Sonic Hacking Contest 2014

How do you remove old pictures from a SHC entry? My hack has had visual updates, so the pictures aren't accurate anymore...

 

Well folks, contest time is around the corner. In less than a week, anybody who wants to enter better be there, or be square. Today though, I wanna talk about a new aspect to this year's Hacking Contest, the Media Panel.

As most will recall, MegaGWolf usually covers the contest with his "Sonic Hack Showcase." In last year's discussion on how to make the even bigger, I gambled on the idea that asking other people outside of the Hacking community to cover the contest would be a great way to bring in the masses to the event. It was during one of my Youtube binges, I noted that Youtuber, SomeCallMeJohnny, loved Sonic, has played a few hacks on his Let's Play Channel, and has used Sonic Retro as reference on some of his knowledge. So, talks were had and he agreed to jump on. Along with Johnny, we also asked Donnie from SonicParadox to join and help out with doing streams and moderating the livestream chats. He agreed, thus creating the foundation of media coverage in the future. All in all, most things worked out fine and a good crew was made.

Such a good crew that all three are returning for this contest. That's right, those three lovable manly men are back for a second round, but this time we've got a few more friends joining in on the fun. Since January, I've been busy behind the scenes to get some of the biggest Sonic fans on Youtube to join in on the contest. They'll stream, showcase, and commentate on the various hacks for this year's contest, but this time everybody covering the contest is now on the newly formed Media Panel.
 

"What is the Media Panel and why are they here?"

I'm so glad you asked Mike Hunt. The Media Panel is just as it sounds, a specific panel dedicated to livestreaming the hacks, making reviews of the hacks, giving their opinions, and a few other secret things that I can't reveal until Contest Week. Let me just say this though, with the Media Panel in place, it will definitely be a fun time for all. With livestreams happening every day and a dedicated radio service covering the contest, it'll definitely feel much more interactive and definitely will have the bigger community aspect feel instead of just the "Hacking Community" feel.

This year, the judges all agreed we wanted to expand the contest to people who aren't into hacking, or in some cases don't know much about hacking outside of a few things; but are into Sonic. After all, there is a Sonic Community outside the safe walls of SSRG and Retro, why not show them what cool things the imaginative and hard working hackers of this community can do? So what better way than have big names join in our fun and help spread the word of how this contest is the coolest around?

"Does that mean the Media Panel is also judging as well?"

No, though we have agreed that the Media Panel can help us break ties, if there is a case where there is one. Otherwise, the Media Panel is not judging.

"All this information is cool and all, but whatever. Let's get to the point, who's covering the contest this year?"

Good Question Mike. As I had mentioned, Johnny, Donnie and Mega G are all joining back with us in our fun this year. Here's a complete* list of our Media Panel Coverage and lineup.

- Mega G. Wolf

- SomeCallMeJohnny

- Cobanermani456

- Geek Critique

- SonicParadox

- Tails' Channel

- Bartman and SEGARetroChannel

Along with our Youtube and Livestream coverage, we also have Reverie, our newest judge, who is also hosting her radio show throughout the whole shebang. Just listen to RadioRev, and you'll be able to keep up with the happenings of the contest. If you can't watch it, you could always just listen in, right? I'll give more details about this aspect closer towards the contest week, so just watch out.

* Do note, this is simply our official list, knowingly there will be others who may join us, but can not or have not been able to confirm a finalized schedule of being able to participate at this time. Just listen to RadioRev, as her station will be providing news and updates on Contest events as they come.

"WOAH DANG SUPEREGG!!!! THAT IS SOME SERIOUS CAKE YOU JUST THREW DOWN! But I have one more question to ask. Watching streams is really cool, and the main contest is real cool, but is there anything else happening?"

Slow down there Mike, I was just getting to that!

Though I don't want to go into specifics, this year I do plan on having workshops and Mini-Contests to be held. More details to come, but this year's Mini-Contests won't be a mess, so it'll definitely be fun. As far as workshops go, I have something special in mind for it, but once again, I can't say all that much just yet. I'll talk about a little bit more right before contest week.

So there you have it folks, a rundown of what to expect during this year's contest. I hope this is the news you guys have been looking for. And remember folks, we the judges have been hard at work organizing the best damned Sonic Hacking Contest since 1891. We were getting close with last year's, but this year, we are definitely going to overtake the original contest.

As a closing, I'm gonna steal that old line from Spanner.

"Ready, set, and Procrastinate!"

 

You must hold clicking in the picture and move it to miniature of trash. Made it your old photos will be removed.

 

Hello everyone! I'm really looking forward to streaming for the Sonic Hacking Contest for the second year in a row. As I did last year I will be streaming all the Sonic ROM hacks that are in the running. This time, however, I have a better computer and improved internet so things should go more smoothly. Feel free to use the stream's chat if you wish to converse with me while I play.

I will be doing the stream at http://www.livestream.com/sonicparadox if you wish to bookmark that link in advance. An exact date will be determined and announced later once I have a better idea of things.

Any feedback is appreciated and I hope you guys are looking forward to it! =)

 

This year's contest news just keeps getting better and better. I absolutely cannot wait for when the hacks go public.

 

Remember TheBlad768? Who made Sonic 3 and Knuckles Hard Bosses? I'm making hard boss on Sonic 1. GHZ only, more later.

 

Sounds cool! Can't wait to see your demo in the contest! (could you squeeze at least one more boss in it, though?)

 

Thank you Pacguy, but did you play TheBlad768's hack? And I'll try to add another boss as fast as I can.

