MaGLX3: Thanks for Participating!

[Sturg]

Welcome one, welcome all! The Third Installment of the Make a Good Level Contest X has officially started!

Please use the talkhaus X3 forums HERE to SIGN UP (you'll need to sign up to see the forums)

Rules for the Contest:

1. It is HIGHLY recommended to use the X3 build/2.0 version of SMBX. Version 1.3 is "technically"allowed but is discouraged due to many potential elements to be received in the gimmick’s NPC list to come from the 2.0 build. 38A is not allowed.
2. Utilize the SMB3 star exit as your primary exit for the level.
3. Secondary exits are allowed, but it is recommended to limit these to just one (1). This includes the use of the SMW star NPC.
4. You may work with up to one (1) partner.
5. Please limit your choice of player character to the following: Mario, Luigi, Peach, Toad, Link, Wario, Klonoa, and Uncle Broadsword. The other characters may be used, but they are in the process of a big rework, so use them with caution.
6. PLEASE try and keep the file size somewhat low. If you’re using 5 different .WAV files for your levels, you should probably take a step back and think about what you’re doing.
7. Custom assets and Lua are allowed. Just don’t break the game… k?
8. No NSFW or offensive content is allowed. Levels submitted that break this rule will be disqualified and excluded from the episode. Judges will decide what is breaking this rule.
9. Be wary of any Content ID issues your selected music might cost. The episode will be played through on Youtube, thus be careful on what you select.

The Gimmick:

This time around, contestants will receive three (3) different lists of items: locations, adjectives, and NPCs. Here’s an example:

Contestants should do the following with their list:

1) Select one (1) item from each list to integrate into your level.

For example, if you chose Iceberg, Tubular, and Wiggler, you should try and craft a level around those terms.
They can be integrated into the level design or aesthetic, or any other way you can think of!

2) After you have selected three terms, select one (1) additional term from ANY list to craft into your level.

Following with the example, you may choose to add on the term Hellish from the ‘adjectives’ list with your current three terms.
Now, you have four (4) terms to work with: Iceberg, Tubular, Kuribo Shoe, and Hellish.

Some other important stuff to note about the gimmick:
• All contestants should plan to make a level around four (4) different terms. Each term will be graded out of five (5) points based on well the term is implemented.
• Mulligans (re-rolls) are allowed, but there is a -5 deduction to the final score for every mulligan used.
• Graphic swaps for the NPCs are allowed. Contestants can utilize the NPC’s AI or character for their term. We’re looking for how well they are used.
• As some could tell, the gimmick has been slightly altered than what it was a year back. Well, I’m simplifying it after sitting on it for about a year or so.

How to participate:

1. Post a comment in this thread: https://talkhaus.raocow.com/viewforum.php?f=79 or send me a PM/Email @[email protected] stating your interest to participate.
2. Wait to receive a reply for your gimmick items. (See Gimmick Rules below)
3. Use those gimmick items to craft a level in the X3 Build of the SMBX2 engine.
4. Make sure the following things are structured properly:
   a. Your level file name is formatted as “USERNAME-LEVEL_NAME.lvl”
   b. Your custom assets are placed inside the lvl folder.
5. Host your file through a file-sharing service like Mega, Dropbox, Google Docs, etc.
6. Post the link on the LEVEL SUBMISSION THREAD ON TALKHAUS

Submission Rules:

• Please post a link to download your final level submission with your selected terms in the talkhaus submission thread. Your gimmick terms can be put into a .txt file (preferred) or listed in the post itself. Just let us know which terms you use.
• Additionally, please put your preferred Username in the level file name.
• Please note that if the file size to be reduced or your level crashes, it is your responsibility to get any necessary fixes done. We’ll contact you if any problems arise trying to play your level.

General Rules to be listed:

1. Only post level work and topics in the provided forum on the TALKHAUS. The forum is invisible to guests, so you’ll need to make an account to see the contest forum. However, DO NOT post your contest gimmick ticket publicly, as to keep some element of surprise for everyone.
2. All current Talkhaus forum rules apply to the contest forum. Don’t be a jerk, don’t spam, yada-yada etc. etc.
3. Because we are using a newly released build of the engine, please use the bug report topic as a mean to report any bugs you might encounter.

All level submission will be due on or before May 31st

The Scoring:

Design: 50 points
Creativity: 30 points
Aesthetics: 20 points
Use of Location: 5 points
Use of Adjective: 5 points
Use of NPC: 5 points
Use of Extra Term: 5 points
120/120 POINTS

The Judges
Sturg
Hoeloe
Waddle
Zatsupachi

Main Links:
SMBX2 X3 DOWNLOAD
Official X3 Build Release Thread
the talkhaus

Other Helpful Links:
Enji's NEW Tutorial Series (Highly recommend)
SMBX LunaLua Thread (Very helpful for getting some Lua stuff in)
2.0 Blog

The “Experience” Disclaimer

Spoiler: show

It is recommended that the structure of levels in this contest offer a challenge in the form of platforming level design. As the host, I cannot guarantee that every judge (or anybody for that matter) will score “experience” levels the same way. I do not want to hinder the creativity of anybody who wants to enter this contest, but I would like to caution anyone who desires to submit an “experience” with the certainty that it will not score as well due to the intended nature of this contest.

FAQ

Spoiler: show

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT SONGS WILL CAUSE COPYRIGHT ISSUES?

Unfortunately, there isn’t a surefire way to answer this question. One suggestion you might take upon yourself is to post a video of the song on a different YouTube channel and see what happens. Try to avoid popular hits from mainstream games, particularly with songs from Nintendo.

