Bring back AGS team challenge!

[Vel]

So, I see that many people would take part. Any volunteers for organizing this one?

[scotch]

I think people should be divided into groups on what skills they have, and a random person picked from the artist group, one from the scripter group, onne from the music group and so on.  Would proabably end up with more balanced teams that way.

Assuming you can get enough people in each group.

[ScottDoom]

Good idea, scotch.

I'm up for it (the whole AGS Team Challenge idea). I'd be a good storywriter and puzzle designer.

[Vel]

Scotch, but some people may do more than one component well. In that case?

[scotch]

Then they get put in the category that needs them most, if there are less coders than artists, then an artist-coder would be put in the artist group.
I'm not really sure if that's the best way, but some weighting toward balanced taems would be good ,imo.

[Ginny]

Heh, I was going to bring up the case that someone is good at two areas of game design too. I suppose dividing by team role is a way to make more balanced teams, but what if there are 5 coders, 5 musicians, 8 story writers and 3 artists? Such a situation might come up,and it'll be difficult to divide this way. One of the challenges of a team challenge was to work with what was available, if there were two writer's on one team, and 2 artist on another, different areas of these teams games might have different quality. Then again, more than one coder on a team isn't useful, it's very difficult to pass coding from one to the other, because of style and other issues.
forget it, I'm just rambling. I'm sure whatever the organisator tries will work eventually.

There will be a theme/rules, yes?

[Vel]

I am with scotch on this one.

Also, I am completely against the theming - the plotwriters should be able to come up with their own ideas.

As for the length of the game, I think that it should be short-medium. BTW, the time limit WILL be 4-6 weeks, yes?

[Iwan]

I would give it a go. 4-6 weeks sounds ok. I think having a basic theme and some rules would help people as they will then have a better idea on what to do. Also having a theme might help judge decide on the winner.

[YOke]

Just had a thought.
Don't know if it's good or anything, so take it for what it is.

What if project leaders and/or writers sign up first, then put out a synopsis of the game and recruit the other members of the team that way? Would at least prevent that you have any "Screw this! I don't want to make a Sci-Fi game!" kind of things happening...

[Ginny]

But isn't making up a story from certain rules more challenging, and yet something that gets the creative juices flowing? I can see how a theme might be too much, but what about a few elements that need to be included in the games? Still, it doesn't really matter either way, making up a story from scratch is just as good.
I agree about the game length, though of course, a game shouldn't be disqualified if it's a bit too short. 4-6 weeks, or a month is the ideal time In my opinion.

Btw, I forgot to mention another thing about the teams, sometimes the whole team will want to write the story together, not just one person. I guess that had better be decided in each team seperately.

[Iwan]

Good idea YOke.

[Vel]

I think that when the teams are decided, they should make the plot outline toghether(of course, it is their decision whether to). That should take care of the 'oh, I don't wanna make a MI clone' thing.

[Andail]

The outcome of a project like this will depend on how seriousöy people take it, and how "big" the whole thing gets.

First of all, it needs to be administered by some veteran in the project department, someone like Mods or DG. Secondly, it should be given great attention; weekly updating, articles and perhaps sample screenshots, just to keep up the spirit. When kids do projects in school, they success to a  greater extension if they have to hand in reports regularly.

I do think the project is a great idea, because it inspires people who'd never thought of creating their own game to get involved in the game making procedure.

I say, if we go for a second round, we have to put the first round behind us; rebuild the teams, put away the original material. Start out fresh. Let a small board of trusted veterans work out rules, teams and eventually judging.

Go for it!

[Vel]

Couldn't have said it better myself, Andail.

[Czar]

I dont know if i should post this here or on the personal forum, but i'm giving a appeal() to my team and others who arz0r still working on their games ( 1 year and some months later...  )/ suggesting that we try to make the best with Harvey Danger till the new deadline?

If it is not clear:
What i mean is to take the new deadline as valid for the old teams. What do you say?

[Scummbuddy]

Thats what I was thinking. we would just be included as our already team in this one.

[Vel]

I think that the teams will be mixed so, I guess that's a no.

[Evil]

I'd love to participate, however, I have a lot of events comming up. Four weeks is way too much for me! I think a week is good. These games dont need to be amazing. Heck, many people that enter MAGS only work for a week. :-/

[Dave Gilbert]

Hm, methinks I'd like to participate too.  I can definitely do scripting, but my art ability is only slightly greater than a scrambled egg.

[Vel]

So, who'll host? (I could)