[Timelapse/Event] The 2012 Voxelympics

[AzulCaballero]

As many are probably aware, the summer Olympics in London are coming up in 47 days from this post and much of the world will be following the games in support of their country. You might be saying, "But wait, why aren't there anybody representing the VoxelBox in London?". Well surprisingly the VoxelBox is actually not a country nor does it have any representation in any Olympic event so we sadly can not cheer on our server in any real events, however we could do the next best thing and hold our own Olympic Games... with a bit of our own patented VoxelSwag™.

This idea has been brought up twice in the past by Postronicman and legostothemax however neither attempt has gone past the brainstorming stage. I think gathering together for a large project like this could be very benefitical to both our community and our marketing and would provide to be a very trendy project if completed. The current plan will support a large variety of games and events such as:

• Build-Offs
• Cannon War
• Capture the Flag
• Capture the Wool
• Chicken Fights
• Crop Racing
• Deathmatch
• Fishing
• Ice Golf
• Kayaking
• Labyrinth
• Lava Parkour
• Lights Out!
• Magneto Spleef
• Minesweeper
• Parkour
• Pig Races
• Snail Racing
• Spleef
• VoxelHockey
• Whack-a-Mole

Stage One | Construction/Timelapse

Obviously if we are going to do this everything will be hand-built in true VoxelBox fashion under guidance of several Project Leaders. The overall theme and layout of the area is very much up for discussion from the rest of the server, however I believe it would be best to locate the entire Olympic grounds on an island so that there are “soft borders” around the whole area as opposed to beautiful bedrock walls. In time we’ll come up with a set design, however at this moment we are aware of what structures will be needed to be able and play through the current event list:

Large Stadium | A typical large stadium with a very open playing field. The field needs to be constructed so that it may be replaced with other copies, or “plates”, of the same field with different event set-ups. This will allow for quick changes and ensure that any user can have the proper materials to play the Voxelympics if we put it up for download.

• Build-Offs
• Labyrinth
• Lava Parkour
• Lights Out!
• Minesweeper
• VoxelHockey
• Whack-a-Mole

Small Stadium | Smaller stadium with bleachers that are closer and lower to the events. The same “plate” idea is nessicary.

• Chicken Fights
• Crop Racing
• Magneto Spleef
• Pig Races
• Snail Racing
• Spleef

River/Ocean Area | Somewhere there should be a river leading into an ocean, The river needs to have equal lanes filled with obsticles, similar to the Yoglympics boat race.

• Cannon War
• Fishing
• Kayaking

Olympic Village | A Mid-Size town with many nooks n’ crannies needs to be constructed for themed PvP events and general lodging for our competitors.

• Capture the Flag
• Capture the Wool
• Deathmatch
• Parkour

Golf Course | For golf. Duh. Should be built with landscaping in mind, including good elevation changes.
Ice Golf

Public Forum | This will act as the spawn point of the event, so it should be very well-decorated and act as a good representation of the VoxelBox. From here, every other area should be accessible.

If we divide and conquer this construction process should run fairly smoothly. Each project could have seperate Project Leaders and could be spread over the course of 1-2 weeks to allow interested users to participate in multiple builds and not multitask. Additionially, it would be best to not have two areas being built at the same time so that we can properly timelapse each construction site as it progresses. The timelapse videos will allow for users to see how we constructed the area (something I always thought was cool about FyreUK) as well as market both our server and our community to the world.

Schedule

Everything except the golf course should be filmed. I also I must add that I’ll be in Amsterdam start ~June 3 for two weeks, so ideally it would be best to get most of the construction finished by then, if that isn’t too much of a stretch for everyone.

Friday, June 22nd - Terraforming + River / Ocean Area
Saturday, June 23rd - Olympic Village OR Large Stadium
Sunday, June 24th - Public Forum
Monday-Wednesday, June 25-27th - Golf Course (Doesn’t need to be filmed)
Friday, June 29th - Olympic Village OR Large Stadium

Not sure when people would be open for a Small Stadium.