I HATE MY LIST; CAN I JUST IGNORE IT?

Sure, you can, and you’ll just lose points for it. Not really a big deal. You can also ask for a mulligan for your list, which is just a -5-point deduction. My main goal is to initiate people’s creativity with their given list, but if you’re not down with that, it’s all good.

WHAT IS AN “EXPERIENCE” LEVEL?

Essentially, it’s a segment of platforming that doesn’t particularly challenge the player through the mechanics in the game. This is usually in the form of text and story building. I like to use the term "strawberry" to describe them when compared to the regular vanilla and chocloate levels.

ARE ALL THE NEW NPCS LISTED IN THE ENGINE USABLE?

Sadly, no. There are a couple of NPCs that, while are placeable in the editor and are seen in-game, are currently not up to standards that the devs want them. Obviously, you can use everything the engine offers, but it’ll usually not end up the way you’ll like. Not to mention, they’ll probably be changed later.

WHY DID IT TAKE THIS LONG FOR THE CONTEST TO START?

My original intention was to get this contest started last year along with having a newly furnished update to the engine that peeps could experiment with. Unfortunately, the SMBX2 devs got swamped with life obligations and other sorts that really hindered progress. I’ll admit I was stubborn to start the contest without any form of an update, so I’ll just say it was my b.

WILL THERE BE AN COLLAB EPISODE? WHEN WILL THE RESULTS COME OUT?

Yep, there sure will, with a whole team of HUB designers to work on it! I’d like to keep the results somewhat of a secret before raocow’s LP of it. However, I’m going to publicly release the episode the day or two after the LP starts for everyone to play with. I will publicly list the results as the LP moves along.

SHOULD I WORRY ABOUT FILTERING CHARACTERS?

Yes, if you want to limit your level to one character. There are now in-game filter blocks for both characters and power-ups for peeps to use. So, if you’d like to make a level surrounding a certain player state, you’ll need to work it out yourself!

I HAVEN’T RECEIVED MY GIMMICK STUFF YET, WHAT DO I DO?

Most likely I’ll be dealing with making sure everyone else before you have gotten their lists, so feel free to wait. However, if you haven’t gotten your gimmick lists within a week, feel free to contact me via PM or email and make sure I get yours done.

I DON’T KNOW HOW TO USE LUA, SHOULD I EVEN ENTER THE CONTEST?

Yes, you should! Not only are most of the most knowledgeable users of Lua a part of the X3 team and aren’t participating in the contest, but it’s also not too difficult to do basic in-game stuff. Additionally, feel free to ask more experienced peeps for help on how to use it. What more, it’s a new thing most people won’t be familiar with. Finally, don’t be worried about the disadvantages of not knowing Lua, as that won’t necessarily decide which levels will score better and Lua can be abused for the worst. Also also, this is a silly contest that shouldn’t be taken super seriously and is really just for the fun of it.

WILL MY LEVEL BE PLAYED ON THE YOUTUBES?
Yes, so make sure you make a good level.

[ShadowStarX]

Who would wanna miss out on this?! (count me in)

[Eri7]

Rest in peace Eri7's contest.
Well guys good luck with this contest, i guess this one won't be a failure like mine lol.

[FlatKiwi]

Holy shit.
I can't wait!
Count me in also

[Sancles-Chan]

I got the first signup I win.

[Natsu]

I'm in all the way to Sunday!

[Sancles-Chan]

Also to all you nerds saying "in" in this thread

Reading comprehension: 0

[Taycamgame]

I'm in. Sounds like a challenge.
One question; why do we need to submit our levels to the talkhaus rather than sending them straight to you via pm?

EDIT:
Lol, it seems you need to say "i'm in" in the talkhaus thread too...

[Sturg]

For the sake of secrecy for the judges. Also, it's a LOT easier to keep the submissions organized.

[FlatKiwi]

I tried to create a talkhaus account but I didn't recieve an activation e-mail...

[Novarender]

Sounds cool, but these 'terms' aren't really my thing.

[Waddle]

Sounds cool, but these 'terms' aren't really my thing.

The terms are what makes this contest interesting and exciting. Join and challenge yourself!

[goSciu]

Sign me up, sign me up!

[Eri7]

Sign me up, sign me up!

wrong forum lol, you have to sign up in the talkhaus forum

[Mosaic]

I will make a level for this contest and then fade back in irrelevancy afterwards.
(btw i know i need to post in the talkhaus thread, just leaving this here)

[Scroll]

R.I.P Nova Level Contest.

By the way, it would not be good if the deadline gets extended to June 9? (it's the SMBX anniversary IIRC)

[sammerbro]

I won't be able to be in because I don't use 2.0 MAGLX3 that often and I use 1.3 for episode playing instead of level editing

[Snowy_Desert]

I won't be able to be in because I don't use 2.0 MAGLX3 that often and I use 1.3 for episode playing instead of level editing

Just try.

[Eri7]

because I don't use 2.0 MAGLX3 that often

The new version just got released like few days ago and you have 2 months time to make your level, i am sure you can learn how to use maglx3 in that time frame and be able to create a level for it.

[sammerbro]

because I don't use 2.0 MAGLX3 that often

The new version just got released like few days ago and you have 2 months time to make your level, i am sure you can learn how to use maglx3 in that time frame and be able to create a level for it.

I know. but I am not a fan of competitions.

Added in 42 seconds:

I won't be able to be in because I don't use 2.0 MAGLX3 that often and I use 1.3 for episode playing instead of level editing

Just try.

I'd rather make my 1.4 boss rushes instead.