Mockup Merriment, or Mission: Badass Christmas (Now until Christmas Eve!) WIN!

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

That's right, boys and girls, it's another edition of draw your favorite game scene that people would play!

The topic for this time period (16-24) is:  ______ Conquers the..._______?!.

Your mission, should you choose to accept it, is to produce the following:

1.  A scene from a Christmas-themed game, be it a Graphic Adventure, an Action-Adventure (including platformers!) or even a first person shooter.  Heck, I'll even allow pinball games!  Puzzle games, though, are right out!

2.  Create a compelling, utterly badass screen of ultimate wonderment -  and do it in 64 colors or less!

3.  Limit your fantastic scene of Christmas cool to 320x240 or smaller.  You can, of course, reduce larger images if you want to.

4.  The protagonist should be any distinctly Christmas-themed character (Santa, Rudolf, Frosty, or any other mythological character related to christmas so long as you provide some reference for the esoteric ones!).  This fulfills the first part of the game's title!

5.  The second ______ in the title must be the antagonists of your badass tale, be it Martians, Grover Cleveland's Zombified head or, horror of horrors, a gang of trash-talking Emo kids bent on Christmas' destruction!

6 (Bonus 1):  GUI must appear to have some kind of innovative or silly function.

7 (Bonus 2):  Make the game entirely in EGA/C-64 resolution and colors, just to prove how hardcore you are!

8 (Bonus 3): Mention 'Mission: Badass Christmas' in your entry at least once!

Now let's get this Yo-ho-show on the ro-ho-hoad!



Special Badass Christmas Rating System!:

Favorite Visual Style (which style is the most visually appealing?):

Best Interface (which interface/gui looks the most fun/creative to you?):

Badassness(tm) (which entry looks like it would be the most fun to actually play?):

Best Design (which entry seems to have its elements fitting nicely together?):

Most Christmasy (which entry fills you with the spirit of christmas?):

[Nacho]

Thread closed beofre I was able to say something nice... Congratulations of winning the previous Mockup, Prog!

Nice topic for this week' s edition. 

[Monsieur OUXX]

By the way, about the previous Mockup Blitz... (It's just because I love cinema and I could spend hours reading Wikipedia articles)

[TheJBurger]

Well, I wanted to spend longer on this but I'm leaving on a one week trip.

Frosty Conquers the Elves!


In some kind of twisted world where Frosty is totally and undeniably evil, he sets out on a mission to destroy Santa's Toy Shop. Armed with him is his trusty hat and broom, both of which he can use in an ultimate arsenal of deadly moves. Along with his health bar, he has a level bar which starts at 1, only giving him the basic moves. At certain junctions in the story, he can increase his level cap to 2, 3, etc. But he can only perform those moves if his level bar is full, which can be done by collecting stars from dead enemies. (Sorry Cave Story!)

[Akatosh]

Not that *THIS* had a chance against that entry, but it was fun to make. Here it is, anyway...

Santa Conquers the Nazis!
Because No Popular Character Will Be Spared From Having To Play A Role In World War II


"Last chance, boneheads - drop your weapons and say a nice poem, or BOOM."

(37-ish colors according to Pro Motion)

24th December, 1943. After having finished his traditional cup of morning tea (and the funny papers) Santa decided it was about damn time to get to double-check the Naughty/Nice list. What he finds there is startling, but there is no doubt: The entirety of the Nazi Germany Military officers are on the bad side of the list!  But promise is promise, and job is job. He sets out to bring festive mayhem over the country.

The game is broken into parts, aka "missions". Here, it's our job to deliver the military commander of some largeish city his "present"; since the path is full of equally naughty (not the kinky meaning), Santa obviously had to make his way through the canals before being able to employ his trusty bazooka.

The game obviously is a horrible mixture of an adventure and a platform game. Don't ask how that works, and yes, I know the characters look overly cute... again. 
Characters based on Advance Wars sprites... but I hope that'll be OK.

[Layabout]

Akatosh, I want to play that game!!!! That looks awesome!

