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Robot Arena => Discussion => Topic started by: Jack Daniels on February 07, 2012, 03:00:05 PM

Title: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Jack Daniels on February 07, 2012, 03:00:05 PM: BOTM participation has gone downhill. I am curious as to why. There are plenty of active builders in the community. Some of the big guns like Joe, Sage, and Click have been absent from BOTM for a while. I am really surprised that others have not jumped at the opportunity to win. It seems like it coincides with the increase in IRL building that the community is enjoying. I would like to know your feelings on the subject. Please take a moment to answer the poll with any of the choices that are relevant to you. Thanks.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Mr. AS on February 07, 2012, 05:01:55 PM: my splash skills suck ASS

(https://gametechmods.com/TournamentFiles/botm/jan12/002.png)
edit: wait why is this in the tourney section
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Fracture on February 07, 2012, 05:06:13 PM: It only went down for two months; just look at the December and November BOTM competitions. January and February had less entries because of the rules ACAMS decided. (Stock UHW and DSL eight wheeled at least one snowplow at least two weapon systems HW aren't particularly appealing)

This in no way invalidates the purpose of the poll and this discussion, though. Just wanted to clear up that BOTM isn't going downhill because of something having to do with the builders themselves. (although I myself only build Stock) So yeah, I said the rules do not interest me.

Quote from: Mr. AwesumSauce on February 07, 2012, 05:01:55 PM
edit: wait why is this in the tourney section
Tournaments and Contests section. (BOTM goes in this forum)
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Mr. AS on February 07, 2012, 05:08:33 PM: Quote from: Fracture on February 07, 2012, 05:06:13 PM
Quote from: Mr. AwesumSauce on February 07, 2012, 05:01:55 PM
edit: wait why is this in the tourney section
Tournaments and Contests section. (BOTM goes in this forum)
i thought this section was for tourneys that you are planning to host
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Naryar on February 07, 2012, 05:09:41 PM: Answers n°4 and n°5... and the thing is that I realize since the big guns (mostly Joe and Click) have left, I could beat all the lesser builders easily, but I am too damn lazy. Especially in the last three months.

Also there's a problem of BOTM being "splash of the month" (though it seems to be less true with the departure of the big guns), and there is much less excitement to be found in BOTM contests and victories rather than in the robotic battlefield.

Also, so much potential for abuse. A group of unknowing, unskilled n00bs or newfags could force the victory of an uninteresting (in the three possible categories : cool looks, efficiency/combat worth and originality) bot.

But that's democracy for you. :thumbdown

@AS : Splash skills are a judgment for sure, but I judge more on originality, general interest level and building skill. Hell I voted for your bot.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Fracture on February 07, 2012, 05:14:12 PM: Quote from: Mr. AwesumSauce on February 07, 2012, 05:08:33 PM
i thought this section was for tourneys that you are planning to host
Right...this would probably fit better in General Discussion then. *looks at Naryar*
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: GroudonRobotWars on February 07, 2012, 05:14:53 PM: Can't come up with a good bot design or a good splash.

My BOTM October 2010 bot shows why.
(https://gametechmods.com/uploads/images/80557002.JPG)
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Natef on February 07, 2012, 05:15:44 PM: 1 and 2 are my reasons.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: cephalopod on February 07, 2012, 05:17:38 PM: 2,3,5.
Especially 5.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Naryar on February 07, 2012, 05:18:14 PM: Moving thread to general discussion.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: MassimoV on February 07, 2012, 05:22:04 PM: 5, if not for that, I would enter.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Thyrus on February 07, 2012, 05:26:38 PM: splashskills and the time.. I`m working much. also there`s always something in the rules that makes me not building anything for this
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: System32 on February 07, 2012, 05:47:19 PM: People vote splashes instead.

People vote splashes done by a few members they know.

Members make their splashes look the same by adding signature details (I.E Click and Joe use descriptive splashes featuring unique bots, the seperation is that Joeblo never shows battleshots and only results while click has large chassi bots.)