Stage Two | The Games

After we construct the area, it’s time to play the games! This whole event will most likely take a week to play through everything, and will have to have a good amount of restrictions and regulations (explained later) to ensure smooth gameplay. To further promote our server I believe it would best to have a several cameramen taping some of the events so we can throw them on the Youtube channel as VoxelShorts. Alternatively, we could Livestream the event and promote the streaming on all of our services. If this weren’t enough, it would be even more benfitical to try and pull some strings and see what kind of Minecraft “celebrities” like Sparklez, the Bukkit Team, Yogscast, BeBopVox, FuXe, etc, and invite them all to some of our most promenient events while we take video of it. Alongside, this might be an ample opportunity to open [part] of our server up for Visitors so that they can play in a few games as well.

Let’s take this up a notch too. Everyone loves good friendly competition, so why not team up and battle it out as Curated Regions? This addition will give something bigger to play for as well as connecting your area’s userbase together in hopes of slaughtering everyone else. The playing regions would ideally be made up of, and led by the following:

Deep Space - AzulCaballero, Plusnine
Federation of Ithea - _brent, Starjik, Razorcane
Kathos - Doublenum, Sounas
Mechanicsburg - Giltwist
Meridia - Featherblade, KupoKupo, SoulSoda
Msk - Kavukamari, Killjden, swrrb
Nexus - Billyjoee, Deamon5505, TheWoodyMan
Republic of Thysus - Bellamy_Brothers, Jomeaga, TheGuyWhoCanFly
Ridgneyland - Ciscog33k, Mexxy, Ridgedog
Skol - SpecterCody, Narolas
(note: Some areas have been leftout due to lack of activity/userbase or due to shared curating staff)

This leaves us with exactly 10 teams, which I personally think is a fantastic number. Players are welcome to join up with their preferred area, however teams will most likely have their own ways for accepting players. Leftover Curators and Admins are free to join whatever teams they want, however it would be best to join up with Mechanicsburg, Deep Space, Kathos, or Skol as those regions have less leaders than the other areas. Likewise, unaffliated players can choose to stay unaffiliated and they will be randomly selected a region to even out the teams. If visitors are allowed onto the server, they will most likely not be apart of any team.

The games itself will be split into three tiers based on how hard each game is to set-up and monitor.

Tier 1 - These games typically take a great amount of time to set-up and play or need a smaller group of players to judge affectively. Each region would have to pick a defined team to partake in these events. No walk-ins allowed. These events would likely host “celebrities”.

• Cannon War
• Capture the Flag
• Capture the Wool
• Deathmatch
• Ice Golf
• Minesweeper
• VoxelHockey

Tier 2 - These games are simplier, faster, and can handle more players, however there would need to monitoring. As many people as a region wants can play these events.

• Build-Offs
• Chicken Fights
• Ice Golf
• Magneto Spleef
• Parkour

Tier 3 - Same as Tier 3, however these events simplicity can support Visitors to regularly play.

• Crop Racing
• Fishing
• Kayaking
• Labyrinth
• Lava Parkour
• Lights Out!
• Pig Races
• Snail Racing
• Spleef
• Whack-a-Mole

Stage 3 | The Filming

During some of these events, it would be greatly appriciated if users could film and capture some video for our Youtube channel, especially the Tier 1 events. Filmers will be properly credited with each video. These videos will serve as great promotion for our server and will provide everyone with a better experience in the long haul. In addition, we could put this map up for download with an ad.fly link to give Ridge some extra money to put for running the server.

What I need from you all now.

Is this a good idea? What are your concerns?
Like the events?Ideas for new events?
Could you film the events?
Would you be willing to help build something like this?
Like the visitor idea?
Should a special Texture Pack be developed?

Thank you for your time, and I look forward to feedback of all types!

[nillas12]

Sounds amazing.

I think you covered pretty much everything.

+1

[croozee]

I'd be more than happy to supervise any of the building. The river going into the ocean would be the most preferred.

