[Announcement] The DWMaster Endurance Tournament, sponsored by the Doom Master Wadazine

[Endless]

Logo by @elend

                                                                                The DWMaster Endurance Tournament

                                                                                                 Hosted by Endless

                                                                               Sponsored by the Doom Master Wadazine

 

QUICK QUESTIONS:

- What is the DWMaster Endurance Tournament?

A monthly competition where we gather a group of hardcore Doomers against some fascinating WADs to race till the end! Endurance & Speed is our motto.

 

- Who’s hosting this tournament?

Me, your dear Wadazine producer and casual noob/hardcore player, Endless. For now, that is.

 

- Is there a prize/reward?

Yes! An special recognition. Our gratitude and respect towards the winner. Also, 1st place will be announced and published in the next edition of the Wadazine, along honorable mentions to the 2nd and 3rd place. Plus, a cool looking digital medal for the 1st place and a special mention for the Challenge (see below) winners and some other notable competitors.

 

- Can I participate?

Of course you can. No need to pay any fee or have any special reputation; everyone is welcome here. Masochist and normies alike.

 

- How will you choose the winner?

A specially crafted and secret (to avoid exploitation) points system where I’ll create a leaderboard for all the participants.

 

- What’s the challenge?

Endurance, dear Doomer. Whoever plays the fastest and wins the most maps, wins! Perseverance and speed are the main attributes of this competition.

 

- When does it start?

The 1st of every month from now on, if everything sails smoothly.

 

THE CONCEPT:

This idea is directly inspired by the likes of the DWIronman League and the IronEagle Competition, both monthly competitions that take survival challenges to the next level.

 

I wanted to create a new competition that had a different yet similar flavor that would welcome all kinds of players to the scene, creating some fun times, discussion among the community and a new idea for publishing in our beloved Wadazine. I’ve always thought of these competitions like a fun and consistent way to entertain the community while at the same time create a place of healthy competition and rewarding experiences. But not like EA games.

 

As I said, all players are accepted and the main objective of this competition is to have fun, challenge ourselves and get some activity going! Playing Doom with a twist is always fun.

 

THE OBJECTIVE:

- The essence here is Endurance. A WAD is selected among the great ocean of content that Doom offers. The competitors then have to play the entirety or as long as they can to accumulate points.

 

For this, we’ll (I'll) calculate:

A.     How long it took the competitor to finish the WAD (the faster, the better).

B.     The skill level chosen.

C.     The category that the player is submitting (Only 1 submission per player).

D.     Total progress.

 

- There are 3 categories, just like some other DW leagues, if you need reference:

1.        First Run: You haven’t played this WAD nor know anything about the general layout of the levels or anything else. This is your blind run, your first dive into it.

 

2.      Experienced Run: You have played this WAD in its entirety a long ago or don’t remember much of the details, or have watched someone else play this WAD, to the point that you might have a considerable advantage over blind, first run players.

 

3.      Prepared Run: You have played, finished, practiced, learnt or even mastered this WAD. You know all the levels or most of it and can run it with expertise, giving you a clear advantage over blind, first run players.

 

- If the selected WAD has, example; 15 maps, you can and should finish all those 15 maps, BUT, you can also decide to leave your run at, let’s say 11 maps, and still be valid for submission in the competition. So, finishing the entire WAD is not needed, but recommended. The player with the most endurance is the one likely to win.

 

- In the end, whoever finishes fastest with the highest skill level and with the most finished maps will accumulate the most points and win.

 

-There’s one special treat waiting too. Along the normal WAD competition, there’s also a special Challenge WAD (or can be a special bonus map of the same WAD) that will follow the exact basic rules of UV, UV Fast and NM! no saves, no deaths, continuous. This is a bonus and optional challenge that will score up to 5,000 points to the winner. Losers don’t get the points. This is a high risk, high reward kind of challenge. This is so some players that still crave for more can get an even higher challenge, while at the same time being a second chance to score more points. Winners of this challenge will also get a special mention on our winners’ article in the Doom Master Wadazine.

