ZakStunts 2007 - A new era?

[zaqrack]

Dear pipsqueaks,

I'm planning some changes for 2007. Don't worry, ZakStunts and my server will still exist of course.

Major changes are happening in my life, I'm finishing education with the end of 2006, only some exams left and a 5 months management practice. I don't know yet if it'll mean more free time or less - probably less, but I almost had no time for my projects (like ZS) in this semester.

On the other hand, I feel zakstunts needs a major change. The current system is running with little changes since 3 seasons - it got boring imho. Also it'll be the 7th Zakstunts season coming - come on, seven years... incredible, even for me!
Meanwhile, as time goes by even though intresting and great new competitions are born and going on, the old pipsqueaks are leaving us one by one.

I reconsidered starting to advertise the site again heavily - to gain more pipsqueaks, but then I found out I don't want to do that.
I'd rather like to organize a nice little competition for those who are here since years, or just for a shorter time, but actively participating in the community. For my friends.  

I'd like to make this topic partly a brainstroming session. Write here what you'd like to have at ZakStunts, and this aimed especially for the leaving oldies - what would you like to come back?
I want to upkeep this community and don't want to lose my friends.

I plan MAJOR changes. ZakStunts will probably leave behind the "monthly competition idea" - there are many more Stunts competitions like that now, and the admins are doing a better job than I do.

These changes are described in the next post. If you're curious, go on and read.

[zaqrack]

Well let's see. This is the third time I start writing this post - and I have my ideas gathered now finally.  

ZakStunts 2007 will be a competition for teams. This also means, newbies can't really join throughout the season - as I said before I plan ZS to be a competition for my friends and the currently active pipsqueaks.
New pipsqueaks will be redirected to SDR or USC. Mark, CTG I need your opinion on this. Can you/ Would you like to handle the excess workload coming with the new pipsqueaks?

Teams will be consisting of 3 members. Most of the teams now have only 2-3 active members, even though the member limit is 5 pipsqueak. 5 pipsqueak teams can gather a new member and divide to two teams. National teams could also be formed - it's all up to you.
If there are three newbies wanting to join ZS thorugh the season of course they can enter by forming a team - but this won't be the point in 2007.

Teams have to enlist in december/ early january - the battle starts in late january/february and lasts until the end of the year.
Each member should be an active pipsqueak who races through the whole year. I expect at least 4 teams to enlist, 5 would be great - if there won't be 3, I'll reconsider this whole thing.
I'd like to see the old regulars coming back - this won't be about individual winning but having fun with your team. So it doesn't matter if your arrow key is missing, you can only race under winXP or  from 3am to 4am - just come and sign up!

Rule plan:

*Tracks won't appear monthly, rather in a 6 week or 2 months period.

*Each track will be multi-way, and will have 3 ways.

*There will be 3 cars selected each month. You can race with those.

*Teams divide the ways between their members. Each pipsqueak will have one way assigned, and has to race there. Rules are not OWOOT, but there'll be boundaries set (shown on an overall map) which you cannot cross. Switching ways is absolutely forbidden.

*Each team assigns a car from the 3 selected to each way. It's not regulated though which to which, it's up to the team - but all of the cars have to be used, you can't select the indy for all the ways.  So there may be different setups for each team -resulting different times.

*Alternatively, team members can select first the car - according to how they like them, and then the way. This is the team's decision I wont interfere.

*Each team member races his assigned way with the selected car until the deadline.

*The times achieved by the three members are added together and that is the teams result for
that month.

*There is another track released with the 'team track' each month - and this will always have a special rule. Well-known examples:
-hit all the signs
-cross all the fuel stations
-OWOOT
-each jump = 1 sec penalty
-all replays are public
-etc...

*Everyone can race these extra tracks, but from each team only THE BEST result counts.  The best 3 teams get a time bonus for the team competition (like best team -3 sec, second best -2 third -1)
This is also the race, where not only teams can join - it'll be open to the public and will also have a seasonal results table. Remember, track interval here will be also set longer - 6/8 weeks.
This means the public ZS race will have ALWAYS a special rule.

Well these are the main guidelines.
Discuss here, and please note if you'd like to join - if there are already teams formed - go on and write the member list.

[Krys TOFF]

Wow, as you said : MAJOR changes.

I like the idea of tracks with special rules. But one with "one jump = 1 second penalty", argh ! It will be difficult.

