Big09 Design Challenge Results

The month of September carried two design challenges with it: Small09 and Big09. Small09 was a challenge to create the best level possible within a 20 x 20 x20 grid space. Big09, on the other hand, was a challenge to create the largest level possible, with a block on floor one and one-hundred. This challenge ended on September 30, 2009, and voting began the next day.

As with every design challenge, the community was given several days to vote for their favorite levels. Anyone who wished to could submit their vote for three levels from each challenge in a single PM to Atmosphirvote, which is managed by Adz. He then counts the votes and sends Dave (Okaysamurai) the results. Since then, we have waited anxiously for the results.

Unfortunately, due to a busy schedule, Dave has not been able to make an official announcement regarding the winners… until now. Through Twitter, he announced that the Small09 winners will be released on Thursday of this week and Big09 on Friday. True to his word, the Big09 results were announced this morning. Although it was not a video, Dave wrote a short summary of each of the ten winners in a single news post on the Atmosphir website. The results were as follows:

10. Old Egypt - Flex

9. Coconut Kingdom – BlazingPlatinum

8. The Incredible Ice-Geysers of Icicleta - signman

7. Run I - eyeofsauron

6. Quicksand Castle - Krakrjakz

5. AtmoTown - Maspaceha

4. Overflow - DuffyZeEmu

Taking third was Titan’s grave by Groud. Earning Level of the Day on October 9, Titan’s Grave is a massive level that’s all about exploring. Hidden throughout the level are numerous treasures that would take a true treasure hunter nearly an hour to find. As Dave said, “Groud continues his winning streak of incredible levels with this massive adventure through a mountain environment. Finding 10,000 points is a daunting task, even though 100-point gems seem to be scattered at every turn. Caves, waterfalls, elevators, and even a flying dragon make this one of the most visually stunning entries we saw. It’s great to progress and higher and deeper through the level to reach seemingly unreachable heights.”

Coming in second was Munchy365’s level, Escape. Don’t let the simple name fool you, Escape is a huge level packed with action and exploration. Dave’s description really sums it up: “Atmosphir meets Mirror’s Edge is the best way I can describe this cityscape level from the always-reliable munchy365. The concept is great: you start by disposing of your “boss” and making a run from the Muka police through ventilation shafts, open windows, rooftops, hallways, and much more. It’s unforgiving, but luckily there’s also a practice version of the level that always illuminates the right path with colors and arrows. A brilliant idea brought to life through stunning design.”

And finally, taking first place was Return to Lush by Colinnn. As Dave described it, “The original was big enough, but this sequel takes what made the first Lush battle so interesting and refines it in many ways. As you jump through a long, winding river, you’ll find caves and secrets tucked away in the surrounding canyon walls - which hold several nice timing-based moving platform puzzles mixed with classic platforming. It’s a lengthy adventure that will require advanced skills and a little luck to beat, let alone place on the leaderboards. Very nicely done.”

Congratulations to the winners. Atmos prizes should be delivered shortly.