Contest #3 results
Posted: Sun Jun 25, 2006 7:55 pm
Contest #3 has come to a close, with 31 solutions sent in by 15 participants. There were lots of different approaches, and the winning one is completely unique compared to all others, which I find especially intriguing.
The general approaches to the problem can be categorized in 3 groups:
1) Over the top with tension (shooting)
2) Over the top without tension (bagging? )
3) Going down and up (as the name of the level suggested - and the winner followed this principle )
Get the solutions here!
The above zip (compiled by Bob) contains the best effort by every author, and alternate solutions.
Here are some short descriptions and screenshots from a small selection of solutions:
Category 1:
This solution by FFT has a very strong shooting/deflecting mechanism and is a good example of a category 1 construction.
Ogre again built an interesting shooter, using a tensioned rope and weight instead of rubber.
Category 2:
My bag/carrying solution is somewhat interesting as it uses the same construction as a weight and catcher.
PP perfected the no-tension over the top approach with this solution, scoring an impressive $4736.
Category 3:
The winning solution by BFC is actually the only competitive solution of this type. It uses a swing, a weight to use the "natural tension" of the rope and a scoop for the last step. Absolutely ingenious!
Category Jedi:
There were actually 2 solutions cheaper than the above, however, they are only qualified to compete for the "dark" price due to using the force. One was by me, scoring $4812, the other by kingofthespill:
He scored $4844 and thus wins the EVIL award .
So, to recap, this contest was perhaps the most interesting of all so far, with wildly different approaches all of which had a fair chance at winning. Congratulations to BFC (and kingofthespill), and thanks to everyone who participated. Special thanks to Bob for hosting the contest and providing the screenshots for this thread.
The general approaches to the problem can be categorized in 3 groups:
1) Over the top with tension (shooting)
2) Over the top without tension (bagging? )
3) Going down and up (as the name of the level suggested - and the winner followed this principle )
Get the solutions here!
The above zip (compiled by Bob) contains the best effort by every author, and alternate solutions.
Here are some short descriptions and screenshots from a small selection of solutions:
Category 1:
This solution by FFT has a very strong shooting/deflecting mechanism and is a good example of a category 1 construction.
Ogre again built an interesting shooter, using a tensioned rope and weight instead of rubber.
Category 2:
My bag/carrying solution is somewhat interesting as it uses the same construction as a weight and catcher.
PP perfected the no-tension over the top approach with this solution, scoring an impressive $4736.
Category 3:
The winning solution by BFC is actually the only competitive solution of this type. It uses a swing, a weight to use the "natural tension" of the rope and a scoop for the last step. Absolutely ingenious!
Category Jedi:
There were actually 2 solutions cheaper than the above, however, they are only qualified to compete for the "dark" price due to using the force. One was by me, scoring $4812, the other by kingofthespill:
He scored $4844 and thus wins the EVIL award .
So, to recap, this contest was perhaps the most interesting of all so far, with wildly different approaches all of which had a fair chance at winning. Congratulations to BFC (and kingofthespill), and thanks to everyone who participated. Special thanks to Bob for hosting the contest and providing the screenshots for this thread.