Basic Summary

Finalists Jam accepted Maps from participants.
Requires maps are downloadable.

Read the about for more information.

Judging

Ranked by Judges - Only members of the jam assigned with judging permission can vote.
Entries can't be updated during the judge phase.
30 day entry period.

Rating Criteria

1. Concept & Originality
   Rated 1 to 10
2. Technique & Execution
   Rated 1 to 10
3. Presentation
   Rated 1 to 10

The Contest Theme : Head into the Clouds!

As Steve was adjusting to his new life in the netherworld, it become apparent the world became increasingly unstable. The frequency increased as well as the sizes of the rifts. Where previously individual blocks were transported across worlds, now whole chunks came falling down.

After a particularly heavy and intense series of lightning strikes it becomes clear the netherworld is no place to stay. Based on the assumption that the rifts are two way portals the netherworld inhabitants start to group near a more stable rift, waiting for the next lightning storm to hit and for a rift to form.

And so it happened that Steve finds himself face to face with what brought him to the netherworld in the first place. Steve’s heart is beating, his palms are sweating. As he approached the rift he thinks about what might happen and what he might find on the other side. “Will this be the end of me?” “What’s on the other side?” With every step he takes his legs become increasingly heavy, the pulsating lights of the rift makes him nauseous, but Steve is not the person to back down and keeps plowing ahead. As he comes closer and closer he hears faint rhythmic sounds, but it’s hardly distinguishable over the tormented gushing flows of air caused by the rift.

And then he passes out.

He finds himself lying face down in soft, wet, moss. As he turns his head slightly he becomes nauseous and slides into unconscious again. An unmeasured amount of time passes before he wakes up again, still sour, but strengthened and rested enough. Again he notices faint rhythmic sounds, and he tries to sit upright to find its source. Which is when he sees he finds himself on an island among the clouds. What is this? Where is he? This looks nothing like the world he originally came from!

Is this heaven, or a different kind of hell…...

TLDR; Welcome to the ninth PlanetMinecraft.com Project Contest!


This time, the goal is to build a world above the clouds. It's all up to your imagination.

All entries must be built on the custom map provided. You are allowed, and even encouraged to expand it, on the condition that you keep most of the original terrain.

IMPORTANT RULE!
Third party texture packs are NOT allowed this contest. You need to use the default texture pack; this makes it more fair for each user. If you are found presenting your build in texture packs outside of default, your project will be disqualified. Read rules carefully.


Projects will be judged on the following criteria:

• 1) Concept & Originality - the more original your idea, the better! It's always more fun to see a fresh, new idea, rather than an old concept that's been done a thousand times.
  
• 2) Technique & Execution - make sure your build flows together well. Make sure that each element matches the next. Attention to color and shape is key, and don't forget about detail!
  
• 3) Presentation & Experience - a good build is never just an empty shell! Interior design can help the presentation of your build immensely. Spend time presenting your project on PMC with quality screenshots, videos and descriptions. Remember, Photoshop does not make the build! Rely on your project to present itself!
  

1. Download and build on the custom map!

DOWNLOAD HERE! 
Map created by Lentebriesje of the Angel Block Society.

You may get as creative as you like, including expanding the landscape.

2. Constructions are original work created for this contest.

Projects entered into this contest must be conceptualized and created for this contest by you.

What's Allowed:

• Creative Mode
  
• Map Editing Tools: MCEdit, VoxelSniper, WorldEdit
  
• Teamwork: you can recruit help from others but you are the mastermind/team leader. They must understand that only you can enter the final project and potentially win. If there is significant drama about who created the project, we will disqualify it.
  
• Shader Mods; shaders are allowed in presenting your build via video and screenshots
  
• Taking inspiration from existing work; you may base your project off of another game, movie, or work of art, but it must overall be original work (i.e. - you like Stormwind from WoW, and you want to recreate it - using the architectural style and theme is allowed, but no verbatim copies of layouts, designs, or specific elements of the project)
  

What's Not Allowed: The following will result in disqualification.

• Third party texture packs are NOT allowed this contest. You need to use the default texture pack; this makes it more fair for each user. If you are found presenting your build in texture packs outside of default, your project will be disqualified.
  
• Do not use constructions created before the contest's announcement date, even if you are the original author.
  
• Do not use 3D or 2D auto conversion / import scripts.
  
• Do not import schematics from the past.
  
• Do not use third party mods that introduce new blocks that are unobtainable in vanilla Minecraft.
  
