GSHI 9th Anniversary Contest!

[Lazy Bastard]

Well, to tell the truth, the thread title is a bit of a teaser, as we've not ironed out many of the details quite yet

On July 16th, GSHI will be 9 years old. In commemoration of this, we'll be holding a contest of some sort, with free prizes (likely they'll include GSHI t-shirts, some other various prizes related to video games and/or hacking, and perhaps a small cash prize for the 1st place winner.

Thus far, we're not even sure what the contest will be. It might be a hacking contest (previously "unhackable" codes being hacked, etc), a knowledge contest, a gaming contest of some sort, or something else entirely.

Thus, any ideas would be great. Please post in this thread if you've got an idea, suggestion, comment (negative or positive), or question.

We've got about twenty days, so we need to plan this thing so we can prepare the prizes

[Helder]

how about for the gaming contest we have a competition say like using mame or snes or gens online in some competitive games like fighting games or mario kart or other 2 player versus games,then have a ranking table where winners keep advancing.

[Lazy Bastard]

Good idea; it'll be considered. We could even have a multiple-event contest (gaming, something else, something else2, etc). One issue I could see with an online emulated gaming contest would be credibility. How do we know who really won, unless we can watch the game ourselves?

[cYs Driver]

Create a hack-me for ps2?

[Lazy Bastard]

We could, but we only have a few adept PS2 hackers around...

[MIR]

a Game Boy hacking contest?

[Lazy Bastard]

Could be. I'd like whatever we do to be somewhat creative and original, though that could simply mean a set of contests, or something similar. I am, however, taking all these ideas to heart.

[Lazy Bastard]

Also, we will need a set of GSHI logos and graphics, for some of the prizes (t-shirts, posters, etc). It's quite likely that some of these graphics will also end up being used in the official GSHI posters we'll be making soon (after creating some decent poster designs, we'll be distributing them and having them posted at video game and hobby stores, and anywhere else that we can think of). Let someone on staff know if you're interested in lending a hand with graphics.

[Helder]

those online games I mentioned can have more then 2 ppl on them so 1 can observe.

[Lazy Bastard]

Ah...then that might be a good idea. The contest will begin on the 16th, and probably end on the 30th.

[Lazy Bastard]

OK, per ideas discussed here and in chat, the contest will be a three-part competition, starting on the 16th, and ending on the 31st.

Part I will be a hacking challenge. Several unhacked codes, for several different systems, will be set out, and the first person to hack any one of them will be the winner.

Part II will be a gaming challenge, through a barrage of games, across several emulated systems with online game play capabilities.

Part III will be a GSHI logo/art contest. The artwork will be put to a vote (either among GSHI staff, or all GSHI members...I haven't decided yet), and the winner will not only win the art competition prize, but also likely have his/her artwork used in the official posters and such we'll be producing and distributing for GSHI. Actually, it's likely that some of the other competitors' work will be used as well, if it's agreed upon by staff.

Part I issues: I'm not really sure how we'll decide what codes will be used. If someone helps decide, it stands to reason that that person shouldn't be allowed to participate, as he/she might pre-hack the codes they choose. But then again, those people could still have pre-hacked the codes, and simply pass them off to a friend they'd like to win. And I have no idea how to stop that. Perhaps the best way to deter cheating will be to make a large pool of unhacked codes, then randomly choose ten or so at the last minute...who knows; I'm open to ideas.

Part II issues: We need to decide which systems and which games to use, including which ones allow a third player to view the action and verify the results.

Part III issues: I don't really foresee any issues with the art competition. Assuming anybody participates, there'll probably be some pretty good stuff, and GSHI's been in dire need of some new graphical work for a while anyway.

And finally, staff and I will decide on some prizes, and announce them in the next few days.

I'd also like to add an unexpected bonus round, with a surprise event and corresponding prize, but we'll see if I have enough spare time to come up with something.

[MIR]

Sweet! I volunteer for judging!

[Lazy Bastard]

OK.

Anyone have any ideas for which games should be played in Part II of the competition?

I vote for...

Super Street Fighter II (SNES)
Tecmo Superbowl 3 (SNES)
Super Mario Bros III (NES) - Only the mini-game in which you fight each other for coins
Archon (NES)
Galaxian or Galaga (NES) - I believe you can play one after the other, until someone dies...
Killer Instinct (SNES)
Lemmings (SNES)
Mortal Kombat (SNES)
Mortal Kombat II (SNES)
Mortal Kombat 3 (SNES)
NBA Jam : Tournament Edition (SNES)

...and I'm sure there are more that should be included. I don't know too much about Genesis, so someone else should recommend some games for that system, and there are some other online-capable, emulated systems that should probably be combed through for some gems...

[LiquidManZero]

As for Part II, GBA may be an idea. Haven't really gotten around to testing certain functionality that might be of use yet.

[Lazy Bastard]

OK. If there's internet game play functionality, Advance Wars would be a welcome addition.

We're also going to have to decide on scheduling these matches, so everyone has a chance to participate. I suppose we should get down a roster before the 16th. We'll need to announce this competition at the other scene sites as well, to make sure everyone gets a chance to participate.