OROW 9 takes place August 24th-30th, discussion thread.

[Bulbapuck]

So we were discussing in the "Suggestions for competitions and activities"-thread about the possibility of having an OROW this summer. It's been two years since the last one and it's about time

Voting for dates is now closed and as the topic title implies, this event will take place on August 24th - 30th. Thanks for voting!

I'll be hosting it this year, and as I'm sure plenty of people want to join in I thought we could have a poll to try and decide the dates for when it should run. So I set up a strawpoll for just that. I think this summer would be best and it also shouldn't collide with the Background workshop so sometime July/August with 13th of July being the earliest seems a good idea. I set up the poll with that in mind, but please leave suggestions in the comments here if something else sounds better.

Also OROW HYPE!!!

[LimpingFish]

I'm in, and I've voted!

...

Absolutely NO idea what I'm going to do!

[Stupot]

I'm tentatively in. I've voted for the week of 9-16 august because that's when I have a week off work. But I may or may not have much free during that week. But even if it's held during a work week I'll try to whip something together.

[Ponch]

Voted! Hooray for democracy!

[Wyz]

Voted! And   *hyped*       *hyped*     *hyped*

          *hyped*
                                          *hyped*
          *hyped*

*hyped*

[TheBitPriest]

Voted! 

[Bulbapuck]

Thanks guys

Realized that I didn't put a deadline on the poll, but I'll keep the voting open until July 1st to ensure some preparation time in case a week in July gets the most votes. *edits first post*

[cat]

Will there be a topic? In some game making events there is a topic for preventing people doing an early start. Might be interesting to see what people come up with if there is really just one week time, even for coming up with an idea/story.

[Bulbapuck]

Will there be a topic? In some game making events there is a topic for preventing people doing an early start. Might be interesting to see what people come up with if there is really just one week time, even for coming up with an idea/story.

I'm personally against having a topic. I think that's one of the things that make the OROW special, to me at least. So I'm willing to go with just trust, however I'm definitely open to the idea of having a topic. It can often help drive inspiration. Also, you're definitely right in that it would be interesting to see how people tackle a topic. I'll leave this open to discussion: what does everyone think?

[Ibispi]

Will there be a topic? In some game making events there is a topic for preventing people doing an early start.(...)

I agree with cat, there should be a topic.
Perhaps it shouldn't be too strict though, but a bit more free. That way it will still have the OROW spirit but it will prevent people from cheating.

[Radiant]

I'm in favor of having a topic. But something short and straightforward, like "pirates" or "pocket monsters" or "calligraphy" (this is not at all inspired by the avatar images in this thread ), not something that requires several paragraphs to explain.

[Stupot]

I agree. A topic, however vague and free, can help to trigger some good ideas. It's a lot nicer than just 'make any game.'

[Bulbapuck]

I think you're right. I very much doubt anybody would cheat, but it might ignite some creative spark. I'm convinced.

[Cassiebsg]

Voted, even though I probably won't participate (I can barely do a BG in a month! ), but sure wish to follow this and see how it turns out.

Anyway, since the first 2 weeks don't work for me, I voted on the remaining weeks (just so you know).

[Babar]

Errr..the top listed vote (August 10-16) is smack-dab in the middle of Mittens. Not that I'm going, so I don't mind so much, but some might who would want to participate!
...unless they're planning some sort of nefarious MITTENSROW!

[xil]

I loved the last OROW so I'm definitely in, although, I'd be gutted if it was Aug 10-16 as I'm best man at a wedding on the 15th. Maybe I could take the week off work!

I personally don't see the point of a topic, or at the very least, it should be insanely vague. If you offer a huge amount of prize money or massive exposure for the winners then a topic is a must, but this is a small competition between like-minded individuals and if someone cheats, they are only cheating themselves.

[Radiant]

Yeah, if it's during Mittens then clearly the Mittens team will win Let's try a week later.

[Bulbapuck]

Oh, I missed that. A week later should be better, I can't change the poll now though so I'll add a note in the first post.

[Wyz]

I tend to agree with xil about topics. Introducing a topic can actually make people hesitant of joining: I know I would if the topic doesn't speak to me. For competitions like MAGS that is fine: you'll have another chance next month then. But OROWs only being once a two or three years at best that would be a disappointment potentially. And besides, even if people cheat: it's not about winning, it's about competing and having fun (and admitting that AJA is unbeatable at these things if he were to join ). Just my two cents; I don't want to derail the thread and I'm still hyped, just letting you know.

[Bulbapuck]

Indeed Wyz, well put. This is how I feel as well, but couldn't put it into words. I think however that you can have a topic that is vague enough to have it not hamper the creative flow and maybe still be a cause of creativity. Something like "A carrot must be a part of the game" where you could have a space pirate adventure where at one point you feed captain Rabbit a carrot, or have the game be about difusing a carrot bomb threatening to blow up new york. Maybe even a character called Arthur Carrot, A. Carrot for short can be a part of the game. An orow topic should really not hamper you at all.

And you're not derailing the thread at all, the topic is meant as "OROW 9 discussion, also you can vote on time". This is in an early stage and all these inputs are great