Weekly Event Idea : Mockup Frenzy

[progFX]

I think most people would have to agree that mockups and/or game sprites seem to be the most popular submissions on the boards, and personally I find them the most fun thing to pixel. My idea for a weekly event would be to have people create game Mockups based on the current topic, and (Possibly) even have a set pallet or game type ie: Platformer, Shooter, RPG, etc. Just thought I would through out the idea, would be a nice thing to look forward to each week, and having a week to work on it would also be quite nice.

[ndchristie]

sounds fun, will probably recieve a better turnout though if 'twere biweekly or even monthly; many of the people here are more busy with other things much of the time.  I spend several hours on the road each day and the rest at work or catching up on backed-up projects, and personally find myself looking at the pixeljoint weekly challenges and realizing that even if i like the topic, i won't usually have a few hours that week to set aside to really participate.

[Dusty]

Well, it could always be platform specific mock-ups. Posting the specs of a system, like the NES, pallette and such and having the contestants make the game possible to 'play' on the specific console.

[Helm]

I am not adverse to the idea and I really need to make more game mockups so I could participate perhaps, but remember that a full mockup usually means work that contributes to about 30% of a level tileset or so, which is quite a bit of work to get done. I suggest monthly. And system specs would work, yes.

[AdamAtomic]

System specs could be fun but often lead to lots and lots of questions (some of which don't always ahve answers)...something more in the spirit of the old palette challenges might be a good way to limit them as well.  This could include classic palettes from old systems, or simple rules that are similar to old system specs, just not quite so terribly detailed (just for the sake of accessibility).  I also agree that a one month time limit would be great!

[progFX]

Yeah I see your point monthly would probably be the best bet. Perhaps at the beginner of each month have a topic along with a pallet available and maybe even size restrictions? Will be a fun project. Glad to see everyone enjoys the idea as much as I do.

[ndchristie]

I agree that size and palette sounds like plenty as far as restrictions are concerned, no need to jump overboard .

Would probably be smart too to name subjects, even vague ones.

Why not start one now/soon?  No need to wait until the beginnings of the month, those dates are arbitrary anyhow just like most human measurements.

[Arachne]

I think this is a wonderful idea. I often find myself doodling little sprites or a tile here and there, but that's about it, so I'm all for a little extra motivation and inspiration. Personally, I think restrictions make for great practice, and learning the limitations of different systems might make older games seem a tad more impressive with knowing what the artists had to work with.

[Feron]

awesome idea, however i think 2 weeks would be a more appropriate time frame, if any time frame at all.  a thread could just be setup with pallettes and restrictions and everyone could just pixel a certain mockup whenever they like and add it to the thread.

[ndchristie]

2 weeks does sound better to me but the moderators probably have a better sense of the participation levels around here.  One thing for certain though is going too long means interest is lost.

[Doppleganger]

So when will we do this?!

If it's biweekly then the asanine number of the 15th day of the month would be a swell time to start.

[AdamAtomic]

I would be happy to make sure this happens tomorrow, I'll talk with the mods and get an official topic and rules cut out!

[Feron]

i think the first one should start off small, to see how well it goes, perhaps mobile phone size with a 32 colors max?

[AdamAtomic]

Yeah that sounds good, I'm thinking 80px wide by 120px high maybe?  could be fun to use Arne's palette too, but any 32 colors would be nice and open too, and definitely more in keeping with mobile dev.  I'll wait a few hours to get any more feedback here then put up a thread in the activities forum.

One thing though - I will be out of state and possibly away from internet altogether on the 30th and 31st; is there a moderator or member who would like to handle collecting the entries and handling the voting on them?  It wouldn't even have to be an official poll, though that might be the easiest way to handle it; convert the top post into a poll maybe...which would mean a moderator would be best!  Let me know; I'll be fully available to to handle all the activity paperwork in the future, just got a family holiday thing this time.

Thanks!

[Feron]

176x208 - keep it to actual sizes?

arne's palette could be quite fun, however it might be a little restricting especially for the first.

i would volunteer to manage the entries however im away 22nd to the 27th :S, where you going anywhere nice?

[Panda]

I'll do it if you want.
But uh, what is the voting for? Are you planning to have it a la PixelJoint's weekly activities?

[ndchristie]

It might be nice to just have it as a "yay, we participated" thing rather than a contest, but voting does attract attention.  Still, voting tends to discourage general participation as the places would tend to go to the same 5 members with an occasional talented lurker busting out a win.

[AdamAtomic]

Hmmm thats a good point you guys.  Screw voting - Panda if you could just like collect all the entries after the deadline and collect them all in a bunch in the top post, for easy browsing after the fact, that'd be awesome.  As far as res, what about 128x160?  that one is pretty common, and i'd like for the first comp to have a relatively low res...

[Feron]

although voting might put people off, for some it might motivate to create something better.  perhaps have a little trophy to go in the winners sig...
either way its should be fun.

128x160 is quite nice, is it gonna be of anything particular ie shmup, sports, puzzle, rpg...


EDIT - i see youve already put it up

[AdamAtomic]

Yep its posted!  I'm happy to make changes to it if we need to, but probably only for the next few hours, so it doesn't screw over any of the early starters   newsbox has been started, should be done in an hour or so!

[Feron]

Just a thought but would "Mockup Mahem" be a better name?