Lot Impostor Challenge: Build the MATY Senate.

[Khan of Wyrms]

Build the MATY Senate Building Challenge!

This is a building challenge to all prospective TS2 architects and wannabes out there.  That's right, wannabe prospectives.

Be the architect of the MATY Senate building.  All citizens are invited to participate, as well as run, panic, and loot.  All submissions will become the property of those who chance to acquire them, to do with as they please.

The challenge is to construct the MATY Senate building, in accepted and usable TS2 format, and submitted here for approval, or more likely ridicule.  The main idea is of a large, mostly useless government-type structure that can serve primarily as a meta lot impostor for atmospheric placement in a neighborhood.  Of course, it enhances a neighborhood only with the splendor of the architecture, and nothing of the substance as to what goes on there.  Like any government building, as such it is not even really important if sims would go there.  If sims do go there, however, as particular processing resources might allow, it is hoped that it might be useful for something.  (The history of all worlds demonstrates that this something is only ever MOAR FIGHT, though sometimes there are other things.)
 
Also, we can only hope it should be awesome.  That is the idea, anyway.  That, and to provide users here with a selection of decorative lots of this type from which to choose to flesh out their neighborhoods.  Everybody wins, hopefully.
 

Rules are simple, and as follows:

1.  Do as thou wilt.  But consider that if you do not at least submit a lot construction that could possibly be imagined to be used as a petty government building, even considering the wildest, most preposterous manner imaginable, you fail.  I hope you understand.

2.  Allowed file types: txt, pdf, zip, rar, bz2, gz, tgz, 7z, package, sims2pack.  Choose thoughtfully.

3.  Maximum attachment size allowed: 640 KB

4.  All submissions and commentary should be made as replies confined to this thread.  Don't go wandering off.  Hey!  This means you!

5.  Winning entry and winner should be harvested and properly congratulated during the Gawai Dayak festival, Monday, June 1st or 2nd, 2008 C.E.  Whenever.  Headhunting and piracy is to be expected.  There is plenty of time. 


Although the rules are simple, the following judgment prerogatives should be considered, possibly:

A. As an architecture school dropout, I am obviously more qualified than any registered or accepted architectural authority in the known universe to be arbiter and judge of this contest.  Also, this is because I made the challenge.  (Nyah!)  Only El Presidente currently supersedes this authority here, to my knowledge.  If you don't like this, you do not have to play.  Bribery and other chicanery is normal and expected, and also there will be a gross conflict of interest if I also choose to play as well.  Such is life, and politics.  So ist es eben im leben.

B.  Any submission that neglects to describe any or all required expansion packs, or at least the particular expansion pack condition under which the lot was created, will be automatically disqualified.

C.  Any submission that is not built upon a level lot is automatically disqualified.  If you do not know what this means, search is your friend.

D.  Any submission that is otherwise obviously flawed is naturally disqualified.

E.  Automatic preference will be given to any lot that is compatible to any and all possible combinations of expansion/stuff packs, and is base game only compatible.  This means that if only one lot submitted is this way, then it will be the winner by default.  (Crafty players might have one ready to go, ready to submit at the last minute and snatch victory in this challenge, in the event no one submits one.)  Is this condition even possible anymore?  Who knows?

F.  Failing universal compatibility, the elimination award goes to a lot in the tier of contestants with mEAxis expansion/stuff compatibility in any combination, and no custom content.  Submissions requiring the installation of custom content to use as designed are relegated to the consolation prize and likely to fail, unless all submitted are thus, or it is truly awesome.

G.  Opinions matter!  If only so others can dispute them.  Give yours, even if you do not play.  Cheering, taunting, and throwing of lexical and rhetorical rotten vegetables and eggs is typical.  Stones are not uncommon.  I am likely to be swayed in judgment by groundswells of popular opinion and hearsay.  Bribes would need to be very good to outweigh that.  Otherwise, expect that the presentation and submission that fails the least shall be the winner.

H.  Screen shots matter!  Submit at least one in your presentation, or your design proposal is likely to be rejected.  Sloppy presentations also likely to damage chances to savor victory.

I.  All judgment terms, conditions, decisions, and rules, as well as anything else mentioned previously or hereafter are subject to change at any time, with or without notice.


The only thing there is to win for certain is not being a complete failure, so why wait?  That is a prize worthy of anyone.  Who would ask for more?  Show us the MATY Senate building!  Win!

Remember, please:  Government building.  Neighborhood lot impostor.  Badly managed resources.  Go! 

[Khan of Wyrms]

The citizens have spoken and chosen the winners of this challenge.  Overall, a stunning 47 votes were counted.  Without further ado, here are the winners, and losers.


First Place:
18 votes
sloppyhousewife - Pit of Doom Senate

This submission featered a fancy-schmancy dome covering nothing more than a bloody fighting pit!  Awesome!