[unstable_Spy]

-is this a good idea? concerns?
sounds like an amazing idea, my only concern would be keeping it organised, and making sure everything gets done.
-current events/new events?
well, bit confused on the difference between capture the wool and capture the flag.
other than that, maybe capture the point? i made a fairly un-optimised (as it were) control point out of redstone, maybe worth attempting? also, maybe some kind of "base destruction™ "; teams have to fight the way into a base, activating some kind of redstone mechanism, which would open the way to a "core"; basically, paintings on a wall with pressure plates below. shoot enough paintings off, and your team wins (explosively). defending team can stop them activating the mechanism, and then simply defend the core. possibly have opening/closing routes as game progresses/resetting traps? and for the current labyrinth idea; maybe have the aim of finding ideas, and when you get the idea the walls randomise (or just change)
just kinda throwing ideas at the wall.
-could you film the events?
I could film maybe short promo clips for each one, to play as an intro, but possibly not events, i don't trust my framerate to stay solid enough, even without graphical mods, but I can try.
-would you be willing to help build?
yup
-visitor idea?
well, if the server isn't able to properly cope with visitor number I'd say maybe have people apply for a "ticket" (similar to the real olympics, I guess), maybe you apply for a day pass on a first come, first serve? maybe allow +1s? mind you that may be a bit harsh.
-special texture pack?
well, that would probably be best decided later, might be worth asking what people want and if there are enough reasons to introduce new blocks, mights be worth it. BUT it might be worth using a modified modern pack rather than a new one.

sorry bout the big blob o' text

[AzulCaballero]

I'd be more than happy to supervise any of the building. The river going into the ocean would be the most preferred.

I'll keep this in mind, thank you!

sounds like an amazing idea, my only concern would be keeping it organised, and making sure everything gets done.

That's also my biggest worry, especially seeing two other prominent players fail with this idea. Hopefully I can gain the interest of several trusted Snipers+ and devy up the work-load so the burdens are distributed.

well, bit confused on the difference between capture the wool and capture the flag.

To my understanding Capture the Flag is an event where both teams attempt to capture a single flag from the opposing team's side. Capture the Wool alternatively has several flags where an Offensive team tries to gather and bring back to their base while the defending team attempts to stop them. They're similar, yet different.

also, maybe some kind of "base destruction™ " ...

If you could mock up a small demo in your cubicle, that would be awesome!

well, if the server isn't able to properly cope with visitor number I'd say maybe have people apply for a "ticket" (similar to the real olympics, I guess), maybe you apply for a day pass on a first come, first serve? maybe allow +1s? mind you that may be a bit harsh.

Maybe even bring back the VoxelQueue system and have awaiting Visitors sit in the stands as they await to be unfrozen, similar to the LAN party of Hell.

[Matthewar]

This sounds like a great idea! I would almost definitely say timelapse building the games, and I'm sure that the Voxel Box can put their own amazing spin on the games. If we film it all it would make an amazing series of videos, each game has a link to a timelapse of the area being built.

Another game you could have as well as pig racing is people racing, using the jockey brush. It'd basically be a jumping course but slightly more amusing. There are also other arcade games in the Nexus as far as I've seen, e.g. Guitar Hero (by Woody I believe) and any other multiplayer redstone arcade games.

We already have many stadiums which we may be able to use, or at least temporarily adapt for events, this would be good for town publicity and generally should push everyone to work together, which would be good

Do we still have the ice golf course and testificate golf course?

I don't think we need to change any texture pack, the ones we have are really useful and everyone knows what palettes to use with them for great builds.

Generally I think this would be a great and fun idea, I would see we need great organising, but it seems you've pretty much covered everything, you just need confirmation/help with planning from some admins maybe. We already have the VoxelTimer plugin for organising it all, so it shouldn't be too difficult.

Also, I would have thought that if you want to film it and keep everything organised it should be done completely by members, (they make, play and film the games), and then possibly on a future guest day we could leave the sets for guests to play with.

[Zwiing20]

This sounds like an amazing idea. I would love to help build any of the PvP events as I already have many ideas.

[lukemacu]

This is a great idea and I would be more than happy to help with the building!

