1ST Ever oblvion wordsearch. TEST

[pooshoe]

sorry for bad quality hope you can read answer it with paint. re send

I lost the answers this is just a test please send comments on how hard or easy it is and give your opinion so i can make it better

[DM8954]

I see you got the image post working. Good.


The only problem I see so far is that it's hard to read. The letters are pretty small. Some I can barely make out. Also, did it cut off the bottom line of letters? I can see what looks like the tops of letters at the very bottom.

I don't know what kind of options your word search generator has, but it might be better to have slightly fewer columns. Right now I count 40. If you can set it to 25-30, it should still be enough to cover long words. It might also help with the letter size problem above.

[Edit: Oh, you fixed it. I can read it now.]

[Mystical]

Also, you need to give us the words you used.. that's kind of the whole point. xD

[pooshoe]

Im gunna do a bit of changing making the font a bit bigger moore readable etc and I will give myself the job of making a new wordsearch every week and posting the answers et. If thats ok. I am slo going to start competiting in some screenshot competitions. and think of other games

how about this the font can go bigger

[Mystical]

That's much better. It's more readable and the size has improved.

I found 'Gray Fox' in the top row. =P

Edit:

http://www.thecanadianteacher.com/tools2/games/wordsearch/wordsearch.php

This is a great word search generator because after you make the puzzle, you can automatically find words in the browser. It would be easier to use for the contestants, and it has lots of options!

Edit 2:

Ok, I found out that you can't copy and paste the link to show the created puzzle, so if you want to use that you'll have to make a screenshot and crop it. Oh well, it's still a nice generator.

[DM8954]

That's much better.

Which direction can the words go? Horizontal, Vertical, Diagonal, Backwards, Upside Down?

Yeah, once we start competitions for real, we'll need some way of knowing which words to look for or when we're done.

I'm not sure how to compete, though. Do we time ourselves? Will the puzzle be released at a certain time and day and everyone has to be there; first person to post the answers wins? Maybe you don't give us the words we're supposed to find, but instead tell us a theme that the words will be in. Our answer will only be how many words we found. Whomever has the top 2-3 numbers backs up their answers by listing the words after the competition is closed. That way no one gives away the answers to everyone else. If there is a tie breaker, the first user to submit the compete list of words wins... If not all the words are found and there's a tie, then the user with the most unique words found (3-way tie) wins... but generally, first answer with the most words wins. That could work.

[Young Dragon]

Is there a theme like a guild or quest??

[pooshoe]

I can get the answers by going to the files and searching for the words i put in it. I have the completed version too.

When do you guys think we could start making it official

[DM8954]

Visually and size wise, it's ready... but you need to have a clearly defined set of rules if you want this to be a competition.

I can get the answers by going to the files and searching for the words i put in it. I have the completed version too.

Don't you put in the original list of words? You don't need the computer to spit out the answers... just remember which words you assigned in the first place.

In both the Oblivion Screenshot Competition and the Caption Contest, there is a standardized post with all the rules and guidelines for users at the beginning of each contest. This prevents the players from 'searching around' for the rules, even if there's a pinned rules board. We need to know how to play and how to win before we can start anything official. We can start this thing as soon as we settle on how, exactly, to turn this from a puzzle into a contest.

[pooshoe]

so is this what we are looking for or not

[DM8954]

Yes. Perfect.


In order to start the official contest, though, we need rules and instructions for the first post.

[pooshoe]

Shall I start writing the down?. We shall discuss this,

[DM8954]

If you can, please use a similar format to the intros in OSC or CC. Then just come up with a set of rules and guidelines and we'll discuss it.

I think that if you use the last part of my rambling post about rules, it might be a good place to start, concept-wise, unless you have something else in mind which is also good.

.... Maybe you don't give us the words we're supposed to find, but instead tell us a theme that the words will be in. Our answer will only be how many words we found. Whomever has the top 2-3 numbers backs up their answers by listing the words after the competition is closed. That way no one gives away the answers to everyone else. If there is a tie breaker, ....

[Igiss]

I'm not quite sure how results of this can be submitted by each member who tries to complete it.

[Mystical]

They could PM their entry to Grey Fox.

[DM8954]

Well, that's why I was suggesting that instead of everyone posting an image of the results, they simply post how many words they found. Kinda like playing bingo, you only have to verify that all the words you found are valid, after the contest is over.

PMing the answers would fill up his inbox and wouldn't be accessible to any other mods, in case Grey Fox is ever absent during one of the competitions. Also, it might require more skills and software than simply the forum, which was one of the goals of the contest.

Questions like these are why we need to figure out and write down all the rules before we can post the first official contest.

[pooshoe]

They could PM their entry to Grey Fox.

