Scenario Contest 2!

[BigMac]

Ok folks, it's time for the second scenario contest. Rules are pretty much the same as Contest 1 and are as outlined on the contest page.

Some changes and conditions for this map:

There MUST be bronze/silver/gold winning conditions.
There is a maximum time limit of 50 years.


To give better control over win conditions and status display there is a 30 event limit instead of 15.

Category #1 maps (Beginner) are not allowed to use any of the advanced tools available.

Category #2 maps (Experienced) are allowed to use anything they like.

All maps are due for judging on 1st January 2005 and there will be voting on the maps until 1st February 2005. I know it sounds really far away but that actually means there's only five weeks of map design time ;)

So download the base map (http://www.railroadtycoon.info/download_counter.php?file=/maps/Webmaster/contest_2.zip) and get busy!

[kriss]

AZ should be handicapped as he already cancelled Xmas in favor of a new PC.

[kriss]

Question,
Can Pjays Bmp2Gmp programme be used for either category?

Also are you going to PR it on the GOD forum (I have no opinion myself on whether that would be a good or bad idea)

[BigMac]

Question,
Can Pjays Bmp2Gmp programme be used for either category?

Also are you going to PR it on the GOD forum (I have no opinion myself on whether that would be a good or bad idea)For "Experienced" any tool goes.

As for PR on "The Other Place"... To be honest, the map-makers know we're here and they'll find us. But I might post something at some point soon. If I can remember my password :)

[AZ Rail Rat]

Kriss :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

I should be pretty well set by the first of the year (if I don't spend my computer money on something else first). Since the Mother-in-law will be with us from January thru March, I might get some contest map playing time in as she keeps the wife occupied.

[PJay]

Oh, so this time the 30 events limit also holds for the experienced category?


Mwah, I don't have time anyway for the first 3 months due to university.

[BigMac]

Oh, yeah, I forgot we'd gone "unlimited" last time for experienced. OK, experienced category has no event limit.

[hawkdawg]

I had considered entering this contest, but after looking at the map-I guess I'll pass this time.
The mountains are way to high to really do much with, for my personal taste.
I could use the GMP2BMP tool and then convert it to a .tga and lower the mountains, but since I've only uploaded 2 maps, I can't use that tool.
I tried lowering the mountains in the editor, but it just didn't work out right.
Oh well! Have fun folks. :)

[BigMac]

They looked not too bad for me... I kinda like mountains... I'll have another look at the base map this afternoon and see how it goes. :)

[hawkdawg]

I kinda like mountains
Yes sir! I could tell that by your first contest entry. :lol:

[BigMac]

;)

[BigMac]

Ok, the base map for the contest has been changed slightly and a "smoother" one in now in place, there's still a few mountains and the peninsula is still a bit high but you'll have to live with that ;)

Good luck :)

[hawkdawg]

Thanks WM. That does look a little more realistic. :D
I might be able to do something with this version.

[hawkdawg]

and the peninsula is still a bit high but you'll have to live with that
Live with that :!: :?: I can't even get a rail to the tip. :?
That's one tough peninsula to get to the end of.
I wanted to put some ports out there, but there ain't no use if I can't get a train to them. :lol:
I have a great idea for this map, if I could just utilize the peninsula, 'course-I could use the default tools and cut a track bed :wink: , but that would take some work. :cry:
I call the map, at it's current state, "Let the Cold Winds Blow".

[PJay]

hawk : you can use the standard tools for height modifications : use the button on right, just above the main panel (if height modification is selected).

You have all sorts of options to change the heights of the whole map at once: increase/decrease all heights by x % (all, most high places, most low places).

So, maybe you can use something like "decrease all heights by 30%, mostly mountains" (not sure about the exact text).

But, perhaps you already knew that, and besides, I haven't even looked at the base map this time.

[hawkdawg]

Thanks PJ, but I knew that. It just doesn't adjust right to suit me. :roll:
I'm going to try the lake tool and see if I can get some sort of resemblance to a track bed at the base of the mountains, at the ocean shore.

