I guess us guys aren't ready for it, but our kids are going to love it!

Our sims' kids, once we do the generations contest. XD

Here are some of the ideas I came up with (will go into detail later).

For every round of the contest, a choice between 3 or more lots with the same theme (eg. food: contestants can choose between a bakery, a grocery, a farmer's market, a franchise/restaurant, all on a specified lot size and all built so that it can be run as an owned business).

Custom Content: Windows, Doors, Arches, Fences and Stairs allowed - but contestants have to use the same ones in every round. Some cc will be allowed in each round (eg. a franchise sign for contestants who want to build a franchise).

Budget: I am going to make the budgets large enough in an effort to not curb creatiity and I am going to give noCC users a slightly bigger budget.

Lot size, number of playable floors and a list of what every lot must have will be given for every round. With playable floors, I mean that a lot may have (eg) 2 floors that forms the actual playable area. A landing for split stairs will be allowed, as will a foundation, roof things, etc.

Judging will be done on: Exterior look of the building, Interior layout and decor, creativity, playability and if all rules were followed.

It is still a contest, so rules are necessary, it levels the playing field a bit.

(For the next 2 days, I will not be around, we have an election here, and I am also involved in a bit of work after the election, but that is online, so I will be around, but should be able to look in at least once or twice a day).

What does it mean that "contestants have to use the same ones in every round"? Say I want to use specific CC stairs in one round but they don't fit the build I'm looking for in the next round, I still need to use it?

My idea is to keep the windows, doors and arches from the same set. Stairs won't matter. All of them are going to be community lots. There was quite a lot of suggestions, but using cc which is in some ways limited seemed to be popular. (I think using the same doors and windows from any set will make the lots look nice in one street or area myself - it is up to the contestant to decide which set). Of course, any contestant can use any content from the game as well.

Edit - I also thought it would be a wider choice than to specify just a single build set for all contestants to use.

So, if I understand correctly: if I choose to use CC doors and windows from, say, the Jazz Age set, in any round I choose to use CC doors and windows they have to be from the Jazz Age set? And if, for some reason, in one round I don't feel like they fit the look I can just use Maxis items?

Yes - that is the idea.

I'm not a builder. Never have been, so shout out to all the great MTS builders whose houses I've been using in my neighbourhoods over the years. I am, however, willing to offer my non-building skills as a judge, as long as there are clear guidelines. Like Phantomknight mentioned, I'd hate for someone to feel slighted if the guidelines are ambiguous.

I have checked basic arithmetic all week long, so glad I don't have to do that every day

I will be back next week to continue with this discussion and get a contest ready. I will need some help (i don't think I know how to add a timer ) and will also try to use as many of the workable suggestions as possible.

Since I want beginners to feel comfortable taking part, I am sticking to smaller community lots. Started preparing the contest, and will soon let you see what I have in mind.

Hi, Everyone!

I have worked out a guideline which is a bit easier to get and I think this is more or less how the final contest will look like.

I am thinking 4 rounds:

2 owned businesses
2 community lots (which may be owned or unowned, simply because all community lots can be owned).

4 Themes

1. Let's go shopping
2. Dining out
3. Culture is important too
3. Getting some exercise

(hopefully it will sound better, but these are the themes I am going with)

All custom content allowed. It is going to less work and hopefully more fun for contestants. I am rather going to give contestants bigger budgets.

Lot sizes may differ from round to round and will be on the smaller side.

Everything on the lot has to work, including the plants, if there are any.

I will not give everything away at the start; but contestants will be able to choose which theme they want to use for each round.

Rules will be clear and easy to follow and screenshots will have to meet MTS standards.

Please ask any questions you still have?

Thank you

I am working on this, hope to have a contest ready before the end of July.

There will be 4 rounds, a minimum of 10 contestants needed and the lots will be something like this:

1 owned business - a shop selling merchandise/services - will be a specialized shop, eg. a bakery/grocery/clothing store, etc. (You will have wide choice here).
1 owned business - a venue with a ticket machine. This will have to be a fun lot, like a swimming pool, a dancing hall, a casino, etc.
1 restaurant (any type)
1 Arts and Culture lot (eg. library, art gallery, etc).

