Author Topic: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest (RULES UPDATED JULY 17TH)  (Read 51144 times)

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Offline ztrumpet

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Re: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest
« Reply #30 on: June 02, 2010, 07:01:38 pm »
YES!

A contest was the reason I signed up!!!!

just one question, when you say,

I updated the rules, disallowing any usage of HEX ASM code in your entries, because right now there are people who are trying to cheat by circumventing the Asm() command rule by finding alternatives to run ASM code.

Does that mean I can't use the hex tool that axe comes with for sprites?

You can still use that. :)  The only thing you can't use is the Asm( command, but it is possible to go around this rule and run hex code by storing that data like it's a pic.
In other words, you can use Hex for sprites. :)
« Last Edit: June 02, 2010, 07:01:49 pm by ztrumpet »

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest
« Reply #31 on: June 02, 2010, 10:56:18 pm »
What it means is that you cannot use native assembly language in your code. Of course, hex sprites, tilemaps and the like are fine. Just code isn't.

Also, if your Axe program uses TI-BASIC variables (when Axe will support them, if it ever does at all), it's fine, too, as long as they're compatible. However, I advise against it because a BASIC list is 9 times larger than an axe one and we judge programs on size vs content ration (if a program is massive but barely even offers any feature, its size score will be down. If it's massive but all features are worth the size, its size score will be higher)

Offline nemo

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Re: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest
« Reply #32 on: June 02, 2010, 10:58:05 pm »
can you post all the criterion for judging?


Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest
« Reply #33 on: June 03, 2010, 01:40:16 am »
They are not official yet, but it will most likely look like this:

-Gameplay
-speed
-graphics
-Originality/creativity
-Size vs features ratio

We won't judge on size alone, because it would be unfair for people who put a lot of features or a very notable feature in their game and for RPG coders. And we won't judge on replay value, because all game genres, some of which got small replay value, are welcome.

Note that the judging portion is unnoficial. The contest should normally have a judging portion then a community voting part, like last year, but in the event where all our staff judges would withdraw from their duty when the contest ends, the entire judging part will be skipped and only a community vote will be done. The community vote counts for a much bigger percentage than the judging, anyway, since Omnimaga has a much larger memberbase than last year.

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Re: Omnimaga holds Axe Parser Programming Contest
« Reply #34 on: June 03, 2010, 05:04:14 am »
Sorry for double-posting (in pink color) but rule #4 update!

I notice on forums and IRC that not a lot of people seem happy about keeping their entry secret until the end of the contest and now I realise and understand that this rule, for many reason, might cause more issues/harm than benefits.

So from now on, at the condition that you do not share any download of your project anywhere including e-mail/PM to anyone and on the forums, and at the condition that your project was NOT started before June 1st, you are now allowed to reveal your contest entry to the public.

Also, the rule regarding not entering existing projects was unclear. It is gonna be added below rule 4. You are not allowed to enter an already existing project (started before the contest announcment) in the contest. Only brand new project!


The reasons why I changed this, besides the complaints/disappointments, were the following (plus more):

-People will know what each others are working on, so they may try to find something original and/or try to compete harder. This means there are fewer risks of just seeing like 4 snake clones being entered because nobody knew if anyone else were making one.
-With the contest, most other forum projects will most likely be halted and if every contest project is secret, this Summer will look like nobody is coding anything. With people now being able to announce their project in public, this means more activity, programming-wise.
-It will make it much less hectic to ask help. Imagine trying to explain a bug and people need to know what you are trying to do to help you x.x

Sadly this removes the excitment/surprise at the very end, but I think that might have been the only major benefit of keeping entries secrets.

Offline TIfanx1999

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This is an interesting turn of events. I wonder if some people will still keep their projects secret? This contest is gonna be so cool! ^^

Offline tr1p1ea

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Are you guys taking donations to add to the prize money? Ill gladly help out.
"My world is Black & White. But if I blink fast enough, I see it in Grayscale."


Offline DJ Omnimaga

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@AOC that will prbly make things more interesting since we might still have surprises while knowing what some other ppl are working on ^^

@tr1p1ea nah don't worry it should be fine for this contest, as I planned long in advance since this Winter in case we might do a contest.

Offline willrandship

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I'm just gonna come out with it. I'd rather have someone say "I'm doing that too!" than have us both make it and theirs be infinitely superior.

I'm going to (Pretty sure, but I might change if necessary) make a platformer called Insomniac Zak. No more info for now!

I can already see people going "What?" :P

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Offline jnesselr

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So, what does it mean "e-mail based" for the gifts?  How exactly does the gift giving procedure work?

If I enter, I won't be telling my project idea, since I think it's an impossibility that someone would think of the same idea.  (If the program I want to do works, that is.)  Also, if it works, it will be awesome!

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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e-mail-based means electronic gift cards. Basically, it will not be a physical plastic gift card like you can buy at retail stores. It will be an e-mail sent to the person, which will most likely have a serial key/code that the person will enter on the respective online store.

The reason why I went with such prize is because several Omnimaga members are under 18 and have protective computer-illiterate parents that will freak out if their son gets something shipped from the Internet. They think every existing site (even Google) are 4chan clones. Last year, it was a major hassle to ship Builderboy's USB jumpdrive because of this. Finally, Simplethinker had to ship it to Bwang, who is a real life friend of Builderboy, Bwang unpacked it then at school he gave Builderboy the USB jumpdrive.

And I hope your idea works out!
« Last Edit: June 03, 2010, 04:18:02 pm by DJ Omnimaga »

Offline jnesselr

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Thank you, and I know what you mean.  It sounds like a good way to get around problems.

Offline DJ Omnimaga

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Before the contest ends, I will also be testing some of the gift cards systems to see how they work, by sending myself gift cards (then buying stuff I want). If one system in particular is overly complicated, glitchy or scammish (example, requiring a credit card number or paypal account even if you are gonna pay your entire item with a gift card), it will be bye bye that online store from the list. (unless the winners don't mind)

Offline jnesselr

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Yeah, I know on Itunes you can just click "redeem" and treat like a normal card.  It won't ask you for a credit card.  How exactly do you get the online codes?  Will you buy the card itself, and then just send us the code?