Sunday, September 12, 2010

One Map Dungeon Contest?

I'm sure that most of the readers here have heard of the One Page Dungeon Contest, wherein a nice template for outlining a dungeon on one page was used as the basis for designing dungeons.  It started off as an idea (Sorry--I can't remember whose idea it originally was.) to free the DM from overly-detailed settings and the prep time necessary and to force a different experience in gaming.  The concept then grew into a contest in 2009 and then a second one in 2010.

Brilliant idea, and a lot of people executed it brilliantly.

I'm wondering if there is any interest in a slightly different kind of contest?  As the title implies, I am talking about a One Map Dungeon Contest.  How would it work?  Basically, I would draw a map of a dungeon--you know, some passageways, some doors, perhaps some rooms and caverns and some other stuff.  Then, YOU the reader would write the text for it to turn it into an actual dungeon.  (Obviously, the map would have to be really good to inspire people to write something for it.  THAT burden would be on me.)

Everybody would have the exact same map to work with.  I'd have to think of some other criteria for the text--either a word or page limit.  Or not--maybe it's best to leave it completely wide open.  Also, I'd have to decide if any modifications would be allowed to be made to the map.

Similar to the original concept, I'd gather some people together to judge all of the entries and then we could announce the winners, etc, etc.

This idea came to me as I was thinking back on my gaming experiences.  I've purchased many modules in my day.  There were quite a few times when I was more inspired by the map included in the module than the written adventure itself.  Am I the only person that that has happened to?

Anyway, what do you think?  Is this an idea worth pursuing?

5 comments:

  1. Yes. This is an idea worth pursuing!

    I like the simplest version -- you design the map. Contestants design the dungeon. And GO!

    I really like this idea.

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