Let us talk about contests
 

I have always enjoyed taking part in building contests. (I never won any, but I learned a lot and all of them were fun).

The contests used to be quite popular and when @Zarathustra launched one a while back, I was very excited. Unfortunately, there were not enough contestants for the contest to continue and since then, nothing has happened.

Some of us thought starting a discussion about contests may be helpful, because some of us want contests back Of course, I am interested in a building contest, but hopefully it will be the start of all kinds of contests, like there used to be!

THEMES OF CONTESTS

(some of these have been used, but it was ages ago) that I personally like for building contests are the following:

1. Owned Businesses.

These will have to be rather small, so that a sim business owner can afford it? Apart from a bakery and a grocery, perhaps a shop specializing in something (I had a very successful business selling lights in my own hood once). The contestant builds 5 businesses in 5 rounds for sims to own.

2. Nightlife plus.

The contestants build 5 lots in 5 rounds for sims who want to go out, whether it is a family restaurant, a sport venue, a nightclub, an art gallery or a community spa.

3. Building styles/architecture.

Contestants build 4 residential lots and a community lot in the same style (of their choice) eg. Victorian, Tudor, Art Deco, etc.

RULES

The basic rule, with some adjustments by different hosts, in past contests have worked quite well and I don't believe in fixing something that isn't broken.

CUSTOM CONTENT

In the first rounds, there will always be a budget limit - eg. your lot must not be more than 30 000 (or whatever) Simoleons. Custom content is often cheaper than vanilla content and that, imho, makes it a bit unequal. It is because of that that there used to be some bonus points for builders not using cc.

A decision should be taken on: 1. no custom content 2. Limited custom content (say 3 items per lot) 3. any custom content but bonus points for a vanilla build (how many points? 2 or 3 perhaps)? Or 4. A list of allowed cc decided on by the host (eg. Honeywell's Bespoke build set)? Please make your suggestions.

CONTEST SCHEDULE

How long should a contest run? I think there are set rules, but I know some contests have run for longer (hosts are allowed, it seems, to take into account contestants ending up in hospital and other unfortunate events, and they do happen). There has always been a reserve judge, though, so the judging could take place when all the entries were in.

Personally, I think contestants should have one week to submit an entry, and judges should have one week to judge it. That means a contest will run around 10 weeks? I also think the timetable should be stuck to despite any unfortunate events.

YOUR INPUT IS IMPORTANT HERE.

We would love your feedback. Tell us what you think about the themes, the rules, the timetable, anything that excites or bothers you. Please see a bit of discusson here:

https://modthesims.info/showthread....5#startcomments

The idea of a contest has already been approved

Tagging some simmers, but EVERYONE is invited to join in this discussion, we need all of you to make a success of this.

@simsample @Yvelotic2001 @joandsarah77 @Zarathustra @Charity @LauraPamplonaS

Yes please. I like all sorts of contests - well except ones that require many generations, with lots of rules. So guess I should say I like contests if they are quick. Also strange/horrible.
As for architecture, it's the CC that is problematic. With NO CC the only thing interesting is if layout and Maxis content are unusual. I really LIKE to see CC, it makes a house interesting, and in a period house (as Tudor or MSM) the furnishing makes it come to life. For me, I would like truly authentic architecture, which would require a few CC, with pictures of a fully furnishes house (which would require way too much CC- which I would like links to!), and available unfurnished. So I would like to have contests that specify "no CC", or "limited CC', rather than a point system.
So what would you actually be judging? Functionality? Eye appeal? Architectural correctness?- I would love to see that.
PS: my personal style is function; so when I make a house for my family that will be over 20 sims & pets, it ain't pretty, but it works.

To be honest, I would suck at a building contest. I avoid building as much as I can. I download pre made homes and even use the Maxis ones. XD

But if you need help setting things up then I'm game.

I used to love contests, but I prefer taking pictures of sims more than lots (or building lots - not my thing, really), so I'm more in favor of picture-taking (scenery, sims and such), modelling (ish, anyway), or storytelling contests. But everyone has their peferences

I also prefer not too many rounds. I've often seen that the more rounds there are, the fewer people are left at the end of the contest. You're binding to a time schedule, and while it can seem to work at the start of the contest, people tend to get busy with their lives. 1-3 rounds seem to be fine most of the time, but would absolutely see how much interest there is before adding more rounds, especially if there aren't a lot of contestants. 2+ months is quite long to run a contest, and you could risk losing contestants just from the time alone.

CC/no-CC... Depends on the type of contest. I get the no-CC/limited-CC for building (although I do think CC adds some interest - maybe limited/MM could work?), but feel anything with sims and scenery would be a bit boring or same-y without at least some CC. I prefer using CC.

I have so much CC that I wouldn't be interested in something without it or restricted. Too much work and less options.

Regarding custom content, I see the problem with the pricing and it's something that bothers me even when playing for myself and not in a contest - some items are simply way too cheap compared to their "peers", especially those that cost 1 simoleon. So maybe either limit CC to, for example, build mode stuff, or have contestants ask the judges if they can use specific items, though that would be more effort than just a blanket limited/forbidden list. Bonus points for vanilla build I don't think would work very well as you'd be limiting what you can do with the build and maybe end up with a lower score than if you had just taken the penalty (as I like to say, if the penalty is a fine then it's only a crime for the poor).

As for scheduling, is it necessary for judges to have a full week of judging before the next round starts? Can't the next round and the previous round's judging overlap and that would save some time? Granted, I don't remember how it was done in previous contests. Maybe 4 rounds is the sweet spot to make it not too short and also not lose too much enthusiasm from the contestants.

I don't really like the owned business theme but that's just a matter of personal preference since those lots would be on the cheaper side when I prefer to go wild while the nightlife and building styles ideas give more flexibility when it comes to the price tag. As an added bonus, both of those would "force" me to actually resume projects I started ages ago.

How can you have the next round's judging if you don't know who made it through from the previous round yet?