 

STANDARD COMPETITION RULES:

1.      Any skill level is valid, this includes NM! in case a mad doomer out there is crazy enough to try it. UV Fast is also allowed! All under your own responsibility.

2.      This should go without saying but, NO CHEATS OR CHECKING THE MAP IN THE EDITOR.

3.      No gameplay mods allowed (Brutal Doom, Final Doomer, Supercharge, etc.)

4.      Visual mods allowed (Fullscreen HUDs, Smooth Doom, Vanilla Essence, etc.)

5.      You can die as much as you like. lol

6.      No pistol starting. Only continuous.

7.      You can save up to 3 total times per map (Especially difficult WADs may have more saves.) When and where is up to you.

8.      You must follow the Competition Indications (Which will be published depending on the WAD compatibility, requirements, etc.)

9.      Freelooks is allowed. But no jumping or crouching.

10.    Secret/bonus levels should be omitted. They do not count towards score and will only drag your time. Sometimes, a Secret Level might be part of the Challenge.

11.    Any source-port is allowed as long as it runs the WAD.

12.    No dynamic lights, sorry. While they look cool, they also reveal hidden/secret items.

 

CHALLENGE COMPETITION RULES:

1.      Ultra-Violence, UV Fast or NM! only. This is up to you. Slightly better chances to get a better score with higher skills.

2.      This should go without saying but, again, NO CHEATS.

3.      No gameplay mods allowed.

4.      Visual mods allowed.

5.      No pistol starting. Only continuous.

6.      No saves, no loading.

7.      You must follow the Competition Indications (Which will be published depending on the WAD compatibility, requirements, etc.)

8.      Freelook is allowed. But no jumping or crouching.

9.      Any source-port.

10.    No dynamic lights, again.

 

COMPETITION SUBMISSION REQUIERMENTS:

1.      You can submit your playthrough with: YouTube videos, VODs or demos.

2.      Indicate your Competition Category.

3.      Indicate your total time (the intermission screen is a requirement in your video, demo or VOD, can use a HUD addon to help with that too.)

4.      Indicate your skill level.

5.      Indicate your WAD progress, example: Finished at MAP29, or Finished the entire WAD.

 

NOTE: This is the same if you participate for the Challenge Competition, but of course, total time and skill level is irrelevant.

 

NOTE 2: If you decide to not finish a full WAD, your progress will be taken into account only in your last intermission screen. Example: This means that if you play, let’s say MAP20, but just half of it and don’t finish, that progress won’t be taken into account and your score will be based on the intermission screen of MAP19.

 

TOURNAMENT HOST COMMENTS:

 

Even if this is a competition/tournament, if you’re new, don’t feel like this is some sort of super elitist, Doom gods challenge. Anyone and everyone are welcome to participate. Even if you play in low skill levels and take more time than others, your place is secured in our leaderboard and shall not be forgotten. Is not only about the destination, but the journey.

 

This is also a first time for me, creating and hosting this kind of competition. While this is a new and fun endeavor that I’m willing to manage for the long run, I’m also always open to feedback and some help, especially regarding demos, videos and VODs observation, since it is known that Doom can be a very easy game to cheat on. Some expertise would be very appreciated and welcomed in that field.

 

On the same note, this is also the first time I create a points system for something like this, so tweaking and changes in the near future are probably bound to happen once the results start coming. Bear with me, and I’ll make sure to deliver you guys some really fun challenges and well-deserved recognition.

 

Another aspect that I encourage all competitors is to share their experiences, opinions and comments! Gameplay videos with live-commentary are more than welcome, they are cheered up. Civilized discussion and communication among both competitors and organizers is as much fun as playing. Some comments might even find their way into the winning article.

 

Got any questions? Ask and I'll try to answer the best I can! Hope you guys find this a fun idea, and have a nice day!

 

Special Thanks To:

@Nikoxenos, @Bridgeburner56 , @Major Arlene , @antares031 & @Dragonfly for help and feedback!

