The 2010 Route Building Competition is Underway! Enter Here.
- Thread starter illinoiscentral
- Start date
Does the route/layout/map have to be US based - modern image, heritage diesel or steam traction?
Just curious, I can't say for definite I will enter, being very far behind with a university project on the Airbus A380 aeroplane, but i will get the pen and paper out and start sketching plans!
Trainz is such good therapy when I'm getting stressed with this A380 work!
Just curious, I can't say for definite I will enter, being very far behind with a university project on the Airbus A380 aeroplane, but i will get the pen and paper out and start sketching plans!
Trainz is such good therapy when I'm getting stressed with this A380 work!
Temprasphere
Member
In the spirit of below. Could an admin please clear this all up bar this and the first post so as we can get a clear discussion going here on the concept of the competition. It has been clearly laid out what the basics will be and for us to get our caps on and develop ideas. As most refs would say lets have a good clean game. After all this is all it is!
Hi folks,
I think Woody is under a bit of stress right now and he's asked me to step in and help a little with Rule making etc. Before you all go off the handle, I hope you've noticed that the starting date is 15th December, or about three weeks away. If we were to tell you what the rules are today, many of you will jump in and start modelling immediately.
Thus the final rules are being held back until the Dec 15th. After that you may break out the shovels and start digging.
So far you know that your route must consist of:What comes next is something you'll have to wait for closer to the starting date. In the meantime, I'm going to have my ten cents worth:
- 3 to 8 baseboards
- A port theme which sounds great to me.
- And the competition finishes on the 2nd of April next year.
The Trainz Resources Directory will be supplying two prizes in the way of First Class tickets. First Prize will be awarded a 12 month FCT and second Prize will receive a 6 month FCT. I may increase the prize pool from my side, but as the TRD doesn't generate any income, the money is coming out of my pocket.
Jointed Rail has also offered prizes. I've contacted them but haven't received a reply as yet. Thus I have no idea what's being offered.
There will be a special web site devoted to the competuition because I hope that it will be the start of a new era. I'll announce the URL of the web site in a day or two.
The web site will have a gallery and each competitor will be given a password so that they can upload their screenshots. More on this later.
It's impossible for the judges to physically judge the routes because there are more incompatible versions of Trainz out there than there are judges. Also, several prospective competitors have demanded if you like, the right to use personally designed assets or assets downloaded from the DLS. How can we possibly expect a judge to download those assets just to evaluate a route?
What we need to do before December the 15th is this:
We need a show of hands to see who wants to enter the competition. Before you start waiving your hands in glee, wait a few days to see the web site to see what joining in actually means.
The rules aren't going to be stringent, but people who volunteer to start, but don't get past a certain point may lose points in future competitions. A bit like a golf handicap if you like.
The more people we get to enter, the more chances we have of attracting additional sponsors. As of today there is a prize pool, albeit a small one, but hopefully it will grow.
Go ahead and sharpen your pencils and begin designing a route on paper. Whatever you do, don't start anything because there maybe a catch or two.
Here's what you can do for starters:Here was my original suggestion for the competition. I nobody has any arguments, lets do it:
- Sign up for the competition. I'll let you know how in a day or two.
- Put your thinking cap on.
- Start planning.
My suggestion:
- A mainline passing from one end of your route to the other. It does not need to terminate at either end, so you can add more boards later. The mainline can be electric, deisel or steam, slow or high speed. We may ask for this mainline to be one or two track. That's one of the catches.
- There must be at least one station on the mainline. it doesn't have to be big, or even a regular stop for passenger trains.
- There will be a branch or shortline heading to a port. I say shortline, because it may be narrow gauge, but doesn't have to be. The port can be a busy wharf or pier that handles containers, wheat, oil, coal, general cargo, sugar or whatever. We may ask for at least one ship to be present.
- We may ask for loco servicing facilities to placed at the wharf or the station, or we may leave it up to you. That's another catch.
Keep the baseboards to a minimum. You only have just over three months.
