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The Destructoid/Blast Works level design contest photo

See that Mr. Destructoid graphic up there? I made that in about five minutes with the ship creation tool in Blast Works' level editor. Then I uploaded it to the Blast Works Depot, where a grand total of two people have downloaded it so far. I know...pretty impressive, right?

Think you could do better? Want to win some fabulous prizes? The road to true fortune and glory may be staring you in the face right this very moment.

Hit the jump for details.

The Official "Design a Destructoid Blast Works level" contest

This is a competition to create the best Destructoid-themed Blast Works level on the face of the Internet.

How will this contest be judged? Longtime readers of Destructoid should be very familiar with such Destructoid-isms as "Also, cocks," as well as Destructoid personalities such as Ashly and the now world-famous Spacecat. Including references to these uniquely Destructoid phenomena in your levels will definitely win you some points.

Don't get the wrong idea, though. This isn't just an in-joke or catchphrase competition. Destructoid isn't just about self-referential humor. Destructoid is about unadulterated love of all things videogame. Showing that kind of love in your Blast Works level by including graphics based on your favorite game characters, consoles, or even game designers, is the real way to win this contest.

Most of all, make your level fun for you to play. There is no better way to show your love of videogames than to make a videogame level yourself that shows how fun they can be. Do that, and you'll be sure to do well here.

Also important to winning is not getting disqualified. Levels that take longer than five minutes to reach the boss, or are so difficult that the judges cannot reach the boss after 10 attempts on pilot difficulty, and submissions that contain images that might make someone want to cry and/or punch the level's designer (overtly pornographic, racist, or otherwise offensive material) will be thrown out. Basically, keep it "safe for work" and you'll be OK. 

The last rule is, you can't steal someone else's level. You can, however, use other people's graphics. Anything else is fair game, but steal someone else's level design and you'll be booted from the contest permanently. You can submit as many levels as you like, though only one level per creator will be allowed into the semi-finals.

Sadly, you must have a US Wii console and access to a Wi-Fi connection to enter this contest. Not because we like to be jerks, but because all of the entries for this contest, as well as many of the prizes, will be sent directly from the entrants' consoles to the Blast Works Depot. Sorry, Europe and the rest of the planet, maybe next year.

To submit your entry, just drop a link to your entry's page on the Blast Works Depot in the comments section of this post. Every Friday for the next five weeks, I'll select two levels to be declared "Destructoid Blast Works levels of the Week." These levels will then be pushed to the semi-finals. From there, Grant Poock and Marcus Brown of Budcat Creations (developers of Blast Works) will judge from the semi-finalists to crown the first, second, and third place winners. 

That's right, all semi-finalists in this contest will have their levels played by two of the creators of Blast Works. Who knows, if they like your style enough, maybe you'll even score a job out of the whole thing. Think of this contest as the American Idol of shmup designing.

Prizes include:

1st Place

* A retail Wii game of your choice (excluding games that come packed with peripherals like Guitar Hero III and Wii Fit)

* A Blast Works T-shirt signed by the crew at Budcat

* A Destructoid T-shirt of your choice

* A special in-game Blast Works "trophy" that will "include an unlock for a nice surprise" (to be sent directly from Budcat to the recipient via Wii-mail)

2nd Place

* A WiiWare or Virtual Console game of your choice

* A Blast Works T-shirt signed by the crew at Budcat

* A Destructoid T-shirt of your choice

* A not-so-special in-game Blast Works/Destructoid trophy designed by yours truly that will include a "crude, amateurish ability to manipulate polygons and a clearly un-evolved sense of humor" (to be sent directly from Jonathan Holmes to the recipient via Wii-mail)

3rd Place

* A Blast Works T-shirt signed by the crew at Budcat

* A Destructoid T-shirt of your choice

* A hand-drawn third place trophy made by me and Spacecat 

That's it! If you need some tips from the pros, a special FAQ straight from Budcat about the Blast Works level editor can be found here, and an even more special "Tips to making a great Blast Works level" guide can be found here.  

Now get out there and make the best shmup you can. We'll be waiting.