Its GrAy Fox  Gray not Grey

Ok Im willing to follow Both Ideas Perhaps We could do a Vote Wether you Post the answers of the wordsearch to me. Or (WHATS THE OTHER ONE AGAIN)  anyway Im ready when everyone else is. I am slightly into the PM one. because your always going to be able to copy other peoples answers if it is publicy posted.

If you see what i mean

I cant really think of many rules.


So are we going to start doing official wordsearches sooner or later. I'll right the rules and wait till i can post the wordsearches.

[Merged your posts for you]

[DM8954]

If you've written the rules, go ahead and post them now so we can make sure everyone understands them before we start this. That was the only thing we were waiting for on this. We can make sure everyone understands and agrees to the rules, refine them a bit (if necessary), and get this thing started.

I think that only posting a number as your answer (ie. 12) won't really make cheating easy because not only do you have to back up your number by displaying where you found them... but if you really want to win, you'd have to have more words than anyone else and a cheater who finds 13 words where there were only 12 is quickly exposed. I also think that people around here are generally honest. The only minor 'cheat' might be that if someone posts a higher number than you've found already, it might inspire you to keep searching for more words... but since they posted their higher number before you, you'll have to find one more than they did in order to win. If there isn't another word to find, your 'cheating' caused you to lose anyway.


Anyways, you'll be running this show, Gray Fox, so write the rules based on what you know and what you're comfortable with.

[pooshoe]

Ok so the rules will be no sharing your answers because this could comprimise your chances of winning.
When you have found all words PM them To the Gray Fox He will then open a topic announcing the winner.
The Winner is whoever gets the answers in the fastest time.

Sorry For my Grammar edit it if you must.

Is this good enough?

[Mystical]

Weren't we going to do that the winner is whoever has found the most words? Or, we could assign points to the words. Whoever has the most points.

[pooshoe]

we were but if you post them publicly your just going to get answers stolen. I understand answers can be wrong but its incredibly not likely. If the results for most words were being put in private Messages. It would be just as easy to tell the words and see how many they find that way. I dont mind reading Private Messages

[DM8954]

Alright. Let me explain how my idea was supposed to work through an example:


Stage 1:
The puzzle is posted.
Only the rules, the puzzle, and a category is included in the first post. [No one knows the number of words in the puzzle.]


Stage 2:
Anyone who wants to participate posts how many words they found. The only thing they are allowed to post is a number and absolutely nothing else.

SN-01 says: "Eight"
SN-02 says: "Nine"
SN-03 says: "Ten"
SN-04 says: "Nine"


Stage 3:
After enough time has passed, or if the right number has been called by one or more people, the winner is chosen. If the puzzle had only nine words in it, then SN-03 was either cheating or found some sort of accidental word, which is unlikely. SN-02 & SN-04 both said the right number but SN-02 posted first. So, SN-02 is asked to post their answers in order to prove that they actually found the right words. SN-03 is also asked to post their answers to see if their mysterious 10th word was actually in the puzzle or if they'll be banned from all future competitions.

At this point, since there might be a chance that the winner isn't clear, they could each send their answers directly to Gray Fox for verification. Most of the time, it shouldn't be a problem, since I don't expect to see any cheating.


Stage 4:
After the answers are posted (only to verify that the winner chosen in stage 2 is valid) the right answers are posted (perhaps the whole puzzle with the answers circled) and the winner is officially announced.

"The winner of the word search contest is SN-02!"
"The complete list of words found is here: "
" ~post~ "
" ~the~ "
" ~words~ "


I can see why someone might consider that overly complex. The main reason for going to the extra trouble is simply to keep everything public. If you post the puzzle, everyone PMs their answers to you, and you post the winner, then no one will know if anyone else is participating. "Maybe someone solved it within 30 seconds, before I even saw the puzzle, why should I bother?" Maybe no one entered the competition at all, or maybe one person is taking their time with it.

In both of our currently running competitions, most of the entries are posted only after the first person posts. OSC is open for 2-3 weeks. If someone posts a screenshot 3 days before the end, suddenly people remember that they haven't entered yet and quickly gather some screenshots. The internet is a big place and people have a short attention span. A contest is quickly forgotten or buried under other posts, if there are no participants posting.


In any case, we can also still go with your rules, if you think that's best but they need to be more formal:

Welcome to Oblivion Word Search round [One].
The rules are simple:

• Never post your answers or share them with anyone else.
• Send a Private Message (PM) to Gray Fox with your entire list of words as soon as you think you've found them all.
• The first person with all the words wins.
• If no one finds all the answers before time is up, the first person with the most words wins.
• The winner will be announced here in this thread at the end of the game.

