It is said that great things come in small packages. I believe this is awfully true with coaster designs.
As designers (even casual ones), we are constantly striving to make "bigger" and "better". Sometimes we forget that size isn't everything. The theme of this contest is Dwarf Coasters.
Rules
The distance between the highest point of the Coaster and the Lowest point must not be greater than 60ish ft. It is true that it'll be almost impossible to tell, and any proof of will look horrible (lovely height marker spam). So I entrust you to enforce this guideline. This restriction is in place to allow you to build something when height is taken away from you. If you need to go a little bit lower later on in the layout for an element sequence to make more sense, then boundaries can be stretched by a few ft.
No post-editing to images or PoV to cheat out of the system. Your ordinary editing is allowed (RP Fake Promo images if you want and the usual bells and whistle on Videos).
One coaster entry per user. Feel free to make many (if you can) and cherry pick the one with the best layout.
Deadline will be 1st of September. 8th of September.
You can use any coaster type. You can see in my example that inversions do have a different aesthetic when the whole layout is rather low. It's not a suggestion just an observation. Also means you can have an interesting layout without relying so much on scenery or strategic planning.
Scoring
I wanted to do something different. I won't reveal the criteria of the scoring. I'd rather entrants worry more about what they're designing than if they're ticking certain boxes. I can give a hint about things that I like if you don't know me: I don't like rough bends. I don't like violent shifts in track elements. Basically if you're watching a PoV and getting immersed in the experience, anything that shatters that suspension of disbelief I'll mark heavily down on.
Pretty scenery is nice, but might not necessarily help. If it's rubbish you'll perform worse than if you left it minimalist.
If you're going for a conceptual design that isn't grounded in realism, explaining the 'story' may help justify it.
It will be a 60-40 ratio of scored between myself and forum voters. The forum voters can grade the entrants in their own way also. Realism of Track, smart use of scenery etc tend to be common factors users go with.
Advice
Low Friction will help your train along your layout with minimal assistance from boosters and lift hills.
For my own marking, try to limit the amount of Launch and Lift Hill sections. Preferably one or the other. However if you can introduce Launches and Lift Hills logically into the layout without breaking the flow of the ride, then you'll achieve more than if you just used one.
That pretty much sums up the contest. Post if you have any questions as no doubtingly I may have complicated it. I will be eager what creative methods you'll employ to get around the height handicap.
The long time limit and height restriction is so that you can still enjoy the summer/IRL commitments and still take part. If you are wanting to spend more time anyway on this contest, then you have the luxury of extra time to refine your entry.
*Disclaimer* My examples are only exampling layout and concept. Don't use it as a guide for scenery use as I am awful in comparison to other RCT3 users
As designers (even casual ones), we are constantly striving to make "bigger" and "better". Sometimes we forget that size isn't everything. The theme of this contest is Dwarf Coasters.
Rules
The distance between the highest point of the Coaster and the Lowest point must not be greater than 60ish ft. It is true that it'll be almost impossible to tell, and any proof of will look horrible (lovely height marker spam). So I entrust you to enforce this guideline. This restriction is in place to allow you to build something when height is taken away from you. If you need to go a little bit lower later on in the layout for an element sequence to make more sense, then boundaries can be stretched by a few ft.
No post-editing to images or PoV to cheat out of the system. Your ordinary editing is allowed (RP Fake Promo images if you want and the usual bells and whistle on Videos).
One coaster entry per user. Feel free to make many (if you can) and cherry pick the one with the best layout.
Deadline will be 1st of September. 8th of September.
You can use any coaster type. You can see in my example that inversions do have a different aesthetic when the whole layout is rather low. It's not a suggestion just an observation. Also means you can have an interesting layout without relying so much on scenery or strategic planning.
Scoring
I wanted to do something different. I won't reveal the criteria of the scoring. I'd rather entrants worry more about what they're designing than if they're ticking certain boxes. I can give a hint about things that I like if you don't know me: I don't like rough bends. I don't like violent shifts in track elements. Basically if you're watching a PoV and getting immersed in the experience, anything that shatters that suspension of disbelief I'll mark heavily down on.
Pretty scenery is nice, but might not necessarily help. If it's rubbish you'll perform worse than if you left it minimalist.
If you're going for a conceptual design that isn't grounded in realism, explaining the 'story' may help justify it.
It will be a 60-40 ratio of scored between myself and forum voters. The forum voters can grade the entrants in their own way also. Realism of Track, smart use of scenery etc tend to be common factors users go with.
Advice
Low Friction will help your train along your layout with minimal assistance from boosters and lift hills.
For my own marking, try to limit the amount of Launch and Lift Hill sections. Preferably one or the other. However if you can introduce Launches and Lift Hills logically into the layout without breaking the flow of the ride, then you'll achieve more than if you just used one.
That pretty much sums up the contest. Post if you have any questions as no doubtingly I may have complicated it. I will be eager what creative methods you'll employ to get around the height handicap.
The long time limit and height restriction is so that you can still enjoy the summer/IRL commitments and still take part. If you are wanting to spend more time anyway on this contest, then you have the luxury of extra time to refine your entry.
*Disclaimer* My examples are only exampling layout and concept. Don't use it as a guide for scenery use as I am awful in comparison to other RCT3 users
