Contest Planning: Kalizzaa's Tour of Arlor

I have updated the Week 1 thread and the post here to announce that we will be shutting down Week 1 a few days early (Wed., Feb 4th @ 11:59 PM EST).

Me and those that are helping me are trying our best to enter runs as fast as we can, but we are falling behind and simply cannot keep up with the incredible volume!

I hadn't expected to see so much activity on my server either - I am averaging over 600 requests per minute on the public side with 5 people doing data entry on the private side, that my poor server is having a hard time keeping up with this. This website and database are running on a virtual, on an old server, so it really isn't capable of handling loads like this.

I apologize for the inconvenience.

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Originally Posted by Lainnah

What I dont understand is how many in our guild have 8, 9, 10, 12 points but were not given the 100 point bonus for doing all 8 maps. Was it overlooked? The leaderboard site shows this. Can someone check this or explain to me? Thank you

My guild is: Crisis Of Faith
My IGN is: Lainnah.

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8, 10, or 12 points doesn't mean that you have completed all maps.

For example:
ceokafrase still needs to complete Ydra Forest and Rooks Nest
Dgerik still needs to complete Gold Mine
Hcet still needs to run Forest, Aquaducts, Gold Mine and Rooks Nest


Granted, we are way behind on keeping up with the surge of screenshots, but that's why we have the Player Details page there. So players can check in to see which maps they are missing.

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

WEEK 1: http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?206591
Week 1 thread has been posted. Prior to the start of the event, this thread will be updated to show the secret phrase that must be included in all screen shots.

UPDATE!
Ok, so, the turnout is far, far better than anything I would have imagined. So far, we have thousands of entries and me and my team are so far behind, and my poor server is taking such a pounding that I will shut this thing down a few days early. At this point, my group is already 50 posts behind, and with an average of 8 screen shots per post, this means we are already 400+ runs behind!

My poor server can't sustain 5 people doing data entry while at the same time, there is an average of 10 page views a second!

So, for Week 1, I will be shutting it down as of 11:59 PM EST on Wednesday. The Week 1 Thread will be updated to reflect this.

Sorry, but you all are posting at a volume I never would have expected to see! Thanks for making this thing so exciting (even if it means so much work for us!)

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So, no chance for a prize for those who have a job if the other 3 weeks will close before time as well? I can not even finish the special STS prize for finishing all maps if this is the case.

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Originally Posted by TW84

So, no chance for a prize for those who have a job if the other 3 weeks will close before time as well? I can not even finish the special STS prize for finishing all maps if this is the case.

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I don't think future weeks will need to end early. Its just that this week, the maps can be run in under 2 mins so we have literally thousands of player entries on the very first day!

Weeks 3 & 4, I don't expect to see nearly as many because even in a pro group on elixirs, runs will take 10 mins. This week, we are just seeing two orders of magnitude more entries than expected because the maps are so easy and so fast.

Please bear with me. I am experiencing some website stability issues at the moment and will make some changes to improve performance late tonight.

I am now averaging over 20 requests per second, and on a real-time system like this, it is putting a heavy load on the CPU.

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

I don't think future weeks will need to end early. Its just that this week, the maps can be run in under 2 mins so we have literally thousands of player entries on the very first day!

Weeks 3 & 4, I don't expect to see nearly as many because even in a pro group on elixirs, runs will take 10 mins. This week, we are just seeing two orders of magnitude more entries than expected because the maps are so easy and so fast.

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And week 2?

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

Please bear with me. I am experiencing some website stability issues at the moment and will make some changes to improve performance late tonight.

I am now averaging over 20 requests per second, and on a real-time system like this, it is putting a heavy load on the CPU.

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Will be 100 times worse during weekends then. :disillusionment:

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Originally Posted by TW84

And week 2?



Will be 100 times worse during weekends then. :disillusionment:

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I'll be staying up late tonight to make some major back end changes to the website and database.

Don't be such a Debbie Downer.....Me and everyone that is helping with this are working hard and putting as much time into this as we can. Unfortunately, we all have real lives, jobs, kids and responsibilities in the real world too.

I encourage you to run your own event so you can experience just how difficult it is to run a large, public event like this. A tiny bit of patience and appreciation would be welcomed you know...

