Design a Boss - Nintendo NSider2 Forums

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Rockerfox

Warpstar Knight
Posts: 17,670
Registered: Sep 20, 2007

NS2 Resident Historian

Reply #1

Mar 21th 2009, 12:22 AM

Est. 2004
The First and Original Legend of Zelda Boss Concept and Contest Thread

Hello and Welcome to Design a Boss! This is the place where you share your great ideas by designing a boss or boss battle. Five years of brain-storming, sharing, participating, and having fun. Welcome to the Nsider 2 Debut.

Design a Boss

This thread has spanned to a real storm of great ideas and bizarre concepts of what Legend of Zelda bosses really should be. The thread simply started as time killer and a way to see what others had in mind for future bosses. The thread became hot immediately, and I began a contest to make it a more exciting thread in which more people would participate and add more detail to their concepts. At first intended to see what others wanted in The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess (back then referred to as LoZ'05,) the thread now has a new meaning: We contemplate the meaning of BOSS and the Zelda universe to design dynamic battles and present a possible challenge concept for Legend of Zelda enthusiasts.

Concept

Fighting a Boss is essential in the Legend of Zelda. It is an art and a great accomplishment to slay what lies deep in the dungeon or temple. Once slain, love is spread and virtue is granted. But what makes the fight such a great art? Can you design such a challenge for the hero? And how can the hero succeed?

Rules
-You may submit more than one entry, and your best boss may be selected.
-Entries are posted on the thread. You MUST notify Poe-Guy via PM when you have submitted an entry. The reply number and URL are to be included on the PM.
-Please do not flame or spam on this thread. Spam makes it hard for us to find certain posts.
-Avoid in-depth criticism or harsh comments towards submitted concepts.
-Have fun

Judges

POE-GUY
ROCKERFOX

How we judge

-Originality: If the boss is quite original, its chances of winning are higher. Do NOT compare your concept to other things that are already out there such as villains from a movie, a boss from another game, etc.

-Detail and description: The boss battle needs to be clear. If we can get an good picture in our mind on how you are fighting or seeing a boss, then it gets a high score on detail. Try to make your entry a neat one, too.

-Effort: We�ve been basing ourselves on �effort� for the past contests. Effort involves presentation, detail, and other things. It does NOT mean you need to submit a concept that ...took hours to make.

-Grammar: We try to disregard grammatical mistakes here and there, but if it gets overwhelming, the chances of winning may be low.

Prizes

1: Best Buy, game of choice (Limited to PS3, Wii, Xbox360). 300 rupees achievement points. Custom signature, and boss concept illustration.

2: Wii Virtual Console, game of choice. Custom Signature, 200 rupees, achievement points.

3: Wii Virtual Console, game of choice. Custom Signature, 100 rupees, achievement points.

Other prizes TBA

Deadline for entries in the first contest will be May 20th 2009

This post has been edited by Rockerfox: Apr 26th 2009, 10:52 PM

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Rockerfox

Warpstar Knight
Posts: 17,670
Registered: Sep 20, 2007

NS2 Resident Historian

Reply #2

Mar 21th 2009, 12:22 AM

Apology

We apologize to all the participants who made an attempt to show their ideas at the last Design a Boss contest. Unfortunately, due to several delays and the original Nsider closure, Design a Boss: Chimaera | NATURA did not finish successfully. It�s a pity we couldn�t take a closer look at the following users and their concepts:

1. Versus by MAJORA15
2. Cara�gho, The Rat King by GO_EVIL_PEOPLE *
Lord Inceto Mantii, the Insect Tyrant
3. BlumTier by THELONEIGUANA
4. Thorn: Malicious Dryad by YOSHIYOSHI321
5. Strangla: Deadly Tree by MERCURY10
6. Geosaur, Malicious Mole of the Abyss by KARATELINK
7. Light Luster, Hamon | Dark Emperor Dragon, Rugia I | II by ZENATO
8. Kakriko Imp, Hylian Chimera by ZELDA164
9. Bestial Leviathan Joba and Demonic Zora Yapas by DUDEMAN614 *
KOKIRI GUARDIAN MICAH | RAGE OF THE FOREST
10. Kengi by EVILDUDE5
11. Garmel by SSJDKCREW
12. Zarela, the Impure by FIREBLAZE1
13. Conquil by BILLYBOB189
14. Varrok the Dark Knight | Beast of Darkness by LINK_ROCKS444

This post has been edited by Rockerfox: Mar 21th 2009, 11:17 PM

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POE-GUY

Yoshi
Posts: 7,849
Registered: Dec 6, 2007

Reply #3

Mar 21th 2009, 12:23 AM

The list of entries remains HERE.