So long as it's not an elimination bracket or something like that, you can absolutely have contestants starting on the next round while judging is still going on for the previous one. I think that's a pretty compelling argument in favor of scoring with a point system, that way you're not going to be losing contestants by design every round.

And as far as CC, I'm coming from a different side than many people since I make a point of not using it, but I also wouldn't want to see it banned in a contest. I think the approach that's been used before of awarding a nominal amount of bonus points for a no-CC entry works well - not so much that it's going to be a huge swing in the evaluated scores, but enough that it somewhat counterbalances the advantage of using CC, and evens the playing field (obviously it depends on how a particular contest gets set up to determine the best balancing here)

I also agree that too big of a contest is probably not the best way to draw back crowds (I think that was one of the biggest reasons my Olympics contest flopped), I wonder about even just doing single room design somehow, rather than a full lot. (Unfinished idea- would something like the TV show "Chopped" work, where for each round you're told what type of room (living room, kitchen, bedroom, etc.) you're designing, and then given a short list of items (some simple and straightforward, others strange to require more creativity) you have to include somehow?)

I don't mind if CC is included or banned.

Previous contests I have really enjoyed have been the ones with a bit of a story to them. I absolutely LOVED the renovation contest but it was a very complex one. I agree that smaller is likely to be more realistic.

I am not competitive, so for me the scores are not hugely important, though it's nice obviously to receive praise! I think my favourite things about contests in the past have been seeing the feedback that people get around their builds which helps me to improve my own builds in the future, and that sort of "creativity within constraints" because I find that is the best kind for me. Too open-ended, and I get overwhelmed with options. Too constrained and I might not like the theme.

I think I would prefer two weeks to build and I think overlapping is OK, but I have not been a judge so not sure of the logistics of this.

I like the idea of businesses. I don't have enough owned businesses in my game and I never really know where to start with them.

That's not how contests (or at least the ones I took part in) usually work here. Contestants take part in each round and they get a cumulative score that eventually decides the winner like a league format, not a cup-style contest.

Thank you, all of you!

Remember that my suggestions above are just suggestions! I want you to make more, and improve on mine!
 
@grammapat - I am not against using cc myself (I have done so in previous contests) It is important for me to take everything all of you have said into account. When it comes to certain architecture, I agree 100% that the vanilla game is far too limited. The challenge is rather in trying to make it as fair to every contestant as possible. As for what will be judged: normally: building skills, decor, landscaping, playability, etc. Depending on the contest, there may be something else. And then, of course, the rules must be followed.

@Yvelotic2001 - The time for the judges imo will depend on the number of entries. The suggestion for a week is only a suggestion and it can be made shorter. (Judging is quite hard, I have only been a judge once, but the entries were so similar that it does take extreme scrutiny to decide which one wins. I was quite happy to see that I was in line with the more experienced judges ).

@Charity - as I said, I am mostly interested in building contests, but there have been no contests for a very long time, and I want to start somewhere It will also be interesting to know what non-builders would like to see and may want to download!

@simsfreq - I have never minded not winning a contest, I honestly had a lot of fun! The first time I entered a building contest, I knew absolutely NOTHING. I may never win a contest, but I learned a lot, think I made some friends in the building community and in the end could build my custom hoods too. It is a rewarding experience whether one wins or not.

EDIT: Nobody is eliminated during contests, as Zar says above. At the end the winner will be the one with the highest total score.

CC is only unfair if you have a price limit and people try and get around that with cheap CC. If the sky's the limit then everyone has a level playing field.

I would like to see contests for community lots; although, again, CC and mods "make" the lots, and I don't know that I could come up with 5 ideas. I can see how it gets complicated; I think my lots are unique, and I would love to see other lots (or, as suggested, just single ROOMS!) decorated with unlimited CC, with a theme or story. But how to judge?! I would NOT be interested in MAXIS...or wait, I am fascinated by the Maxis build by the Great Z!

That is partly true, but past contests had price limits (getting more expensive in each round, while there is normally no limit in the final round). It does make it more of a challenge to fit your lot within the price range.

I think it is possible to do something that will allow contestants to use enough cc without it being unfair on anyone. You don't have to come up with any ideas, we can have a poll later on. Just a single room, imo, is not a building contest - that should fall under something else.

There have been a great variety in previous contests and I would like to have something interesting myself. As I ponder owned businesses, not all of them will have to be cheap or small, after all Malcolm Landgraab could afford a very expensive one! And community lots - something I use all the time in my own gameplay - will always be a particular favourite of mine.

While I love the idea of contests I don't love building so many builds within the time frame of one. I tend to be a slow builder, and my builds are few and far apart. Even my last build, the hobby lot, took me a few weeks.
I didn't enter the last build contest as it felt too much but I did agree to judge. I don't mind judging if there is a judging sheet set up so we can put in numbers but I never know what to say in the comments.

CC free is much harder which is why I would always give bonus points for not using CC. The game is handicapped when it comes to cohesive sets and colours.
Anyone can grab a CC set and decorate quickly with it knowing that the pieces and colours will all match. When the person gets praised for that CC bedroom they are really being praised on their choice of CC. Unless they actually made the CC, using only Maxis takes a lot more thought and skill which is why I always felt it should be get a bonus point, just for the effort.

I would want small builds if I were to enter.

Hi! Thank you for tagging me!

I am rather "new" in mts, so I never got to participate in one of the past contests. Therefore, I am not so familiar with the way things are run and all, but I would love to be a participant. I would really like all sorts of contests. I am not the best builder, but I would participate in those no doubt; and as for the discussion on custom content, well, I don't think we have to come up with a definite rule, do we? Every contest would have different rules, limitations, and challenges, so sometimes it'd be fun to build with no cc, sometimes with it, and have it be a varied thing.

I also love everything related to storytelling, pictures, maybe even the creation of sims. I am very attracted to those ideas of creating a set of things, like it was mentioned before; for example: creation X lots for downtown, X businesses, X sims (if that kind of contest even exists), all that kind of thing.