Concentrate on detail. Look at the screenshots here for inspiration. In my opinion, they are the best of the best.
I'll listen to ideas for a couple of days before submitting my final proposal and getting the nod from the committee, of which I'm not a member.
Please don't ask what if? or why? questions at this stage because I won't answer them. Just stay within the guidelines above and use your imagination.
Please folks, not attacks, personal or otherwise. The competition is being run for the benefit of those people interested in this kind of thing. If it doesn't suit you I'm sorry. Just remember that we're all different and what suits some, may not suit others.
Enjoy.
mitch456yui
a.k.a - Barlo, Mitch
Count Me In!
So, any game from Trainz 1.3 to 2010
?
Does it have to have a port?
I'm in
! I'm already having ideas flowing into my head:hehe: ! I think this will be fun for me
...
So, any game from Trainz 1.3 to 2010
? Does it have to have a port?
I'm in
! I'm already having ideas flowing into my head:hehe: ! I think this will be fun for me ...Temprasphere
Member
So, any game from Trainz 1.3 to 2010
Does it have to have a port?
I'm in
Read ALL the posts. States port theme many times.
amigacooke
Well-known member
It seems a shame that if folk are enthusiastic enough to run a competition, the race is then on to pick holes in it.
mitch456yui
a.k.a - Barlo, Mitch
(rubs hands together)
Time to get to work!
Time to get to work!
Folks, I don't like repeating myself, but here's one thing that may not have come across clearly. Woody has asked me to formulate a set of rules to keep the competition under control, especially now that prizes are involved. A committee has already decided what the theme will be, so my suggestions are just that - my suggestions. If I don't hear any complaints from the Committee, let's run with them, or with slight modifications if you will.
To keep things under control, I'll be taking parts of this forum activity to a private web site where you can see the rules and decide whether the competition is your cup of tea or not. It may not be, but I'm trying to make it as friendly as possible for all. That in itself is a difficult task.
The site won't be up and running for a couple of days, so please be patient. Everything will be out in the open and your left hand will definitely know what your right hand is doing. There won't be a forum on the site, so we'll start a new thread (as requested by Woody and suggested by Temprasphere. Let me start the new site before we start a new thread. That way I can put the URL etc right at the top.
The basic rules are simple enough.
It's a port theme
It's 3 to 8 baseboards
It can be any era (mentioned elsewhere)
It can be any country (mentioned earlier) or a private railway in a fictitious country, but not Mars or the moon.
Any version of Trainz - even 2010
Items from the DLS allowed
Private assets allowed
Age limit - None (But there is no junior competition yet)
Previous routes or routes modified for the purpose - not permitted. (mainly an honesty system but maybe not!)
Route must be completed artistically to win, but it won't need to be fully operational.
You really need to see what the judges will be looking for before you start building, so that's why I asked you to be a bit patient for the new site, which is also a new innovation. As I'm not on the Committee or a judge, I also have to find out what the judging criteria will be. Once again, any suggestions I make about that here - are mine! The official view will be on the web site.
My suggestion of a mainline with a branchline was not some wild idea. You have a maximum of 8 baseboards to work with. That's about 6km or 5 miles if my memory serves me correctly. That's not a lot to work with, but the competition must be achievable. It's a lot when you remind yourself that you only have three months to build your little empire.
I suggested a mainline/branchline hub because that gives the visitor something to view. It, and the port will be the focal points. More importantly, by creating a branchline, you are actually creating a small but complete route within a larger open-ended route you or others can use on other projects. Therefore, the effort you put in need not be wasted.
With that in mind, you should design your competition entry around something you can keep working on at a later date.
The question was asked about monorails. That's why I suggested a mainline passing through the branchline hub. If my proposal is accepted, why can't the branchline also carry passengers to the port and a few places along the way on say a mixed goods? That's something a transfer facility could be used for, not just freight.
People who win competitions are those with the greatest imagination. Only one painting wins in an art competition and it's the one that stands out from all the rest. This competition isn't about A1's, scenarios or the longest, tallest bridge. Do all those things after you've won a FCT and download to your heart's content. Right now, think creative and aim at showing us what you can do in such a limited space.
