Official Contest Winners Being Contacted

Just got my affidavit to have notarized in the mail today. I also noticed on the official site's message board, there's at least one other post mentioning that others have been contacted.

For the record I won first prize (the pinball machine) in the 19 and over age group. I can't wait to see the grand prize design.

I'd love to offer my submission for download, but I think they'll do that on the official site when the winners are announced. Here's a quick screenshot though:

http://home.ptd.net/~gonchar/delusion.jpg

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www.coasterimage.com

Wow! Wait to go! I can't wait to see your design. You sure are the one to win it, so I'm sure they made the best decision. I still have my fingers crossed for an honorable mention. So, when will we be able to download your winning design?

Edit: Sorry, didn't thoroughly read your post - a little overly excited. ;) Great design though. Very visually appealing. I especially like the first drop.

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Tales for the L33t
*** This post was edited by RollerJunkie 4/7/2003 6:50:06 PM ***

So when can we come over and play it? ;)

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A day is a drop of water in the ocean of eternity. A week is seven drops.

You were able to win without puuting any of your great theming with the ride. Great job Lord Gonchar.

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All who think Mean Streak needs a match taken to it say I.

Congratulations! Good to see a CoasterBuzz member win. You'll love the pinball machine!

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

Well, I finally got around to getting the affidavit notarized. They need it returned by the 17th. After they verify that the info is true and correct, they'll begin processing the prize. The info I have says it takes 3 to 4 weeks to process. Looks like I'll have the pinball machine in a month or so.

Still can't wait to see the grand prize winner...

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www.coasterimage.com

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar 4/12/2003 2:48:50 PM ***

Gonchar - so you know you aren't the grand prize winner, or you're not sure if they've announced the grand prize winner yet?

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Tales for the L33t

I know I'm not the grand prize winner. The letter I got told me I'm the First Prize winner of a RCT2 Pinball Machine.

Someone else got the grand prize in the 19 and over age group.

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www.coasterimage.com

To be honest, the most lasting part of the grand prize would have been the pinball machine anyway, so by winning that you just have less of a tax writeup to worry about next year ;)

Congratulations!

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--Greg, aka Oat Boy
My page
"I can't believe I just left a nuclear weapon in an elevator." -- Farscape

Now that's the bright side!

To be honest all I really wanted was the pinball machine. I'd have given the PC to my daughter. The trip would've been nice as a freebie, but getting to parks has never been a problem.

And besides, what were the odds I'd ever go out and buy a pinball machine?

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www.coasterimage.com

For those who may be interested I have a screenshot of what is supposedly (and I have no reason to doubt it at this point) the First Prize Winner (pinball machine) from the 16 to 18 age group.

http://home.ptd.net/~gonchar/1618.jpg

I mean no disrespect, but I expected it to take a lot more than this to secure a top prize (in any age group). I'll spare any elaboration and just leave it at that.

I still really want to see the grand prize winner in the 19 and over group...

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www.coasterimage.com

Enjoy the pinball machine! RCT is actually one of Sega's better efforts. (The new "Simpsons" pin isn't bad either!)

Jerry
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Pinball and Coasters...Any Questions?

Sega? Sega hasn't had anything to do with pinball machines in years. The machine is produced by Stern Pinball, the only new manufacturer left.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

Opps.. I meant Stern. Some habits die hard. (The initial name change from Data East to Sega was hard to get through my thick head too).

Aside from Joe Kaminkow leaving for IGT, and some designers coming and going (especially after WMS shut-down their pinball division), the name changes haven't meant a whole lot internally anyway.

My only excuse is one of the three machines I have at home is a "Sega". :)

Jerry

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Pinball and Coasters...Any Questions?

I havent gotten anything in the mail, so could all of you see if my coaster was good enough to win something:

http://community.webshots.com/album/69597973ctQkep

I think I'm good enough to win something, especially for a 14 year old in the RCT2 Wizards. :)

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Mike T.
RCT2 Wizards-Medusa99
I support our troops!

Yeah, I was surprised with the 16-18 yr. old age group winner. The ride didn't even have brakes at the end or anything. It seems the judges were looking for more simplicity and realism than the last official contests, which were big and creative.

BTW, my local arcade just got the new RCT pinball machine installed and it's amazing. It's very technologically advanced. :) I really want one.

So I wonder who won my age group 13-15.

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Tales for the L33t

I do believe simplicity and realism were big factors.

Scoring (according to the official rules) was:

40% practicality & functionality - basically described as realistic height, drop, G's, speed, size, etc

35% ride variables - or as we call them, stats

25% creativity - self explanitory

My very first goal was to create a ride that would nail that 40%. I used the only 4D file included with the game (X) as a guideline as to what is "realistic".

I pity the judges for having to sort though thousands of ridiculous files with 9000 foot long coasters. I honestly thought my submission at 3950 was a bit too long. I tried to keep the rest of the stats in line with the stats of X.

I just kept tweaking to get the highest E,I,N possible (35%) and I think a 7.32 excitement with an unthemed 4D is about as good as it'll get while staying "realistic".

As for creativity, I figured that the weird mirrored "S" drop was pretty creative, then I added that funky twisty element (affectionately dubbed an "infinity twist") by the station. I guess that was more than enough creativity.

From most of the "look at my entry" posts I've seen all over the internet, I probably thought about it too much. I'm suprised at how many people make these huge ridiculous designs and are amused by them. Everybody has the right to suck, I suppose ;)

I hate to seem so "I'm the best" about it, but I'm seeing a lot of really weak coasters that people expected to win a prize valued at $10,000 with. It's almost scary to me. A simple understanding of the rules and coasters in general and you should at least be in the ballpark. Some of the entries I've seen weren't even in the vicinity of the city that's next to the state that holds the ballpark. (or an alternate quip - Some people were so far from the ballpark that their GPS wouldn't have gotten them there)

I'm thankful for the exchange here at CB. The people exchanging files here have collectively developed a certain "style" that we all kind of design towards. I happen to be a fan of that general style. Compared to many other exchanges, the quality of the stuff on CB Games is heads and tails above the rest when it comes to what I personally look for in an RCT coaster.

Wow, I feel better - I need to vent more often. :)

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www.coasterimage.com

*** This post was edited by Lord Gonchar 4/14/2003 1:02:53 PM ***

I certainly appreciate your contributions both here and on the games site.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM

Do we hug or kiss or something now, Jeff?

...'cause I'm all about the huggin' and the kissin' ;)

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www.coasterimage.com

Uh, no thanks. It's quite alright.

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Jeff - Webmaster/Admin - CoasterBuzz.com - Sillynonsense.com
"The world rotates to The Ultra-Heavy Beat!" - KMFDM