View source for Area-Building Contests

In some years, though not all, Avatar MUD's [[:Category: Immortals |immortals]] host area-building contests.  These contests are not normally held more often than once per year because hosting them takes much time and effort.

Normally, these contests are open to all Avatar players.  Also, normally, each entrant may submit only one [[:Category: Areas |area]] per contest.  Each contest's guidelines usually require all submissions to be within a certain [[Level |level]] range and, sometimes, within a certain geographical region of Avatar.

In each contest, each participant is normally given (1) a list of general guidelines and restrictions (such as area [[Level |level]] range) specific to that contest, (2) an electronic copy of the most-recent edition of The Avatar MUD Builders' Guide (Player Version), (3) a specific range of "vnums" to use in building his/her entry's [[:Category: Rooms |rooms]] and [[:Category: Mobs |mobs]] and [[:Category: Objects |objects]], (4) a program called ListArea that helps to troubleshoot [[:Category: Areas |area]] files for certain kinds of errors, and (5) a deadline to submit his/her entry.  Contestants are usually prohibited from giving their submission's [[:Category: Objects |objects]] either any [[Object Affects |affects flags]] or any [[:Category: Object Values |values]] for [[Cast |casting]] [[:Category: Spells |spells]], though they may provide recommendations for these; [[:Category: Immortals |immortals]] will add such [[Object Affects |flags]] and [[:Category: Object Values |values]] if and when contest submissions become permanent parts of Avatar.  All submissions become Avatar property and thus may be altered further by Avatar's staff without any notice to—or consultation with—their original authors.

Some time after this submission deadline has passed, all (functional) contest [[:Category: Areas |areas]] receieved will become accessible together from a temporary [[:Category: Hall Of Judging |Hall of Judging]] (or other such [[:Category: Areas |area]]) located somewhere in the realm so that Avatar's staff and players may explore them.  In weeks that follow, Avatar's staff will judge each of these [[:Category: Areas |areas]] and, eventually, announce a contest winner.  This winner's [[:Category: Areas |area]], along with selected other [[:Category: Areas |areas]], will then be slated to become permanent additions to Avatar while those that do not "make the cut" will eventually disappear forever.  Prizes are usually given to those who participate, to those whose submissions "make the cut," and/or to those who win.  Prizes vary by contest and may (or may not) include gains in [[:Category: Characters |character]] [[Level |levels]] or [[Quest Points |quest points]].

Contest participants who demonstrate great interest and talent in building [[:Category: Areas |areas]] may (or may not), at some point, be invited to join Avatar MUD's [[:Category: Builder Team |builder team]].


== 2004 Hero Area-Building Contest ==

This contest was held to develop new areas to replace [[:Category:New Thalos|New Thalos]] and the existing nearby coastal and oceanic regions. The theme was a tropical ocean, populated by a chain of single-area island similar to those found in Greek mythology (notably The Odyssey). Two overarching plot elements were featured heavily in most areas: pirates and [[Lord Audis]], the man who controlled all trade within the island and coastline. The following are the accepted entries:

 '''Name:'''                    '''Builder:'''       '''Level Range:'''   '''Map:'''      '''Judgment:'''
 Derelict's Domain        by Mringasa    [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category:Dragon's Atoll|The Dragon's Atoll]]       by S.Heart     [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Dragon's Atoll Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Dream Steppes|Dream Steppes]]            by [[User:Masamune|Masamune]]    [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Dream Steppes Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Gorn's Anchor|Gorn's Anchor]]            by [[User:Neyne|Neyne]]       [[Level|levels]] 42-46   ([[Gorn's Anchor Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Greed's Gallows|Greed's Gallows]]          by Yoyo        [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Greed's Gallows Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 Island of Helios         by [Z]         [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 Island of the Amazons    by XerXes      [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 Island of the Dragons    by Grizz       [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category:Island Of The Lost|Island of the Lost]]       by Meldur      [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Island Of The Lost Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 Isle of Lost Souls       by Draggie     [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category:Isle Of NaamBres'Shho|Isle of NaamBres'Shho]]    by [[User:Pico|Pico]]        [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Isle Of NaamBres'Shho Map|Map]])     ''winner''
 Isle of Shrewd           by MiNDeSTo    [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category:Lizard Island|Lizard Island]]            by Flinn       [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Lizard Island Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Pyrrus Island|Pyrrus Island]]            by Kenji       [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Pirrus Island Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Redtooth's Isle|Redtooth's Isle]]          by Imij        [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Redtooth's Isle Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 Shinwa Island            by Doolen      [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 Siren's Rock             by Mekrith     [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category:Tainted Isle|Tainted Isle]]             by Wiseman     [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Tainted Isle Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category:Verdant Isle|Verdant Isle]]             by Jaromil     [[Level|levels]] 51-51   ([[Verdant Isle Map|Map]])     ''runner-up''

The accepted areas were added in 2005. In addition to receiving their prize for having their area displayed in the [[:Category:Hall Of Judging|Hall of Judging]], the winner was given the honor of naming the new ocean, which is now known as the [[:Category:Sea Of Strayed Hopes|Sea of Strayed Hopes]]. [[:Category:New Thalos|New Thalos]], the coastal city of old, was replaced with [[:Category:Mervue|Mervue]] when the contest areas were finally implimented.


