Data Sphere Scratch Building Contest Jan 2014

[kidterminal]

The Scratch Building Contest is generating a lot of interest so I'm separating the discussion from the Terrain Building contest. This will be the second contest Data Sphere will sponsor. There is no date set yet for this contest, we are still working out the rules for this. What I do have worked out for the contest so far is:

1) Clubs and groups of people will be permitted to submit an entry.
2) Entries will be judged on originality, construction and playability.
3) Entries can contain store bought elements like AW a/c units or toilets.
4) Entries will be constructed within a specific time period and can be no larger than a specified size.
5) There is a Data Sphere trophy to win.

[Mob of Blondes]

The Scratch Building Contest is generating a lot of interest so I'm separating the discussion from the Terrain Building contest.

What Terrain Building contest? There is a painting contest (building, scatter and probably vehicle) planned. Typo?

[kidterminal]

Yes there is a terrain painting contest gearing up, but after that one is over this contest will start up.

[Mob of Blondes]

Ok, so you meant "separating from the discussion of the painting contest".

[kidterminal]

Yes.

[surprize]

I used to be a member of a terrain making forum that ran monthly competitions. They'd have just under 2 months to complete the piece, WIP threads were mandatory (partly to keep things honest, partly to share techniques), the size limit depended on that month's theme, but was broadly dictated by the time frame more than that. Biggest piece I ever made for a competition was 12x12" and that was a real push to finish and was pretty much the largest entry anyone tried in my time there. I'm basically saying if you go for a 2mth or 3mth time limit then its probably not necessary to have a size limit as well.

I voted for a 2mth limit as I know it is possible to achieve some cool stuff in that time frame and any longer it may drag out a bit and lose some excitement on the forum.

As a slight aside if this competition is a success it might be cool to set up a "just for bragging rights" terrain competition which keeps rolling on after one finishes. Do it on a specific theme*, which is chosen by the winner of the previous competition, judge it based on a forum vote?

* - things like; "transport", "eating in Infinity", "dangerous vegetation"

[kidterminal]

Those are some great ideas there surprise.

[red harvest]

Perhaps you could add themes to the poll for this first one. I would say mandatory weekly WIPs showing 4 elevations-- front, rear and both sides...or all sides, if the building has more or fewer, and a top down shot. The weekly requirements help keep the pace and enthusiasm going.

Bigger is better. People can always choose to build smaller so 16"x16x16" is the way to go.

Oh and hello everyone. first post here

[VisOne]

HAHA voted for the last one since I'm a dick and have enough tools and experience to create a 4' by 4' table with ease.

But honestly I say we don't limit it just leave it open and judge each piece as a whole.

If I enter a table then I have to enter a table and if its overall better presented then a single piece of very well made, detailed and painted then a smaller single piece then so be it; if its not then stiff titties to me for trying to do allot where others are working on little.

[kidterminal]

The purpose of finding a size limit is to create a more even playing field for individual contestant against teams of constants. A team can do a lot more work in the same span of time than an individual so limiting the size of the construction should help even that out.

[VisOne]

My vote remains the same regardless teams/clubs or what have you will still need to produce something of equal or greater value.

[TheBugKing]

I don't think that having a size limit is necessary. 3 months is plenty of time to produce an entire table for a single individual with some pretty crazy results.

I did this inside of three months:

[kidterminal]

How large is that? 4x4?

[kidterminal]

The poll is ending soon so If you haven't voted yet, what are you waiting for?

[TheBugKing]

How large is that? 4x4?

Standard Malifaux size. 3'x3'

However the possibility of going 4'x4' would add a negligable amount of time to a project like this. The primary time consumers were the hut and trees. I did the ground and water in about 4 evenings or so.

[kidterminal]

You are the king! I think we will have to have a beginners level too. I'm happy to see this contest is exciting the master builders.

[Crushar]

Well I am not a "beginner" per se but I ain't the King either!

So there is the "Masterclass" level...
And there is the "beginners" level...
What about a "Old, experienced, but not real good" level?

[kidterminal]

Well I am not a "beginner" per se but I ain't the King either!

So there is the "Masterclass" level...
And there is the "beginners" level...
What about a "Old, experienced, but not real good" level?

