AGS Competition for Coders

[DoorKnobHandle]

I have thought about this idea a long time, before posting here. I know there are too much competitions going on anyway and that there has just been a new competition suggestion, but I realized, that there are several competitions for artists (backgrounds, sprites, comics), for musicians and even for story/dialog-writers, but not a single one for the ones here that are into coding.

So my idea is to have a competition for coders. A good example for a task, could be to write a particle engine with AGS... The entries would be AGS games, but should only show off the desired effect of course. They would be judged on how good they look, how fast they run (for example how many different particles it can render without slowdown) and how close they come to the desired effect.

The winner of a round could post a new idea, just like most competitions here already work.

If anybody here has any better ideas or suggestions on how to do a coder-competition, then share your opinion please.

[Chicky]

I can remember a coders competition a while back, i seem to remember it didnt do too well because of lack of entries.

[edmundito]

I don't see why not... It could be like the next version of Sprite Jam or Background Blitz and such...

Maybe something like Code Derby or something. :

[SSH]

I think the previous competition dies becuase the task set was to code soemthing that AGS could already do.

Maybe the list of "script modules that should be wirtten" can be consulted for ideas for a new compo, since those are things taht people would actually want... http://www.adventuregamestudio.co.uk/yabb/index.php?topic=22711.0

[Squinky]

I'd say supply them (the coders) with predetermined sprites and other resources and maybe even a short storyline and tell em to get to it. Give em like two weeks, maybe a month and then vote on it.  I know you were thinking of something more technical, but I think this would be a neat idea.

[scotch]

The thing is, making a game isn't a big test of coding prowess.  It can be, but it doesn't have to be, AGS script can be very simple if you don't want to do anything special.  I wouldn't mind a script module activity, especially if it was producing something useful, as SSH suggested.

[Paper Carnival]

Ah, I'd definately enter because if it's one thing I can do in a game it's the coding.. But I haven't touched AGS for over a year, so I barely remember anything. Plus, AGS has changed since then so I'd need a bit of training first... So I'm not entering , however I still support the idea.

[SSH]

If I may suggest: a very cool scripting challenge would be to write a "handwriting" module which would draw on the screen some text as if it were being written by hand!

Or the old Star Wars scroller would be an interestign one, too

[Scummbuddy]

I'm with SSH for pushing the script modules into completion.

[monkey0506]

I think that this could be fun.  Of course I'm not really sure about all this particle engine business.  Seeing as I don't even really know what "particle engine" means.

[Akumayo]

OOOOO !!!  I love this idea and I'm not even a good coder!!!  It would be a great chance to develop new modules like SSH said.  I REALLY hope this gets to the Competitions Forum.

[Etcher Squared Games]

I give my "thumbs up" to this idea since coding is by far the best thing I do.

[Kweepa]

Sounds very tempting...
Script only, of course. No plugins.

[Vince Twelve]

I second... or sixth... or whatever... this competition.  Sounds very fun.

[RickJ]

Hmmm,  I'm a bit skeptical about this. If the goal is to end up with high quality modules I'm not sure a time limited competition will produce it.   

Ask yourself what will it take to win one of these competitions?    It seems to me people will end up spending their time adding cool features and less time debugging and documenting what they have done because that is what will win the competition.   You can say that those things will be part of the judging criteria all you want but will people really vote/judge that way?   

Perhaps there needs to be something like a monthly module award or something similar.   A  Module Awards Moderator  (MAM  ) could maintain a module wish list from which module developers could choose.   Developers could choose to work on the same or seperate (I think separate is probably preferable) modules.  The MAM could keep track of and publish who is working on what.   If it takes one month fine, if it takes longer thats fine too.  When a module is completed it would be sumitted for evaluation  to the MAM.   Either the MAM himself or a committe appointed by the MAM could then render judgement and each month publish the results.  Perhaps the judging committe could  consist of the MAM and the other developers who submitted entries for a specific month.  The developers would have to vote for someone other than themselves.  In this way modules would get completed at their own pace and would likely be more complete and robust than if there were a time limit.  Also people would end up working on things in which they have an interest and/or expertise. 

I also like Squinky's idea also, although it probably isn't what dkh had in mind.   It would be neat if you could link up a character, backgorund, and game coding competitions.  If there were some common criteria then you could accumulate resources for a game pack that way?

Anyway these are just some of my thoughts I thought I wouold share with you.

Cheers
Rick

[Kweepa]

Hmmm,Ã,  I'm a bit skeptical about this. If the goal is to end up with high quality modules I'm not sure a time limited competition will produce it.Ã,  Ã, 

That wasn't the original goal... it was just to have a coding competition.
Removing the time limit also removes any pressure to release something, which removes the pressure to work on it, and so nothing happens.
(I agree that if modules were the goal, we'd end up with several non-robust modules that do much the same thing to choose from. Not good for the end user. So probably better to forget the modules.)

[RickJ]

That wasn't the original goal... it was just to have a coding competition.

I don't wish to be rude or anything Steve but for me it would just be a waste of valuable time and probably wouldn't be interested in participating.   Actually the same could be said for all the competitions in general.   Just imagine if all the sprite jams, background competitions, etc, etc were structured around a couple of  common sets of criteria (i.e. resolution, scaling, color depth, style, etc) and then archived and made available for use in games under a Creative Comons or GPL license of some sort.   There would be a gazillion resources available for those of us who are artistically challenged or just new to game making.

Removing the time limit also removes any pressure to release something, which removes the pressure to work on it, and so nothing happens.

The idea is that there would be an award every month.  So if ther were only one entry that peson would take the award.  I should think that the recognition would be enough incentive to see at least 12 modules released per year.

(I agree that if modules were the goal, we'd end up with several non-robust modules that do much the same thing to choose from. Not good for the end user. So probably better to forget the modules.)

Maybe robust module production should be the goal?   I think at the moment there is a range of quality in the modules that are being released.    A module competition or award activity would perhaps give less disciplined or experienced developers incentive and guidance to improve their work.   In fact all of us could benefit from peer review.   It  could be a fun way if getting quality modules released and getting more people involved in module development (provided there is enough interest).   

I realize this idea is a bit different than what was originally suggested so I'll understand if I'm the only one who thinks it's cool.  :'(   Hehe, anyway it's just my 2 cents worth.  I think I'll just go slap the cat's ass now, so cheers.

[SSH]

Well, previously the time-limited game competitions worked becuase people generally rushed out a just-working thing in the time limit and then produced a final robust version later on. As long as people make the modules open source, then you can work on their ideas anyway, even if there is some flakiness.

[Haddas]

Well, previously the time-limited game competitions worked becuase people generally rushed out a just-working thing in the time limit and then produced a final robust version later on. As long as people make the modules open source, then you can work on their ideas anyway, even if there is some flakiness.

That's silly and you know it. Making a module open source and letting other people continue your work NEVER amounted to anythning.

[Akumayo]

Seriously, I really support this idea!  I WANT this on the competitions forum!  I think if the time limit was like, one month, surely at least a nice beta could be released, and that would grow into a full-blown module.  Please re-consider moderators!