[IF Art Show 2000] Rules
Marnie Parker
being posted later than I would like.
There will be only one IF Art Show in 2000, in March. The only
real change to the rules is that puzzles are now allowed.
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IF Art Show 2000
(or How to Build a Better Mouse Trap)
>You have entered a hushed art gallery with grey walls and
subdued lighting, except for the bright spotlights aimed at
pictures and various pedestals around the room. At first the
raised displays look like ordinary sculpture, but then you
notice the intriguing "Flash Gordon" ray gun in the center.
You glimpse lights flashing, hear rustling and discover even
more unusual forms: a Cubist futuristic booth and what
appears to be an outdoor setting, complete with storm
clouds rolling over wind tossed trees. It is only when you
spot the burly man in the flannel shirt chopping wood that
you fully realize that this is sculpture unlike any you have
imagined before.
These 3-dimensional displays are IF sculptures, modeled
with text.
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Purpose:
To explore the I in IF, the Interactivity* of Interactive-Fiction
(without the obscuring framework of too much structure). To
run one's hands over an "IF sculpture", TO EXPERIENCE
INTERACTIVITY AS A MEDIUM. In summary, this exploration
is intended to be two-sided: for you to explore the various ways
you can engage/involve the player to explore in turn.
* 3-dimensionality, experiential aspect, simulation or virtual
reality capability, tangibility, both descriptive and responsive
depth, effectively communicated sensory feedback
(kinetic/auditory/visual, etc.).
-------------------
Panel of Judges: The panel is not assembled yet, but there
will be one.
-------------------
This is a juried art show. Juried shows are judged BEFORE the
entries are shown to the public. Only the top four places are
awarded. All other entries are not ranked, but are put on display.
Best of Show
Any category for which there are three or more entries will
also have a best of category award.
Best of Still Lifes (Objects)
Best of Landscapes (Scenery/Rooms)
Best of Portraits (NPCs)
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Rules:
1. No graphics, sound files or ASCII art.
2. All entries must be original works. However, they may
be taken from an unreleased work in progress. Plagiarism
is frowned on.
3. "Playable" in less than 45 minutes. Shorter is usually better.
4. To make your exploration easier, and to isolate your entry
on a pedestal and/or put it into an artistic "frame", choose
one of the following:
Still Life - Object
Landscape - Scenery
Portrait - NPC
No maximum limit on number of items per category, but
fewer is better.
Other types of items (inventory objects, scenery, locations)
may be present to help support the selected category, except
interactive NPCs, which are solely for portraiture. To keep
your entry short and your focus tight, it is best for these
supporting items to also be few and "sketchy."
Remember: Judges will focus on how you present and
explore your choice, not on the "background." So you will
do yourself a favor if you avoid wasting time on extra items.
An excellent entry might have none at all.
You must specify which category (Object, Scenery, NPC)
you are entering.
5. Minimal plot and a restrained use of puzzles.
Plot - No overriding, compelling, "world saving" goal that
hurries players on, encouraging them to bypass experiences.
Introduction - Minimal or optional; to set the stage and
provide players with some motivation to explore.
Middle - Experiential.
Scoring - Optional; a "task achieved" score, to give
players an idea of when they have explored as much as
possible.
Ending - Minimal or optional; a finish to give players
closure.
Puzzles - Absolutely no "brain twisters". If players need to
figure out an object/conversation, it is recommended you
guide them to the appropriate action/topic with subtle hints
(not too subtle) in descriptions/responses.
Complicated Puzzles - It is recommended that
complicated/very complicated puzzles be made optional,
so players need not solve them to finish.
Remember: The entry with the cleverest puzzle(s) will not
be an automatic winner, judges will be looking for a
complete exploration of interactivity. For instance, a realistic
piece should implement a fair number of verbs in order to
avoid too many standard library responses.
>>>>>><<<<<<
>>> Stumping the player is not the goal. <<<
Encouraging exploration is.
>>>>>><<<<<<
6. It has been suggested the IF Art Show have a theme
each time. If you need something to further focus your
creative energies, envision the future. An invention
(Object), futuristic location (Scenery), or human/animal
scientific/social development (NPC) that will occur in
the new millennium. But because I am still of two minds
about a theme, it is not required.
7. All entries will be displayed at the IF Art Gallery for a
two-week show.
8. The deadline is Friday, March 24th, at midnight EDT
(Eastern Daylight Savings Time -- four am Saturday,
March 25th GMT).
Email your entry in a zipped file to doea...@aol.com.
9. Past IF Art Show entries and my "Visualizing" now
function as IF Art examples. To see how others have
defined "IF Art", visit:
http://members.aol.com/iffyart/gallery.htm
-------------------
Comments:
1. Is this IF Art?
Any exhibit/piece that fits into the above parameters is IF
Art. There is no one set way to do it or view it.
2. On "Art & Originality":
Don't feel required to be completely original. To quote
Picasso, "Good art borrows; great art steals." Quoting Luc
"Virgin Idea" French, "A distinction must be made
between 'stealing' and outright plagiarism. One involves
merely borrowing ideas; the other involves copying your
ideas from one source. If you're going to steal, do it in the
grand tradition of great art, take from as many people as
possible."
3. Do I need to use a pseudonym?
You may, but anonymity is not required.
4. Who Should Enter?
I, personally, hope experienced IF writers enter, because
I think this is a different, freeing approach to writing IF.
But newbies, and those who feel they will never write a
full-blown game because of the necessity of having to create
a plot and/or clever puzzles, are especially encouraged to
enter. To help us all explore the IF medium.
-------------------
"The medium is the message."
Marshall McLuhan,
"Understanding Media: The Extensions of Man"
Doe :-)
doea...@aol.com ------------------------------------------------
Inform Tips - http://members.aol.com/doepage/infotips.htm
IF Art Gallery - http://members.aol.com/iffyart/gallery.htm
IF Review Conspiracy - http://www.textfire.com/ifreview.html