4 replies to this topic

[Anthus]

I'm not sure if this is really the place to make such a request, but I was wondering if anyone out there with the ability to do so could whip up a Dungeon of the Month user bar? Not unlike the ones used for quests, or other contests. It doesn't even have to be fancy, it just has to be clear. I would greatly appreciate anyone taking the time to do this, and it would allow those who show support to have a link in their signature to make this more well known (Just Link to the discussion thread since it will always link to the most current contest).

 

Thanks.

 

Oh.. what should it look like you ask? Well, go nuts. Be creative. As long as it says "Dungeon of the Month" it can be anything (within Pure's rules, that is ).

 

And, on that note, we are accepting entries for Dungeon of the Month 3! Check here if you are interested in entering. If you make a userbar, you can post it here, or PM it to me, whichever, really.

 

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So I am also thinking about changing the polling options. 

 

How do you feel about these voting categories?

• Best designed.
• Best use of puzzles.
• Best use of enemies.
• Most fun to play.

 

Each category will have a "Haven't played" option. The winner will be determined by whomever has the most votes in all categories.

 

This is important, but instead of having each category have each user as an option, I am going to have the entrants as poll questions, and the categories as choices, if that makes sense. How do you guys feel about this, this will be a big change, but I want to try it for at least one contest, and see how it goes. If people hate the idea, I won't do it, but I want to make the contest less black and white.  

[TheLegend_njf]

I like the idea of categories. But why not adding "Best Overall" as a category itself? This will be where people can vote for "The winner takes all" kinda deal.

 

Usually "best overall" and "best designed" will often go hand in hand in regards to voting, but this is not entirely the case. 

 

I may pick an average dungeon over a better designed dungeon as "best overall" just by how the dungeon feels. Even if I felt it was average and not up to par with the other dungeon, it just "felt better" and i think this is the importance of having best overall as an option even though I believe the votes for both of these will often reflect each other.

[Naru]

Since I am whining about how to decide between good entries in the first DotM I would really like categories.

- Best overall makes sense to replace the actual voting.
- Best designed means art-wise or structure-wise? Maybe add something like best looking?
For #1 I would be stuck again between Joelmacool and BigJoe for best design. Joelmacool would be best looking.
For #2 NJF wins straight for best design and Noel for best looking.
- Best use of puzzles can mean a lot. From intelligent use of (scripted) items over complex but well designed dungeon-structures to brainbreaking (block-) puzzles. Best design should include this already I think, outstanding puzzles can always be mentioned in your review.
For #1 grayswandir creating three different items and a dungeon finishable with each of them.
For #2 Noel while Shinigami with (not so great) puzzles in each room is also interesting.
- Best use of Enemies... this depends a lot on the difficulty you can handle and scripted enemies (grayswandir #1) or new designed enemies (Noel #2) have the upper hand.

To go against what I have said before, I am against multiple categories, it is hard enough to decide between entries atm and writing a good review should be the key for good feedback. The review makes the categories unnecessary while the categories say out nothing without a good review. Only maybe make best designed dungeon (objective, #1 BigJoe & #2 NJF for me) and most enjoyable dungeon (subjective, #1 Joelmacool and #2 Noel for me).

[Eddy]

I'm all for multiple categories, it's nice to see how entries can be split up into different sections and makes it easier to see what area the dungeon does best in. I would also go for adding in a "Best Overall" option, but honestly it's up to you on that one. I think categories would help quite a lot IMO.

[Anthus]

Thanks for the replies, guys.

 

 

I like the idea of categories. But why not adding "Best Overall" as a category itself? This will be where people can vote for "The winner takes all" kinda deal.

 

Usually "best overall" and "best designed" will often go hand in hand in regards to voting, but this is not entirely the case. 

 

I may pick an average dungeon over a better designed dungeon as "best overall" just by how the dungeon feels. Even if I felt it was average and not up to par with the other dungeon, it just "felt better" and i think this is the importance of having best overall as an option even though I believe the votes for both of these will often reflect each other.

 

I meant to add a "Best Over-all" category, but I didn't type it out for some reason. And I agree that best designed might not be best over all. I am going to break the best designed into two other areas, and possibloe remove the enemy/ puzzle categories. 

 

Since I am whining about how to decide between good entries in the first DotM I would really like categories.

- Best overall makes sense to replace the actual voting.
- Best designed means art-wise or structure-wise? Maybe add something like best looking?
For #1 I would be stuck again between Joelmacool and BigJoe for best design. Joelmacool would be best looking.
For #2 NJF wins straight for best design and Noel for best looking.
- Best use of puzzles can mean a lot. From intelligent use of (scripted) items over complex but well designed dungeon-structures to brainbreaking (block-) puzzles. Best design should include this already I think, outstanding puzzles can always be mentioned in your review.
For #1 grayswandir creating three different items and a dungeon finishable with each of them.
For #2 Noel while Shinigami with (not so great) puzzles in each room is also interesting.
- Best use of Enemies... this depends a lot on the difficulty you can handle and scripted enemies (grayswandir #1) or new designed enemies (Noel #2) have the upper hand.

To go against what I have said before, I am against multiple categories, it is hard enough to decide between entries atm and writing a good review should be the key for good feedback. The review makes the categories unnecessary while the categories say out nothing without a good review. Only maybe make best designed dungeon (objective, #1 BigJoe & #2 NJF for me) and most enjoyable dungeon (subjective, #1 Joelmacool and #2 Noel for me).

 

When I wrote "best designed" I was actually thinking of the mechanics;/ technical side, but there should also be a category for best looking dungeon too. I was against that at first, but given there are other categories, It shouldn't take away from focusing too much on technical design, and game play.

 

As far as writing more in depth reviews, I don't think it would have a huge effect on people writing up reviews. The categories are things people will usually cover on breifly in their reviews anyway. There is also a "haven't played" option to you don't have to do it all in one sitting.

 

I do like the idea of having a "subjective" and "objective" option though. I will try to incorporate something like that. It is kind of hard to word the categories in a way that makes sense, and can apply to all entrants though, lol.

 

I'm all for multiple categories, it's nice to see how entries can be split up into different sections and makes it easier to see what area the dungeon does best in. I would also go for adding in a "Best Overall" option, but honestly it's up to you on that one. I think categories would help quite a lot IMO.

 

I am going to at least try categories for this next contest. If people absolutely hate it, or don't want to do it, then I'll go back. I just think it might be fun to try out

 

Secondary group of categories I'm thinking of:

 

• Best overall dungeon experience.
• Most enjoyable dungeon.
• Best use of the chosen tileset
• Most ingenious use of puzzle mechanics.
• Best use of a theme or gimmick.
• Haven't played yet.

I feel like having 6 categories is kind of a lot, but I feel like they all pretty much serve a purpose. If I have to trim some fat though, I'd want to re-word options four, and five or combine them.

 

 

Here is an alternate version of the above categories. Dunno if they are better:

• Best overall dungeon.
• Most fun dungeon.
• Prettiest dungeon.
• Best use of a theme, puzzle or gimmick. (If applicable)
• Haven't played yet.

 

 

 

EDIT: Does anyone wanna make dat userbar tho?