Script War
I'd like to do something similar to a word war, if anyone knows what that is.
Basically we have a time X and a time Y. Everybody starts writing scripts at time X, and stops at time Y. The person who writes the most scripts by time Y wins. (The prize is bragging rights.)
The idea of this isn't to have perfectly functioning scripts. It's more that at the end of it all, you feel less overwhelmed.
If people are interested in this, I'd like to plan a time that suits everyone. It's currently 12:30PM where I live, and I'm pretty much open to doing this whenever.
Basically we have a time X and a time Y. Everybody starts writing scripts at time X, and stops at time Y. The person who writes the most scripts by time Y wins. (The prize is bragging rights.)
The idea of this isn't to have perfectly functioning scripts. It's more that at the end of it all, you feel less overwhelmed.
If people are interested in this, I'd like to plan a time that suits everyone. It's currently 12:30PM where I live, and I'm pretty much open to doing this whenever.
I like the idea, but what would be the duration of such an event?
It could be an hour, a day, a week. Whichever works best. I think an hour is too short and a week is too long though.
A few hours to a few days would probably be a good amount of time.
A few hours to a few days would probably be a good amount of time.
Let's see who else is interested. I wouldn't mind doing this, but I fear I'll never find enough time within any given period to really make this work :/
Sounds like fun, I'm game. =) I won't be spending several hours doing nothing but quick reaction scripts, though; I'll probably just try to work on my dmod as much as possible.
April 26th 2013, 06:41 AM
shevek
It sounds cool, but I think it should be less open than just "scripts". Otherwise it's impossible to point out a clear winner.
So let's make this real. I propose the following:
- Contestants must have prepare a dmod story and map. Details don't have to be added yet, but all interacting sprites which matter for the story should.
- Any scripts which have been started before the contest don't count for your score.
- Asking for help is allowed, but the contestant must write the scripts. You cannot join as a team.
- The goal is to write as many scripts as possible, to a shape where they are close to finished (debugging may still be required after the contest, but a script containing only some comments about what it should do doesn't count, for example).
- Since many of the rules cannot be properly enforced, we will believe any statements about it. Please don't abuse that.
- There are two categories; first is who wrote the most scripts, second is who wrote the largest percentage of the total scripts in the dmod.
- Those who get to 100% before the time is up will go debug their scripts. If this happens, the winner in this category is the one with 100% and the most working scripts (absolute number, not percentage).
- Contestants are encouraged to make a screen recording of their session. This is not a requirement.
As for the date and time:
- The contest should be short, so contestants will feel rushed the entire time. I think 2 hours would be good.
- It should be in a weekend, so timezones are less of an issue.
- Because contestants must prepare a map, they must have some time to do that.
- Coordination (such as the start and end signal) will happen on IRC. Contestants must be able to see this, preferably with an audible signal when their name is mentioned (which will happen at the start and end).
With this in mind, I propose the contest to be held on the 4th of may, 20:00 until 22:00, all UTC. This means it will be in a weekend all over the planet.
I'd love to join myself, but due to my move I currently don't have a computer yet. If this is changed in time, I'm in.
Anyone who wants to join may declare this in this thread. If there are fewer than 3 such declarations when the contest is supposed to start, the contest is delayed or cancelled.
I hope the above should be enough to make this a real and interesting event. If anyone has different ideas about it, just speak up. I'm only trying to make it real; I'm not in a position to decide anything.
So let's make this real. I propose the following:
- Contestants must have prepare a dmod story and map. Details don't have to be added yet, but all interacting sprites which matter for the story should.
- Any scripts which have been started before the contest don't count for your score.
- Asking for help is allowed, but the contestant must write the scripts. You cannot join as a team.
- The goal is to write as many scripts as possible, to a shape where they are close to finished (debugging may still be required after the contest, but a script containing only some comments about what it should do doesn't count, for example).
- Since many of the rules cannot be properly enforced, we will believe any statements about it. Please don't abuse that.
