Friday, January 30, 2009

Teen Tourney Rules


Game Zone
Teen Tournament 2009

The 2009 Game Zone Teen Tournament consists of 2 types of events. At 8 regional Tournament Qualifier Events, we'll be searching for the top Rock Band 2 "bands" to represent their libraries at the Grand Tournament. At the Grand Tournament, those 8 "bands" will compete head-to-head in a Battle of the Bands, while Rock Band, Guitar Hero and Dance Dance Revolution challenges are offered throughout the day.

Rules

Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands: Tournament Qualifier Events

Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands: Grand Tournament

Rock Band, Guitar Hero, and Dance Dance Revolution Challenges

General Rules of Play / Event Conduct




Tournament Qualifier Events

At each Tournament Qualifier Event, 4-player bands compete in a single round of game play to determine one winning band to compete in the Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands at the Grand Tournament. Open play (just for fun) gaming opportunities may be available.

Registration:

  • Teen Tech Week events are limited to teens ages 13 - 18 only.
  • A completed tournament registration form must be presented at registration prior to all events in order to compete.
  • One form must be completed for each participant.
  • Registration forms are available online at http://teens.hcplc.org/ or at each event.
  • Registration for each event will be held on-site at each event, beginning 30 minutes prior to the event's posted start time.
  • Due to space and time constraints, a limited number of participants will be able to compete, determined on a first come, first serve basis.
  • Participants may register individually (to be placed in a band at random) or as part of a 4-player group, but each participant may only register once and may only compete in a single band.

Game Play:

  • The library will provide Playstation 2 gaming equipment for the use of all players.
  • Each band will complete 2 songs pre-selected by the judges. Bands will be ranked by the highest total combined scores for the 2 songs.
  • In the event of a tie, bands may be asked to participate in a Tie-Breaker Round in which each band selects 1 song to be played by both bands. Highest total combined score wins.
  • The winning band at each qualifier will progress to compete in the Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands Finals, held at the Grand Tournament event.

Grand Tournament

ROCK BAND 2 Battle of the Bands Finals

Registration:

  • Registration is limited to the winning bands from each of the 8 Qualifying events.
  • In the event that a member of a band is unable to attend the Grand Tournament, the band may register 1 substitute player. At least 3 of the 4 original band members must compete.
  • If a winning band is unable to compete in the Grand Tournament, the next runner-up may be invited to compete.

Game Play:

  • The library will provide Playstation 2 gaming equipment for the use of all players.
  • Each band will complete 2 songs pre-selected by the judges. Bands will be ranked by the highest total combined scores for the 2 songs.
  • In the event of a tie, bands may be asked to participate in a Tie-Breaker Round in which each band selects 1 song to be played by both bands. Highest total combined score wins.

Competition Format

Each band needs to put together a 3 song set list; no downloadable songs can be used. The band's final score will be an awarded based on all judging criteria. Your band will have 5 minutes before and after your band is called to setup and tear down sets. Any band intros are included in these 5 minutes. During play if a band member fails in the middle of a song, band members can save him without penalty, however if the band fails a song you will be given a score of 0 to be averaged into the other 2 songs, so make sure you know your skill level and get in some practice before the tournament.

Judging Criteria:

A panel of 3 judges will score musicians in each category using a point system:

"Technical Score" Each band will play a three 3 song set, and Technical scores will be applied to each song. The game automatically calculates how many notes you hit, so the percent completed for each member will be added up for a combined maximum of 400 points per song. These points will be averaged to get to one score up to 400 points.

"Costume Score" is judged on how it applies to your band and how you use it as part of your show. Each band member has the potential to earn up to 25 points each, for a combined maximum of 100 points.

"Stage Presence" This is what this tournament is all about! It is worth a combined maximum of 500 points (100 per band member's style and difficulty plus 100 for working together as a band). This is also where difficulty factors in, so if you think you can handle a song on expert, it'll pay off huge. On top of that, what makes a rock band memorable is how you perform on stage, so feel free to dance, ad lib, props (including real instruments), lights, fog, and whatever else you think will add to the act. This is the big one… anyone can dress up and play a song, but it's HOW your band plays that makes the difference, so practice those scissor kicks and know when it's time for more cowbell, 'cause people come for the music, but they stay for the show'. Props must be supplied by the band and approved before use; Pyrotechnics are NOT allowed.

