Idea: Spriting Duels - Discussion Thread

[Signomi]

Amachi, we so should've played Tic Tac Toe, then YOU'D be the one making this thread. XD

Anyway, it's been brought to my attention that a brief discussion within the Spriters Showcase thread had occured concerning the idea of Spriting Duels.

Spriting Duels are basically going face to face with another member and spriting a piece of the same category, with other members voting on the most alluring piece, the one with the most votes would be the winner.

Both Amachi and I have been talking about the ups and downs of this idea and would now like to hear your say.

Do bear in mind that activity in the sub-forum and people who would be willing to participate in such contest do strike as important factors when considering this idea.

Discuss.

 

[强有力]

If this happened would it be scratch work or everything. Like recolours,edits,scratch ect. I am just wondering because i am actually very interested in the idea.

 

[Jolteon]

I love the idea, this would probably make the area a lot more active with some competition, but then again, I also once had a spriting duel, which lasted one voted, and one reply, so I dom't know if it's gonna happen this time round, it might be a good idea to think of a way to get other people voting, I think we should just give it a shot and see how it goes, if it works good, then yeah, great. xD; But if it's bad and they have not many replies, then I guess we just forget it. \:
We should have like.. one HUGE spriting event. xD

 

[Signomi]

I know what you mean, Jolty. And that's one of the reasons why I'm a little iffy with the idea. :/

Quoting from my discussion with Amachi via MSN, I think it's a good idea, trouble is that you have the odd people giving up easily and/or you find that there aren't enough people willing to participate, it always happens. And judging by this sub-forum's activity, it can be very likely to happen, sad to admit.

And If we ever do allow such things to be in play, chances are it will always be the same people wanting to do it again and again, etc. Then eventually the idea would die down a bit, which is what I'm really sceptical about at the moment.

If you guys are willing to dedicate yourselves into promoting this idea with the best of your ability, then I'm all quite for it. It would be nice to see a fresh light amongst this community.

 

[Jolteon]

If you guys are willing to dedicate yourselves into promoting this idea with the best of your ability, then I'm all quite for it. It would be nice to see a fresh light amongst this community.

Yeah, I'd probably be willing to dedicate myself to it, I'm not doing much on this forum at the minute, so I could probably do a reasonal ammount of voting on my part, and probably take part on one or two occasions.
I say we just go for it, and if it doesn't work, at least we know it wouldn't of worked, but I guess then if we didn't try, we wouldn't see how it would go. \:

 

[Alter Ego]

Nyu, a spriting duel, eh? That sounds fun, certainly, although it's been like...gosh, a full year since I sprited last. o.O Oh well, I'd be willing to give it a shot and poke some of my friends too. They aren't exactly spriters, but I guess a few might join just for the experience. So yeah, I'm all for it, personally. ^-^

On the attendance issue...eh, I guess the best way to keep it popular would be to shamelessly advertise everywhere - a nice little banner-thingie could help, as most forumites love pretty banners - and try to make it look...erm, more like good clean fun and less like an intimidating contest between spriting pros. Sure. you'd get more low-quality sprites that way, but you'd also get more interest, I think. That's just my opinion, though, and I could be horribly wrong. xP

That aside, there was an important point raised here: are we talking complete scratch sprites or is it okay to take parts of existing ones and meld them until you can't tell what the original was? It might make a big difference for the people considering whether to join or not. :3

 

[Signomi]

On the attendance issue...eh, I guess the best way to keep it popular would be to shamelessly advertise everywhere - a nice little banner-thingie could help, as most forumites love pretty banners - and try to make it look...erm, more like good clean fun and less like an intimidating contest between spriting pros. Sure. you'd get more low-quality sprites that way, but you'd also get more interest, I think. That's just my opinion, though, and I could be horribly wrong. xP

You've got a point there. I'm not too fond of recolours or any of the sort, what I'm looking for here is enough people with interest of the idea, it'd surely be interesting.

That aside, there was an important point raised here: are we talking complete scratch sprites or is it okay to take parts of existing ones and meld them until you can't tell what the original was? It might make a big difference for the people considering whether to join or not. :3

As long as you implement your own touches to already made sprites, then it's fine by me. In Spriting contests, I've never objected to people heavy-editing spritework, in fact I've seen a lot of the kind and found them quite appealing. So anything of the sort is allowed, as long as it's pixel work and your own work, then feel free to be as creative as you can be.

