Looking Back
(The Competition of ALL Competitions!)
No, this isn't the last case comp ever, but you'd still better get in your submissions, clcman!
(Cases referenced above: "Turnabout Christmas", "Professor Layton and the Heavenly Scheme", "Turnabout of the Final Day".)
[Co-hosted by Super legenda and risefromtheashes.]
Ace Attorney Online just turned 13 years old, and like a nostalgic and probably somewhat clingy mother, now that our baby's growing up and becoming a teenager, we're looking back in time at how far they've come. Throughout the years that this wonderful website (this message is not sponsored) has been around, there have been DOZENS of different case competitions, all with their own unique themes and rules... and now, we're bringing them back!(The Competition of ALL Competitions!)
No, this isn't the last case comp ever, but you'd still better get in your submissions, clcman!
(Cases referenced above: "Turnabout Christmas", "Professor Layton and the Heavenly Scheme", "Turnabout of the Final Day".)
[Co-hosted by Super legenda and risefromtheashes.]
In this competition, you will be able to essentially make your VERY OWN CUSTOM THEME by mixing (at least) three past AAO case competition themes and their rules! (For our own sake, we'll have to limit your choices to case comps that started in 2014 and after. Meaning, "Time Goes By..." and any previous case comps will not be allowed, but anything after that is fair game.)
For example, if you decide on "Shelter in Place", "Three's Company", and "They Shall Not Kill", then you must make a case that takes place in isolation in a single location, with no more than three characters with speaking roles, where no one dies. You must follow these rules to the dot, and there must be emphasis on the different themes. (If you choose a combo such as "Three's Company" and "Keeping it Simple" where the rules partially overlap - in this case, by both restricting the number of characters - we would suggest considering a fourth comp theme to add to the list, to make things more interesting.)
NOTE: "I'll Face Myself" is not a permitted choice for this competition, as it would be difficult to judge if implemented. "Bright Age of the Law", while a special comp, is allowed.
If you choose to use "Roulette Rules", you may pick a prompt from here by either selecting one you want or randomizing a number between 1-37 here if you really want to give yourself a challenge. Also, as there are 2 number #11s, getting a 37 gives you the second 11.
Judging
Story: Of course, the plot of your case must be coherent, and we should be able to keep up with what's going on. An interesting premise, consistent pacing, a good mystery (if applicable), fun characters... all of these things will be considered. Make the most captivating and enjoyable story you can with the themes you choose!
Presentation: Mixing ingredients to make a cake is bound to make it taste good, but it should also look good. This means your case should have working and semi-consistent graphics (sprites, backgrounds, etc), a good selection of music (canon or not, it should fit the theme of your case as a whole), and most importantly, as few bugs as possible! If a bug stops us from playing your case, we can't judge it properly - so please, playtest your own case, or have someone (that isn't us or another contestant) playtest it for you.
Gameplay: Do your best to make your case's gameplay engaging and/or unique! There's no fun in playing Ace Attorney if you only get to advance the text, right? So make some fun puzzles, have some intriguing investigations, and maybe implement a new game mechanic if you can, who knows? Sticking to the formula is also fine, but it had better be interesting!
Theme Relevance: This is EXTRA key. Your case must utilize the rules of AT LEAST three different case competitions (from 2014 and after) and follow the rules of the themes you choose by the book. If a rule says "do not have more than three characters with speaking roles", do not sneak in a fourth speaking character. Do NOT break or change any rules - if you want to make an adjustment, PM Super legenda or risefromtheashes to explain what you want to change (with a good justification) and we will try to accommodate your request. (Also, this should go without saying, but just in case: Do NOT use two themes that have the same rules - whether one of them has any additional rules or not - and expect them to be counted as one.)
Rules
- The entry must have been created between August 28 and December 13, 2020.
- The entry must be submitted to Super legenda and risefromtheashes by the deadline, with a full walkthrough.
- The entry must not be showcased until at least December 14, 2020.
- The entry must not be edited once it is submitted, until judging is over and a winner is announced.
- The entry must not contain any spoilers or visuals from Dai Gyakuten Saiban 2, and will be disqualified if it does. It may spoil any other AA game, including Professor Layton vs. Ace Attorney, and contain music from DGS2. If it contains spoilers for other (non-AA) games, this must be made clear when submitted.
- The entry may be an investigation, trial, both, or any other type of case, as long as it follows the rules of the themes selected.
- The entry may be incomplete, but keep in mind that completeness is almost always much preferred.
- The entry may be created collaboratively by two entrants, but no more than two. Playtesting may be done by a third party, but they must not be a judge or another entrant.
[If you have any questions about the rules of this competition, reply to this thread or PM Super legenda or risefromtheashes and we will answer you as soon as possible.]
Deadline
Entries must be submitted to Super legenda AND risefromtheashes via PM before December 13, 2020 at 11:59 PM (UTC-3). A 24-hour grace period will be provided in case of emergency, Internet failure, or last-minute fixes. A full walkthrough must be provided, so note down any and all choices the player must make to advance your case. Your PM must also include a list of the themes you have chosen, as well as a subsequent list of all the applicable rules.
Entrants
Entered Withdrew
1. ikuzonos
2. Awesome2464
3. AbsurdAttorney
4. DJJ6800
5. PatBrownGame and Double KO
6. Hey
7. Nicky Boy and SuperAj3
8. AwesomeYears
9. ZekromFan57
10. FenrirDarkWolf and DreAmCatcher
Honorary Entrant. clcman (cannot win this comp, but wants to finish three old unfinished comp cases in the spirit of the “Looking Back” theme, which we encourage)
) or the idea of becoming old)
