Level design competition

[Meowster]

Hello all,

I thought you might all be interested in this level design competition run by the developers of Plain Sight.

Plain Sight is a fun multiplayer game created by a small dev studio based in London. They're all very cool guys, and you could be too... if you win this competition

More info here: http://www.plainsightgame.com/node/3673

[Buckethead]

Level Design contest are no fun if you don't actually get to make a level.

[Meowster]

I think it's a little unreasonable to expect them to give everyone free use of the engine they've developed so you can knock about in it yourself, no?

I'm sure it will still be fun, you'll just have to sketch out the level you've designed. Which is not all that abnormal in the games industry anyway.

[Akatosh]

Pssh. Level design contests on paper? Come on, where's the challenge in that? I mean, everyone can DRAW a penis!

[InCreator]

...no word on award? Payment? Credits? Praise? Cookies?

We’ll pick our favourite level design, create it in 3d and throw it into the game for everyone to play in the final release! Just like that.

Sounds like random n00bish AGS upstart making a thread "I have an idea, a game about robots and lasers and zombies and elves. Please make my game. Then I will sell it and be rich!1! kthxbye"

[Meowster]

Except it's not, it's a real dev studio based in london and you have the chance to put it on your CV/portfolio if you win, which will give you extra credit if you're trying to break into design in the games industry.

Honestly I fucking despair at this forum. It is a game making forum right? You do make games from time to time? Do any of you actually want to be in the games industry or have any clue how to go about it??

[ThreeOhFour]

It is a game making forum right? You do make games from time to time? Do any of you actually want to be in the games industry?

Yeah, it is! Yeah, I do! Yeah, I do!

This comp looks like fun and also kinda easy to enter . I would love these people to make a level that I drew!

Only problem is that I suck at drawing with pencils  :'(

Edit coz you edited:

or have any clue how to go about it??

No, I don't  :'(

[InCreator]

Maybe that's that is game making forum.

I prefer to make my own levels, by myself, and for my own game or mod.
And seriously, for a real dev team, "just make it and we'll use it" is a bit too real.

I mean, when Rockstar, EA or whoever else too damn real hosts a competition, there IS a reward of some sort.  Especially BIG and REAL dev teams.
A free copy of game, name in thanks-to list or just something.

I don't think that many people would come and draw a level just for imaginary extra millimeter to e-penis. "I drew a sketch for one level for some indie game" won't make your CV shine so brightly neither.

Then again, getting hands on level editor and making your very own map - which - if successful - will also be featured in full game, now that would be FAR more fun.

[ThreeOhFour]

What about doing it coz it's fun and doesn't take heaps of effort - it is only a pencil sketch...

We enter sprite jams and stuff for fun, I don't see why we cannot enter a sketch a level competition just for fun . I can understand why these people don't want people playing around with a level editor they spent ages building, and I can also understand why you'd be reluctant to enter.

But let's be positive about a fun little competition! (wow, I sound like my teacher when I was 4  )

[Babar]

I downloaded it and played for a few minutes.

That is one of the weirdest confusing games in the universe. I literally didn't know whether I was coming or going, but I was having fun...more so in the LAN mode (which I was playing by myself, just running around and jumping), than in the internet mode with some other people, where I don't think I was accomplishing anything (or anyone else was, really...there was 1 person with 32 'kills', and the rest of us had zero).

Anyhow...I probably wouldn't know where to begin creating a level for that game. And yeah, I STILL don't have any clue how to go about it .

[Jakerpot]

I think it's a little unreasonable to expect them to give everyone free use of the engine they've developed so you can knock about in it yourself, no?

Well, as i can see they used XNA Engine. It's from Microsoft and it's free... YOu can develop PC and Xbox 360 with that engine, but with some programming knowledge.

[Buckethead]

I think it's a little unreasonable to expect them to give everyone free use of the engine they've developed so you can knock about in it yourself, no?

Not really. Lots of game and mod dev teams give out an editor to let you make your own stuff for their game or mod. This way the community can produce lots maps and mods to keep the game alive.

[Meowster]

I'm going to pass over the "I'm not going to enter this competition because of whatever reason!" comments because if you don't wanna be in the games industry or whatever, that's cool, but not what this thread is for.

To all that are interested: as someone who has been working in the games industry for a number of years, I can say that having such a thing on  your CV is definitely an advantage for getting work in the games industry. This game, however small the dev team may be or whatever else, is going to be a commercially released game (I believe the release date is March). Having things like this on your CV shows dedication. Even if you're only applying for production roles, or publishing studio roles, it will still look good on your CV. The games industry wants people who show love and excitement for what they do, who prove that they are creative and passionate and want to work in the industry. Entering (not just winning - keep your design in your portfolio!) this competition will be a show of that and help those of you with no experience to stand out in the plethora of games industry wannabes who apply for jobs every day.

Sorry for the terribly written paragraph above, I'm in a hurry but you get the gist.

[monkey0506]

I knew it was only a matter of time before we'd get the next "OMG you guys I'm super-serial" thread.....

Yuf I love you.

Edit: Seriously, Yuf....have my children. Please.

[Meowster]

If you don't want to work in the games industry then GET OUT!!!! Go on, GET OUT!!!! I'm super cereal.

[Eggie]

Work done for free doesn't look like anything other than filler on a resumé.

At least that's what industry insiders say about all those animation studios who try and exploit students through 'competitions' as a means of getting free labour.
I'm going to take a wild guess and assume the games industry isn't so different.

[ALPHATT]

I'd love to try this game out but a component needed for the game can't be downloaded beacuse the link is dead...