while i was playing someone drew this picture :
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z268/incognito2212/untitled.jpg
It turned out that the answer was "stem". They actually drew the stem around the middle-endish and didn't even circle it or anything. Did something like this ever happened to you?

I think it is purely the artist using their 'drawing time' to their full advantage. Depending on whom I am playing with and how easy the word is, I will try and make the most of my time 'on the board' and draw something of an OK standard (stop sniggering please, sniggerers) :razz:

You can clearly see a stem of the flower there - so I can't see a problem with this draw at all :biggrin:

Edit: Oh.. and welcome to the forum by the way :biggrin:

i often draw pictures like that just to piss of noobs

Look at all the little tiny people running away. The last one looks sad. The poor thing is left behind. Oh sorry, I got sidetracked, lol.

I've seen drawings like that a lot. It is frustrating sometimes, but I'm just grateful that they at least draw their word, and that there are no violations within it. It's a bit like people doing "themed" drawings too. Like lemons, nerds, strawberries, etc. Makes it pretty fun sometimes :)

/me sniggers at TF :P

Yes, something like that has happend to me...many times.

There's nothing wrong with it, as the word has been drawn, and the drawer is probably just having fun drawing on the canvas. If you're ever in a room with me, you'll find I draw a lot of fluff before I incorporate my word into the draw :twisted:. E.g. my word might be choker, but I'll draw an entire face replete with features, and colour everything in, before I do the choker. It just makes it more fun for me to draw.

You'll probably also find people drawing things like someone climbing, for the word limb (English Easy wordlist). So if you guess climb, you'll get points coz limb is in climb. Sometimes people do that because it's easier to draw climb than limb. There's nothing wrong with that either, because so long as you guess the draw you'll get your points :razz:.

In the end, if you can guess something that'll mean you've found the word...it's fine :biggrin:.

Of course, it goes without saying porn draws are not accepted, etc.

Haha, I do that all the time. Although, now that I think about it, I do get a bit peeved when others do it to me.......oh well. My favorite draws though is when I draw a sandwich for the word sandbox just to see everyone get FRUSTRATED that they're close yet haven't found the word yet in the last 300 guesses they've made so far.........:twisted:.

See ya on isketch.......mwahahaha.

Taking your time for a draw is the smart thing to do, but it can annoy impatient folks. There's usually some part of a draw that makes it clear what sort of word you are drawing, it's best to leave this until you've finished the less important parts.

E.g. If you were to draw blonde, it's best to start with 2 identical faces, give one a cross and one a tick, and add the hair colours last. By leaving the "key strokes" until the end of the draw you decrease the chances of some smarty pants guessing before the drawing is at it's most clear.

The example you've shown doesn't really follow this though, and some arrows may have helped:razz: That's just an explanation of why you generally shouldnt rush to the point...

Edit:

as aerochick said, using words which have the 1st 4 letters can both confuse and help people. I do it, in an attempt to make it easier for people but I think it just confuses them most of the time... especially if you do a purposefully confusing one where the 4 letters aren't the start of the word they're guessing:twisted:

By leaving the "key strokes" until the end of the draw you decrease the chances of some smarty pants guessing before the drawing is at it's most clear.

Alternatively, just draw in 1 stroke
:twisted:

bwhahahaha! xD

i'm those impatient one that always gets annoyed by this kinda "draw too much" sorta drawings. xD

i find it's ok to draw in details or whatever, but there's a big difference with ppl who draw in details to make things clearer and those who simply just draw too much that it confuse the guesser which exactly is the one in the drawing u should guess.

in this case, i classify the drawing u displayed in the 2nd category. simply just draw too much that it annoys me. xD [ooops! =x]

edit: but being annoyed by these drawings doesn't mean i always can't get the word. =PpP

Alternatively, just draw in 1 stroke
:twisted:

I was going to suggest that but heaven forbid more people should use "your" thing...:twisted:

Nothing wrong with that picture from my perspective. The artist got creative but eventually drew the word. All that's needed in those cases is a little imagination and seeing details within the big picture. Outstanding drawing i might add.

I think, with drawings like the one shown, you have to look the "odd" things. Why are they drawing a flower?

I, personally, like these and it shows imagination and flair. If it bugs you, go to a room with less experienced players.

I am a total hypocrite on this subject, I admit it.

If I was in a room with friends, or a user-created room with a huge time limit etc, I would think that drawing was great. If I was in a room full of people I didn't know and it was one of the easy english rooms or so, I'd think the artist was being a smart-donkey and would roll my eyes VERY sternly at my computer screen, lol. Depending on the magnitude of the offence, I might be forced to tut.

Like NoHints and Storm have said though, when the word you get is fairly easy, I do often save it until all the other small but necessary details of the picture are in place, or do it with one stroke. This is a bit different though because at least all the other bits and bobs relate to the word. The 'stem' draw would get a bit of an eye roll from me, I'm afraid!

