DKs Intensities in Ten Cities! [Winner=TX AG 90]

[WorldCup4James]

Awesome, no big deal on the delay. Thanks for the great work as always

[Dukasaur]

I had to work this whole long weekend, so the C&F task didn't get issued. Next weekend, I hope.

[Dukasaur]

All Sydney games have begun. I'll be releasing the Colour and Flavour task this weekend at the customary time.

[Dukasaur]

As I talked about in the introduction, I wrote to all the mapmakers for their recommendations on these ten maps. A few replied right away, but some more replies have trickled in over time. Snapdoodle, the New York mapmaker, is the very last.

hi,

sorry for not replying earlier. the map is best played 4v4 or 3v3.

8 player ffa usually guarantees at least 20% of games end in stalemates because of the size of the map (stalement being a game that last longer than 1 month with constant turn taking). You can do a 5 player ffa and it lessens the stalement factor a bit but that would be the most I would go.

I think "ffa" means "free-for-all" or multiplayer non-team, and interestingly enough, 5 player ffa is exactly what I chose for New York.

[Dukasaur]

C&F task should be released tonight. (Noon Sunday in Sydney, and they are 15 hours ahead of me, so it will be 9 pm tonight for me. I am North American Eastern Standard, same as CC time.)

[Dukasaur]

Participation in the Colour And Flavour component of the tournament has been falling steadily, and I keep looking for new way to boost participation in it. On one hand, some people have complained that they come here to have fun and not to do work and write essays. On the other hand, I don't think any purpose is served by making the tasks so ridiculously easy as to not be a competition any more.

This time around, I'm going to try to accomodate both points of view. You have a choice of two tasks. Those who want to challenge themselves can do a difficult task. Those that just want to keep it lighthearted and fun can do the easy one. Of course, we can't offer the same points for both. The difficult task will have a maximum of 5 points awarded, the easy task will only have a maximum of 2. You can do both if you choose, but there is still a hard cap of five points per player maximum, so even if you ace both you still only score 5, not 7.

There are 152 points available to be won in the Sydney games, so according to the April 17th formula the target for the judges to award in C&F is about 15 to 23 points total.

The Challenging Task:
Sydney is home to numerous architectural marvels and famous buildings. Pretend that I am a real-estate speculator with a huge bankroll. Choose a building or structure in Sydney and persuade me to buy it. Include at least one good public domain photograph. Let me know how much you want for this building, and why it's a good investment for me. What kind of revenues does it produce, what is the future potential, etc.

The Easy Task:
Just like in Montreal, post a locally relevant joke. (Two koalas walk into a bar....) Preference will be given to those that have genuine Australian content, and not just Canadian jokes where the caribou are replaced by koalas. (And I notice that in googling Australian jokes there are a huge number of Abo jokes. PLEASE none of those -- we don't want our C&F to end up in C&A )

That's it. Do the hard one, do the easy one, do them both! Come back and comment on your opponents' efforts!

[GregDavidson]

THE SYDNEY OPERA HOUSE--LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION!

The Sydney Opera House was conceived and built by Danish architect Jorn Utzon in 1957. The opera house opened in 1973 at a cost overrun or 1400%. It became a UNESCO World Heritage sight in June of 2007. It is arguably one of the world's most distinguished buildings and one of the most famous performing arts centers in the world. The opera house has multiple venues. It hosts 1500+ performances each year and these performances are attended by 1.2 million people per year. The opera house is surrounded by Sydney Harbor on 3 sides and is situated on Bennelong Point. The Royal Botanical Gardens are situated on the 4th side of the opera house site. Over 7 million people visit the opera house each year and over 300,000 people take the walking tour each year as well.

The opera house is modern expressionist design; a large series of precast concrete shells give the building its distinctive design. The site covers 4.4 acres of land and the building is 600 feet long by 246+ feet wide. The building is supported by 588 concrete piers.

The opera house consists of multiple venues, including: Concert Hall with 2679 seats; Opera Theater with 1507 seats; Drama theater, 544 seats; the Playhouse with 398 seats; the Studio with 400 seats; the Utzon Room with 210 seats; the Forecourt an outdoor venue with a wide array of configuration options. The opera house also has recording studios, cafes, restaurants, bars, and retail outlets. This unique location and building complex offers multiple revenue streams to keep your investment dollars coming in. This investment would pay for itself in as little as 5 years!

Planning for the opera house began in the 1940's. A design competition was held in 1955, and Jorn Utzon was announced as the winner in 1957. After numerous delays and cost overruns, the structure was completed in 1973 at a cost of $102 million dollars--1400% of the original budget of $7 million dollars. The opening was televised and included Beethoven's 9th Symphony. Utzon's name was not mentioned nor was he invited to the opening.

The opera house is administered by the Sydney Opera House Trust under the New South Wales Ministry of the Arts..

The facility would cost well over $1 billion dollars to build today. Annual revenues run over $200 million dollars per year. You do the math, but this one-of-a-kind landmark location wont last forever! Expand your business empire and your horizons with this UNESCO world-class real estate. Only serious buyers need inquire.

