RAD July pre-contest discussion

[Grogyan]

Best thing to do would be to ask Aloys

The build time goes up till July 20th, that'll be the deadline to submit your shells to Aloys

After that time Aloys will merge your files with Ahra Pahts and provide a link to which the judges can use to download Ahra and judge them accordingly, ULM won't be used as Ahra will be a huge download, so it has to be zipped up.

[Robert The Rebuilder]

On the RAD Wiki page, can we remove the WAV files from the submission package? Those can be automatically generated by URU and will only bloat the file size.

How will we spread the word about the contest? Will you write up an announcement for the GoMe to distribute, Grogyan? It would be best to get Aloys' input on the announcement - especially an agreement on the start date - before sending it, though.

[Grogyan]

I have alreadt written up a small article that went into this newsletter, which also mentions about this contest coming up and when it will start.
Only problem was, I didn't know what the GoW logo is, and in the newsletter it lost its transparency of what I thought would be a great logo.

http://www.uruarchives.com/GOME_newslet ... dition.pdf


The wav files can be omitted only if someone explains how to use the ogg format to do an automatic conversion to wav format.

I'm not too sure how much of a wav file can be compressed, or whether further compression can be one on top of the ogg codec.

I have also put a message up on the MOUL forum about this current contest, so i'm left at a dead end for finding further avenues.

[Robert The Rebuilder]

I saw the article regarding the last RAD contest, and at the end is mention of this contest, with the vague statement about it "possibly starting on the 30th of June." What would be great is if the GoMe can post announcements on all the major forums and on the GoMe mailing list, stating a definite start date - and more importantly, how to enter the contest. Something like the following:

"Last call for contestants to enter the 2nd Guild of Writers Rapid Age Development contest! Follow the instructions at the link below before the 30th of June in order to participate:

http://guildofwriters.com/wiki/RAD_July ... n_up_sheet

New shell entries for Ahra Pahts as well as existing shell entries are allowed. Don't miss out on your chance to contribute to version 1.0 of Ahra Pahts!"

If it's okay with you, I'll post a request in the GoMe forums to distribute this message.

Regarding the WAV file: that's just it - you don't need to manually decompress the OGG file. You just put it in the sfx folder, start URU and when it needs to, it will generate the WAV file automatically. That's why Trylon doesn't include sfx/streamingCache files in ULM distributions of ages.

Did you want to know how to generate OGG files?

[Paradox]

I've got a few questions, I won't be around much in July, so building something during that time is out of the question. I'm working on finishing Shell 410 within the next few days. Would it be possible for me to enter Shells 410 and (hopefully a fixed) 201?

I don't mind if they aren't counted in the contest, but I'd like to gather feedback about issues and have them included in Pahts v1.

[Grogyan]

I can generate an ogg very easily, its whether everyone knows how.

I didn't know that there was no tricks with AlcScript to auto generate the wav file.


@ Paradox, sure you can submit your shell(s) to Aloys even if it isn't part of the actual contest, as i'm planning the same with mine, whether it'll happen or not I just don't know, much python to learn

[Robert The Rebuilder]

You're right - it is unclear how to generate an .ogg file from the Adding Sounds tutorial. I'll add something describing how to use Audacity to do that.

I think anyone can submit a shell, either for the contest or for v1. Should we add a column to the RAD table for "New/Existing Shell", so that the judges know what to expect? For existing shells, I think we had discussed judging the improvement that occurred within the three-week time frame - instead of the shell overall. To support this, the existing shell entries should submit what they have at the contest start, so that the judges have a point of reference on the progress.

@Marcello: I would recommend sending a PM to Aloys for an up-to-date shell that is compatible with the new plugin.

Here's another draft of the announcement; let me know if you want anything changed before I turn it over to the GoMe (at 0000 Sunday GMT):

"Last call for contestants to enter the 2nd Guild of Writers Rapid Age Development contest! This time, the entries will be shells for Ahra Pahts instead of entire ages. Follow the instructions at the link below and sign up before the 30th of June in order to participate:

http://guildofwriters.com/wiki/RAD_July ... n_up_sheet

New shell entries as well as existing shell entries are allowed. Don't miss out on your chance to contribute to version 1.0 of Ahra Pahts!"

I'll PM Aloys to get his input.

[Grogyan]

I've added a new subsection to the wiki called "Contests" under which is the link to all RAD contests done so far and the current contest.

Anyone is more than welcome to enter their name and shell number on that sheet themselves.

Come on guys, have a go, even if you havn't done much Age creation before or learning Blender, these contests are a fantastic way to learn under a fun enviroment

[Jishin]

So -- it sounds to me like if the due date is the 20th, the judging will start a couple days later? Hmmm. Unfortunately, the only weeks I'm free in July are from the 14-20 and post-July 27. It sounds like I'm not going to be able to help judge, then. Unless Aloys needs a week to get everything squared away.

[Robert The Rebuilder]

Jishin: If you won't be available, would you mind posting an announcement over at GoMa forums, asking for one more judge? We'll need them for two sessions:

1. At the start of the contest (1 July), to evaluate the current state of pre-existing shells. People who have been working on their shells for a while and wish to enter the contest must submit their shells in their current state by this date, for the purpose of establishing a baseline for progress during the next three weeks.

2. At the end of the contest (21-24 July), to evaluate the progress of all shells, new and pre-existing.

Right now, I believe we have Corvus and ametist as the two of three GoMa judges.