Level competetion
by Jozza · in Marble Blast · 11/19/2003 (8:49 am) · 41 replies
I think I heard abot one somewhere in another thread.
I just want to know if there is going to be one
I just want to know if there is going to be one
About the author
#2
marbleman
11/19/2003 (10:01 am)
There should be a Beginner Championship, an Intermediate Championship and an Advanced championship, and scores based on playability, appearance, length of course, difficulty and an overall average. The author of the level with the highest score should be awarded a copy of the previous winning level! I think Alex and Mark should be the judges, they know MB more than anyone!marbleman
#3
I do like the idea of having difficulty categories, or something to that effect.
We will probably arrange real prizes once this gets off the ground, so you'll all have incentive to create true masterpieces :)
11/19/2003 (12:47 pm)
I mentioned it to Jay again today, and he does think it is a good idea. I can't really mention specifics though. There is a lot of work as far as publicity/press releases, etc so that we can get the word out to all the MB players.I do like the idea of having difficulty categories, or something to that effect.
We will probably arrange real prizes once this gets off the ground, so you'll all have incentive to create true masterpieces :)
#5
You know what would be fun?
A marble blast convention.
You could have level building lessons, how to use QuArK, prizes, and more.
Bob
11/19/2003 (1:32 pm)
Alex,You know what would be fun?
A marble blast convention.
You could have level building lessons, how to use QuArK, prizes, and more.
Bob
#6
Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!
marbleman
11/19/2003 (11:58 pm)
The winner should be awarded a complementary QuArK program so we can make our own interiors for custom levels!Yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!
marbleman
#9
marbleman
11/20/2003 (12:05 pm)
I have now downloaded QuArK 6.3 and Python 1.5.2. How do I make interiors for MB?marbleman
#10
Start out by going to the levels archive and getting Quark4Torque and the Marble blast Map2Dif tools.
Follow Desmond Fletcher's instructions for setting up Quark, BUT use the MarbleBlastMap2Dif instead of the regular one. You will need to go into the Torque options in the Quark config and manually change all the references to Map2Dif.
After you do that, go to quark4torque\addons\Torque and replace the DataTorque file with the version that comes with MarbleBlastMap2Dif. This file will allow you to place entities such as startpads, endpads, powerups, and moving platform nodes in your Quark maps.
You will have to import the marble blast textures into quark's texture browser manually. You can find them in the marble/data/interiors directory.
Then you can build maps to your heart's content. I have posted some tips on how I did some of the MB levels in this thread and elsewhere in the forum.
Once your level is ready, you will want to choose "export220/map build high detail DIF" from the Torque menu in Quark. This will generate a .dif file that you can move into your marble/data/interiors folder.
These interiors can be leaded directly into the editor as with other interiors, BUT if you want your entities (pads, powerups, platforms) to show up right, you need to do things a bit differently.
Open up a command prompt and go to the MB directory. Run marbleblast with the following command:
When you distribute the leve you'll need to include your custom .dif. I would also recommend including a readme file telling people to put the dif in the marble/data/interiors folder and the mis/png in the marble/data/missions/custom folder.
Those are the basics, good luck! I'll be glad to try to answer any more detailed questions you might have.
11/20/2003 (2:47 pm)
Kenneth: It is a bit of a lengthy process, unfortunatelyStart out by going to the levels archive and getting Quark4Torque and the Marble blast Map2Dif tools.
Follow Desmond Fletcher's instructions for setting up Quark, BUT use the MarbleBlastMap2Dif instead of the regular one. You will need to go into the Torque options in the Quark config and manually change all the references to Map2Dif.
After you do that, go to quark4torque\addons\Torque and replace the DataTorque file with the version that comes with MarbleBlastMap2Dif. This file will allow you to place entities such as startpads, endpads, powerups, and moving platform nodes in your Quark maps.
You will have to import the marble blast textures into quark's texture browser manually. You can find them in the marble/data/interiors directory.
Then you can build maps to your heart's content. I have posted some tips on how I did some of the MB levels in this thread and elsewhere in the forum.
Once your level is ready, you will want to choose "export220/map build high detail DIF" from the Torque menu in Quark. This will generate a .dif file that you can move into your marble/data/interiors folder.
These interiors can be leaded directly into the editor as with other interiors, BUT if you want your entities (pads, powerups, platforms) to show up right, you need to do things a bit differently.
Open up a command prompt and go to the MB directory. Run marbleblast with the following command:
marbleblast.exe -test yourlevel.difThis will open the level and populate it with any entities found. You can then adjust any lighting settings, name the level, and save off the mission and preview.
