The Next Challenge?

[cholden]

This is a thread to discuss the next challenge. Let's make it ongoing, so it can be used for future challenges as well.

I'm for the cliche challenges over artsy-fartsy. For example, gun model, graveyard scene, castle texture, space suit. The idea being, cliche models are what people know, and what shows up in all the games. The light saber comp was a prime example, because so many people we involved, and light sabers are rather easy to model. The death sphere was a great idea, but too artsy-fartsy, imo, and nobody entered.

Also, anyone besides me think it's funny that this section of the forum has the most moderators, and they never get involved. That's right, I'm calling all six of you out. /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Here's some more ideas:
RTS unit
3rd person weapon model
Urban Alley environment model
normal mapped castle texture
a sword
dune buggy
'As Seen On TV'

[bearkub]

the "As Seen on TV" is the best idea I have heard in a long time. My vote goes for that one.

[Joshua Stubbles]

Ditto. Just don't pick a Ron-Co Food product :P

[Keg]

I like the thought of an rts unit. maybe some environmental type things? ie buildings. Dunno about swords I have a few sitting around already and would be too tempted to use one of those. maybe a bladed weapon themed contest? not just swords, but axes, boomerangs even. even the dreaded razor blade condom

[Asherr]

some ideas:

*a dragon (1 (http://www.spawn.com/toys/series.aspx?series=268), 2 (http://www.spawn.com/toys/series.aspx?series=285))
*a MMO monster (could even make a bit of series: (noob/beginner monster, mid-level, and high/epic level creatures)
*a hero/heroine character (the main character for an imaginary game)
*the main villian of the above game
*historical figure (ala Daz's Henry the VIII)
*literary figure (Sherlock Holmes, Lestat, Aragorn, ect...)
*mega-weapon (the weapon you recieve at a critical point which allows you to kill the final boss)
*a gargoyle challenge /images/graemlins/wink.gif
*Godzilla (http://www.tohokingdom.com/web_pages/monster_bios.htm) monster challenge
*HP Lovecraft creature challenge
*starship (fighter/trader/capitol ships)
*main character for a children's game (8years old and under)
*mythological figure challenge (Ra, Thor, Ishtar, Quetzalquatal, Zeus, Ares, Arthur, Merlin, Cuchulainn, ect...)

[Ramucho]

dunno maybe it's strange but what about imitating your favorite or simply a polycounter? It would be cool but it could lead to exagerated mutual masturbation /images/graemlins/wink.gif

[rooster]

what about a hell character (imp, daemon, beelzebub, cerberus etc) or one of pesilance, famine, death and war

[dfacto]

Cyberpunk Knight - What the ruling class' enforcers would look like if the world reverted to a feudal system in the far future.

[MoP]

I like Asherr's suggestions of mega-weapon and literary/historical figure.
Rooster and Dfacto's suggestions are also very cool... I'd go for them /images/graemlins/smile.gif

[aesir]

I think these comps somehow need to be advertised better in the other sections so that people like me actually notice them before they're mostly over. And its pretty easy to not notice this forum for a week, so you could miss an entire challenge pretty easily.

[cholden]

aesir, the comps are posted at the top of every forum when they are active.

Mega weapon sounds fun, can be modeled quickly, and could be geared to line up with the q3a source release. As much as a love characters, most of the character model challenges get passed up do to time. Personally, I prefer the smaller projects for the weekly challenge, but that's not the topic.

[snemmy]

'who's the 13 gear road ranger that gets all the chicks?'
'megaweapon!'
'That Megaweapon is one bad mother--'
'shut you're mouth!'
'but im just talkin bout megaweapon!'
'we can dig it'

/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[aesir]

yea cholden, sometimes I see those, sometimes my eyes just automatically pass right over it cause its a sticky. Maybe the problem is more the fact that the challenges are usually only a week long. A 2 month challenge, even if its for a relatively simple object might be good.

[perna]

I think instead of challenge suggestions, how about some suggestions on increasing knowledge of and participation in this thing? That's all I have to say, but with an IQ of 47 what do I know?

[cholden]

Hey Per, you think if we had "increased knowledge and participation" you would have finished your death sphere? What about your mo-cycle or your "THE BEST CHALLENGE OF ALL TIME"? I'm calling you out again! /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

I'm loving the mega-weapon idea, maybe 1000-3000 triangles range, 512 texture, normal/spec optional. Maybe make it bigger, like a 2 week challenge if that helps.

[hawken]

with Per here.

Although that could even be another forum, like a monthly tutorial that folks can do and post the results. Would help the interested build their skill base without being stuck in a rut, as we all find ourselves in occasionaly.

[perna]

cholden: with a full time job and a demanding gf at least I've made an effort with the challenges. So, I don't know what you're on about /images/graemlins/wink.gif
What leads me to think people simply don't check challenges is usually when I make a reference to something in this forum, people just go "huh".
I guess several things could help. A better tie-in between forum and polycount mainpage would probably do a good deal. Like on cgchannel/cgchat where stuff is advertised on the mainpage

[hawken]

something like this image I sent to the "bigwigs" on the plane challenge? /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

http://www.dadako.com/forums/challenge-placement.png

[bearkub]

I am trying. I really am. =/

[ElysiumGX]

a way to organize the thread would help. an archive for old ones. titles. there are people who can design amazing game assets and normal maps, etc...but can't title their threads correctly if asked. i almost went a whole week not knowing there was another challenge, even after clicking the forum. keep losing track of threads. having GOOD ideas planned more than 5 minutes ahead of time would be nice. I see 6 moderators for this thread. so no pressure on kub. i haven't had time to participate in a while. or the motivation.

sphere weapons or "just do something motorcycle-ish-like-awesome-however". /images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[sinistergfx]

Little less talking, little more challenge. :P

Nah, it's cool that you're trying to improve the system. Would just like to see a new interesting challenge up.

[steady]

yes that is a great idea hawken! i like how eatpoo does that, I always click on them when Im there

[cholden]

Sounds good to me. I'm up for hosting the next challenge as a one month, FPS normal mapped weapon.
This should be easy enough for plenty ofparticipation, and a lot of time for some great or even multiple submissions. Any admins wanting to punch up the business with a banner or pc front page ad would be great. I'm good for at least 2 submissions, and I'm going to try get some sponsorship from a next gen game project (no promises). This would take up the month of September, and if all goes well maybe more monthly challenges. If there are no objections, I'll compile a list of specs and details quickly so we have about a week to think about it before it gets started.

A little off topic here, we just broken 1000 posts in this section. :P

[Badname]

What about building a level for some game together? you bring up a theme... like punk or asian whaterver and then people model level objects or houses and stuff and then we make a polycount level?

[aesir]

that sounds like less of a challenge and more of a project Badname

[Thegodzero]

Badname it would be a good idea for getting people used to working under someone elses art style. The thing is that not everyone is able to make their art look like everyone elses. That and most wouldnt want to do that anyway, as they would cut in on there creative fredom.

[Keg]

I somewhat like how cgchat has their contests setup. 2 sub forums in the 3d gaming forum. one for submissions and one for works in progress. might catch more eyes that way. or the icon type banner at the top hawken posted about. I'm definitly in for this next contest.