Building Contest 2014 Notice

[Neashaleigh]

Sorry to hear about this. I know I haven't entered all of the contests since I joined, but one of the reasons I stopped entering was because I was feeling really discouraged. It gets hard to see the same couple of people winning all the time and makes me think "why bother?". Don't get me wrong, those who do win have amazing entries and I don't begrudge them at all, but it seemed like it became more about how many friends we could get to vote for us and less about what the contest was about.

That's just my opinion. I did have an idea on how to make it fairer, but that also seems pointless now that the contests are closed.

My apologies for not saying anything sooner. I've been very unwell, with no signs of getting better, and busy with other things in life as well.

I want to say a big thanks to Samoht, Ausette and Lilygirl for your hard work. You contest themes have always been amazing, challenging and fun, and I have thoroughly anjoyed creating entries for your competitions.

~Neasha

[samoht04]

Sorry to hear about this. I know I haven't entered all of the contests since I joined, but one of the reasons I stopped entering was because I was feeling really discouraged. It gets hard to see the same couple of people winning all the time and makes me think "why bother?". Don't get me wrong, those who do win have amazing entries and I don't begrudge them at all, but it seemed like it became more about how many friends we could get to vote for us and less about what the contest was about.

That's just my opinion. I did have an idea on how to make it fairer, but that also seems pointless now that the contests are closed.

My apologies for not saying anything sooner. I've been very unwell, with no signs of getting better, and busy with other things in life as well.

We did notice the same people did win a lot, using the simple poll system alone there isn't any way of stopping that. Do PM us your idea though, it would be good to see. Due to the low participation though it will often result in the same people winning. I'm sorry it discouraged you, I had hoped really that the contest aspect wouldn't be as big as the participating for fun aspect but I understand.

Sorry to hear you're unwell Neashaleigh, I hope things do improve soon!

If anyone did or does have ideas on improvements for anything about the contests please do keep PMing me them, if we did decide to bring them back then I would need these ideas.

[Blossom]

I'm new to the forum and enjoyed looking at the past challenges. I even found inspiration in some of them.

That being said, I'm going to be a butinski, and hope its not too out of place.

It seemed unfair for those who were just starting to build to have to compete against those who've built for years. Maybe separating the entries into regular or advanced? I know it's hard to do when there are just a few, but there might be more beginners if they felt more optimistic.

Not everyone has all of the expansion and stuff packs. (I prefer store content to stuff packs myself, as I can see exactly what I'm getting before I buy it). Disallowing store and custom content really stacks the favor in those who do.  Maybe allowing a maximum amount of store/custom content per entry instead, and requiring a list of all items including in-game cost.

It would be nice if there wasn't a limit to the maximum pictures you could post. Pictures should be displayed on a photo sharing site instead of in the thread.

Don't lock the thread against posting. There's already a new thread for each competition, why not let people discuss it? Sometimes collaboration can add to the fun, and if it helps someone out, that's what the challenges are really for, isn't it?  Entries would just need to be marked as such.

What if the winner was based on both a poll and a judging system?  That way, if everyone votes for someone who didn't follow the rules, those who did still have a chance.

Those are just a couple of thoughts from an outsider...

[samoht04]

That being said, I'm going to be a butinski, and hope its not too out of place.

No it's fine, new opinions are always welcome and could help in the future should the contests come back.  Welcome to the forum by the way!

It seemed unfair for those who were just starting to build to have to compete against those who've built for years. Maybe separating the entries into regular or advanced? I know it's hard to do when there are just a few, but there might be more beginners if they felt more optimistic.

It's not so much a lack of beginners but a lack of more experienced builders. If there were more people taking part then we would have seriously considered the different categories but we rarely had more than 6 entries and it just wouldn't be worth while for the additional work. We hoped that one of the main things about the contests would be people wanting to take part and challenge themselves, not to only enter if they felt they stood a chance at winning.

Not everyone has all of the expansion and stuff packs. (I prefer store content to stuff packs myself, as I can see exactly what I'm getting before I buy it). Disallowing store and custom content really stacks the favor in those who do.  Maybe allowing a maximum amount of store/custom content per entry instead, and requiring a list of all items including in-game cost.

Content allowed in the game has always been an issue, we have to draw the line somewhere and it was decided that store content was that line. Obviously we can't make everyone have a level playing-field, even those who prefer store content may have the modern sets when it could be a traditional theme etc. The maximum idea is certainly an interesting solution, if we do bring the contests back then we would definitely work on trying to find something more balanced.

It would be nice if there wasn't a limit to the maximum pictures you could post. Pictures should be displayed on a photo sharing site instead of in the thread.

Pictures are part of the challenge, you have to sell your entry in so many pictures. As for the thread we are limited by forum rules for that one. Rather than give us four pictures of a bedroom you have to choose the one that would make someone want to vote for you or download that house. We did have every entry attach the file, if you wanted to see the house more you can always download it.

