Let the Games Begin?

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Sphinx. wrote: While these themes sound interesting, I still feel they are too open to make a fair comparison/judgement possible. For the sake of the argument: if the competition were about making the best dirt surface or stonewall, then people know what to get at, and the more objective evaluation aspects of the entries can be made fairly easy, also its easier to reject/disqualify some entry if its too off topic. IMO the more specific the better.

You have a point there. On the other hand, if we make themes very specific (like 'stonewall'), people might feel too constrained or turn away in disinterest. Wouldn't it be prudent to keep the first contest of this kind a little more open to draw a wider crowd?

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StevieJ wrote: Vlad, if you're putting up the prizes, I think it would be appropriate for you to pick the theme.....maybe out of a catagory that you would like to see "improved" in the library...

I'd concur with that.

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StevieJ wrote: I also have concerns about the three week contest period.....which I think is way too short to take full advantage of the contest. It assumes that everyone is ready to go and has that short time period to work on it. I would personnally like to see it run for a couple months in order to allow more people to "catch on" to it and give everyone enough time to put a good effort into it in their free time without feeling "pressurized" by a short time constraint..... Maybe with a longer contest period, you could offer a super-sweet "Lifetime updates" (8 reward points) grand prize.....might act as quite an incentive to bring alot more quality works out, eh??? Also, with a longer contest period, maybe allow each contestant a maximum of three contest entries.....for getting even more quality filter submissions.....

I know that I sound like a broken record.....but I'm just trying to maximize the potential of this great idea.....

The longer contest + the greater the incentives = more participants = more filter submissions = greater benefits to FF and its' users.....

No??? Maybe I should have said "any objections???" LOL....

Well, one thing is for sure.....no matter what the theme, everyone is not going to be happy with it.....

Therefore, I would again suggest having no theme and kicking up the prize incentives.....like having the grand prize be either lifetime updates (8 reward points) or an FF pro copy with John's CS (which I believe is new and in the box with manuals.....so no license transfer problems with using it as a prize).....

I personally think that you would get much more participation if everyone is allowed to do what they want to do.....which would allow participants much more enjoyment in making their creations. I know that some of you don't like this because it is like regular submissions.....but I would argue that stepped-up prize incentives would yeild a much higher level of quality and creativity during the contest period.....

On the other hand, if "Steampunk" is what the majority still wants.....then I would suggest a compromise with it included under a more mainstream title.....maybe something like Sci-fi textures, Mechanical textures (although the curve work might be a little too much for alot of newcomers who are just starting to learn the program), etc.....

Any objections to the peer-to-peer voting as suggested by Craig and Vlad.....the same contest template as used by Retouch???

Yet another consideration for a longer contest period .....maybe ending on something like Sept 1, 2008; I think it's summer for most of us (except for Carl who lives in Antartica ).....so I would imagine that alot of "Forgers" would rather be using their free time enjoying the weather instead of sitting in front of their computers doing filter work.....just a consideration.....

Oh, Dilla.....I meant no offense by my comments on your participation.....they were meant as playful compliments.....

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StevieJ wrote: 1) The textures should look like they are alien and "not of this world".....

Okay check.. I can do that..

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StevieJ wrote: 2) Obvious clones and close variants of existing library filters will be detected and passed over.....because it defeats the purpose of this contest to bring out new filter ideas and concepts......

DO we need to follow the do's and Dont's of filter building? Cause if we do then I stand no chance...

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StevieJ wrote: Runner-Up / Best Creative Concept: FF Pro Copy (3 reward points) Runner-Up / Most Useful Concept: FF Pro Copy (3 reward points) Runner-Up / Best Visual Appeal: FF Pro Copy (3 reward points)

I'll be happy winning one of them.. well unless people use the filters I have uploaded and I get a HU or 5..

I kinda thought thing were decided apart from the topic, seeing Pink Sliders and Steampunk are out I put my vote in for Post-Apocalyptic I'm just waiting for the start date and the Hitman for Dilla to ring back

Ps - I can't see why the prizes donated by FF [ very nice ] can't include in the first prize John CS and the pro edition, that would make it a more special first prize.


Pss - What else is needed to be done?

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Crapadilla wrote: The D&Ds are not meant as dogma, but instead as useful tips to get people into a 'less is more'/'economy of means' mindset for filter building. In short, useful to know if you care about HUs and EPs...

Ahh.. so having a filter to a lot of stuff isn't all that good even if you can make it work that way? *ponders the multi frame building filter currently being created* Oops, high chance no HU's or EPs for that one then.. Either that or I cut it down and keep the multi one just for me.. um.. nice idea that

Everyone -- just wanted to tell that I'm very, very busy at the moment and that's why I don't currently post in this thread. I'll get back as soon as I have some time. Please keep the discussion going.

thanks, vlad

Oh Doh! I was writing a bit asking what you mean by pink sliders and it dawned on me as I was typing... Setting a slider with only pink shade options lol!! ooo Grunge with pink only.. hehe Just for Carl

heh a very very pink slider that one.. Oh master of the pink slider Dilla

heh, sweet, I so need to make something pink

I have only read the last two entries of this thread so sorry if this has been discussed before.

Maybe it could be an annual event with something like five related filters to enter. Instead of targeting ten or twelve members that frequent the forum it could be an opportunity to expand FF's reach. If you offered serious prizes you could attract attention. Something like:

First prize – Maya Unlimited $ 6,489.50
Second prize – 3ds Max $ 3,494.50
Third prize – Adobe Master Collection $ 2,498.95


I know, that's a lot of money. But if you want people to kill themselves to win, this would be a way. Making it annual would give us time to make excellent filters, minimize FF's administrative participation and allow for some buzz to be generated.
Maybe you could get Autodesk or Adobe to sponsor it.

What?

It might not be that expensive since the run-up is long enough to require the participants to purchase (or earn) FF in order to participate – this would help offset the expenditure.

Now you're talk'n Ron!!!

I would get my competitive juices flowing for something like Maya, 3ds Max, V-Ray, CS4, etc..... In reality, I don't think FF would go beyond free copies of the program....unless they got some kind of promotional/association thing from those companies.....which would lopsidedly be great for FF, but negligable for huge companies like Adobe and AutoDesk.....

I do think that FF should do a simple monthly contest like they do at Caligari (TrueSpace).....seems to really get people involved.....

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ronviers wrote: If you offered serious prizes

This phrase was poorly chosen. I do not know what prizes have been discussed previously but I did not mean to imply that they were not serious or inferior in any way. I apologize.