[Galen]

Frosty Conquers the Elves! looks like the Soviet version of Cave Story

[loominous]

What's the reasoning behind excluding art made in higher resolutions?

Even if no restrictions exist, about half or more of the entries are already in low res, so I'm interested in the motivation.

[Dualnames]

JBurger... stop entering mockups sometime soon
We won't to partecipate as well but your a winner everytime..

[R4L]

JBurger... stop entering mockups sometime soon
We won't to partecipate as well but your a winner everytime..

Everyone has a right to participate. J's entry is awesome, but that doesn't mean he automatically wins.

[GarageGothic]

I was going to do "Baby Jesus Conquers the Abortionists", but it seems I won't have time.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Stay on topic, this is about fun, not winning, and there are no prizes unless it just makes you feel great to win, which is okay! 

[Nacho]

Yeah, you say that because you allways (unfairly) win.. 

Just kidding!   

And now, got back to a serious note. Great sprites, Akatosh, specially considering that you thought you were not good at low res. Looked like the Metal Slug sprites, and I am quite sure you have used them as a reference as for designing and lighting, but you did not ripp... Congrats!

[loominous]

Assuming you missed my question, and didn't just arrogantly ignore it, here it is again:

What's the reasoning behind excluding art made in higher resolutions?

Even if no restrictions exist, about half or more of the entries are already in low res, so I'm interested in the motivation.

[Akatosh]

Pro-/Contra-Low-Res is already being discussed over here, pal. And it's completely up to the guy who starts the competition thread to set size/palette restrictions; ProgZ appearantly just has a thing for lo-res 

In different news, thanks for the praise, people! Seems like I have a surefire... second place. 

[loominous]

Pro-/Contra-Low-Res is already being discussed over here, pal.

Appreciate being called "pal", but I don't see how that thread has anything to do with my question.

And it's completely up to the guy who starts the competition thread to set size/palette restrictions; ProgZ appearantly just has a thing for lo-res 

Again, not sure what this is answering. Prog sure seems to prefer his low res, and yes, it's up to the host.

The interesting part is how you go from: 'I sure do prefer low res!' to 'Let's ban all entries that don't correspond to my resolution taste!', which  curiously enough only seem to pass through the mind of lo res people. Some kind of discrimination complex perhaps.

(If most entries were hi res, I could understand how a restriction like that could be applied to "shake things up". But since most entries nowadays seem to be low res, this motivation would seem very puzzling.)

So, my question remains.

(And to avoid a debate, please refrain from answering unless you're Prog, or happen to know his reasoning.)

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

You seem to have formed your own judgmental view of me already, Loominous, and these kinds of discussions aren't really appropriate for the thread.  You could have (and still can, of course) private message me about this at any time!
 

[Layabout]

Actually, 5 rules are excessive, and personally I do understand loominous' questioning. Most people will still submit 320x2xx art, so it seems somewhat unfair to impose such a restriction limiting those who prefer to dabble in the higher resolutions.

It seems to me you are trying to restrict the 'better' artists from entering this 'mockup', which is undoubtably unfair. After all, it's not just about the art, its the concept and the visualisation that plays a part in these contests. And it is all a bit of fun.

Why restrict those who prefer the higher pixels?

I know with things like sprite jam, there is always a set amount of pixels, but if you are asking for a background/mockup, why restrict?

I am so the oldbie around here, and I don't think it is fair! Share the love, It is christmas, Let people have their fun. There is much restriction in this world! Don't let this place be as such!

And i'm sorry to clog up this thread, as I know it is a contest, but I too think it is discriminating. Brussells would frown upon this thread. :p

And I rant no longer.

[EdLoen]

*opens a can of worms*

3.  Limit your fantastic scene of Christmas cool to 320x240 or smaller.  You can, of course, reduce larger images if you want to.

I find it funny that with that statement in the rules, why there's an argument....  the way I see it, that allows someone to work at 640x480 (or higher) and then just shrink the image.  To me, this means you can do your mock-up in 3d even (as long as it meets the color restrictions) as long as the entry is no larger then 320x240.

all those other things that are on the list about having commador64 grapic style and such is just options that progZ put out there.

