4k '09

Contests
#1

Just doing some preliminaries for the Java 4K 2009 competition

There is still 3 months until it starts, but I’d like to get some feedback on possible improvements. I thought the last competition was very successful, excluding a minor delay in the judging results. But there is always room for improvements, so here’s your chance.

I would like to shorten the competition from 3 months (Dec, Jan, Feb) to just 2 months (Dec and Jan). IMO 3 months is too long, add to that maybe one more month for judging (if it’s delayed), so 4 months total.
Can be boring for people to submit a game and not see the results sooner than 4 months later. It’s also harder for judges and management of the competition to stay on top of things for so long (1/3 of a year). 2 months, or 8 weeks, should be more than enough for all.

Ok, thanks.

#2

That sounds great, I’m very excited to join in the competition. ;D

#3

hmm… how about jan/feb instead as in december you loose many days to christmas etc…

#4

Some are busy, some have plenty free time in december. For myself, school is off in late december, and plenty holiday days. Half of the games in the last contest were submitted in december, 1/4 in jan and 1/4 in feb.

#5

Judging collided a bit with JavaOne last year for some, so ending one month earlier might be better for getting judging done quicker. Real lifetm can naturally creep in any time, but that seems to be extra hectic. Last year we also had a few entrants on the first day, so if you think it is a bit too short time with 2 months… Well it is still lots of time till end of Jan ;D

#6

I suggest asking woogley to redirect to java4k.com or make clear that there is a new site, as javaunlimited is still as popular as java4k.com from what I understand.

Last year’s contest was great, and there were unusually few complaints about judging which is very good. However, there contest recieved less attention than before, so I suggest doing a bit of extra promotion; perhaps announcing the start in general discussion and the likes.

I have no particular opinion on the contest’s duration, either way is fine by me. :>

#7

I usually finish my entry in about two weeks or so, so any time longer than that is fine by me. =)

#8

Fantastic. 2 months it is.

Also, discuss:

  • 1.6
  • Applet-only
#9

Applet-only

Beh.

#10

I vote against applet only, but it’s not a big deal to me.
As for 1.6, I’m undecided :slight_smile:

#11

what is the benefit of mandating 1.6 only? 1.5 generated byte code will run in 1.6…

#12

I think he means up to version 1.6.

#13

agreed that the competition should be left open to whatever distribution format the users wants (applet, jws, jar only, etc).

#14

Agreed.

1.6? Hmm… Why? I’d give higher marking to a 1.4 game -> java==anywhere

#15

And I can’t (and will never be able to on this computer) run 1.6.

I can still with my work computer, but otherwise no.

#16

Last contest it was 1.5 max. Maybe we’ll repeat that. And webstart required.

#17

I don’t care about applets vs. webstart, although I will probably use webstart. I assume the JNLP file doesn’t count for the 4k?

#18

Never has.

#19

Once you submit your game, are you allowed to modify/update it at all during the 2 months the competition is open?

…sorry if it is a silly question. This will be my first comp. :slight_smile:

[quote]Applet-only?
[/quote]
I prefer applets as it doesn’t force a player to press ‘ok’ to the silly security stuff that a JNLP often invokes.

#20

This is usually a non-issue for 4K. You need it for fullscreen or native libraries, otherwise you can leave it off. Some people put it in unnecessarily.