John
PS: Why not consider a T shape with the horizontal part being 3 baseboards wide and the vertical ascender 5 baseboards long. The Mainline can run across the three base boards, while the branchline can consume the other five. Alternatively, the mainline could be the focus by having six or seven baseboards laid horizontally, with just one or two sitting on top (sort of like a caboose shape.
That way the railway to the port, and the port itself could be on those one or two baseboards. That would make it a very short branchline, but still well within my suggested rules. Those two baseboards may also contain a yard, servicing and all the usual infrastructure associated with ports.
Hey, it's your imagination!
To keep things under control, I'll be taking parts of this forum activity to a private web site where you can see the rules and decide whether the competition is your cup of tea or not. It may not be, but I'm trying to make it as friendly as possible for all. That in itself is a difficult task.
The site won't be up and running for a couple of days, so please be patient. Everything will be out in the open and your left hand will definitely know what your right hand is doing. There won't be a forum on the site, so we'll start a new thread (as requested by Woody and suggested by Temprasphere. Let me start the new site before we start a new thread. That way I can put the URL etc right at the top.
The basic rules are simple enough.
It's a port theme
It's 3 to 8 baseboards
It can be any era (mentioned elsewhere)
It can be any country (mentioned earlier) or a private railway in a fictitious country, but not Mars or the moon.
Any version of Trainz - even 2010
Items from the DLS allowed
Private assets allowed
Age limit - None (But there is no junior competition yet)
Previous routes or routes modified for the purpose - not permitted. (mainly an honesty system but maybe not!)
Route must be completed artistically to win, but it won't need to be fully operational.
You really need to see what the judges will be looking for before you start building, so that's why I asked you to be a bit patient for the new site, which is also a new innovation. As I'm not on the Committee or a judge, I also have to find out what the judging criteria will be. Once again, any suggestions I make about that here - are mine! The official view will be on the web site.
My suggestion of a mainline with a branchline was not some wild idea. You have a maximum of 8 baseboards to work with. That's about 6km or 5 miles if my memory serves me correctly. That's not a lot to work with, but the competition must be achievable. It's a lot when you remind yourself that you only have three months to build your little empire.
I suggested a mainline/branchline hub because that gives the visitor something to view. It, and the port will be the focal points. More importantly, by creating a branchline, you are actually creating a small but complete route within a larger open-ended route you or others can use on other projects. Therefore, the effort you put in need not be wasted.
With that in mind, you should design your competition entry around something you can keep working on at a later date.
The question was asked about monorails. That's why I suggested a mainline passing through the branchline hub. If my proposal is accepted, why can't the branchline also carry passengers to the port and a few places along the way on say a mixed goods? That's something a transfer facility could be used for, not just freight.
People who win competitions are those with the greatest imagination. Only one painting wins in an art competition and it's the one that stands out from all the rest. This competition isn't about A1's, scenarios or the longest, tallest bridge. Do all those things after you've won a FCT and download to your heart's content. Right now, think creative and aim at showing us what you can do in such a limited space.
John
PS: Why not consider a T shape with the horizontal part being 3 baseboards wide and the vertical ascender 5 baseboards long. The Mainline can run across the three base boards, while the branchline can consume the other five. Alternatively, the mainline could be the focus by having six or seven baseboards laid horizontally, with just one or two sitting on top (sort of like a caboose shape.
That way the railway to the port, and the port itself could be on those one or two baseboards. That would make it a very short branchline, but still well within my suggested rules. Those two baseboards may also contain a yard, servicing and all the usual infrastructure associated with ports.Hey, it's your imagination!
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mitch456yui
a.k.a - Barlo, Mitch
Just a quick question
Can I start building it now? or do i have to wait till December 15th?
The question may have already been answered, but i just want to make sure:hehe:
Thanks
Can I start building it now? or do i have to wait till December 15th?