Hello, everyone! Today is June 16, 2009, and the results are finally here. Due to the amount of entries, we had to delay this announcement. We apologize.
In any case, Design a Boss has been around for a while, and this one stands out from all the others. Besides the fact that fifty-eight participants contributed to this great contest, it expanded a bit further by offering contestants to participate via Nsider 2 or Zelda Universe. I am very happy with the feedback Design a Boss has acquired. I think that, above all, Design a Boss NSii Debut | ZU Connection showcased some of the best Legend of Zelda boss concepts ever, making this a highly competitive environment. With this in hand, let's proceed to the leading concepts:

honorable mentions:

5. Arabixander: Mobile Gerudo Fortress by DarkChocolateMetroid

One of the stronger concepts achieving Originality. Arabixander: Mobile Gerudo Fortress stands out as a boss challenge with attitude. As this gargantuan structure ascends above the ground and threatens Hyrule Castle Town, Link has to catch up with this moving fortress and manage to invade its interior to stop this danger from causing any damage to the home front. (One of the Judge's favorite*)

4. Cursed Puppetmaster: STALREX by Double A

This Cursed Puppetmaster would be the offering of a bizarre challenge, embellished with doomed spirits. Starlex, whose background is one of the most intriguing stories, needs to be dealt with in a very methodical fashion. Using the magic lantern to dispel any shrouding or illusion, Link fights this tricky boss in a series of phases that increase the difficulty of the challenge as the Cursed Puppetmaster is weakened. One of the stronger concepts achieving Effort. (One of Judge's favorite*)

winners of design a boss nsii debut | ZU connection:

Posted Image

Spectral Organist: Discordia by Crab Helmet

This particular boss stands out as a viable challenge for a Legend of Zelda game. While many of the entries suffered from a highly complicated description, this boss achieved a high score in Detail and Description, providing the Judges with a very pleasant read. The bizarre events of a once-pleasant island lead to the emerging of a suffering spirit that may collide euphony and cacophony at will with the power of steam. Congratulations to this participant for submitting this strong and enjoyable concept. (One of Judge's favorite*)

Posted Image

B.A.W.C.: Big, Angry, Wayward Cucco by Sakume

After reading highly complicated and unbelievable concepts, we came upon this entry which gave us a very nice impression. This boss concept takes a simplistic approach and presents a very bold and highly creative challenge. If this boss were to ever exist, it would surely be the most iconic and fun boss battle of the Legend of Zelda series. Next time you slash a cucco, think of the scheme they can develop to get even with you.

Posted Image

Father of the Voodoo: Vudurah by man_with_thooo

By far, the most bizarre concept submitted to Design a Boss. This concept stresses the procedures of the various phases of this strong foe and the use of the Wiimote. In order to complete this imaginative challenge, the Hero must stand up to this sinister boss and outdo its powerful mind. Tightly scored among the other strong concepts, this entry managed to stand at the top, and we congratulate this user for providing this highly elaborate idea and exceptional effort Posted Image

.

You will receive the recognition you deserve with this banner displayed besides your user-name:

Posted Image

CONGRATULATIONS to the leading participants! Believe us: this was a very competitive contest, and your places stand above many other great concepts. I'd like to thank all the participants as well. I hope you all enjoyed Design a Boss and explored your imagination a bit with your participation. Also a HUGE thanks to Gold (ZU) and Rocker Fox (NS2) for helping out with the arduous task of judging-- we took a bit long, but we did it!
Design a Boss had been absent since the original Nintendo Nsider forums closed, and I think we've done a great job with its return. With this strong response received by Nsider 2 and Zelda Universe, it would be disappointing to not launch another Design a Boss contest in the near future. I hope you all look forward to another great moment like this one.

