Classy Maps for Classy People - A CCBM Mapping Contest!

[Mendez]

I want maps for competitive classes because I think CCBM is fun and could use tailor-made maps. So, allow me to introduce the first-ever (and potentially Best-Ever) mapping competition for CCBM:

CLASSY MAPS FOR CLASSY PEOPLE.

(Image graciously provided by Ecl1p5e)

Rules for Classy Maps for Classy People (last updated 8/2/2020)
Please read and follow all rules listed below
By signing up, you agree to all rules listed below
If you have questions about the rules, please let Mendez know so that rules can be clarified and updated
MUST = Necessary, not a rule you can bend (E.G. No duplicate signups allowed EVER)
SHOULD = Not necessary, but ideal (E.G. If you want to use music from NES Silver Surfer but don't have permission, I won't really sweat it)
CAN = Optional, you can ignore the rule entirely if you want (E.G. you don't need to add custom music, but it's always a nice touch)

Sign-up template
Name:
Solo/Duo:
Duo Partner name (if going duo):

Here’s how to sign up:

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1) Signups must be done through the Cutstuff topic or through the TF Discord #contest-signups channel
    A) Cutstuff topic can be found at https://cutstuff.net/forum/index.php?topic=11789.0
    B) TF Discord can be found at https://discord.gg/nMvDuZX
2) When signing up, please post the following info:
    A) Your name
    B) Whether you will work solo/duo
    C) If you will be part of a duo, please post your partner's name.
3) You must not sign up on behalf of your duo partner. Both partners must sign up to confirm they are a duo
4) Signups must only submit one map
    A) Please don't try to double-dip by submitting one map solo and one map as a duo
    B) PLEASE DON'T TRY TO DOUBLE-DIP and work on different teams of duos
    C) PLEASE FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, DON'T TRY TO DOUBLE-DIP by making two maps and putting them in one wad
    D) PLEASE. DO. NOT. TRY. TO. DOUBLE. DIP. AND. SIGN. UP. TWICE. USING. DIFFERENT. NAMES.
5) People who win should have a valid PayPal e-mail address for transferring prize money
    A) People who can't use PayPal must work with Mendez to set-up another way for transferring prize money
6) Judges must not sign up for the contest
    A) Judges can give advice and suggestions for map issues, though
7) People who signup as duos must split the prize money 50/50 with their duo partner
8) Signups will be accepted until the deadline: September 1st 11:59:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time)
9) Any solo signups that wish to become duos must BOTH re-submit signup info and notify Mendez before the deadline
  A) This is to confirm both parties consent to the merge
  B) Duos must submit ONE map together. Rule 4 applies.
10) Any duo signups that wish to split must BOTH re-submit signup info and notify Mendez before the deadline
  A) This is to confirm both parties consent to the split
  B) Duos that split must make their own layouts from scratch
    i. Rule 4 applies. No duplicate layouts.

Here are the map rules:

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1) The map must be made with a layout entirely by you (and your duo partner if you have one)
    A) A map template will be provided for completely new mappers to build from
    B) If submitting a map made prior to the contest, please list the source
2) Maps must be made in this format to fit with MM8BDM standards:
    A) Game Configuration = GZDoom: Doom 2 (UDMF)
    B) Script Type = Zandronum ACS
    C) IWAD = Megagame.wad
    D) Base .PK3 = MM8BDM-V5D.pk3
3) Maps must have MAPINFO with the following info to fit with MM8BDM standards:
    A) map CMCPXX "Cool map name"
        i. You can change the map name to whatever you want
    B) Music = "SONGNAME"
        i. You can set the stage music to whatever you want (e.g. "HARMUS")
    C) Sky1 = "SKYBOX", 0
        i. You can set the Skybox texture to whatever you want (e.g. "BLACK")
    D) aircontrol = 0.5
    E) Other properties can be included in the MAPINFO lump such as:
        i. forcenoskystretch
        ii. clipmidtextures
4) Maps must have the following items:
    A) 32 Deathmatch Starts (Thing Type 11)
    B) 16 Team Light Starts (Thing Type 5080)
    C) 16 Team Wily Starts (Thing Type 5081)
    D) 8 Team Cossack Starts (Thing Type 5083)
    E) 8 Team King Starts (Thing Type 5084)
5) All linedefs surrounding death pits must have the "block monster" box ticked
    A) This is for CCBM's pit protect feature
6) Maps can have custom/modded content (Music/ACS/textures/sprites/DECORATE/sounds/etc)
    A) Please see the Custom Content rules, this is a long one
7) MM8BDM Vanilla weapons/pickups/items can be added to the map
    A) Note: Maps will not be judged based on use in vanilla
8) Stage/Boss/Intense/Victory music will be provided by Mendez if mappers choose not to have music in their maps
    A) This is to encourage casual play
9) Spawns can be stacked

