PREFACE
     This is the third Scenario Design Contest hosted by the Scenario League, and the second directed by Hodadian Award Central. Accordingly, it is far more ambitious than the first two. We were thrilled to find a ton of popular support for a third contest, especially at a time close in proximity to the closure of the second contest. After taking ideas on topics from the general public, the two topics for the dual platforms were selected by popular vote among the staff members and prior participants in the contest, after careful consideration by the hosts. We hope that this helps to generate even more entries than in prior contests, especially on the new ToT platform that we have introduced for the third contest.
     As in prior Scenario Design Contests, we want designers to take the opportunity to showcase what they are capable of. Just like an art gallery, we hope to exhibit the skills and ideas of various designers to enrich future scenarios. The competitive aspect itself is but a small component of the process, and not the underlying reason for pursuing this exercise.
     Each participant, working to the forthcoming guidelines, can present their efforts and draw comparisons with fellow scenario authors. The activity will ultimately demonstrate how good ideas can be embraced when constructing a scenario, and the participants can garner this experience first-hand.
     In July, submissions will be received and hosted on the Internet for download by anyone. Awards for outstanding scenarios will be presented. The contest is open to anyone who owns or plays either platform of Civilization II. Developing a high-quality, balanced, and imaginative scenario is both time-consuming and thought-provoking, so participants should be aware of the effort required.

FW-MGE PLATFORM: The Basic Concept of "The Argonauts"
     Historians and individuals who appreciate famous literature are amazed daily by the world that is created by Greek & Roman mythology. They told of gods with great powers that created all life on the planet - and ultimately, muddled in its affairs daily. The seasons, path of the sun and moon, and the balance mountains provide to the heavens all are the product of these outstanding deities.
     We invite those entering the FW/MGE platform to explore the strange world of Greek & Roman mythology. It may involve some aspects of history, but we are looking for a Bronze Age fantasy scenario that involves these great gods on some level.

ToT PLATFORM: The Basic Concept of "Dracula"
     Vampires rule, and we as general public are fascinated by them daily. We see them as dark creatures of the night that prey on the lessers of the human race. Dracula is the most famous of those vampires. It is rumored that a certain count in Hungary, Vlad the Impaler, made meals daily out of traveling passerby. That he slept in a coffin. That he had numerous wives that he made vampires also. Whether or not this is true, we are all aware of the power that vampires represent.
     You may take either a fantastical or historical approach, or combine elements from both. Envision a great struggle between the light and the dark either way. Was Vlad Dracula? Or are vampires merely products of our imagination that drink their fill and vanish without being noticed?

GENERAL RULES
No Profanity - Any adjusted text files, city names, unit names, and so forth, shall not contain coarse, indecent, suggestive, or derogatory language.
One Submission Only - Authors are invited to make a single submission only per platform. Do not make multiple entries on one platform, even if the themes are distinct. Do not submit revisions - the first scenario received will be the only accepted submission, on the proviso that it does not contain any technical faults (such as corrupted files).
No Duplicated Themes - Duplicates of existing interpretations of a provided theme are strictly forbidden. The theme of your scenario, based on the topic (depending upon your platform) should be your own interpretation. You may take bits and pieces from other peoples' works, but make sure that the resulting product is your own. If you borrow from any source, you must credit the original author in your readme.
General File Size - All files submitted must be less than 1 MB, though you may submit multiple files depending on the rules. This is for ease in the uploading process and to make the scenarios more accessible to our visitors. We will not accept a file if it is greater than 1 MB.

SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES
     It has been considered fairer to all participants that submissions be anonymous until the judging period is complete. As such, should you wish to submit a scenario, please send an e-mail with your real name, choice of platforms, solo or team designation (if participating on the ToT platform) and e-mail address to the staff at sdc@apolyton.net. You will receive an identity codename within a few days. Do not e-mail your submission until you have received your identity codename.
     Codenames are available from Christmas Day, December 25th, 1999, until November 24th, 2000 for MGE, but until January 9th, 2001 for ToT. Do not ask for multiple codenames on the same platform (we will use different types of codenames for each platform), as only one entry will be considered per author per platform. Codenames are not to be revealed by the authors until after the judging period has been completed.
     All entries must be e-mailed to sdc@apolyton.net no later than one week past the closing date for codename requests. (This means that MGE entries must be submitted no later than November 31st, 2000; and ToT entries may be submitted no later than January 16th, 2001.) Your submission to the official contest must meet all size limits. You are permitted to submit a "director's cut" edition that need not abide by the file size limits (with the exception that every file you submit MUST be less than 1 MB), but that entry will only be considered for People's Choice awards. If you only submit a "director's cut," you cannot be considered for the official contest.
     No late entries will be accepted under any circumstances. We highly recommend that you submit your entry at least a week or two before the appropriate deadline to ensure that we receive it. You will receive confirmation of the receipt of your submission within one to two working days. International time differences will be accommodated, but no late entries will be entertained.
     By one week after the submission deadline, the scenarios will be collated and sent to each Judge for initial assessment. By two weeks after the submission deadline, all submissions will be posted for general consumption.

     We implore all participants to keep all information about their entries confidential. Do not even announce to the community that you are working on a submission! Instead, we highly recommend that you set up a second e-mail address and/or a second login for the forums under your codename, if you wish to "spill the beans."

PRESENTATION OF ENTRIES: FW/MGE Platform
     The scenario must be presented in a zipped format (WinZip or PKZip), and be no larger than 1 MB, excluding sound files. We prefer that the scenario be less than 500 KB. Each entry must come from a single author. The zipped package must include a readme file and a pedia.txt file. Concepts such as multiple events or graphics files and the like are permissible, but be sure that the readme explains how these are to be installed and utilized for the purposes of integrating it into the scenario.
     The following types of files are allowed in the zip file: game TXT, GIF & BMP files, DOC, SCN, SAV, ALT, and MP files. If you wish to include EXE's, they must be fully functional, virus-free, and explained in the readme. They may only be used for concepts such as events switching and the like. DLL's are not permitted. Any questions concerning acceptable files should be directed to Mark Laanen, Chief of Judges for the FW/MGE platform.
     Scenario creators are not required to include sound files in their submission. If they wish to do so, they must accompany the submission in separate ZIP files that are no larger than 1 MB each and 2 MB total (we prefer that the total size of all sounds be less than 1 MB). Sounds may be borrowed from any source, but full documentation of sources for the sounds must be included in the readme. Attempts to include original sounds are encouraged.
     The scenario, if possible, should be designed for play on the Fantastic Worlds edition of Civilization II. If not, you may design the scenario on the Multiplayer Gold Edition, though it is not preferred. Entries on earlier versions of the game (such as Conflicts in Civilization) are allowed, but be warned: pre-FW versions of CivII do not have the range of scenario development tools that FW & MGE have. You must clearly documentate which version the scenario is designed for the readme.

PRESENTATION OF FILES: ToT Platform
     Since the ToT platform is relatively new and provides few editing techniques, we will allow team entries on the ToT platform. Teams must be no larger than three people, and no one may be on more than one team. To register, each team member must e-mail sdc@apolyton.net with the information asked for above, plus the names of the other team members, and a team name. Your team will not receive a codename until it is properly registered (in other words, when all the information provided properly matches up). If a team member decides to drop out, and the team wishes to replace him/her, the substitution must be approved by Techumseh, Chief of Judges for the ToT platform. Substitutions will not be accepted after September 4th, 2000.
     We require that the entry, whether from a single individual or a team, be no greater than 1 MB per file and 15 MB total (we prefer an entry of less than 7 MB). The sound files must be no larger than 1 MB per file and 10 MB total (sound files of total size less than 5 MB are preferred).
     All other information, including that concerning acceptable file types, is the same as with the FW/MGE platform.