Few things here:

1. The participation is more than expected, which is a GOOD thing. Give us a few days to get caught up on inputting.

2. As always, rules are subject to change if needed as the contest rolls on. You can't predict everything that happens.

3. Kali isn't the only one here working on this. Don't overload him with PMs to check your points. Message any of us if you have something for us to review. Here is your behind the scenes team:

Candylicks, Raregem, Twoc, Blipz, Kingmartin, Starkinea

4. Please don't post up a ton of SS on a single post. Do us a favor and label the SS or at least put them in order in these easy maps.

5. Have fun and be respectful of each other and the leaders of this contest. We are spending countless hours behind-the-scenes to make this happen for you guys!!!

Enjoy and let's rock this contest!!!!

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Originally Posted by Candylicks

Few things here:

1. The participation is more than expected, which is a GOOD thing. Give us a few days to get caught up on inputting.

2. As always, rules are subject to change if needed as the contest rolls on. You can't predict everything that happens.

3. Kali isn't the only one here working on this. Don't overload him with PMs to check your points. Message any of us if you have something for us to review. Here is your behind the scenes team:

Candylicks, Raregem, Twoc, Blipz, Kingmartin, Starkinea

4. Please don't post up a ton of SS on a single post. Do us a favor and label the SS or at least put them in order in these easy maps.

5. Have fun and be respectful of each other and the leaders of this contest. We are spending countless hours behind-the-scenes to make this happen for you guys!!!

Enjoy and let's rock this contest!!!!

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

I'll be staying up late tonight to make some major back end changes to the website and database.

Don't be such a Debbie Downer.....Me and everyone that is helping with this are working hard and putting as much time into this as we can. Unfortunately, we all have real lives, jobs, kids and responsibilities in the real world too.

I encourage you to run your own event so you can experience just how difficult it is to run a large, public event like this. A tiny bit of patience and appreciation would be welcomed you know...

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You all doing great job. Also shout out to stark...thanks for funs

This has been very fun, thanks for putting this together

I know it's likely a bit late in the process, but I am curious why the higher maps are not planned to be worth more points than the lower ones. Right now, someone could run elite forest 2000 times then stop running for the rest of the event and still get a top prize.

For example, someone who had to work or was out of town for 2 days this week (especially with this first week cut short) could be essentially out of any top runner ranking, even if they ran all the harder maps as much as they could. I just think the points should be scaled to map difficulty to make it all equal.

Is the information on your site upto date? I have uploaded two sets of ss for all maps, which should mean, correct me if I am wrong, what I should have 116 points? However I received only 4 for the first run through and 3 for the second 8. I do admit that that the first 8 were not completely compliant with the rules (loot was not visible in the chat box) and I am ok with that. However I took extra care with the next set of 8. Please do double check. Here is where you can find my second set (they are in different post, because of the different party members):
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-Week-1/page14
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-Week-1/page14

Forum name: Jazzi
IGN: Azekriusabac

Thank you very much in advance! I do understand that the work-load might be overwhelming. I am patient :-)

P.S. I do agree with what Serancha is suggesting in the above post. Maybe harder maps should award more points.

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Originally Posted by Serancha

I know it's likely a bit late in the process, but I am curious why the higher maps are not planned to be worth more points than the lower ones. Right now, someone could run elite forest 2000 times then stop running for the rest of the event and still get a top prize.

For example, someone who had to work or was out of town for 2 days this week (especially with this first week cut short) could be essentially out of any top runner ranking, even if they ran all the harder maps as much as they could. I just think the points should be scaled to map difficulty to make it all equal.

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I don't think I will be changing the point value for Week 2, since I feel Dead City and Kraken are both very easy. I may increase point values for Nordr, Shuyal, Tindirin and Planar though, since these are generally longer maps and substantially more difficult.

But, at this point, we are completely inundated with the screenshot surge that every tweak I have been making has been to improve website performance and speed up the data entry process, that I haven't put much thought into what will happen in weeks 3 and 4.

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Originally Posted by Jazzi

Is the information on your site upto date? I have uploaded two sets of ss for all maps, which should mean, correct me if I am wrong, what I should have 116 points? However I received only 4 for the first run through and 3 for the second 8. I do admit that that the first 8 were not completely compliant with the rules (loot was not visible in the chat box) and I am ok with that. However I took extra care with the next set of 8. Please do double check. Here is where you can find my second set (they are in different post, because of the different party members):
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-Week-1/page14
http://www.spacetimestudios.com/show...-Week-1/page14

Forum name: Jazzi
IGN: Azekriusabac

Thank you very much in advance! I do understand that the work-load might be overwhelming. I am patient :-)

P.S. I do agree with what Serancha is suggesting in the above post. Maybe harder maps should award more points.

