Idea for "lite" mapping challenges

[Darken]

I've noticed a recent trend with the mapping challenges that has inspired an idea...

The challenges have involved taking a pre-existing layout and building a map based on that layout... so what if the lite mapping challenges were to create those layouts?

For example, lets say the January lite mapping challenge would be to design a floorplan for a castle. The February (regular) mapping challenge could be to take that floorplan and flesh it out with a style, apply a plot/mood/theme, etc.

[Updated 28 Oct 2008] Another idea (thanks Ascension!) would be to have the lite challenge create an object (say, a top-down view of a statue) or even a map background like a crumpled sheet of paper, and the regular challenge would have to incorporate the winner's object/background/etc into their map.

[Jkaen]

I think it has possibilities, but it would be tricky to provide the right level of detail for that layout that both makes the lite challenge worthwhile and gives people a good degree of freedom in the main challenge

[ravells]

The layouts (to date) have been very simple, usually just a bunch of shapes. It might be interesting to have more complex layouts, but as Jkaen says, the more complex they get the less freedom it gives the people who are to build on it.

[Ascension]

Maybe the light challenges could be for things other than mapping per se. We could add in the illustrative or 3d things like figures and say, chairs and tables, etc. Keep it small, like "gimme a nice paladin in top down view" or "gimme a nice compass" or "burnt paper" or "one night hack n slash campaign plot". This way we could show off or explore the other areas of interest we all have.

[ravells]

I know it's being discussed amongst the CL's but I haven't been around much lately, but watch this space and keep the ideas coming!

[RPMiller]

Sorry I had to edit the poll as it didn't comply with the guidelines. Yes/no answers are all that is allowed. I'm not going to nitpick the wording but they have to clearly be "yes" or "no".

[Darken]

Sorry I had to edit the poll as it didn't comply with the guidelines. Yes/no answers are all that is allowed. I'm not going to nitpick the wording but they have to clearly be "yes" or "no".

Ah, my apologies.

Maybe the light challenges could be for things other than mapping per se. We could add in the illustrative or 3d things like figures and say, chairs and tables, etc. Keep it small, like "gimme a nice paladin in top down view" or "gimme a nice compass" or "burnt paper" or "one night hack n slash campaign plot". This way we could show off or explore the other areas of interest we all have.

Actually, this could still flow with my original idea. For example, maybe the lite challenge one month could be "Create a top-down view of a statue" and the regular challenge the next month would require that the map some how incorporate the winner's statue... I'm updating the original post to reflect this idea, thanks Ascension!