If I had drawn that pic, it would have had a giant rabbit holding the flower and then those people would have run even faster!

/me offers the artist of that draw a huge round of applause.

Surely an imaginative and beautifly drawn picture beats the endless stream of barely recognisable stickmen etc hands down.

As others have pointed out, the word was drawn and that's all that matters. The draw time belongs entirely to the artist and as long as they depict the word during that time they are not breaking the rules.

Surely an imaginative and beautifly drawn picture beats the endless stream of barely recognisable stickmen etc hands down.

/me gives a beautifly to BB

http://img514.imageshack.us/img514/6661/beautiflysq5.jpg

:twisted:

/me gives flopsy a slap with a wet trout :p

Surely an imaginative and beautifly drawn picture beats the endless stream of barely recognisable stickmen etc hands down.


Surely the point of the draws should be to make the word guessable, not to make it "beautiful" or fancy. In my opinion, having lots of irrelevent things and not even hinting at which part they should be guessing may not be against the rules but it's certainly being a bad sport.

Some other things which aren't against the rules:

Giving 3 hints and leaving the canvas blank - making everyone guess every word that fits.
Hitting done as soon as 1 person finds the word.

Although these things aren't against any rule they can still ruin the game.

I put the word in a full setting (though usually not such a surrealistic setting, like the drawer of the picture in the first post) and you'll just have to guess for it. I refuse to spoil things with circles, arrows and other clues unless time is really running out.

This is iSketch, not iSpy....

Hahahaha flopsy, that was hilarious :biggrin::biggrin:


I usually kinda make obscure drawings. I put the word in a full setting (though usually not such a surrealistic setting, like the drawer of the picture in the first post) and you'll just have to guess for it. I refuse to spoil things with circles, arrows and other clues unless time is really running out.

Of course, I also get lazy and just draw the word on its own.

Surely the point of the draws should be to make the word guessable, not to make it "beautiful" or fancy. In my opinion, having lots of irrelevent things and not even hinting at which part they should be guessing may not be against the rules but it's certainly being a bad sport.


I would have to disagree with you entirely there. Watching those who have the ability to draw well create lovely and often funny pictures IMHO only serves to enhance the game. As an admin I see an awful lot of very poorly drawn stickmen and I give thanks for those who take the game to a far more interesting and challenging level.

word ^^^^^^

I would have to disagree with you entirely there. Watching those who have the ability to draw well create lovely and often funny pictures IMHO only serves to enhance the game. As an admin I see an awful lot of very poorly drawn stickmen and I give thanks for those who take the game to a far more interesting and challenging level.

Nothing wrong with drawing well, but the main point should be to make it guessable. This is a guessing game, not a sit-for-ages-and-watch-people-drawing-random-nonsense game. There is no way I can accept that the point of a pictionary game is to draw a ridiculoulsy detailed picture rather than a picture designed to make people guess the actual word. It's quite easy for someone who can draw well to just draw a good representation of the actual word, this is not boring and is still a nice picture.

There's no need to insult the poor drawers, if you want a "challenging" game you should spend more time with them (have seen "uncle" drawn just as a stick man, which is a fair representaion). I play iSketch because it's a fun game, from the guessing perspective, not to look at pretty pictures.

Nothing wrong with drawing well, but the main point should be to make it guessable. This is a guessing game, not a sit-for-ages-and-watch-people-drawing-random-nonsense game. There is no way I can accept that the point of a pictionary game is to draw a ridiculoulsy detailed picture rather than a picture designed to make people guess the actual word. It's quite easy for someone who can draw well to just draw a good representation of the actual word, this is not boring and is still a nice picture.

There's no need to insult the poor drawers, if you want a "challenging" game you should spend more time with them (have seen "uncle" drawn just as a stick man, which is a fair representaion). I play iSketch because it's a fun game, from the guessing perspective, not to look at pretty pictures.

I recall you saying once that you don't have to draw the "bog standard" draw...

likewise, drawers also don't have to draw the minimum required to guess the word.

If drawing the context (and it is usually good drawers who bother doing this...) is being a bad sport, then so is not drawing the classic draw for a word - because both confuse people and are not easily guessable.

There is no way I can accept that the point of a pictionary game is to draw a ridiculoulsy detailed picture rather than a picture designed to make people guess the actual word. It's quite easy for someone who can draw well to just draw a good representation of the actual word, this is not boring and is still a nice picture.


This is isketch not Pictionary and no I'm not being pedantic by saying that. Pictionary is a board game you drag out now and then for some fun with the family and usually some hastily scribbled pictures. Isketch is a place many people come to regularly to relax and socialise whilst playing an interesting game. It's been going since 1999 and attracts a great number of regular players who enjoy much more than scribbles.

