ABBUC Software Competition 2017

[freetz]

I can suggest this to Wolfgang, but the magazine (including the disks) is usually sent out as soon as it's ready, so I don't know if it would really save some time. Plus you never know how long it'll actually take to various destinations, so the idea of everyone having the magazine/disks at the same time is probably not going to work out. But as a member, you'll be able to download the disk images at the same time as everyone else in September, so voting should be entirely possible for you this time.

[popmilo]

Is there a list of entries available ?

[freetz]

I will publish a list after the deadline because unfortunately AtariAge does not allow me to edit my first post to update it with the submissions. I don't want to clutter this thread by making a new post each time someone has submitted. So far two people have submitted with another 2-3 having indicated their submission to me. Of course people can advertise their contributions here as long as it is within reasonable limits. Otherwise please make up a seperate thread for your game.

[ivop]

unfortunately AtariAge does not allow me to edit my first post to update it with the submissions.

 

You can ask Albert for permission. I have one such 1st post I can edit indefinitely

[freetz]

Done. Once this right has been granted to me, I'll update the first post accordingly.

[gorgh]

Freetz: Adam told me that you mentioned him that there are 2 games submitted but without "n.a.g." . I've sent the game yesterday at 4 pm. Could you confirm that the game is in your hands right now? Thanks in advance

[freetz]

Hi Gorgh,

 

sorry for the confusion, yes, your game is in the database - the strange thing is that I usually get an e-mail once a new game has been submitted, and that has been the case with the other two games, but not with yours. So I assumed that no new submission had been made when Adam asked me (sorry Adam!). Probably it was just the e-mail server of the abbuc.de site that wasn't working probably, but to confirm again, your game is here and will participate in the contest! So it's three submissions as of today.

F.

Edited July 27, 2017 by freetz

[gambler172]

only 3????

Btw...31.7. as deadline is too early....one month later and

i could finiush a game for the contest too.

[darwinmac]

Do we know if any (or all) of the games will work on an NTSC Atari? I can play them on Altirra in PAL, but I'm hoping to use my actual XEGS for voting.

 

Bob C

[freetz]

As there is nowadays only the requirement that it runs on an Atari 8-Bit computer (and no longer a specific configuration), we don't test along these lines.

Edited July 27, 2017 by freetz

[gorgh]

darwinmac: I can ensure you that at least my game works on NTSC

[+therealbountybob]

Not that this is last minute as we have a few hours left...

 

1. If there are only 3 games what happens?

 

2. If I somehow enter something and it is not finished e.g. a Demo Game can I enter the full version of the same game into next year's contest?

 

3. What time is the deadline in current UK time?

 

4. When I logon to the abbuc forum it still shows "Not Logged In" on the top right banner but it does change to another page. My username on there was "gwobby" . I'm sure I've had this before and I've just reset my password and it's the same?

[+CharlieChaplin]

4. not a bug, but a pgming feature: a) goto the Abbuc startpage, b) on the top right click on "not logged in", c) a new page appears - login here d) when done visit the abbuc forum (it should now show "logged in as...")

 

If you login from another page than the Abbuc startpage, then login does not work... (strange because other subpages also have a login button, you can even login there, but the forum and some pages still show NOT logged-in... afaik this has to do with different programming languages used on these pages e.g. php versus joomla versus ...)

 

3. when it is midnight here in Germany, UK/Greenwich time is two hours earlier (10 p.m.)

 

2. I do NOT think so... but it is not me who decides this. You can still enter your demo-game for this year`s contest, but I doubt that you can enter the full version again next year. We already had various games that entered the contest as "demo-versions" or "almost-finished" versions, some of them were finished later and could not enter the contest again, some of them are still unfinished even many years later (e.g. X8) and even if they get finished some day, I doubt that they can enter the contest again. (But I also doubt that these games that are not finished for many years will *ever* get finished and because of that I am not a fan of half-finished versions or demo-versions taking part in the Abbuc software contest anyways, but again, it is not me who decides this...)

 

1. The Abbuc software contest for the category games requires a minimum of 3 games, thus if there are min. 3 games (which is already the case!), it will take place. We already have three games registered at Abbuc, thus the only thing which could lead to a scenario where the contest does not take place, would be, if all games are extremely simple/stupid/half-baked/unfinished/... (e.g. three simple type-in listings a la Tic-Tac-Toe, Mastermind, Pacman,... ). But I do not think this is the case...

 

There is also an Abbuc software contest for the category tools/utilities/applications that requires a minimum of 3 programs - this minimum is not met yet, so I doubt this type of software contest will take place this year...

 

On the other hand, we also had scenarios in the Abbuc software contest, where more than 5 programs were entered in the last two days (or even at the very last day)...

 

We will see what happens and know for sure on tuesday...

[freetz]

1. The contest will take place if three qualified submissions have been made. That seems to be the case.

2. A demo is not a game. If the game works, it can only be submitted again if it is significantly improved compared to a previous entry. Significant improvements would be completely new levels or a new gameplay through, lets say, a simultaneous two-player option compared to a single player game or something along these lines. Don't ask for a detailed list as this will be decided on a case-by-case basis by the selection commission.

3. As mentioned before, it's 23:59 UTC which is Greenwich Mean Time.

4. You don't need any username or password for the submission. Just go to https://asc.abbuc.deand click on "English Version" and then "Submit". The e-mail address will be your username for any further updates to your submission, and your password will be assigned to you after you completed your first submission.

[freetz]

Total number of submissions now at four with a fifth being indicated for submission before the deadline.

[popmilo]

Well, month ago there was still chance I could've finished small puzzle game in time but now it's gone.

Last year I thought it's tough coding with one year old baby hanging around me. Turns out it's almost impossible with a two year old

Combine that with relatives kid in visit, 35c in shade, swimming pool and daddy coded nothing in almost a week

 

I know we all love games but I wouldn't have it any other way one year from now we'll sure have something new from me

 

Good luck too all and I wish you all lots of fun with new games!

 

Ps. And I'll release this puzzle game soon, I'll won't be leaving it for next compo

[freetz]

I can totally relate to that with two kids under three - took a seven month break from job with each of them and got done almost nothing else but taking care of them - but of course I also wouldn't have it any other way . Great to hear that you'll release your game nevertheless, and hope to have a contribution by you in next year's contest!

[freetz]

Fifth submission is here with two more hours until the deadline - let's see if there's another last minute entry ...

[freetz]

And yes, there is , still one almost one hour to go - I'll go to sleep now and will post the list of submitted games tomorrow!

[matosimi]

uff... final version done and submitted.

this year it was again such a challenge.

you can expect long awaited arcade bomb roasted in my coding kitchen

[erichenneke]

Ok, two things: For one, the online portal that I programmed will make it possible for members to access the games quite a bit earlier. We hope to do the vetting and the compilation of the disk during August, and as soon as this is done, members can download the games and start voting. Just about four weeks to do this (and again, I'm not alone in this process) is not too much to ask, don't you think?

Secondly, to prepare the magazine is a totally different thing and takes Wolfgang and the crew a lot of time, just to copy the disks for hundreds of members is quite a task. Please don't expect them to do all this in just 2-3 weeks - plus the members (who are paying for the prizes) also need time to play the games.

 

So, if you add 3-4 week(end)s that we need to vet the submissions and compile the disks plus 2-3 week(end)s for Wolfgang to copy the disks and send out the magazine (which can only start after the disk is compiled), plus 3-4 week(ends) for members to test an play and vote (some still via snail mail), that comes to around 8-11 weeks from the submission deadline to the JHV. Personally, I don't see how a later deadline could work reliably, because even 8 weeks from end of August instead of July would barely make it for the JHV end of October.

 

But as I said, it's the members who decide on that. So why not find someone who's putting it up for voting at the JHV to move the JHV date to end of November? If there's a majority for that, we can move the competition deadline a month later without a problem.

 

The online portal worked great and was super easy !

[erichenneke]

I submitted a text adventure called "The Bounty Hunter vs. Skarg Slick" because:

 

1) Text adventures were always a key part of the 8-bit computer experience "back in the day"

 

2) We need more new text adventures!

 

-Eric

[erichenneke]

Also collaborated with my good friend Rob Schlortt again this year.

 

We just submitted "WAR ROOM" in a mad, hectic dive to the finish.

 

Just in time for the deadline!!!

 

Rob really did some amazing work on the AI logic for this game.

 

I used Midijoy by Frederik (freetz) to compose and implement the title screen music. It really is a great tool for this use if you are composing in midi.

 

Will post some video soon.

 

Eric

[freetz]

Thanks to everyone who made it possible to submit within the deadline! And to those who didn't make it, we look forward to your contributions next year!

Personally, I'm also happy to see MidiJoy's feature to record Midi music as game music in action ...

 

So here's the final list of submissions:

 

patjomki - Superfly XL (lite)
Jan Sören Haas - Bomb Square Duel
Gorgh - New Atari Game
Eric Henneke - The Bounty Hunter vs. Skarg Slick
matosimi - Citron 3kg
Rob Schlortt, Eric Henneke - War Room

 

We will now check the games for compliance with the competition rules (but on first glance I don't see a problem here) and then compile the disk(s) to be made available for members soon. Voting will start on 1 September (also) via the online portal and we urge members to make use of this feature becasue it saves us a lot of work compared to counting ballot papers.

 

Cheers,

 

F.

[popmilo]

uff... final version done and submitted.

this year it was again such a challenge.

you can expect long awaited arcade bomb roasted in my coding kitchen

Can't wait to see it !