Just as a contribution: not in the sims, but I used to host contests in a different site similar to this one, and I have seen that participants thrive on variety; something for everyone, you know? At the same time, I always found it useful to make polls and ask for people's opinions; so it might be worth it to create a google form to gather data. We could ask people the kind of contests they enjoy the most, ask for their take on the cc "issue", and even if long or shorter contests are preferred.

I always hated judging so I won't even nominate myself for that BUT I will be there as a participant as much as I can. :D

All the contests I've ever entered involved Sims. Some were makeovers where you couldn't change the original's face structure but hair, clothes, eyes, and makeup changes were allowed. Either someone would upload a Sim (i.e. "plain Jane"), a self-Sim, or choose a Maxis Sim (we did one makeover with Pascal Curious) to be made over. Others were for a made-up modeling contract (think ANTM) or as if they were applying for a specific job and you created your own Sim entirely for that. I think one contest (maybe here) was to provide a picture of a Sim (or Sims) based on a particular season or holiday.

The Sim contests usually had a couple or three rounds - provide a head shot, a full-body photo and a free picture (your choice). One (or more) picture per each round - it varied from contest to contest. Judging was based both on the Sim and the pictures that had the Sim in them and how well they reflected the specified activity. No limit on CC. I think the seasonal one may have had only had one picture/round/season.

I love the idea of a contest, but timelines for the last few years were a concern for me. I've only ever participated in one, and avoided others because I wasn't sure I'd have time to complete the builds so I didn't want to fill a contestant spot when there are caps on the number of participants. Sometimes I've then kicked myself, because it turns out I did have time. I'll be able to commit to contests that start later this year, but anything in the next two months I'll just spectate (I'm moving again).

For timing, I'd like to see more time made available for building - say 1 week for a small round 1, then on the closure of that, round 2 immediately starting but with 2 weeks for the contestants - meanwhile, the judges provide their results for round 1 a week after it closed and a week before round 2 is due. All subsequent rounds have 2 weeks for building overlapped with the week of judging. That way, the builders can have more time to work and have some response/feedback (even if only a numbered score) before the next round is due.

For CC, I think it's easier to compare when everyone is on the same footing, so either cc free, or very limited to particular predetermined sets sounds good to me. I like the challenge of trying to make cc-free look decent. Creating a cc-free save is easy if you rename your sims 2 folder so a new empty game folder is created. I play with different themed 'hoods with different downloads folders, so am always renaming my sims 2 folders, but having a minimal cc/essential mods only set up is useful for not only building contests but for testing new cc and mods.

For types of contests, I've mostly seen building contests, but sim/family creation with biographies could be interesting too. Foundation contests look like fun, or renovations of the host's lot or of an existing premade lot, where there are restrictions on what can be done.

I like the theme of owned businesses, especially if it were a mix of home businesses and owned lots. While I'd love to focus on OFB type businesses, with rounds focusing on specific badge related businesses, I think there should also be ways for non OFB owners to make similar, crafting station-free lots so more could participate. I like building for specific sims - if the business is to be owned, perhaps either the host should provide a bio of the owner(s) as part of the description of requirements for each round, or the contestant should have to create a bio for the owner of their build, within the limits set by the host.

A theme idea I has was work places as community lots. Every 'hood I build, I build a few community lots that I pretend my sims work at when they disappear with the carpool. City halls, police stations, hospitals, and office buildings could be straight forward rounds and could even be built to accommodate more than one career. Lots for the slacker career levels, the oceanographer, or adventurer careers could be more interesting/challenging, with the build meant only for one or two levels of a career.

Thank you for the replies

@joandsarah77 You make some excellent points and I think I agree with you. It is also much easier for downloaders if they don't have to go around hunting for CC. I think one can perhaps look at limited cc (open underneath stairs comes to mind, I think somebody did that before) - but it is definitely more of a challenge to work with no cc.

I don't think the contest will start that quickly - still some work to be done and I also want to hopefully hear from more players.

You could perhaps allow the build and buy bundles from the Life/Pet/Castaway Story games.

That is a great idea! Also the Store Items (since they are free now)? And, of course, the extracted objects.

I had forgotten about the store items, those would be nice. And yes extracted is not CC.

I haven't entered a contest in years but I do love them 😁. I would suggest keeping it small, small house/business or just a room, life happens and building and/or decorating a whole building in a week when you have work/school/holidays could mean a higher drop out rate. I don't mind if there is CC or not, maybe mix it up with different rounds having different rules, I like the challenge of only using Maxis but I also love my CC 😂.

I agree that a week is not actually very long when you build something for a contest. However, contests cannot run forever, so I will try and see what I can do about convenient timing. Judges do need time as well, and those who have not taken part before may learn quickly that the feedback from the judges is quite important.

In my own experience, small lots do not necessarily take less time than bigger lots (I am terrible with starters; it is never playable enough and there is never enough space for what my sims want to do, like having a party - it takes me longer to build a starter house than a 3-bedroom one). But there are NO plans to have a contest where one will be asked to build enormous lots, it is unpractical in many ways and hard to play on slower systems. In fact, the lot sizes will likely be small to medium for all the rounds. (A room on its own is not a building contest, though).

I am becoming more no-CC or very limited CC after what joandsarah77 said above. I built a complete hood without any, using only white paint (to be fair, the real town looks like that) (Paternoster on my profile) - and I think most of those lots could do reasonably well in a contest. Then I built a vacation hood as well and only used a windmill for decor (because the real town is full of them) - you can see both on my profile. And I am NOT a master builder, I am the one who takes part for fun and to learn, who has never won a single contest, but am very proud of my 3rd and 4th places

Mixing it up: In the past, lots will differ from round to round, and the final round is normally without a price limit and you can use all the cc you want (which makes it equal to all).