- There are two categories; first is who wrote the most scripts, second is who wrote the largest percentage of the total scripts in the dmod.
- Those who get to 100% before the time is up will go debug their scripts. If this happens, the winner in this category is the one with 100% and the most working scripts (absolute number, not percentage).
- Contestants are encouraged to make a screen recording of their session. This is not a requirement.
As for the date and time:
- The contest should be short, so contestants will feel rushed the entire time. I think 2 hours would be good.
- It should be in a weekend, so timezones are less of an issue.
- Because contestants must prepare a map, they must have some time to do that.
- Coordination (such as the start and end signal) will happen on IRC. Contestants must be able to see this, preferably with an audible signal when their name is mentioned (which will happen at the start and end).
With this in mind, I propose the contest to be held on the 4th of may, 20:00 until 22:00, all UTC. This means it will be in a weekend all over the planet.
I'd love to join myself, but due to my move I currently don't have a computer yet. If this is changed in time, I'm in.
Anyone who wants to join may declare this in this thread. If there are fewer than 3 such declarations when the contest is supposed to start, the contest is delayed or cancelled.
I hope the above should be enough to make this a real and interesting event. If anyone has different ideas about it, just speak up. I'm only trying to make it real; I'm not in a position to decide anything.
So basically making Dink say something whenever he hits/talks to every sprite all count as scripts? That'd be a lot of copy/pasting.
I think you should have a quality check as well. Perhaps you could even make an empty map prefilled with a map and sprites. That map would only be released at the time of the contest so everybody makes scripts for the same starting configuration.
I think you should have a quality check as well. Perhaps you could even make an empty map prefilled with a map and sprites. That map would only be released at the time of the contest so everybody makes scripts for the same starting configuration.
You have 48 hours to make a Dmod starting from this immediate thread post being made. That is all.
April 26th 2013, 08:24 AM
shevek
So basically making Dink say something whenever he hits/talks to every sprite all count as scripts? That'd be a lot of copy/pasting.
Yes, that counts. There are lots of ways to cheat; it's no use trying to stop it. And I wouldn't even consider this one cheating; getting responses from every object makes a dmod much more interesting.
I think you should have a quality check as well. Perhaps you could even make an empty map prefilled with a map and sprites. That map would only be released at the time of the contest so everybody makes scripts for the same starting configuration.
That would result in a contest which is more fair, but it conflicts with my hidden agenda: to get authors to finish their dmods.
Also, by limiting authors this way, fewer people may want to join. Then again, I could be mistaken. So anyone who signs up, please say if you like to work on your own thing, or on a "standard" thing, or both are good for you. We can do whatever most people prefer.
Yes, that counts. There are lots of ways to cheat; it's no use trying to stop it. And I wouldn't even consider this one cheating; getting responses from every object makes a dmod much more interesting.
I think you should have a quality check as well. Perhaps you could even make an empty map prefilled with a map and sprites. That map would only be released at the time of the contest so everybody makes scripts for the same starting configuration.
That would result in a contest which is more fair, but it conflicts with my hidden agenda: to get authors to finish their dmods.
Also, by limiting authors this way, fewer people may want to join. Then again, I could be mistaken. So anyone who signs up, please say if you like to work on your own thing, or on a "standard" thing, or both are good for you. We can do whatever most people prefer.
I like sheveks rules.
May 3rd 2013, 08:46 AM
shevek
There doesn't seem to be much activity here. According to the rules I set, this will mean that the contest will be canceled or delayed. However, I got my computer set up and plan to enter in any case. So everyone else who's in, please speak up.
If you don't have a dmod to script on, also say so, and I'll try to make a quick map for you to write scripts for.
If you don't have a dmod to script on, also say so, and I'll try to make a quick map for you to write scripts for.
The only scripts I can write are for dramas. Me no enter.
If I get enough done today to allow myself a free day tomorrow, I'm in.