[MattiWacklin]

What animals can jump higher than SYdney Harbour bridge?

All animals as bridges can't jump....

[TX AG 90]

Sydney Harbor Bridge – Commercial List #21344100976

Are you looking for that ONE OF A KIND Real Estate Purchase?

Then look no further!



This nice piece of realty not only has great potential, but it is ready for you to take ownership now!

From the Sydney Harbor Bridge, affectionately know as The Coathanger, you have views of Sydney's beautiful Harbor, The Sydney Opera House, and on a clear day, you can see the beautiful Blue Mountains. The Blue Mountains are home to one of the most primitive Eco-sytems in the world and home to the Jurassic Tree.

http://www.wollemipine.com/news/The_Jur ... Valley.php

Not only does the Sydney Harbor Bridge offer a spectacular view, but it is a money maker. You will be able to pay for your investment within 4 short years!

Your revenue will come in 2 ways. Cars can be required to pay tolls as they cross. Current rates range from $2.50 - $4.00 AUS. The second way is tourism. Climbers currently pay $128-$298 to climb the bridge. The price depends on the length of the time and the time of day.

The seller is ready to move this property now. In addition to the Harbor Bridge, the buyer will receive a 5-Year Family Pass to both the Taronga Zoo and the Sydney Aquarium, 1 meal for 12 at Tetsuya’s http://www.tetsuyas.com/index.html every month of the year, and $90,000 AUS Free Play at Star City Casino.

Please call my office at 61 2 1344 1226

[TX AG 90]

Australian History Joke

A pom (Brit), fresh off the plane at Sydney airport, is trying to negotiate Australian customs. Finally, when it's his turn to get his passport stamped, the customs officer starts rattling off the usual questions:
C.O. - How long do you intend to stay?
POM - 1 week.
C.O. - What is the nature of this trip?
POM - Business.
C.O. - Do you have any past criminal convictions?
POM - I didn't think we still needed to!

[perchorin]

Just wanted to post here in response to Duk's pm. I'm moving to a new place now so very little/no time but I'm still here! Will attempt the C&F task if I'm able to before it's too late!

[DoomYoshi]

I decided to one-up everyone. Here is a video of me selling you the house:
selling house

[macbone]

OK, first the joke:

A high flying Sydney lawyer went duck hunting in rural NSW. He shot and dropped a bird, but it fell into a farmer's field on the other side of a fence. As the lawyer climbed over the fence, an elderly farmer drove up on his tractor and asked him what he was doing.

The lawyer responded, "I shot a duck and it fell in this field, and now I'm going to retrieve it."

The old farmer replied, "This is my property, and you are not coming over here."

The indignant lawyer said, "I am one of the best trial lawyers in the southern hemisphere! If you don't let me get that duck, I'll sue you and take everything you own!"

The old farmer smiled and said, "Apparently, you don't know how we do things in rural NSW. We settle small disagreements like this with the Mertens Three Kick Rule."

The lawyer asked, "What is the Mertens Three Kick Rule?"

The Farmer replied, "Well, first I kick you three times, and then you kick me three times and so on back and forth until someone gives up."

The lawyer quickly thought about the proposed contest and decided that he could easily take the old codger. He agreed to abide by the local custom.

The old farmer slowly climbed down from the tractor and walked up to the Lawyer. His first kick planted the toe of his heavy work boot into the lawyer's groin and dropped him to his knees. His second kick to the midriff sent the lawyer's last meal gushing from his mouth. The lawyer was on all fours when the farmer's third kick to his rear end sent him face-first into a fresh cow pat.

The lawyer summoned every bit of his will and managed to get to his feet. Wiping his face with the arm of his silk suit jacket, he said, "Okay, you old coot. Now it's my turn."

The old farmer smiled and said, "Nah, I give up. You can have the duck."'

And now, the ad:







Photographer: Adam.J.W.C.
Creative Commons License

Sydney Tower Eye (known also as the Sydney Tower, the AMP Tower, and the Centerpoint Tower, among other names) offers a majestic view of Sydney. It stands at 309 m tall and is the second tallest freestanding building in Australia. As one of the most identifiable tourist attractions in the city, countless tourists visit it each day, bringing in untold millions in ticket revenues. Three high-speed elevators service the 40-second trip from the ground to the atmosphere, and an internationally known restaurant offers a daily buffet to discerning gourmands from all over the world.

But those who see the Tower as just another money-making venture miss the real best use of this tower. Due to its vantage point perched above the city, the Tower would make the perfect lair. From its height, enterprising villains could wreak havoc on the helpless citizens of the greater Sydney area, ensuring inestimable property damage and general chaos and disorder. Too, with its recently modified launch mechanisms at its base, the tower can be easily converted to a trans-atmospheric Rocket of Doom, complete with death lasers and neutrino bombs.

And the best part is its implausibility. Who would think that the Sydney Tower would be a criminal mastermind's sanctum sanctorum? While the rest of the world is reeling from your attack, you can relax in the lavish penthouse located at the tower's very top, a 2,000 square foot luxury panic room complete with lush carpets, a well-stocked wine cellar, and your very own matter-transfer device.

