Comp.sys.sinclair Crap Games Competition: Difference between revisions

Jump to navigation Jump to search
m
(rm "cite web" template usage)
(25 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Lowercase title}}
The '''comp.sys.sinclair Crap Games Competition''' (also known simply as the '''CSSCGC''') is an annual competition for  [[wiktionary:crap|crap]] [[wikipedia:computer game|computer game]] development.<ref name="sinclairfaq">[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/cssfolklore/index.html comp.sys.sinclair Folklore FAQ]</ref> It is specifically targeted at the [[wikipedia:Sinclair Research|Sinclair Research]] range of 8-bit computers including clones, derivatives and emulators of those systems.<ref>[http://zxnet.co.uk/spectrum/cgc/about.html Everything you never wanted to know about the CSSCGC]</ref>
The '''comp.sys.sinclair Crap Games Competition''' (also known simply as the '''CSSCGC''') is an annual competition for  [[wiktionary:crap|crap]] [[wikipedia:computer game|computer game]] development.<ref name="sinclairfaq">[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/cssfolklore/index.html comp.sys.sinclair Folklore FAQ]</ref> It is specifically targeted at the [[wikipedia:Sinclair Research|Sinclair Research]] range of 8-bit computers including clones, derivatives and emulators of those systems.<ref>[http://zxnet.co.uk/spectrum/cgc/about.html Everything you never wanted to know about the CSSCGC]</ref>


==History==
==History==
The competition was originated by posters to the comp.sys.sinclair [[wikipedia:newsgroup|newsgroup]] and was inspired by the Cascade [[wikipedia:Cassette 50|Cassette 50]] compilation,<ref name="sinclairfaq" /><ref name="ZXF4-1">"CSSCGC2002 result; CSSCGC2003 kicks off; CC50 is 20 years old" - ZX Format issue 4, pages 18–19</ref> an early example of [[wikipedia:shovelware|shovelware]], as well as Rich Pelley's ''Crap Game Corner'' from [[wikipedia:Your Sinclair|Your Sinclair]] Magazine.<ref name="cgc2006about" /> It started off in 1996<ref name="eq" /><ref name="woodcock1">[ftp://www.worldofspectrum.org/pub/spectrum/books/ZXSpectrumOnYourPCThe.pdf The ZX Spectrum on your PC]</ref> merely as an idea to "outdo" the original Cassette 50 tape by producing a compilation of newsgroup members' own efforts.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/60835d47b288d4e3</ref> During subsequent years, it evolved into the present-day form of competition. As of 2011, the event has taken place every year since 1996 and by the end of 2010 a total of 785 entries had been submitted.<ref name="eq">[http://equ.in/ox/spectrum/csscgc/ Crap Games Competition]</ref><ref name="unsat">[http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk/csscgc/csscgc.cgi Crap Game Finder]</ref><!-- and has gained mention in the ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' magazine.<ref>Retro Gamer, issue 61, March 2009.</ref> --> To date, the competition has remained an informal hobbyist, community-driven event. Although it lacks any formal organisation or centralised controlling body, it remains an unofficial feature of the retrogaming community to which other games are sometimes compared.<ref name="retrogamer1">"Hall of Shame: Chase HQ" - Retro Gamer, issue 5, page 16</ref><ref name="ZXPRESS-1">"Interface - Alex Xor о положеннии дел игровой индустрии на ZX Spectrum." - Adventurer, issue 15</ref>
The competition was originated by posters to the comp.sys.sinclair [[wikipedia:newsgroup|newsgroup]] and was inspired by the Cascade [[wikipedia:Cassette 50|Cassette 50]] compilation,<ref name="sinclairfaq" /><ref name="ZXF4-1">"CSSCGC2002 result; CSSCGC2003 kicks off; CC50 is 20 years old" - ZX Format issue 4, pages 18–19</ref> an early example of [[wikipedia:shovelware|shovelware]], as well as Rich Pelley's ''Crap Game Corner'' from [[wikipedia:Your Sinclair|Your Sinclair]] Magazine.<ref name="cgc2006about" /> It started off in 1996<ref name="eq" /><ref name="woodcock1">[https://computerarchive.org/files/comp/books/ZX%20spectrum/ZXSpectrumOnYourPCThe.pdf The ZX Spectrum on your PC]</ref> merely as an idea to "outdo" the original Cassette 50 tape by producing a compilation of newsgroup members' own efforts.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/60835d47b288d4e3</ref> During subsequent years, it evolved into the present-day form of competition. As of 2011, the event has taken place every year since 1996 and by the end of 2010 a total of 785 entries had been submitted.<ref name="eq">[http://equ.in/ox/spectrum/csscgc/ Crap Games Competition]</ref><ref name="unsat">[http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk/csscgc/csscgc.cgi Crap Game Finder]</ref><!-- and has gained mention in the ''[[Retro Gamer]]'' magazine.<ref>Retro Gamer, issue 61, March 2009.</ref> --> To date, the competition has remained an informal hobbyist, community-driven event. Although it lacks any formal organisation or centralised controlling body, it remains an unofficial feature of the retrogaming community to which other games are sometimes compared.<ref name="retrogamer1">"Hall of Shame: Chase HQ" - Retro Gamer, issue 5, page 16</ref><ref name="ZXPRESS-1">"Interface - Alex Xor о положеннии дел игровой индустрии на ZX Spectrum." - Adventurer, issue 15</ref>


