National Park Contest
I think I am going to participate in this. But I have some questions. Are we allowed to make custom scenery (Custom station, Park paths, Buildings etc)? And can I post the finished product on Youtube?
Cravenable Gaming posted on September 23rd, 2022
I think I am going to participate in this. But I have some questions. Are we allowed to make custom scenery (Custom station, Park paths, Buildings etc)? And can I post the finished product on Youtube?
Yes, custom scenery is allowed (you just can't modify the existing scenery or terrain in any way) - and of course you can share the finished product on YouTube! Very eager to see what you come up with!
so i am able to build bridges for extra support aslong as the bridge supports only touch grass. or can i just build the supports for the bridge in the water?
Jappies_Coaster_Fun posted on September 24th, 2022
so i am able to build bridges for extra support aslong as the bridge supports only touch grass. or can i just build the supports for the bridge in the water?
You can't place footers in the water, you can only place footers on the grass areas.
Just a heads up - there's a little over 2 weeks (14.5 days) left until the deadline! I can't wait to see everyone's rides, keep up the fantastic work!
Are we allowed to do terrain painting or is that considered modifying the terrain?
Cravenable Gaming posted on October 1st, 2022
Are we allowed to do terrain painting or is that considered modifying the terrain?
Yes, that's allowed.
National Park Contest Update
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New Deadline: Entries will now be due on October 29 at 23:59/11:59pm PST - this is a 2 week deadline extension.
Rules Clarification: Each entry will be imported into a blank template to check clearances, boundaries and footers during judging. This means that modifying the template in your submission will not help with deductions. For a footer to be “fully on the grassy area”, it must be surrounded by the 3D grass mesh.
Footer Restrictions Update: We have also decided to revise the “no footers on rocks/water areas“ restriction. Instead of losing 5pts for each footer violation, entries can lose a maximum of 10pts for all footer violations combined. Less significant footer violations (for example, if a footer edge is slightly outside the grass mesh) will result in less points lost.
New Award: Every entry without deductions will receive a “By The Rules” Award (5pt bonus). We want to reward everyone who’s gone the extra mile to follow these crazy restrictions.
We’re hoping for plenty of awesome submissions so we can show them off in a results video! Good luck, and we can’t wait to see your entries!!
I unfortunately won't have the time to participate due to time constraints but this looks like a fun template to play around with. Will definitely do a project using this template!
Can we put footers on the side of the mountains?
BIblyBoo posted on October 19th, 2022
Can we put footers on the side of the mountains?
You can put footers on any of the grassy areas. Every footer needs to be surrounded by the 3D grass mesh on all sides to be "fully on the grassy area".
The Submissions Form is now closed.
In total, I'm thrilled that we received 23 entries - significantly more than I expected! There was a shocking variety of styles used between these entries. Here's the list:
Intamins: 5 (4 Blitzes, 1 Mega)
B&Ms: 3 (1 Flying, 1 Sitdown, 1 Inverted)
MACK Produkts: 2 (1 Launch, 1 Xtreme Spinning)
RMCs: 2 (1 Raptor, 1 Launched Hybrid)
Vekomas: 4 (2 Tilt, 1 Multi-Launch, 1 Flying Dutchman)
Arrows: 2 (1 Looping, 1 Suspended)
1 Morgan Hyper
1 S&S/Arrow 4D
1 Archane Rides Drake (Custom track and trains)
1 Premier Rides LIM Shuttle
1 Chance Rides Hyper GTX
Loundlim and I are now judging these entries. We can't promise a date for the results yet - we want to give quality feedback, not rushed. I will post the results spreadsheet (and results video) here when they're released.
Hey everyone, we have the final rankings for the contest and are now working on a results video. We hope to release the results very soon, I'll keep you all updated.
Hey everyone, here's the results!
Results spreadsheet (scores and comments): https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/13ANElHTgdawEdisqoJwbKDzlF3eRgSkaCaSGKEYF5Cw/edit?usp=sharing
I'm amazed at how many styles were in this contest, especially the amount of rarely built, obscure models (definitely unexpected...). As a whole, the layouts are more diverse than I expected - every submission has at least 1 exclusive element or original feature (such as switch tracks, tilt tracks, swing brakes, swing launches, unique trains, etc.). I'm extremely glad that the unusual template inspired so much creativity and innovation, always love to see it in NL2.
