The Design a Spell contest was launched today. I'm excited to see your ideas. I know a lot of people will want baselines to create within, after all its hard to design an implementable spell if you don't know exactly what can be done. But I encourage you to forget the technical limitations for the moment and just design spells that you would love to play with. Sure it means that some great ideas might not make it to the final 5 because they aren't practical, but I would rather see those dream spells and spend some time to see if we can make them, then limit everyone's creativity.
Remember we need spells for outside of combat as well as in combat and that we will have global mana by the time these spells are implemented (one mana pool that all that player's casters share). We are looking for a mix of a good strategic function and cool flavor.\
Good luck!
http://elementalgame.com/contest
I think that only variations can be a problem. What if the slightly variation submitted later is (or fits) better than the original submitted by another user some time before? We are supposed to want the best spell in the game. Stardock will pick some for us to vote on but in the end only the first is guaranteed in the game, so I suppose that we all are in the same boat of desiring the BEST of the spells submitted. If a variation is better somehow, shouldn't it be picked instead of the original?
Awading people for having similar spells that of the winner is too tricky in my mind. If you see a spell that you really think that can win (as we can see other people's submitions), what does stop you from a variation of it to try to win or claim to be awarded if the spell you copied wins?
I just wish I could think of a serious spell to submit. But I can only think of joke spells like my sweet Coconut Storm.
Yes. If they are the same, the earliest one wins - if they are similar but different the best spell description wins. I think that is a good rationale that avoids most conflicts and contest exploits.
Best regards,Steven.
Again it is arrogant assumption to assume anything. No offence to any of you. This Code 3 error is a problem and it has to be taken into account.
If and that is a big if. Similar spells are chosen as a winner. They cannot just go by submission date only, if an existing program problem that they were aware of that caused delays in the original submission of a spell. They have to take that into account. "OK guys these 70 spells, that where late in submission do to "Our" technical errors. This one is in the finals. Lets research when it should have been submitted if the Code 3 errors did not exist. If they cannot provide proof. We will go by the submission date only. I do not know what their critiria for determining a winner will be. Heck it could be one guy, who just decides I had a good cup of coffee. Lets go with "B" names. They may just decide in my scenario to reward all of them. We are talking a gift card here and an older video card, not 10k.
They have gotten tons of free solicitations and creative ideas without paying for that creative talent. I had an issue with that. If I am running their Pr department . I pick winners based on creativity, originality and what is best for the game and is that implementation feasible. Can I also enhance it. If 10 people had the same idea. They can reward all ten. That is smart PR. You never, and I mean never upset your customer base. That being said, you do not penalize the person who did submit it first.
As I explained it to my son. We will send it in, but it can look like copying. We will keep proof of the creative date and If you are lucky enough to win. We will send them that information. I said to him, you win based on effort and your work and it is all subjective. If he doesn't win. I bought him a 50.00 gift card to Game Stop. I am glad he likes the game and is enjoying it. I think this game has unlimited potential, but making it 100% stable is a companies first goal. Creative Designs, Sony, Microsoft, that is the first thing they do. Having a stable game should be Stardocks' first priority. Something from what my son tells me has been their M.O. on almost every game they have done. It seems to be a standard now many companies do. Is release the game unfinished and we will finish it as we go. Bad idea. Funny how no one of commented on the spell my son did, but as I said all subjective. We will soon find out who wins and I am sure it will be well deserved.
You make some good points too. Best regards,Steven.
About technical issues, I cannot really comment. If it had happened to me I'd have said "It sucks, move on". After all, it's not like I paid to take part on the contest. (and no real interest in the video card, the gift cards would be nice though) But that would be me being myself, which means that I presonally wouldn't feel entitled to special treatment in the contest because it was Stardock's fault. I'm not saying they shouldn't do it or that they should do it. Just that I wouldn't consider it in a case like this.
The contest is nothing but a publicity stun (stated looooooooooong time ago) in which you get a chance of free stuff if you decide to give away some ideas and happen to win. No one will be famous for it, won't get thousands of dollars, appear on TV,... People should be just happy if they happen to win something and have fun reading other people's ideas. And it's not like if people stops giving ideas (for free) in the forums.
I have no power over the contest and only stated what I would do. I do not care about PR but of being fair. Fair > PR in my book. If 10 people submitted the same spell, I would give it only to the first who did. Obviously, I'd have a lengthy EULA or something for the contest and bitchslap (repeatedly) with it to anyone who complains about something stated on it and that they supposedly agreeded to. (I should get paid for NOT working on PR, treating customers as people instead of customers wouldn't be too popular)
It is hard to read tone in any forum or email. I do not know you Winter or anyone else on here. Let us take it easy on assuming my comments as speaking for everyone else. It is just my opinion and I have said on numerous times I have no say in what Stardock does or how they should or shouldn't determine who wins and why.
Ok this entitlement nonsence is your assumption. Correcting a technical issue that has a direct effect on submission dates. Is a problem, and its not "No big deal". It is their issue to deal with. I am sure I am not the only one who had this issue. What happens on a Contest and forum is really unimportant. Your comments here are your opinon and your entitled to it. I am sure some would agree with you. It is not one person "Crying" I am not getting into a forum debate. I merely stated what happened.
Again your opinion. I think I have made too much of a situation that urk'ed me. I will get over it. That being said. There is doing something the right and wrong way. I agree that if a person agrees to a contest or publicity stunt. Then they should not complain about the rules. I wasn't. To a 10 year old kid. It is not a huge deal. It is a contest. I may not like it, but I believe their "heart " is in the right place. It is suppose to be fun. I will take care of the inhouse problem. They will sort out the issues with it and move on. I will do that now. Move on. Appeciate your comments. Peace.
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