So I've changed my mind about "just a room" , and agree that it needs to be the whole house. What about this idea? Provide a starter house (just your basics but fully furnished) on a small lot. Challenge: your single sim has married, the new spouse already has a child and 2 pets, and will soon have twins. How can you change the house to happily house all of them? While leaving room for a driveway and room to play outside. No limit to what you could build; could make a basement, move foundations, add stories, etc. Money?

SimPearls has the DOTY (Designer of the year) going on where they decorate rooms. You could look for some inspiration for how to run the contest, and maybe how to build it up there? Themes and such, maybe?
https://simpearls.co.uk/simpearls/index.php?board=205.0 (login required)

I don't want to be a judge but I might have some ideas for prompts or themes. It is late and I should go to bed, but I will come back over the next couple of days and see what ideas I can come up with.

oh man I do miss contests. I learned a lot from fellow simmers and judges of how the game functions because of it, and it made me a better builder with routing and anti-stomping in mind xD
seeing the other contestants builds also expanded my world by showing me what was normal to them. this item is here because of course it always has been in their lives.

I would love another one, even as just a play along with how busy I am these days

a no-CC would probably be the most challenging yet most fair and inclusive + with the perks of easy uploading on MTS
when I first built a no-CC dorm years back, I was surprised by all the fun things that were hidden under my massive CC downloads. I never knew all my favorite pieces now are actually maxis!

I was playing a while ago, and my (very old) computer started lagging on a large lot; I quit and then had a couple of ideas for contests.

The lag started me thinking of small builds. A contest could be entirely builds of small lots of various types, with limited content/prices, and restrictions on the number of floors and footprint of the building. Can we make a playable apartment on a 1x3 lot? What about a crafting business with a store and separate crafting area, and living space for a family on the second floor and some garden/yard space, on a 2x2 lot? That got me thinking of using lot adjuster and a different contest idea.

A contest could be made to explore some of the external tools available - I'm thinking about lot adjuster (with the portal revealer in downloads) and grid adjuster, but there are probably others. Rounds could require doing things like moving lots off the road and moving portals, building 2 or more lots that appear to have connected buildings or be one building, building one-click basements.... This contest could also include doing builds that use constrainfloorelevation, like attached garages, or building over water on beach lots. I'm not saying that each round would only say to use a particular tool in one way, but that it be one requirement as part of a more extensive set of guides for the lot and the contest theme. For example, if the contest theme was community lots, the guidelines for a park might include it either off the roads or have roads on more than one side; one round might require involve a row of shops that appear connected but are actually 2 lots; a night club could have a basement.... I know that this idea could scare off some people, but if there are links to tutorials and the tools and "how-to" discussion during the rounds is encouraged I think it might be welcoming to those who want to improve as well as interesting for more experienced builders. I know I'd like to see what people are able to create and would participate if I'm available.

One contest could be to build lots for various themed types of neighbourhoods, but doing so entirely cc-free (or maybe with only recolours of maxis items). So one round could be for an apocalypse 'hood, one for a fantasy/medieval, one for a sci-fi/space 'hood, stone age 'hood, various decade/specific historic time periods, supernatural sim settings,.... Or the rounds could be set up as a particular type of build (eg. a residential lot for 3 described sims), but the contestant can pick from a list of themes for their build. The host would have to decide what themes to include and how contestants would use them (a different set of choices each round or one master list for all rounds; can contestants use the same theme more than once, or do all rounds have to be different?). I think the challenge of making something that would fit in a themed 'hood but not using cc could lead to some creative uses of what we have available.

I think a hobby themed contest would be nice. I really hate the hobby lots that come with free time, but like the idea of them and have never bothered to replace them with my own lots. I do build community lots for most of the hobbies, though, and have my sims with those hobbies have outings at them. I'd love to see what other people come up with for either replacements of the free-time hobby lots or for general community lots each focused on one or two hobbies.

@stitching
All past contests, as far as I know, allowed using the Lot adjuster and the Grid Adjuster and I am pretty sure the portal revealer was never banned (of course, it is not always needed).

Thank you for your suggestions, I am looking carefully at all of them

@kanzan - Good to see you around We had some fun back then indeed! I hope we will get there again.

@simsfreq - looking forward to your ideas here!

Tagging @CatherineTCJD because I need your input, Cat

Thank you for tagging me
I actually had a contest idea I started putting together before Z tried his Olympic one. When his fizzled, so did my plans...
My idea was a Flip-It/Forget-It type thing, where I would provide a specific shell, and contestants could decide what to do with it.
High scores would go for most creative uses and interior designs. And I would have the fun of seeing what people could do with my builds!

I have read what everyone said above - very nice input, so far. ...and it's exciting to see some interest in contests again!

I think it is important to offer a variety of contest types.
I'm a builder (my eyes literally glass over when someone mentions anything CAS related.) So, of course I prefer building contests.
But - there should also be offerings for the decorators, CAS sim makers, photographers, and storytellers.
NOTE - I separated "decorators" from "builders". Decorating is not building, it is interior design. They go hand-in-hand, but are very different.

Although I prefer to build with much less CC these days, I know how hard it is to go without it - especially when you are used to using it!
The problem with using CC in a contest is if you also follow a budget. CC is never the same price as the EAxis basics.
Budgets are also a problem when doing something like a no-slope basement - because walls cost $70, and foundation costs $4 - and a no-slope basement uses both.
A "dug" 10X10 basement will cost $280 (40 wall sections). That same basement, as a no-slope, will cost $680 (40 wall sections + 100 Sq ft of foundation.) It adds up!
Not to mention (well, actually TO mention) ...those of us who've recategorized all the maxis stuff so it makes more sense finding things in the catalog. We've repriced all the maxis stuff anyway ...And starting a new game "folder" won't change those price/recats. So "budgeting" can really be a problem.
I hate working with money-constraints. *le sigh*
But, then again, some people find it fun to balance their books in a game.
We all play the game differently.