BOTM was a popularity contest like everything else for a while.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: TeamXtreemer on February 07, 2012, 05:48:48 PM: never aw/bw
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: SKBT on February 07, 2012, 05:57:00 PM: Most of my BOTM entries have been random builds that happened to fit BOTM criteria, with exceptions being Spinoff and Omnivore. So if I end up building something that fits criteria I often enter it. Most of the time I try to make my splash as "SKBT'y" * as possible because everyone knows my building style and trying to disguise it would be silly.

Yeah it would be cool to see some new people build bots for BOTM and/or to see some vets get back into the game. I've never got why Scrap doesn't enter more.

*my splashes also can be thrown together in less than 10 min so that's the other reason why my splashes look the way they do. :gawe:
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Resetti's Replicas on February 07, 2012, 06:01:26 PM: I've been told I'm too recognizable. Also it's too much work for so little end product
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: kill343gs on February 07, 2012, 06:32:05 PM: 2 and 4

I stopped building a reallllll long time ago. Not that I would ever be able to compete with you guys anyways.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Enigm@ on February 07, 2012, 07:51:53 PM: I keep forgetting.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on February 07, 2012, 07:56:44 PM: Weird rules... The last BotM I participated in was in August 2009. The rules were simple. Build a DSL popup. No realistic rule.

Make it simple again...
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Scrap Daddy on February 07, 2012, 09:02:39 PM: yeah I usually intend on entering and either forget or something comes up.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: RpJk on February 07, 2012, 10:42:41 PM: 3 reasons for me.
1. I have been very busy
2. There's no real satisfaction after you win it. I would like a prize for doing it.
3. I do not play RA2 anymore.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on February 07, 2012, 10:56:37 PM: Quote from: RPJK on February 07, 2012, 10:42:41 PM
3 reasons for me.
1. Bitch
2. Moan
3. Complain

That's what I read.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Jonzu95 on February 07, 2012, 11:11:27 PM: The reason why I don't enter is the weightclass. I only build AW-MW
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Meganerdbomb on February 07, 2012, 11:58:47 PM: I only bother building if I already have a good idea.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: ty4er on February 08, 2012, 12:53:22 AM: lack of ideas that work.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Squirrel_Monkey on February 08, 2012, 01:13:33 AM: BECAUSE I NEVER WIN
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Doomkiller on February 08, 2012, 01:17:53 AM: Mostly, because my splash skills are lacking *I did try that once though*

Mind you, I haven't been building anyway...
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: cephalopod on February 08, 2012, 01:57:34 AM: Maybe we should try a PictureOTM one month - like people can enter battleshots and stuff. That'd be pretty cool, and a chance for original bots to show their flare.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Team 9 on February 08, 2012, 02:04:58 AM: becuase my building skills aren't very good.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Thyrus on February 08, 2012, 02:07:12 AM: Quote from: Craaig on February 08, 2012, 01:57:34 AM
Maybe we should try a PictureOTM one month - like people can enter battleshots and stuff. That'd be pretty cool, and a chance for original bots to show their flare.