 

[Alter Ego]

You've got a point there. I'm not too fond of recolours or any of the sort, what I'm looking for here is enough people with interest of the idea, it'd surely be interesting.

I see what you mean about the recolours. Gary with a bad dye job isn't my idea of a good sprite either. xD Anyway, I'll see about pestering a couple of folks, then, as I'd certainly like to see what this could become. ^^ So, basically the more people express their support and provide some sort of promise to participate the better, yes?

As long as you implement your own touches to already made sprites, then it's fine by me. In Spriting contests, I've never objected to people heavy-editing spritework, in fact I've seen a lot of the kind and found them quite appealing. So anything of the sort is allowed, as long as it's pixel work and your own work, then feel free to be as creative as you can be.

Nyu, that's good new for me. I mostly rely on existing sprites because I'm absolutely terrible with poses, takes forever to make one of my own that looks even okayish. >.< So just to clarify with some silly examples, taking - say - Koga's head and sticking it on Lance's body is obviously not an original sprite, but taking Blaine's head, sticking it on a bug catcher's body, and improvising a new outfitand a cane to turn it into a small, cranky old man is a-okay, yes? Just want to see if I got the idea right. :3

 

[Signomi]

I see what you mean about the recolours. Gary with a bad dye job isn't my idea of a good sprite either. xD Anyway, I'll see about pestering a couple of folks, then, as I'd certainly like to see what this could become. ^^ So, basically the more people express their support and provide some sort of promise to participate the better, yes?

But of course. This could just as well be our chance to liven up the community a bit more. And thanks a bunch, it's appreciated.

Nyu, that's good new for me. I mostly rely on existing sprites because I'm absolutely terrible with poses, takes forever to make one of my own that looks even okayish. >.< So just to clarify with some silly examples, taking - say - Koga's head and sticking it on Lance's body is obviously not an original sprite, but taking Blaine's head, sticking it on a bug catcher's body, and improvising a new outfitand a cane to turn it into a small, cranky old man is a-okay, yes? Just want to see if I got the idea right. :3

Yeah, that's what I mean by heavy editing. More or less just frankensteining body parts of sprites and editing them to fit in proportion with the figurine. But don't try having a flutter over what to do and what may your restrictions be. Sprite like a free bird, young one. ;D

 

[Fox♠]

Considering it was my idea I'd be 100% dedicated, I think Esupio would aswell.

I still stick with my judging idea, appointing three judges per duel.

 

[[NovaPirate]]

I'm all for it, but I still am worried as to who will do it.

It's most likely going to be the very inexperienced new people, a couple intermediate, and the advanced, but what happens when it's all advanced and new people, I mean, it's no fair if your dueling a spriter that obviously has more skill than you. I mean, I would get destroyed against samson or maz.
And then you have to make an entire set of new rules, it's going to be a lot of work, and then with the flood ((Or not)) of new people were going to be experiencing some spammage. Along with the fact that people will make threads like on other sites and not obey the rules. Just my opinions.

 

[Fox♠]

I'm all for it, but I still am worried as to who will do it.

It's most likely going to be the very inexperienced new people, a couple intermediate, and the advanced, but what happens when it's all advanced and new people, I mean, it's no fair if your dueling a spriter that obviously has more skill than you. I mean, I would get destroyed against samson or maz.
And then you have to make an entire set of new rules, it's going to be a lot of work, and then with the flood ((Or not)) of new people were going to be experiencing some spammage. Along with the fact that people will make threads like on other sites and not obey the rules. Just my opinions.

To be perfectly honest, the pixel art contests suffer from the same drawback of different skill levels, yet I never hear anyone complain then. There's also the genius idea that you don't challenge someone who's at a much higher skill level than you =/

 

[Signomi]

I'm all for it, but I still am worried as to who will do it.

It's most likely going to be the very inexperienced new people, a couple intermediate, and the advanced, but what happens when it's all advanced and new people, I mean, it's no fair if your dueling a spriter that obviously has more skill than you. I mean, I would get destroyed against samson or maz.

I can correct you right there, Astral.
As Kaku had stated, you can simply not challenge such people. But if you see competing against someone who obviously has skill you're sure you're uncapable of matching them in some way or another "unfair", then you'll find you'd be living with that same logic in one way or another.

