Elite Squadron Competition 2006

Introduction

The object of this competition is simple but the road to get there will require initiative, activity, and most importantly, teamwork. Diversification is imperative both at a squadron level and an individual level. The squadron that wins will be the one that can perform well in the four activity catergories of writing, gaming, creativity, and website design. The top individual pilots need to be able to perform well in writing, gaming, and creativity. Concentration only brings some reward. Those who want to call themselves elite must show that they are well-rounded and suited to any task the Imperial Navy may ask of them. Are you ready for the challenge?

Overview

The 2006 Elite Squadron Competition ran from Wednesday June 28th until Wednesday July 26th. During this month, the pilots competed in a variety of activities at the frequency of their choosing with the goal of making their squadron elite and themselves the top pilot in VEN. Scoring was determined by a rating out of 100 and was designed so that everyone's activity effects everyone else's. In other words, it was a battle of wits, will, determination, and coordination in order to bring their squadron to the top. Activity over the entire month was vital; those who could not keep the momentum would not hold on forever. The squadron that best organized to maximize output through teamwork would be crowned the winner.

For the purposes of neutrality and fairness, Arturus was the official scorer, administrator, and judge of the ESC. Shazam would be leading Nazgul Squadron during the competition while Arturus stepped out of the squadron to perform this role. All activity was to be reported to Arturus in the required manner defined below by each category.

Disclaimer

he important numbers to remember are the weighted percentages of each category. Within each category there is mention of points. These points are meaningless outside the specific category. For example, scoring 100 points in gaming is only used to give a rating for gaming and will have no bearing on any other part of the competition. I state this because everyone's gaming and creativty points will be staggeringly higher than writing given the way the system works. However points are only used to calculate ratings for that specific category of the competition. Overall, each category is only worth a certain percentage of your total rating and as a result, points don't mean anything in that regard. As you read the rules I hope that this will become clear.

Rules

Writing Rules

The writing part of the competition is worth 35% of your squadron's overall rating and is the highest weighted category. Writers be wary, maximizing your 35% here will not give you a win if you neglect the other areas. There are three ways in which you can score points in writing.

1. Squadron stories - every squadron will be given a mission at the start of the ESC. All missions will be multifaceted with a number of objectives in order to ensure that they last the competition. Every post on the squadron story provides that squadron with two (2) points in the writing category. Posts must have a minimum length of 500 words (I will check posts I think are short and will edit in a message stating that it will not be counted if it is under the length). Pure filler is not allowed, posts must advance the plot or your individual character's development in some fashion. The same person may post twice in a row if twelve hours have passed between posts.

2. Individual stories - when stories stall due to squadron inactivity on the squadron story, pilots may also write individual stories that build upon their characters. These story posts are worth one (1) point in the writing category. The minimum length for these posts is 1000 words and they must build and develop your individual character. Character building is something many enjoy and want to do but cannot in a squadron story setting as much as they want to. Therefore, we have created this category in order to reward those who go above and beyond their squadron writing duties (this is not to be done inplace of squadron posting) and build upon their characters. In order to write an indivudal story, create a thread in the Navy Storynet that says "ESC - Pilot's Name Individual Stories". All individual stories for that pilot must be put in this thread only. If you want to write more than one story then please put the title of the story in the next post but keep it in the same thread. This will allow for easier record keeping.

3. Different-character stories - Every person who signs up will be allowed one character to create. The sign-up is simple: create your character. When that person uses this character in the mission they will be able to do anything they want with them throughout the course of the story. That means that if you want to make them totally different then anything or anyone you've ever written about- go for it. They don't have to be socially acceptable or nice or get along with anyone, and they don't have to be overwhelmingly beautiful. Individual posts must have a minimum length of 750 words and will count for one (1) point each. This means that if you decide to kill your character off somewhere in the story you will not lose all those points you gained- only lose the opportunity to continue gaining them.