I'll be working on one of my existing projects, though I'll probably spend a few hours beforehand figuring out just where I left off, possibly preparing the map to deal with whatever it is I'm going to add.
I'll be working on one of my existing projects, though I'll probably spend a few hours beforehand figuring out just where I left off, possibly preparing the map to deal with whatever it is I'm going to add.
I'm in no matter what. I really need to pump out some scripts.
I'm in!
Will it be 2 hours time limit? If so, I think would be better to have a basic map, or half the time would be spent map making
We can always add more visions or more screens if needed, the map would work as a kickstart or theme and, imo, wouldn't limit authors too much. ^^
Will it be 2 hours time limit? If so, I think would be better to have a basic map, or half the time would be spent map making
We can always add more visions or more screens if needed, the map would work as a kickstart or theme and, imo, wouldn't limit authors too much. ^^
Well, it's pretty open to what you script on. I'm going to be using a dmod I'm currently making.
If you have no dmods you're wanting to work on at the moment, go ahead and make a basic map.
If you have no dmods you're wanting to work on at the moment, go ahead and make a basic map.
Will it be 2 hours time limit?
Yes, but that's just for the score. You're free to continue after that, it just doesn't count for winning this war.
I think would be better to have a basic map
Right, that's the idea. Make your own map beforehand, or work on a DMod which you had lying around which needed a lot of scripts anyway.
If you have nothing else, and don't have time to make it, you could get Sabretrout's Valhalla; it is incomplete and explicitly invites people to complete it. Then again, reading up on what is already there may be more work than creating a new basic map.
Yes, but that's just for the score. You're free to continue after that, it just doesn't count for winning this war.
I think would be better to have a basic map
Right, that's the idea. Make your own map beforehand, or work on a DMod which you had lying around which needed a lot of scripts anyway.
If you have nothing else, and don't have time to make it, you could get Sabretrout's Valhalla; it is incomplete and explicitly invites people to complete it. Then again, reading up on what is already there may be more work than creating a new basic map.
I'm up for it, tell me when and I'll be there We should use the live chat to coordinate/talk about the event once it goes live.
We should use the live chat to coordinate/talk about the event once it goes live.tell me when and I'll be there
Saturday the 4th of may, 20:00-22:00 UTC (that's 22:00-24:00 in Belgium).
We should use the live chat to coordinate/talk about the event once it goes live.
Yes, that's the plan. How about we meet there at least 10 minutes before the start? Then we know who's joining.
Just to repeat, everyone please have a map with sprites but with lots of missing scripts ready, and if you can, please have a screen recorder ready as well.
Saturday the 4th of may, 20:00-22:00 UTC (that's 22:00-24:00 in Belgium).
We should use the live chat to coordinate/talk about the event once it goes live.
Yes, that's the plan. How about we meet there at least 10 minutes before the start? Then we know who's joining.
Just to repeat, everyone please have a map with sprites but with lots of missing scripts ready, and if you can, please have a screen recorder ready as well.
Tomorrow at 20:00 UTC. Google UTC time and it'll convert your clock's time to UTC. 20 UTC is around 4:00pm for me.
Magicman is 6 hours ahead of me, so for him it'd start at 10:00pm, or 18:00. I think he's in CET? I'm not really sure what all the time zones are called.
Magicman is 6 hours ahead of me, so for him it'd start at 10:00pm, or 18:00. I think he's in CET? I'm not really sure what all the time zones are called.
and if you can, please have a screen recorder ready as well.
I do not have a screen recorder on that computer. I don't think screen recorders are necessary. Perhaps if this becomes a serious competition they will, but right now I think we can go on the honor system.
I do not have a screen recorder on that computer. I don't think screen recorders are necessary. Perhaps if this becomes a serious competition they will, but right now I think we can go on the honor system.
I do not have a screen recorder on that computer. I don't think screen recorders are necessary. Perhaps if this becomes a serious competition they will, but right now I think we can go on the honor system.
They're not required indeed. I just think it would be nice to have some videos of the event.