Contests Official Rules



No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: Destructoid.com contests are usually provided by sponsors who, due to customs and shipping costs (yay budgets), often limit participation to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (unless otherwise stated) and are 12 years of age. We encourage our overseas friends to be super sneaky and make a friend in the United States who can receive your prize, and then you two figure out the customs/logistics. Be cautious about who you trust, obviously. Employees of destructoid.com, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contests, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Contests (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are *not* eligible and will be fired and publicly beaten if are caught participating. All U.S., federal, state and local and regulations apply.

2. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Contest (the “Entry Period”) will be posted on the applicable Contest site.

4. Entry: To enter a Contest, follow the instructions on the Contest site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, we will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, we may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Contest.

6. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Winners will be notified by the e-mail address associated with their account on destructoid.com.com and/or receive a Private Message on destructoid.com.com or through a Twitter Direct Message/Facebook message. Winners have five (5) days from the original message alerting them of their winnings to respond and claim their prize. If no winner comes forward within five business days, the prize will be forfeited and raffled again where Destructoid's hardcore fans are most active (forums/community blogs/facebook group).

7. Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize’s approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Contest will be posted on the Contest site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize. Prizes will be mailed between 1 to 45 business days after winners have replied with their required info.

8. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

9.Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Contest Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Contest Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

10. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

11. Contest Results: To enter the contest without needing to buy/sell anything or request a written copy of the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Contest you are requesting the winners for) to destructoid.com Contest Winners 260 King Street Suite 883, San Francisco California 94107. We run many contests, so please be specific in what you are requesting. Winner requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable contest (they're always posted on our site though). Winners are usually posted the day following the contest on our contest section.

Lastly, Destructoid has the right to kick your ass and take away your prize if you are a total dickhead, so be cool and don't kick any puppies on your way to victory. Have fun with our contests and be a good sport when you win or lose. Remember: First you get the power, then you get the money, then get the baby.

 




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Jonathan Holmes is the most lovable Associate Editor on Destructoid. Catch him on videos, original editorials, and on back episodes of the Destructoid Show and MTV's Road Rules. Jonathan is a retro gamer's gamer. Likes Mega Man 2, Resident Evil, Katamari Damacy, Bit.Trip, Metal Slug 3 Meet the rest of the team



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36 comments | showing # 1 to 36
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Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 06:50
Justice
Pretty good dude! I would love to enter but... ya know... (insert generic rant on Europe getting nothing).
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 06:53
Jonathan Holmes
That sucks, Justice.

Maybe when Europe gets the game, we can make a special Euro version of this contest as well.

If it makes you feel any better, Blast Works hasn't been released in Japan either.
bloodylip's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 06:55
bloodylip
Sounds pretty awesome, I'll have to give it a shot.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 06:57
Aaron Mxy Yost
This is an awesome contest idea. Now I really need to pick up this game.
Face's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 07:06
Face
Awesome idea for a competiton.
vexed alex's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 07:17
vexed alex
Thanks God it's not another c-blog raping contest. Thank God, sir.
Justice's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 07:22
Justice
@Jonathan

Kenta Cho betrayed his own country? Damn. I'll still to Tumiki Fighters (the PC version)for now anyway.

*scurries back to cave*
Spitfire's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 07:58
Spitfire
Cool idea for a contest. I really love how easy it is to use the Blast Works Depot for community DLC. More Wii titles should use something like that.
galagabug 's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 08:08
galagabug
this is a sweet contest, been meaning to try blast works, and this sounds like a damn good reason to.
Holyetheline's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 08:54
Holyetheline
Is this game fun? I need to play videogames again. I'm such a bad "gamer" since the Radiohead concert...
TrailerParkJesus's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 09:19
TrailerParkJesus
Too bad I don't have a Wii. Great contest idear though.
Kryptinite's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 09:58
Kryptinite
man I don't think i have the patience to do this :)
4knuckleshuffle's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 10:20
4knuckleshuffle
Interesting idea. I'd prefer to rape the Cblogs though.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 10:31
Excel-2011
Someone loan me $40 real quick.
nintendoll's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 11:40
nintendoll
@Excel

I send that motion. Only, you know, for me.
thebza's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 11:48
thebza
there goes $40 from my back account (ch-ching) -$40
braulio09's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 13:37
braulio09
so if I have a US console but live in Mexico (northern mexico, if that helps), can i enter?
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/27/2008 14:13
A New Challenger
I was on the fence about picking this up right away but now I may have to.
Excel-2011's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/28/2008 00:09
Excel-2011
I actually have $40 but I ain't spending it just to enter a contest.