Gaming Rules

Gaming is the second largest component of your overall squadron's ranking (worth 25%) and as a result is important as well. Given the fact that most navy-oriented games aren't owned by the majority of the navy nor indeed played by the majority of the navy, we have made two arrangements to accomodate this. First, all Star Wars platforms will be allowed in this section (they are listed below) and second, free, non-Star Wars platforms are also being considered for those who are unable to play games online due to not owning them or due to the fact that they have a poor internet connection. Star Wars and non-Star Wars games are graded different and have different rules so please read below and take note. One final note, it is strongly encouraged that you play your matches against members of other squadrons and that when you play team games, you are on the same side of your squadronmates. However, given the fact that it can be difficult at times to arrange games outside your squadron, internal squadron games will be accepted. Please note that the spirit of the competition is squadron vs. squadron so I hope that all will try to follow the spirit whenever possible.

1. Star Wars Platforms - these games can be played as a 1v1 or in even teams. Pilots are responsible for arranging their games and arranging for one person to take a screenshot of the final result and e-mail it, with the results written out in the message as well, to me. Results without a screenshot will not be counted. For games, you earn points for playing and addition points for winning. For Star Wars platforms, all players will earn two (2) points with the winner (or in case of a team) winners receiving two (2) additional points for a total of four (4) points. Please read below to get the list of platforms and the required settings for each.

X-Wing Alliance
-Matches are to be set to 10 minutes
-Free for all or teams is acceptable

X-Wing vs. Tie Fighter
-Matches are to be set to 10 minutes
-Free for all or teams is acceptable

Rebellion
-Small galaxy
-HQ victory or standard is to be determined by the players

Galactic Battlegrounds
-Any setting
-Free for all or teams is acceptable

Jedi Knight II: Jedi Outcast
-For all types of games, any force and weapon setting is acceptable and to be determined by the players
-1v1 dueling is to be set to 5 kills
-For duels games with more than 2 players, 10 kills is to be the setting
-Free for all games are to be set to 10 kills
-2v2 games are to be set to 20 kills, 3v3 to 30, etc.
-Capture the flag is to be set to 5 caps or 15 minutes

Jedi Knight III: Jedi Academy
-Same settings as Jedi Knight II

Battlefront
-Any settings

Empire at War
-Any settings

2. Non-Star Wars Platforms - Non-Star Wars platforms are being supported for reasons mentionned above. Due to the nature of some of these games, the rules surrounding them are different in order to prevent pilots from playing many short pool games and gain an unfair advantage over those playing the Star Wars platforms. In order to level the table, some games are set as the best two out of three. In addition, participation in these games awards the pilot one (1) gaming point with a second gaming point going to the winner for a maximum total of two (2) points. Please read the requirements for each of the following games. Remember that screenshots are required and that for games that are best two out of three, screenshots of each match played in that set are required. A game report lacking a screenshot will not count.

Yahoo Pool
-Best 2 out of 3

Candystand 8-Ball
-Best 2 out of 3

Candystand Straight Pool
-Best 2 out of 3

Yahoo/Zone Chess
-Best 1 out of 1

Candystand Bowling
-Best 2 out of 3

Creativity Rules

Creativity is comprised of two parts and subdivided further in one case but all of the points available in all of these parts are pooled together into this category called creativity. Therefore in this case, diversification is not required as despite the divisions, they are all part of one category. All creative works will be evaluated based upon the effort put in. Not everyone is an artist or a musician but those who put in the effort and try will get rewarded. I will judge all submissions (which are to be given by e-mail) and I will reply with a grade and relevant comments when necessary. In the case of a hand-drawn graphic, a scan of it is to be submitted while the file is to be submitted of a graphic and a recording of any musical submissions. Judgements are final although if you feel you have been greviously wrong I will take appeals into consideration should it be a legitimate complaint. I am not an artist and would probably fail art school so do not panic. I am not a harsh judge of art but I am of effort. The effort you put in will be reflected in your mark. Effort makes up 80-90% of your overall grade.