I think the best solution to the CC-conundrum is to define a limited pool that is allowed for that specific contest. And that would be at the hosts discretion.

Another sticky-wicket is judging. To make it fair, there really must be a standard rubric that every entry is judged by; and, it must be available for all to see.
Judges really should do more than just fill in the numbers. Comments are extremely helpful for contestants. If you don't know what you did "wrong" (or right!) then how can you improve (or do it again?)
I don't mean for Judges to write books! Just a few words that justify the score given, is fine.

I agree with what was said above - judging and the next round can happen simultaneously.
BUT - judging should finish a few days before the next round closes. So people have time to incorporate any new information gained from their previous round's score into their new entry.

I am supremely happy to see interest in contests again!
Let's DO this!

OK so my brain was running last night as I was falling asleep I swear sometimes ADHD is an asset because all these ideas...

I had these thoughts:

Aspiration-based builds - set some criteria for each of the seven in-game aspirations and contestants pick one (or perhaps two?) aspirations per round and design their lot with that sim in mind according to the wants that sim rolls (which I have lists of because I used them for another project I did) and avoiding fears that aspiration has. Stuff like Romance sims want to snuggle up by the fire, so you need to include a fireplace, bonfire or campfire, Family sims really like having family dinner so you need space for this to happen, Knowledge sims need some kind of equipment to accommodate or create a supernatural. Fortune sims love luxury and status but they fear loss, so must have security related items e.g. burglar alarm.

Interest-based builds - this is a bit more vague, and I haven't really fleshed it out but I have been playing more with interests recently and I really enjoy it so I wanted to put it out there as an idea.

From the cradle to the grave - create lots to suit sims in all different stages of life, probably community lots, maybe some residential. For example, a birthing centre or hospital or maternity clinic. A child-focused community lot with facilities for children and toddlers. A birthday party location. A teen hangout space or youth club. Some kind of educational facility e.g. a library, museum, playable school, adult education centre. A singles bar. A date location. A wedding venue. Large event space (e.g. family reunion, anniversary party). A retirement day centre. OAP residential home. And some kind of cemetary or crypt or crematorium/funeral space.

College campus buildings - did this already exist? I feel like it might have done but if not, it would be fun to build stuff like a library/dorm/cafeteria but also various classrooms for each major.

Bringing careers to life - creating community lots to represent the various "rabbithole" careers within the game, using chance card or job description text as the prompt (which you can access from the Wiki). For example, in the first three levels, the Artist career mentions "Dave's Art Emporium" (sells canvases, charcoal, has spare canvases lying around); "the streets of SimCity/the main drag", where you sit on an upturned plastic bucket, and "Lucille, Largest Llama in the World" roadside attraction - which has a small booth/stand selling wooden Llamas and an easel to draw charicatures.

I made a list of these for my game a while ago though not quite as specific:


I think the careers one is my favourite and I have half a mind to go through and collate all the descriptions of each workplace from the career descriptions.

Thank you, @CatherineTCJD - I appreciate your feedback! I will contact you in due course about that creative contest you had in mind, it sounds good to me

I agree, the input from judges has to be more than just numbers (I think it always has been in the past). As for budgets - I think a budget limit is only a problem if the budget is too small Owned businesses are expensive, and especially playable ones (I made a mistake with some of my own by making it too small, now the shoppers queue on the tiny sidewalk ).

@simsfreq - Thank you so much for your valuable input! There was a contest for Uni lots some years ago; and it can be seen in the contests threads here: https://modthesims.info/showthread.php?t=518453

I like the idea of doing something similar again, but I also think, because there has not been a contest for a long time, one should start with something where the lots will be used by players (I do hope contestants will upload their lots)! Not everyone likes to play Uni (even though I personally love it). I want to go through all the suggestions carefully, discuss it with more simmers and will make what is hopefully decisions which may appeal to most.

Anytime

Ah yes sorry the Campus one was the one I half remembered. That must have been where I got the idea! I agree it doesn't make sense to re-do an old contest theme.

Re college lots: I ALWAYS build my own dorms; more fun stuff, more "learning" stuff and at least one room with a double bed - my colleges are where future couples find each other, and some sims decide they are attracted to their own gender. But maybe that's more decor than build

Some really interesting ideas being mentioned, I love reading what everyone has been brainstorming. I think the hobby lots idea has a lot of potential, though some compromises will have to be made as we can't renovate every single hobby lot or the contest would be extremely long. Maybe contestants could choose a subset of hobby lots to renovate?

Thank you for mentioning this, I'm very much on the builder side of things - just look at any of my recent posts on the Houses & Landscaping thread! I find myself building shell after shell any time I come across a new building I find interesting, but to actually decorate it can take literal years - once I even found myself finishing a house 5 years after the shell was complete!

Budget had completely slipped my mind, yes it is a big thing. There is some very cheap $1 walls and floors around and $2 fences etc. When I am doing up a house the fence in particular is a HUGE saving. In a contest that would allow someone to decorate the house way above where it should be.
There are also cheap walls around now too. Lunie I think made those?

The only solutions I can see is:
1.You have a bonus for CC free as I did in the past to try and make up for it. Part of this is a honour system as nobody can tell if cheap walls were used. Same goes for other means of devaluing the lot.
2. You don't have a set budget but either have it open or use some other metric.



Say what sets are allowed? Like Better bathrooms, Bespoke and Icads woods? That is a possibility I hadn't thought of. I can see people pushing for more sets, but that could work. I found no matter how much I thought I had all my rules cut and dried people would probe them and find loop holes.



I wasn't suggesting no comments, only that I find comments hard to write. Apart from obvious things such as "The porch could do with more space for routing" type comments I always end up saying boring things like "This is so pretty/ lovely' half of the time. :/



I agree.

I also like the idea of the hobby lots, since that seems like something that does a good job with giving some clear direction while still allowing for lots of creativity in how contestants choose to pursue things!