There's no need to insult the poor drawers, if you want a "challenging" game you should spend more time with them (have seen "uncle" drawn just as a stick man, which is a fair representaion). I play iSketch because it's a fun game, from the guessing perspective, not to look at pretty pictures.

I take great exception to your accusation that I insult poor drawers. Ask anyone who has seen me admining in the easy rooms with the beginners and you will often find that I am the one asking people not to make rude comments about the draws on the canvass. I also think I can easily state that in the last five and a half years I have spent a considerable amount of time teaching new players the game of isketch and encouraging them to enjoy all the game has to offer. You are welcome to look at the game from your perspective but please keeo in mind that if you don't like the way an artist draws you always have the option to change rooms.

I have to say, I'm with Vik on this one.. I'm a bit of a hypocrite, too. I don't mind those sort of drawings, but I think sometimes when I'm with some friends that I know, then it's easy to trust that they're staying on topic. So you look forward to a clever piece of drawing, ya know? But when you're in a room with people you don't know, you wonder where the drawing is going to head.. sometimes people just draw beautiful pieces of artwork and then we find that none of it is related. Oh, those ones bug me.. lol. *tut* and *tut*. Heh.

I admit to getting a bit impatient with long-winded drawings sometimes, especially if it's people that I don't know (for the reasons stated above), but I'd never openly discourage their drawings as long as the word that they had to draw is in the picture. Even if I don't get it. Even if the time runs out. And sometimes after I see the word, the penny drops, and I let out an, "ooh, I get it now. Nice draw", comment. It's still fun. It is far better than having someone write their word out. :)

Also, NoHints.. I think you'll find that some of our regular friends (or just regular people) that we play isketch with do exactly what you described, anyway. And we tolerate it. You said, "this is a guessing game, not a sit-for-ages-and-watch-people-drawing-random-nonsense game". Most of us are guilty of it in some form, even if we don't realise it. I know I can definitely name a few people (as well as myself - when I'm in the mood) that draw that way.

On a separate note, I'm still laughing at the picture up there ^^^. It is amusing. In a good and clever way :)

Edit: Can I also add that I'm jealous that the artist draws stick men running so well? Because I am! lol. I cannot draw stick men.. their legs always look weird, and it looks like they're walking backwards! Sometimes they even have three legs (sorry, off topic!). Heh.

This is a guessing game, not a sit-for-ages-and-watch-people-drawing-random-nonsense game. There is no way I can accept that the point of a pictionary game is to draw a ridiculoulsy detailed picture rather than a picture designed to make people guess the actual word.

(...)

I play iSketch because it's a fun game, from the guessing perspective, not to look at pretty pictures.

I play it for the opposite reason; I prefer the drawing and the creativity aspect. I bet I'm not the only one.

Still, I don't expect everybody to put all their creative effort in every single image. Don't expect that all other people play the game for the same reasons as you do, though.

I'd like to say I'm not knocking the types of draw that you're probably talking about, it's very rare that I see the type I mean. I'm all for people drawing well and drawing in clever ways; that's not what I meant. There's just no point drawing a beautiful piece of art if nobody can guess a word from it because it's choc full of possibilities. That's what I meant when I said that a draw should be guessable before nice.

I will try to explain what my point is more:

Of course people can draw a good picture of a head/face instead of the regular smiley face most people do. Of course people can add things which make it funny, include their characters and do puns and all the rest because it is still guessable. The picture which started this thread just seems to have lots of irrelevent things on purpose. All the arty folk on iSketch that I see draw great pictures and they can take their time, but they don't tend to add little men running around for no reason...

I maintain that people should not be expected to do the drawing the simplest way possible, I try to do something reasonably clever to a lot of draws and get annoyed if I can't think of anything. However, I really don't think that any of you would have guessed the word "stem" from that picture and that is my point. The picture also contains an eye. Are you honestly saying that it would be a reasonable way of drawing "pupil" just because it's there? Would you really accept a drawing which had loads of ridulous things in it if the word was "vertical" and there happened to be a vertical line which was part of one of the objects?

You can't describe something as "very poorly drawn" and say it's not insulting though.

I see that kind of drawing behaviour from time to time. Some I don't mind, but I wouldn't have liked that particular draw.

There's too much unrelated (or misleading) information being portrayed and not nearly enough focus on the target word. To me, it looks like one of those draws where the artist draws what they want with little regard for guessers, and at the end uses the excuse "but I drew it". IMO, that's not good gameplay, but not something I think I'd boot-vote for [probably].

There's a very talented player around - who has probably been banned a few times, who draws remarkably fabulous, yet eerily disturbing pictures. They take their time with the art and draw scary looking men and dismembered body parts for words like butcher. Problem is it takes them so long to draw that by the time you realise what it is there are only seconds to guess.

NoHints and his clever draws sometimes does my head in - but there are more than enough times when I have been the only player to guess where he's going with a theme.

