Postby TheProgramer » Sat Aug 15, 2009 7:04 pm
So if you read the above messages you would see that I have accidentally created some frictions between timelines in my campaign. I put in my proluge that the story is taking place 3 years after the events of BroodWar, but in the epilogue I stated that everything took place [spoiler]before Ulrezaj had become a Dark Archon[/spoiler] putting the story to take place only after the Protoss Campaign of BroodWar, but before the last events of BroodWar. So I was wondering if the contradiction of timelines would disqualify me, and if not would I lose more points by re-publishing the epilogue or by leaving it the way it was. I messaged Ricky_Honejasi who said it would be wiser if I just left it as is. So that is that. I plan to fix the epilogue and am willing to send it to anyone who wants it, but the detail is minor so I don't see that anyone will realistically ask me for the fixed one, but I am willing to give it to anyone who does. After all the criticism (constructive I hope) comes in, and my Campaign is 'graded' I will fix all the errors and publish a final version (non-contest) for download if you want.
Following is transcripts of the pm correspondence with Ricky_Honejasi posted with his permission as noted in the last two pms*. (note that I thought the error was also in the final in-game cinematic but I was wrong)
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TheProgramer on August 13, 2009, 09:13:47 PM
I have realized I made an error. I had made a plot comment during the epilogue and final cinematic at end of last level that ended up mixing some time-frames. I was wondering would it be better for me to republish those two maps, or leave as is. In other words which will end up in me being reducded less points?
Ricky_Honejasi on August 14, 2009, 06:17:00 AM
You are better off just leaving it like that especially when some time-frame mistakes are quite minor compared to the story overall. You are certain to get lots of penalty to push to get your new official entry as any newer version now to fix a ridiculously minor detail in the grand scheme of things.
Plus with all the issues that happened around Oracle's case, I honestly don't want to start another considerable problematic issue that would resolve around you being allowed to fix things way late in the deadline and have it as official while others can't.
TheProgramer on August 15 at 06:23:58 AM
Thanks for your quick reply, and I sure do understand not trying to bring up another hoorah with me updating that would put everyone in a hissy-fit b/c of Oracle, but I realize I was not clear. The time-frame issue puts my campaign events BEFORE Ulrezaj had become a DA putting my campaign before the end of BroodWar making me not fit into the campaign's four-year segment, everything else puts it in the 4-year segment but a stament or two do not. Like I said it's easy to change, so since the error has to do with what the contest was actually about, will I be disqualified, or will I only be marked down a few points since it was a statment or two that made it before the end of BW?
Ricky_Honejasi on August 15 at 07:18:59 AM
Since most of your storyline is after Brood War, there should not have any real issues. It would be only a real problem if you completely ignored the prerequisite.
Personally, I expect that you are more likely to just lose some points IF it's inconsistent for a specific part of your story's time-frame. For example : you say statements that lead to believe it's before the Brood War and then in the same relative time of your story, you say other statements that implies that it is after the Brood War.
The other possible example that might get some of your marks off is if your story is linear time-wise (not of the "go in the future" then "go in the past" like in some campaigns) AND your first statement being pre-Brood War is AFTER your first statement being after-Brood War leading to another case of inconsistency.
*TheProgramer on August 15 at 08:46:32 AM
Would you mind if I posted our previous pms back and forth on my fourm topic thread?
*Ricky_Honejasi on August 15 at 01:13:36 PM
I don't mind although I don't see it as necessary however. Mostly because if someone is wondering about the same relative question, it's kind of too late to ask it and do something about it unless said person want peace of mind (which I presume it is in your case).
However, you need to consider that I only said the most probable result and ultimately it's up to Lavarinth to decide but quite frankly, Lavarinth wouldn't disqualify someone over this. Might be even be possible that he won't scratch points (although personally I would).
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We can't stop them from comming, but by God we can make them limp home!