Personally, this little argument that's happening is moot.

[Khris]

Unfinished, but posting anyway.

Santa Conquers Teh Toyz!!1

Evil Robot Santa went back in time and turned all toys into killer machines. There's only one to stop them: Santa Claus!

Showing an innovative GUI function in a jump'n'run is kinda difficult so I'll tell: once the life bar is down to zero, Santa turns into an evil Santa himself for a limited time and now the player has to avoid all the power ups and stuff because touching them turns them into enemies.



The background sticks to the limit of 3 colors + background for every 4x8 char. And I've used tiles for some additional fun

[loominous]

You seem to have formed your own judgmental view of me already, Loominous, and these kinds of discussions aren't really appropriate for the thread.  You could have (and still can, of course) private message me about this at any time!

I won't deny that I have my theory, but it's an honest question, as I reserve my judgment until I'm properly informed. For all I know you may have an excellent reason, which is why I asked a question, instead of jumping to conclusion and calling you a discriminating lo res bigot.

My intention isn't to start a discussion here, which I completely agree isn't the place, so it would be nice if you could simply answer the question, as the longer this drags out, the more it will resemble a debate.


And to anyone going "quit whining, whatever the host says goes":

Imagine your reaction if most entries nowadays were hi res, and yet every other round, without explanation, lo res entries were banned. You'd certainly be puzzled, and if you prefer lo res, probably very annoyed after a several iterations. If you questioned the practice, you'd be initially met by comments like: "quit whining!", "it's up to the host!", and later on with motivations like: "most gfx nowadays are hi res, so lo res people get the chance to evolve!" or some other less convincing argument.

I think this is simply a discriminating practice with practical roots (now invalid) that we're so used to that people don't even think about it, especially the lo res crowd, as it never affects them, and since some seem to have a thing against hi res. Saying it's simply up to the host is like saying it's ok for a bar owner to ban black people, since it's his bar after all, and that the black folks can always open up their own establishment where they can ban white people if they like (sure, not completely analog, but you get the point).

For the record, I have nothing against lo res, I think it gives a very charming look and feel that most often trumps hi res counterparts for various reasons. However, it doesn't work with the more classical form of animated character art I go for, which is why it's not a matter of simply scaling down, as you just end up with a bunch of indistinguishable blurry pixels).

[BOYD1981]

For the record, I have nothing against lo res, I think it gives a very charming look and feel that most often trumps hi res counterparts for various reasons. However, it doesn't work with the more classical form of animated character art I go for, which is why it's not a matter of simply scaling down, as you just end up with a bunch of indistinguishable blurry pixels).

well to be perfectly fair the competition isn't just for you to enter, it's for everyone, you're acting like the lo-res limit was deliberately put in place to stop you from entering, when in actual fact it was just to give that retro feel that suits the genre of games listed.
your way of thinking could apply to all the competitions on the forums, i mean i'd prefer it if the tune contest was always relevant to my own musical talents. the same way in which somebody who is good at making horror games would prefer MAGS to suit them all the time, but variety is the spice of life and the competitions would get very boring very quickly if the guidelines were just the same each time.

[loominous]

For the record, I have nothing against lo res, I think it gives a very charming look and feel that most often trumps hi res counterparts for various reasons. However, it doesn't work with the more classical form of animated character art I go for, which is why it's not a matter of simply scaling down, as you just end up with a bunch of indistinguishable blurry pixels).

well to be perfectly fair the competition isn't just for you to enter, it's for everyone, you're acting like the lo-res limit was deliberately put in place to stop you from entering, when in actual fact it was just to give that retro feel that suits the genre of games listed.
your way of thinking could apply to all the competitions on the forums, i mean i'd prefer it if the tune contest was always relevant to my own musical talents. the same way in which somebody who is good at making horror games would prefer MAGS to suit them all the time, but variety is the spice of life and the competitions would get very boring very quickly if the guidelines were just the same each time.

I respect Prog's wish to avoid a debate here. I do however think he, as host, is obliged to answer simple questions regarding the rules, which is why I've continued posting reminders and responses to his posts.