It just depends on my frame of mind on the day - if it's been a stressful day - than I want good clean unambiguous draws. But If I am relaxed, then I don't mind a bit of a challenge.

There is another player who does good drawings, but adds the word into the picture very discreetly. For instance a great drawing of a lady in a miniskirt with loads of detail, and the word you are looking for is earring or shoe. That can be annoying or just fun.

Personally I always look to see if I can bury the word in another word that I find easier to draw than the actual word.

NoHints and his clever draws sometimes does my head in - but there are more than enough times when I have been the only player to guess where he's going with a theme.

lol, yup.. his drawings are clever. Sometimes I'm sitting there scratching my head. And then when the time runs out, I realise how clever it was! And then I have to bring it on myself to compliment him :P, heh. I very rarely get his drawings-that-make-you-think, but that actually says a lot about me, not him, :( Again, I don't mind them though. Makes it challenging and fun :)

There was a player who would draw a man and woman in all their drawings and link their word around that. Drawing their word in the last moments of their turn (without pointing at it or anything). I've not seen them around in ages, actually. I didn't mind that too much either, though we had to wait around until the end-ish. I really do love that each person has a unique style of drawing :) Mixture is great!

IMO, that's not good gameplay, but not something I think I'd boot-vote for [probably].

Good to hear you wouldn't as this would undoubtedly be vote abuse.

Just minutes ago I was on iSketch with a different name and was starting draws with pictures of the character and linking them to the word. It took a matter of seconds to do this, I was not wasting any time. No different from drawing peanuts, lemons or ducks but I was skipped by admin (after the point where the word had been incorporated, BP style) and told:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/admin.jpg

There was another time, when I was warned by admin to stay on topic; only unusual feature of the draw was the presence of a lemon (which had a significance), there were even arrows pointing at what was to be guessed. Easily more guessable than a picture containing the whole world, some extra things, and a stem partly hidden by a hand.

Surely this means that there must be some kind of rule (although I can't find it) which prohibits grossly irrelevant extras? How can what CelticMaiden described be considered vote abuse if I can be given warnings and skipped by admin for using a character?

Haha, I do that all the time. Although, now that I think about it, I do get a bit peeved when others do it to me.......oh well. My favorite draws though is when I draw a sandwich for the word sandbox just to see everyone get FRUSTRATED that they're close yet haven't found the word yet in the last 300 guesses they've made so far.........:twisted:.

See ya on isketch.......mwahahaha.

Drawing words that share the first four letters is so fun :twisted:.
The first time I did it, I was actually trying to help. The word was "orchid" (in the Color room) and I drew "torch". People kept guessing "torch..." words. Once I realized what happened, I realized the power of confusion. The "sandwich"-"sandbox" thing is great, and it works rather nicely for compound words.

Now, wether or not you call it hidding answers I don't know but as mentioned by NoHints I am the duck drawer. Most of my draws include a duck usuing my actual word. It is not un-related as the word is clearly drawn. But I still find myself skipped by n00bs . I'm not complaining as I won't stop drawing the ducks it's just fustrating and a good way to get an admin on you.

Just minutes ago I was on iSketch with a different name and was starting draws with pictures of the character and linking them to the word. It took a matter of seconds to do this, I was not wasting any time. No different from drawing peanuts, lemons or ducks but I was skipped (after the point where the word had been incorporated, BP style) and told:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/admin.jpg

There was another time, when I was warned by admin to stay on topic; only unusual feature of the draw was the presence of a lemon (which had a significance), there were even arrows pointing at what was to be guessed. Easily more guessable than a picture containing the whole world, some extra things, and a stem partly hidden by a hand.

Surely this means that there must be some kind of rule (although I can't find it) which prohibits grossly irrelevant extras?

i have never seen anything in the rules about having to draw the word up front, as long as you draw the word.. shouldnt the drawing be ok?

while i was playing someone drew this picture :
http://i195.photobucket.com/albums/z268/incognito2212/untitled.jpg
It turned out that the answer was "stem". They actually drew the stem around the middle-endish and didn't even circle it or anything. Did something like this ever happened to you?

To get back to the original, somewhat more light-hearted question of the thread; yes, some of us were in a room today where "key" was drawn like this:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/irrelevent.jpg

Every other drawing by this artist was done in the same way.

Unfortunately that draw for "key" is not against the rules. Seems the artist is exploiting a gray area, using the time given on the clock to finally get to the actual word avoiding breaking the rules for off-topic draws. At the same time the artist is intentionally misleading the guessers as 1.) and 2.) are clearly not related in any way or part of a theme draw.

I would say this is really rude on the artist's part but any player voting would be vote abusing. My advise would be for all the guessers not to guess at all and hope this person gets bored and leaves on his/her own.

If iSketch tried to cover every aspect of how a puzzle can be drawn in the rules, it would be endless and players would continue to find other ways to annoy without breaking rules. I try to keep in mind that if playing a public internet game, expect everything from all kinds of people.