Nsider 2 TOP 5:

5th Place: Arabixander: Mobile Gerudo Fortress by DarkChocolateMetroid (To be awarded 300 rupees and Achievement Points)
7th Place: Molgohra: Sand Goddess by Farbeitfromme (To be awarded 200 rupees and Achievement Points)
8th Place: Toporskat: Armored Predator by General Luigi (To be awarded 100 rupees and Achievement Points)
9th Place: Xllander: Keeper of Twelve by SongOfShadows
10th Place: Scelero Umbramagist: Evil God of Shadows by ACNUTI

Zelda Universe TOP 5:

1st Place: Father of the Voodoo: Vudurah by man_with_thooo
2nd Place: B.A.W.C.: Big, Angry, Wayward Cucco by Sakume
3rd Place: Spectral Organist: Discordia by Crab Helmet
4th Place: Cursed Puppetmaster: STALREX byDouble A
6th Place: Animosity of Reflection: Cursed Mirror of Opposition by dark-hero

This post has been edited by POE-GUY: Jun 16th 2009, 07:43 PM

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POE-GUY

Yoshi
Posts: 7,849
Registered: Dec 6, 2007

Reply #4

Mar 21th 2009, 12:23 AM

-Example and FAQ-
Design a Boss Concept Example
The following is an analyzed example of a Design a Boss concept entry by KARATELINK, 1st place winner of Design a Boss, Contest X, thread ii. Comments are marked in red bold font. (NOTE: The following entry was reduced in font size.)

~{Sindrake}~
The Scourge of Death Mountain
During the Imprisoning War, there was a great Hylian Knight known as Sundrake.
He was valiant and powerful, but he was prone to terrible lust.
When he saw the King's Wife, he immediately wished to court her. He eventually lost interest in her however, which angered the Queen so much so lied to the King that Sir Sundrake had molested her.
When the King heard the lie, he cunningly sent the Knight to infiltrate the highest of all the Gerudo Bases: the Dragmire Chasm.
(A nice and brief background of the boss is supplied here. Providing background is a very good choice. Notice decoration by the font and brakes.)
Upon reaching the Base, he was ambushed, captured, and tortured by none other than Ganondorf himself. The King of Hyrule had known that nobody could successfully infiltrate the Dragmire Chasm, and sent Sundrake there in revenge for a crime he didn't commit.
When Sundrake learned of this, he pledged eternal vengeance against the King.
Ganondorf heard his ravings, and saw the secret power hidden within the Knight. He seemed to continue torturing him: but was secretly bombarding Sundrake with black magic, which made him bitterer, and more powerful.
Then he locked him away inside a tomb, buried fifty feet below the Desert of Illusions.
( Continuation of brief plot.)
Many years later, during Link's travels in the Desert of Illusions, Sundrake, who had renamed himself Sindrake, sensed Link nearing his tomb.
He summoned a Poe with his dark magic to ask Link questions. When Link said he was on a journey to defeat the King, he assumed he meant the original King, not King Ganondorf.
His Poe than helped Link in his adventures across the dunes, slowly feeding off of his energy, and giving Sindrake power.
Many months later, Sindrake gained enough power to break from his tomb. But when he looked for the King, he was nowhere to be found. He ventured onto Death Mountain, and there began a massacre of horror against all of Hyrule.
Sindrake wore lava-red armor, and a swirling black cape. His skull-like helmet had a thick horn in the front, and his gauntlets had spiked knuckles.
(It is always a good idea to give a full description of the boss. One or two sentences can do the job. Making brakes or successfully separating specifications of the boss such as background, appearance or boss attacks, is a major plus to Detail and Description.)
He was a dangerous foe when fought: he wielded a broadsword expertly, and with great speed. He would leap around the walls, now pausing to shoot lightning from his palm, now breaking into a ferocious charge, horn-first.
When he lost his sword, he used hand-to-hand combat, and summoned a giant Poe to strike his enemy.
If his helmet was destroyed, he would move faster, become angry, and shoot rays of light out of his eyes that stunned his opponent.
With his last breath, he would utter a curse, which destroyed his lair with an explosion of magma.
(This brake or paragraph specifies the boss's actions or attacks. Another good idea to specify such descriptions would be something like:
"Attacks:
Fire: -description-
Lance/ Spear: -description-
..." )
To defeat this ghastly knight of darkness, one would have to first disarm him, by using counter attacks and long-range weapons.
After that, they would wait until he charges them. When he got near, the hero would leap aside and grab him from behind, then slice his helmet off.
Finally, Sindrake would shoot rays from his black eyes, which would have to be reflected back at him using the four mirror stones located around the room. Then the hero would rush in and slash at him with their weapon, and continue this phase until his dying breath.
He would summon an explosion that cracked Death Mountain, and the hero would have to escape, before everything was covered in molten lava.
(This is probably the most important part of the boss concept. The strategy on how to defeat the boss is described above. You may want to try using your own style on this one. You could try sounding like a strategy guide on how to defeat the boss or describe a step-by-step procedure. You can also mention a special item and how to use it to defeat the boss. Make it sound like its a real Legend of Zelda boss. )
The room was Sindrake's hall, where a mighty throne was placed, and three massive mirror stones stood along the walls. Two rivers of lava ran through the hall, and as the battle raged on, they bubbled more furiously, and cracked the floor, making deep chasms of magma.
When the battle ended, the throne would blow away, shooting out a stream of magma, which would begin to flood the whole volcano.
(Describing the battle arena is also important to visualize the concept. This description can be included on "How to Defeat the Boss." Entries may also briefly describe the dungeon/temple in which the boss lies. If you supply a short description of the dungeon/temple, let it be somewhere before the description of the boss or its battle. I.e, "Where -Insert name here- lies."
Before Sindrake was submerged in molten magma, he uttered; "I dare you to take me, death. Life itself, is a curse."
(Kill that mean boss!)
Depiction:(Picture inserted here)