***Example Points Break Down***

Example Points Break Down

ROCK BAND, GUITAR HERO and DANCE DANCE REVOLUTION Challenges
at the Grand Tournament Event

Registration:
  • Teen Tech Week events are limited to teens ages 13 - 18 only.
  • Registration for each challenge will be held on-site, beginning 30 minutes prior to the posted start time.
  • Due to space and time constraints, a limited number of participants will be able to participate in each challenge, determined on a first come, first serve basis.
  • For Rock Band group challenges, participants may register individually (to be placed in a band at random) or as part of a 4-player group, but each participant may only register once and may only compete in a single band for each challenge.
Game Play:
  • The library will provide Playstation 2 gaming equipment for the use of all players.
  • In the event of a tie, the challenge judge may ask participants to compete in a Tie-Breaker Round.

General Rules of Play / Event Conduct

  • Competitors who fail to report to their tournament arena, ready to play, within 2 minutes after being called may forfeit.
  • No song modifications.
  • No shoes are permitted on the DDR controllers; socks and bare feet only. Disinfectant wipes will be available for use between competitors.
  • Competitors and spectators are required to demonstrate good sportsmanship at all times and behave in a manner that complies with the Library Code of Conduct. Failure to do so may result in disqualification and/or removal from the event.
  • A scorekeeper / judge will oversee each tournament arena and be responsible for enforcing tournament rules and ensuring fair play.
  • If you have a complaint regarding your game, please speak to your scorekeeper / judge. If that does not resolve your complaint, please notify the lead staff member at your tournament event. His/her decision is final.
  • Rules subject to change at any time.
  • Event standings and winners may be posted at the event, in library print materials and online at teens.hcplc.org.




Special thanks to the Ballers and Gamers for supplying the tourney format and some of the rules we're using for this event.

WE NEED YOUR VOTE!


Ask a Librarian's The Director’s Chair video contest is in its final stages, and the finalists need YOUR vote!


Ask a Librarian, your favorite reference chat service, received many creative videos from high school students around Florida. Judges narrowed the entries down to five finalists, now it’s up to you to help choose the winner by voting for your favorite video.


Visit www.askalibrarian.org/thedirectorschair and click on “vote” to see the top five videos and to vote for the one you think deserves to win.

**Polls will be open until Feb. 7 (11:59 p.m. EST).**

2009 Game Zone Teen Tournament

Teen Tech Week 2009 is coming! That means that it's time once again for the Game Zone Teen Tournament! And this year we're featuring a...

Rock Band 2 Battle of the Bands


Want to compete? Enter one of the qualifying events to win a prize pack and an invitation to play in the Grand Tournament.
Just want to play for the fun of it? Drop at any of these events for some open game play!

Keep an eye out here and on the teen website for rules , weekly tournament standings and more info or call the library at 273-3652.

Monday, January 26, 2009

My picks for January

Fiction Book- Story Time by Edward Bloor

Kate and George are niece and uncle- even though George is two years younger than Kate! One day they are invited to enroll in the prestigious Whittaker Magnet School. George thinks he has it made, though Kate is not too eager given all the tests she would have to take. But it's not just the tests that are making Kate anxious. The Whittaker family has a big ego, Pogo the Librarian speaks only in nursery rhymes, and one too many people have died under mysterious circumstances!!!

Nonfiction Book- The Everything Games Book

Would you like to learn how to play chess? Trying to figure out how exactly billiards work? Want to know the difference between poker and bridge? And what exactly croquet is? This book has everything and more about all the games people play!

Manga- Castlevania: Curse of Darkness

Based on the popular video game series. In this installment, a young man named Todd and a nun have rescued an injured man...who turns out to be Hector, one of Dracula's minions! Meanwhile, Dracula has several others searching for Hector. A prequel to the video game featuring beautiful artwork and an intriguing storyline.

Anime- Sakura Wars

Sakura Shinguuji has moved to Tokyo in order to join the Imperial Flower Troupe. But she will not only be an actress- she will be defending the city from the Black Santum Council's evil plans, just like her father did long ago. Together with her castmates and their leader Ichirou Ohgami they will fight for good to protect the shrines of the city- while at the same time performing on stage for guests.

Website- Hybrid and Mutant Animals

Do you know what a mule is? Ever seen a liger? Heard of beefalo before? All these curious critters and more in this fun site complete with pictures.

Friday, January 2, 2009

Okay so it's not new but...

Okay, so it's not new but... I just discovered Sabriel. A book by Garth Nix. It's the first part of the Old Kingdom Trilogy.



I absolutely loved it. It's about a girl who has to leave boarding school to discover what happened to her father. As she travels she must leave her body and traverse the land of the dead. She comes across many creatures, one of which is hunting her, and will stop at nothing to destroy her, in life and death. It's an exciting tale filled with adventure and maybe even a touch of romance.




Lirael and Abhorsen are the titles to the other books in the series.

If you've already read them, visit the writer's webpage. He has a contest, a chance for you to win a 4GB ipod nano.