Super Mario Bros. X Forums

Howdy gamers! We’re two contests in and halfway done with this series already. With this third installment in the seasonal contest I took a page from what’s been a staple in the switch and switch 2 eras. I was heavily inspired by the new Mario Kart World along with other open world games like BOTW along with just irl environments.

Like with most of these journeys in game or like with hiking irl, you’ll likely be traversing from one environment to the next. As you travel the environment gradually changes around you, and by the time you get to your destination you’re more likely in a place that’s nothing like where you started. So with this contest the goal will be to setup 2 distinct biomes and locations, and create the gradual journey from point A to B. Like how the intermissions in MKW transition you from one course to the other with gradual changes in the environment, you too will gradually change your level from one environment to the next.

General 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 base game 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.
  • The creator(s) (either one) 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).

Theme Rules:

• The player must start in one biome/location and as they traverse the level it must gradually transform into the new biome they are heading to.
• Some examples:
  • Forest to Mountain Summit:
    • The level starts in a lush forest
    • As you scale the mountain there are less trees and more rocks
    • Eventually you go past the tree line where it’s strictly rocky with barely any foliage
    • Now the mountain is snowing a little
    • You reach the summit and it’s all rocky with blizzard conditions
  • Plains to Deep Underground
    • The level starts in a plains
    • A cave approaches that you enter with some life
    • You go deeper and the lighting gets darker
    • Eventually you go deep enough where you see magma to traverse
  • Ocean to Desert Ruins
    • Start deep underwater
    • You work your way to a beach,
    • The beach slowly turns into a desert with no tropical trees
    • You approach a ruins that you enter

• This can be done in multiple sections, but sections should not be abrupt (I.e. you’re in a tundra, enter a pipe, and appear in a volcano)
• You can use more than 2 distinct locations to demonstrate transitions, but you must keep the transitions realistic to the design (see ocean to desert ruins example)
• Make the levels more interesting than the MKW transitions
• Failure to follow this will result in up to a 50% decrease in your final score

Other Info:

• We encourage you to ask friends to test the level
• Please do not showcase your entries anywhere outside the dedicated platforms. 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 contest is starring:

• The Thwomp King
• Ness_Wednesday
• MegaDood
• MECHDRAGON777

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:

• Structure /10 (40% weight)
  • The level has an entertaining, creative or otherwise inspired concept.
• Aesthetics /10 (20% weight)
  • The level’s overall appearance, use of visuals, and music
• Creativity /10 (25% weight)
  • How much the level stands out as unique whether it be through novel ideas or executing certain themes in a more unique way
• Replay Value /10 (15% Weight)
  • The overall enjoyment of the level that encourages being played more than once
• Extra credits (Up to +10% on final score)
  • The level stood out to the judge as a favorite (limit up to 2 entries can receive extra credit per judge)
• Stability (Up to -25% off final score)
  • Points deduction for lag, error messages, visibility issues, softlocks or other technical problems with the level
  • If the level is borderline unplayable, then it could cause grounds for disqualification
• Not Following Theme Format (Up to -50% off final score)
  • Points deduction for not following the theme of the contest.

Judges will also be handing out medals to levels that stand out in particular ways. The "Overall Favorite" medal will be awarded by each judge to their favorite submission. Judges may also give medals for other standout points, be it "Best Sights to See", or something silly like "Prettiest Koopas". Judges can each only give one medal per level (a single judge can’t give two or more medals to the same level).

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 Mushroom Republic (Currently with a thread discussing this contest)
• Invite Link to the SMBX Contest Discussion Hub (Haven't been active there, but maybe I will be?)

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:
September 26th [Friday] at 8pm EST

Otherwise good luck to all! I hope to see some good participation, and I'm looking forward to doing this all again! Take it easy everyone.

Me can join?

I think I can make a level. This theme seems interesting.