Also having visitors would be great it would mean we could have a proper audience

[thedeadlybutter]

A lot of the games can be managed server side, let me know if you need a plugin to handle parts of the event!

EDIT- Besides games, should it have pre-made match schedules so it only allows certain players online at any given time? (Unless the server is in build mode or something)

[MCParradox]

I think this is a brilliant idea, and I'd happily help build stadiums and venues for it. I think the texture packs we have might be ok, but I agree that if enough need is shown for a certain block, the packs could be modified. Also, what is "Lights Out"?

[AzulCaballero]

Ported from the Wiki.

This would be really, really cool. The only thing that would be hard would be to keep everything organized, because I know people will get bored if the game isn't starting RIGHT NOW, and then they would wander off, and not be ready for when the time comes for the game to start. I feel that there would have to be a lot of communication (ventrilo), and specific leaders to keep everything smooth.

[AzulCaballero]

Ported from the Wiki.

I personally think kayak races are more fun when your on the same river as your opponents and can bump into each other. maybe with obstacles with multiple paths around them. It would also mean you could have more than 2 people competing at a time. try going down the waterfalls in hanai with some other people and see how fun it can be.

[AzulCaballero]

Ported from the Wiki.

Sounds awesome. I'll be happy to help build and can record. Hope i'll be able to help

[RedBlueQuinn]

This sounds pretty swell ^_^ I'd be happy to help with any of the things you've mentioned, possibly making a soundtrack with Aitren and/or Sorrow?

~Quinn

[JUBBINS]

I'd be happy to help build stuff and I'm not sure how cannon war works but I have a few cannons I'd be happy to donate

[Jinzha]

Okay Azul, I see many people are interested, any plans on when something is set up? I'd absolutely LOVE to see this happen and will probably help when all my computer and rl problems (no worries, I'll be back some day) are solved.


For the olympic town.. What are you thinking? Ancient greece Olympics (I've seen Olympia and Delphi irl, cool places!) or (ultra) modern(protel? Or more like the olympic towns of Beijing, Vancouver and London?)

And for the island.. Wouldn't it be cool to also showcase some epic terraforming!? (ps: I recommend Space_e)

Edit: You talked about inviting celebrities, I could try inviting Block_Fortress and Probably FyreUK if this plan actually goes through!

[AzulCaballero]

Note: I'm on my phone, so this will be brief and roughly structured so excuse me.

I currently have no plans for any of the builds, if someone is interested and wants to plan out a concept for a big stadium or the town, that would likely set the rest if the theme for the area as a whole. I'll probably sketch up a stadium design tonight, but by all means other people can throw in their designs or input as well. I'm a very liberal person when it comes to projects like this.

Also, your FyreUK/Block_Fortress idea sounds amazing. If we could actually manage a collab with all of them, that would really add some professionion input within this project.

[Jinzha]

Collab as in building the stuff together? That'd give me a little less time =P.

I have some ideas in my head for the stadium and stuff, but I have ideas for both ancient greek and ultra modern xD. If only I had my laptop to actually so any of that, but not untill this weekend =( . Right now I can only access internet from my ipod and in case of emergency, my dads pc. Poor me.

[krossbowkitty]

I would be happy to help. In fact, my main speciality (apart from European Venacular houses) is making adventure maps. Although this may be a bit more complex than a simple adventure map, I assume it is a similar process (building-wise) and I think I would be a good addition for a building/designing team. I suppose I could record, I am thinking about a new graphics card so if I could get hold of one before the event, I would definatly record. However, recording the timelasp would be a bit of a problem, although I would like to record the event (If I have a new graphics card by then).

As for the capture the flag/wool, I would like to think that I am quite good at making diverse terrian (with WE, not VS as I do not know how to use it effectivly) which is fun and challenging to navigate, but also makes for good gameplay and also allowing many tactics to be used in order to obtain the flag/wool. I think a good idea for this terrian would be:

1. Alpine landscape whith snowy mountains and a dense pine forest.

2. Hilly desert with the odd cave/oasis to use as cover.

Hiding loot and hints to the locations of wool would add an interesting twist to the game as well. I am only saying all this as I enjoy to make CTM and hardcore combat/survival maps and these technics of building and playing have proved rather fruitful in past experiences. Also I have made a peaceful map which includes a mutitute of games/tasks/places to explore. Overall I think I would be a very valuable member of the building team and I think it would be pleasurable experience too. FYI to anyone reading this, I am a guest on the Voxel Box. (I am trying my best to get White-Listed, but sometimes my time on the server is limited!)

