Groundwork: A TS3 Foundation Challenge -- Final Scores Posted; Thanks for Playing!
Groundwork: A Foundation Challenge
Moderator on site for a few years
Judged and participated in various #Create challenges
Judged the official, site wide, foundation challenge
Hosted a previous challenge – “Building Blocks”
Sometimes, it is awesome having unlimited freedom. It is nice – sure! I’ll make a giant mansion with a pool on the second floor!
Yeah, I want that bathroom to have a hot tub in it! – but eventually, all the glitz and glamor of being uninhibited wears away.
There is just no challenge to it after a while and some people, like me, get very bored…very quickly.
This contest aims to fix that by testing your skills a little bit, and putting some challenge back into your game!
The idea is super simple – instead of building your house to a set of criteria, or trying to stay on budget, I will provide you
with a footprint that you must build on, decorate, landscape, and deck out, with a catch, to the best of your ability. Don’t forget
that all of this will be done while competing against the other entrants!
Much like the previous foundation challenge I hosted – “Building Blocks” – this contest will attempt to challenge you in more
ways than just changing shapes. Instead of each round increasing in shape complexity, each round will bring a new hitch
(with the exception of R1.) This might mean split levels, diagonal segments, basements, any combination thereof, and even more.
Join in on the action and have a great time with the rest of us!
*Note* This is a TS3 only contest; based on what I have planned, replication in TS2 would be very difficult / impossible.
No altering the foundation is allowed
o Its shape should still be clearly visible from top down.
o No adding more foundation on
o No taking any foundation off
o No adjusting the height
o Aesthetic changes are allowed (ex. Painting, adding or removing plants, wall hangings, etc.)
Building away from the foundation
o As stated above, the top down view should still resemble the original lot. This means no over hangs for more space and no
adding basements. However, you are permitted to add a shed, car ports, garages, etc. and attach them to the lot as long as
they don’t add more livable space. For example, garages can only be used to house cars, not store an extra bed.
Lot Size
o The lot size will be included in the post. You are not allowed to place the foundation on a larger sized lot than what is given.
o You are allowed to rotate the lot any way you would like.
Custom Content
o Is allowed.
o MTS encourages the creation and use of CC, but everyone deserves their credit. You don't have to list each bit of CC,
just the creators that made it so they get their work highlighted.
Pictures
o You are REQUIRED to upload the following pictures with each round:
----->• Front picture
----->• Back picture
----->• Floor plan pictures
o Extra pictures are recommended, but not required.
o No photoshopping please!
Time and Extensions
o Each round will last for a ten day period.
o Extensions are allowed, but there should be a valid excuse.
Questions
o For the most part, this contest relies on people being honest. The more you adhere to the rules, the more fun it is for
everyone. Try not to bend the rules; if you think you can exploit something, try not to – it ruins the game for everyone. If
you want to make sure that what you’re doing is allowed, just ask down below and I, or someone else who has done
these before, will help you out.
Structure: 25 Points
o Everything related to the physical building of the house is scored here! The following criteria are what we will
be looking for in this category...
----->• Curb Appeal (front of the house)
----->• Structure as a Whole (sides and back of the house)
----->• Roofing
----->• Interior Layout
----->• Aesthetically Pleasing
Landscaping: 25 Points
o Don't forget to make the yard look fitting, too. Gardens, driveways, terrain paint, and sculpting bring a lot of dimension
to a house! Don't forget this important category!
----->• Is there landscaping?
----->• Does it fit the theme? (desert, lush, forest, etc.)
----->• Aesthetically Pleasing
Decorations: 25 Points
o The inside is just as important, if not more important, than the outside. Make sure you keep these key points
in mind for a high score!
----->• Space is Filled
----->• Good Flow (no stomping sims)
----->• Coherent Style
----->• Matching Colors
Presentation: 25 points
o Now, you gotta show off your work! To get the last few points on your score, hit on these points for a guarenteed
25 points!
----->• Pics at least 800x600
----->• Clear, Detailed Pics
----->• Detailed / Descriptive Post
Bonus Points: 20 points
o These are awarded hit or miss. You either get all of the points or no points at all.
o Is your house set to a theme? How neat!
----->• +5 bonus points
o You took extra pictures and they are gorgeous! They show off the lot really well!
----->• +5 bonus points
o WOW! Your lot was a standout all around! You really went the extra mile!
----->• +10 bonus points
Entering is simple! All you need to do is download the attached file labeled "Round 1" and complete it. Once you've done that, take
the required screenshots (posted above) and some bonus point screen shots (also above) and make an awesome post showing
your entry off!Since entry rounds are normally longer than the subsequent rounds, you will have 14 days to complete your lot and
enter it. After those two weeks, the judges and I will close off entries, give you the next foundation, start scoring your previous
round, and post the scores up for everyone to see!