The following are the rules for all creative submissions:

-All work must be original, plagarism will earn a 0 for a grade. Original work does not mean text placed on top of an already existing picture. Original work can be made from pieces of existing pictures but it must generate something new.
-Obscenity is not permitted. VE is a 14A operation, keep it that way.
-For graphics/drawn images, all submissions must fall within the specified themes.
-All submissions must have a title.
-Upon request, the files used to make a computer graphics must be provided in order to determine originality, therefore, keep the components you use until a final grade has been given.
-Submissions that involve the same image with different text or colouring will not be accepted; only the original image submitted will count.
-Components for a squadron website created during the competition can be submitted provided they are a banner, logo, or image of some kind and not simply a functional component such as a menu bar.

1. Graphics/Hand-drawn images - The rules for these submissions are listed above. Each image is graded out of five (5) points with the grade being the point received in the creativity category for this submission. Submissions must fit into one of the following themes:

-Avatars
-Character images
-Space combat
-Squadron pride
-Hanger life (both in space and on the ground)
-Website Component
-Ship designs

2. Music - All musical submissions must be recorded and sent to me. Music is graded out of ten (10) points with a maximum of one (1) entry per pilot and three (3) entries per squadron. Singing is not required; instrumentals are acceptable (squadron leaders may want to coordinate this). All entries must be a minimum of three minutes long. All relevant rules above apply.

Website Rules

During the course of the competition, squadrons are encourged to develop new and improved websites. At the end of the competition, the websites will be graded according to four factors each worth one quarter of the 20% weighting given to this area. Components for the website must not have been made prior to the competition. Squadrons that do not make a website will receieve a zero grade for this part of the competition. This is the one area that does not count for individual scoring; this is a squadron only scored component. The webites will be based upon the following areas each of which is worth five (5) points for a total of twenty (20) points:

1. Content - what you put on your website in terms of information will be graded in this section.
2. Layout - the overall layout of the website including colour contrasts, looks, and general feel will be graded here.
3. Usability - the ease with which your website can be navigated and information found and extrapolated will be graded here.
4. Graphics - the graphics on your website and the graphical feel will be graded here.

---

Scoring System

Writing

Writing was worth 35% of the squadron rating and 40% of the pilot rating. The score used to rank pilots and squadrons in this category was determined as follows:

-2 points for a 500 word squadron story post
-1 point for a 1,000 word individual story post
-1 point for a 750 word non-character story post

Gaming

Gaming was worth 25% of the squadron rating and 30% the of pilot rating. The score used to rank pilots and squadrons in this category was determined as follows:

-4 points for a victory in a Star Wars game
-2 points for a loss in a Star Wars game
-2 points for a win in a non-Star Wars game
-1 point for a loss in a non-Star Wars game

Creativity

Creativity was worth 20% of the squadron rating and 30% of the pilot rating. The score used to rank pilots and squadrons in this category was determined as follows:

-All graphic submissions were graded out of 5
-All musical submissions were graded out of 10

Website

The website was worth 20% of the squadron rating. The score used to rank squadrons in this category was determined as follows:

-A grade out of 5 for layout
-A grade out of 5 for content
-A grade out of 5 for usability
-A grade out of 5 for graphics

Overall Pilot

Overall Pilot Scores were calculated using the following formula:

(Pilot Writing Score/Highest Writing Score*100)*0.4 + (Pilot Gaming Score/Highest Gaming Score*100)*0.3 + (Pilot Creativity Score/Highest Creativity Score*100)*0.3 = Overall Pilot Rating

Overall Squadron

Overall Squadron Scores were calculated using the following formula:

(Squadron Writing Score/Highest Writing Score*100)*0.35 + (Squadron Gaming Score/Highest Gaming Score*100)*0.25 + (Squadron Creativity Score/Highest Creativity Score*100)*0.2 + Total Website Score (out of twenty) = Overall Squadron Rating

---

Prizes

Writing Prize

The Victory Cross
100,000ics in prize money

Gaming Prize

The Cross of Bravery
100,000ics in prize money

Creativity Prize

The Victory Cross
100,000ics in prize money

Overall Pilot Prize

1st Place: The right to call themselves the navy's top pilot
The Distinguished Service Medal
500,000ics in prize money