I'm not sure why price really needs to be a limiting factor though... it seems like especially given all the issues with pricing of CC items or re-pricing of catalog items, if you want to keep the scale of builds limited, it's better to just impose size limits with the lot size or the guidelines or whatnot (though I also had fun in Karen's vacation contest trying to do a big grand hotel within just the timeframe of a single round, and I'm still pleased with how it came out!). I mostly just don't see that a price constraint would improve the contest, so I'd be reluctant to include it as a requirement in the first place.

And just to throw another half-baked idea out there for builds, what about having people build franchises? So for instance, a 'fast food' franchise (read: McDonalds) could have the requirements of stuff like "must include a food service counter rather than maitre'd podium, must include a large outdoor sign using X item (my immediate thought is the huge diamond light, but whatever), and must prominently feature the corporate color scheme of red and yellow." It doesn't limit people architecturally that much, so there'd still be plenty of room for creativity, and it still links things together for the round, and if people upload their entries later, it would mean that other players could actually go in and have a number of franchise locations that all felt different but like they were part of the same parent company! It also seems like coffee shops (read: Starbucks), grocery stores (read: Kroger), bus stops (read: any metropolitan transit system) and that kind of thing could be used in that same kind of framework.

I would love more filler lots, lots that go in-between or fill out spaces in a hood that regular houses or business lots don't fill. Lots in odd sizes like 1 by 4. Things like small gardens, walkways, memorials, bus stops, car parks, alleyways etc. Even something like 'shops' or a row of 'shops' without actual filled in buildings, just basic shells with interesting fronts to place to fill out a business district.

oooh yes agreed @joandsarah77
I call those pocket parks and I've made a few for myself. I love putting them in between apartments or businesses for some airflow, greenery, and places for sims to rest and sit~
it also gives me apartment sims a pretty view instead of the next building's wall
gameplay-wise, im sure they'll survive without such things but it feels lovely to have them around!

I'm also interested in University type buildings, Hobby lots, and Catherine's Flip it or Forget it

And maybe, a "Community-Betterment" theme?
like Adult Learning centers for sims who want to learn skills but can't afford the florist or toybench etc
or Community Gardens where you can pick fruits and vegetables for free? (I downloaded one but I can't remember who made it or how)

stuff like that :3

Thank you, all of you! I still want more feedback from more players

1. I have thought of a limited pool of cc (I mentioned Honeywell's Bespoke Build Set) - but I also think one could just make the budget limit bigger. We all know that it is hard to build a pretty starter - we all use the same basic stuff from the catalog. I admit always being surprised that the lots are actually quite different from each other. Perhaps one could also just allow a number of cc items per round - I will think about it. It may be possible to impose limits without limiting the budget.

2. I have been thinking of community lots since I thought of hosting a contest - business hoods, Nightlife hoods (including for families) etc. That will include hobby shops or lots, at least in one round, I think.

3. I think filler lots are quite nice, but I am not sure one could run an entire contest using tiny lots.

4. An idea is emerging in my brain, thanks to all of you. Let me ponder for a while

4.

Sounds like building to me

Not to toot my own horn (Okay kind of am) I have both type of lots uploaded here. My last lot was a Hobby lot that I did as a request for Gummi and I have a community garden lot with a short tutorial on how to make it harvestable.


There is that, they would be small.

Please toot your own horn I have built 4 hobby shops also uploaded on here (Let me toot along).

There's a McDonald's sign here. Everyone could include that. https://web.archive.org/web/2009021...d=&p=view&uid=5

When it comes to franchises, I think contestants should have a wide choice. I don't think 10 or more McDonald's builds will be all that interesting

Yeah and with a quick Google search I already found signs for KFC and Pizza Hut.

And considering there were a few builds already made for downloading, contestants should not be limited to franchise buildings because they almost all look alike in real life.

Maybe a Pizza Hut/Domino's would be more apt.

Originally posted by joandsarah77


I would get into contests myself (and I have built filler lots.) but I use a lot of CC that is not necessarily available to download, so I refrain from entering, even when the entries are only for the contest, not for downloading.

CC is a tricky subject and I wouldn't want to inflict my taste on someone else.

Pizza Hut/Dominos are also franchise buildings.

Noone has to download your contest entry, so I wouldn't worry about everyone not liking your CC choices. Those who do will appreciate it and those that don't will download something else.

If you're not going to upload the lot, then you don't have to track down where all the CC came from - but, you'll probably have to field a lot of WCIF requests from viewers.

If we have enough people involved in "contesting" again, maybe we could run a Progressive Dinner style contest?
The way I'm envisioning it, it would be a major event... which, I don't think anyone is ready for it yet.
But, here's the idea:
- The first 3-4 round would be for the builders - to build a shell with 'built-ins', plumbing, and electricity, etc. (Enough so rooms are clearly determined, and maybe add landscaping too?)
Whichever build/builder has the highest score at the end of all the rounds wins - and that lot moves on to the next contest.
- The next 3-4 rounds would be for the interior designers - to add color, furnishings and 'set the stage'. Each round could cover a different style: residential, community, Victorian, MCM, city, rural... Highest score wins - and the now decorated lot moves on to the next contest.
- CAS. Create the sims who will inhabit the space. I have no idea how many rounds that would take, or even how to set up the contest (My eyes are glassing over as I type...)
- Then we have the photographers (this might only need 1 round?)
- Then the same lot would move on to the story-tellers (again, maybe only a 1 round contest?)
...in the end, we should have a truly spectacular Inhabited Lot! And several people who have gotten to know each other through the competitions here on MTS.

Meanwhile, back at the ranch: I found all the shell lots I had prepped for the Flip-It/Forget-It contest I was working on. (I started on it in 2017!)
The contest is far from being ready to launch! It should appeal to both builders and interior designers. It might could be presentable in a month - maybe?
Each round/shell represents a different era/environment. I have a dessert complex, an old Southern, a modern city house, and a motel. And the contestants can decide if they want to flip it, or forget it. I'd planned for 4 rounds; and total scores would be based on 3 rounds (because you could decide to 'forget it' once.) You can 'flip it' into a community lot or a residential lot, the choice is up to the contestant.