GAME RULES
Map
     This year, there is no map provided for either platform. The creation of the map is the responsibility of the scenario creator.
Background and Game Objectives
     The scenario creator has the perogative as to which aspects of gameplay must be utilized - a scenario that depicts an all-out war lacking diplomacy, trade, etc. is acceptable, but we prefer that as many aspects of gameplay as possible be utilized. Any new technologies, city improvements, units, etc. must fit the theme of the contest and be plausible to be acceptable.
     The game objectives shall be set at the author's prerogative, with respect given to the above information. It may be killing a specific enemy unit, achieving conquest of a number of objective cities, possessing certain technology, "bloodlust," or any other the author wishes to set in place.
Tribes
     Submissions for the FW/MGE platform must include a minimum of four tribes, two of which must be playable in the eyes of the scenario author and be represented in some way. In the case of the ToT platform, the author shall have the perogative as to how many tribes to include and their representation.
Readme File
     A readme.txt (or equivalent) must be included in the zipped package. The file must contain acknowledgement of any original graphical or sound work and graphic or sound work taken from existing scenarios (including the author's own, if applicable). Acknowledgement of default graphics and sounds is not required. The length of the readme may be as brief or comprehensive as seen fit. Issues such as explanation of unusual or novel events, possible strategies, any game rules, or so forth, may be included and are encouraged.
     In order to maintain anonymity for judging purposes, the author's name, nickname, and/or e-mail address should not be included, but rather be substituted for by the identity codename issued to the scenario author or team prior to the scenario's submission. It is the scenario author's own priority to keep his/her codename as secret as possible.
Spelling
     All text and alt files should be spell-checked. No disqualification will follow upon negligence of spelling, but it will certainly negatively influence the scenario's chances of winning. If you are writing in a language foreign to you, we will allow you to have your files edited by a native speaker of that language without penalty.

S.D.C. STAFF AND JUDGING
     There have been a number of changes this year. We no longer have a Submissions Controller (submissions will be handled by the staff as a whole excluding the judges) or a Rules Referee (the judges for each platform will now field questions as necessary). In addition, all staff members (including judges) will be allowed to submit entries, but as in prior contests, they will only be eligible for People's Choice awards and not for the official contest.
     Blackclove, as Chief Editor for Scenario League and the Judge of the second contest, has been named Chief of Staff for the third contest. He will oversee the general operation of the contest.
     Reismark will for the second time serve as Website Director. He will be responsible for overseeing the operation of the site. Both Reismark and Blackclove will handle the facilitation of entries.
     Mark Laanen, winner of the second contest, will serve as Chief of Judges for the FW/MGE platform. Techumseh, runner-up in the second contest, will serve as Chief of Judges for the ToT platform. Both men will handle the judging process as they see fit, and may invite others to join the deliberations (however, no one who participates in a judging procedure will be eligible for the official contest). They will also receive questions concerning the rules and legality of selected elements for an entry for their respective platforms.

ADVICE (not part of the rules; offered for guidance)
     Other than the pre-mentioned issues, the author may pursue comparative freedom from a design sense. That is, government forms, technologies, city improvements, Wonders, disclosure of the map, units, terrain, diplomacy, reputations, barbarian activity events, and so forth, are regulated by the author as per normal scenario creation conditions.
     The author may wish to consider tactics to avoid excessive activity occurring in one specific area of the world map, in an effort to preserve the focus of the scenario on the map as a whole. Placement of barbarian cities, or amending of the terrain to make it harsher, are some examples.
     Referral to Leon Marrick's "Advanced Scenario Design" (assisted by Harlan Thompson) is STRONGLY recommended for all scenario creators entering the contest, especially novices. It is available for download in Zip format on the SDC website. We also suggest glancing through the various design tips at the Scenario League for additional help. The Scenario League has also developed a page at their site that contains links to other sites with information that may be useful in developing entries for both the FW/MGE and ToT platforms of the contest (reach each page by clicking the desired platform). Other questions about CivII scenario design should be directed to the message boards for the Scenario League on Apolyton Civilization Site, which can be found at http://apolyton.net/forums.

     Participants are advised to recheck this page every few weeks until the conclusion of the contest for any amendments to these Rules or the site. Updates will be sporadic, however. The Hodadian Award Central forum will receive posts on revisions to the SDC Rules and site through the duration of the contest.

Approved by the Committee for the Third Scenario Design Contest
Chief of Staff - Blackclove (blackclove.geo@yahoo.com)
Chief of Judges: FW/MGE - Mark Laanen (laanen@xs4all.nl)
Chief of Judges: ToT - Techumseh (brison@home.com)
Website Director - Reismark (hac@apolyton.net)
January 5, 2000
Revised March 23, 2000
Revised May 19, 2000
Revised October 31, 2000