Don't lock the thread against posting. There's already a new thread for each competition, why not let people discuss it? Sometimes collaboration can add to the fun, and if it helps someone out, that's what the challenges are really for, isn't it?  Entries would just need to be marked as such.

Yes the challenges were to help people improve and practice their building but at the same time it was a contest and each entry had to be one persons sole work. That and some people might not want feedback on their entry, especially when the contest is still open to entries. Once an entry is submitted it can't be altered, so it would give others an advantage to see what potential voters thought. We also wanted to keep the threads relatively tidy at the start with only entries, questions or answers then followed by comments etc. What do you mean "marked as such"?

What if the winner was based on both a poll and a judging system?  That way, if everyone votes for someone who didn't follow the rules, those who did still have a chance.

Yes, one of the main changes should the contests come back will most likely be judges.

[Blossom]

I like this, I think that this is a great discussion!

It's not so much a lack of beginners but a lack of more experienced builders. If there were more people taking part then we would have seriously considered the different categories but we rarely had more than 6 entries and it just wouldn't be worth while for the additional work. We hoped that one of the main things about the contests would be people wanting to take part and challenge themselves, not to only enter if they felt they stood a chance at winning.
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Yes the challenges were to help people improve and practice their building but at the same time it was a contest and each entry had to be one persons sole work. That and some people might not want feedback on their entry, especially when the contest is still open to entries. Once an entry is submitted it can't be altered, so it would give others an advantage to see what potential voters thought. We also wanted to keep the threads relatively tidy at the start with only entries, questions or answers then followed by comments etc. What do you mean "marked as such"?

Just to play devil's advocate... Wouldn't you attract more advanced entries if people didn't feel as if they were entering a beginners challenge?  Also, even though most of your entries were beginners, the more advanced entry always won. 

An aspect of the challenges you seem to be missing is community.  If the point of the challenges is not only to try to win, but to foster creativity and improve building skills, then your missing the key aspect of community.  This can only be gained if you let go of a few of the rules.  For example, I recently started participating in TheSims3 forum's Build & Share Challenges, and I didn't know what category to enter (beginner, intermediate or advanced).  So, I asked, and received a lot of support from the community.  I made a comment that my roofing skills were not where I'd like them, and someone posted a link to a tutorial (that was actually helpful).  Another newbie felt discouraged after the last competition because she was just beginning and felt the advanced entries were so advanced, she could never be as good.  She posted her discouragement and received tons of support and encouragement from the community to keep going. 

If the forums were locked against posting then none of that would have happened.  My roof wouldn't have been as nice (though it was still very flawed).   I didn't copy and nobody told me what to do, but the community was helpful.  That girl would have felt discouraged and would have completely stopped participating.  It would have been much worse if her entry was being judged in the same category as the advanced entries.  Based on some of the previous posts in this very thread, it seems that similar discouragement happened here too (though for different reasons), which decreased your participation.

I understand wanting to keep things clean, that is very important.  As it is, the B&S thread is one giant thread for every single challenge, and it seems a bit of a disaster.  You do make separate threads for each challenge, which would help.  Another thought is to create a discussion thread.  This would help foster the community you need, while keeping your entry threads neat and clean. 

By "marking as such" I meant each entry needed to have a "form" with a caption marking the post as an entry.  This is not important if you only have entries in the thread.

[samoht04]

Just to play devil's advocate... Wouldn't you attract more advanced entries if people didn't feel as if they were entering a beginners challenge?  Also, even though most of your entries were beginners, the more advanced entry always won. 

Still the main thing is that there simply are very few active builders on this forum whatever skill level. I know what you mean about the same people winning but that is the result of the poll and I'm not sure if a judging panel would also still favour the more experienced builder as well perhaps.

An aspect of the challenges you seem to be missing is community.  If the point of the challenges is not only to try to win, but to foster creativity and improve building skills, then your missing the key aspect of community.  This can only be gained if you let go of a few of the rules.  For example, I recently started participating in TheSims3 forum's Build & Share Challenges, and I didn't know what category to enter (beginner, intermediate or advanced).  So, I asked, and received a lot of support from the community.  I made a comment that my roofing skills were not where I'd like them, and someone posted a link to a tutorial (that was actually helpful).  Another newbie felt discouraged after the last competition because she was just beginning and felt the advanced entries were so advanced, she could never be as good.  She posted her discouragement and received tons of support and encouragement from the community to keep going. 

I'm sure our community would respond similarly if someone wanted that encouragement. I always saw such great comments and advice for people to improve on and I am sure that builders did find that feedback useful. We are a smaller community here and you can't expect everything to be the same.