Very well said, Sierra. That drawing would let out a few tuts and loud sighs from my mouth, lol. That's just deceiving beyond belief. I'd be very tempted to whack the artist, heh.

I've tried your piece of advice before, and it did work. Everyone else in the room refused to guess also, because we can't vote to skip them either. I believe from what I remember, the artist soon left the game.

Also Hinty, regarding those admin warnings.. that might be something to ask the admin yourself (if you happen to know who it is in the moment), should it happen again. That said, mistakes do happen, too (I mean on a general note, not about that example - I wasn't there). And I'd say those should be forgivable.

The admin team to an excellent job, and I know that it is probably so difficult sometimes to judge a drawing (especially the way some of us draw!). So like any human being, they can make mistakes too. Just like we sometimes make mistakes as players. Even the most regular of players.

And seriously.. Key? *tut* lol.

It looks like that artist had winter on the brain! Meandering draws are, if nothing else, interesting to analyze. The giant holding a flower... a misunderstood offer of peace?

It took a matter of seconds to do this, I was not wasting any time. No different from drawing peanuts, lemons or ducks but I was skipped by admin (after the point where the word had been incorporated, BP style) and told:

http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/admin.jpg

How can what CelticMaiden described be considered vote abuse if I can be given warnings and skipped by admin for using a character?

I would say this is really rude on the artist's part but any player voting would be vote abusing.

So was the admin who warned NoHints, for in my opinion, a lesser violation, warn abusing? It's really confusing. :sad:

If an artist has the ability to do a more obscure draw, or a one with other elements, I think this enhances the game overall. Especially in rooms where a lot of people know the word list and rattle off the answer before the word has had the chance to be drawn. UK easy for example. Some of the time I'm left thinking 'huh?' at some of these draws... until they're explained, but I do find them very entertaining. They also contain the word, whether it be in a combination of things drawn, or within another larger word, or a pun. Therefore I don't see how there can be an argument against them. I dunno... as people will have noticed.. iSketch isn't about the winning for me... it's about passing some time enjoyably. Perhaps that's why I'm not of the 'just draw the word normally so I can win' frame of mind. This is the only reason I can think anyone would argue against them.

I'm not talking about the people who don't draw the word at all... that's just a waste of time and also a clear violation of the rules. NOT drawing the word is a violation; a violation isn't present in drawing the word in a way that wouldn't be your personal choice. I think that particular admin was incorrect to warn NoHints.

Like buffers pointed out, its not really about the winning for me either.
Its just nice to play , have fun with mates ect, of course if i can i will win and play to win.
But mostly its about the chat and spending time with friends.
Back to the topic in hand, i really think that if we dident have these obscure artists then isketch would become like a conveyer belt, dishing out words, guessing the words ect.
But at least with the obscurity it becomes fresher more new to old time players ( not our ages, but time we have been playing ect lol ) i love to watch more detailed draws i find it fasinating, especially when our fender draws, hes fantastic.
Anyway my point is as long as the word is in the draw then go for it:razz:

So was the admin who warned NoHints, for in my opinion, a lesser violation, warn abusing? It's really confusing. :sad:

I think that particular admin was incorrect to warn NoHints.

I think that would be really impossible to say. Maybe NoHints had been voted on by other players thereby summoning an admin to the room; maybe the admin watched for a bit and thought he was drawing off-topic; it's open to interpretation. Impossible to know since we weren't there.

Sure, Admins can make mistakes; they are just trying to keep things smoothly working in the game. Without holding each player's hand through the process or understanding each drawer's quirks and drawing styles, sometimes admins see something and take action.

If you think an admin is abusing power... please email feedback with details. If you think it was an honest mistake by the admin... well admins are human, what can I say?

Eeek... I didn't mean to come over all 'admins abuse power' lol.. sorry! That's not what I meant... I was just saying, as you have, that it's about interpretation for both players and admin. At times, this kind of thing must be just as confusing for you guys as it is for us! I know admins are just people... I know this because if you tickle them they giggle. :razz:

I did state I thought the admin was incorrect to skip and warn though. The reasons for this are the following:

Surely an admin has to wait until the draw has ended, and witness themselves that the draw, in its entirety was in fact off-topic before warning? The fact that they didn't was where they were definitely wrong. They can't just react on another players say so or vote or 'assume' and skip an artist before they've finished drawing, can they?

If the word is contained in the drawing... it's not off-topic, is it?

I think this was an honest mistake... these things happen.

Be good to have these things clarified, might sort a lot of things out. :biggrin: I see a few people viewing this thread who may help.

If the word is contained in the drawing it is not off topic.

Why the admin skipped is conjecture. As Sam says, admins are human. Thank heavens they are human. Personally, I wouldn't want them any other way.