I definitely don't see one single contest coming together from all of these ideas lol, but I don't think that was necessarily the point anyway? There's lots of contest fodder out there, and it certainly seems like there's enough interest to try something again though - I don't have the right headspace for hosting or competing right now, but judging seems like it could actually be a lot of fun, so I wonder if @justpetro, do you want to start narrowing in on what to actually do for the first new contest? That way people can start looking at things in a more concrete way, and then (hopefully) pull from all the ideas here again for future contests too!

If we are to do franchises, personally I would prefer made-up franchises, since not all franchises are familiar to everyone worldwide - I have never set foot in a "Kroger". It would be fun to imagine sim-specific ideas such as a Grilled Cheese based fast food restaurant, a Freezer bunny themed kids' play space, something Llama related, a plumbbob theme, space/alien theme etc. Mainly because you'll have all kinds of deco which already has these images in, within the game, so people don't need to go hunting for CC, and it could be fun to use things that usually get overlooked because of how garish they are.

The only thing I can see which might create a problem here is if most of the content in a certain theme came with one of the EPs that not everyone has. I know a lot of people are playing the UC or Super Collection, but not everyone is.

From my search, a lot of people have already done McDonald's etc. anyway. Sims themed franchises would be cool.

If a theme has stuff from an EP then just make sure that CC is allowed, so those without the EP can supplement.

CC tastes do vary a lot, and I wouldn't want to have to hunt down things I don't like to use. I'm comfortable with three types of guidelines for cc in contests:

1. No cc, with allowance for people who have edited prices in the catalogs or done things like change the lighting in game - changes that are in the program files instead of downloads are are a pain to remove, but mostly don't change the overall look of the build for contest purposes - up to the host how pricing changes would affect judging.

2. CC limited to the above, plus recolours of existing objects allowed; no new meshes. I know floors and walls may have varying prices, so for this, price limits don't make sense. I'd include terrain paint in this.

3. CC limited to particular sets, such as Honeywell's Bespoke sets. For this sort of limit, I'd be willing to even have a different set for each round. It might be a nice way to spread awareness of interesting or useful cc, while it being easy to remove if the cc isn't to my preferred types.

I wouldn't be comfortable with a general "all cc is OK". There is too much variety out there and I think it would be very hard for judges to compare builds. The contest might also deteriorate into "who can find the most relevant/attractive cc" on a given theme, and focus on creative use of the materials available get lost.

A couple of thoughts after reading the replies:

If I am going to host the first contest in a long time, I want it to be appealing to beginners, because if we want contests to continue, we will need beginners. Because of that, I would like to make the contest relatively simple (still allowing, of course, for creativity). I think Jo's Community Spirit succeeded in doing that (@joandsarah77) and also had a good number of play-alongs. I think more complicated contests can follow, of course.

No cc does not mean one has to change the lighting in the game. It simply means no cc build or buy objects. It also allows for extracted objects and may allow for store (now free) and pre-order items. I will consider all the ideas on here.

Some cc also needs particular expansion packs and stuff packs - you see where this could be going. I honestly do not want to have so many rules that nobody pays attention to the actual builds.

I don't think one can make an exception for cc if anyone does not have all the expansion packs. With the UC, one gets them all. But that has crossed my mind, and that is partly why I am thinking of allowing some cc for all. One can also state what players need in order to take part in the contest (eg. if there is going to be businesses, you need OFB. OFB also has the flowers and toys and robots, so it can actually be used for hobby lots, as can the easel and the piano from the BG).

I think one can come up with lots that don't need all the expansion or stuff packs, but I don't think it is practical to not allow all the items available if you have, say, the UC. It is quite hard - you cannot even use the AGS without Mansion and Gardens. And, as I said back when I personally was the only one in my first contest with the UC - it is here now, players use it, we have to make provision for it. (Back then, @AndrewGloria saved me by posting a pic for me with the BG bedding, because there was NO way to find it in the UC). I don't intend to make these things hard for contestants, if you don't have all the expansion and stuff packs, then you use the ones you have.

Some cc is also only usable with expansion packs, so those will be out completely. I don't think one should fall into a conundrum where there are so many rules about this cc and that cc that nobody wants to build anything I like to keep things straight and simple myself.

Edit - Forgot to answer Zar @Zarathustra - I am going to start writing down a thing tomorrow, there is indeed enough fodder here

I did mean CC for all, not just those without EPs.

Hear me out: relay contests! Like the 4 x 400 metre relay in the Olympics! It's extremely impractical but it would be fun in an ideal world.

Re community lots: I have mod that allows learning on community lots; maybe lots of people have this so it would be OK? Funny thing, if you add a putting green, you can ask the Charlaton to give lessons, and he seems like a nice guy. And I make some of mine "pet friendly" by adding things for THEIR needs (food, litter boxes,etc). Add the blender and have your female pet get pregnant! My big Summer Park has a burger stand, pool, fishing, playground, and a wedding arch (and yes, total strangers will whip into formal wear to celebrate with the couple).
I changed Maxis big "box store" to include band instruments, a restaurant, and a food-judging table (plus all the usual)
These 2 builds go in each of my hood, along with a place to adopt babies & toddlers, and a graveyard.

The CC we are talking about are build and buy items, things that make the lot look pretty, not mods.



Thanks Justpetro I think it was my best contest. I know in my other contest where we made over houses, I would pick differently now, some were too large.
I would definitely aim things at the smaller more beginner friendly end.
I would not have eliminations because contests simply can't take that these days. It was a bit different back when they got 50 entries. It was to think of the judges more than anything.