Magicman is 6 hours ahead of me, so for him it'd start at 10:00pm, or 18:00. I think he's in CET? I'm not really sure what all the time zones are called.
10:00pm is correct, but it's 22:00. That would be called CEST (central european summer time, UTC+2) this time of year. In winter it's CET (central european time, UTC+1).
They're not required indeed. I just think it would be nice to have some videos of the event.
Magicman is 6 hours ahead of me, so for him it'd start at 10:00pm, or 18:00. I think he's in CET? I'm not really sure what all the time zones are called.
10:00pm is correct, but it's 22:00.
That would be called CEST (central european summer time, UTC+2) this time of year. In winter it's CET (central european time, UTC+1).Right. I shouldn't try to juggle with too many timezones at one time.
I'm excited I'm not comfortable using screen capture software because I'll be working on my actual d-mod, which I won't spoil like that I do have to mention that my Dink is suffering a lot of slowdown, if it is too bad to test stuff with I might not get much done at all 
But even then I guess I can write simple scripts for simple interaction.
Yay for tomorrow night
I'm not comfortable using screen capture software because I'll be working on my actual d-mod, which I won't spoil like that I do have to mention that my Dink is suffering a lot of slowdown, if it is too bad to test stuff with I might not get much done at all But even then I guess I can write simple scripts for simple interaction.Yay for tomorrow night
Just write the scripts. Don't bother testing until it's over.
"They're not required indeed. I just think it would be nice to have some videos of the event."
I'm sure the DSPT Channel would be happy to accomodate such recordings as part of the Special Tutorials playlist.
I'm sure the DSPT Channel would be happy to accomodate such recordings as part of the Special Tutorials playlist.
I don't think any recordings would end up being very good tutorials.
Kyle, magicman, and I are all working on dmods we wouldn't like others to see currently. Well, magicman might not care so much. Kyle and I do though. I'm not sure about shevek, castman, or scratcher(if he still plans to participate). So publicly showcasing our dmod in progress isn't exactly something I feel like doing at this time. Though I will however go make a dev thread for it now.
Perhaps DSPT could host a similar contest. Magicman told me an idea of his a while back in chat. The idea is that everyone is given the same map and only allowed to script. So perhaps DSPT could have a contest is which the participants were given this map to script anything they like to it in two hours. You could flip it around and give all the participants the same set of scripts, and have them create the map and place the sprites they think best fit the scripts.
Those would be pretty fun contests. I do think DSPT should host some contests. If nothing else, it be cool to have a "Let's Race" challenge thread where DSPT members could state whether they're open for challenges.
Kyle, magicman, and I are all working on dmods we wouldn't like others to see currently. Well, magicman might not care so much. Kyle and I do though. I'm not sure about shevek, castman, or scratcher(if he still plans to participate). So publicly showcasing our dmod in progress isn't exactly something I feel like doing at this time. Though I will however go make a dev thread for it now.
Perhaps DSPT could host a similar contest. Magicman told me an idea of his a while back in chat. The idea is that everyone is given the same map and only allowed to script. So perhaps DSPT could have a contest is which the participants were given this map to script anything they like to it in two hours. You could flip it around and give all the participants the same set of scripts, and have them create the map and place the sprites they think best fit the scripts.
Those would be pretty fun contests. I do think DSPT should host some contests. If nothing else, it be cool to have a "Let's Race" challenge thread where DSPT members could state whether they're open for challenges.
For the record, that idea was mostly based on metatarasal's post in this thread.
working on dmods we wouldn't like others to see currently.
I'm expecting my DMod to be mostly finished after this event (and the only thing I've done so far is think up a story; I'm planning to create the dmod in a weekend. ).
I agree that it would be better to release the DMod before showing the video, but that's just an incentive to make the release sooner. For me, I plan to release the video between one and two weeks after the DMod is downloadable.
Which means I should be calling for beta-testers now, I suppose. If anyone is interested, please send me a private message (yay!).