You have until [Date and time] to find all the words you can in the following puzzle. The theme is [Theme Name].
[ P U Z Z L E X X X ]
[ X X X G O E S X X ]
[ X X X X X H E R E ]
[ X X X X X X X X X ]

[pooshoe]

I like you Scenario. But do you like making things Conlicated DM. Im just saying tell everyone what words they are they download or copy the Wordsearch. Mark where the words are. Then post it back to me in a PM

[DM8954]

Well, it's your contest. I still think that if everything happens behind the scenes you might get fewer participants. It would be an easier puzzle for the players and the rules would be pretty simple. The main problem with this method is still that people will need a graphics program in order to participate. Needing nothing besides an internet browser was one of the goals of the contest. That's why I was leaning toward the 'theme-based' rules. You can tell them a theme and how many words there are, as long as all they have to do is tell you which words they found. Then there is no circling required.

Go ahead and post your specific rules for whatever version you want to do in a way similar to what I have above. If you want me to PM the code for all that, just let me know. You can copy the whole thing and change the appropriate rules and phrases.

[pooshoe]

In any case, we can also still go with your rules, if you think that's best but they need to be more formal:

Welcome to Oblivion Word Search round [One].
The rules are simple:

Never post your answers or share them with anyone else.
Send a Private Message (PM) to Gray Fox with your entire list of words as soon as you think you've found them all.
The first person with all the words wins.
If no one finds all the answers before time is up, the first person with the most words wins.
The winner will be announced here in this thread at the end of the game.

You have until [Date and time] to find all the words you can in the following puzzle. The theme is [Theme Name].
[ P U Z Z L E X X X ]
[ X X X G O E S X X ]
[ X X X X X H E R E ]
[ X X X X X X X X X ]I like this idea.


EDIT: I think we a ready to put this up in contests and competitions. Every Monday One shall be made I think. Feel free to dissagree. DM. Do you think this is Postable the rules the wordsearch.

Quick Recap.

I post the wordsearch not saying what words are in it or how many there are. They arew clearly Based on Elder Scrolls Subjects, But mainly Oblivion. Anything Rellevant really. This May include names, items, provinces, shops etc
The Contestants Look for all words rellevant and send the words to GrayFox in a list. I then post a new topic saying the Winner. Is this good.

[DM8954]

....I post the wordsearch not saying what words are in it or how many there are. They arew clearly Based on Elder Scrolls Subjects, But mainly Oblivion. Anything Rellevant really. This May include names, items, provinces, shops etc
The Contestants Look for all words rellevant and send the words to GrayFox in a list. I then post a new topic saying the Winner. Is this good.

I agree with everything here except posting the results in a new topic.

The Puzzle is a single post and the announcement of the winner is a single post. There won't really be any other posts involved so it makes no sense to start new topics for them.

New Thread: Oblivion Word Search #1
Post #1: Puzzle and rules.
Post #2: Winner and answers.


Now, for your convenience, I'm posting the code for the rules. You can change the working however you like but I think it looks better with the extra formatting. Also, you'll notice a link in the rules directly to sending Gray Fox a PM for the convenience of the user. If you don't want to set a new theme every week, just delete that sentence from the last line. Obviously the theme is always going to be The Elder Scrolls, as found in TES4, but I mean a sub-theme like Mage Guild (Traven, Archmage, Arcane University, etc.) or Anvil (Lighthouse, Benirus Manor, Umbranox, etc.). [That's a lot of themes already: 9 Cities, 5 Factions, then things like Aylied, Wilderness, Cave, Plants, maybe even on to skills and attributes as themes.] I think it will actually help you to come up with words if you use themes, rather than selecting them completely at random.

Every time you're ready to post a new competition, just copy the text below into a new thread, edit the Puzzle Number, Due Date & Time, & Theme, and paste in the puzzle.

Code:

[size=12pt]Welcome to[/size] [size=14pt][b]Oblivion Word Search[/b][/size] [size=12pt]round [[b]One[/b]][/size].
The rules are simple:
[list]
[li]Never post your answers or share them with anyone else.[/li]
[li]Send a Private Message (PM) to [url=http://www.cyrodiil.net/forums/index.php?action=pm;sa=send;u=619]Gray Fox[/url] with your entire list of words as soon as you think you've found them all.[/li]
[li]The first person with all the words wins.[/li]
[li]If no one finds all the answers before time is up, the first person with the most words wins.[/li]
[li]The winner will be announced here in this thread at the end of the game.[/li]
[/list]

You have until [[b]Date and time[/b]] to find all the words you can in the following puzzle. The theme is [[size=12pt][b]Theme Name[/b][/size]].

[pooshoe]

OK now its official The 1st Ever Cyrodiil Forums wordsearch will be released under those rules on the 1st of September.

(I would do it sooner but i think it would be cooler if the 1st would be on the 1st, Also we are having my bedroom Extended so I cannot use my computer for about a week.)