February is here, and it's now time for our next seasonal event! We're going to be doing something completely new this time around, too. You're being tasked with designing a parkour course, in creative mode! After the rmonth is over, the best levels will be added to the Games section in a new parkour setting, available to be played at all times by everyone!
For those not familiar with the parkour concept, it involves an area where your goal is to get from point A to point B. Various obstacles like thin platforms, challenging jumps, ladders to grab, lava pits and more make this more difficult. You thus need to move properly, either through running jumps (carrying you further out) or slow movements as to not fall off the track.
Rules
As indicated above, we'll be doing this in creative mode, so you don't need to bring any supplies - you have unlimited amounts of everything to work with! Keep in mind that your challenge must be playable in adventure mode, which is like survival within protected areas (that is, no block placing/breaking).
The available building areas are large, likely too large for most people. The goal isn't to create the largest course, it's to make the best designed and fun ones. Tight, compact designs are equally as valid as linear stretches. Don't hesitate to wall off the majority of the given area if you need to.
Each section is surrounded by bedrock, which must remain as-is. You can place other blocks to cover it up, of course. Additionally, players mustn't be able to get so high as to see over the walls. Add a roof if you want or need to.
A sample starting location has been provided in each spot. It can be moved or rebuild as-is anywhere; the current location is only a reference. Be creative with your placement! The materials and shape must remain the same, though. This is to create an effect of consistency on the eventually released maps, letting people know where they should go. Teleporters to bring the players in and out will be added. Until then, be sure to mark where players should begin, and where they will end.
To claim a lot, find an available one, break the sea lantern marking the spot, then place your name on a sign at the top. You have the option of creating multiple courses if you want, by securing several lots. However, you can't link two lots together to expand your building space. If you make multiple entries, each will be evaluated separately. Each player can only win once, the highest scoring entry taking priority. Extra building spaces will be added as needed.
In order to help you test your setup, button toggles between adventure and creative mode can be added on your starting point on request. Contact me (DrCossack) and I'll get on that right away! Should you fall off or get stuck during testing, you can use /kill to return to the spawn point.
The contest begins NOW and will end of February 29th, 2016 at 23:59 Eastern time. This being a leap year, you get an extra day to playtest your entry. Hurray!
Location
A new, nearly blank world is available for this event under the Seasonal label. You can access it from Laurasia's TransHub, in Central. The entire world is set to creative mode with flight abilities.
Prizes
The first, second and third place entries will earn their builders 50, 30 and 15 Merit Points respectively. As a bonus, a single Merit Point will be going to each person who has claimed a lot and did some work (finished or not).
A preview of prizes that can be earned through Merit Points was made last December for those who need a refresher.
On top of this, all of the best playable entries (not necessarily the top 3) will be available to play within the Games section at a later time. Many players will get to experience what could be a key feature of the Creeper's Lab!
As a closing note, I'll need two judges to help me evaluate the look and design of the various areas along with the playability of each one. Please contact me through the forums if interested!
Good luck!
Update on 2016-02-06: Clarified the rule about the start/end platforms. You need to have the quartz surrounded by nether brick, although it can be moved anywere!