As to players who draw an elaborate drawing and wait until the last minute to draw the actual word....well I enjoy watching them and guessing the word. But, because they do wait so long they can hurt themselves when no one has time to guess the answer. They take their chances. I have also seen players draw an elaborate scene, get ready to draw the word and not have time to include it. Opps ...they are then off topic. Then I caution them to stay on topic.

There was a suggestion to make the draw one stroke. This can cause problems with newbies who don't realize the artist is drawing and has all the time shown on the clock to utilize. Impatient noobs seem to love to vote on blank canvases, giving admins something new to explain to the newcomers.

Personally, I get enough stress during the day, I love that iSketch gives an artist time to cleverly draw their word and allow players the chance to watch the puzzle unfold in that few seconds. We are not talking about hour long draws here, just a short pause while we watch how someone else thinks about a subject and solves a problem in drawing.

But then, I would rather play in 2 words big pic and see the amazing way some people can link words that have no relationship.

I always recommend that talented players try moving up to more challenging rooms to test their skills.

Also Hinty, regarding those admin warnings.. that might be something to ask the admin yourself (if you happen to know who it is in the moment), should it happen again. That said, mistakes do happen, too (I mean on a general note, not about that example - I wasn't there). And I'd say those should be forgivable.


That was not a plea for help against any admin, I was merely stating that I have been told (by what to the best of my knowledge is 2 different Admin) that drawing anything remotely off-topic is not allowed. So, today I took a closer look at the rules.

This (slightly editted) picture has been taken from the "Disallowed Draws" section of the iSketch Rules found under "Instructions":


http://i179.photobucket.com/albums/w295/nohints/king.jpg



The rules say that draws intended to confuse are not allowed. This does not only apply to adding the odd penis (not remotely confusing), surely it applies to the type of draw seen in the original post, and more generally to artists trying to add things which are unrelated just to confuse people (note that "clever draws" and things where the artist is merely drawing a different interpretation of the word are different as, although they can be confusing due to difficulty they are not confusing due to sheer unrelatedness: the artist is not attempting to lead people astray).

My understanding of that rule is that the admin comment "keep your drawing on-topic" is a fair one, and the (apparently quite common) view that "as long as the word is in the draw, no rule is being broken" is wrong.

I have no objection to being skipped since seeing that rule, although I was not trying to confuse people as anyone with half a brain can spot why someone might be drawing something which is also their name.

Fin.

That was not a plea for help against any admin, I was merely stating that I have been told (by what to the best of my knowledge is 2 different Admin) that drawing anything remotely off-topic is not allowed. So, today I took a closer look at the rules.

I think you've read me wrong. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you were pleaing for help against any admin. Just stating that I'm aware that admins make mistakes. I've had a few thrown at me before, that's cool, mistakes happen. But I also question the admin in the moment (if I happen to know who it is), just so that I'm clearing up if it was a mistake or a violation on my part. I believe I was in the room when an admin warned you, in one of the examples that you gave, but I know this is the wrong place to go into detail about it, so I won't.

I just think it's coming across as though drawing anything remotely off-topic isn't allowed (in the warnings you got) because maybe your examples were harder ones to judge. Some are easier than others. It's a grey area. Ergo, I can imagine it must be hard for admins to make a judgement.

Anyway, I was just originally trying to say what Sam and Finessa had stated after me. I just didn't say it as well, heh (that mistakes happen - not the human bit, 'cause I still have my doubts on a few ;D)

That was not a plea for help against any admin, I was merely stating that I have been told (by what to the best of my knowledge is 2 different Admin) that drawing anything remotely off-topic is not allowed. So, today I took a closer look at the rules.

This (slightly editted) picture has been taken from the "Disallowed Draws" section of the iSketch Rules found under "Instructions":




The rules say that draws intended to confuse are not allowed. This does not only apply to adding the odd penis (not remotely confusing), surely it applies to the type of draw seen in the original post, and more generally to artists trying to add things which are unrelated just to confuse people (note that "clever draws" and things where the artist is merely drawing a different interpretation of the word are different as, although they can be confusing due to difficulty they are not confusing due to sheer unrelatedness: the artist is not attempting to lead people astray).

My understanding of that rule is that the admin comment "keep your drawing on-topic" is a fair one, and the (apparently quite common) view that "as long as the word is in the draw, no rule is being broken" is wrong.

I have no objection to being skipped since seeing that rule, although I was not trying to confuse people as anyone with half a brain can spot why someone might be drawing something which is also their name.

Fin.

Isn't 'shock and confuse', different from 'shock or confuse'.

/me prepares to vote hinty next time he goes all cryptic. :razz:

Isn't 'shock and confuse', different from 'shock or confuse'.

* Buffers;94803 prepares to vote hinty next time he goes all cryptic. :razz:

Yes, I assumed that was just a poorly phrased rule though; there's no need for something to be shocking AND confusing for it to be disallowed. Similar to when I was at school and they had a rule that no one was allowed to "loiter in the corridors AND staircases" instead of "or". I'm probably wrong though, but shock AND confuse seems an odd rule.