Lot sizes and specific requirements will be given in every round.

Please let me know what you think?

Thank you!

Sounds great to me!

Agreed!! I would still LOVE to be a judge for a building contest this go-around and this seems like it could be a great way to restart contests in the community!

Still working on this!

Had a bit of a setback in my personal life - nothing serious, just 8 days without water (maintenance, they said, make provision for 3 days, they said).

Hope to get this contest going sooner rather than later.

Oh my goodness, that is a bit of a blow! That happened to us once, they darned near evacuated the city when it happened. I hope you are okay!

I am okay, just a bit exhausted from having to get water and - carry the containers. Thank you!

A bit stiff, as if I have run marathon or something

At least I have cleaned and done all the washing now - so tomorrow, I am going to stay in my bed and read

Hey everyone, is this contest still going to happen? Would be great!

I would still really like to do this, but my RL situation is a very abnormal at the moment and I don't know when it will be normal again. Hopefully sooner rather than later, but that is all I can hope for right now.

Nobody has to wait for me, though - if anyone want to host, feel free.

I have worked out the rounds (and improved them). If anyone wants to continue, I will gladly pass them on.

Maybe you could post them here for others to see? Maybe someone will have some ideas or be able to take it over. (I hope your RL situation is not too bad @Justpetro - I'm sure we will all be happy to wait for you if that's what you would prefer, after all this is really your baby!)

Thank you

I will see if I can post the contest rounds here this week. Feedback will be welcome in any case

My RL situation: I am personally fine - I am helping out somebody else and I don't mind. It is just that I don't have the free time I normally have).

Apologies for the double posting, this cannot be avoided.
I am going to post the concept, rules, info and the first (application) round here and will then wait for feedback before posting the next rounds.

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE BUILDERS

A SIMS 2 CONTEST – BEGINNERS WELCOME

We are going to build small business lots. (Contestants will need at least OFB and NL to be able to take part).
RULES:

1. SCREENSHOTS will have to meet MTS-guidelines (add link). Contestants will have to submit 1 screenshot of the front of the lot, one of each floor plan, one taken in-game to show the price and the lot size, and more to show off the rest of the lot.
You are allowed a total of 10 images per round.
All but the first image but be under spoiler tags.

2. For the application round, we will need at least 10 contestants in order to continue. There will be 4 rounds, and 2 weeks for contestants to build each lot. The application round will be judged and scored in the same way as the rest of the rounds.

3. No contestant will be eliminated.

4. Entries must meet all requirements, as set out in every round.

5. Custom Content is allowed without restrictions but not required.

6. Any building cheats allowed but not required.

7. All lots must be 100% playable. All plants must be accessible without mods. (Remember that shop owners don’t have time to do a lot of gardening, and the money for a garden may be better used for other expenses). Sims should be able to move around freely without stomping their feet.

8. Entries will be scored by experienced judges and their scores will be final.

9. Having fun is mandatory!

POINTS WILL BE AWARDED AS FOLLOWS (25 points per round).
1. Building skill – 5 points (the building, layout and floorplan).
2. Furnishing and Decorating skill – 5 points (This is for the inside of the lot – Is the inside decorated and furnished well and suited for its purpose)?

3. Playability – 5 points – (Does everything on the lot work? Can sims move around without foot stomping)?
4. Requirements – 5 points – (Does the lot meet all requirements)?
5. Outside and landscaping – Does the lot look inviting and interesting to potential clients passing by? Can they see what the shop is selling? Is it light enough at night?

APPLICATION ROUND – ROUND 1

PRODUCTION LINE – OWNED BUSINESS

Build a shop which produces its own merchandise, using a workstation from OFB or FT.
This is a specialist shop and does not sell anything else.
Buyable Objects by Huge Lunatic is here (add link).
BUDGET - 45000
LOT SIZE: 2x2

1. The building on the lot must have no more than 2 playable levels inside. That does not include the level outside if a foundation is used.
2. There must be a clearly visible open/closed sign which is also easy to reach by the owner.
3. The shop must have a staff room.
4. The shop must have at least one bathroom.
5. The shop must have at least one cash register.
6. The shop must have a separate space for production purposes. Customers should not be able to see the production area from the shop floor.
7. The shop must have OFB shelves, fully stocked.
8. There must be seating outside for sims waiting for taxis.
9. No entertainment for customers is allowed; this is a shop, not an entertainment venue.