 

 

                                                      

 

Edited December 1, 2020 by Endless : Rules & Comments updated.

[TheMagicMushroomMan]

Really cool! I have a recommendation for the leaderboard though, that I think will get more people to participate:

 

Instead of just listing the top few players in the WADazine, I think it would be cool if you could just have a page that lists everyone's rankings overall. That way everyone who participated will be in the magazine. You could just list the top three in a big fancy font with some medals next to their name to make them stand out more. Just an idea :)

 

Sounds really fun, I haven't ever participated in a competition like this.

[Endless]

1 minute ago, TheMagicMushroomMan said:

Really cool! I have a recommendation for the leaderboard though, that I think will get more people to participate:

 

Instead of just listing the top few players in the WADazine, I think it would be cool if you could just have a page that lists everyone's rankings overall. That way everyone who participated will be in the magazine. You could just list the top three in a big fancy font with some medals next to their name to make them stand out more. Just an idea :)

 

Sounds really fun, I haven't ever participated in a competition like this.

Thank you!

 

And yes, there's actually a leaderboard ready and prepared for the first tournament in a few days. Once the first scores start flowing, I'll make it public. I actually said it here:

Quote

your place is secured in our leaderboard and shall not be forgotten. Is not only about the destination, but the journey.

:D

Hope to see you in the first tournament!

[Krenium]

Very interesting. Will the wad(s) be announced ahead of time or only on the 1st?

[Endless]

5 minutes ago, Krenium said:

Very interesting. Will the wad(s) be announced ahead of time or only on the 1st?

During the 1st, so everyone get's the exact same surprise and chance to compete. ;)

[adamastor]

What a great idea man. This takes the Wadazine to even greater heights.
Can't wait to see the wad selection.

[Redneckerz]

I am absolutely amazed by the rate you pump all these ideas out.

 

And not just half-empty ideas, but fully fleshed out projects, ready for action.

 

Inspiring. Impressive. Invalueable. Thanks, @Endless

[Bdubzzz]

Cool Idea. So for the Standard Competition you can die and use saves but you're not suppose to "overuse" them? That seems a bit ambiguous. I think it would make sense to just be allowed to have 1 save at the start of each map (so if you die you don't pistol start). Or another "checkpoint" system such as you are allowed a save after each Key pickup. Another issue with this is for CL2 demos you can't save/load unless you segmented the Demo which would be.. sketchy to say the least as it would edit out your deaths. :) However you can Save/load for CL9 Demos ( I assume CL11 as well).

[Clippy]

Where's the map I'm on vacation and this is right up my alley

[leodoom85]

Basically, this is a quick wrapped fusion of both Ironman and Ironeagle. And this is a third "competition" to add in the ranks of this forum....welp.

 

Still, the basic play-until-you-die-or-survive-saveless-and-modless rule is what I like to do. Just one run and that's it. Can't wait to see what wad you will choose.

[Endless]

21 minutes ago, Bdubzzz said:

Cool Idea. So for the Standard Competition you can die and use saves but you're not suppose to "overuse" them? That seems a bit ambiguous. I think it would make sense to just be allowed to have 1 save at the start of each map (so if you die you don't pistol start). Or another "checkpoint" system such as you are allowed a save after each Key pickup. Another issue with this is for CL2 demos you can't save/load unless you segmented the Demo which would be.. sketchy to say the least as it would edit out your deaths. :) However you can Save/load for CL9 Demos ( I assume CL11 as well).

As long as you're not that guy that saves every single dead Imp, haha.

 

About the demos, that's actually a thing I did not expect, and is a bit worrying since I know some people do prefer demo format... hmm. Well, if you say CL9 Demos can/allow for saves & loads, I would imagine that's the road most demo-users will use. I hope.

[Arbys550]

Is it like the ironman and ironeagle where we have to submit our first run, or do we get as many tries as we can pump out in a month?

