Brawl² Challenge / Competition, Vote and discussion?

iam717 · Apr 29 2025

Whoa, Whoa, Whoa ladies and gents.

let's get HYPED - Choo-choo mfers !

Hype Train's coming Beeotch !

Are you Ready spaghetti?

Push everything aside its time to get into the ring again.

What else could you want?

What time will you arrive?

Post C&c below about availability times so we can sort this shiznit out, yo!

Suggestions for challenges / competitions / contests below in the poll, slide down that thing and put the money where your mouth is and slide your vote up on in there like swimwear, you know you want to.

Hype it up, share it on your socials so we can BRAWL it out one last time in this final rodeo, mess with the bull you get the horns! Ggrrr, BRING IT!

Poll created starting from: this thread. (sadly, it has been a while and i as well as many others probably took some "leave-time", away from the site and missed this topic.)

Mods feel free to clean it up, but i think it works.

Alemja · Apr 29 2025

Brawl² but no prizes besides fame, glory and bragging rights, like the original Brawl. Organizing these things can be hard and time consuming enough already (speaking from experience, I hosted the monthly character challenge for years) Throwing prizes into the mix can increase the organization effort 1000x. Plus it makes it ripe for drama, which is one of the many, many reasons Domwar fell apart and the Brawl was born

MrHobo · Apr 29 2025

Alemja said:

Brawl² but no prizes besides fame, glory and bragging rights, like the original Brawl. Organizing these things can be hard and time consuming enough already (speaking from experience, I hosted the monthly character challenge for years) Throwing prizes into the mix can increase the organization effort 1000x. Plus it makes it ripe for drama, which is one of the many, many reasons Domwar fell apart and the Brawl was born

Kinda wish I could vote for two, but I second what was said here. In addition to this Id really love strict budgets, what made these comps fun to me is seeing how far people could push themselves within practical limits.

Neox · Apr 29 2025

also keep in mind, if you do prices you might have to ship them, handle customs, taxes and all that. its not enough to get some sponsors and loot. you have to get that to people. and i dont expect this to get any easier in the foreseeable future...

Eric Chadwick · Apr 29 2025

Yeah as we've seen with the Polycount Store, just shipping to Australia (as just one example) can be a real pain for people. Better to go prize-less IMHO. There's going to be enough excitement already with a reboot like this. Love that you're stepping up for this!

iam717 · Apr 30 2025

TLDR:, we are in discussion: share your input, i am not locked into one thing, mix and match is fine. grouping is being talked about, no prizes but exposure.

Quotes: Brawl² but no prizes. wish I could vote for two, but I second what was said here, Better to go prize-less IMHO

Okay, done then.

Not a mod to re-edit the poll and idk if editing the poll will ruin the poll.

The only reason for "prizes", & they could be $ based alleviating 95% of the issues mentioned but, the reason was for incentive situation where only that % of talent apply to, i.e. more eye candy for us. ("kind of a bribe, eh")

"wish", this wasn't the case but it is.

Well right now we are seeing the engagement, situation.

This is also great for that, I've read some wish they where around when the DomWars (+other challenges) started going on and that they "missed out", so this would also be for them. (where ever they are.)

This is your moment, also yes, if you want to mix and match, which i also thought about when creating the poll. This is the discussion and determination run. (for me, for us?)I want to enter also and participate, if i can, doing this cause i want to see this again and for me it would close the loop for me that i started here it would be suitable for me to also "end" it here.

If you wanted to make a tribute piece to one of the fallen artists, or even one still breathing, who you either where inspired by, or close to could still be done. I do not see why not.

Been also thinking, why restrict us? never seen a event allow artists combining? My initial thought was a DEV theme based event, as in teaming grouping. (whether you are in one already or "strangers" grouping.)

Even say, an environment artist with a character artist? they could make the pedestal's for the characters, why not add the FX artist to make the effects for the character environments since i wouldn't want to leave anyone out, why not add a rigger / skinner / animator so we do not exclude anyone artist for another.

Also think this can build new "partnerships" / relationships, to encourage the indie market, solo devs, small studios?

MY .02's.