If the forums were locked against posting then none of that would have happened.  My roof wouldn't have been as nice (though it was still very flawed).   I didn't copy and nobody told me what to do, but the community was helpful.  That girl would have felt discouraged and would have completely stopped participating.  It would have been much worse if her entry was being judged in the same category as the advanced entries.  Based on some of the previous posts in this very thread, it seems that similar discouragement happened here too (though for different reasons), which decreased your participation.

I see your point about allowing the commentary, at the time it seemed like a good idea and nobody came forward with any reasons against it. Perhaps if we brought them back we would be more relaxed on the comments.

I understand wanting to keep things clean, that is very important.  As it is, the B&S thread is one giant thread for every single challenge, and it seems a bit of a disaster.  You do make separate threads for each challenge, which would help.  Another thought is to create a discussion thread.  This would help foster the community you need, while keeping your entry threads neat and clean. 

That's an interesting idea for sure, what sort of discussion would you be wanting though - as in commenting on entries already posted or advice on something that could be in an entry? (Like post a picture of something you're thinking of putting in)

By "marking as such" I meant each entry needed to have a "form" with a caption marking the post as an entry.  This is not important if you only have entries in the thread.

Oh right I understand.

Just to stress to everyone - do always keep posting or sending in your comments or ideas. I personally do want to bring them back at some point but without interest from the forum they won't come back.

[Blossom]

Pictures are part of the challenge, you have to sell your entry in so many pictures. As for the thread we are limited by forum rules for that one. Rather than give us four pictures of a bedroom you have to choose the one that would make someone want to vote for you or download that house. We did have every entry attach the file, if you wanted to see the house more you can always download it.

When I'm looking online for inspiration, I'm usually using a tablet instead of a computer.  It's impractical to browse through a thread full of so many pictures.  I understand if your bound by forum rules to keep the pictures on this site instead of Photobucket, that it's beyond your control.  In the same vein, if I'm using a tablet to browse the submissions and submit my vote I can't download the houses.  It's not that I wouldn't, at another time. Also, I don't have all of the expansion packs (I don't have UL or ITF) or any stuff packs.  If I download an entry that does have those, then I wouldn't be able to see the original creation.  This would be a bit of a disappointment. 

Four pictures of a bedroom can be a bit much, but if the bedroom is large or has a lot of architectural features, it might be what you need to accurately show your work. Especially if the design is open concept.  The space might be one technical room that contains the kitchen, dining, living, etc...  I guess for me, its just that I really enjoy browsing through pictures.

My point here is that photos are more universal and would help level the playing field.

[Blossom]

I'm sure our community would respond similarly if someone wanted that encouragement. I always saw such great comments and advice for people to improve on and I am sure that builders did find that feedback useful. We are a smaller community here and you can't expect everything to be the same.
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I see your point about allowing the commentary, at the time it seemed like a good idea and nobody came forward with any reasons against it. Perhaps if we brought them back we would be more relaxed on the comments.

I am not saying that I want your challenges and setup to be the same as theirs.  Then there would be no point in you having your own challenges because it would just be the same as someplace else.  I'm just trying to take the best aspects of both and combine them into something even greater.  I wasn't saying that the community here isn't supportive or great, just that with the posting restrictions there wasn't opportunity for it to shine.  Generally small communities are very tight knit and supportive.

That's an interesting idea for sure, what sort of discussion would you be wanting though - as in commenting on entries already posted or advice on something that could be in an entry? (Like post a picture of something you're thinking of putting in)

Any, both, all of the above?  It would just be a place for the community to shine.  People could ask for advice, or comment on submitted entries, they could talk about their inspiration or express confusion with the topic. 


Your challenges seem to be more relevant to the architectural world of today, as well as more creative (steampunk, witch's tower, etc...) than challenges on other forums.  I would absolutely love to participate if they came back.

[Neashaleigh]

This is very good discussion. I have enjoyed reading it and I think some very valid points have been addressed. In response to something Samoht said... I also wish the contests to come back, but I agree there needs to be some changes. Blossom has some great ideas that can be worked upon I think.

As I said, I have been very discouraged in my entries. But I also seem to have hit a bit of a wall with my building as well. And actually, I haven't played the Sims or even built anything for a few months now. But if I had a reason.... I would plunge right back into it again. Building in the Sims is my passion more than playing, and I feel like part of my creativity has dried up somewhat with no reason to keep at it.

I do like Blossom's idea of a beginner, intermediate and advanced contest. I realise that's more work, but instead of having them all running at the same time, they could alternate, or have 2 at a time or something.

I also chafe at not being able to use store content. I understand the reasons for not using custom content because people can give the file for others to download the house. But maybe... occasionally having a contest that relaxes the rules on store content might also generate some interest with those who, like me, feel a bit stifled by the restrictions.