Special congratulations to our top 5 entries:
- ML Designs - Explorer (MACK Xtreme Spinning)
- DarkStar - Phoenix (B&M Flying)
- Jackson G. - Cliffhanger (Intamin LSM)
- docoaster - Eagle's Screech (Vekoma Flying Dutchman)
- maxip - MegaLooper (Arrow Looping)
If you didn't get the score you hoped for, don't be discouraged. Use the feedback to improve your future coasters, and don't be afraid to ask for more. If you have questions about my scores and comments, feel free to DM me. Since I started participating in contests, the constructive criticism I've received has helped me improve at NL2 so much (special thank yous to fintamin and hazel here). I wanted to reciprocate that goodwill with co-hosting the National Park Contest.
PSA: To anyone trying to improve in NL2...
Participate in as many contests as you can. The deadline can motivate you to finish your coaster and give your best effort. The constraints and template force you to think creatively and innovate. And if you submit your ride, feedback is guaranteed. If your first coaster for a contest isn't in the "top 3/5/10", don't feel sad - no one starts off that strongly. Though it won't happen immediately, getting that first "top 3/5/10" ranking in a NL2 contest is fantastic - the gratification just might empower you to keep on improving. Never stop trying, the worst thing you can do is give up.
This was the first time Loundlim and I have hosted a contest, and because of all your support, it went extremely well! Thank you so much to everyone who participated!
Will there be a way to download all entries?
Jetcoasterfan posted on December 2nd, 2022
Will there be a way to download all entries?
Some entries have been uploaded on the workshop (Mac's spinning coaster, Jackson's blitz coaster and L_24's tilt coaster).
I know that. I really want to download the rest. Like the morgan and the crazy arrow entry.
I agree, a download of all maps would be so cool
NATIONAL PARK COASTER CONTEST
Hosts: Loundlim and Kw6sTheater
DEBRIEF
A National Park is looking to attract a fresh demographic: thrill-seekers. But they don’t want another alpine coaster - they’re seeking proposals for a unique, landmark thrill ride for their property. However, the site for this coaster is quite unusual - for starters, it’s in a former quarry.
From the top of the quarry to the bottom, there’s a 64m/210ft height difference. Surrounding the base of the quarry, the lake and forest are federally protected. As a result, the tree clusters cannot be removed, and new footers cannot be poured on the lake. New footers can be placed on the rocks already in the lake, as well as on any grass inside the build area.
The National Park requires the coaster’s station to be in the green zone (a clearing on the hillside), and that some track enters the purple zone (on top of the quarry). In addition, the coaster has a maximum height limit of 80m/262ft (16m/52ft above the quarry) to preserve sightlines throughout the Park. Using free mods, custom tracks and custom trains are all allowed - but ask a contest host before using a paid mod.
While planning your coaster, keep the following in mind…
This template was designed to encourage out-of-the-box, atypical coasters that aren’t suited for flat ground. A coaster doesn’t need to cover the entire template (or be extremely long) to score high marks. While planning the layout, always consider where footers can be placed - this will make supporting that layout so much easier.
SUBMISSIONS
Template: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1vnj1yw2I8c-0LDRYMNq2BkVFn5hfSvTX?usp=sharing
Note: FVD Overlay provided in the folder above
Submit Here: https://forms.gle/59w2A78kpM6tDX6h6
Submissions Deadline (New): October 29th at 23:59/11:59pm Pacific Standard Time
JUDGING CRITERIA
Entries will be judged on 3 categories: Track, Supports and Use of Template. These categories have a range of criteria such as realism, details and aesthetics. All 7 criteria are scored out of 10 points, then added together for the total score (out of 70 points).
RULES - RIDE REQUIREMENTS
The ride’s station must be in the green zone - 10pts deduction if it’s not
The ride’s track must enter the purple zone (on top of the cliff) - 20pts deduction if it doesn’t
The ride must have adequate storage (total number of trains minus 1). Storage isn't required to fit inside the green zone, but it must be nearby for easy maintenance access - 10pts deduction for inadequate storage.
RULES - RIDE RESTRICTIONS
The entire ride (clearance envelope, track, supports and footers) must be within all template boundaries - 10pts deduction per template breach
The entire ride (clearance envelope, track, supports and footers) must pass clearance with itself and the template - 5pts deduction per clearance fail
All new footers must be fully on the grass mesh, not on the water or rocky areas - 5pts deduction per footer violation
The terrain and the scenery must not be changed. As a result, no tunnels or trenches are allowed.
BONUSES
Original Style (If a coaster style is used by one submission only, that submission earns extra points): 3pt bonus
Best Supports Award: 5pt bonus
Most Unique Award: 5pt bonus
Good luck, and have fun!