Have fun with it all do not restrict yourselves, been thinking it would be very small in the rules situation, in that the only rule would be no Automated/Generated additions what so ever. (there is enough promotion going on atm for it, so to make this "harder", not allowing it would be beneficial for learning.)

Just being informative, if anyone has concerns or didn't think we could be unrestricted. If anyone wants restrictions, a handicap can be applied to those choosing the unrestricted route.

Hope this helps anyone on the pendulum about this, loving the engagement so far it is hyping me up, Woot-Woot.

Alemja · Apr 30 2025

iam717 said:

Have fun with it all do not restrict yourselves, been thinking it would be very small in the rules situation, in that the only rule would be no Automated/Generated additions what so ever. (there is enough promotion going on atm for it, so to make this "harder", not allowing it would be beneficial for learning.)

Going to have to respectfully disagree with this one, not the stuff about no AI, that is totally fine, but about having no limitations. I don't think you can accurately judge a 1 billion triangle super detailed sculpt piece against a low poly hand painted piece, it's a problem I feel that has popped up with other competitions. Game art also generally takes a bit longer if someone is going through the whole high-low workflow and is at a bit of a disadvantage time wise. We're also a game art forum, and game art always has limitations, some of the best stuff that has come out of these competitions are doing absolutely stellar work within those limitations.

Like Dominace War 4's Winner by SlipgateCentral, this is roughly 10K triangles for the final model and still kicks ass and holds up today:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2l64YyPfiA4

https://www.deviantart.com/slipgatecentral/art/N0X-print-189949794

Or when Skankerzero managed to make not 1 character, but a whole team using the specs for the Polycount Mutant Little League competion:

https://polycount.com/discussion/91509/mutant-little-league-team-skankerzero/p1

http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/SkankerzeroModularCharacterSystem

This stuff is only made more impressive because of the limitations they worked within. This is the kind of stuff I would want to see, I want to see people be challenged by making something that is 50k polygons with 2k textures and can stand up to a model with a million triangles and 3 4k textures. I want to see what creative things people can do within limitations.

Limitations also help with the time scale for competitions, generally about 2-3 months seems to be the sweet spot and having limitations helps keep people reigned in and make it so more people can complete. After all, a lot of people will be doing these on their spare time.

poopipe · Apr 30 2025

Eric Chadwick said:

Yeah as we've seen with the Polycount Store, just shipping to Australia (as just one example) can be a real pain for people. Better to go prize-less IMHO. There's going to be enough excitement already with a reboot like this. Love that you're stepping up for this!

is there a special forum thingy you can put on people if they win a thing?

that sounded better in my head

Eric Chadwick · Apr 30 2025

We could make a special rank, that reverts after a couple months or something.

pxgeek · May 1 2025

This sounds like it could be a lot of fun if there are enough entries. The best thing about those past competitions was seeing the sheer volume of work being done in a collective sense. (but even without the domwar numbers, could still be fun!)

I would agree that having some set limits would be a good idea, whatever they may be.

Would there be any reason to stay within the fighting game theme? Is it to get character and environment artist involved (character/stage thing)? I see that there was Mario in the last one, so maybe that’s a bit more lax?

iam717 · May 1 2025

woot, (TLDR;(people) duration, limitations, theme, dependent on community, wanting to incorporate all artistic positions somehow.) You guys are cooking i am luving this, it is not just hype.

I know we can't please everyone but dang it we can try, this is very fair to say out loud, HEY if you want it come on in and talk about it. The blacking out stuff is the not so important but wanting to say stuff, btw.

"Going to have to respectfully disagree with having no limitations & 2-3 months duration."

Yeah, i agree, wanted to see what people thought about it and i kind of knew this would come up which is great to see, i am trying to give opportunities for the community to "chime in", I've been scouting places to "spread" the news and generate more hype.

Is there a way to make this thread stand out more on the forums apart from the sticky? perhaps even if it is an alternative color? or something just an idea since there are so many stickies.

Really hoping a few people come through for this since i do not speak alternative languages so i am limited there.

My situation atm is when should we launch this? any thoughts (this is to anyone btw), I've been looking around and seeing some things "springing up", that conflict somewhat with my general time-frame idea. couple weeks to couple month/s from now dependent on interaction, so far so good though.