Just an idea anyway. I'll be watching this thread now with more interest.

[Tandrael]

Oh Samoht, how come there will be no building contests this year!? Remember I wrote to you and told you about a problem I had not finding my saves? Well, that problem is solved -had to unistall and install everything again- but I so wanted to participate! Aw, what a shame!

[smilesdude98]

I, too, am sad to see these go. I loved seeing all the entries, and I would like to thank Ausette, Lilygirl, samoht, and every participant for all of their work on these contests.

I always intended to participate myself; however, time was always of the essence. It seems that was a common problem among the community, from what I've read in this thread. I think if the contests lasted for month(s) instead of just a week or two, it would give those of us with less time available for simming a chance to participate. It could start out with a sort of registration window where people can commit to participating, then be open to submissions for a much longer period of time. I don't know how the logistics of that would work, but I think it would open up a lot of possibility.

An aspect of the challenges you seem to be missing is community.  If the point of the challenges is not only to try to win, but to foster creativity and improve building skills, then your missing the key aspect of community...make separate threads for each challenge, which would help.  Another thought is to create a discussion thread.  This would help foster the community you need, while keeping your entry threads neat and clean.

I wasn't saying that the community here isn't supportive or great, just that with the posting restrictions there wasn't opportunity for it to shine...[A separate discussion thread] would just be a place for the community to shine.  People could ask for advice, or comment on submitted entries, they could talk about their inspiration or express confusion with the topic.

I really like the idea of a separate discussion thread! It would be a really nice place to get encouragement or feedback. I don't know any of the other builder's experience, but I always felt a little discouraged when I didn't receive any feedback on some of my submissions to the Swap Shop. I think a place where feedback (even criticism) is really encouraged would help people improve their skills and be able to compete with the more advanced builders.

I do like Blossom's idea of a beginner, intermediate and advanced contest. I realise that's more work, but instead of having them all running at the same time, they could alternate, or have 2 at a time or something.

I also chafe at not being able to use store content. I understand the reasons for not using custom content because people can give the file for others to download the house. But maybe... occasionally having a contest that relaxes the rules on store content might also generate some interest with those who, like me, feel a bit stifled by the restrictions.

I think these are both really great ideas! I think they could even work together: in a beginner's contest you could do base content only; while in the advanced contest all official content could be allowed. The intermediate would be somewhere in between; perhaps having a content limit by either number of items and/or specific items only.

This would probably mean a lot more work, but with the longer time-frames, I think it would work out to still be manageable and worth everyone's time. Especially if it encourages wider participation.

[Kochou1331]

I have to agree with the sentiments here.  I'm guilty of only entering one contest, mostly as it ran when I had shingles (and was therefore off work) and was over a year ago, when my computer was still functional.  I can now run Sims 3 on my husband's PC, but time is still of a premium.  Perhaps Smilesdude98's suggestion of committing by a set date, then having a deadline a few weeks off would better.  I know I can only steal maybe 2 hours of gaming a week if I'm lucky with my schedule: knowing I can commit to a contest and work on it over time, as well as discuss ideas about it somewhere on the board, would be a powerful motivator for me to try more contests.

Regardless, kudos to the wonderful team that ran so many of them.  They always inspired me to try new building ideas!

[Shewolf13]

Aww, I too am sad to see the contests have ended.  Thank you to Ausette, samoht, and Lilygirl, as well as to all those who actually entered.  I've never entered a contest for a couple reasons: timing.  I somehow always seemed to miss certain deadlines or what-have you due to work and real life.  The other reason that kept me from entering is that when it comes to building, I go in cycles.  For a while, all I'll do is build.  But then it slacks off and that's when I play.  Because of this and my difficulty in getting things to look how I want them, I was always a bit leery in entering.  Not that winning is everything, but the thought of entering something that isn't what it could be against others who are quite a bit more talented/experienced just always made me nervous.  This, combined with the lack of time, just kept me from entering.  And as others have said, the prohibition against store content.  I tend to use it rather heavily because of theming (for example, the castle set/Dragon Valley for castles or medieval themed buildings).

I do agree with a number of blossom's suggestions.  The discussion thread in particular I think would be a welcome addition.

[miricats]

Hi!

I rarely participated because of the time constraints of the building contests -- by the time I'd find the challenge (didn't check that often, I'll admit), it was usually already over or almost over.

I would also suggest that a way to make the polling more even would be to create a username for contest entries only and people would log into that to post their entries, so all the entries appear from the same username.  Alternately, users could pm their entries and they would be posted by one of the mods -- that would also help eliminate the popularity contest aspect.

If they came back and were more time-relaxed, I might participate occasionally -- though I'll admit my building and decorating style isn't conducive to most of the contests.

[Lisa46]

I think that if the contests were more long running I would join for sure. I'm not a great builder but I love trying...