• We can disqualify at any time, including after the submission period. Do not cheat.
  
• Heavy photoshopping of screenshots and video. At least 75% of your screenshots should be completely unaltered and taken straight from the game. If you do not have a sufficient amount of unaltered screenshots, your project will be disqualified.
  

We can disqualify at any time, including after the submission period. Do not cheat.

All of the normal rules of the site apply in this contest. Essentially summed up as; make your own work.

*Rules are subject to change each contest, make sure to read the rules every time you enter a new contest.

Submit project WITH download to PMC during entry period.

Submit Project to PMC:
Take quality screenshots and submit the project like usual but check the box indicating it's for the contest. It's important to capture the highlights of your project with quality screenshots. Think of it like an actual photo shoot. Take your time and consider lighting, composition and the overall story your gallery will present to your viewers. To make it to the finalists, you will need to make an impression.

You don't have to upload your map until you're finished. Feel free to post your project during development to show off what you're building and to receive feedback. Just don't forget to upload the final map before the entry period ends!

How to prepare your project for download

Step 1: Locate your Minecraft "Saves" folder.
a) Start Minecraft.
b) Click "Texture Packs".
c) Click "Open Texture Pack Folder".
d) Go to the parent folder. One back from where you are.
e) Click "Saves". See your world folder? Good.

Step 2: Prepare your world for upload by compressing it into a single file.
a) Right click the folder containing the world you want to upload.
b) Windows : Click "Send To > Compressed (zip) folder. If you do not have this option. 7-zip is an free open source compression application.
c) Upload the zipped world to a free shared host. Example: mediafire.com

Step 3: Create your project on PlanetMinecraft and include the link to the zip file in the "World Save" input field. Good luck!



One entry only:
Each user will only be permitted to submit one project for this contest. You may edit your one entry as long as the contest is still running. If you decide to change your submission at any point, you are free to do so. However, you should not delete your original entry. Instead, use the "update submission" button to save the new file over your old one, and change the submission title if necessary.



Entry period:
July 1st, 2014 @ 12:00 PM EST to July 31st, 2014 @ 12:00 PM EST. Entries submitted after this date will not be accepted.

Have fun!

Above all else, contests are here for the community to have fun interpreting a common theme. Take the contest theme and run with it, maybe even come up with a story to guide your work and enhance your presentation page. Remember, you have three weeks to do this. You don't need to put something up right away - and even if you chose to, you're allowed to update your submission as many times as you want before the end of the submission period on July 31st, 2014 @ 12:00 PM EST

This contest is not a random drawing - the submissions are judged by a panel of longstanding members with a great deal of experience with Minecraft projects. It will not help you to submit anything less than fantastic, so take your time.

1st Place

• Prizes : $60 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $60 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• A Contest Themed, Gold, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

2nd Place

• $30 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $30 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• A Contest Themed, Silver, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

3rd Place

• $20 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $20 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• Contest Themed, Bronze, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

All Participants

• A Contest Themed, Pixel Art Badge/Medal for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  

Here is a list of the current submissions.

Phase #1: Entry Period : ~4 weeks

Typically, 4 weeks, read rules carefully. This is the time that everyone has to create and submit a contest entry. During this time, judges are reviewing entries, anonymously voting and disqualifying those that don't meet the contest requirements. The PMC community is doing the same.

Phase #2: Review Period : 5 days

After submissions are closed, judges get 5 additional days to review late entries and cast their final votes. Their votes are heavily weighted in an algorithm that includes the community's votes and activity to determine the finalists.

Phase #3: Finalists Calculated : Judges cast criteria ratings

After the finalists are calculated, judges begin anonymously rating each entry based on the following criteria on a scale of 1-10:

• 1) Concept & Originality - the more original your idea, the better! It's always more fun to see a fresh, new idea, rather than an old concept that's been done a thousand times.
  
• 2) Technique & Execution - make sure your build flows together well. Make sure that each element matches the next. Attention to color and shape is key, and don't forget about detail!
  
• 3) Presentation & Experience - a good build is never just an empty shell! Interior design can help the presentation of your build immensely. Spend time presenting your project on PMC with quality screenshots, videos and descriptions. Remember, Photoshop does not make the build! Rely on your project to present itself!
  

Once the site detects that all judges have cast their ratings on all finalists, the winners are announced.



Judges will be encouraged to participate, but will be disqualified from winning prizes.