"I want to see people be challenged / to see what creative things people can do within limitations."

Agree, i delighted in this also, always amazed at what can be done and those two mentions are always lingering in the background when i hear anything bout a new contest/challenge.

Would there be any reason to stay within the fighting game theme? & to get character and environment artist involved (character/stage thing)?

Wanted to incorporate every aspect of game DEV somehow and that kind of works well for all "artistic", positions, concepts,Art,FX,animations,environment.

Think it would be even cooler to add in some of our vehicle, weapon, and prop designers so they are not out of the loop either & into this mix to alleviate some of the workload on the character designs.

As much as most times i enjoy creating a "whole scene", it is like others have said its time consuming. (the idea to add in more is for more creativity on the demolition idea of the street fighter car breaking "bonus" round, instead of a car and or other, you decide.) Doesn't have to be a Street Fighter Theme it is only an example to incorporate the others.

The main idea that i felt a little hijacked (probably a me thing, not you.)from was for polycount to make their own game within this time-frame so not only are we looking to see who does what with limitations i wanted to also make this a product since we if "allowed" via contracts and such could release this title.

Do you all like this idea? (Think the success story of "Expedition 33".)

Even if ending up "free", which won't motivate many but a release under the belt is a release & which i know will come up because it CAN complicate things even though it shouldn't, everyone entering started at 0, it stemmed from looking though "artists looking for work", sections.

All that legal stuff if $ comes into play, would have to probably be handled by someone else, even though i trust myself to deliver % based on applicants contributions and or equal division of $ so 100% transparency, btw i am in it for the memories not the $. (This also helps those seeking funds to "survive" another few days or so.)

An it is a general thought that has been in my mind since i got here and started to learn which was to see polycount "level up", from forum to studio? not to knock any new comers from their positions but with the old staff.

releasing titles as a group by enthusiasts that become/became more.

(which has happened but apart from polycount, which i suppose i understand, you want to make your own thing and control it apart from the p.c. umbrella.)

Hmm bringing this up give a good theme of, where are they now and some "commemoration" to success stories, (they did it, you can also) even though we missed a few studios and they've been retired.

Is that somewhere in the wiki? probably should be, kind of a cool read to hear there can be success being apart of this place & applying ones self.

sacboi · May 1 2025

@iam717 kudos providing the genesis well brah "represent"

Anyway had voted "Memorial texturing Event (Competition)"

So couple of thoughts because I basically sided specifically with these comments:

"If you wanted to make a tribute piece to one of the fallen artists, or even one still breathing, who you either where inspired by, or close to could still be done. I do not see why not."

"This stuff is only made more impressive because of the limitations they worked within. This is the kind of stuff I would want to see, I want to see people be challenged by making something that is 50k polygons with 2k textures and can stand up to a model with a million triangles and 3 4k textures. I want to see what creative things people can do within limitations.

Limitations also help with the time scale for competitions, generally about 2-3 months seems to be the sweet spot and having limitations helps keep people reigned in and make it so more people can complete. After all, a lot of people will be doing these on their spare time."

1. For those of us unable to generate a character or for that matter an entire environment (collaborative effort, as well) presume being inspired by previous PC brawl comps of yesteryear?! thinking out loud here, maybe open up this challenge to include various game dev disciplines/genre for instance, hard surface specialists - hand painted stylized art - animators - riggers - 2D/3D concept artists - low poly art etc, etc which might even gather a more broad community wide appeal each perhaps with it's own 'competitive' sub section?

2. I think like many polycounters, I'm able to name senior established industry people who had played a part in terms of aspiration albeit career or otherwise in pursuing this craft and as for myself there's but a handful. One amongst whom was Paul Pepera simply my only goal is to just pay tribute to ones peer, saying thank you as one artist too another.

pxgeek · May 1 2025

Was searching around the forum and this Blood/Petrol post-mortem from 2014 seemed relevant:

https://polycount.com/discussion/comment/2127639#Comment_2127639

Pretty cool looking through some of the submissions too.

Another idea for the prize route since it might entice more artists to join: coupon/assets from 3dscanstore? They seem like cool dudes that might be open to “no strings attached” prizes? You never know…just spit-ballin.

