The BibliOdyssey RPG Challenge

[Nathan P.]

(x-posted with Story Games)

Hey everyone!

So I wanna run a challenge!

This is one centers around.....

(drumroll)

ART! Specifically, old art that has been posted at the ever-wonderful BibliOdyssey

There is an official contest blog, and the rules can be found on it, here. They are also reproduced at the linked post on Story Games. The quick summary is that everyone assembles a set of 10 images from at least two different BibliOdyssey posts, and posts them as a set to the contest blog. Then, these image sets are randomly redistributed, and you have two weeks to write a game that is inspired by and incorporates those images. Finally, there is a round of peer review and scoring, and the winningist game in each of three categories gets bragging rights and dedicated playtest time from me (and probably, some of the Storygame Boston crew).

Questions and comments? This thread, the Story Games thread, and the comments on that blog page are all kosher.

So, get crackin! Image sets/declarations of entry are due by whenever I wake up next Saturday morning (2/10/07).

[Nathan P.]

Entries are closed. We have a bunch of great image sets, and I'm looking forward to what comes out of them. Thanks everyone!

[Nathan P.]

Here are the winners of the 2007 BibliOdyssey Design Challenge!

Best Integration Of Images: The City At The Edge Of Sleep, by Mike Addison, with a total average score in the category of 8/10. Followed by:

    * Troll Lands (7.
    * Once More (6.
    * In Inordinate Fondness & Dark Explorations (6)
    * Friends or Fortune & In Frankensteins Wake (5)

Most Playable: In Frankenstein's Wake, by Eric Boyd, with a total average score in the category of 8.5/10. Followed by:

    * An Inordinate Fondness (8.3)
    * Once More (7)
    * The City at the Edge of Sleep (6)
    * Friends or Fortune (5.5)
    * Troll Lands (4.6)
    * Dark Explorations (4)

Best Overall: In Frankenstein's Wake also had the highest score in the category, with a total average of 7.25. As a game cannot take more than one title, the next highest was a three-way tie! The City at the Edge of Sleep, An Inordinate Fondness and Once More all received a score of 7. As City at the Edge of Sleep is also ineligible, the official winners of this category are both An Inordinate Fondness, by Mark Villianatos and Once More, by Mendel Schmiedekamp! The other scores:

    * Troll Lands (5.6)
    * Friends or Fortune (5.5)
    * Dark Explorations (5)

Congratulations to Mike, Eric, Mark and Mendel! I look forward to playing your games!

The individual pages will be updated with their scores and review links real soon now. There's also a thread at StoryGames to talk about the winners, and the contest in general.

Thanks everyone!