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We have caught up to page 14 in the thread of screenshots.

When you check the website, take note of the Last Recorded post field. This reports where we are in the data entry. If your posts are after that, we haven't gotten to it yet.

We are seeing dozens of screen shots a minute during peak times, and we simply cannot keep up (which is one of the reasons why we are ending week 1 a little bit early). We will probably need a day or two just to backfill all of these posts after Week 1 has come to a close. Each of us are taking blocks of 10-20 posts and, to be honest, I haven't even been able to log in since the event started because I have been so busy with the management and data entry.

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

We have caught up to page 14 in the thread of screenshots.

When you check the website, take note of the Last Recorded post field. This reports where we are in the data entry. If your posts are after that, we haven't gotten to it yet.

We are seeing dozens of screen shots a minute during peak times, and we simply cannot keep up (which is one of the reasons why we are ending week 1 a little bit early). We will probably need a day or two just to backfill all of these posts after Week 1 has come to a close. Each of us are taking blocks of 10-20 posts and, to be honest, I haven't even been able to log in since the event started because I have been so busy with the management and data entry.

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Thank you for the prompt reply. I just checked the tracking site again. My points seem alright now. Thank you for looking into it and for clearing how I can check whether my post has been processed or not.

P.S. I had to do something similar, although not for a game, during my first internship years ago: Sort through a large number of screenshots and retrieve data from them. I could imagine how cumbersome this could be. Keep up the great work. :-)

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

I don't think I will be changing the point value for Week 2, since I feel Dead City and Kraken are both very easy. I may increase point values for Nordr, Shuyal, Tindirin and Planar though, since these are generally longer maps and substantially more difficult.

But, at this point, we are completely inundated with the screenshot surge that every tweak I have been making has been to improve website performance and speed up the data entry process, that I haven't put much thought into what will happen in weeks 3 and 4.

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I did mean for weeks 3 and 4, yes. Dead city is as easy as these maps.

Twoc, Candykissed, Serancha,Raw, it would be a honor and a privilege if I am able to run some doing Kali ' s event. Ign ladynifft.

I'm in elite runners also but, and there are some very awesome players in house but, I would like to run with other elite players also.

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

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We are seeing dozens of screen shots a minute during peak times, and we simply cannot keep up (which is one of the reasons why we are ending week 1 a little bit early). We will probably need a day or two just to backfill all of these posts after Week 1 has come to a close. Each of us are taking blocks of 10-20 posts and, to be honest, I haven't even been able to log in since the event started because I have been so busy with the management and data entry.

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How's life now kali?? [emoji51]
good luck.
Shout out to your team :)

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Originally Posted by Dex Scene

How's life now kali?? [emoji51]
good luck.
Shout out to your team :)

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Crazy! Haven't logged in since the event started.

SO MANY POSTS!!!!

Your folks are running this thing like machines! Keep up the good work!

Through post 487, here are some quick stats:

Attachment 119367

Click Tracking:
Attachment 119370

Real Time Tracking:
Attachment 119374

Website Overview:
Attachment 119375

hi could you please double check my points . character name aneshsinghii. I have done the 8 maps but my score 10. please refer to week 1 screenshot forum. . page 24 . post #465 and #469. thanks


edit----thanks . my points has been corrected :-)

So this means week 2 will stat on Monday at midnight right? So you guys have a few days break to catch up on everything?

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Originally Posted by Azemen

So this means week 2 will stat on Monday at midnight right? So you guys have a few days break to catch up on everything?

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Yeah....we are so far behind right now. The rest of the team will be catching up after we stop accepting entries and I will be doing a double check on the thousands of entries.

When we are done, I will post final results for Week 1 and post details for Week 2.

I want to thank everyone for the incredible participation, and i appreciate your patience.....this has been quite overwhelming to say the least, but we are all thrilled to see THIS much activity. It's great to see so many tanks pounding out run after run! Great stuff!!!

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

I'll be staying up late tonight to make some major back end changes to the website and database.

Don't be such a Debbie Downer.....Me and everyone that is helping with this are working hard and putting as much time into this as we can. Unfortunately, we all have real lives, jobs, kids and responsibilities in the real world too.

I encourage you to run your own event so you can experience just how difficult it is to run a large, public event like this. A tiny bit of patience and appreciation would be welcomed you know...

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Hey I didn't mean it like that. I just know people are more active during weekends, so I worry about the server loads during that time. Keep up the good work mate ;)

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Originally Posted by TW84

Hey I didn't mean it like that. I just know people are more active during weekends, so I worry about the server loads during that time. Keep up the good work mate ;)

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Server is stabilized at this point. I put in a lot of work late at night tuning the database, optimizing code and making sure that the server is able to cope with the load. Good thing the web analytics was able to show me what I should expect under peak load, so I was able to tune for that kind of throughput.

And, sorry I got a bit snippy....I haven't had more than two hours of sleep a night since the event started because of all the work involved.

I'm just thrilled at the turnout - this much activity (though brutal for us) is great for the game and community!

About three more hours left in the first week of the challenge.

We've already got over 1000 posts on the thread and I suspect there will be hundreds more to come! It will take us a day or two to get caught up (we're currently at about post 600).

In three hours time, entries will no longer be accepted for points, so if you have anything you've been saving, get them in soon, before time runs out!

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Originally Posted by GoodSyntax

Because you're too pro to run normal maps....

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Had that problem too , i guess u need the antee ap, the lost mages mine boss. try it out

Thank you! Week 1 was a lot of fun. Props for your hardworking data input and verification team. I don't envy them their workload and I wish there were medals or at least free Starbucks delivery to their doorstep or any kind of reward at all for all of you for making this event possible.

I want to thank GoodSyntax, Candylicks, Fadedtwo, Kingmartin, Starkinea, Blipz, Twoc, and the rest of the people involved in running the contest.

It has been a lot of fun so far and there is still a long way to go.

Thank you so much for all your time and effort!!! We really do appreciate it.

On behalf of Crisis Of Faith I would like to thank Kalizzaa and the rest of the people running this event. It has been a lot of fun for our guild so far and we've had a massive amount of guild participation. Thank you all! Looking forward to the next few weeks!!

1 mil

Big thanks for all who put this together!!! Its so much fun and help us to get to know our guildees better! Cheers!!! :)

WEEK 2 OF THE TOUR IS NOW LIVE!

http://www.spacetimestudios.com/showthread.php?207669

I was so eager to participate in week 2 but man uploading screenshots, copying and pasting links on a tablet took almost as long as the runs themselves I was left thinking just after uploading 10/67 screenshots if I should still continue XD.

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Originally Posted by Omisace

I was so eager to participate in week 2 but man uploading screenshots, copying and pasting links on a tablet took almost as long as the runs themselves I was left thinking just after uploading 10/67 screenshots if I should still continue XD.

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Not kidding I woke up this morning with over 50 more SS to post from my guild!!!!!

I would MUCH rather run maps than post. lol...

DUDE, when is week 3? :biggrin:

I hope it doesn't start wednesday and end friday like "week 2" did. It is much harder and us weekend-warriors need to have a chance to complete it just once, please! :upset:

Count scores after whole event is over?!? :angel:

Thank you Tour of Arlor team for Week 2 fun. Glad to see thread for Week 3 up finally.

But considering that Nordr and Shuyal elites take more time to complete and hard to solo by average players (unlike Week 1-2 zones), also taking into account the Lovecrafting event that might be keeping people occupied in tombs, would it be possible to extend Week 3 another day at least, or limit assigned maps to those that give achievements?

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Originally Posted by ilhanna

Thank you Tour of Arlor team for Week 2 fun. Glad to see thread for Week 3 up finally.

But considering that Nordr and Shuyal elites take more time to complete and hard to solo by average players (unlike Week 1-2 zones), also taking into account the Lovecrafting event that might be keeping people occupied in tombs, would it be possible to extend Week 3 another day at least, or limit assigned maps to those that give achievements?

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Lets start it with 4 days, it's also a weekend, we will see how it progresses ;p

While preferring a more definitive decision about cutoff time, for party organizing purposes, well...we'll do our best given the circumstances. Thanks, Stark.