And you won't have to vote, I do rubbish draws these days.

LOL.. your draws are not rubbish...

Yeah.. it does seem odd... 'shock and confuse'... pull yer pants down and shout 'I'm a haddock', that might do it.. will have to try it next time I'm in Asda. lol

I take great exception to your accusation that I insult poor drawers. Ask anyone who has seen me admining in the easy rooms with the beginners and you will often find that I am the one asking people not to make rude comments about the draws on the canvass. I also think I can easily state that in the last five and a half years I have spent a considerable amount of time teaching new players the game of isketch and encouraging them to enjoy all the game has to offer. You are welcome to look at the game from your perspective but please keeo in mind that if you don't like the way an artist draws you always have the option to change rooms.

I just want to say this is so true.BB is always encouraging and I often see her explaining things very patiently to newbies. She also tries to get players to be more tolerant of others draws.On that note I may not be a newbie but BB has opened my eyes to some great rooms on Isketch I never had even seen and some which I was always to scared to try :rolleyes:

/Clap BB's enthusiam for making Isketch even better for a lot of us !!:razz:

On that note I may not be a newbie but BB has opened my eyes to some great rooms on Isketch I never had even seen and some which I was always to scared to try :rolleyes:

I hope you're not talking about the Homophones room.. :razz: That is not a great room!

/me ducks
Actually, it's a good room, but the evening times (which is when I hang around on isketch mostly) is the wrong time of day for me to play in that room. Requires too much RAM and processing speed of my brain. :P Mind you, I'm just as terrible in that room during the day too.. :cry:

Um.. off-topic here. Eerr.. *finds something to say*...
.... Good posts on the previous page, lol

/me sneaks out.

IMO the hidden answers goes hand in hand with theme which are fun to draw and guess IMO. Could ISketch make a permanent Theme Room so's not to make the noobs cry? I hate getting voted on for a Theme draw although I do get that some people can't handle it.

I think an Isketch-created Theme room would be great:smile:

Could ISketch make a permanent Theme Room so's not to make the noobs cry? I hate getting voted on for a Theme draw although I do get that some people can't handle it.

I think an Isketch-created Theme room would be great:smile:

I doubt you would get voted out of regular rooms or expert for themed draws on the Easy rooms which are there for newbies anyway.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z162/YourLocalCeleb/duckdraw3.jpg



I was told by a forum friend to post a duck so here we go. I agree with you all that sometimes words don't need your signature but other times if you are clever enough to incorporate it then go ahead. I will always use a duck when I am playing with friends but other times I am cautious. This avoids people who consider my drawings "un-related".

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z162/YourLocalCeleb/duckdraw3.jpg

I will always use a duck when I am playing with friends but other times I am cautious. This avoids people who consider my drawings "un-related".

No need to be so cautious :smile:

Being fairly new to iSketch, I've only played in the same room as luvducks once and must say I didn't think the ducks were misleading or too off-topic. One soon realises they are added to all of her drawings so the answer is not likely to be "duck" every time of course. Signature touches like that add to my enjoyment, adding humor and a personal touch. It's even better when the artist thinks of a good excuse to integrate their personal theme, such as a duck, into the on-topic part of the story.

IMHO a duckless iSketch would be a lesser place - but maybe I'm biased because I have pet ducks in my back yard and also really like Michael Leunig's cartoons :)

I love your little duckies...luvducks...don't stop!!

i always aim too not draw the word put up.

eg.

TOOL. . draw a stool. much easier.

or for the word glad i draw a flag and a ladder. . flaGLADder!

most of the time its much easier than the word put up in front of you.

or for the word glad i draw a flag and a ladder. . flaGLADder!


I would actually consider that off-topic to the draw. But you run that risk when you are drawing things differently/abstractedly, etc.

I've never understood if flagladder etc counts as word mapping or not.....?

'Word "mapping": Any method whereby all or part of a different word is used to reveal part of the secret word.'

And while the topic is here... doesn't that rule mean you shouldn't syllabify words, which would involve using other words to draw the "secret" word?

'Syllabify: You may divide the word into syllables or parts by slashing the line (that represents the word) and then rendering each syllable/part. You may not draw the syllable/part if it's only 1 letter. Leave it blank and concentrate on the others.'

The rules seem to say you can use a computer to give the syllable "comp" but you can't use a video to give the syllable "vid"

or stop worrying so much about tiny little things?. . .

if an admin has a go. . an admin has a go. Doubt they would though. . .

The rules seem to say you can use a computer to give the syllable "comp" but you can't use a video to give the syllable "vid"
In this example, do you mean?
http://www.isketch.net/instructions/gfx/d_livid.gif
The syllables themselves are syllabified, which is word-mapping. I believe that's why it is not allowed.