(A depiction is NOT required. A depiction does NOT count for the contest either. You are more than welcome to include one. The depiction could be anything, too-- let it be your own drawing, a known piece of art, etc.) (Design a Boss is also based on creating a possible cocept for a future Zelda title. Why not mention and describe some of the aspects of Nintedo Wii or DS dynamics and see how they can be incorporated to your entry? Try to think of how a boss battle could work using some of the unique controls of the Wiimote, for example.)

-End of Example-
You may base yourself on this great entry to make your own concept. Try using it as a template and combine it with your own style.
FAQ
(Most of these questions were only intended to be asked.)
Q: The longer, the better, right?
A: NO. No, no, and no. We really don't want a Harry Potter Book to be submitted. This thread and contest is to come up with new ideas and have fun while competing. Of coarse, if you really MUST or want to submit a long written concept, you are more than welcome. Shortening sentences and paragraphs is never a bad idea, though
Q: When's the deadline?
A: The deadline has been extended to May 20, 2009. Judging and announcement takes a week.
Q: How many concepts can I submit?
A: I've decided on a limit of 2. Best one may make it.
Q: What happens if I lose/win?
A: If you lose, there is always next contest. If you win, you may have to wait a while to try again. Usually, a winner may have to wait ONE contest to participate again. I always let you guys know if the case is different.
Q: How are the winners announced?
A: For the past 10 contests, I decide to go by the elimination process. If there are, say, 30 entries, we eliminate ten and announce the TOP 20. We then eliminate another ten and thus TOP 10, and finally TOP 5 which include honorable mentions (5th-4th place) and Design a Boss Winners (3rd-1st.)
Q: How do I higher my chances of winning?
A: There are many ways. A really good one is by EDITING your entries before they are judged.
Q: OMG, I can't edit! What can I do?
A: Calm down, you! Its fairly simple. Reply to your own post (where the concept is) and QUOTE it. Once you do that, make any changes such as fixing typos, adding/deleting content, etc. And finally, outside of the quote, type something such as "*EDIT" or "*Edits*." ALWAYS notify me via PM when changes have occurred (people who cannot edit!)
Q: What if I have more questions?
A: Don't hesitate to ask more. Post your concerns on the thread or send me a PM if you want to avoid possible spam-- there's a lot more space for the FAQ

This post has been edited by POE-GUY: Apr 29th 2009, 05:04 PM

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Evilgoodguy

Ice Climber
Posts: 12,996
Registered: Apr 27, 2008

Reply #5

Mar 21th 2009, 01:39 AM

Is it safe to post yet?
If not, I can delete.
I have a few ideas, but no Wii.

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Joethebrave0

F-Zero Pilot
Posts: 26,835
Registered: Sep 26, 2007

Dinner in 20 minutes!

Users Awards

Reply #6

Mar 21th 2009, 02:12 AM

Hm. Interesting. I remember this from Oldsider. Time to wait for rules and deadlines. I look forward to it!

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POE-GUY

Yoshi
Posts: 7,849
Registered: Dec 6, 2007

Reply #7

Mar 21th 2009, 02:52 AM

Evilgoodguy, on Mar 21 2009, 01:39 AM, said:

Is it safe to post yet?
If not, I can delete.
I have a few ideas, but no Wii.

It's safe to post. The thread should be up and running later today. Meanwhile, we'd like to see thoughts. Ideally, Design a Boss was going to start off as a major thread, but we decided to start informally, hoping to make it as big as possible. I'm pretty ambitious about it

.

I've thought of the possibility of winning contestants and not having a Wii. I'll have to think further and see if I can give out the equivalent; however, this may cause problems. I may strictly let the prize remain as a VC game. There are still lots of to be announced prizes and other surprises, so I hope you guys look forward to this. Post away!