The earlier we start planning for UnCon, the more fun it will be.
So, what sort of contests/games/seminars would you guys like to run?
Originally, it was for the MTG side of things, but it the content doesn't really matter.
I wanted to run a Puzzle Contest, where contestants compete to piece together the photograph puzzle the fastest. For an example of what I'm talking about, check out this site:
http://www.flash-gear.com/puzzle/
This site has just one major problem: there is no way to prove you solved the puzzle.
Therefore, I have a solution: I'm in the process of writing my own flash/java/something puzzle generator. The problem with this is that I don't have access to a web host. Assuming I can find one, here's how the contest would work:
Each day, I load a DnD related image from my computer to the puzzle generator, as well as a secret code message/jibberish string. I then get a link to that pre-scrambled puzzle, and share it with any contestants. In theory, I could set the difficulty of the puzzle by choosing a different image or puzzle size. If I get that part working, I could actually load two or three puzzles each day.
Some sort of point system would have to be established. For completing the puzzle first, you get all the points. Second, third, and fourth would get a percentage (75, 50, 25) of points as well. Other contestants would get some points (10%) points just for completing the puzzle.
Depending on the prize schedule, I could total up most points, most points in each difficulty category, and a couple of other statistical facts.
For example
Hard: 400 points total. (400, 300, 200, 100, 40)
Med: 200 points total. (200, 150, 100, 50, 20)
Easy: 100 points total. (100, 75, 50, 25, 10)
We could do a trivia contest... if chat were up and running, which it's not. I'm not a big fan of trivia threads.
This site has just one major problem: there is no way to prove you solved the puzzle.
As is, we could simply take a screen shot of our solved puzzle and either send it to you or upload it to any of the numerous photo-share sites. Or we could post our solutions as a "what is this" answer.
I'd like to run something in the What's a DM to Do? forum. I would just like it to be different than the Expert Dungeon Master Competition, which is pretty tough. Does anybody have any suggestions?
We could do a trivia contest... if chat were up and running, which it's not. I'm not a big fan of trivia threads.
^ Maybe you can present a problem and ask for solutions. The best solution wins.
I don't know how to run any contest but I would be willing to help out. However I am not online on weekends
(gaming takes precedence).I hope it works better this year.
^ Maybe you can present a problem and ask for solutions. The best solution wins.
That would be a great contest for What's a Player to Do?, actually. In the 1980's Dragon Magazine had a contest like that. I remember one question involved a 3rd level magic-user who had to get himself and his five apprentices (1st level magic-users) across a 200' wide raging river (the solution involved a series of Tenser's Floating Disks). Posing a conundrum and then granting awards to the most clever method of bypassing the conundrum would make a great player contest.
Short for Unconventional Convention, because it takes place online. It is a sort of fan-hosted convention on the forums, with various members hosting contests, trivia games, and such. In many cases, WotC sponsors prizes for winners.
On the MtG side of things, they often send out several booster packs or preconstructed decks, and other small things. Online prizes are also common, such as getting an "UnCon winner" icon under your name, getting a custom avatar, and other things like that.
I don't know what they will do for DnD, but I wouldn't be surprised to see packs of minis, coupons for books, and/or DDI subscriptions.
I don't know what they will do for DnD, but I wouldn't be surprised to see packs of minis, coupons for books, and/or DDI subscriptions.
-Online prizes only.
-I'll be doing my usual schpiel. It'd be nice if I can get a designer/author interview again, but I don't even know who's in charge anymore to ask. Last year, it was Solice. Now...I don't even know anymore.
-Online prizes only.
-I'll be doing my usual schpiel. It'd be nice if I can get a designer/author interview again, but I don't even know who's in charge anymore to ask. Last year, it was Solice. Now...I don't even know anymore.
Try Wotc_Trevor, he's been very helpful in the DDI forums for similar queries.
I think I'd like to run a "Trap this Idol!" session for the 4E Traps and Terrain forum. Put it up to popular vote for the winner. It should be fun.
If I may ask...What is "Trap the Idol"?
The Skill Challenge Challenge
Forum: What's a DM to Do?
Concept: Design a Skill Challenge that allows success for Skills that utilize at least four different Abilities.
Winner: Each entrant shall PM me with their ranking of most favorite to last favorite (excluding their own entry). The entry with the highest median placement will win. If we could have a poll added to the contest, I'll also grant a bonus placement rank to the most popular Skill Challenge.
The Player Conundrum Contest
Forum: What's a Player to Do?
Concept: The contest will detail three scenarios that an adventuring party might face, at levels 2, 16, and 30. Using the powers, rituals, and items available to a party at that level, they must come up with a unique and original way to bypass the conundrum.
Winner: For each conundrum, we will have a poll to see whose entry is the favorite.
Comments?
The Player Conundrum Contest
Forum: What's a Player to Do?
Concept: they must come up with a unique and original way to bypass the conundrum.
Being a fairly straight-ahead thinker that I am, I find myself wondering if "unique and original" should be criteria for victory. If the problem turns out to be a nail, isn't the winner the first person to hit it with a hammer?
If the conundrum is unique enough, then the solution need not be any more unique and creative than is necessary to overcome the obstacle.
(By the way, I like both the suggested contests in your post.)
If the conundrum is unique enough, then the solution need not be any more unique and creative than is necessary to overcome the obstacle.
I suppose that's true. But since the winner will be decided in a popularity contest, I just sort of assumed that creative and original solutions would get more votes. Any suggestions for an alternate description?
Any suggestions for an alternate description?
Using the powers, rituals, and items available to a party at that level, they must come up with [best] way to bypass the conundrum.
Like I said... I'm a straight-ahead thinker.
And in general for UnCon, we definitely need the ability to conduct polls, even if for only that short period of time.
You only have 50 feet of rope yet need to cross a 65 foot chasm.
1: Go to town and hire some people to build you a bridge.
Or
2: The PCs cut down the trees and build a ramp part way across the chasm. Then use what little rope they have to cross.
Or
3: PCs make more rope out of the bark of the trees nearby the chasm.
If you had something like this I would think you would need a Poll so others could vote on their favorite solution.
I was just wondering if the forum will get any play-by-plays of any announcements/demos that there may be from WotC. For instance, if they demo'd the campaign builder at Gen Con will ya'll have someone sitting there with a laptop posting pictures and such. Never been to a Gen Con, but at the Comicons I've been to there has always been pretty good product demos.
Also, it'd be nice just to get a few insider pictures posted. Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of some of our favorite authors/developers hugging a klingon. Don't know if those people show up to those things though.
This occurs generally at the same time as Gen Con, right?
I was just wondering if the forum will get any play-by-plays of any announcements/demos that there may be from WotC. For instance, if they demo'd the campaign builder at Gen Con will ya'll have someone sitting there with a laptop posting pictures and such. Never been to a Gen Con, but at the Comicons I've been to there has always been pretty good product demos.
Also, it'd be nice just to get a few insider pictures posted. Wouldn't mind seeing a picture of some of our favorite authors/developers hugging a klingon. Don't know if those people show up to those things though.
after gencon
after gencon
Gotcha
Gotcha
October 6th to October 12th is when last years was done...
October 6th to October 12th is when last years was done...
Sorry to side-track further, but are you able to answer my second inquiry as to Gen Con "insider" info/pics/fun?
Sorry to side-track further, but are you able to answer my second inquiry as to Gen Con "insider" info/pics/fun?
all info is located here
thats about as inside as i am now