:28
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This could be very helpful to everyone. I hope many compete. Too bad I don't know enough yet to make a tutorial. Good luck.

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Ilya
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 12:40
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Quote: "4. It must be in one of the following subjects:"

Don't you mean 7?

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GothOtaku
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 12:44
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That's a very good idea for a contest. I have a question, for rule number 5 does that mean released at all or released online? I've writen tutorials for a workshop on DBPro I'm doing at my college but only the people taking the class will see it. So does that count as "previously released" or not? Also, what about tutorials that cover more than one catagory like writing one dealing with AI and physics at the same time becasue they're related? This is actually a real world example of sorts because in games an object's physics are practically the same as AI, if you're telling a cube what to do if it gets knocked into a pit you're defining behavior for it which is the same as defining behavior for an enemy just at another level of cognizance.
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Curly Brace
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 12:45
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yah I think we kinda figured that out but nice observation. so are you competing? if its allowed I am going to write a tutorial about generic multiplayer systems that can be applied to almost anything but i doubt its allowed.


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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 14:06
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@Curly Brace: Yeah, AI would have to basically be theory. But you could ave examples in DB though!

@Ilya: Oops! I went back and added new rules and forgot to change the last rule #. Thanks for catching it!

@GothOtaku: Previously released to us, that is. Sorry about that. If you put it up at your college, gave it to a friend, pasted it up in your bedroom etc., that does not count. Only if it is on TGC site, or on a DBspot website, or any where else online.

@Curly Brace again: Me competing, or someone else? Not me! I will judge them (and maybe pick someone else who does not compete at random to help). Why do you feel that a generic multiplayer would not be allowed? If you apply it to DB, go for it!

Glad to see this is getting more responses now! It may end up being a success. I'll give the UKers some time to post there responses as well (I posted this at 12:24am their time) to see what they think!


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Ilya
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 14:10 Edited at: 5th Sep 2004 14:11
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12:10 here(and I'm in ohio).

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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 17:48
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Yeah, I meant the time on the forums, which I believe is British Standard Time. When I posted this, it was already after midnight in the UK, so I figure we will get there opinsions tommorow.

Need to also make something clear: Since the AI subject is so vast, you can pick one kind of game (prefferably one that is in high demand) to show examples of. Eg- Platform Enemy AI, Action-RPG enemy AI, Football game AI etc.

I am also going to be redoing the scoring criteria tommorow, adding new points, such as "community demand" (how many people it is likely to help) and Orignality.

Thanks again for the interest and I believe I will be also accouncing a second place prize as well! Talk to you guys tommorow!


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JokerZ
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Posted: 5th Sep 2004 21:35
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I'd almost be tempted to write one on multiplayer systems.
Although I don't think it would include a lot of dark basic pro code.
It would be more the theory and implementation behind a successful design.

Don't really know how well that would fit into the criteria you have presented. Still might be an interesting paper to present though.

Everything happens for a reason
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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 05:43
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Well, as long as it can help people code in DB, it can be entered. These rules are just my initial ideas. For some of the subjects (specificaly AI and Multiplayer) you can pick a kind of game to write on. You will pick up some extra points if it is something the community is demanding.

And if I get enough participants, I am going to add a second place prize of the Premier Press book "Swords and Sorcery: A Designer's Guide to Computer Role-Playing Games", and an added bonus to first place.

So c'mon people! Let me know if you will participate!


"What is a game if not illusions stacked upon illusions?"
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Ilya
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 05:51
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Maybe.
The only subject, with a little research, that I could do is multiplayer.

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Teh Go0rfmeister
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 06:17
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well, all i have to say it- cant u wait until a few days after the current TGC compo has ended. most people will be occupied by the entry until then and will then want to spend a few days after to get their social lives back

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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 06:22
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Yeah, this is true. This is not the true "official" thread on it. I have not entered TGC compo, so I was not really aware of the dates on it.

So, if I wait until after TGC compo, who will enter a tutorial?


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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 06:32
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Oh man, I didn't know the 2004 compo was not going to be over until Oct 31st! That is a long time away! Would anyone not mind doing it at the same time while the Compo is running?


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Ilya
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 06:34
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I'm not participating in the compo(i'm too lazy).

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MikeS
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Posted: 6th Sep 2004 08:12
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I'll make time for the benefit of others Sir Spaghetti Code. I'll definitly enter regardless of prizes.



A book? I hate book. Book is stupid.
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Teh Go0rfmeister
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i was working on 2 types of RTS tutorials/demos
1) the standard AOE type
2) the Total War type.

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Cian Rice
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Posted: 7th Sep 2004 06:26
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The tutorials should be posted on Darktutor, contact Oliver about it, to find the link go to my "tutorial database" thread, it's in need of some tuts and people could go to it and take a poll on which they like best or somethign than you could average the votes with your grade and have the final grade.

Got anime?I do.
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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 7th Sep 2004 07:11
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Do you mean on existing tuts on your site, or adding the new ones to that archive? I wanted this contest to create new tuts on advanced topics, but I think that is what you meant. I will probably end up making a site on dbspot and having folks email their entries to me. And you can make more than one, as well! They will not be added together, but if one wins and the other doesn't, you still win!


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Teh Go0rfmeister
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Posted: 7th Sep 2004 08:41
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so r u post-poning for halloween or not?

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Sir Spaghetti Code
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Posted: 8th Sep 2004 11:51
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Still waiting to see if I get enough responses. I think I may have to, as this thread is falling away without enough participants.


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TKF15H
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Posted: 8th Sep 2004 11:55 Edited at: 8th Sep 2004 11:56
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I've been wanting to do this, but I haven't had the time. If it's post-poned till after TGC's competition, I might be able to submit an entry.
[edit] Is a language-neutral tutorial ok?

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RougeCat
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This is a really cool idea. Dont put this off already. I would luv to take part in it as well. As every1 suggests maybe just postpone it a lil bit. That might help.
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Curly Brace
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Quote: "Why do you feel that a generic multiplayer would not be allowed? If you apply it to DB, go for it!"

possibly because I dont know anything about DB... also btw do you know where I can get the 20mb full trial copy of db so i can make sure i know i like it before i buy it because the 4 mb just wont cut it?

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