It's a challenge, a challenge to yourself. When there is some kind of pressure on you, do you instantly give up?

Sure, some people do exactly that, but to be honest, they're just putting themselves down and brushing aside the opportunity to see what they can accomplish. Nothing is impossible, people normally do learn from the very creative, which brings us back to this.

Observe your opponent's tricks of the trade and use them to your advantage, that's how you match them. You accomplish nothing for both the sport or yourself if you don't even bother to try.

Spriters of any kind are welcome into competing with each other, if they're up to it. I can't expect people to do things in all perfection, nobody's perfect. There are people who may do things that go below your own expectations, if it gets on your nerves, that doesn't really matter that much, competition remains glued to the matter just the same.

And then you have to make an entire set of new rules, it's going to be a lot of work, and then with the flood ((Or not)) of new people were going to be experiencing some spammage. Along with the fact that people will make threads like on other sites and not obey the rules. Just my opinions.

What I've learnt from my time of moderation throughout the year of 2006 is that enforcing the rules all the way can pull away your forum's activity, let alone activity in an event. I don't want to be too strict, nor do I want idiots rampaging all over the place. But I am a moderator, and alongside Amachi we'd do our job of looking over the event to see what needs to be taken care of.

 

[[NovaPirate]]

Ok, I see now. So, if the idea does go through, when (And possibly where if you decide to give it a sub board, allthough I highly doubt it) will the duels take place?

 

[Fox♠]

Technically whenever people are up to it, Astral, you're being too much of a pessimist, all it ever was meant to be was a little bit of fun, along with the chance to improve your skills as a spriter.

 

[[NovaPirate]]

Eh, I'm a pessimist at heart. Usually am subconciously. Sorreh for that.

But, when will they actually be approved?
Sure, I understand there won't be a set date, but when can we start? Now?

 

[Signomi]

Eh, I'm a pessimist at heart. Usually am subconciously. Sorreh for that.

But, when will they actually be approved?
Sure, I understand there won't be a set date, but when can we start? Now?

Well, until both moderators completely feel that it's alright to start one, then we can begin.

 

[[NovaPirate]]

Umm.. Just a question, but how would the category be chosen, would it be something specific like:

Scratch or Heavy edit a baby Aerodactyl sprite

or something more general such as:

Scratch a pre evolution to any poke'mon

I'm not sure if this has been said or is the current process of a duel, but maybe the person challenged ((Being that he wasn't the one with the idea of having the duel)) if he accepts, chooses the challenge.

 

[Fox♠]

So Chrissie, does that mean that there's a good enough chance that it'll take off? As for rules, there shouldn't really be a need for that many, pretty much something like.
1: No aggression towards your opponent/judges, if you can;t play nicely then don't play at all.
2: If you feel the judges were unfair then don't make a big deal out of it, calmly ask for a different set of judges to give their opinions, chances are, they'll say the same/similar thing.
3: Judges won't generally be friends of either contestants, to avoid favoritism, judges are picked randomly from a list of those willing and capable of judging.
4: All other Pixel art, and PokeCommunity rules apply.

Astral, whoever sets the challenge chooses the theme, you donl;t have to directly challenge someone either, you can say "Looking for a challenge" or something along those lines. Personally I think recolours should be banned from the duels, as they involve no skill whatsoever.

 

[Signomi]

So Chrissie, does that mean that there's a good enough chance that it'll take off? As for rules, there shouldn't really be a need for that many, pretty much something like.
1: No aggression towards your opponent/judges, if you can't play nicely then don't play at all.
2: If you feel the judges were unfair then don't make a big deal out of it, calmly ask for a different set of judges to give their opinions, chances are, they'll say the same/similar thing.
3: Judges won't generally be friends of either contestants, to avoid favoritism, judges are picked randomly from a list of those willing and capable of judging.
4: All other Pixel art, and PokeCommunity rules apply.

There is a good chance that it'll take off, yes. After all I do support this idea as well.

And those set of rules would do nicely. Thanks Matt. ^^

Astral, whoever sets the challenge chooses the theme, you donl;t have to directly challenge someone either, you can say "Looking for a challenge" or something along those lines. Personally I think recolours should be banned from the duels, as they involve no skill whatsoever.

I think it's safe to say that both contestants must agree to the category choice before starting. People tend to lag around when they're given something to do which isn't all to their liking. =/