Here are the rules for custom/modded content:

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Custom/modded Content:
1) ACS scripts must not conflict with scripts already in MM8BDM-V5D.pk3
      A) Basically don't worry, your first 20 scripts will be fine. Just don't go up to 900.
2) Custom content (excluding music) must be sourced from MM8BDM-V5D.pk3
      A) Basically if there's a sprite/object that didn't come from MM8BDM but looks like it came from MegaManV/Halo/Street Fighter, it's gone.
3) Custom content must not overwrite any content already in MM8BDM-V5D.pk3
      A) Basically your content must be easy to host and compatible with MM8BDM.
4) Custom weapons/pickups/items/classes are not allowed
      A) Basically keep it simple, don't turn this into some fantasy RPG.
5) Custom content must be SFW (Basically keep it rated E-10/PEGI-12)
6) Maps can have custom music
    A) Maps must credit the music author and should be used with permission
    B) Music must be in .ogg or .nsf format and should be loopable
        i. The .ogg format is recommended because it is easy to create and compress
        ii. Zandronum's .nsf player has issues with chip support and smooth playback
    C) Total size of custom music must be under 5 MB (compression is encouraged)
    D) Music should sound 8-bit in nature (LSDJ and GXSCC are fine)
    E) Note: Maps will not be judged based on music choice (Most CBL players shut off all music)
    F) Custom music must be SFW (Basically keep it rated E-10/PEGI-12)

Here’s how to submit your map:

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1) Maps must be submitted to one of the following:
    A) Mendez
    B) TF Discord (#content-submissions channel)
2) Maps must not be shown to judges, EVER
3) Maps must be submitted in the .PK3 or .WAD format and should be under 10MB
4) Maps must be submitted before the deadline: September 1st 11:59:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time)
5) Maps can be updated before the deadline
    A) Basically, you can make small changes if you think you forgot something
6) No submissions or updates are allowed after the deadline

Here’s how the map will be judged:

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1) Maps will be played and judged on the following game modes:
    A) CCBM Priv TLMS (usually 3v3 or 4v4)
    B) CCBM Buckshot Duel
    C) Basically, you should design your map for 2-12 person competitive classes matches
2) Maps will be judged on the following categories:
    A) Layout/Spawns (good map structure, good map flow, good spawns for competitive play)
    B) Visuals (good texturing, good art style)
    C) Creativity/Concepts (clever gimmicks/content/styles)
    D) Functionality (working scripts and no map bugs)
3) A score gauging chart will be used by all judges to score each map (like MAGMML)
    A) Layout/Spawns are worth up to 50 points
    B) Visuals are worth up to 25 points
    C) Creativity/Concepts are worth up to 10 points
    D) Functionality is worth up to 15 points
    E) Total score = Sum of all previous scores (up to 100 points)
4) Maps will be ranked based on Overall scores
    A) Overall score = Sum of Total scores from all judges
    B) Maps with the same Overall score will go through the following tiebreakers:
        i) Higher overall layout/spawns score
        ii) Higher overall visuals score
        iii) Higher overall Creativity/Concepts score
        iv) Higher overall Functionality score
        v) Judges' Vote
5) Judges are required to play each map once in both game modes before they can score the map
6) Judges must write an essay (at least 300 words) for each entry to summarize their thoughts
7) If judges suspect a map was made to troll the contest, they can vote to ban the map from the contest
    A) Judge votes must be unanimous for maps to get banned