The question may have already been answered, but i just want to make sure:hehe:
Thanks
Johnk ,
I am thinking that anything you can do to have this thread deleted and or locked , and begin a new one will be in the best interest of the 2010 competition contest . If reporting me as a Troll helps in accomplishing this , I can only state I am glad I was of help .
Again , IMHO , your best bet is to ask the Mods to let you start again .
My FINAL thoughts --- ,DLR
Given this hasn't been clarified yet, I would suggest no. If the routes are available to everyone before the contest is over, non-judges will be downloading and offering opinions, while they may have, "rights to speech," and be well-intentioned, I would suggest until the contest is over, there should be no public offerings, send them by email to the committee only or one person to distribute to the committee. Once the contest is finished, then the routes can be made public.
I have seen this method done with other programs such as a game called Neverwinter Nights, they had module building contests where the entries were made available after a contest was over. When you see how many public comments by non-judges there were saying, "why did this one win and this one didn't," it becomes clear.
jadebullet
might be back?
I agree with storknest on this one. Routes should be distributed by email only until the contest is over.
I am interested in joining this one by the way, since it doesn't seem too taxing baseboard wise.
I am interested in joining this one by the way, since it doesn't seem too taxing baseboard wise.
NorfolkSouthern9708
Chillin'
If it wasn't clear before, I guess I'll give it a shot.
titaniclover
TS2010EE SP3; Build 49933
Johnk,
Thanks for taking the competition under control.
I do have one question I would like to clarify if I would enter the contest.
The route can only be 8 boards in any combination, however may you have boards that do not have track but instead just hills and some trees to give the background some definition? According to the rules stated, looking at it at a very strict point, it would be illegal.
I would just like some clarification if I was to enter if it is alright with you. I am trying to make it better for me and for others entering.
Cheers,
Adam
Thanks for taking the competition under control.
I do have one question I would like to clarify if I would enter the contest.
The route can only be 8 boards in any combination, however may you have boards that do not have track but instead just hills and some trees to give the background some definition? According to the rules stated, looking at it at a very strict point, it would be illegal.
I would just like some clarification if I was to enter if it is alright with you. I am trying to make it better for me and for others entering.
Cheers,
Adam
illinoiscentral
SARM Volunteer
John,
Thanks much for getting this under control, you don't know how much I appreciate it!
Dave,
I can see how you could laugh at this, I too laugh at myself, and I apologize for being so odd at times.
However, I love to make people laugh, so I guess if it means self-embarrassment, so be it.
You can be a smart alick at times, but I enjoy your sense of humor for sure.
The Rest Of You,
Thanks for sticking with the contest, committee, and me.
I know yesterday was rough, believe me it was, and I know I acted as a fool would, but like I said, I apologize for that and respect all of you highly.
You all helped me through that rough time with my Grandfathers passing recently, and I wish I could better pay you back for that.
I promise to be more respectful and less elf-centered than before.
I appreciate all the faith you've had in the competition, and myself over the past year.
I want you to know that I look forward to reading and seeing these familiar faces everyday.
Woody
Thanks much for getting this under control, you don't know how much I appreciate it!
Dave,
I can see how you could laugh at this, I too laugh at myself, and I apologize for being so odd at times.
However, I love to make people laugh, so I guess if it means self-embarrassment, so be it.
You can be a smart alick at times, but I enjoy your sense of humor for sure.
The Rest Of You,
Thanks for sticking with the contest, committee, and me.
I know yesterday was rough, believe me it was, and I know I acted as a fool would, but like I said, I apologize for that and respect all of you highly.
You all helped me through that rough time with my Grandfathers passing recently, and I wish I could better pay you back for that.
I promise to be more respectful and less elf-centered than before.
I appreciate all the faith you've had in the competition, and myself over the past year.
I want you to know that I look forward to reading and seeing these familiar faces everyday.
Woody
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illinoiscentral
SARM Volunteer
Oh yes Matt, as long as it is within the household/family that is completely fine.
Cheers,
Woody:wave:
Cheers,
Woody:wave: