Video Game Music Appreciation Contest #1 - FINAL CALL

inthesto · Post by **inthesto** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:29 am

omgwtf

"What's going on here?"

Simply put, an AMV contest. As one who appreciates video game music for what it is, I'd really like to see more videos use it. Unfortunately, since I can't mind control the users of the .Org into editing videos for me, I'm going to settle for the next best thing: Holding a contest to get what I want. The premise is simple. Make a music video that uses music from a video game, enter it, and hope to win.

Sounds like I might be interested. What, when, and how do I enter?

As I already stated, you enter a music video with video game music as its audio source. While I did say this is an AMV contest, live action and non-Japanese animation are allowed. The deadline will be January 1st, 2006. Given that this is a fairly informal contest held by myself alone, I might be willing to bend the deadline by a few days, but I'm not going to push it back by months entirely (this isn't an MEP, people). To enter, all you need to do is send me a link to your video, either in this topic or via PM. Uploading on the .Org isn't absolutely necessary, but it makes my life just a little bit easier.

Sounds pretty low-key and low committal. What do I get out of it?

Believe it or not, I'm not so poor that I can't afford to distribute prizes. Here is a breakdown of what each winner will receive:

First Place: A new copy of the Unlimited SaGa Original Soundtrack. This is honestly the best video game soundtrack I've ever heard. Ever. Don't even fucking question it. Also, the winner will receive free beta-testing and opinions on his/her videos on request for the following year.

Second Place: A used copy of one of the following games (all for PS2): Soul Calibur 2, Shining Tears, R-Type Final, Atelier Iris or (and we're talking the exclusive or) any video game less than or equal to $15 (I might be flexible enough to up this to $20). Will also receive free beta-testing and opinions on his/her videos on request for the following year.

Third Place: Free beta-testing and opinions for the following year. I will also write death threats for the third place winner to freely use on request.

In addition to that, anyone who participates and is interested is invited to join my (currently one-man) studio, Video Game Music Freaks. There's no tangible benefit to that, but you get to feed your primal desire to be part of a herd.

Whoa, I actually get something for this? Cool! But how do you determine who wins?

There is only one judge in this contest: Me. In an attempt to stay objective as possible, I won't post any of my personal preferences, as somebody will most likely try to pander to them. I will grade each video based on the following three categories:

Visual/Audio Quality - Self explanatory. Am I looking at DVD quality visuals, or are you giving me macroblocks the size of my cranium with a DivX logo? Does it sound like I'm listening to an actual CD or did you encode to .005 kbps WMA? I'm really quite lenient about this and it doesn't actually hold much weight in my book, but it can be the make or break factor.

Concept/Direction - I have a difficult time explaining what I mean by this, but I also think it's the most important part to a video. When I watch your video, can I tell what you were doing as an editor? Can I get a feel for what you mean with this video? Or is it all just random clips with lots of pretty effects to hide a lack of direction? That's the sort of thing I'm talking about.

Technical Editing Ability - Did you synch all the big hits of the video to hi-hats within the music or do you have a thirty second uncut clip that runs over the best part of the song? Do you transitions and effects follow the flow and feel of the melody or did you just throw in white flashes on every beat because you didn't have anything else to do? Sure, effects and the like sure are pretty, but too often I've seen them get in the way of the underlying video (this would be one of my biases that you can pander to, people). Remember, while it may be difficult and "good" from a technical standpoint, doesn't mean I'll like it. Sometimes less is more.

While I'm not going to be formalizing any numbers, a rough percentage breakdown of how much I value each category would be 10/60/30, respectively. Don't take those numbers to heart, though, as this sort of thing is highly subjective and will obviously vary on a case-to-case basis.

Wow, it looks like you've actually put thought into this. I didn't even know you could think. Speaking of things one can't do, is there anything I can't do for this contest?

Yes. Oh, most definitely yes. First off, the following songs will get you automatically disqualified from the contest (presented in the format of Composer - Game - Track Name):

*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 6 - Dancing Mad
*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 7 - One Winged Angel
*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 8 - Eyes On Me (there's an exception for this one)
*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 8 - Liberi Fatali
*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 9 - Melodies of Life
*Nobuo Uematsu - Final Fantasy 10 - Suteki da Ne
*Noriko Matsueda/Takahito Eguchi - Final Fantasy 10-2 - 1000 Words
*Yasunori Mitsuda - Chrono Cross - Scars of Time
*Hikari Utada - Kingdom Hearts - Simple and Clean
*OverClocked Remix/VGMix - Anything - Anything
*Anybody - Any rhythym game - Anything

Submitting a video using any of the above will not only result in the ignoring of your video, but I will also laugh at you, punch you in the genitals, and possibly burn down your place of residence. While I don't have anything against most of those songs in particular, I've seen them used enough (and used poorly at that) in AMVs, and the entire point of this contest is to branch out and try different styles of video game music that haven't been used before. That said, you should know that I will look down on the use of "mainstream" game music, i.e. Final Fantasy, Chrono Trigger/Cross, Zelda. Of course, if you can come up with a creative way to use them, then you'll manage to doubly wow me in the end.

Also, don't even think about using video footage from the game where your music comes from. Meaning, don't take FFX's To Zanarkand and then put footage from the FFX FMVs over it. If you do that, I will be sure to rip out your testicles (I'll have them implanted first, if you're female), and stuff them in your eyesockets. I'm not even kidding about this.

Furthermore, do not enter an old video. I'm looking for fresh blood here. In theory, all the entries should be specifically made for this contest, but if you just so happen to be in the middle of a project that uses VGM, I'll pretend not to know.

That said, be sure not to feel restricted to original game audio. In fact, I encourage the use of arranged game music. If you just happen to have a copy of Genso Suikoden Celtic Collection lying around and an anime that will fit it, please edit it. Part of video game music is appreciating the out-of-game arrangements.

Oh, and the exception for Eyes On Me is using the Final Fantasy SONGBOOK version, because I think it's really, really pretty. No exceptions will be made for the other excluded tracks, especially Dancing Mad (don't get me started on how much I hate that song).

Wait! Before I go, one more thing. I just realized that video game music is still kind of obscure, and I probably don't have any albums around my house. What do I do?

Look. Look, look, look. There's plenty of places online to buy video game music; go to Chudah's Corner and follow the links on the bottom-right. You can also look at Zophar's Domain (although it's an all-legal site, I won't link just to be safe) to grab audio ripped straight from the game. If absolute worse comes to worse, send me a PM and I might be willing to upload a track from my ripped collection.

Cool! Sounds like I'm set. Anything else you need to say before I go off and edit like a happy camper?

If we were in IRC right now, I'd probably do some sort of unspeakable horror to one of your bodily orfices. But since we're not, be along your way and good luck. I'm looking forward to the entries, so make good videos!

EDIT: FINAL CALL

The deadline for the contest has passed, and I only have two entries (one of which I had to personally invite). I'm not necessarily upset or disappointed, but I'd like to see more in this contest before I close it and hand out prizes. Thus, editors have until a week from today, January 8th to tell me that they'd like to enter the contest. If I get any such messages by then, we can negotiate a new deadline. Otherwise, TsunamiJones and Ojamajo LimePie will be the automatic winners.

dj_ultima_the_great · Post by **dj_ultima_the_great** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:45 am

Hmm...*debates*...do I have any chance at all of winning...? Probably not, but if I finish the video I'm working on before the deadline, it might be fun to enter it. It just so happens that my current project is put to videogame music.

Well, I'll think about it. Is there a deadline for entering the contest, or just the deadline for entering a video?

Also, are there format restrictions? (Only .mpeg, what have you)

- Jen

inthesto · Post by **inthesto** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:51 am

Knowing me, people will probably ignore this contest because it has my name attached to it. Should that happen, you'll automatically place first. :P

I'm not sure what you mean by your second question, though. Just submit your video, and I'll count you as entered.

Which reminds me, there are some things I need to address.

dj_ultima_the_great · Post by **dj_ultima_the_great** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 10:57 am

Oh, uh, yeah...that second question probably didn't make sense the way I worded it. What I meant was this:

In the contest I just started up, I said that you had to confirm you joined it by November 15th. Videos had to be submitted by December 15th. Now that I think about it, though, I'll probably remove the join date. I was just hoping to prevent last minute entries, but I'll get those anyway, I know.

Anyway, forget about it. If the only deadline I have to worry about is the first of the new year, then that's all I care about.

Thanks.

- Jen

Osakaness · Post by **Osakaness** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 11:03 am

I guess i can come up with another Osaka Daioh AMV

Castor Troy · Post by **Castor Troy** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 12:51 pm

Can I send in the NES, RVG, and VG3 projects as my entries?

Yes. Oh, most definitely yes. First off, the following songs will get you automatically disqualified from the contest (presented in the format of Composer - Game - Track Name):

OverClocked Remix - Anything - Anything

BAH!

godix · Post by **godix** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:19 pm

A) You seem very obsessed with other peoples testicles. Have you considered therapy for that? Or perhaps you just need to go to a gay bar and stay there until your interest in other mens genitals runs it's course.

inthesto · Post by **inthesto** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 1:25 pm

Just like most people have no interest in porn unless they can masturbate to it, I have no interest in other's testicles unless I can crush, dice, puree, or otherwise mutilate them.

Decoy · Post by **Decoy** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 4:07 pm

AWSMness. I've been looking for some kind of motivation to a GGX type Vid, plus I have the Korean OST [which is Godlike imo].

Sto, are we allowed to use footage that's like total anime style? By that I mean not in-game footage. I was thinking some sort of MAD style vid using in-game, that ggx+ preview 5 min animation [i think you know what I'm talking about] and various art from the game [still images].

Cool, can't wait to get started.

ps. Who doesn't like destroying male bits!? I mean come on guys!

@Panda: Maybe you could use that Azu 2D fighter as some source?

Moonlight Soldier · Post by **Moonlight Soldier** » Sun Oct 02, 2005 5:14 pm

Sounds kewl...maybe I'll participate :O

Is there a limit for the track length out of curiosity?