If you'd like to be a judge, all you need to do is post your interest, say a few qualifications (like how awesome you are, any other
contests you might have participated in, other things you've judged, etc.) and I'll let you know if we need you or not! I'd like to have
a cap of five judges, unless there are a large amount of entrants.
The judges scores will be kept anonymous through the whole competition so you guys don't attack them. Much like
last time, they will be assigned a color on a Google docs sheet, they'll fill out the scores, the averages will be calculated
and posted here on this post. Last time, it was a bit messy, and I aim to keep it simple and easy to do this time
around for both the participants and the contestants.
Answered Questions
This is a TS3 only contest
I built the foundations in Armiel's builder's island, but you can build them anywhere
you'd like. The lots are 100% flat, so be sure to take that into consideration!
Whole house, of course! I have to make it challenging ;D
Yes! The stuff I have there is just for decoration.
No limit on landscaping, provided it doesn't change the height of the foundation (no
raising or lowering the terrain around the edges of the foundation, this includes ponds)
It needs to be the same size so everybody has the same set of parameters.
Make whatever you'd like as long as it follows the rules!
Well, this is tricky. You can have a gazebo (off foundation) as long as it doesn't expand
livable space. If it is just a couple chairs and more along the lines of landscaping, then
that is perfect. If you're using it as an outdoor kitchen or something that serves a large
function, then no.
The first round is 14 days, with rounds 2, 3, and 4 lasting 10 days, with small extensions if asked for.
I would really appreciate it if you don't mind, but it isn't required. Use the vB codes down below
to learn how to use the "infobutton" and "spoiler" boxes
Overhangs are fine on two conditions:
1 - If the overhang is habitable, it needs to be on the footprint still. It can't poke
out an extra tile BEYOND the foundation -- imagine the foundation being a barrier
up into the sky. As long as you build in that barrier, you're fine.
2 - If the overhang is CFE, non-useable, or purely decoration, it is fine! I had this
happen last time, too.
Editing is perfectly acceptable up until the judges start scoring, then it is a no-no.
Nope! You need to landscape like the dickens
Sure! You can enter more than once. I'll just give you two columns on the table and, for
all intents and purposes, your higher scoring total will be the one we use for ranking.
**NO LONGER TRUE. ONE ENTRY PER PARTICIPANT.**
Make SURE that if anyone does this, though, that you specify if it is part of your first or
second "entries."
Theft of Intellectual Property is a big BIG BIG no no. So...nope, that isn't allowed.
Yes! You are free to edit your posts UP UNTIL THE DEADLINE.
Yes! However, do NOT let the height of the foundation get altered in the process.
Yes, as long as the platforms don't contribute to breaking another rule (like no livable overhangs)
Additional Credits:
Entrants to my previous challenge -- you guys were awesome!
The creators and their intellectual property I used to make the banners up there ^^^
Do not post replies and/or contest applications before the contest host has checked in on this thread, or your post will be deleted.
DO NOT WRITE USELESS POSTS like "Hey cool contest, I think I might join." Reserve type posts and useless posts about coming back with an application will be deleted.
Heaven Sims | Avendale Legacy
"On the internet, you can be anything you want. It's strange that so many people choose to be stupid."
I'm certain it's just me being dim because it's way past my bed time already but I'm not seeing the attachment :/ Sounds fun, I'll need to see if I can squeeze in some time somewhere to give it a shot
I know this is a really long shot, and it's unlikely. But, would love to be a judge if you'll have me. While I don't necessarily meet the qualifications I have been building houses for The Sims since 2005 and have experience, (I play The Sims 2 and 3 all the time to this day) , in no way am I saying I'm perfect though. I have ton of time on my hands and it really would be a total honor if I could help out.
Just call me Blake! :)
Hola, hablo español también - Hi, I speak Spanish too.
I know this is a really long shot, and it's unlikely. But, would love to be a judge if you'll have me. While I don't necessarily meet the qualifications I have been building houses for The Sims since 2005 and have experience, (I play The Sims 2 and 3 all the time to this day) , in no way am I saying I'm perfect though. I have ton of time on my hands and it really would be a total honor if I could help out.
You seem really passionate about the game and I really like that! Sure! I'd love to have your help
is there a world/lot for this?...not sure if i saw anything saying that..
Sunset Valley may be a good choice seeing as it has lots of flat area that can be used and looks pretty generic, but you can choose anything you want really. If you have a certain theme in mind you could choose a world that corresponds with that theme, all in all only your lots will be judged so it's not that important.
Just call me Blake! :)
Hola, hablo español también - Hi, I speak Spanish too.