3 members per team, well, it will make some discussions in teams forum.
The idea of divided ways with different cars per way reminds me the beginning of FranceStunts in 2002. It's a good idea. One question about this : will it be possible to change car/pipsqueak/way during the month or will we have to decide it at the beginning and won't be able to change ?

As for me, sure I'll race.

[zaqrack]

One question about this : will it be possible to change car/pipsqueak/way during the month or will we have to decide it at the beginning and won't be able to change ?

yes, this question popped up in my mind too.
When not allowed - it's unfair I guess, a bad choice can ruin your race
When allowed - each pipsqueak has to drive a new lap in the team

I guess there will be a deadline (like 2 weeks after track release), when teams have to fix the car choice.

[Krys TOFF]

One question about this : will it be possible to change car/pipsqueak/way during the month or will we have to decide it at the beginning and won't be able to change ?

yes, this question popped up in my mind too.
When not allowed - it's unfair I guess, a bad choice can ruin your race
When allowed - each pipsqueak has to drive a new lap in the team

I guess there will be a deadline (like 2 weeks after track release), when teams have to fix the car choice.

That's good then. Test the different possibilities and then choose. Also according to other teams choices. Strategy will be important.

What about point system ? Each way will have its own scoreboard, so its own points. But it's a team competition now so only one scoreboard for the competition with sum of team points for each track, right ?

Another question : how to avoid one pipsqueak to race 2 or maybe all ways instead of his partners ?

[zaqrack]

the same way as we prevented one team member racing for other members until now -> no way.

about scoreboards: there will be an overall for each track with the time sum, and of course there'll be a detailed one where you can sort times either by way or car or team

as for the seasonal points - yes, only team scores.

[CTG]

Oh my God... I feel bad after reading this posts. I always thought ZakStunts is the one above the other contests - more pipsqueaks, heavier battles, higher prestige. I can't understand why to change but of course I accept your opinion and your wish. Your decision.

Making smaller teams would screw up many things. Just think on Meganium, Orion and Damage: sometimes they have 4 or 5 active members in the same time. It would be a mistake to cut those teams. About racing rules change - well, I don't like them. ZakStunts was always famous for the freedom in absolving incredible tricks. Changing would be a major loss for the whole community.

Your site is almost automatic, you don't have to manage it so heavily if there's no bug. I suggest to keep this kind of competition.

If you want to change then do it. Newbies can always come to USC but I hope there will be ZakStunts for them too.

[zaqrack]

I also understand your point, but lately:

-ZS doesn't have more pipsqueaks
-battles are very quiet (since Z64 only 40-70 replays/month, earlier 70-130)
-I miss the old pipsqueaks (and this is very important)

I also felt a bit that ZakStunts has lost its soul - too automatic, no interaction. I like not to have much work - but dislike losing contact with you.
Of course I've also considered to start such a team competition besid the other one - but I don't want to press down the other competitions.

btw if you'd like to borrow the ZS automatic system - I'll gladly pass it through, I had lots of work with the pointsystem and don't want to waste it all.

[CTG]

Thanks for the offer but I like to manage my competition this way. But maybe I borrow some kind of file upload thing in the future.

[Krys TOFF]

Another idea : keep ZakStunts (ZS) the way it is but with the help of other members to design tracks if you want to concentrate on your new project, and create a "Stunts Team Challenge" with your ZS 2007 idea.

Don't forget that USC and SDR use only the fast cars. WRCStunts use slow cars with shortcuts but it's the last rally right now.
And with your new concept shortcuts will be limited so even if you use all the cars it won't be a free ride like ZS is. With keeping current ZS concept alive, even if somebody else manage it, there will always be some fully free ride with all Stunts cars.

[CTG]

Don't forget that USC and SDR use only the fast cars.

False. USC had already all the cars in race. Except LM002 and Carrera.

[CTG]

I also vote for keeping current ZSC and the other idea would be fun if running parallel to the main contest.

[zaqrack]

well okay if you like the current ZS this much, it's fine with me.

Want many designers though!

and still - if you are intrested in the team race - enlist here!

[CTG]

I want to list my name with Bonzai Joe and Ayrton.

If I can't then... hmmm... CTG and CTG.

[CTG]

We can form another teams for this special contest than the original ones. But let's see how they decide and after that I'll join one.