That's what I mean, but as the rules say "all or part of a word", it would be word mapping whether the word "video" was split or not. The disallowed draws are only examples; they don't show every possible way to break a rule.

/me is lost on this one

dont like the draws..change room and avoid the certain players..

You'll probably also find people drawing things like someone climbing, for the word limb (English Easy wordlist). So if you guess climb, you'll get points coz limb is in climb. Sometimes people do that because it's easier to draw climb than limb. There's nothing wrong with that either, because so long as you guess the draw you'll get your points :razz:.

Actually, that's known as word mapping which is indeed against the rules. No one ever enforces it, although technically its forbidden.

http://www.isketch.net/instructions/rules.shtml

Actually, that's known as word mapping which is indeed against the rules. No one ever enforces it, although technically its forbidden.

That's not word mapping. Word mapping is when you draw a cougar for the first three letters for "courage", a rainbow for the next letter, an apple for the next and then show which letters come from which of the draws with arrows and x's on spaces, etc.

Drawing "climb" for "limb" is fine.

Word "mapping": Any method whereby all or part of a different word is used to reveal part of the secret word.


that is directly quoted from the official isketch rules. keywords "Any method"




For example: revealing the word flow by drawing a sunflower would be wordmapping according to the rules.

/me flirts with wordmapping

I like living on the edge :D

Word "mapping": Any method whereby all or part of a different word is used to reveal part of the secret word.


that is directly quoted from the official isketch rules. keywords "Any method"




For example: revealing the word flow by drawing a sunflower would be wordmapping according to the rules.

Yeah, I pointed that out a while ago and was told that word mapping is only when you do it like it's shown in the picture example.

But the picture examples are only examples, and not the only way to break the rule...

If you stick to it completely it, it also means that you shouldn't be allowed to draw words in syllables, although that's given as something you can do in the rules.

/me laughs at the confused iSketch rules.

Your example of a sunflower for flower wouldn't really be word mapping since a sunflower is a flower though. edit: oops you said flow, not flower

Word "mapping": Any method whereby all or part of a different word is used to reveal part of the secret word.


that is directly quoted from the official isketch rules. keywords "Any method"




For example: revealing the word flow by drawing a sunflower would be wordmapping according to the rules.


Sunflower for flow would be the whole word not part of it

But the syllables thing still doesn't make sense. Especially since the example of a syllable draw is "incompetent" - using comp from computer is no different from using li or vid from lion and video to make livid.

But the syllables thing still doesn't make sense. Especially since the example of a syllable draw is "incompetent" - using comp from computer is no different from using li or vid from lion and video to make livid.

I would have to agree with you that this is not a great example but I am guessing that as "comp" is accepted slang for computer that's why it's there. I will certainly pass on your comments regarding this though.

So is flagladder for glad, and boothead for booth word mapping?

I've been given an answer for you that I hope clarifies the rules

Mapping by iSketch definition is syllabifying supporting secondary words and using pointers (arrows) to map the primary (secret) word. In the examples below, mapping is done by using a divided line and arrows from those secondary words (li from lion and vid from video; comp from computer).

http://img246.imageshack.us/img246/1496/mappingkb4.png

That's great BB, thanks!

Mapping by iSketch definition is syllabifying supporting secondary words and using pointers (arrows) to map the primary (secret) word.



Again, as stated in the iSketch rules:
"Word "mapping": Any method whereby all or part of a different word is used to reveal part of the secret word."


That is still the only "iSketch definition" I see for wordmapping. Tell me if I am missing something. Also "part of a word" includes the whole word. Going back to my example, "flow" is part of "flow" is it not? I'm not trying to be a pain, but I'm going off of what the official iSketch rules say. I am by far not the only one that is under this impression so perhaps a revision of the rules is in order?

Thanks for getting that definition BB.

I agree with Nateman, if there's a proper definition like that, then that should be what the rules say, because "any method" means "any method"...

Another quote directly from official iSketch rules:

"Word "mapping": Indicating a part of a different word to reveal the secret word."


Now, going back to my example of drawing sunflower for the word flow, how is that not exactly what wordmapping is defined as? flow is not a part of a different word (sunflower)? Guessing sunflower doesnt reveal the secret answer(flow)? I rest my case.

Word "mapping": Indicating a part of a different word to reveal the secret word.
I think the operative word here is "indicating" - i.e. breaking down the secondary word (sunflower) to syllables:

http://www.geocities.com/tenesnes/sunflower.jpg

My drawing would be considered word-mapping. But if you drew the flower by itself, that would be within the rules.

Excellent examples.. hopefully its cleared things up.

Very good example sense/net! Another more simple example I see drawn a lot: A smile drawn for the word "mile". Without the "indicating" lines, it is not word mapping, with them it would be.

I'm so glad this issue has been clarified, I've discussed word mapping with a few people, and nobody seemed to know just exactly what it was.