When you distribute the leve you'll need to include your custom .dif. I would also recommend including a readme file telling people to put the dif in the marble/data/interiors folder and the mis/png in the marble/data/missions/custom folder.
Those are the basics, good luck! I'll be glad to try to answer any more detailed questions you might have.
#12
Don't worry about sample.zip either, as you will be using MB textures for your files.
11/21/2003 (11:47 am)
Ahh, just Quark63c.zip, that is the custom version of Quark you need. You already have python, and you will be using the marble blast version of Map2Dif, so the others don't really matter.Don't worry about sample.zip either, as you will be using MB textures for your files.
#13
Someone once mentioned that one of the prizes could be a developer's kit. That would be so fun! I would love to have one.
I thought of some possible prizes myself:
1. MB T-shirt
2. Marble Blast Platinum Edition (New game with winner's custom levels included)
3. Real multicolored marble
I REALLY hope there will be a competition.
-Hen
11/22/2003 (4:28 pm)
A level competition sounds awesome! We should each be able to send in something like 6 levels, since each level is good in a different way.Someone once mentioned that one of the prizes could be a developer's kit. That would be so fun! I would love to have one.
I thought of some possible prizes myself:
1. MB T-shirt
2. Marble Blast Platinum Edition (New game with winner's custom levels included)
3. Real multicolored marble
I REALLY hope there will be a competition.
-Hen
#14
marbleman
11/23/2003 (4:34 am)
For the runners-up there should be a small MB souvenir with the persons name on it!marbleman
#15
marbleman
12/03/2003 (10:39 am)
I have made a large pyramid shape, added a texture from the MB folders manually and when I click "Export220Map/Build High Detail DIF" nothing happens. What is meant to happen?marbleman
#16
12/11/2003 (4:41 pm)
Oh no, I accindentaly killed my greatest level! I was going to put it in the competition if there ever is one, but I'll have to rebuild it first...
#17
12/11/2003 (5:59 pm)
D'oh! 
#19
Back up all your work! Sorry that happened to you Henry, but maybe you can rebuild it making it better than the first. Hen, don't worry about losing your level. Just think of how many times Thomas Edison had to experiment before he got the light bulb right!
I have yet to begin my "competition level." I'm trying to think of something really original. I want to use QuArK to make some new content. It would be fun to work with some scripts to add movement like the elevators. Those things are so cool and give the game more dimension. (I'll probably try to install it on a Window's machine this weekend)
Thanks to all for the new levels. I can definitely see this forum maturing in experience. The questions and answers are getting more indepth and interesting. I'm also seeing a lot of new "faces" around here which is good. The more input and points of view the better.
And, of course, we can't forget Alex's contribution as mediator and advisor.
Happy Marbling! (Is marbling a word?)
solo.
12/12/2003 (1:07 am)
Just a reminder:Back up all your work! Sorry that happened to you Henry, but maybe you can rebuild it making it better than the first. Hen, don't worry about losing your level. Just think of how many times Thomas Edison had to experiment before he got the light bulb right!
I have yet to begin my "competition level." I'm trying to think of something really original. I want to use QuArK to make some new content. It would be fun to work with some scripts to add movement like the elevators. Those things are so cool and give the game more dimension. (I'll probably try to install it on a Window's machine this weekend)
Thanks to all for the new levels. I can definitely see this forum maturing in experience. The questions and answers are getting more indepth and interesting. I'm also seeing a lot of new "faces" around here which is good. The more input and points of view the better.
And, of course, we can't forget Alex's contribution as mediator and advisor.
Happy Marbling! (Is marbling a word?)
solo.
#20
Mentioning elevators. I found out how to manipulate and control elevators without having to use QuArK, only the editor. That was how I was able to make "Going Up", "A Level Of Two Halves" and "Over And Under".
marbleman
12/12/2003 (7:27 am)
I think it is. I looked up in the dictionary. It's there, but it's a noun!Quote:mar'bling noun a marbled appearance or colouring; the act of veining or painting in imitation of marble.Good word though!
Mentioning elevators. I found out how to manipulate and control elevators without having to use QuArK, only the editor. That was how I was able to make "Going Up", "A Level Of Two Halves" and "Over And Under".
marbleman
Solo Hans
Alex is looking into this. He mention the idea to those who can make it happen and they seem to think it's a good idea, but are too busy just now. I reminded Alex again today, so I'll see if there's any further interest on the part of "GarageGames." Hopefully, it'll become reality soon!
solo.