Rules
This competition was inspired by the original CSS Crap Games Competition for the ZX Spectrum line of computers.
What is a crap game ?
A crap game is a very poorly designed and developed game. It might be one or more of these things: boring, frustrating, too difficult, too easy. The ultimate goal of a crap game developer should be the production of the worst game known to man.
Why such a competition ?
We wanted to imitate an existing competition originally invented on the newsgroup comp.sys.sinclair. Here is a short excerpt from Wikipedia:
The competition was originated by posters to the comp.sys.sinclair newsgroup and was inspired by the Cascade Cassette 50 compilation as well as Rich Pelley’s Crap Game Corner from Your Sinclair Magazine. It started off in 1996 merely as an idea to “outdo” the original Cassette 50 tape by producing a compilation of newsgroup members’ own efforts. During subsequent years, it evolved into the present-day form of competition.
Who can join this competition ?
Anyone can join the competition by submitting one or more games or applications (from this point “entries” for simplicity) for the “MSX line of computers”. When we use the definition “MSX line of computers” we mean that your entry will have to run at least on one computer that has been declared MSX-Compatible and belongs to one of those revisions of the MSX specifications:
- MSX1
- MSX2
- MSX Turbo-R
Which programming language should I choose to develop these entries ?
You have the freedom of choosing any programming language you like best. From Basic to Pascal, From C to Assembly any language is OK for this competition.
How many games / applications can I submit ?
You can submit any number of entries you like.
Are there any rules I have to follow when I submit my games ?
Yes, there are only some simple rules you should follow:
- You have to submit a package / compressed file containing the game itself in at least one of these formats: .ROM, .DSK or .CAS. The package should be compressed in ZIP format, to reduce space and to allow anyone to easily uncompress it on their computers.
- You can optionally submit different packages for different distributions of your entry. For example: for your first entry one package that will contain the disk version, and one package that will contain the tape version; just don’t make a big package with a .dsk, a .cas and a .rom files all together.
- Additionally you can also submit a LHA package containing the entry in a format compatible with MSX-DOS2, but the ZIP file is mandatory.
- Along with the package, you will have to upload a brief description of your entry, along with some minimal instruction to explain how to make it work on a real MSX.
- You will have to provide at least two distinct screenshot of the game; if that’s possible, one showing the title screen and one showing your entry in action.
- You have the freedom of developing entries that will only runs on some exotic configurations, if you want of course. For example: Russian, Brazilian or even Arabian models…
Can I also submit the source code of my entries ?
Sure, if you want you can let the other people download the source code of some of your entries. Just make a different package containing only the source code, and post it along with the package containing the executable file.
Can I be both a contestant and part of the jury ?
Yes, just don’t act like a child and don’t vote for your own entries 
Who is in the jury ?
We haven’t decided yet.
What can I win if my entry takes the first prize ?
The eternal glory gained by developing the worst MSX game of the year is not enough for you ?! Well, apart from that we haven’t decided any prize yet.
Aside from these rules, you could also have a look at the complete guide to writing a crap game; it was written with the ZX Spectrum developers in mind, but since it contains a lot of excellent advices it should be a guiding light to all of us. Also remember that these rules are not set in stone, so you can contact us to suggest new rules or ask to remove some of those.