Second Place:
12 votes
Emma - Bathroomless house Senate

What else need be said?  A house, with no bathrooms.  Sure is cool, though.


Third Place:
5 votes
Annan - Riksdaghus Senate

Super cool bureaucratic-looking replica of a real-life bureaucratic building.  With bonus girls who want to meet you, how could anyone resist?


Honorable Mention:
3 votes
Cimaronna - Small Town Court Senate with Pit of Moar Fight!

Since this entry introduced the arena concept to the contest, it is fitting that it earns at least honorable mention.  It could hardly be otherwise.  Since the winning entry won on this concept alone, it could arguably be considered the most awesome entry.


The losers:

0 votes
Cyberdodo - Wastewater Treatment Facility Senate (WTF senate?)

You did not even make a unique entry so no one gave you even one unique vote.  Coincidence?


Big Loser!:
Disqualified!
Alex - Senate Is Not There Senate Is A Lie!

What happened?  The world may never know.


Don't thank me, thank you!

[socurious]

I wanted to enter this challenge because I thought I had the perfect idea...  I built a replica of the Temple of Bacchus, complete with Senate chambers and all (goodness knows what goes on in there!).  I tried to keep it as true to the original as possible, size-wise anyway, so it is a HUGE lot, about 1.5 mb.  I guess that means I can't enter.  I thought that a building that celebrated the god of wine would accurately reflect the tomfoolery that may go on in the senate here.  Stupid standards!  Here's a pic [/URL][/img]  [/URL][/img]

[witch]

Your image isn't working mate - and I'd really like to see this behemoth you've designed for us.

[Khan of Wyrms]

Yeah, the file size restriction is a killer for this challenge.  Almost any entry is likely to surpass the standard site limit.  Since I do most of my own building and I do not typically download or upload lots, I did not realize this initially.  After about two weeks with no entries, I threw together my own submission and was faced with this dilemma.  Even considering no furnishings on a 3x4 lot with no custom content that was not intended to be used as anything other than a lot impostor, my .7z file amounted to over 900 Kb.

This challenge is fail, unless entrants want to host files elsewhere, or El Presidente increases the allowed limit, which I don't really see happening.  (Even though it would be awesome.)  A shame, because I was really hoping to be able to decorate my neighborhood with several nice government-type structures, without having to build them myself, of course.

Alas...

[witch]

Well, why don't you host them Khan?

Get yourself a 4shared account, or similar, get people to email you their entries, put them all in one place. Or open a filesharing account the contest has access to. You get your buildings, we get to see them too. Photobucket/whatever for images in the thread.

[Khan of Wyrms]

Well, why don't you host them Khan?

Get yourself a 4shared account, or similar, get people to email you their entries, put them all in one place. Or open a filesharing account the contest has access to. You get your buildings, we get to see them too. Photobucket/whatever for images in the thread.

Something to consider.  I have an unused account somewhere.  I'll have to investigate this idea further.  I do not want them in my email box, though.

[witch]

No, I rethought that. But an account specifically for the purpose, well you could give users the username and password and they could upload their own offerings.

[Hecubus]

I'm finding the lots are huge anyway...I've tried a few different versions (as befitting my unofficial title), and all of them wind up being bigger files than I'd like. Of course, I'm also trying to decorate each office differently, and that requires a lot of CC.

I think that many of us have 4shared/mediafire/personal servers we can load the stuff on. But no matter how that happens, I do think there needs to be a warning issued with each lot about size and lagability.

[socurious]

Your image isn't working mate - and I'd really like to see this behemoth you've designed for us.

I've got the technological abilities of a gold fish; luckily I have some stick-to-itiveness!  Here's another go:   

Crikey!  Another try:  [/URL][/img]





<a target='_blank' href='http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=bacchusfrontbp4.jpg'><img src='http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/8527/bacchusfrontbp4.th.jpg' border='0'/></a>



Maybe Matyians don't like image shack.  I think I've tried just about every combination of loading that exists.  Maybe someone could let me know what on earth I am doing wrong. 

[witch]

Try taking an image link, rather than an HTML link?

My links look like this:

Code:

[IMG]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v730/nz_witch/Smileys/FlyingWitch.gif[/IMG]

[GayJohnScarritt]

   Okay, i'll give it a try and show off my non-awesomeness.
HolidayEditionBaseGame, Univ, NL, OFB, FFS, Seasons.  Also, some custom content (invisible tiles from MTS2, TJ, Paladin and Pescado hacks included on lot).





file @ MegaUpload (which is a piece of shit, sorry folks)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=E0RE3TU8

[witch]

I like the front entrance, but it needs some fresco type stuff, or statuary above the main doors. Something to sit on the columns.