Fabi_G · May 1 2025

Voted for memorial texturing event, but Brawl sounds like fun too. When? June or July? For how long? Idk

iam717 · May 2 2025

"2-3 months" yes it will be this.

open up this challenge to include various game dev disciplines/genre for instance, hard surface specialists - hand painted stylized art - animators - riggers - 2D/3D concept artists - low poly art etc, etc

a lot of people will be doing these on their spare time.

thank you as one artist too another

Yes you and anyone can do this ^.

That is the idea👍

i was wondering how to incorporate the concept artists though, guess taking notes from alternative sites, they started with concept artists 1st, which i do like the idea of, though we aren't seeing much of that around these parts.

Are they lurking and just not posting? no idea.

Should we do a preliminary 1 month concept stage?

for those of us NOT conceptual artists? to mock up an idea before hand or add that into the 3 month time-frame?

A lot of you gents participating in this thread have a load of users "lurking", tell them to tell their friends/networks also, it would be neat if you have blogs to post about this to generate more traction from your following towards this since they must be interested in art and that would load us up on more participants who may be interested. Just an idea, not that i would but an ad on Artstations top row 1st left position would be of interest for me a few days before this starts up. For those still left on that site anyway.

Been noodling with the "brief doc", it is a some-what edited version of the 1st Brawl (cause if it worked why mess with it too much) so far taking into consideration the Comments / Critiques being mentioned as best i can while making it approachable for most entrants. I do not see it being a bad idea to allow people attempting to come in to hit the restriction goals of the contest & allowing those that want to "smooth out their designs", to hit a higher count.

They more than likely would want to have a nice portfolio piece to show at the end of this so this is why i am considering "both" to keep it fluid for all craving to participate.

May (end?) / June (start/mid?) Time-frame sound good to everyone lurking? thumbs post up if so? chime in if not.

about the 15th of this month i will be available to launch this so somewhere on or after then.

Eric Chadwick · May 3 2025

Pumped for this! Kudos iam717 for driving this bus. We’ll get something brewing…

zetheros · May 3 2025

im too busy to enter, but good luck with the event @iam717, would be cool to watch

poopipe · May 3 2025

Eric Chadwick said:

We could make a special rank, that reverts after a couple months or something.

third?

im hurt

(but yes - thats what i meant)

also fwiw I'd personally advise against opening it up beyond a narrow discipline - at least on the first try. its already going to be 5 times as much work as you think

Alemja · May 3 2025

End of June, beginning of July seems like a decent time frame to get this organized and build up hype. I think limiting the categories to character and environment is fine, if there is enough interest for other categories, then perhaps sometime in the future. Other things that need to be thought about is who are the judges going to be and how many do we need? Are we going to rely on volunteers or have to reach out to people? The people judging should also not be participating in any other way in the interest of fairness.

Muzzoid · May 4 2025

Just popping in to say. Tech limitations are an absolute must.

I don't care about seeing un-optimized posed sculpts, or making them.

Working within limitations is what makes game art great.

iam717 · May 5 2025

Great feed back all, i am ready to start this today, 12 central time ("lunch").

so i will post a summary in an edit here soon if you caught it great if not i suppose the thread area is launched and i do not have to.

Reason for today is to allow conceptual artists of all walks to get in on this also, so a "week" early seems decent to allow them time to generate some designs. Been 7 days, if this place was popping it would've already generated hype, and viewing the voting it doesn't bode well to wait longer.

The dead line date can be extended to final results date to sort out any issues with time-frames.

tbd, few minutes. msg mod/admin, if ...they... think its a good idea to launch right now...

summary

what inspires you? show us in your own way.
If it inspires you redesign it, put it in any genre & in your style of choice.

Eric Chadwick · May 5 2025

The Brawl2 is live!
https://polycount.com/discussion/237047/the-brawl²-tournament

Brawl² Challenge / Competition, Vote and discussion?

Hype it up, share it on your socials so we can BRAWL it out one last time in this final rodeo, mess with the bull you get the horns! Ggrrr, BRING IT!

Brawl² Challenge / Competition, Vote and discussion? 13 votes

Replies

summary

what inspires you? show us in your own way.

If it inspires you redesign it, put it in any genre & in your style of choice.