Description

Isrieri's castle compilation in SMBX!



In anticipation of Super RMN World, I'm taking it upon myself to issue a call to all potential SMBX devs! Even if you've never touched the engine, now's the time to give it a shot!


~ The Rundown ~
There is no maximum number of participants: Anyone can join, even those who've had no experience with the SMBX engine. Consider this getting your foot in the door.

~ Projected Timeline ~
Sign-ups: 01/01/12 ~ 01/6/13
Development: 01/06/13 ~ 01/27/13
Judging & Compilation: 01/29/13 ~ 01/31/13
Release: 02/01/13

That's all tentative. I am the worst procrastinator.

~ Submission Prerequisites ~
  • Make all levels in SMBX. (This is critical, people!)
  • All levels should be compressed in ZIP folders. When saving your level, always put your name followed by the name of the level. For example: “yourname_levelname.lvl”
  • Rate each submission on a scale of 1 to 5. Here are some vague words attempting to define each difficulty.


  • 1) Mild
  • 2) Tricky
  • 3) Challenging
  • 4) Tough
  • 5) Endgame

  • You must include one (and only one!) SMW Checkpoint within each level, as this is all SMBX will support.
  • The level must end with a ? Sphere.
  • Place both the Player 1 and Player 2 start locations.
  • If you include a boss, you may use any but Mother Brain. But I encourage putting your focus into the actual level.
  • No midbosses though.
  • You must be able to clear the level without taking a hit.


~ Level Rules ~
  • Castles are supposed to be challenging. That doesn't necessarily mean difficult. Try and stay within the precedent set in previous Mario games. The purpose of this project is to get the hang of challenging the player without frustrating them.
  • We're going for quality over quantity here, so you may submit up to 3 levels total.
  • You are not limited to staying within any of the “styles” the castles previous Mario games adhered to. Use them as guidelines, but don't be afraid to innovate. Have fun with it!
  • You may use custom graphics and MP3s if you wish.
  • The game will only utilize Mario and Luigi as characters, so don't make Peach or Toad levels.
  • All water must be swimmable. Waterfalls must not be.
  • An average castle should take no longer than 2 to 4 minutes to complete. (And no shorter than 1 minute)
  • This will be a strictly one player game. You don't have to design your castle to support co-op.
  • No secret stars.
  • No dialogue! That means no message blocks, signs, or talking npcs!
  • You must have at least one power
  • up. Remember that the amount of power-ups and how you place them contributes greatly to the difficulty of a level.
  • Use invisible blocks wisely. No putting them over pits or other nonsense of that sort.


~ Important Note ~
Remember that this is open to anyone who wishes to explore SMBX as an engine: I'd like to see a lot of new faces for the next RMN Bros! There's a lot of quirks to the editor that I neglected to explain, and so you'll probably have lots of questions. I refer you to these tutorials, but don't hesitate to post your question here. I don't know everything about SMBX, but I'll likely have the answers to any the questions you'll want to ask.

Details

  • 01/02/2013 12:00 AM
  • 01/31/2013 12:00 AM
  • Isrieri

Registration

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Posts

Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
Said tutorials are these tutorials. But it may be faster just to post your question here, I'm an encyclopedia of knowledge.

The plan as it stands* is to have everyone begin making their levels after the sign-up week. During which I'll look at all the levels posted and offer critiquing and feedback. Others may do this as well, but I have the final word on if something needs to stay or to go. Why is that exactly?

Because after the levels are all completed I will judge them! I guess we'll have a 1st place 2nd place and 3rd place winner, maybe consolation places too. Other people may volunteer to help judge the entries. After that, I will attempt to compile the castle levels into a game-page for posterity and for the rest of the community to admire enjoy.

*Rules are subject to change.
I'm kinda glad there's a limit on submissions. I can take my time on this one.
So... are we supposed to be making Castle levels, or what? The description and rundown don't really specify that we are, even though it seems implied by the event title and some of the rules sort of mention it.
Blobofgoo
Legs are a burden. Return to snek.
2751
Should we stay in the 2-4 difficulty range? I'm guessing there will only be one 5, probably created by you. Or maybe that doesn't really matter. I don't think "mild castle stages" have ever existed though, so I think I'll make 3s and 4s.
Huzzah, none of them damn secret stars!
Ratty524
The 524 is for 524 Stone Crabs
12986
My feelings on secret stars the the exact same as red coins. They can work, but so far they have been abused.

Needless to say, I'm down for this.
Would it be bad if I made three Dr. Wily castles?
EDIT: Can you remove me from the list? My computer can't install SMBX because of some stupid OpenCandy adware. Sorry.
Solitayre
Circumstance penalty for being the bard.
18257
author=nin8halos
Would it be bad if I made three Dr. Wily castles?


What music would you use? THIS IS IMPORTANT.
Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
Obviously the tracks from Megamans 9 & 10.

I kinda rushed this event out so I'm basically planning as I go. What you see above is basically it. I suppose if you wanted to you can start making levels now, but I won't begin reviewing them until January 6th: I wanted to set a week before we really begin since I anticipate my being busy with life stuff till then. It also gives those who're just beginning with SMBX some time to fiddle around with the engine before development actually begins.

author=Blobofgoo
I don't think "mild castle stages" have ever existed though

I consider the early castles in Mario 3 "mild" than say, the ones in World.

As far as difficulty goes, this contest is basically an excersise in level design: I'm not looking for particularly fantastical or amazing castles that do new things, but castles that are

1) Engaging.
2) Fun.
3) Challenge the player in a fair way.
4) Keep frustration to a minimum.

I love being vague.

Holy balls that title card looks amazing.
author=Arandomgamemaker
EDIT: Can you remove me from the list? My computer can't install SMBX because of some stupid OpenCandy adware. Sorry.


Damn that sucks. OpenCandy looks like a pain in the ass to remove. If you can download them I suggest running rkill to kill the process and Combofix to try and remove it.

(Both are BleepingComputer software, make sure you get it from there)
author=Solitayre
author=nin8halos
Would it be bad if I made three Dr. Wily castles?
What music would you use? THIS IS IMPORTANT.


The track from Mega Man 2. For AT LEAST one of them.
http://66.90.118.45/ost/megaman-2-original-soundtrack/kmpuaskhwo/17-wily-stage-1-2.mp3
Decky
I'm a dog pirate
19645
what if i dont make level in smbx
Isrieri
"My father told me this would happen."
6155
author=Deckiller
what if i dont make level in smbx

you lose all your agility
author=Isrieri
I suppose if you wanted to you can start making levels now, but I won't begin reviewing them until January 6th

Sounds good enough to me!
Well, okay. I've had SMBX installed forever but never used it. Might as well now.
masterofmayhem
I can defiantly see where you’re coming from
2610
You know I’ve been meaning to get involved in these RMN Mario things for a while now. I suppose I could make one level or something.
author=masterofmayhem
You know I’ve been meaning to get involved in these RMN Mario things for a while now. I suppose I could make one level or something.
DO IT
masterofmayhem
I can defiantly see where you’re coming from
2610
Ok then... Now where did I put my copy of SMBX?
Seiromem
I would have more makerscore If I did things.
6375
I completely disapprove of the level limit, though understand it. I personally think I can get much quantity with high quality, but that's just me. Since I work fast and am an SMBX addict, as soon as I make my 3 levels, it's gonna be a pain in the ass waiting.
But who's to say I WOULD create more than three? That would be me but I'm a terrible procrastinator =P