Z-I-v: Curse of Lost Eyes (Thanks for playing!)

Well, here it is! Welcome to Z-I-v: Curse of Lost Eyes ~Ancient Spell of Darkness~, or just Curse of Lost Eyes! This is a contest based around the idea of anonymous submissions and trying to guess each file’s author, while also trying to make your file as hard to guess as possible! This will hopefully inspire simfile authors to explore outside of their comfort zones and maybe try out others’ styles!


Let’s first get into how submissions work:


Each round, you will make a file with at least 3 charts. Once your file is made, you will use a random alias generator such as this one:

https://jimpix.co.uk/words/random-username-generator.asp

You will then use this as your chart name and, in the case of ssc, chart author. All files must be sent to me via Z-I-v PM or by Discord DM (Kekkle#9622). You will send to me the audio file and ssc, preferably in a ZIP archive. You will not submit any graphics. I will then upload all submitted files to the category once submissions are closed for that round.


Now, onto some submission rules:


- You must have at least 3 charts in your file. This is so people can't easily recognize people based on the number of charts in their file.

- Sadly, double charts will not be allowed for this contest. Not many people can or will chart double, so this would again be an easy way to narrow down who did what.

- You must submit only the ssc file. As stated above, you will not submit graphics. The preferred audio format is ogg. If you submit an mp3 to me, I will convert it to ogg and resync the file.

- This one’s a given, but do not submit a file with your main alias as any chart credit. I get it may be a habit at this point, but try your best to remember.

- Chart difficulties should be rated on the DDR X-scale (1-20).

- Songs cannot be longer than 2:30 in length or shorter than 1:00 in length.

- If you submit a file with a 16 or above as the hardest chart, at least one of your lowers must be below a 16. I don’t want to see 3 lv.16+ charts in one file and nothing else.

- Submissions must only be sent to me, not to forcednature. forced will likely be participating in the contest.

- To make it easier on me, please tell me your randomly generated alias upon submitting your file to me. This is so I can plug this name into my spreadsheet.


Now that we’ve covered the submission rules, let’s get to voting:


- Much like previous contests, you will rate all files on a scale of 1-10 based on quality (minus your own).

- In addition to this, you will also submit an author guess for each file submitted that round (minus your own). Don’t worry, these will be stored on a spreadsheet that forced won’t be seeing (he’ll be helping with scoring using an anonymous spreadsheet).

- As with submissions, all votes will be sent directly to me via Z-I-v PM or Discord DM. Do not send votes to forcednature.


Here’s how scoring will work:


- The base points you earn for each round will be based on your file’s average score, much like the last few contests. The base points you earn will be your file’s average score multiplied by 100. For example, if your file got an average score of 7.13 one round, you would get 713 base points.

- Bonus points will be earned for each round based on how many file author guesses you got correct plus how few people guessed your file correctly. You will get 5 points for each file author you guessed correctly, and 5 points for each incorrect guess others made on your file. So, for example, if there were 30 participants, and you guessed all files correctly, and no one guessed your file correctly, you would get 300 bonus points. That being said, it’s unlikely that specific scenario would happen.


Lastly, let’s cover the schedule:


This contest will span across three rounds, six weeks (now four rounds, 8 weeks). Each round will have one week for submissions and a separate week for voting. Here’s the schedule:

Oct 17 - Oct 24 | Round 1 Submissions
Oct 24 - Oct 31 | Round 1 Voting
Oct 31 - Nov 7 | Round 2 Submissions
Nov 7 - Nov 14 | Round 2 Voting
Nov 14 - Nov 21 | Round 3 Submissions
Nov 21 - Nov 28 | Round 3 Voting
Nov 28 - Dec 5 | Round 4 Submissions
Dec 5 - Dec 12 | Round 4 Voting
Dec 12 | Final Results

All deadlines will be on Sundays, 5:00 pm UTC (17:00 UTC).

I believe that covers everything! Be sure to let me know if you all have any questions or if I missed anything here! I look forward to seeing you all when this contest begins October 17th!

Also, if you haven't, be sure to join us on the Z-I-v Contest Discord! Join here! https://discord.gg/fkPhwc2amg

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Count me in!

participating & very excited for this

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Participating! Give me my eyes back bitch

I’m in, let’s do this! This shall be interesting…

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IMPORTANT: A rule has been changed. Instead of submitting both an sm and ssc file, you will submit ONLY an ssc file. This allows for the possibility of scroll gimmicks if anyone wants to use them.

Oh yeah, I've been asked a few times if you all will be told who participated in each round before the voting.

The answer is yes, I will submit a list of all of the people who participated that round before each voting week.

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Will we be using the same alias for the entire contest?

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i'd like to join!!! im super excited for this contest :)

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No, this generator will be used to get a different alias all 3 rounds.

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Join IN!!
Note : First Time of Contests

I'm in (although I think you knew that already lol).

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I haven't made any simfiles since Week 9 of the Summer Contest. I feel like it's about time to get back into the groove.

Count me in!

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I might design a spreadsheet for this contest... I have nostalgia for the 2015-2018 spreadsheets that vincentw used to make, some of which darkanine and I adapted for Simfile Tycoons. Shouldn't be too hard to maintain.

Not sure about participating myself, my simfiling spark still hasn't come back but we'll see.

Starting now, you can begin to send me your anonymous files! However, you might want to read below for a slight rule change before doing so. Be sure once you've completed your file to apply the randomly generated name and send me an ssc and ogg!


While the minimum of 3 charts still pretty much stands, I've made specific requirements now. Your file must include a Basic, Difficult, and Expert chart. Challenge is optional. Beginner is not allowed. That's it!


I've been enjoying my free time quite a bit, so I'm sorry I've been slacking on making Ch. 1 of the story. It should be out late tomorrow at the latest!

That's it for now. Time to begin!

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Do we have to use the generator to come up with an alias, or can we make one up ourselves?

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My apologies for not responding, you are required to use the generator. Do not worry for the round that just concluded, though, I gave those that need randomly generated aliases what they needed. Round 1 submission conclusion post coming soon, by the way!


Voting for Round 1 starts this week! Be sure to send ratings from 1-10 for every file but your own to only me as well as your guesses for each file's author! DO NOT SEND VOTES TO FORCEDNATURE!


I should have been more clear with how aliases work. You MUST generate a random alias using the generator posted in the initial post. They will be in this format (firstwordsecondword) and will be listed on the #CREDIT section for each chart in your ssc, nowhere else. Sorry for not clarifying earler.


Sorry for the delay, I've been very busy and slightly unmotivated this week. It's finished now, though! Read it here!

CoLE Story

Round 1 ZIP

Here it is! https://drive.google.com/file/d/1fI9no52ELF8sd4jaRUUVAx9FMiRiByOu/view?usp=sharing

That's it for now. Happy voting!

STEPPER LINEUP FOR ROUND 1:
RaverAce
PandemoniumX
Karl with a K
eataninja
chrononical/Lampshade
PenTA_
Gameoson
Destrier75
5l1n65h07 (Slingshot)
t7r (tsugaru7reveng)
_|/-\43D (Jared)
vonafroa
forcednature

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24 hours left for Round 1 voting & guessing

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I've got some Round 1 Feedback for anyone that wants
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zqrsFTGNxQkekWkYGQ8yCLqWJgPpKZcwF_HHriV9Md4/edit?usp=sharing

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Congrats to Gameoson for the W!

Here's my feedback:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1wTOobamfmWjU1TLe3z6JFS_cvXxO84tUOano6rJA23E

(two cewtain peopwe wanted theiw feedback wwitten wike thiws uwu)

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