RE: Trainz Session-Creation Competition
- Thread starter dh2k3
- Start date
JamesMoody
Trainz Team
The routes listed are the TS2010 routes - the ones added for the TS2010 version of the game, and taking advantage of the TS2010 features and content.
If you feel we've missed an included route that meets those definitions (e.g. extensive use of speedtree) then let us know.
Razorback, in the form it is available in TS2010, doesn't meet these requirements.
Whilst I think this is great idea, I believe some of the conditions are rather restrictive in the case of the ECML route. Specifically:
Obviously there can be some issues with downloaded content, but any thoughts of ways to give a bit more variety?
To set a session in the period the route is set i.e late 1970s, it would be better if some of the great DLS content could be used too. For example there are no built-in shunting locos or restaurant vehicles in the correct livery, and a greater selection of diesels and wagons would result in a more interesting session.
Obviously there can be some issues with downloaded content, but any thoughts of ways to give a bit more variety?
Baureihe41
Banned
Using only built-in TS20010 content in combination with: Use of graphically detailed locomotives and stock is highly recommended. We want the sessions to look graphically impressive, makes it almost impossible to make anything interesting at all. The only decent content in this version is the Chinese content by Ocemy ... but no Chinese route to work with.
I wonder what happened to that other route building competition, the one with the $1000,00 first prize ... I don't recall it ever been coughed up by Auran/N3V ... perhaps these people should get their prize first before issuing other competitions?
I wonder what happened to that other route building competition, the one with the $1000,00 first prize ... I don't recall it ever been coughed up by Auran/N3V ... perhaps these people should get their prize first before issuing other competitions?
Hi guys,
Thanks for the feedback. We've two objectives that we'd like to reach through this competition-
1. To provide some additional content to those TS2010 customers who are into the "driving" aspect of the game only. While the gameplay is somewhat version-agnostic, we want the end result to be something that our TS2010 customers will be happy with and able to appreciate without jumping through hoops or extensive downloading. Yes, there's a lot that could be done by relaxing these rules, but we feel that the game ships with easily sufficient content to make solid sessions.
2. We don't want sessions to be the domain of the "power users". By promoting sessions which are built through Surveyor, rather than some alternative tool, we're allowing other creators to learn from your experience. We consider this to be an important outcome.
Kind regards,
chris
Thanks for the feedback. We've two objectives that we'd like to reach through this competition-
1. To provide some additional content to those TS2010 customers who are into the "driving" aspect of the game only. While the gameplay is somewhat version-agnostic, we want the end result to be something that our TS2010 customers will be happy with and able to appreciate without jumping through hoops or extensive downloading. Yes, there's a lot that could be done by relaxing these rules, but we feel that the game ships with easily sufficient content to make solid sessions.
2. We don't want sessions to be the domain of the "power users". By promoting sessions which are built through Surveyor, rather than some alternative tool, we're allowing other creators to learn from your experience. We consider this to be an important outcome.
Kind regards,
chris
I've got a question,
When you create the session, are you only allowed one train in the entire session or as many trains as possible with a person operating one
I myself think trains going around you as you go along is much more entertaining
And one more question
Will the judges have low, mid or high-range computers??
Jamie
When you create the session, are you only allowed one train in the entire session or as many trains as possible with a person operating one
I myself think trains going around you as you go along is much more entertaining
And one more question
Will the judges have low, mid or high-range computers??
Jamie
The competition rules don't offer any guidance on this. Both are acceptable, so it's up to the individual creator how many user-controlled trains and how much AI traffic is included.
This is a good question. Perhaps it's best to answer this with "we expect your session to perform comparably with the Built-in TS2010 sessions." The judges will be using computers which are well capable of running TS2010, so as long as you don't go overboard, performance shouldn't be a concern.
hth,
chris
Guys --
Let me see if I understand this.
Back in 2009 I worked my butt off to provide a total of 20 sessions to go with my three routes that were included in TS2010.
I tried to make each and every session interesting and attempted to showcase all that was good in Trainz - highly detailed locomotives and rolling stock, interactive freight cars and industries, interactions with AI trainz, ... .
The sessions covered the spectrum of day and night, good weather and foul. All were uniquely different.
And in the end I even had to BUY my own copy of TS2010.
Now, having done all the hard yards of actually making the routes and demonstrated what can be achieved, some other bum can get a prize of $1,000 just by standing on my shoulders?
Hmmm. Actually some of the above should be taken in jest.
Phil
Edit:
1. Shouldn't "Downtown Traction" be included in the eligible routes?
2. I'll be even more upset if a session that is not based on one of my routes wins the Grand Prize.
Let me see if I understand this.
Back in 2009 I worked my butt off to provide a total of 20 sessions to go with my three routes that were included in TS2010.
I tried to make each and every session interesting and attempted to showcase all that was good in Trainz - highly detailed locomotives and rolling stock, interactive freight cars and industries, interactions with AI trainz, ... .
The sessions covered the spectrum of day and night, good weather and foul. All were uniquely different.
And in the end I even had to BUY my own copy of TS2010.
Now, having done all the hard yards of actually making the routes and demonstrated what can be achieved, some other bum can get a prize of $1,000 just by standing on my shoulders?
Hmmm. Actually some of the above should be taken in jest.
