Chocolate Contest 2024 - Rules & Questions (JUDGING BEGAN)

[ShadowStarX]

Welcome to the 2024 Chocolate Contest! In this event you're free to make anything that is physically possible with the most recent version of SMBX2 and also follows the ruleset below!

Rules:

• You may participate alone or in a team of 2 people.
• Every participant may only submit one level in total.
• Levels must be compatible with SMBX2 Beta 5
• Rules regarding exits and collectibles
  • Levels may only have 1 exit
  • Levels cannot end with a Palace Switch or with the Game End event
  • You may opt to include 1 SMW Star in your level
  • You're allowed to include up to 5 Star Coins in your level
• You may use any camera resolution/game window size between 200x200 pixels and 1280x720 pixels
• These SMBX2-included playable characters may not be used: Solid Snake, Bowser, Samus Aran. If you wish to use one of them, please use/create a custom character rather than the basegame implementation. All other characters are fair game.
• A level may be disqualified if:
  • two or more judges are unable to play it; if one judge is unable to play it, that judge will merely grant a score of 0
  • the judges unanimously agree that it was designed in bad faith (e.g. deliberately unfun levels)
  • it has previously been released, or is stolen
  • the content of the level violates the forum rules
  • (either of) the creator(s) become(s) banned after submission or are caught ban evading
  • your submission includes AI generated content that is not trained on your own work (you must provide proof of your training if you include AI generated work in your submission)

Of note:

• We encourage you to post your level in this subforum for pre-submission testing, and/or ask friends to test the level
• Please do not showcase your entries anywhere outside the dedicated platforms. (such as the contest's own channel on the SMBX Discord server, or the Contest Hub) The primary purpose of this is to avoid spoilers for the judges.
• While custom characters are allowed, be careful when using them, because their use is known to backfire if handled poorly!
• Wrong start points, music paths and other oversights will not be corrected before sending levels to the judges. Test thoroughly!
• Judges may cheat if they find themselves unable to beat a level legitimately. Frustration can be a reason for a judge to give fewer points in the "concept" and "execution" categories. Please keep in mind that, as the creator, you are the most skilled player of your level. Ask others to test your level blind for valuable feedback on fun and difficulty.

Judges:
This year, there are 6 judges to review all the entries, here is the list of them:

• Darkonius Mavakar
• TLtimelord
• Sux
• MegaDood
• 55jedat555
• ShadowStarX

When the submission period ends, the levels will be distributed to the judges, who will then start reviewing the entries based on the rubric below.

Rubric:
The judges will rate the levels based on these criteria:

• Concept /10 (20% weight)
  + The level has an entertaining, creative or otherwise inspired concept
  - The level exists in the shadow of another level
  - The level's individual ideas make for an unfavorable combination
• Execution /10 (40% weight)
  + The level's design realizes the potential of its concept well
  + The level is fun to play
  - The level's pacing or other attributes make it less enjoyable
• Flavour: /10 (30% weight)
  + The level features elements which make it stand out among its peers in a positive way (such as flavourful location, humour, or design language)
  - The non-gameplay elements detract from the experience
• Extra credits [0, 1 or 2]
  + A judge will award up to 2 extra points for levels that stood out to them among the submissions
• Stability /-3
  - Points deduction for lag, error messages, visibility issues, softlocks or other technical problems with the level

As seen in the rubric, the maximum attainable score is 11/10 rather than 10/10 thanks to the ternary "Extra credits" bonus points.

As usual, judges will also be handing out medals to levels that stand out in particular ways. The "Favorite" medal will be awarded by each judge to their favorite submission. Judges may also give medals for other standout points, be it "Best Story", or something silly like "Fanciest Goombas".
There are three medals that we encourage judges to hand out, but which are so strong they get only handed out if two judges give them to the same level.
- Most Beautiful
- Most Surprising
- Funniest

Resources:

• SMBX2 Documentation
• Developer Resources
• Lunalua Tutorials
• Tips for starting a level
• Tips for ending a level
• Flick through this if you're struggling for ideas
• Lunalua Forum
• Invite Link to the SMBX Contest Discussion Hub

Submission:
For details regarding the submission of your level, please head over to the submission thread. However, if you've got any questions, please ask them in this thread!

The deadline to submit your levels is when December 2 [Monday] ends around the world!.

[ShadowStarX]

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[wyldstrykr]

probably stupid question but does level.end() (forgot the code) counts as an eXit?

[ShadowStarX]

probably stupid question but does level.end() (forgot the code) counts as an eXit?

Just make sure it's not the Switch Palace exit type.
I think using Level.exit(2) should work, as that is tied to the SMB3 '?' orb.

[Alagirez]

Too late to say this but let's rock it.

[Mal8rk]

I got a question: Should we include a README text file with stuff about the level?

[PizzaNoob]

Where do we submit the level?

Edit: Nevermind I found it

[ShadowStarX]

3 weeks remain until the submission period ends!

[NMPBB]

Since I'm afraid that it reads on one of the rules that states:

"A level cannot end with a SWITCH PALACE or Endgame Event."

...I have a question.

I mentioned that, in the description of the switch palace blocks, it reads:

"Palace switch state persists between levels."

...Can switch palace blocks be used in the contest, because I fear that the switch palace blocks might count as an entry disqualification. Let me know if you have any answer to this question asap.

Thank you.

[Emral]

Since I'm afraid that it reads on one of the rules that states:

"A level cannot end with a SWITCH PALACE or Endgame Event."

...I have a question.

I mentioned that, in the description of the switch palace blocks, it reads:

"Palace switch state persists between levels."

...Can switch palace blocks be used in the contest, because I fear that the switch palace blocks might count as an entry disqualification. Let me know if you have any answer to this question asap.

Thank you.

Probably doesn't realistically matter. Just be wary that you cannot guarantee the state of these switches when your level is played.

[ShadowStarX]

There are two and a half days left to submit a level to this contest!

[ShadowStarX]

There are 24 hours left to submit an entry to the Chocolate Contest!
Make sure to post them in the Submission thread after following its guidelines.

[Valentine]

All the levels packaged up for the judges are here:
Link

If you notice anything off about your entry message me and we'll see if there's anything that can be done.