with criterias like "DSL, HW, OOTA" and stuff?
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Conraaa on February 08, 2012, 02:17:28 AM: The build criteria put me off more than anything. Stock UHW? No thanks.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Pwnator on February 08, 2012, 03:31:05 AM: Someone do all of my homework and problem sets and I'll gladly participate in all upcoming BOTMs.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Scourge of teh Galaxy on February 08, 2012, 05:04:21 AM: I don't because I'm only "good" when it comes to HW and above, and only work in Stock
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Jonzu95 on February 08, 2012, 05:14:58 AM: Quote from: Scourge of teh Galaxy on February 08, 2012, 05:04:21 AM
I don't because I'm only "good" when it comes to HW and above, and only work in Stock
You're quite fine when building Middleweights too..
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: 123savethewhales on February 08, 2012, 06:30:38 AM: Because I been really messed up lately and I can't turn on RA2, or any video games, without collapsing into major depression.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Scourge of teh Galaxy on February 08, 2012, 07:32:56 AM: Quote from: Jonzu95 on February 08, 2012, 05:14:58 AM
Quote from: Scourge of teh Galaxy on February 08, 2012, 05:04:21 AM
I don't because I'm only "good" when it comes to HW and above, and only work in Stock
You're quite fine when building Middleweights too..
You counting that pokerbot? 'cause that was a fail
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: NFX on February 08, 2012, 08:36:26 AM: I've not take part in the last few BOTM's, just because I've had no ideas at all. I knew I couldn't win the Christmas one, though, but the two after that, I just had no ideas that were both good designs, and interesting. There's also the problem that people seem to know which splash is mine, despite the fact that I try to mix it up a little. And then there's the fact that effective bots don't seem too appealing in BOTM anymore, at least from what I've seen. Satellite and Iron Hornet are the two examples I'd put forward. Sattelite lost narrowly to JD's El Chupacabra replica, which admittedly was a very good replica, but Iron Hornet got completely creamed by a robot that didn't even meet the criteria. For me, it's a combination of being a bit too busy and a lack of inspiration, I suppose.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: GoldenFox93 on February 08, 2012, 09:30:20 AM: Voted 1, 2, 3 and 5.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: smashysmashy on February 08, 2012, 11:23:18 AM: 2 and 5. Every time I get scared out of my pants that it will be so terrible it will end in ridicule. Oh and my Paint.net skills go as far as cropping, pasting, and inserting text.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: The Ounce on February 08, 2012, 06:26:19 PM: For me, it's reason #5 for the most part. If I decided to put in enough effort I could make a decent splash, but even then neither it nor the bot would be something as front page-worthy as something Click, JB, or Sage would make.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: RpJk on February 09, 2012, 12:31:06 AM: Quote from: HurricaneAndrew on February 07, 2012, 10:56:37 PM
Quote from: RPJK on February 07, 2012, 10:42:41 PM
3 reasons for me.
1. Bitch
2. Moan
3. Complain

That's what I read.
Grow Up.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on February 09, 2012, 04:50:52 PM: Quote from: RPJK on February 09, 2012, 12:31:06 AM
Quote from: HurricaneAndrew on February 07, 2012, 10:56:37 PM
Quote from: RPJK on February 07, 2012, 10:42:41 PM
3 reasons for me.
1. Bitch
2. Moan
3. Complain

That's what I read.
Grow Up.

Go screw yourself.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Natef on February 09, 2012, 05:12:11 PM: Dude, knock it off.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: MassimoV on February 09, 2012, 05:16:15 PM: Thank you Nate. Thank you.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Naryar on February 09, 2012, 05:34:41 PM: ...So is anyone willing to post something constructive or has HA ruined the thread by pointlessly attacking someone and starting a flame war ?

This is a good, interesting, possibly constructive thread. I will not see it getting trashed because some asshole felt like attacking someone, the someone in question replies with a weak comeback, another man joins the fray (which was supposedly not that bad of a post, but still off topic), then again another... and what will happen ? Snowball effect ? More flaming ? This thread becoming a big ball of drama ? Not on my watch !

Next inflammatory comment I see... oh wait, i think you guys known what waits for you if you continue. So there's no need for an explicit threat.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Tweedy on February 09, 2012, 05:54:50 PM: I voted for 7 because I think my building skills are OK but I still have alot to learn, i need to learn more building styles and techniques, and i can't work in ms paint any further than screenshots and text.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Meganerdbomb on February 09, 2012, 07:23:29 PM: BAN HIM I SAY! No, really.

Aaaaanyway. I think I might actually enter this month, since Stock LW is pretty easy, and since I'm at least a fairly competent builder (for the Starcore AI era anyway), I'll be sure to beat all the n00b bots! Are you ready for a pony bot to grace the front page?
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Enigm@ on February 09, 2012, 07:25:41 PM: Quote from: Meganerdbomb on February 09, 2012, 07:23:29 PM
BAN HIM I SAY! No, really.