Of course all of these are just suggestions. I just thought they might give some ideas for the creating side of the games. If needed, I will take up the role of being a moderater! Hope this helped!

[Jinzha]

Krossbow, I know you're trying to help, but keep the terraforming to experienced snipers and y'know... GET WLED! I'm not angry, you try very hard to help, but just prove you are worthy to be wled first.

Azul, my interest in this project is growing every second, but before I can think of anything at all, I would like a bit more explaination on how all the games you're planning are going to work. Just a couple of lines of info on each. I have never heard of most of them =P

Edit: Are we starting 27th of june, like in London, wonder if that'd be a plausible deadline, it should be possible right?

[krossbowkitty]

Krossbow, I know you're trying to help, but keep the terraforming to experienced snipers and y'know... GET WLED! I'm not angry, you try very hard to help, but just prove you are worthy to be wled first.

Azul, my interest in this project is growing every second, but before I can think of anything at all, I would like a bit more explaination on how all the games you're planning are going to work. Just a couple of lines of info on each. I have never heard of most of them =P

I know. I was mainly making the suggestion. Then snipers would carry out the task. Also, after all the planning is done, I am sure to be a member by then. Also, my time on the VB is quite limited, I can only go on 2 days a week (apart from my break last week).

[French_Fri]

Although I am just a guest, and a recent one at that, I have a few ideas for the river idea, Perhaps put natural VS arches? Or mabye a large waterfall to break up the terrain level? Organic serpents rising from the water? These are just shots in the dark but, they seem interesting enough to me

[Jinzha]

I like the ideas of adding awesome terrain and organix just to show off our stuff.

I just want Azul to tell me how some of those games work, cause I have no idea how some work.. Chicken fights? Cannon wars? Capture the flag/wool in MC? Crop wars? Etc.

Also; I was thinking about asking Block Fortress to design one of the stadiums? I can speak to him kind of regularly, though he might be busy. Ugh, I've never wanted my laptop so badly

Lastly, TESTIFICATE GOLF!

[johnsmom]

I'd be willing to help out as a project leader or a builder. This sounds like so much fun .

[krossbowkitty]

I will explain what I imagine these games are like.

Cannon Wars = Using TNT cannons, teams must us-... oh fuck... I'll just let this explain for me. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2pwkpNtpjE

Capture the Flag - How I imagine this would work is that there would be a peice of wool that was coloured so it stood out from the terrian. It would be placed in an open plain. I pressume each team would be supplied with some weapons and food. A fight would begin over the wool. One member of the team would carry the wool back to base and would be gaurded by some teamates. The bases would obviously differ in style to show off some of the Voxel Box's building skills. Using a plugin/redstone block dector (using repeaters and pistons) the team would then gaurd their base. The team who had the block in their base for the longest period of time would win. This is where my suggestions about landscape would come in.

Capture the wool - This is the same concept as CTF but instead, there are multiple peices of wool and the team with the most wool wins. CTF is more about defense and offense/tactical whereas CTW is more about offense/stealth. The others I either do not know or are pretty self explainitory.

I hope this answered your question Jin!

[AzulCaballero]

I like the ideas of adding awesome terrain and organix just to show off our stuff.

I just want Azul to tell me how some of those games work, cause I have no idea how some work.. Chicken fights? Cannon wars? Capture the flag/wool in MC? Crop wars? Etc.

Also; I was thinking about asking Block Fortress to design one of the stadiums? I can speak to him kind of regularly, though he might be busy. Ugh, I've never wanted my laptop so badly

Lastly, TESTIFICATE GOLF!

When work dies down and I get on a personal computer I'll ddfknatrly clarify the games.