2nd Place: The Legion of Merit
250,000ics in prize money

3rd Place: The Star of Valor
100,000ics in prize money

Elite Squadron Prize

The right to call themselves elite and wear the designation elite
The Vast Empire Victory Banner
Prize money of 100,000ics
All Flight Members will recieve 2,500ics in extra pay per month
All Flight Leaders will receive 5,000ics in extra pay per month
The Executive Officer will receive 6,250ics in extra pay per month
The Squadron Commander will receive 10,000ics in extra pay per month

---

Final Results - Individual

Writing Scores

1. Trevor Evenson Nazgul 51
2. Shazam Nazgul 45
2. Demonic Kaph 45
4. Krius Kaph 43
5. Than Sion Kaph 42
6. Cyleaf Aehait Kaph 37
7. Atrick25 Nazgul 28
8. Shiric Aegis 22
9. Jaden Aegis 20
10. Jack Nebulax Nazgul 17
11. Raigen Aegis 15
12. Darius Nazgul 14
13. Arturus Indepedent 14
14. DJ234 Aegis 13
15. Scout Kaph 12
16. Tokijin Nazgul 6
17. Willtconq Kaph 2
17. Jen Knight Nazgul 2
17. Aldur Wyndaru Nazgul 2

Gaming Scores

1. Arturus Independent 79
2. Atrick25 Nazgul 62
3. Demonic Kaph 50
4. Krius Kaph 40
5. Shiric Aegis 29
5. Trevor Evenson Nazgul 29
7. Aldur Wyndaru Nazgul 22
7. Scout Kaph 22
9. Than Sion Kaph 20
10. Shazam Nazgul 20
11. Jaden Aegis 16
12. DJ234 Aegis 11
13. Cyleaf Aehait Kaph 9
14. Darius Nazgul 8
15. Raigen Aegis 3
15. Willtconq Kaph 3
17. Tokijin Nazgul 2
18. Jen Knight Nazgul 1

Creativity Scores

1. Than Sion Kaph 63
2. Shiric Aegis 59
3. Shazam Nazgul 47
4. Demonic Kaph 41
5. Willtconq Kaph 31
6. Arturus Independent 12
7. Aldur Wyndaru Nazgul 10
8. Raigen Aegis 8
8. Atrick25 Nazgul 8
10. Cyleaf Aehait Kaph 4
10. Jen Knight Nazgul 4
10. Tokijin Nazgul 4

Overall Pilot Scores

Out of a maximum of 100.00

1. Demonic (Kaph): 73.81
2. Than Sion (Kaph): 70.54
3. Shazam (Nazgul): 65.27
4. Shiric (Aegis): 56.36
5. Trevor Evenson (Nazgul): 51.01
6. Atrick25 (Nazgul): 49.31
7. Krius (Kaph): 48.92
8. Arturus (Independent): 46.69
9. Cyleaf Aehait (Kaph): 34.34
10. Jaden (Aegis): 21.76
11. Willtconq (Kaph): 18.23
12. Scout (Kaph): 17.77
13. Raigen (Aegis): 16.71
14. Aldur Wyndaru (Nazgul): 14.68
15. DJ234 (Aegis): 14.37
16. Darius (Nazgul): 14.02
17. Jack Nebulax (Nazgul): 13.33
18. Tokijin (Nazgul): 7.37
19. Jen Knight (Nazgul): 3.85
20. Hunter (Aegis): 0.00
20. Goltred (Kaph): 0.00

---

Final Results - Squadron

Writing Scores

1. Kaph Squadron 181
2. Nazgul Squadron 165
3. Aegis Squadron 70

Gaming Scores

1. Kaph Squadron 146
2. Nazgul Squadron 144
3. Aegis Squadron 59

Creativity Scores

1. Kaph Squadron 139
2. Nazgul Squadron 73
3. Aegis Squadron 67

Website Scores

Layout/Content/Graphics/Usability = Score out of 20

1. Kaph Squadron: 5/3/3/5 = 16
2. Nazgul Squadron: 1/5/4/5 = 15
3. Aegis Squadron: 1/4/3/5 = 13

Overall Squadron Scores

Out of a maximum of 100.00

1. Kaph Squadron 96.00
2. Nazgul Squadron 82.07
3. Aegis Squadron 46.28