This time around we only had 9 participants sending in solutions, probably due to the relative complexity of the level compared to earlier contests. However, these few participants send in a plethora of inventive solutions, resulting in a variety that clearly exceeds what we saw previously.
Due to the size of the level and the complexity of the mechanisms involved, screenshots won't really do the solutions justice. So, by all means, get them and watch them all!
Download all the solutions here
Here is a (very) short description of how the contest played out:
The 2 main challenges of the level were lifting the ball in the beginning and at the end. The latter had the added difficulty of doing so a long time after the start of the level, necessitating either the use of an (expensive) timer, or some kind of clever mechanism triggered by the Armadillo.
The lifting in itself could also be accomplished in various ways, either by shooting with tensioned rubber or elastic, lifts made from cloth or even metal bars or scoops, and of course with rockets.
In the end, familiar names dominated the 2300+ field: Ogre, Bob, kingofthespill and I managed to reach these elusive heights. I won both the force and no-force category, the former with $2508 left, and the latter with $2422. A screenshot of the winning solution follows.
Thanks to BFC for providing this challenging level and to all those who sent in solutions for participating!