[Endless]

14 minutes ago, leodoom85 said:

Basically, this is a quick wrapped fusion of both Ironman and Ironeagle. And this is a third "competition" to add in the ranks of this forum....welp.

 

Still, the basic play-until-you-die-or-survive-saveless-and-modless rule is what I like to do. Just one run and that's it. Can't wait to see what wad you will choose.

 

Pretty much! In a way, this is all about your speed & endurance. Survival and victory depends on your patience and thirst for victory ;)

 

16 minutes ago, Clippy said:

Where's the map I'm on vacation and this is right up my alley

 

December 1st, we'll get going so stay tuned!

 

3 minutes ago, Arbys550 said:

Is it like the ironman and ironeagle where we have to submit our first run, or do we get as many tries as we can pump out in a month?

 

One single try for the month! To avoid a constant reset of scores. And of course, following and indicating any of the 3 categories.

[Bauul]

40 minutes ago, Endless said:

As long as you're not that guy that saves every single dead Imp, haha

 

As someone who does thoroughly use quick save and quick load for even remotely difficult sections, I agree a bit more guidance on this probably sensible.

 

I agree that the idea of being allowed to save once at the beginning of a map (or the equivalent autosave if playing on ZDoom ports) seems a good balance. Or you could make it a tactical feature and say people are also allowed one additional save per map, but where they put that save is up to them.

[Endless]

1 minute ago, Bauul said:

 

As someone who does thoroughly use quick save and quick load for even remotely difficult sections, I agree a bit more guidance on this probably sensible.

 

I agree that the idea of being allowed to save once at the beginning of a map (or the equivalent autosave if playing on ZDoom ports) seems a good balance. Or you could make it a tactical feature and say people are also allowed one additional save per map, but where they put that save is up to them.

 

I see. I'll recreate the rule and make it more concise then. Maybe a fixed number of saves per map?

 

How about: Each competitor is allowed to save 4 times per map ? The moment or place of the save is up to the user. This way, more casual and save-heavy users can have more than enough chance to backup, but those that simple don't can also ignore it.

[leodoom85]

Up to them to save. But, 4 times might be too much, except if some nasty set is chosen.

2 or 3 should be enough for more casual sets. When and where is up to the player.

[Endless]

12 minutes ago, leodoom85 said:

Up to them to save. But, 4 times might be too much, except if some nasty set is chosen.

2 or 3 should be enough for more casual sets. When and where is up to the player.

Agree. Thanks for the opinion! Any feedback or comment that you might wanna make, please share, helps a lot leo!

[leodoom85]

uh.......

1 minute ago, Endless said:

Agree. Thanks for the opinion! Any feedback or comment that you might wanna make, please share, helps a lot leo!

Been participating ironman and ironeagle for months :D 

I think you should check and read both of those sessions and gather some info if you have the time. Then you can have some ideas that can help to improve the rules. 

[xvertigox]

This sounds great, I'll definitely participate.

 

For the saves, I'd limit it to 2 per map and word it in such a way that it's obviously supposed to be used as checkpoints ("No quicksaves, 2 saves per map").

[Endless]

UPDATE

 

STANDARD COMPETITION RULES:

• 1.      Any skill level is valid, this includes NM! in case a mad doomer out there is crazy enough to try it. UV Fast is also allowed! All under your own responsibility.
• 7.      You can save up to 3 total times per map (Especially difficult WADs may have more saves.) When and where is up to you.

 

CHALLENGE COMPETITION RULES:

• 1.      Ultra-Violence, UV Fast or NM! only. This is up to you. Slighly better chances to get a better score with higher skills.

TOURNAMENT HOST COMMENTS:

 

Another aspect that I encourage all competitors is to share their experiences, opinions and comments! Gameplay videos with live-commentary are more than welcome, they are cheered up. Civilized discussion and communication among both competitors and organizers is as much fun as playing. Some comments might even find their way into the winning article.