[hawkdawg]

Well, the lake tool proved to be a little more than work than I bargained for, so I just reclaimed some land from the sea. He! He! :wink:
Just a thought here-Is anybody else going to join in the fun of contest 2?

[BigMac]

Even though it's my base map I'll be doing something. Not quite got the inspiration yet though.

[Wolverine@MSU]

I hope to take a crack at it too. Real busy right now as the semester winds down, but should have more time next month. Still haven't come up with a theme yet.

[Casey]

I've started. And this time I promise there will be non of the foolishness of impossible territory entrance fees.

If it turns out to be too easy, then let your children/grandchildren use it as a "sandbox" map during Christmas period.

And yes, as others have mentioned, I too have found it necessary to raise the land a little at the edges. Even topped off a few mountains. But that is what makes it interesting, right?

And thanks to those of you who have been making maps previously. I hope that you notice that I have slavishly and unashamedly imitated your fine work.

All the best,
Casey

ps. Just to clarify something...The intructions/regulations said as beginners (my only other map was the, I hope, soon forgotten "Nafta's Revenge" for the last contest) that we were not to use some of the recently released features of CtoC and 1.5 I assume you are referring to the "skinning" and use of alternative logos, etc. That I will not do. But I am using all of the latest patches as I make this (ie CtoC and 1.5).

And dear Mr. Moderator: If I wan't to make a few changes to that previous contest map so that mere mortals could really play it, is that allowed? With the work I did on the cities and economy it would at least be useful as a "model-train" base or sandbox "build-for-the-fun-of-it," etc. Just wondering.

[kriss]

I've lowered the peaks using the terrain tools, it helps to have a powerful PC, the plateau tool comes in handy.
I thought it a crap map when I first looked but it lends itself to a map using some of my cargo flow theories, ergo I have begun.

[hawkdawg]

I too, thought it a crap map at first, but after studying it a bit, I realize there are some great possibilities for it.
I'm not sure my present theme will stand up to the editors. They seem to lack a few fundamentals for my theme to work, but I will find an acceptable work around-just might have to change the theme a bit.

[BigMac]

And dear Mr. Moderator: If I wan't to make a few changes to that previous contest map so that mere mortals could really play it, is that allowed? With the work I did on the cities and economy it would at least be useful as a "model-train" base or sandbox "build-for-the-fun-of-it," etc. Just wondering.Feel free to make any modifications you choose, the only thing I would suggest is that you call the zip file something like blah_v2.zip and that way we'll have both available for download.

[EPH]

Should we upload our maps as we finish, or wait until after the New Year?

[BigMac]

It's at your discretion, the first entry has already gone up :)

[hawkdawg]

Whelp, I've 'bout got the terrain and painting done, 'cept I'm having some difficulties with the dang industry settings.
They just ain't workin' like I want them to. :?
I hope to have this done by the 1st. :wink:

[Casey]

Dear EPH:
Your Readme is AWESOME!
It deserves an "A" for creativity, humour and proably a few other categories. Well done.
...By the way, the map looks very nice, also.
I really liked the Rift Valley, also your lake up on the upper flat area, the rivers you added and of course...the Bonneville Flats. How did you ever think of that on such an originally mountainous map.?
My hat is off to you.

"Casey"

[EPH]

Casey, you are much too kind... but don't stop now! :twisted:

I am looking forward to playing your entry, but up until midnight last night I've been trying to get my own events to fire correctly and I haven't played anything but 'Getaway' in weeks.


The terrain changes to the map were all driven by the story-line. Given a backward, non-industrial society, I thought limiting track & types of locos was best. (Initially I wanted to only allow the camelback, but sanity returned). That meant finding a way through some of the steep (although reduced from the original map) and rough terrain. The Rift Valley was the answer; the earthquakes and mudslides you may not have found yet. :shock:

I did flatten and smooth the original map, and I'm not sure I got the Rift Valley and the gap to Skipper Beach completely right. Cargo just would not move on the original map (and it doesn't move all that well on my map).

Since I have zero experience in map-making, I decided to use this one as a practice pad, and I tried out all of the different terrains I could think of. The result is cluttered, and makes no geological sense at all, but... I kinda like it anyway.

