A lot of people keep discussing competitions, and how they should be done, and all that.
What I'm doing is actually
starting one instead of talking about why it would/wouldn't work and what it should be about.
Now, you have probably inferred that this competition is about tilesets! I'll explain how exactly it works, with the archetypical slightly redundant rule set.
1. Every round of the competition lasts for one week. If fewer than three tilesets are posted, it is extended to last two weeks, but cannot be extended beyond that (even if it requires someone winning by default, or having no winner at all). To enter, post
one working Knytt Stories tileset (PNG image, 384x202, no fully transparent tiles except top left) during that time. Each round begins as soon as the previous round ends. (Okay, so what actually happens is, each round begins after I announce the winner of the previous round and the theme of the next round, but really...)
2. Each round will have one winning tileset, chosen by me (I might get some judges later, but honestly, I doubt we need them). It will be displayed in the first post with a note on why it was chosen, and, of course, the author's username. There is absolutely no tangible prize whatsoever. You don't even get one of those cruddy signature banners. Sorry.
3. Detailed rules for tileset eligibility:
-The tileset must work unmodified in the Knytt Stories level editor. This means that it must load without errors, and not much else. A tileset where all the tiles are solid blocks of bright green is still considered "working," though it will probably fail one of the other categories, and submitting a tileset like that is totally stupid and annoying and don't do it or people will hate you.
-Obviously, you can't enter someone else's tileset in this contest, unless you enter it on their behalf, and have their permission to do so.
-The tileset must fit the theme of the current round. If the theme is "rainforests," an underwater tileset isn't going to cut it. Themes can be interpreted loosely, and feel free to screw with them a little; if the theme is "technology," then feel free to make a tileset about Stone Age technology, such as crude rock hammers and chisels.
-If the tileset has multiple authors, they must all be credited.
-If the tileset takes any material from outside sources, permission must be obtained from said outside source, and said outside source must be credited, unless said material is public domain. (Note that essentially nothing that could be used in a common KS tileset is public domain.)
-The tileset must not violate the Nifflas' Support Forum forum rules. This one should really pretty much be a no-brainer.
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The tileset must not have been previously released on the Nifflas' Support Forum (the old version, too), or included in a Knytt Stories level posted to KnyttLevels.com or the temporary levels board. The entire purpose of this competition is to get people making new tilesets. It's okay to enter a tileset that's a few weeks/months/years old, but it has to be one that we haven't seen before!-Tilesets do not need an info bar. They can have as few or as many tiles as you desire.
4. What tilesets are graded on:
Graphical quality. Pretty much obvious. A good tileset is a tileset that looks good.
Originality and interpretation of theme. Make your tileset unique.
Usability and flexibility. Tilesets should be logically laid out and easy to use. Ideally, they should also not be very restricted in their use (look at Nifflas' tilesets; there are plenty of creative things you can do with them).
5. Start drawing tilesets already!
Round two has been extended, and it ends at midnight GMT on June 21st (as soon as June 22nd begins.) Its theme is
deep; interpret as you wish.
Round one's winner was
shawnachu (the theme was
ruins), with this tileset:
While the graphical quality isn't exactly exemplary, the tileset is solidly constructed and conveys a good feeling of gentle ruined-ness.