Edited November 27, 2020 by Endless

[leodoom85]

So, streams/videos with the provided demo are acceptable (that is, if the recorder doesn't shit bricks or if some power outage screw the run)? Because having both will help to be more believable in case that needs to be checked by some other people to see if the player cheated or something.

[Endless]

1 minute ago, leodoom85 said:

So, streams/videos with the provided demo are acceptable (that is, if the recorder doesn't shit bricks or if some power outage screw the run)? Because having both will help to be more believable in case that needs to be checked by some other people to see if the player cheated or something.

Of course! If the competitor wants to share both a video/VOD alongside a -demo, it's more than welcome to do so. As long as the demo works well in case the user is using saves & loads that is.

[Krenium]

Speaking of demos, I just realized I've never recorded one over multiple sessions before. I just tried it to make sure I've got the process down and my demo became de-synced from the point of the save. What did I do wrong?

 

• prboom-plus.exe -record mydemo.lmp

   

• play for a bit, save the game, exit the game

• prboom-plus.exe -loadgame prboom-plus-savegame0.dsg -record mydemo.lmp

   

• play for a bit more, save and exit again

• prboom-plus.exe -playdemo mydemo.lmp

   

• The demo runs fine until the point of the save, and then there's a little jump and then the demo becomes de-synced. Doomguy runs into some walls and gets easily killed by enemies.

[Endless]

50 minutes ago, Krenium said:

Speaking of demos, I just realized I've never recorded one over multiple sessions before. I just tried it to make sure I've got the process down and my demo became de-synced from the point of the save. What did I do wrong?

 

• 
  prboom-plus.exe -record mydemo.lmp

   

• play for a bit, save the game, exit the game

• 
  prboom-plus.exe -loadgame prboom-plus-savegame0.dsg -record mydemo.lmp

   

• play for a bit more, save and exit again

• 
  prboom-plus.exe -playdemo mydemo.lmp

   

• The demo runs fine until the point of the save, and then there's a little jump and then the demo becomes de-synced. Doomguy runs into some walls and gets easily killed by enemies.

Trying to understand demos myself, might need a hand in there.

 

Maybe @Bdubzzz can help you out?

[Krenium]

Figured it out. I was overcomplicating it. The second line should just be the same as the first. Prboom automatically continues from where you left off. That's what I get for not RTFM.

[Krenium]

I also learned the coolest thing! Prboom can make videos from demos! I had no idea. https://github.com/coelckers/prboom-plus/blob/master/prboom2/doc/prboom-plus-usage.txt

ctrl+f for video capture and it describes how to set it up.

 

Here's a little vid I made with it.

Spoiler

 

 

[Omniarch]

This competition seems like a lot of fun, count me in! I've personally never recorded a demo before, so now is a good time to learn. I just hope the constant stream of noobish deaths and mistakes on my part doesn't drive the judge crazy!

[leodoom85]

5 hours ago, Krenium said:

Figured it out. I was overcomplicating it. The second line should just be the same as the first. Prboom automatically continues from where you left off. That's what I get for not RTFM.

I have a batch file for Pr/GLBoom+ instead of doing command lines each time I wanna play different wads. 

Still, I'm one of those guys who prefer doing the whole run saveless if possible, even if saving the game is really tempting. That would happen in shorter wads (longer wads however, I'd still do it saveless with some rest between some maps). And I wouldn't like desyncs to happen anyway thanks to saves.....

[Endless]

10 hours ago, Omniarch said:

This competition seems like a lot of fun, count me in! I've personally never recorded a demo before, so now is a good time to learn. I just hope the constant stream of noobish deaths and mistakes on my part doesn't drive the judge crazy!

Welcome to the endurance! ;) Also, just in case, demo is not the only format you can use, but videos or streams are also welcome if you wish!

[Endless]

UPDATE

 

In approximately 5 hours, the first DWMaster Endurance Tournament will be released! In the meantime, I come to present you our official logo!, big applause for the guy. With this, we're pretty much good to go once the 1st hits!

 

Here's the final logo by @elend he did 3 cool af variations!