After much consideration, we’ve decided to make some changes to the rules of the competition. First we’ll list the rule change, and then address some of the questions that have been asked regarding more minor issues.
RULE CHANGE: Judging Criteria
We will no longer use “Traffic” as a criterion for judging the competition. We are doing this because of the confusion the “Traffic” system caused last year and because it unfairly handicaps games in the ‘Extra-Credit” category. We hope that this change frees competitors from the burden of marketing their game and allows them to focus on perfecting and polishing the game play.
Instead, we will choose 3 finalists in the following categories:
1. Groundbreaking. Second Life is a place of constant innovation, the Ground Breaker Award goes the entrant displaying the most original concept. We will take into account creativity and originality. The winner here may be a very simple yet highly original game.
2. Risk-Taking. We’ll be looking for entrants who have reached for the stars to really do something very hard and exciting. The Risk Taker Award singles out the team with the greatest ambition.
3. Detailing. The little things make a big difference. The Detailing Award honors the game with the most outstanding execution. We’ll also consider the overall game play. Is the game perfectly polished? Is it fun to play? Do I want to return to play it again and again?
From the 8 teams, we will choose a winner for each category. To decide the final rankings, we will give each of the finalist a score for Groundbreaking, Risk Taking and Detailing. The resulting scores will determine rankings for prizes.
Example:
Team A advances to the finals by winning the Groundbreaking category.
Their GroundBreaker score is 80/100, Risk-Taker Score is 50/100 , and their Detailer Score is 70/100.
Overall Score is 66.66.
Team B advances to the finals by winning the Risk-Taking category. They have a GroundBreaker score of 70/100, a Risk-Taker Score of 90/100
and and a Detailer Score of 30/100.
Overall Score is 63.3.
Team C advances to the finals by winning the Detailer category. Their GroundBreaker score is 30/100, their Risk-Taker Score is 60/100, and their Detailer Score is 80/100.
Overall Score is 56.66.
In the finals, Team A would get 1st Prize, Team B 2nd Prize and Team C 3rd Prize.
Clarification to Questions:
1. Q: May we use pre-existing scripts or objects in our game?
A: The answer to this is that we discourage it but will have a hard time monitoring whether you do or not. The purpose of the competition is to
encourage new development and originality is a key criteria. So you may use pre-existing material, but be aware that it might reduce your score in the ambition and originality areas. We’ll leave it at that.
2. Q: Is it 4 members including the leader or 4 plus the leader?
A: Four including the leader
3. Q: Can the leader replace a non-performing team member?
A: In extreme cases you may, but only with the permission of Linden Lab. We do not want teams to be fighting, non do we want you to be handicapped by members who quit, so please choose members carefully and strive for harmony.
4. Q: How much land do we get for the competition? How is it parceled out?
A: Teams doing games on one region get 1/2 a region. Teams doing the “Extra Credit” Challenge get 1/2 a region spread out in 8 pieces throughout the world.
These eight pieces will total 1/2 a region.