For my 'gimmick' ending I needed a long, straight, flat expanse. What better than the Salt Flats? The 'Catalina' name is a link to 'Bonneville' and an inside joke from someone who once owned a Pontiac Bonneville Catalina. See? It all makes sense... just surrender to the madness! :twisted:


Crystal Lake was intended to play a larger role, but - *sigh* - sometimes the script just takes on a life of its own. It is kinda pretty, though I can't seem to get the dratted shorelines right. No matter how I repaint them they keep turning blue!


All the southern names are plays on pirates, castaways (sorry, no Tom Hanks reference), Jimmy Buffet and New Orleans. In the north we get a little horror, a little science fiction and a lot of weirdness. So sue me - it's my planet and I'll call it what I want! Be nice to me or I'll have a posse of rabid Buffet fans come put pink flamigos in your yard!


Anyway, thank you again for your very kind comments. I did have some goofy fun with the map. If you get a chance to play it, let me know what you think. I promise to give yours a look-see soon.

[Casey]

Dear EPH:

Yes, I will keep you posted. I have actually begun. I've spend all my money on industry- 4 farms etc and 2 (Uninproved) factories.

However, New Year's Eve and Day are intruding and there is some leftover Christmas family partying yet to be done.

So it will probably be next week before I can get back to it.

All the best,

"Casey"

[bc]

Are you ready for my sad stories? :( :(

Having got a new computer in December I lost all my "Favorites" and never refound this one but assumed any new comptn would be announced in Gathering with a link so didn't panic. But where is Gathering? :shock: :? :evil: Anyway I'm still away from home and another search has suddenly turned you up so I've emailed myself the address and will have to see if I can download the map and make a scenario up so Q1 - What is the new deadline? Given the few entries perhaps it could be end Feb which would give me some extra time?!!?

Q2 as most of you read the other forums you may have seen that when I upgraded my Nvidia video driver everything went wrong with RT3 and trains/bldgs are white blobs - anyone got any ideas how to correct? No other game (incl RT2) is affected in any way.

Q3 I'm not receiving any notifications when a reply is posted to a subject I'm watching (anr reason I've not been able to refind you!) - any idea why? Cafe Tropico and you are the only sites where this is (not) happening. Dont think they can be going into a junk mail box principally because when I sign in to both sites I'm told that I've no messages waiting to be read whereas there should be several.

I'm home on Monday so can then start downloading and trying out any ideas.

[Casey]

I got a scare when the Port Crusoe warehouse disappeared with 5 years left in the game.
However the town still accepted the four products.

Casey

[EPH]

Casey, that's a new one for me. I've played 'Getaway' a lot and have had one, two or one expanded warehouse - but never had the warehouse diappear! :shock:

Glad to hear the town still accepts the raw materials!

Let me know how it all comes out... maybe I should have pre-placed that warehouse. But pre-placement doesn't prevent an industry from disappearing, does it? Hmmmm.

I don't have the game in front of me but I think the warehouse demands alcohol. If you deliver enough alcohol (and/or the 4 required materials), the warehouse should be 'active' enough to stay around. Or at least that's what I had hoped would be the case.

[hawkdawg]

EPH!
You have a PM over at my place. Check it out before you get to mad at me. :)

[EPH]

Never mad at you! :)

Concerned that someone had stolen your identity, maybe. :shock:
Anxious I might have given some offense without intending it, maybe. :oops:
Asking for further info before I reacted, sure. :idea:

But mad? Nope.


Thank you for the PMs that cleared this up.


For the people who don't know, what happened was:

Some scummy spammer posted after my last post above.
Hawk very properly called him names.
Webmaster removed the spam post...
Which left Hawk's angry response immediately after my last post.
Not having seen the spam post, I assumed I was at fault and asked Hawk for an explanation. Being a gentleman he made explanation and removed his angry words... so here we are.

One of those optical delusions, I think. :wink:

[hawkdawg]

:lol:
Well said EP!
Well said.
:lol: :wink: