Modding Competition

[thamis]

Planet Civilization Modding Competition

With an increasing number of modifications (mods) for Civilization IV being developed, played, and discussed in the community, Planet Civilization is hosting a modding competition! We want to find out what the best mods are, and would like to honor their creators (or development teams) with some Civilization rarities. We will poll all the visitors of Planet Civilization which mod they like most, and will honor the modmakers according to the votes.

The Prizes:

1. Copy of Civilization IV signed by Sid Meier and Soren Johnson and the Official Civilization IV Soundtrack
2. Copy of Civilization IV signed by Sid Meier and Soren Johnson
3. The Official Civilization IV Soundtrack

The Rules:

The mod must classify as a mod. A simple map is not a mod, it must modify the game in one way or another and require custom XML, graphics, or Python work. The mod must be in a working condition (but not 100% finished, if that is even possible for a mod) and packaged in either ZIP, RAR, or EXE format, so that it can be installed by the user easily. The mod must be uploaded to Planet Civilization (see below for submission instructions).

Voting will start once we have enough mod submissions (watch this space for dates) and finish once we have 800 votes (or 2 months after the starting date, whichever occurs first). Voting will take place on the main page and every user has one vote.

Both new mods and existing mods are eligible.

Submitting your Mod:

You need to email the Planet Civilization Site Director stating that you wish to participate, even if your mod is already available on Planet Civilization. You have to submit your mod to Planet Civilization. If the file is under 25 MB in size, you can upload it here. If it is larger, contact me to arrange for the upload. If your mod is already mirrored on Planet Civilization and you cannot update it, contact me as well.

 

[The Great Apple]

A big problem with this is that most mods aren't created by a single person - instead they are a collection of many people's contributions. Many of the more complete modpacks on this forum have quite a large team working on them.

 

[thamis]

I am quite aware of that and I thought about it in terms of the prizes. As the prizes aren't of high value anyway, I believe that the mod creator should get them and the team shares the reputation and honour of being voted into a high position.

 

[TheLopez]

A big problem with this is that most mods aren't created by a single person - instead they are a collection of many people's contributions. Many of the more complete modpacks on this forum have quite a large team working on them.

I agree with TGA, except for in the cases like coding nuts like myself...

The problem I have with this is how are you going to authenticate that the code was actually written by the submitter? Another thing, I went to the site and there aren't too many mod submitted there right now, so the conspiracy side of me begs to ask the question "Is this just a ploy to have people post mods to that site?"

What about the people who don't do full blown mods like myself? How are we supposed to compete with the "composite mods"?

 

[TheLopez]

I am quite aware of that and I thought about it in terms of the prizes. As the prizes aren't of high value anyway, I believe that the mod creator should get them and the team shares the reputation and honour of being voted into a high position.

What happens when there isn't just one "mod creator", for instance when the entire team is the "mod creator"?

 

[Gaurav]

I'd like to know what sort of criteria this is being judged on. I don't see how I am going to just vote on "the best mod."

How do you compare Regiments to FFH2 anyway?

 

[Bringa]

FFH and Sevomod will decide this one amongst themselves.

 

[Dusty4prez]

Yeah I'm sure that Kael will win it, if he submits but what to do with so many helpers...

 

[Kael]

FFH and Sevomod will decide this one amongst themselves.

Although I know that Thamis's intent is to build excitement and reward modmakers for their efforts, I worry that contests may make us regard each other as competition instead of a community. I owe a ton to the other modmakers here, and FfH wouldn't exist without them. I borrow liberally from the ideas and designs of others (including Thamis's own mod), and I hope other modmakers feel free to borrow from the FfH team to make their mods even better.

These are collective projects, which is fitting because our community lives or dies as a group. No mod, no matter how good, can build a fanbase on its own. Sevomods success is great for FfH, the more people playing civ, the more people on this board, the better all of our mods will do. The more fans we have collectivly the more modders we will have to share with.

So no FfH in the competition. And as Gaurav said, I don't envy the person that has to pick between different mods. I wouldn't even know where to begin to declare one better than another.

 

[Red Door]

I don't know, his votes will be split between 1 and 2. Personally, if I vote, I'd vote for The Ancient Mediterranean.

Never mind, Kael ain't submitting Fall From Heaven, I'm still going for TAM or Total Realism 2.0.

 

[TheLopez]

Although I know that Thamis's intent is to build excitement and reward modmakers for their efforts, I worry that contests may make us regard each other as competition instead of a community. I owe a ton to the other modmakers here, and FfH wouldn't exist without them. I borrow liberally from the ideas and designs of others (including Thamis's own mod), and I hope other modmakers feel free to borrow from the FfH team to make their mods even better.

These are collective projects, which is fitting because our community lives or dies as a group. No mod, no matter how good, can build a fanbase on its own. Sevomods success is great for FfH, the more people playing civ, the more people on this board, the better all of our mods will do. The more fans we have collectivly the more modders we will have to share with.

So no FfH in the competition. And as Gaurav said, I don't envy the person that has to pick between different mods. I wouldn't even know where to begin to declare one better than another.

I whole heartedly agree with Kael. I personally think that contests like these are divisive to communities like this one that depends on each other for help.

Having people contribute to my mods and use my mods is reward enough for me.

What that in mind I will follow in Kael's footsteps and will not submit any of my work.

 

[dh_epic]

Yeah, I think your heart is in the right place. It's always great to generate excitement. But competition can bring out the worst in people as well. I feel like it would be great to organize something that generates the excitement, but maybe with a less competitive edge?

 

[Riker]

beware of Rhye's and fall of civilization

 

[asioasioasio]

Kael and TheLopes got right. I'll boycott this content too (but probably i won't win this so it doesn't matter)

I make mods for fun not for prizes

 

[majk-iii]

Those that do submit their mod's should probably be aware that their work will probably come to be owned by civplanet... or whoever's holding this contest?
(not that it's an obvious evil, but still; one should be aware of such possibilities/risks.)

 

[The Great Apple]

It wouldn't be owned by them - it's all owned by Firaxis.

 

[thamis]

Just a few points:

I see Kael's and Lopez' point, but I don't see competitions as negative if they are conducted in a friendly way. The world cup is a competition, but it is not antagonizing the world, but bringing it together. Same with the Olympics. Most of us here know each other and to some extent and collaborate. It is a friendly competition, aimed to create more attention to modding, as many CIV4 players aren't even aware of MODs. I often get emails from Planet Civ visitors that just show me how little lots of players know about what CIV4 really offers, and what the online community offers. Front-page coverage of these mods on Planet Civ will draw attention to these mods and to modding in general (and also attention to CivFanatics, as Planet Civ links to the CFC forum threads of all mods hosted there).

To sum up, it's a friendly competition. The prizes are of low value and are more like tokens of honour. Nobody can get rich here.

Also I don't know what majk-iii means by mods being "owned" by Planet Civ. Nothing gets owned, the mods are your creations and they stay your creations. Do with them whatever you like.

Anyway, I hope I could clarify this a bit. It would be really disappointing to miss the greatest mods in there.

 

[Red Threat]

Being this a matter of my studies, I can say that markets and competition destroy the advantages of the "open source" systems of innovation.

Moreover, a race of this kind COULD start a "competition rush": mod creators with long-term projects could prefer to release their uncomplete works before, maybe cutting some part of the project, with time overcoming quality.

 

[Bringa]

Hmm.

Kael definitely is a very cool guy and he seems very much aware of the role of (one of the) leading figures of the modding community. I have the deepest respect for what he's saying and what he's trying to do.

Still I disagree I do believe that competition doesn't need to tear people apart. I don't see how this friendly little competition could tear the community apart. I mean we're not talking about 10 million dollars here, just a signed copy of CIV IV is probably not enough to get people all up in arms against each other. Of course, if the biggest modders stay out of this competition, the competition becomes just a little meaningless.

This may probably also be a good moment to say, once again, thank you to all of the members of the modding community. I have some very, very basic programming skills--just enough to appreciate HOW MUCH hard work it is what you're doing, and I'm really in awe of how quickly you learn new things and how well the idea of sharing code seems to work between mods. I think that this kind of community work is the best thing that can happen to ANY game. The amount of new content that owners of the game get from this place FOR FREE is staggering. Firaxis should put a sticker on their CIV IV boxes saying "if you buy this game, you can go to civfanatics.com and download a shitload of incredibly awesome mods that make the game five times as much fun".

 

[fairlyhonest]

Best mod should not be the only criteria. Broken down to creative or graphic perhaps even most outragious. Credit being FUN and a few prizes would be cool. Some said that would rush others (I don't know what or how long these take) and applaud all, chaingess could be made later?EVEN THE GAME STILL PATCHES! and like Bringa Says "The amount of new content that owners of the game get from this place FOR FREE is staggering. Firaxis should put a sticker on their CIV IV boxes saying "if you buy this game, you can go to civfanatics.com and download a shitload of incredibly awesome mods that make the game five times as much fun"."