There's a way to even the playing field though arieas.
Option 1. Limit the Engine!
We vote on a FREE engine or game library that can be used, it must either program with a common game language (like C++, Python, Java, or Perl). That way we can make sure that nobody's tearing up the contest with Torque while everyone else is using Crystal.
Option 2. Limit the models, animations, and graphics allowed!
Not the best idea, but the judges present a list of free or sponsered models to be used in the game. Contestants download and are only allowed to use those particular models and graphics. I don't like it because it would limit people a little too much.
Option 3. Limit the members per team!
Obviously someone with a degree in game design will most likely lose to some hobbiest with who studies C++ on the side...but then again there are also people who are just genius programmers, being able to not follow the rules taught can open many new doors in the world of programming. But either way, hobbiest or professional if you limit the number of team members it's never going to be an entire development team against 2 people.
If we limit the team members to 3, that means they have to have knowledge in programming, level design, animation, modelling, graphic art, and game concept. The more you limit the number the more multi-talented people have to be, professionals often aren't so we take most of them off our playground.
Just some hints, I've been through a lot of game development forums searching for ideas, tutorials, engines, etc. and I really like seeing the results from GIAD contests ^_^ this particular list is paraphraised from several posts in the Realmcrafter forums, just to give credit.
P.S:
I'm currently working on a model pack that'll include props like Gravestones, Buildings, Obelisks, and anything else I feel like putting in, maybe even some furniture. If this contest goes through it'll be completely free for the first prize winner.
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