[Mandrake]

[Jihgfed Pumpkinhead]

     I think we should be able to use anything that might be covered in a "standard" library (not an RPG-specific one). So, for example, you could use any string-manipulation stuff you've written, or GUI stuff, standard graphics, and similar things. I think that will be fair to people who use less fully-featured libraries, or who write in languages that don't have as much library support; and at the same time, keep us from doing too much unnecessary busy-work.
     Mostly, just ask if you want to use something.

[Rainer Deyke]

I think we should be allowed to use any pre-made engine. I have no desire to write yet another minimalistic rpg engine; I want to focus on the game.

As for content... Pre-made fonts should be allowed. Pre-made text shouldn't. Either way is fine for graphics and sound.

[DarkDread]

Let's make it as easy as possible... you can use pre made fonts... pre made simple engines (nothing that would say, require you to include it, and just call it, and that's it)... pre made anything else, except for pre made text, graphics, gameplay, and music... all that, you gotta do in the 48 hours... as well as put all your engines together, and get 'em working. How's that?
_________________
"Goth is a way for ugly people to be interesting."

[Mandrake@rpgdx]

[DarkDread]

heh, considering it does take time to churn out good music, then why don't we just make pre-made music an ok... as long as it's either a) your own or b) you have permission to use it (public domain, you asked, etc).

That should be just fine, imo.
_________________
"Goth is a way for ugly people to be interesting."

[Rainer Deyke]

I still feel that pre-made music should not be allowed. My reasons:

1. Writing good music takes time, but so does creating good graphics, writing a good plot, and designing good gameplay. We're talking about a 48 hour mini-game; it doesn't need good music.

2. Allowing pre-made music gives those people who have good music lying around an unfair advantage over those that don't.

3. Music is not a critical game element; if all else fails, one can just have a silent game.

[Jihgfed Pumpkinhead]

     I guess it really depends on what the main purpose of this all is. If the main purpose is competition, then exclude as much prior work as stomachable to try to get the closest approximation of a level playing-field. If the main purpose is fun or the promotion of good RPGs, we should aim towards much more liberal rules for what pre-made stuff you can include.
     Mind, I'm not saying competition can't be fun; and if that's what you want, I've nothing against it.
     Just think it would be much easier to figure out what the rules should be if we all agree on the purpose of the thing.
     I'm sure, of course, that it's to some degree a combination of both; but I think that, if we (if I, at least) were to know where the balance is supposed to lie, it would be a help (to me, at least).

[mandrake#rpgdx]

heh, i keep forgetting your weren't around for the last two...yeah the purpose is just to have fun. That's it. It's too challenge yourself, not to compete against others. And Reiner- i'd have to disagree, music is one of the most important parts of a game. I think pre-made music should be allowed.

[Nephilim]

[Rainer Deyke]

[Nephilim]

[Jihgfed Pumpkinhead]

     When you say we shouldn't do any work on the plot, etc., do you mean we shouldn't even think about it? Because that'll be hard, as I've already got ideas racing in every sort of direction. Or are we just not allowed to commit anything to paper (or hard-disk, or whatever)?
     I don't mean to be officious; it's just that I want to follow the rules as closely as possible, if I'm going to participate.

[Desert Gunstar]

Damn, I remember the first compo... it sure was a hell of a lot of fun, even if I didn't do as much as I liked to. I really want to participate in this one, and the rest, but I just don't feel up to the task anymore. I have too many distractions *ahem*Baldur'sGate2 and I just need to attain more skill, whatever way I can if possible.

To help anyone who may need it, hmm... Music is more of essential for this compo, and it may even work against you if you churn out a cruddy 10-second loop song. And the graphics...can you not think Dragon Warrior...hell, think lower. How about early Ultima? 16 color tiles never hurt anyone...much. And if you're thinking about the overall quality of your game, try to strengthen the other aspects of your game. If you suck at drawing, concentrate on the gameplay. If you're terrible at sequencing music, touch up on the story. And if you're good at everything, well...expect high marks, heh.

As for pre-made stuff, well, I believe that it should be about the coding/implementation, not the design stages and such. It is hard to do ALL that stuff from scratch, or even with an engine. Of course, not many will agree with that.

Oh, and don't worry about total completion. You're here to have fun, dammit! Sorry for being long-winded...

[BigManJones]

So can someone sum up the info on this thing? Sorry, this thread is kinda schizoid. Date, time, ripped gfx/music or not? Are previous code/engines ok or not?Personally, not allowing ripped gfx will mean I most likely WON'T participate... although allowing them won't mean I will....

Has anyone else noticed there are alot of compos going on in april; CFXweb.net applet contest, Ludumdare 48 hr #3 and talk of the 2003 Allegro Speedhack happening soon. And this one. I want to do them all, but really don't have time for even one :(

Also will there be any announcement to the wider gamedev community?