I have other reasons to buy this game, of course, but all things have a time and place.
Knivy's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/28/2008 04:28
Knivy
That's a great idea for a contest.

@Braulio
I say enter now, ask questions later :P.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/28/2008 08:29
Jonathan Holmes
Braulio- If you can receive a gifted WiiWare game from an Wii stationed in North America, and upload and download from www.blastworksdepot.com, then you can enter this contest.

As I don't have an US Wii in Mexico, I can't test this stuff out for you, but I assume it would work.
MATTFOO's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/29/2008 15:55
MATTFOO
game looks ill... but i dont have a wii
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 06/30/2008 15:25
Darren Nakamura
Maybe I will check this game out, but not only for this contest.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 14:25
Jonathan Holmes
Friday, Saturday, and now Sunday has passed and still no one has entered.

Don't you guys like free stuff?
Pacario's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/06/2008 21:04
Pacario
Please enter me into the contest.

I made a pretty cool level with Blast Works. It took me longer to make than I care to admit, anyway. It's called "Pest Quest."

The link: http://www.blastworksdepot.com/games/blastworks/type/level
Faceless's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/07/2008 02:48
Faceless
I'm working on an entry, it's just taking a while. It should be done for this Friday.
Gryzor's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/07/2008 02:57
Gryzor
http://www.miiplaza.net/games/blastworks/2946

This is a short level, more a preview than anything; but I still put a lot of time and love into it. I hope it's applicable. :)
dinobot19's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/07/2008 04:54
dinobot19
By this Friday, hopefully my 8-bit Mario stage will be complete. It features 8 bit enemies that can't stick on your ship, Yoshi, Fire Flower, 1-up mushrooms, the bowser on a bridge and non-stick enemies. I've been working on the pixels for over a month.
ejamer's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/11/2008 10:04
ejamer
Just got the game, and plan to enter the contest... but it'll take some time to get used to the editor. Hopefully I've have something done by the deadline. :)

Even without the cool contest, Blast Works is a pretty sweet game. I look forward to trying the levels that other DToid readers have put together!
qoouep's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2008 01:51
qoouep
My Yoshi's Island stage is finished! I still have more to add/fix, but I wanted to get it in on Friday. Be sure to pick a listed ship!

http://www.blastworksdepot.com/games/blastworks/3227
qoouep's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/12/2008 02:15
qoouep
Whoops! Did I say Yoshi's island? I meant Mario World. Yoshi is the star of the show though.
shadow1w2's Avatar - Comment posted on 07/24/2008 14:34
shadow1w2
I'm entering the contest, but Ive gotta finishthe level first. July 31st the end date?
I have alot of ideas with robots and cats. Ive only made a few bots so far.
Needs more details really, but still depends on how much time I have for detailing.

Heres a small preview of what I'm working on to show I'm serious.
It's a playable Destructoid droid bot.
http://miiplaza.net/games/blastworks/3809
I plan to update this with more details later.
I'll have the level entry posted as soon as its finalized.
qoouep's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/01/2008 22:37
qoouep
Yoshi's Cave update:
I added a title screen and stopped the camera for the final boss battle, not to mention a few gameplay tweaks.

http://miiplaza.net/games/blastworks/4212
shadow1w2's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/02/2008 03:36
shadow1w2
Well my entry is late and more or less unfinished. Playable though.
It's got robots at least!
If only I had more time.
Had more pixel work and ideas to throw in.
Oh well, better than nothing.
Now just to wait for my submission to show up on the site....
shadow1w2's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/03/2008 01:03
shadow1w2
http://miiplaza.net/games/blastworks/4227 here it is.
Submitted it too late at night.
Its not much but its something at least.
Its got teh robots!
An incomplete level really, but I plan to finish it up later.
Not gonna let it all goto waste.
Some good levels made for this contest, was fun and awesome work guys.
Jonathan Holmes's Avatar - Comment posted on 08/03/2008 12:28
Jonathan Holmes
Good job Shadow. No worries about your entry being late, as it's the only entry for the week.

Congrats.
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