==Details==
==Details==
Line 13: Line 14:
The vast majority of the games submitted are for the [[wikipedia:ZX Spectrum|ZX Spectrum]] platform, which was the most successful and popular Sinclair computer.<ref>[http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zxspectrum/zxspectrum.htm ZX Spectrum]</ref> However, games for the [[wikipedia:ZX80|ZX80]], [[wikipedia:ZX81|ZX81]]<ref name="ZXF7-1">"CSSCGC 2003 Results" - ZX Format, issue 7, page 16</ref> & [[wikipedia:Jupiter Ace|Jupiter Ace]] (a non-Sinclair "derivative" computer) as well as several other related computer models have also been submitted to the competition.<ref name="csscgc2008results" /> The exact list of permitted hardware platforms as well as the scope of allowed software is at the complete discretion of the incumbent judge, with variations in the rules commonplace from one year to the next.
The vast majority of the games submitted are for the [[wikipedia:ZX Spectrum|ZX Spectrum]] platform, which was the most successful and popular Sinclair computer.<ref>[http://www.nvg.ntnu.no/sinclair/computers/zxspectrum/zxspectrum.htm ZX Spectrum]</ref> However, games for the [[wikipedia:ZX80|ZX80]], [[wikipedia:ZX81|ZX81]]<ref name="ZXF7-1">"CSSCGC 2003 Results" - ZX Format, issue 7, page 16</ref> & [[wikipedia:Jupiter Ace|Jupiter Ace]] (a non-Sinclair "derivative" computer) as well as several other related computer models have also been submitted to the competition.<ref name="csscgc2008results" /> The exact list of permitted hardware platforms as well as the scope of allowed software is at the complete discretion of the incumbent judge, with variations in the rules commonplace from one year to the next.


In theory, the competition is organised, hosted and judged by a different individual each year, although some organisers have hosted and judged it on more than one occasion.<ref name="unsat" /><ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/e4d22e85a4f2dede?hl=en</ref> The host and judge are often the same person. However, as in the case of the 2005 competition, the judge can be a different person than the host. Typically, the loser of the competition is asked to be the host and/or judge of the following year's competition, whilst the winner may receive a low-value prize, or perhaps nothing at all apart from the recognition of having won. Another informal tradition is that the closing date of the competition may be deliberately set further back by the host whilst the competition itself is running,<ref>[http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/speccy/csscgc/ The CSS Crap Games Competition]</ref> often adding to the confusion and disorganisation that has been a hallmark of the event. However, as the rules vary according to the judge of the day, these practices are not always upheld. Over the years, the competition has generally maintained a whimsical and humorous approach to retro game development and judging.
In theory, the competition is organised, hosted and judged by a different individual each year, although some organisers have hosted and judged it on more than one occasion.<ref name="unsat" /><ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/e4d22e85a4f2dede?hl=en</ref> The host and judge are often the same person. However, as in the case of the 2005 competition, the judge can be a different person than the host. Some confusion seems to exist regarding the terms loser and winner.  The winner should be considered the author who produces the worst game, and the loser the one who produces the best game.  Typically, the loser of the competition is asked to be the host and/or judge of the following year's competition, whilst the winner may receive a low-value prize, or perhaps nothing at all apart from the recognition of having won. Another informal tradition is that the closing date of the competition may be deliberately set further back by the host whilst the competition itself is running,<ref>[http://lofi-gaming.org.uk/speccy/csscgc/ The CSS Crap Games Competition]</ref> often adding to the confusion and disorganisation that has been a hallmark of the event. However, as the rules vary according to the judge of the day, these practices are not always upheld. Over the years, the competition has generally maintained a whimsical and humorous approach to retro game development and judging.