Here are the judges themselves:

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Judge 1: # King Dumb
The co-founder of the sharpest MM8BDM clan, King Dumb also brings an encyclopedia of game knowledge with him thanks to his prior experience as a lead developer of MM8BDM.
Judge 2: # Nemu
Always an influential force in the field of MM8BDM mapping, Nemu’s keen eye for details will ensure this contest is fairly judged down to the last texture. A good color palette is recommended.
Judge 3: [NWO] Mobius
You know who he is. Mr. CBL himself will join the panel of judges and bring his unmatched wealth of competitive gaming experience to the table. He’s seen it all, done it all, played it all. To impress him is a feat few have achieved. To best him is a feat even fewer have accomplished.
Judge 4: [NWO] MGO
If you’ve ever had fun while playing CCBM, you can thank this guy for it. His mastery of class mechanics and high standards of fun will ensure only the classiest maps get the classiest prizes.
Judge 5: Russel
The artist formerly known as Lego will provide the perfect balance of game knowledge and mapping knowledge to the judges’ panel. I respect the hell out of this man. When this contest is over, I’m sure you will too.

   
Here are the prizes:

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1) First place gets the following:
    A) $300.00 ($150.00 each for duos)
    B) MM8BDM Architect Medal
    C) Inclusion in CBL Season 5 map rotation (Pending Mobius's approval)
2) Second place gets the following:
    A) $150.00 ($75.00 each for duos)
    B) MM8BDM Runner-up Architect Medal
3) Third place gets the following:
    A) $75.00 ($37.50 each for duos)

Here are the links for getting started:

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CMCPXX.wad (map template): https://www.dropbox.com/s/m183kmgzd5cao0w/CMCPXX.wad?dl=0
MM8BDMPAL.gpl (for gimp palettes): https://www.dropbox.com/s/egn3w6wvnsz6wu3/MM8BDMPAL.gpl?dl=0
Ultimate Doom Builder (recommended map editor): https://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?f=232&t=66745
GZDoom Builder (old, but functional): https://forum.zdoom.org/viewtopic.php?t=32392
Doom Builder X: https://www.doomworld.com/vb/thread/96943/
SLADE 3 (recommended wad editor): https://slade.mancubus.net/index.php?page=downloads
[TUTOR] Doombuilder and You: Mapping Essentials 20XX: https://cutstuff.net/forum/index.php?topic=9763.0
[Tutorial] MAPINFO + Custom Music: https://cutstuff.net/forum/index.php?topic=2596.0
Creating Map Creator Cards: https://cutstuff.net/forum/index.php?PHPSESSID=6d11ba8f5e911940e2f84bcf28cd6a7d&topic=10772.0
Mendez's mapping tutorials:
    https://youtu.be/jeVpPQDFpLA
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HckFAvkSP0E
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9QsktQz4f4
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuAq5jWomHU
    https://youtu.be/gU8YNC3aIm0 (NEW SLADE TUTORIAL)
Slade 3 Wiki: https://github.com/sirjuddington/SLADE/wiki
ZDoom ACS wiki: https://zdoom.org/wiki/ACS
ZDoom DECORATE reference: https://zdoom.org/wiki/DECORATE
ZDoom mapinfo reference: https://zdoom.org/wiki/MAPINFO
ZDoom texture reference: https://zdoom.org/wiki/TEXTURES
ZDoom SNDINFO reference: https://zdoom.org/wiki/SNDINFO
ZDoom Sprite reference: https://zdoom.org/wiki/Sprite

Here’s how to host your own server:

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1) Anyone is allowed to host a server for the contest but must meet all requirements seen below.
    A) Mendez will provide a config file to automate all of these settings for TSPG server hosting
2) Hosts must create servers with the following iwad/pk3s:
    A) iwad = megagame.wad
    B) mm8bdm-v5d.pk3
    C) ClassyMapsClassyPeople_V1.pk3
    D) classes-v9d.pk3
    E) competitivecbmpatchv2.0h.pk3
    F) competitivecbmpatchv2.0hcblp2.pk3
    G) ctfcap2d.pk3
    H) newtextcolours_265.pk3
3) Hosts must start servers with the following settings:
    A) Game Mode = TLMS or Duel
    B) Skill level = 4
    C) DMFlags = 5379715
    D) DMFlags2 = 10748932
    E) ZADMFlags = 51619
    F) CompatFlags = 131072
    G) CompatFlags2 = 0
    H) ZACompatFlags = 6561
    I) SV_MaxClients 32
    J) SV_MaxPlayers 32
    K) Winlimit 3
    L) Fraglimit 7
    M) Duellimit 1
4) Hosts must set the following server variables (they should already be included in flags from previous step):
    A) Compat_limited_airmovement False
    B) sv_keepfrags false
    C) sv_noautomap false
    D) sv_chasecam false
    E) sv_unblockallies true
    F) sv_Medals false
    G) sv_nodrop true
    H) sv_nocrouch true
    I) sv_weapondrop false
    J) sv_keepteams true
    K) sv_spawnfurthest true
    L) sv_spawnfarthest true
5) Hosts must allow voting on the server with the following settings:
    A) sv_nocallvote False
    B) sv_nochangemapvote False
    C) sv_nokickvote True
    D) sv_noforcespecvote False
    E) sv_nomapvote False 
    F) sv_notimelimitvote False
    G) sv_nopointlimitvote False
    H) sv_noduellimitvote False
    I) sv_nofraglimitvote False
    J) sv_nowinlimitvote True
6) Hosts must add these additional parameters to the server:
    A) buckshot 1
    B) lmsspectatorsettings 3
    C) YD_LMSLoadouts 0
    D) yd_weaknesssetting 0
    E) YD_DisableChargeCarry 1
    F) sv_useteamstartsindm true
    G) sv_lmscountdowntime 20

Current signups:

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Sir An0n/Solo
Ecl1p5e/Solo
Llamahombre/Solo
Trillster/Solo
Rozark/Solo
Watzup7856/Solo
Geekie/Solo
Artyom/Solo
Swarm9999/Solo
Kiwi/Solo

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1ST AT 11:59:59 PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.
EXPECT THE CMCP MAP PACK TO BE RELEASED ON SEPTEMBER 5TH. JUDGES WILL SCORE EACH MAP BY SEPTEMBER 12TH. MAY THE BEST MAPPER(S) WIN.

[Binary_Newer]

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS IS SEPTEMBER 1ST AT 11:59:59 PM PACIFIC STANDARD TIME.

What about other timezones like EST?

[Sir Anon0mos]

What about other timezones like EST?

Surely you can do the math on that one

[Mendez]

So everyone has to finish their map at the same time, which means the deadline for people living in EST is September 2, 2:59:59 AM Eastern Standard Time

[LlamaHombre]

Yeah, I'm down. Deadline's a little tight on my end, but I'll see if I can throw something together before then.

[Ecl1p5e]

I am in. Going commando on this.

Tally-ho, motherhubbards.

[Trillster]

Concepted my idea a bit and it's functioning well, consider me down for this.

[Mendez]

Hey Llama and Trillster, just to clarify: Are you both working solo? I'll add the sign-up template to the top post so that people know how to quickly signup

Edit: I'm also relaying a couple of messages from the discord chat to here
I know it's buried in the rules somewhere but if you do need help with slade and editing content, I've prepared a tutorial. I just released it to the public:

I've also changed the contest rules so that maps are now scored differently. Here's the new score template:
    A) Layout/Spawns are worth up to 50 points (up from 40)
    B) Visuals are worth up to 25 points (down from 30)
    C) Creativity/Concepts are worth up to 10 points (down from 15)
    D) Functionality is worth up to 15 points (same)
    E) Total score = Sum of all previous scores (still up to 100 points)
The reason for this change is because I see people focusing more on making a map pretty than making a map that plays well. Playing in CBL has taught me that a visual style is not that important, what is more important is a layout that is interesting and playable. I also understand that the custom content rules are a huge restraint on some mappers, so I'm going to put less strain on creativity. In the future, there might be contests that focus more on creativity and custom content. However, for this contest, the biggest priorities are good layouts with good ideas for competitive classes. The new score template will reflect that change and will not be changed for the rest of this competition.