Phil
Edit:
1. Shouldn't "Downtown Traction" be included in the eligible routes?
2. I'll be even more upset if a session that is not based on one of my routes wins the Grand Prize.
Last edited:
I think the idea of a session building competition isn't a bad way to encourage development, but this seems to be aimed more at professional developers than the rest of us:
1. Sessions are time-consuming to test. A deadline of four weeks limits entries to those from developers who are free to work intensively, or have already built, or started building, their entry. I published a few MSTS activities and my "product cycle" was 6-8 weeks. The initial announcement of this competition got me interested in buying TS2010 (for which I would also have to invest in a faster PC), but by the time I've bought new hardware, and the game, learned how to write sessions, and visualised what I'd like to do, I'd have no time left to write it. I assumed you'd give us at least eight weeks, not four!
2. The volunteer developer community isn't motivated by money. We share our work mostly because we like the idea that others will enjoy the fruits of our efforts. I'd be more motivated by the promise that all decent entries would be recognised, and, say, published on a special download page along with ranks and reviews, than that three (or perhaps only one) of us would get paid. Sure, we'd love to receive some money in addition to the recognition, especially as we've had to pay for the software and the hardware to run it on, but it isn't the most important thing. If Auran is determined to offer prizemoney I think it would be much healthier to distribute it among all quality entries according to their judged ranking, so everyone can feel appropriately rewarded for their efforts. Few things undermine the spirit of a volunteer community better than selectively paying a few of them. I think philskene's sentiments are 100% justified, and expect he's not the only one feeling this way. Should volunteer developers now sit on everything they create and starve the user community until Auran offers them money?
1. Sessions are time-consuming to test. A deadline of four weeks limits entries to those from developers who are free to work intensively, or have already built, or started building, their entry. I published a few MSTS activities and my "product cycle" was 6-8 weeks. The initial announcement of this competition got me interested in buying TS2010 (for which I would also have to invest in a faster PC), but by the time I've bought new hardware, and the game, learned how to write sessions, and visualised what I'd like to do, I'd have no time left to write it. I assumed you'd give us at least eight weeks, not four!
2. The volunteer developer community isn't motivated by money. We share our work mostly because we like the idea that others will enjoy the fruits of our efforts. I'd be more motivated by the promise that all decent entries would be recognised, and, say, published on a special download page along with ranks and reviews, than that three (or perhaps only one) of us would get paid. Sure, we'd love to receive some money in addition to the recognition, especially as we've had to pay for the software and the hardware to run it on, but it isn't the most important thing. If Auran is determined to offer prizemoney I think it would be much healthier to distribute it among all quality entries according to their judged ranking, so everyone can feel appropriately rewarded for their efforts. Few things undermine the spirit of a volunteer community better than selectively paying a few of them. I think philskene's sentiments are 100% justified, and expect he's not the only one feeling this way. Should volunteer developers now sit on everything they create and starve the user community until Auran offers them money?
hello philskene
It's not possible to compare my very very small part with your great efforts but i too have the bad feelings.
I worked on Avery and ECML session almost six months and are the first uploaded sessions for layer system. OK, it's my hobby, but i don't understand, that Auran don't feel any obligation for just answer me about problem with layer system. I posted the problem on help desk in the beginning of August.
regards
celje
It's not possible to compare my very very small part with your great efforts but i too have the bad feelings.
I worked on Avery and ECML session almost six months and are the first uploaded sessions for layer system. OK, it's my hobby, but i don't understand, that Auran don't feel any obligation for just answer me about problem with layer system. I posted the problem on help desk in the beginning of August.
regards
celje
Look guys, the contest is what it is. Either accept the terms or don't enter. Nothing is stopping you from uploading your sessions to the DLS if you have a problem with winning money.
Phil, I would think you have the inside track given your experience with your own routes.
As for the time limit, it should be fairly obvious that N3V/Auran wants them on the DLS in time for Christmas.
I'm looking forward to some great sessions.
William
Phil, I would think you have the inside track given your experience with your own routes.
As for the time limit, it should be fairly obvious that N3V/Auran wants them on the DLS in time for Christmas.
I'm looking forward to some great sessions.
William
Sweet!
Is this going to be an annual competition? If so that would be great because I will have figured out how to do it to be in the running.
This is a great idea, maybe after Xmas you could have an route competition that is 6 to 8 months long to add to the route list for the next session competition, but next time make the session competition 2 months long.:mop:
Is this going to be an annual competition? If so that would be great because I will have figured out how to do it to be in the running.
This is a great idea, maybe after Xmas you could have an route competition that is 6 to 8 months long to add to the route list for the next session competition, but next time make the session competition 2 months long.:mop:
Wreeder
I don't think that's so simple.
Example: you made something and someone unknown sold this and make money.
It has nothing to do with enter or don't enter in the contest.
Where are the authors rights then.
Will history repeat itself?
I hope not.
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=16758&highlight=auran+contests
There may have been many extenuating circumstances in the past at Auran that contributed to this.
Have fun and good luck to all who enter.
I hope not.
http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=16758&highlight=auran+contests
There may have been many extenuating circumstances in the past at Auran that contributed to this.
Have fun and good luck to all who enter.
This will depend on how successful this first competition is. If we feel that the competition has achieved our objectives, then it's likely that we'll run additional similar competitions, although it's likely that each competition will have a slightly different focus.
While we want to provide rewards that are sufficient to interest the more talented/established creators, we obviously don't want to get into a rut where the same creators win every time, otherwise it would be discouraging to other entrants. It's fair to say that if we make this a regular event, that we'll be shaking things up a little and also rewarding creativity.
chris
meatloaf747
Spotter...
Surely this answers your question; Submission Rules
The following rules apply to this competition:
- A submission consists of a single new driver session for one of the TS2010 built-in routes using only TS2010 built-in content. Required session-specific dependencies (HTML assets, achievement assets, etc.) are permitted as part of the submission.
Cheers, Mac...