Polls for possible adaptations to the level design contests.

[IchoTolot]

Now, buckets for different rules won't merge. Should the author commit the two-rule-satisfying level to only one rule? Can the author submit the level to both rules? If we want to forbid this: Can the author submit variants of the level that differ only minimally? How big a difference is enough?

My first hunch is to allow the same level to enter both rules and possibly win both. It's boring but clear, it leaves no room for arguments.

It can be quite easy to make a level for multiple rules. Especially if one rule is to simply use a certain tileset. They still merge for the final round.

Until now the author could choose for themselves to which rule the level should count towards.

I would be against letting a level enter in multiple rules. It just feels wrong to me to have a level be voted on in multiple brackets and possibly win and move on more than once.
Also I have a feeling that this will be abused and we get a lot of double-rule entries in the future.

I would still suggest to let the author decide to which rule the level should count towards.

Can the author submit variants of the level that differ only minimally? How big a difference is enough?

This I would catch and prevent during the submission phase. In terms of how big of a difference is enough - It needs to be a completely different level and not just a modification.

[IchoTolot]

As input dries up: I've listet the new format in the first post here.

If I get no further objections or further edge cases we should define, I plan to start a new contest in about a week from now.

I will not try out anonymizing the authors names in this one though as we already have quite a few changes and let's see how the new format goes first.

[WillLem]

I suppose if an author wanted to create a level which satisfies all rule sets, they could then choose a rule for which to submit their level. No bonus points for doing so, of course, but contest players might regard it as a nice easter egg if nothing else

[IchoTolot]

I will lock this topic for now.

It will be reactivated when more discussions regarding possible rule changes arise and the need fur further polls is there. 

[IchoTolot]

I want to clarify the "Note that levels that won a level design contest during the eligible timeframe get an automatic nomination, unless their author requests otherwise." point for LOTY as the runner-ups did also fall under the winner clause the last years.

So: Which levels of the top 3 shall automatically qualify for LOTY? I've put up a poll. 

[namida]

So, the top three will always be one level from each rule, right (except perhaps in very specific edge cases with tiebreakers?).

If so, then IMO, from most to least preferred:

All three > 1st place only > None of them > 1st and 2nd place

[IchoTolot]

So, the top three will always be one level from each rule, right (except perhaps in very specific edge cases with tiebreakers?).

If so, then IMO, from most to least preferred:

All three > 1st place only > None of them > 1st and 2nd place

Exactly.

2+ levels from a rule would be an edge case where even in the optional tiebreaker round we have a tie and then in the final round those 2+ levels would all do better than the ones from the other rules.

[IchoTolot]

Alright, I've put the result in the first post and according to it the top 3 qualify for LOTY. 

[WillLem]

One thing occurs to me when reading over this topic and the discussion topics: it's still possible for the same designer to take all 3 of the top spots.

The main goal of the discussion topic I started was to see more designers in the top 3, for the reason that it might help to encourage more participation in the contests. And OK, polling and general discussion seems to reflect a lack of interest in this happening for its own sake, fine.

I do still wonder, though, whether it might be worth at least mentioning the next 2 highest-placing designers when publishing the final result of the contest. That is, if there are < 3 designers in the top 3 spots.

It's then up to the winner if they want to share the prize of determining the next contest's rules, of course But, getting a mention in the final result post can be a decent enough reward if your level has done particularly well in the contest.

[IchoTolot]

You can't reliably state the next places after the top 3 in this format.

We would need to go into the 3 seperate results from the rule votings and here we would have 3 (or more) equal sencond places.

As then the final result post would tend to simply shout out most of the designers, my suggestion would be to give a general thanks to all participants by name in the results topic. That way everybody gets a mention.