29-Nov-2024, 9:10 AM
I'm excited. I know I often write these announcements a bit tongue-in-cheek with an overly hyped-up tone, so just saying I'm excited might not mean much. But this time, I am excited for real. I think it's to do with the anticipation of finally releasing these levels and start this competition. I worked on them about a year ago and then I just sat on them waiting for the right time to launch, when it didn't overlap poorly with CCLP5 or a busy schedule in my own life. Hopefully that time is now.
The Time Trial for this month, this year in fact, is a collection of mazes. I am releasing a set with 50 levels, but fear not, only five of those are for this competition. If that's all you need to know grab this set and get to work:
insight.ccl (Size: 49.43 KB / Downloads: 11)
I have too much to say about the levels to write everything here, so I will be uploading a video with those thoughts instead. Briefly, I thought it was time I built a maze for a TT and then I wanted to use the same maze structure to create several different challenges. Chip's Challenge levels come in many flavors and not everyone has to like every flavor, but I gave this concept my best shot and I do hope you can find some enjoyment in the set like I already have.
As for the scoring of the competition, I must also add a few words. Firstly, the competition levels are #2 - #6 in the set, but I do recommend you take a look at a few others too if you just want some casually playable levels (I recommend #9, #27, #43). Secondly, with five full levels to optimize for the competition (and we always love casual entries as well; they are awesome for getting a feel for how the level plays), I want to use a ranking scheme that does not require you to perfect all of these. The method I have in mind is to rank each level individually and only your three best ranks count towards your placement in the competition. Thirdly, I want to use a rule that incentivizes working on the level yourself, without banning computer assistance completely. If you do not use any computer assistance that does more than handle the inputs you make yourself into the level, you will receive a bonus second for that level. The intent is that you first can take a stab at each level manually, send in your score, and then, if you wish, you can use computational assistance to make improvements.
I'll probably say a few more things on Discord as I mention this competition there. If you have any other questions or comments, about the levels or the competition, all I'm doing this weekend is waiting by my screen to reply to you. (ah, I'm getting into that hyperbolic tone again...)
Enjoy!
-Miika
The Time Trial for this month, this year in fact, is a collection of mazes. I am releasing a set with 50 levels, but fear not, only five of those are for this competition. If that's all you need to know grab this set and get to work:
insight.ccl (Size: 49.43 KB / Downloads: 11)
I have too much to say about the levels to write everything here, so I will be uploading a video with those thoughts instead. Briefly, I thought it was time I built a maze for a TT and then I wanted to use the same maze structure to create several different challenges. Chip's Challenge levels come in many flavors and not everyone has to like every flavor, but I gave this concept my best shot and I do hope you can find some enjoyment in the set like I already have.
As for the scoring of the competition, I must also add a few words. Firstly, the competition levels are #2 - #6 in the set, but I do recommend you take a look at a few others too if you just want some casually playable levels (I recommend #9, #27, #43). Secondly, with five full levels to optimize for the competition (and we always love casual entries as well; they are awesome for getting a feel for how the level plays), I want to use a ranking scheme that does not require you to perfect all of these. The method I have in mind is to rank each level individually and only your three best ranks count towards your placement in the competition. Thirdly, I want to use a rule that incentivizes working on the level yourself, without banning computer assistance completely. If you do not use any computer assistance that does more than handle the inputs you make yourself into the level, you will receive a bonus second for that level. The intent is that you first can take a stab at each level manually, send in your score, and then, if you wish, you can use computational assistance to make improvements.
I'll probably say a few more things on Discord as I mention this competition there. If you have any other questions or comments, about the levels or the competition, all I'm doing this weekend is waiting by my screen to reply to you. (ah, I'm getting into that hyperbolic tone again...)
Enjoy!
-Miika