I'm expecting my DMod to be mostly finished after this event (and the only thing I've done so far is think up a story; I'm planning to create the dmod in a weekend.
).I agree that it would be better to release the DMod before showing the video, but that's just an incentive to make the release sooner. For me, I plan to release the video between one and two weeks after the DMod is downloadable.
Which means I should be calling for beta-testers now, I suppose. If anyone is interested, please send me a private message (yay!).
scratcher(if he still plans to participate)
Nope, can't make it tonight.
Looking forward to see some mad notepad shuffling skillz, though. Maybe post screenshots of how many scripts you've done at the end? It would be a little more tangible than just "Oh yeah, 309 scripts!"
Nope, can't make it tonight.
Looking forward to see some mad notepad shuffling skillz, though.
Maybe post screenshots of how many scripts you've done at the end? It would be a little more tangible than just "Oh yeah, 309 scripts!"
Shevek, I will be glad to beta test your Dmod.
I'm out of the contest.
My notebook keyboard gone nut and some keys refuse to work, shift, backspace and esc among them, so, to make an & i have to use right-shift, erase with delete 9which works reversed0 and have to quit the game through alt-f4 (what sucks).
this alwready happened before and gone away from nowhere, if I can get it back to normal I'll join you
Ouch. I hope you fix your keyboard.
Hmmm, that leaves us with 3 people? I think we should aim for 5? We can delay it.
We can delay it.We have four people.
I don't have a preference about delaying or not. On the one hand, more people is better. And my mapping doesn't go as fast as I had hoped.
On the other hand, I should have enough map for two hours of scripting. And I think this sort of thing is a great way to force some activity. But I probably won't be doing it twice, shortly after each other.
So I'll leave the decision up to you people. If we delay, I'd say we do it next week, same time. Please let me know what you think.
On the other hand, I should have enough map for two hours of scripting. And I think this sort of thing is a great way to force some activity. But I probably won't be doing it twice, shortly after each other.
So I'll leave the decision up to you people. If we delay, I'd say we do it next week, same time. Please let me know what you think.
And the results of the very first edition of the 'script war' are in! Thanks to our fantastic participants: Leprochaun, Magicman, Kyle and Shevek!
Number of scripts created:
Shevek 30
Kyle 23
Leprochaun 11
magicman 7
Lines of code created:
Leprochaun 755
Shevek 633
magicman 527
Kyle 526
Yes, that's a total of 2441 lines of code in 71 scripts produced in just two hours! We should do this again some time.
Number of scripts created:
Shevek 30
Kyle 23
Leprochaun 11
magicman 7
Lines of code created:
Leprochaun 755
Shevek 633
magicman 527
Kyle 526
Yes, that's a total of 2441 lines of code in 71 scripts produced in just two hours! We should do this again some time.
It was fun! I hope more people script along next time so it's even more of a community event!
I'm game for whenever.
I liked it! We could do it again some time, but we could also do mapping instead of scripting then. Would anyone like that?
Still having trouble with my keyboard, good to see you all did well tho.
hopefully I'll join you next time
What would we compare at the end of it?
Screens made?
Screens detailed?
Sprites placed?
Screens made?
Screens detailed?
Sprites placed?
What would we compare at the end of it?
All of the ones you mention sound reasonable. With my editor, I should be able to count all of that. Is it possible with the other editors as well?
I'd think we should just go for whatever can be measured. The main goal is to have fun and get work done. The statistics and "winner" at the end aren't that important, really.
All of the ones you mention sound reasonable. With my editor, I should be able to count all of that. Is it possible with the other editors as well?
I'd think we should just go for whatever can be measured. The main goal is to have fun and get work done. The statistics and "winner" at the end aren't that important, really.
The very little competition involved does help motivate.
I'd prefer to do scripting again, though I'd be fine with mapping. I still have to detail most every screen.
I'd prefer to do scripting again, though I'd be fine with mapping. I still have to detail most every screen.