Aaaaanyway. I think I might actually enter this month, since Stock LW is pretty easy, and since I'm at least a fairly competent builder (for the Starcore AI era anyway), I'll be sure to beat all the n00b bots! Are you ready for a pony bot to grace the front page?
my body is ready
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: NFX on February 10, 2012, 02:58:07 AM: Quote from: Craaig on February 08, 2012, 01:57:34 AM
Maybe we should try a PictureOTM one month - like people can enter battleshots and stuff. That'd be pretty cool, and a chance for original bots to show their flare.
This was discussed previously, IIRC. Someone suggested we have a standardised splash, and people had to fill it in with their bot stuff, but nobody liked that idea for some reason. I think it might be too much hassle to get a splash done, and then for everyone to find some way of editing it to suit their bots. We haven't all got Photoshop. But a nice splash is always going to garner a few votes over a poorly made one.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Avalanche on March 18, 2012, 11:37:13 AM: Everything.I suck at splashes, and bot designing.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Classicus on March 27, 2012, 07:21:01 AM: Why isn't bot of the month simply a nomination of a bot built within the span of the month in the showcases, you get a top 8 in terms of votes, which are then revealed and people vote on that top eight, the criteria being which one you like the most that isn't one of your own. One bot max per individual member?
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: HurricaneAndrew on March 27, 2012, 07:34:09 AM: I feel that Classicus may be on to something, there. If we could figure out how to get it pruned down to a top eight that weren't all by like four members to go to a final vote. The winning bot could be easily splashed after the final vote for the home page.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Trovaner on March 27, 2012, 01:49:59 PM: I feel that there would be much more bias (because it is obvious who posted what), less creativity (HS and popups are over made and showcased), and less challenging (part of the fun is trying to follow the criteria given). Not to mention, I wouldn't be able to participate without making a showcase :P
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: GroudonRobotWars on March 27, 2012, 01:53:17 PM: I don't like that idea neither as some users would probably never have a chance at winning BOTM if it went that way, it would always be NFX, Naryar, Clickbeetle or the other members like that would win.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: Classicus on March 27, 2012, 01:59:00 PM: I understand what you say but the criteria I'd say is just which bot you like the most, not necessarily the best robot. So for example if it was like that this month I would probably have voted for Robosharks IRL flipper, just because of the look. I don't think the same few would win, as there are a lot of great robots out there.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: NFX on March 27, 2012, 02:02:38 PM: Quote from: Classicus on March 27, 2012, 07:21:01 AM
Why isn't bot of the month simply a nomination of a bot built within the span of the month in the showcases, you get a top 8 in terms of votes, which are then revealed and people vote on that top eight, the criteria being which one you like the most that isn't one of your own. One bot max per individual member?

I thought this was what BOTM was when I first rocked up here. :gawe:

Although part of what I enjoy about BOTM is the restrictions, the challenge of building something outwith your normal building style. I really don't like the people who say "I was hoping for this weightclass" or something along those lines, because that's what BOTM is about. It's about the variety that you can find in the game, and the enjoyment of building a robot for something other than just beating opponents.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: System32 on March 28, 2012, 11:22:00 AM: Quote from: NFX on February 10, 2012, 02:58:07 AM
Quote from: Craaig on February 08, 2012, 01:57:34 AM
Maybe we should try a PictureOTM one month - like people can enter battleshots and stuff. That'd be pretty cool, and a chance for original bots to show their flare.
This was discussed previously, IIRC. Someone suggested we have a standardised splash, and people had to fill it in with their bot stuff, but nobody liked that idea for some reason. I think it might be too much hassle to get a splash done, and then for everyone to find some way of editing it to suit their bots. We haven't all got Photoshop. But a nice splash is always going to garner a few votes over a poorly made one.

That was me. I'm Galileo to all you proles.

Anyway, here Is my suggestion wih proof of how easy it is. I did it in 5 mins ish.

http://imgur.com/a/B3YEa (http://imgur.com/a/B3YEa)
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: ACAMS on March 28, 2012, 04:17:54 PM: That is cool, but you got DQed .... size limit is 700 wide x 800 tall :p
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: cephalopod on March 28, 2012, 04:43:22 PM: What I meant was just genuine battleshots - not a splash of any kind, just a cool shot you took in a battle. Doesn't matter what robots are in it.
Title: Re: Why do you NOT participate in BOTM?
Post by: System32 on March 28, 2012, 06:25:38 PM: Quote from: ACAMS on March 28, 2012, 04:17:54 PM
That is cool, but you got DQed .... size limit is 700 wide x 800 tall :p

Moar cropping then. :)