So if you wish to discuss this further, please start a new thread, though why not skip the erroneous statements and strawmen presented so far.

(Depending on Prog's answer, if he ever gives one, I may very well start one myself)

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

I'm not exactly sure why you'd rather drag this into the thread while stating that you respect my wishes?  Is it also so difficult just to private message me with your concerns? 

I guess so.

I made the competition to be retro, fun, and silly.  Do I really need to go into any more detail than that for a free-for-all, nobody wins anything but 'nice job' contest?  I honestly don't think so.  I don't remember having questioned any of your rule sets or design decisions for competitions, moreover, and I find it rather offputting that you seem it appropriate to question my rule sets and design decisions.  These competitions are meant for fun and not bragging rights or any other egotistical whim-based behavior, and hey, if you don't like the particular theme/rules, it's rather simple:  don't enter.  Wait for the next competition when the theme and rules seem more to your liking.  The sprite jam works in precisely the same way, with color/resolution/style rules regularly imposed.  Why should a game mockup competition not have similar design rules?  Obviously if my rules were too difficult/ridiculous nobody would have entered, but we have three great entries so far and those people had a lot of fun (I'm guessing) making them.  In short:  chill out and stop being so judgmental.

That said, if anyone else has an entry in the works, please let me know asap, otherwise it's on with the voting!

[Gilbert]

I don't care to read most of these discussions, but the policy I take in this forum is, unless the rules are exceptionally unfair, it's up to the host to set his own rules, as it's his privillege obtained from winning the last round.

If you don't like a rule, unless it's hated by a large number of members then there is no point to argue about it. If a rule doesn't fit your habit of creation, why not take it as a challenge and try to work with the rules? (Or, just ignore the round and wait for another which fits you more.)

I don't want to impose heavy moderation on this forum, but if people continue on using activity threads for lengthy discussions I think I may do something.

[loominous]

Prog:

It was a simple question, and if you had answered it straight away, instead of ignoring it, the thread would be a couple of posts lighter, as my aim wasn't, and still isn't, to start a debate here. Guess the lesson is that ignoring questions as host isn't a good idea if you wish to keep the thread lean. Might want to write that down.

Not surprisingly, your post seems to mostly regurgitate the wild claims and strawmen of BOYD's post, but you finally actually answered, which is at least something.

[Gilbert]

Please, don't continue on with this, or I'll take action.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

Looks like it's voting time, I doubt anyone is working on stuff today!

I can't vote but I just want to say a bit about the entries.

As usual, TheJBurger has impressed me with his pixelling skills, and I would definitely play a game that looked like that, so hooray!

Akatosh's entry was also good, and the sprites in particular show a lot of effort!  I would play this game, too!

As for Khrismuc, what can I say about your c-64 faithful Santa Conquers Teh Toys!!1 entry!  You make me happy ^_^.


Now vote for which one you like the most!

[Lamak]

Wow. JBurger, KhrisMUC... Impressive... Most impressive (Santa Vador speaking). That's some breathtaking pixel art, guys!  :o

But my vote goes to Akatosh. His entry is funny as hell (Ho, ho, ho, suckers !) and the concept is brilliant.

And, as Layabout said : I want to play that game !

[Dualnames]

Well, I'd vote for Akatosh all the way...
Five days a Santa.. 

[vertigoaddict]

Special Badass Christmas Rating System!:

Favorite Visual Style (which style is the most visually appealing?):

AKATOSH (it's clean, not too much, not too little. you can stare all day without hurting your eyes)

Best Interface (which interface/gui looks the most fun/creative to you?):

AKATOSH

Badassness(tm) (which entry looks like it would be the most fun to actually play?):

AKATOSH (Come on! Nazis!)

Best Design (which entry seems to have its elements fitting nicely together?):

KrisMUC (nostalgic)

Most Christmasy (which entry fills you with the spirit of christmas?):

JBurger

[SpacePirateCaine]

I'd like to comment on each entry individually for each piece before casting each vote..