You can have all this for the low, low price of AU$ 500 million, the cost of a 400-sq. ft. apartment in Hong Kong, and will more than pay for itself after only one daring billion-dollar heist. Act today! With property values shooting up, this deal won't last for long!

[Mageplunka69]

Whats the difference between a pint of milk and sydney????

If you leave a pint of milk in the sun for 220 years, it will develop a culture.....

[Gilligan]

STOP! No more entries.

[macbone]

We seriously need more time for these entries, Duk, if you want more participation, man. I know 3 days seems like a lot, but with a full schedule on my hands, I had to stay up til 2 am one night to post. So maybe a week? Is that too much? These rounds do last for a while.

[Gilligan]

We seriously need more time for these entries, Duk, if you want more participation, man. I know 3 days seems like a lot, but with a full schedule on my hands, I had to stay up til 2 am one night to post. So maybe a week? Is that too much? These rounds do last for a while.

Dukasaur is away for a day or two, I'm sure he'll address this when he gets back. I'm just following the PM I got.

[perchorin]

We seriously need more time for these entries, Duk, if you want more participation, man. I know 3 days seems like a lot, but with a full schedule on my hands, I had to stay up til 2 am one night to post. So maybe a week? Is that too much? These rounds do last for a while.

x2

[macbone]

Perchorin, that's an absolutely lovely signature you have there. Wow.

[GreenBaize]

A cultural comparison

Aussies: Dislike being mistaken for Pommies (Brits) when abroad.

Canadians: Are rather indignant about being mistaken for Americans when abroad.

Americans: Encourage being mistaken for Canadians when abroad.

Brits: Can’t possibly be mistaken for anyone else when abroad.

Aussies: Believe you should look out for your mates.

Brits: Believe that you should look out for those people who belong to your club.

Americans: Believe that people should look out for & take care of themselves.

Canadians: Believe that that’s the government’s job.

Aussies: Are extremely patriotic to their beer.

Americans: Are flag-waving, anthem-singing, and obsessively patriotic to the point of blindness.

Canadians: Can’t agree on the words to their anthem, when they can be bothered to sing them.

Brits: Do not sing at all but prefer a large brass band to perform the anthem.

Americans: Spend most of their lives glued to the idiot box.

Canadians: Don’t, but only because they can’t get more American channels.

Brits: Pay a tax just so they can watch four channels.

Aussies: Export all their crappy programs, which no-one there watches, to Britain, where everybody loves them.

Americans: Will jabber on incessantly about football, baseball, and basketball.

Brits: Will jabber on incessantly about cricket, soccer, and rugby.

Canadians: Will jabber on incessantly about hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey, and how they beat the Americans twice, playing baseball.

Aussies: Will jabber on incessantly about how they beat the Poms in every sport they play them in.

Americans: Spell words differently, but still call it “English”.

Brits: Pronounce their words differently, but still call it “English”.

Canadians: Spell like the Brits, pronounce like Americans.

Aussies: Add “G’day”, “mate” and a heavy accent to everything they say in an attempt to be cool.

Brits: Shop at home and have goods imported because they live on an island.

Aussies: Shop at home and have goods imported because they live on an island.

Americans: Cross the southern border for cheap shopping, gas, & liquor in a backwards country.

Canadians: Cross the southern border for cheap shopping, gas, & liquor in a backwards country.

Americans: Drink weak, bad-tasting beer.

Canadians: Drink strong, bad-tasting beer.

Brits: Drink warm, bad-tasting beer.

Aussies: Drink anything with alcohol in it.

Americans: Seem to think that poverty & failure are morally suspect.

Canadians: Seem to believe that wealth and success are morally suspect.

Brits: Seem to believe that wealth, poverty, success and failure are inherited things.

Aussies: Seem to think that none of this matters after several beers.

[Dukasaur]

We seriously need more time for these entries, Duk, if you want more participation, man. I know 3 days seems like a lot, but with a full schedule on my hands, I had to stay up til 2 am one night to post.

Sorry.. I hear you.

So maybe a week? Is that too much? These rounds do last for a while.

That might be a good idea. I want to hear if there are any objections from players of an opposite viewpoint before rushing into a decision. We were being a lenient with the deadlines for a long time, and it was a player complaint that first led me to adopt the "strict interpretation" of the deadline. So I'm somewhat worried that I may piss off one side or the other regardless of which I choose. Call me foolish, but I'm trying to keep everybody happy...

In any case, we are not going to change it retroactively, so Sydney submissions are finished, but if there is support for a longer deadline in future rounds then I have objection. Let's see if there's more discussion out there.

[Dukasaur]

Ok, starting with Hong Kong the deadline will be seven days. STRICTLY ENFORCED, of course.

[perchorin]

Ok, starting with Hong Kong the deadline will be seven days. STRICTLY ENFORCED, of course.

Yay! Thanks Duk!

Perchorin, that's an absolutely lovely signature you have there. Wow.

Thanks Mac, I made it myself
Your sig is quite sexy too!

[musteriuz]

Game 9870148 is completed.

[macbone]

Duk, thanks for putting on such an educational tournament, man! It's been a lot of fun. =)