== 2005 Lowmort Area-Building Contest ==

This contest involved creating [[:Category: Areas |areas]] with up to 25 [[:Category: Rooms |rooms]]/[[:Category: Mobs |mobs]]/[[:Category: Objects |objects]] each for [[Level |levels]] 15-25.  Each contestant was to choose an appropriate location in Midgaardia for his/her submission.  Contestants were encouraged to build [[:Category: Areas |areas]] that were logical, creative, appropriate for [[Level |level]] 15-25 [[:Category: Characters |characters]], fun, and with a good storyline.  Entries were as follows:

 '''Name:'''                    '''Builder:'''       '''Level Range:'''   '''Map:'''      '''Judgment:'''
 Ash Canyon               by Enda        [[Level |levels]] 15-20
 Borley School of Music   by Vivaea      [[Level |levels]] 15-18
 [[:Category: Catacombs Of Solace |Catacombs of Solace]]      by Dani        [[Level |levels]] 21-25   ([[Catacombs Of Solace Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: Centaur Hollow |Centaur Hollow]]           by [[User:DaveGarber1975 |Yaxche]]      [[Level |levels]] 20-20   ([[Centaur Hollow Map |Map]])     ''winner!!!''
 Crypt of the Damned      by Erion       [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 [[:Category: Cryptid Hollow |Cryptid Hollow]]           by Ibn         [[Level |levels]] 20-25   ([[Cryptid Hollow Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 Dungeons of Undrehand    by Towner      [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 Feeding Grounds          by Jaromil     [[Level |levels]] 15-15
 Of Dice and Men          by Neuf        [[Level |levels]] 15-25  
 Fangclaw Island          by Tevildo     [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 Garden of Perathia       by [[User:Shadowtop |Shdwtop]]     [[Level |levels]] 15-22
 Hidden Spider Forest     by Anthem      [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 [[:Category: House Of Stone |A House of Stone]]         by [[User:Pico |Pico]]        [[Level |levels]] 43-45
 [[:Category: Laboratory Of Chalmus |Laboratory of Chalmus]]    by [[User:Waite |Waite]]       [[Level |levels]] 20-25   ([[Laboratory Of Chalmus Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 Mirlion's Cottage        by Mirlion     [[Level |levels]] 20-25
 The Mon-Keigh            by Pros        [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 [[:Category: Moss Village |Moss Village]]             by Becky       [[Level |levels]] 15-20   ([[Moss Village Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 The Proving Grounds      by Elonan      [[Level |levels]] 15-25
 [[:Category: Qass Tomb |Qass Tomb]]                by S.Heart     [[Level |levels]] 15-20   ([[Qass Tomb Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: S.S. Mutgar |The S.S. Mutgar]]          by Timond      [[Level |levels]] 10-15   ([[S.S. Mutgar Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: Thrall Swamp |Thrall Swamp]]             by [[User:KayeOsse |KayeOss]]     [[Level |levels]] 17-23   ([[Thrall Swamp Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: Tul-Sith's Hospice |Tul-Sith's Hospice]]       by Kyandra     [[Level |levels]] 17-22   ([[Tul-Sith's Hospice Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: Walking Woods |The Walking Woods]]        by [[User:Neyne |Neyne]]       [[Level |levels]] 15-20   ([[Walking Woods Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''
 [[:Category: Westwood Outlook |Westwood Outlook]]         by Quidt       [[Level |levels]] 15-18   ([[Westwood Outlook Map |Map]])     ''runner-up''

All winner and runner-up [[:Category: Areas |areas]] were added to Midgaardia in 2006 March, as was [[:Category: House Of Stone |A House of Stone]].  Some [[:Category: Areas |area]] [[Level |level]] ranges were changed at this time; this list above shows these [[:Category: Areas |areas]]' ''current'' [[Level |level]] ranges.


== 2011 Hero Area-Building Contest ==

[[:Category:Eragora |Eragora]] (multiple areas)


== 2018 Hero Area-Building Contest ==

Some notes from Pallidus:

 Greetings Avatarians!
 
 I'm hosting an area building contest starting May 1st.
 
 -This is a chance to build something fun but there are no guarantees that the areas will be incorporated as permanent parts of the realm
 -This contest will involve building standard Hero tier areas
 -The area size will be small (25 room max) unless I see a solid plan
 -There is no overarching theme for the areas
 -I would encourage you to build something that would integrate with an existing area in the event your area does get selected to become permanent
 -Any items in your area need to be vanilla. No stat bonuses, etc. If an area is added to the game, items will be revisited to determine their final stats

The following are the accepted entries:

 '''Name:'''                    '''Builder:'''       '''Level Range:'''   '''Map:'''      '''Judgment:'''
 [[:Category: Antharian Arena |Antharian Arena]]          by Ginta       [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category: The Tesseract |The Tesseract]]            by Xochitl     [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category: Ruin Of The Arcanists |Ruin Of The Arcanists]]    by Wiseman     [[Level|levels]] 51-51
 [[:Category: A Private Hell |A Private Hell]]           by Morda       [[Level|levels]] 51-51

These areas were added in early 2019. They were located off the lobby at Sanctum, 2e, u. In August/September of 2023 three areas were updated and moved to permanent homes and one area was removed (Antharian Arena).

[[Category: Events]]
[[Category: Hall Of Judging]]