I love the title and the concept!
I am thick in the middles of a DA playthrough (working my way towards Veilfire) so I am not 'building' right now.
But, I'd love to participate as a judge - if you need me? Just lemme know.

Posting Rounds 2, 3 and 4 (all rounds still provisional, and I may make some changes depending on the feedback. I would appreciate it if you can think of more types of lots in the different rounds as well).

ROUND 2
LUNCH OR DINNER – OWNED BUSINESS
Build a small restaurant with a theme of your choice where our builders can have a lunch (or dinner) break.
(It can be a franchise, a pizzeria, a hamburger joint, a normal one too, as long it looks good and is functional).
Small restaurants work quite well as owned businesses if they are small enough (not too small and if distractions (from getting seated by visiting sims) are kept to a minimum.
LOT SIZE – 2X2
BUDGET – 45 000
Rules:
1. The lot may not have more than 2 playable floors inside.
2. There must be a restaurant podium.
3. There must be a open/closed business sign.
4. There must be a neat and tidy kitchen with the restaurant stove in it and it must have the swing door.
5. There must be seating for at least 10 sims, at least 6 inside and 4 outside.
6. There must be at least 2 bathrooms.
7. There must be a wall speaker for music, if sims want to dance as well as 1 other fun object on the lot (just to let your sim stay long enough to get hungry again and order dessert).
8. There must be seating inside for sims who are waiting for a table
9. There must be a staff room or separate area that can be used by staff only.

ROUND 3
PAYING AN ENTRANCE FEE – LET’S GO SOMEWHERE!
Build a lot where sims can spend some of their free time, and where they must pay an entrance fee using the electro-ticket machine.
Lot Size – 2X3 (or 3X2)
BUDGET – 45,000
You can any of the following lots:
Art Gallery
Performance Theatre
Gym
Bowling Alley
Ice or Roller-skating rink

1. The lot may have no more than 2 playable floors inside.
2. Sims must pay at the entrance, using the electro-ticket machine
3. The main activity must be indoors; you may have secondary activities on the lot, e.g. a chess table, darts, etc – but it must be clear what the main activity is.
4. NO RESTAURANT is allowed on the lot. Food may be provided in other ways.
5. Snack machines are allowed.
6. Magazine racks, game racks allowed but will require a cash register.
7. A small office area for owner required.
8. A small staff room required.
9. Bathrooms must be adequate – e.g. a gym will need showers, while an art gallery may not.

ROUND 4
HOMEGROWN
LOT SIZE – 3X2 OR 2X3
BUDGET – 45 000

A Home Business on a Residential Lot. Design them together!

You have a choice between
1. Fruit and Veggies – a farm type of business. The lot must have at least 2 fruit trees on in and 3 garden plots. A greenhouse is not required (because it is expensive) but is allowed. A display object for the fruit and vegetables must be on the lot but does not have to be stocked.

2. Freshly caught Fish – a lot with a pond where fish can be caught. There must be a fence (with a gate) around the pond to stop customers from fishing. The shop must have a display case item (e.g. the decra chill or OFB shelves or a cc-item) to display the fish in. There must be some protection for sims having to fish in the rain, e.g. a small, roofed porch next to the pond.


3. A Nursery – selling plants, in this case plants from the garden. (Yes, you can mark those rose bushes and hydrangeas for sale, and sims will buy them too). The lot must have a designated area for the plants on sale, and there must be adequate space between plants for viewing and restocking. This business must sell pot plants as well and have at least 5 on display.


Rules for all lots in Round 4
1. The residence must be a house with at least 2 bedrooms and 1 bathroom.
2. The residence must be fully furnished.
3. The residential area and business area must be clearly separated.
4. The business must have its own entrance, with a open/closed sign.
5. The business must have a cash register.
6. The business must have its own phone.

I love these rounds! I would love to enter, or be a judge (whichever needed).

Build it and they will come!