I've also clarified rules for custom content a bit. Really, I should have said modded content to begin with. "Custom" implies a new asset made completely from scratch. However, for this contest, I want to emphasize working with the assets that are already given and working from the same sources as everyone else. Again, don't spend more time making the map pretty than making the map playable. CBL had complaints about maps that looked great, but did not play well. The goal of this competition is to help the CCBM community address those issues themselves with good layouts.

[LlamaHombre]

Oh, yeah. I'm solo.

Name: LlamaHombre
Solo/Duo: Solo

[Rozark]

Name: Rozark
Solo/Duo: Solo

[Mendez]

Another big rule change: I want to make sure there's no bias in map submissions so I'm making a rule to prevent signups from showing the judges their maps. If you want to show your signup to people, you can do so through the #contest-discussion or the #content-submissions channel on the TF discord, which will now be restricted to signups only.
1) Maps must be submitted to one of the following:
    A) Mendez
    B) TF Discord (#content-submissions channel)
2) Maps must not be shown to judges, EVER
3) Maps must be submitted in the .PK3 or .WAD format and should be under 10MB
4) Maps must be submitted before the deadline: September 1st 11:59:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time)
5) Maps can be updated before the deadline
    A) Basically, you can make small changes if you think you forgot something
6) No submissions or updates are allowed after the deadline

Edit: Another rule change, this time for judges:
I've added a rule to the judging section asking judges to write essays (at least 300 words)  for each entry. The goal is to give everyone good feedback for their maps and to promote truth + transparency between the judges and the contestants. These judges are working hard to make sure this contest is judged fairly and honestly so that we can have better maps in the future.
6) Judges must write an essay (at least 300 words) for each entry to summarize their thoughts

Edit 2: Another quick rule change:
For this competition, I'm allowing stacked spawns so that smaller maps don't have to deal with cheese hits from long-range classes
9) Spawns can be stacked

[KIWI]

Hello my nickname is KIWI, and I finished solo my map called "DocRobot's Training Arena"

I sent a MP to Mendez... but I don't know if he received my map...
Good luck for anyone that participe in the contest. 

[Mendez]

I got the map and have added you to the list of signups. Nice map!
EDIT: Submissions are now closed! Thanks again to everybody who submitted a map in time

[Mendez]

The map pack has been finished and is now being released to the public! Please enjoy 10 great maps from 10 great creators, as well as a bonus map from yours truly. https://allfearthesentinel.net/zandronum/download.php?file=classymapsforclassypeople_v1.pk3

[Mendez]

After over a month of mapping and over a week of voting, the scores are finally in: https://www.dropbox.com/s/c1bzdt4qop6in21/CMCP_Scoresheet_FINAL.xlsx?dl=0
Here's a pdf made by one of the judges to give their thought process during judging: https://www.dropbox.com/s/668n4iry8e95eth/CMCPlite.pdf?dl=0

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The winner of Classy Maps for Classy People is... LlamaHombre! With 464/500 possible points, this win was well deserved!
Coming in second place is none other than... Watzup7856! With 459/500 points, he was very close to being the classiest map!
Finally, coming in third place is... Rozark! With 373/500 points, the judges felt this map was classy enough to win some cash!
Thank you Classy people for taking the time to make these maps, and thank you Very Classy people for taking the time to play and judge these maps. Stay tuned for V1B where the mappers will have an extra month to polish their maps based on feedback. I'm proud of every mapper who had the courage, determination, and passion to build the maps they felt were classy. I hope this enthusiasm for mapping continues into the next version of MM8BDM and the next version of CCBM. Until next time, this is Mendez signing off for now.