I think I misspoke there should be the contest and master death match level.

[kidterminal]

Suppose we could always go for the Alfonso v. Athandros terrain deathmatch...

Don't count me out either.

I'd be happy to go toe to toe with Alphonzo. And be pretty confident in my ability to win. (Mind you, not that I would win. Alphonzo is extremely good. I just think I have a decent chance!!!)

I would love to put some stuff up against Athandros as well. Terrain scratch building and painting? In 3 months? That's a contest!

Oh I think we can make this happen.

[Athanadros]

Suppose we could always go for the Alfonso v. Athandros terrain deathmatch...

Don't count me out either.

I'd be happy to go toe to toe with Alphonzo. And be pretty confident in my ability to win. (Mind you, not that I would win. Alphonzo is extremely good. I just think I have a decent chance!!!)

I would love to put some stuff up against Athandros as well. Terrain scratch building and painting? In 3 months? That's a contest!

Oh I think we can make this happen.

Time to bring the pain!! Now that my workroom is not up and running so my resources are limited you guys might actually have a chance!

seriously though this could be fun in and of itself. Perhaps the three of us need to discuss the rules to this deathmatch. Three men enter one man leave!!!

[kidterminal]

I've decided how this contest will be judged, by the forum members! The members of this forum will deiced the winner by voting using the poll system on this forum.

[Athanadros]

Se let me see if this is correct.

Beginner Level
Master Level
Deathmatch Level

I am assuming the deathmatch is just the three of us or are we just messing around with that.

[kidterminal]

Se let me see if this is correct.

Beginner Level
Master Level
Deathmatch Level

I am assuming the deathmatch is just the three of us or are we just messing around with that.

No I think we should make it regular (intermediate) level and a Masters Deathmatch level. I could see the potential for a few more masters wanting to challenge you guys. Let's say this:

Regular Level: groups/clubs entries permitted, Time 3 months size, limit 12"x12"x12" (The results of the poll)

Masters Deathmatch: Time 3 months, no limits, no group entries, just man to man combat.

[red harvest]

And the when of it?

No restrictions on materials used?

[kidterminal]

And the when of it?

No restrictions on materials used?

Ah the when of it is the next question. The Terrain Painting contest will run in the beginning of fall (September) so this will run right after that or after the new year depending on what people want.

[red harvest]

So January-ish. That seems reasonable. Plenty of time to hone my much atrophied skills And come up with a nifty idea or two.

[Athanadros]

No restrictions on materials used?

Here are my suggestions, but lets discuss this and get all the parameters set.

1- Other manufacturers bits or products- No more that 25% of the build can be comprised of other manufacturers products. So bitz here and there would be fine but you cannot make a building where half of it is comprised of MAS walls or an apartment complex where all the furniture is comprise of Antenocitis stuff. Some good, alot bad.

2- Found elements- Hell yeah, the skies the limit. If you see a container for holding chopped meat and you wanna use it then go to town. The only thing limited is terrain manufacturers products. So found bits, old toys etc would be fine as long as they are used in a creative way.

3- Progress shots- these would need to be posted with your final entry. NO posting ahead of time of WIP as to not show off your brilliance. All WIP will be shown at the end with the finnished pics.

4- There must be at least 4 WIP showing various stages of progress. Hopefully with date on the pic but not mandatory.

5- Size restriction- none

6- GRoup entry- no

7-Time- 3 months

Ok lets see what everyone else thinks.

[kidterminal]

I'm fine with the materials restrictions and time limit.

[TheBugKing]

That sounds perfect to me.

I don't have any issues with the materials requirements as I scratchbuild everything. (I think the last found object I used was a medicin bottle for the working drawbridge. And that felt like cheating!)

I really like the time frame mentioned as well as Florida is hella hot in the summer. My work area is much more human friendly int he winter.

The only issues I can see is using Woodland Scenics or the like for organic bits. Or Evergreen and Plastruct and the equivelent for raw materials. I use those products quite often and for a lot of applications so I wouldn't want to see those limited. Unless that is to be part of the restrictions. Then I'll figure something else out...

[kidterminal]

Woodland scenics, evergreen, Silfor and plastic architectural materials such as heat embossed plastic sheets and girders will be permissible.