Wow, so many cool ideas in this thread! I have to admit, I have thought long and hard about hosting a building contest in the past--to the point that I have written up rules and an introduction. I'll never forget commenting about missing contests a few years ago. I sorta wondered out loud when the next contest would be because we haven't had one in a few years. And then Peni replied to me that if I missed them, I should host one. Well, I took that seriously and started planning, but I've been too chicken to follow through. I've been trying to work up the nerve to host a Downtown renovation contest for a long time. What has held me back was the time commitment and the judging.

I have never judged before so it makes me nervous. Maybe it's because one of the contests I was in (Apartment Mania) had builders with skills that were so close and hard to judge. I think a few simmers got hurt feelings and thought they received less points than they thought they deserved. I do think judging in that contest was fair, and that it was probably just that skill levels were really close so you had to be really thoughtful with your build to stand out. But considering that I want to foster a sense of community, it just makes me nervous to judge. Even if I don't actually do the judging myself, the criteria I set could lead to some hurt feelings. In any case, that made me think long and hard about judging criteria and what I would ask for.

I eventually settled on three categories, Innovation, Design, and Playability/Functionality, for 10 points each, and a Bonus point category. These were based on my personal views and what I saw in previous contests. I also really wanted to include a Cohesiveness category, but I was unsure how to incorporate this in a practical way for judges. I really like the idea of building a set of buildings that go together and trying to aim for cohesive lots, but that can mean something different to everyone. Real life towns don't always use the same building materials in every lot so I worried that might be too limiting. And then for judging, well, you can have Cohesiveness within a lot but also across lots. And how can you really judge Cohesiveness until you see everything together? So I was thinking that metric might have to be on hold or only used for certain contests. And then I'd do Bonus points for things or details I wanted to reward but might be too limiting for contestants or too tedious for judges to check.

I'll put my descriptions for each metric under a spoiler in case anyone would find it helpful.





And then there's the time commitment! My original idea was rather long so I was worried about how long the contest would go and whether I could really commit to such a timeframe. As a contestant, I have to say I like the idea of two week rounds because sometimes you just need the time. You need time to be inspired, to research, to try out different options, to cc hunt. Then of course there's real life. Sometimes there's work or school or both and then there's health concerns and family, etc. So I get wanting two weeks, but it makes the contest really long depending on the number of rounds. You'd want at least 3, right? But 5 or 6 rounds at 2 weeks is like 3 months--way too big of a time commitment. So I settled on four rounds, but I worry about that too. Hmm, thinking it through now, I might go with 10 or 11 days so that you can wrap in 6 or 7 weeks.

And so this year I dusted off my contest plans again. I'm working on my simming computer and it's out of commission right now, so I had thought that maybe hosting a contest might be fun if I couldn't actually play. A few weeks ago I was revisiting my idea and getting bogged down in logistics. I'm a planner by nature so for me I'd love to see a Hosting kit and/or a Judging kit to help simmers get started contest planning.

It could have tips on how to structure the contest, sample timelines, and pratical tips for things like how to make a table in your forum post, how to set up a timer/countdown, ways to stay updated on the thread, etc. It could have sample judge score cards and tips for what kind of criteria to use and maybe a considerations list for new, anxious judges. I'd love past tips from other hosters and judges, if we could put that together. I think that sort of hosting kit would help a bunch of people get going--speaking from my own experience, it's easy to think up an idea for a contest. It's the planning details and admin work that you can easily get scared by, and start to find overwhelming. I think if we can put those things together (or maybe publicize them, if they already exist), then simmers might be less intimidated by hosting.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents--back to reading this thread. I still have to soak up all the ideas from page 2 and 3, .

Hahahaha, the Charlaton giving lessons have never crossed my mind (I use that putter too)

The putter is a career reward and not custom content All the career rewards have always been allowed. If you place the plant or the blender, judges won't know the difference - that plant is maxis Uploading a lot with mods is not allowed on MTS for good reasons, players normally have their own.

For some reason that made me think of defaults, you may not want to allow those unless you are allowing CC.

Agreed, thought about that too earlier. I remember how I would forget to put my 3 defaults back and could not understand why my lots look different after a contest

I don't think that these are good ideas for bonus points, because most people wouldn't include them unless the specific assignment called for them.

There are lots of community lot ideas that don't need to be a business and unless the contest calls for an OFB business then community lots can also work just as well with an NPC run business.

Pets aren't even allowed on community lots without a hack and not every community lot would be pet friendly anyway.

Toddlers can't go to community lots without a hack, so toddler items would be wasted for a lot of people. Also, limiting people to 'family friendly' or 'romance' excludes a lot of other purposes for lots.

Pets can too go to community lots without a hack! If you take your pet with you, other pets show up. You only need a hack if you want pets to show up regardless of whether you take a pet there or not.

A lot off these ideas would be good ways to limit and distinguish one round from another. This time, we're making lots suitable for taking your pet to. This time we're making lots sims could reasonably hope to buy and run themselves. And so on.

Unless people don't have Pets or OFB.

Yeah, I meant unless you take your pet there.

What Peni says - a variety of lots is the goal

Hey hey could someone summarise what has been decided for us old and late (as in tardy not yet dead) members?
I read that some at the beginning of the thread were saying that they had an inclination toward sim contests, so one idea I have would be to have some rounds for sims as well as building. Like, round 1- build a house. Round 2- make a sim who would be likely to purchase that house. That type of thing? Or maybe you have already ruled this out, I dunno as I have 69 posts to read and dinner waiting!

Hello, @simsample - hope you had a lovely week.

I made some lists already and hope to have a concept for a contest for you to look at on Monday or Tuesday.

The ideas in this thread are far too many for one single contest I honestly hope it will take off and contests will become a regular thing again.

Brilliant! Yes had a great week, you have all been busy I see!

I mentioned a 'Progressive Dinner'-type thing in post #52: https://modthesims.info/showthread....530#post5953530

Thanks @CatherineTCJD I had missed that! Rereading now!

I don't think our first contest should be that involved...
But it is something we could grow into!

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!