[ElfPuddle]

Maybe Gargoyles? Large scowly somethings at any rate.

[GayJohnScarritt]

I like the front entrance, but it needs some fresco type stuff, or statuary above the main doors. Something to sit on the columns.

Maybe Gargoyles? Large scowly somethings at any rate.

  Okay, Okay !  I get the hint. 



   Updated Download (also, for your Rich Sims, this is the perfect White Elephant, a steal at around 220K - and no furnishings yet).
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AKGTMH5M

[Khan of Wyrms]

GayJohnScarritt is on the cusp of winning the challenge by default, since he submitted the only accessible entry.  Since I cannot allow this to happen, the challenge will be extended through the summer, and contestants are invited to use any of their favorite free or subscribed file-hosting sites to provide entries that would otherwise not meet MATY file-size restrictions.  There are several free file-hosting sites available, but setting up an account for anonymous submission and review of entries does not seem workable.  Also, the TS2 exchange could be used, I suppose.  I have never used it.

GayJohnScarrit, as consolation for being the only entry so far, your submission will be exempted from the 'no-custom-content' disqualification in further considerations.  Thanks for playing!

I will be making my own submission mentioned before available as soon as I have the time to figure out what the problem with StoreWith is, or I choose a different host.

Here are impostor shots:

[jolrei]

Yes, let's get some other entries - ones that don't look like high schools or bungalows.

GJS' entry is nice, but unfortunately looks a bit "suburban".  His update makes it look like a frat house, however, which is a lulzy touch.

[ElfPuddle]

If CC isn't allowed, then how are they to emulate the decor provided to the Senate? Ah, well, I'll just have to do it myself when I DL the winner.

I also think extra points should be given for putting the offices in the correct place (such as Jelenedra in a cubby next to the boiler room, etc).

[Cyberdodo]

I have a government building lot impostor I made some time ago for my own use, but I think it would be perfect for the MATY Senate Chambers 
(This was built on a Uni + Nightlife build, with no custom content.)

Here's a couple of neighborhood shots, from a temp neighborhood -




And the download -
http://www.minisquish.net/sims2/Wastewater_Treatment_Plant.Sims2Pack

[Khan of Wyrms]

If CC isn't allowed, then how are they to emulate the decor provided to the Senate? Ah, well, I'll just have to do it myself when I DL the winner.

Custom content only disqualifies an entry if other lots without it have been submitted.  Actual usuage/decoration of the interior is the discretion of those who download the lots.  My exemption granted for GayJohnScarritt merely bumps his submission up into the tier with those lots without custom content.

I also think extra points should be given for putting the offices in the correct place (such as Jelenedra in a cubby next to the boiler room, etc).

It is an impostor challenge.  Interior decoration only matters if it shows up on the impostor.  If you want to judge lots and award your own trophy for this, go right ahead.

[socurious]

I am going to attemp to submit my imposter.  It includes a main hall, in which the senatorians may argue deliberate; a library (for research of course!); a large kitchen and dining hall, and ample bathrooms.  ; 

Since I have little to no idea what the senate does here, (I've heard tell of "souping"), I've included areas in which the senatorians may skillinate and hobbinate.  There is also an excersize room, a tv viewing room, a spa with a sauna and a hot tub, and a swimming pool.  And because Pescado enjoys having them dance until they pee, I've included a dancing area for the Maty senate sims.  The Senate chambers are equiped with desks, computers, bookshelves and double beds.  Well, you never know when somesims' comfort gets too low or something!

Oh, there are two versions, one a regular residential and/or community and the next a dorm.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RN3U6MQ9
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WF1BAGTN

[Zazazu]

Maurie, your pictures aren't showing. HTML and SMF forums don't mix.

[Strangel]

And your megaupload links are coming up as "Page not found" for me.

[jolrei]

I edited your image links so I could see your pictures.  Future reference - use the "direct" link between the "img" tags - this is SMF, not HTML code.  Nice pics, incidentally.

Since I have little to no idea what the senate does here, (I've heard tell of "souping")...

I love this line - every time I read it I find something new to appreciate. 

I've included areas in which the senatorians may skillinate and hobbinate.  There is also an excersize room, a tv viewing room, a spa with a sauna and a hot tub, and a swimming pool...and double beds.  Well, you never know when somesims' comfort gets too low or something!

What sort of "or something" did you have in mind?  Senate iz teribli srs bzns after all.  I like this pandering to senators' needs for comfort and pleasant surroundings.  The Library and Piano lounge are terribly senatorial, to my way of thinking, although more appropriately luxurious wall decor might be desirable.  Cinder blocks - RLY!

[ElfPuddle]

Ah, but they're easy to clean. The Senate can get awfully vicious, and there's rumor of blood sports. (Not that I would start any such rumors, or lend any credence to them at all.  )