 

Ok you two. I like your enthusiasm for the contest and the discussion of hacks, but this thread is mainly for news and questions about the contest proper. If y'all could kindly do this somewhere else, that'd be greatly appreciated.

 

Yes I have a question about the contest: if nobody has Big in their hacks, do I win the trophy automatically because SADX has Big in it?

 

No, because it wasn't hacked in. :U

 

This post is giving a warning of just under 24 hours to submit to the Hacking Contest - if you want to take part, please submit something as soon as possible - entries after Thursday 31st July at 12am BST cannot be guaranteed, but the deadline may be extended by a few hours to accommodate other time zones.

Remember that you have an additional week to refine your entry into something that will be judged as only the final submission is assessed by the judges and played by our media team. If you have a Partial Private entry, it will not be looked at by the media team unless you request it.

 

Thaaaaat's it folks! New entries (and new teams) are now closed off! Those of you who got an entry started in time, remember you now have an additional week to get your entry up to snuff and set completed as either Public or Partial Private, or else it will not be eligible for voting on. Also remember to request Media reviewing for your Partial Private entries should you wish it; this will mean it will possibly be shown in streams, reviews, etc, but the ROM itself will not be made public. If you just wish judges to see the ROM, and the only thing public being the screenshots, videos and description you provide, then you don't have to do anything more.

We have almost double the number of entries in total this year than we did last, so it has been an absolutely brilliant turn out. I am very much looking forward to playing what everyone has come up with this time.

I wish everyone who has entered the best of luck in the contest!

 

I won't be posting a list of the entries until next week to avoid mentioning incomplete entries that might not make the update deadline but we are looking at a good contest this year.

 

I think I'll enter next year with Sonic Zoom. Until then, BRING ON THOSE ENTRIES!

 

The update deadline is fast approaching - if your entry is still listed as incomplete after then, your entry will not be a part of the contest and will not be judged.

In other words, get stuff sorted now. We have a good amount of submissions already, including a big surprise that I'm sure people will like.

All entries will be available to the public from Monday August 18th as part of the Contest Week.

 

Right guys, it's nearly 1am BST here. That means I'm off to bed, and in the morning around 7-8am BST we cut off editing existing entries. Why this time? To cover as many timezones as possible.

We have had a spectacular turn-out this year, but I'll let the others go into it more. If you have any further editing, you better make it quick! Remember to double-check that your entry is marked Public or Partial-Private, as we won't be accepting any Unfinished entries after the cut-off!

Time for me to go and upload the final versions entries. Ciao for now. :U

 

Those of you that have the underscore escape bug, contact me via PM please. I have not had the time to get it fixed, but I can manually edit entries for it in the database directly.

 

Here are this year's entries.

• BakaSonic SHC '14 Demo by Bakayote & Varion Icaria
• Big's Fishing Derby by flamewing
• Crazy the Hedgehog by Xeta
• LSD is bad by Green Snake
• Metal Sonic Hyperdrive by LoneDevil
• Metal Sonic in Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles / Sonic 3 & Metal Sonic by LoneDevil
• Mushroom Zone by Dude
• Mystic Cave Classic - Sonic Generations Mod (Release 1) by JansenM
• Neo Sonic the Hedgehog by Xeta
• Project Reiko (Pre-Alpha V2) by Bakayote
• Robotnik Returns by Pacguy
• SADX AutoDemo Levels by X-Hax
• SADX Ghost Mod by MainMemory
• Sonic & Knuckles Collection SMPS Player by S&KC SMPS Team
• Sonic 1 - Gotta go Fast Edition by VAdaPEGA
• Sonic 1 - Hard Bosses Hack - First Public Release by HackGame
• Sonic 1 : Back To The Future by AnimeMaster
• Sonic 1 Color Contrast by TheInvisibleSun
• Sonic 1 FM by Team Valley Bell
• Sonic 1: Painto edition 2 by Painto maniak
• Sonic 1: Stardust Gear Edition by Stardust Gear
• Sonic 2 Adventure Edition: Sonic & Knuckles Demo by MainMemory
• Sonic 2: The Rise Of Chaos by ThomasSpeedrunner
• Sonic 3 & Knuckles: Pro Survivor by NeoFusionBox
• Sonic Adventure Generations by Dude
• Sonic and Tails: Double Trouble by FFuser
• Sonic Custom Layout by Green Snake
• Sonic Generations - Unleashed Project DLC Demo by S0LV0
• Sonic Generations - World Adventure Packs by N69 and TiManXD
• Sonic Generations - World Adventure Packs - Spagonia Adventure Pack by N69 and TiManXD
• Sonic Generations Graphics Overhaul Beta by Smashnic
• sonic hard mode by sonic hacker
• Sonic Tetris by Crash
• Sonic the Hedgehog: Egg on Toast Edition by Team Cinossu
• Sonic the Very Useful Engine by VAdaPEGA
• Sonic UMZ by TheInvisibleSun
• Sonic vs. Camera (PoC) by Green Snake
• Sonic: Into The Void by Blueblur93
• Sonic: South Island Warped - GHZ Demo by Shockwave
• STH2006 Project Demo 3 by brianuuu
• Sonic 2 Omochao Edition (Early WIP) by Team Cinossu*
• Sonic 3: D.A. Garden Edition by D.A. Garden*

* = Partial Private Entry

Remember, all entries aside from the Partial Private Entries will be playable by the public from Monday August 18th.

 

Why is Sonic the Hedgehog: Egg on Toast Edition on the list twice?