==Availability of submissions==
==Availability of submissions==
As of 2011, all previous competition entries are archived at the [[wikipedia:World of Spectrum|World of Spectrum]] FTP site <ref>ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/</ref> and are ordinarily considered freely distributable, assuming that permission has been granted.<ref>[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/permits/ ARCHIVE - COPYRIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION PERMISSIONS]</ref> Entries up to and including CSSCGC 2008 are also organised and catalogued at Unsatisfactory Software's 'Crap Game Finder' website.<ref name="unsat" /> However, technically the copyright status of submissions can vary. For example the 2006 competition rules stated that all games are copyright their respective authors <ref name="cgc2006about">[http://www.mattrudge.net/cgc2006/about.html About The Competition]</ref> whereas the 2008 and 2009 rules simply stated that all authors agree to free distribution of their submissions.<ref>[http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/sinclair/csscgc2008/#rules CSSCGC 2008 Rules]</ref><ref>[http://zxnet.co.uk/spectrum/cgc/rules.html the CSSCGC rules]</ref> In at least one case, an author has withdrawn a submission and rescinded distribution permission on it.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/2737cd792f80b66c</ref>
Zipfiles containing previous competition submissions are available for download at the [http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/csscgc/archives/ Crap Game Finder archives]. Previously, all competition entries were archived at the [[wikipedia:World of Spectrum|World of Spectrum]] FTP site <ref>Original URL was ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/ although the public FTP service is no longer available</ref>. Although since the discontinuation of that FTP server, entries up to the year 2012 also remain available via the [http://www.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/ World of Spectrum website] and [https://wos.meulie.net/pub/sinclair/csscgc/ the wos.meulie.net mirror]. CSSCGC submissions are ordinarily considered freely distributable, assuming that permission has been granted.<ref>[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/permits/ ARCHIVE - COPYRIGHTS AND DISTRIBUTION PERMISSIONS]</ref> Entries up to and including CSSCGC 2014 are also organised and catalogued at Unsatisfactory Software's 'Crap Game Finder' website.<ref name="unsat" /> However, technically the copyright status of submissions can vary. For example the 2006 competition rules stated that all games are copyright their respective authors <ref name="cgc2006about">[http://www.mattrudge.net/cgc2006/about.html About The Competition]</ref> whereas the 2008 and 2009 rules simply stated that all authors agree to free distribution of their submissions.<ref>[http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/sinclair/csscgc2008/#rules CSSCGC 2008 Rules]</ref><ref>[http://zxnet.co.uk/spectrum/cgc/rules.html the CSSCGC rules]</ref> In at least one case, an author has withdrawn a submission and rescinded distribution permission on it.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/2737cd792f80b66c</ref>