Favorite Visual Style (which style is the most visually appealing?):

Akatosh - I know that he mentioned it in his post, so it's a lot better than just ripping the sprites and passing them off as his own, but I just can't condone Akatosh's usage of Advance Wars sprites, barely edited from their original commercial game roots. The sprites that he did do - Santa, in particular, was incongruous with the rest of the visual style, due to a lack of shading, and the background seemed just a little flat.
The JBurger - The artistic style in JBurger's entry is very clean, and all of the characters read well. There's plenty of variation in the elves, suggesting a fair bit of work having been put into the image, while still having the feel of an old side-scrolling shooter. Great stuff.
KhrisMUC - Unfinished, which is too bad. The double-wide pixels and retro colors and look all show a great attention to detail while still giving the image of an old-skool christmas run 'n jump puzzle game. Looking great.

My vote goes to The JBurger for Visual Style.


Best Interface (which interface/gui looks the most fun/creative to you?):

Akatosh - I do like a good double-dragon style beat-em-up. I'll have to say that as the other two went with platformers, this does by default show that you thought of something that the others didn't.
The JBurger - The only one with any type of GUI to speak of, with the simple health and level bars. Good idea, nice implementation. I'd like to see how they actually worked in practice at some point.
KhrisMUC - It's a pity that you didn't do something to show the actual interface for the evil Santa idea. It would've even been fun to see a Doom-style Santa face who shows an increasing level of frustration as he takes too many hits, though I think that would've probably taken up a lot of unnecessary extra space.

My vote goes to KhrisMUC for the interesting idea of the angry Santa.


Badassness(tm) (which entry looks like it would be the most fun to actually play?):

Akatosh - Looks like a pretty standard side-scrolling shooter, along the same lines as Final Fight, Golden Axe etc. with guns. It would be fun to blow up Nazis as Santa Claus, and I can see that as a pretty groovy concept.
The JBurger - Frosty the Snowman with special moves, plowing through the north pole to destroy Santa and his elves. Fun stuff.
KhrisMUC - Again, very neat implementation. I like the scale and the level design - I'd be interested in knowing how it was going to look when ultimately released, but that's just an unfortunate thing about time limits.

My vote goes to The JBurger for the concept of using a broom and a hat for special moves, and the different elf poses denoting more variety in the way you'd need to go about fighting against them.


Best Design (which entry seems to have its elements fitting nicely together?):

Akatosh - Noted before in visual style, the direct rips from Advance Wars (The Nazis) and the hand-made sprites don't really mesh very well. I assume this is what ProgZMax referred to. The actual layout is pretty vanilla, though that's not necessarily a terribly bad thing.
The JBurger - Pretty standard platformer, by the looks of it. I think visually it all looks like it fits really well together, the colors and sprites are all of a similar level of quality and there's nothing that really seems to stand out like a sore thumb that shouldn't. Well implemented.
KhrisMUC - Much the same as with The JBurger, the different elements of the platformer mesh well, though some of the sprites don't read as well as others. I'm trying to work out what the circular things are in the tree... Donuts? I don't know about the spider, but the gingerbread man powerups and so on fit pretty well, I'd say.

My vote goes to The JBurger for strong, consistent artwork.


Most Christmasy (which entry fills you with the spirit of christmas?):

Akatosh - Aside from the main character being Santa Claus, it doesn't really scream 'Christmas' to me. If you'd substituted that one sprite with anything else, I wouldn't have guessed at it being a Christmas game.
The JBurger - Snow, icy mountains, snow-covered trees, igloos, elves, Frosty the Snowman... Everything fits right where it should.
KhrisMUC - I almost think that the level in general could've stood to have a few less 'warm' colors. The tree's green seems more 'early spring' than 'mid winter' to me. I love the candy-cane in the background.

My vote goes to The JBurger for a very obviously Xmas themed game.

[Shane 'ProgZmax' Stevens]

The fans seem to have overwhelmingly spoken with this contest, and therefore the winner must be:

AKATOSH:  ME GO WIN!

Start a new competition whenever, and thanks for entering, everyone!

[Akatosh]

 :o

Whee! Thanks, people... I'll think up a new theme and start the next thread tomorrow-ish.