If Block could design the small stadium that would be fine, however the large stadium and Olympic Village should be VB designed as they are major components and can show off our skill. Alternatively, he can collab with the large stadium design.

I'll also add Testie Golf later.

Peace

[Articsledder]

I suggest a downhill boat racing game. Me and several other members used to have some pretty fun and rather difficult races in the old Quercas canyon, I'm sure on a course designed with proper walls to prevent frequent crashes it would be a blast.

[croozee]

When work dies down and I get on a personal computer I'll ddfknatrly clarify the games.

Glad to hear that you'll ddfknatrly be clarifying how the games will be played.

[Captainscar]

I'm willing to record the Timelapse, I can also help with the building of the houses.

[Jinzha]

Hey Azul, I quickly put together an island design in my cube (still no laptop, so it was done on sister's pc with browser mc, default pack and no modpack). The island features everything you talked about, plus my and other's idea of epic terraforming, an organic and both modern and greek architecture. I have no idea if you have anything planned yet, if you have, I hope I can at least give you some new ideas.

/cube warp -p Jinzha, read all the signs and make sure to post here what you think please . You should ddfknatrly take a look!

[HansEmil]

I would be honored to film, but I cant film everything I think many people should film, so we get different angles

[riv991]

Sounds awesome. I'll be happy to build and i would love to film. Hope this goes ahead

[tiimmayy]

Sounds awesome. shame us Zah guys don't get a team - but i can see why - we'll just have to egg you from the stands

[SoulSoda]

The events will have to be organized, scheduled, and tallied ( perhaps with a google excel doc?)

not only that but events should be overlapping and teams should be constantly shifting from one area to another so people don't get bored and wander off.

of course when it comes to the big finale there will probably only be 2-4 teams left playing for glory.

I wouldn't mind visitors if they behave, but we have to be able to revert fast if they seem unsavory to the games.

Oh and i'd like to see this in protel, seems fitting in my opinion. but it'd probably be easier to just paste her in to a new area.

ah... one last thing.

some sort of Decathlon
10 events 1 person from each team. fighting in a series of tests for ultimate glory.

which means like
parkour
kyakin
magneto spleef
Ninja warrior redux? ( one mean obstacle course timed)
Deathmatch tournament
build off
labyrinth
minesweeper
Guitar hero?
Whack a mole?
golf?

other players would do these events too, but it'd be a one time deal versus keeping count.

[Jinzha]

The events will have to be organized, scheduled, and tallied ( perhaps with a google excel doc?)

not only that but events should be overlapping and teams should be constantly shifting from one area to another so people don't get bored and wander off.

I agree

of course when it comes to the big finale there will probably only be 2-4 teams left playing for glory.

Definately a big finale kind of thing. Probelm is, that'd force people to be online at a specific time, which is hard with timezones...

I wouldn't mind visitors if they behave, but we have to be able to revert fast if they seem unsavory to the games.

Maybe have people apply for visitor? Brent has suggested this in our minecraftforums.net topic.

Oh and i'd like to see this in protel, seems fitting in my opinion. but it'd probably be easier to just paste her in to a new area.

I dunno, I like having it on a seperated island, we wouldn't be forced to adapt to the style of a continent or Protel.

ah... one last thing.

some sort of Decathlon
10 events 1 person from each team. fighting in a series of tests for ultimate glory.

which means like
parkour
kyakin
magneto spleef
Ninja warrior redux? ( one mean obstacle course timed)
Deathmatch tournament
build off
labyrinth
minesweeper
Guitar hero?
Whack a mole?
golf?

other players would do these events too, but it'd be a one time deal versus keeping count.

+9001


This is only my opinion though, Azul is/will be making a plan on how to set it up I think.

[croozee]

I dunno, I like having it on a seperated island, we wouldn't be forced to adapt to the style of a continent or Protel.

Yes.

[SoulSoda]

thats a bit silly imo, the only issue is finding adequate space in protel.

I doubt this voxelympics will be done in anything but a modern feel. so no surprise if this winds up being chopped into protel/mechanicsburg after.