==Table of competitions==
==Table of competitions==
The following table is necessarily incomplete since full ranking of all submissions has only been carried out in the later competitions.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/df73ad03ee99ab4c</ref> Also, in 1997 no ranking was applied at all, as the emphasis was in producing a crap game compilation, rather than a competitive event.<ref>ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/CSSCrapGamesCompetition1997.zip See the file "MANUAL.TXT" inside the archive.</ref> Some of the earlier websites' original links are now dead and therefore omitted from the table. Others are now only present in archival form, for example on World of Spectrum or the [[wikipedia:Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]].  
The following table is necessarily incomplete since full ranking of all submissions has only been carried out in the later competitions.<ref>http://groups.google.co.uk/group/comp.sys.sinclair/msg/df73ad03ee99ab4c</ref> Also, in 1997 no ranking was applied at all, as the emphasis was in producing a crap game compilation, rather than a competitive event.<ref>http://www.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/CSSCrapGamesCompetition1997.zip See the file "MANUAL.TXT" inside the archive.</ref> Some of the earlier websites' original links are now dead and therefore omitted from the table. Others are now only present in archival form, for example on World of Spectrum or the [[wikipedia:Wayback Machine|Wayback Machine]].  
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-bgcolor=#FFF0BCF  
|-bgcolor=#FFF0BCF  
Line 142: Line 143:
|2008
|2008
|Digital Prawn
|Digital Prawn
|http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/sinclair/csscgc2008/
|https://web.archive.org/web/20161226070012/http://reptonix.awardspace.co.uk/sinclair/csscgc2008/
|123
|123
|The Ultimate First Communion Simulator
|The Ultimate First Communion Simulator
Line 206: Line 207:
|leespoons
|leespoons
|http://www.sqij.co.uk/csscgc2015
|http://www.sqij.co.uk/csscgc2015
| ?
| 81
|Honey I Shrank The Screen
|Simon Ferré
|Sex On First Date
|Gabriele Amore
|-bgcolor=#FFF69F
|2016
|Gabriele Amore and Simon Ferré
|https://sites.google.com/site/csscgc2016/
|30
|Supermassive Black Hole Simulator
|Herman S.P.N. Sausagy-Chippleton
|Thunderturds
|death squad
|-bgcolor=#FFF69F
|2017
|Garry Wishart (GReW)
|https://csscgc2017.000webhostapp.com/
|23
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|?
|-bgcolor=#FFF69F
|2018
|Shaun Bebbington
|https://cgc.source.run/
|26
|Thermal Ski
|Chris Young
|GO RACE!
|Simon Pitter
|}
|}


Line 219: Line 247:
|-
|-
|[[Image:Benkid77 CNPD.png|frame|center|Commode Nybbler Part Deux (2009), ZX Spectrum]]
|[[Image:Benkid77 CNPD.png|frame|center|Commode Nybbler Part Deux (2009), ZX Spectrum]]
|[[Image:Smiler in Arrowe Land.png|frame|center|Smiler in Arrowe Land<ref>{{cite journal |last=Bebbington |first=Shaun |date=March 2010 |title=Hello Smiler |journal=[[Micro Mart]] |issue=1096 |pages=102–103 |publisher=[[Dennis Publishing|Dennis Publishing Ltd.]] |quote=It's quite an interesting challenge for fans of puzzle games, although the spot effects are a little sparse and it's not graphically the best thing you'll see on the Spectrum.}}</ref> (2010), ZX Spectrum]]
|[[Image:Smiler in Arrowe Land.png|frame|center|Smiler in Arrowe Land<ref>"Hello Smiler" - Micro Mart, issue 1096, pages 102–103</ref> (2010), ZX Spectrum]]
|-
|-
|[[Image:Turbo Rubber Ducky Shootout.png|frame|center|Turbo Rubber Ducky Shootout (2010), ZX Spectrum]]
|[[Image:Turbo Rubber Ducky Shootout.png|frame|center|Turbo Rubber Ducky Shootout (2010), ZX Spectrum]]
Line 229: Line 257:


==External links==
==External links==
*[ftp://ftp.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/ Archived zip files of past competition submissions]
*[http://www.worldofspectrum.org/pub/sinclair/csscgc/ Archived zip files of past competition submissions]
*[http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk/csscgc/csscgc.cgi CSSCGC Crap Game Finder]
*[http://www.unsatisfactorysoftware.co.uk/csscgc/csscgc.cgi CSSCGC Crap Game Finder]
*[http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/wiki/Main/CrapGame Complete guide to writing a crap game]
*[http://www.yoursinclair.co.uk/wiki/Main/CrapGame Complete guide to writing a crap game]
== Article license information ==
This article uses material from the 18:51, 3 June 2015‎ version of the "[https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Comp.sys.sinclair_Crap_Games_Competition&oldid=665361501 comp.sys.sinclair Crap Games Competition]" article on the [http://en.wikipedia.org/ English-language Wikipedia] and is released under the [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike License]. Previous contributors are listed on the [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Comp.sys.sinclair_Crap_Games_Competition&action=history original article history page].


[[Category:Culture]]
[[Category:Culture]]

Navigation menu