ArrowRose

First I want to say thank you to Bubbawheat for running this contest. What a great idea! I have found from events I ran at work that pleasing everyone is nearly impossible.

That being said, I strongly feel that based on the contents of his initial post quoted above people do need to vote for a 1st and a 2nd. I don't think it is fair based on the above to count votes in a category from a voter who voted for only 1st or only 2nd.

As an aside, being allowed to vote for yourself poses an interesting and difficult choice. People are very concerned with perceptions of others and yet most want to win. This is a personal choice and assumptions shouldn't me made about the people who made it based purely on this choice.

I am also curious about the process, but first I have a specific comment about your arc. Two of the arcs that won were arcs that had an emotional impact on me. CoW did as well, and in my opinion if the contest judges played both parts 1 and 2, CoW might have made the finals, as it impacted me as much as the 2 winners. Commenting just on the first Cow, for me it was very well written and most definately 5 stars, but without part 2, judges would be missing an important part of what you created.

As to the process, I wondered how many arcs were submitted and if all were played. This curiousity is what led me down the path of looking at star ratings and number of plays. I had wondered if the judges would use in game ratings and number of plays as a way to narrow down which arcs they played. Obviously, they did not and perhaps this answers another of my questions. I was wondering why we had to submit our arc files instead of simply the ID. Perhaps this was because the judges did not want to be biased by in-game ratings or number of plays?

I am very curious as to whether or not all arcs were played. As another poster pointed out there is a difference between having had your arc played and rejected and having it not been played at all. When the players awards contest is over, I plan to play the arc of the year as that will give me an idea as to what they are looking for. Based on the winning arcs I have played, I suspect that it was what they felt was a good story as opposed to a fun to play type arc.

I am hoping that they post the number of arcs submitted and whether or not each and every one was played or if they weeded some out without ever playing.

Again I agree!

LaserJesus rated my arc 2 stars (one of only two 2 star ratings I received). I hated the rating of course, but because of the way it was written and what he said, I was not upset at all. Honestly some 3 star reviews upset me more.

He is absolutley right when he said "Criticizing and critiquing are two different things. I personally take the critique approach, since MA arcs can be continually updated unless they become Dev's Choice, and thus always have a chance of becoming better."

His review was insightful. He looked at the whole arc and did not focus on one detail or lack of detail. I really appreciate his approach to reviewing. Despite the low rating, it was clear to me he understood the intent of my arc. His criticism was not "redo my arc to fit his logic". He gave me specifics about what dragged the arc down in his eyes and not once did he threaten to shoot me.

Naturally, I would have liked a better rating, but after all I did submit my arc to a thread entitled "LaserJesus' Crucible of Unforgiving Criticism ".

Not at all.

Check out her review of the Most Important Thing and the author's reponse.

Because PW is so skilled and so detailed, a 3 star from her really hurts and the author said he was going to pull his arc after her 3 star review. I felt that way when she gave mine three stars as well so I understood how he felt.

Her review of the arc picked out lots of details and her comments were very valid. She rated based on logic. For me personally the power of that arc was the feelings it evoked and I couldn't base my rating on logic.

The point I was making by mentioning PW, was don't let even the best of reviewers discourage you. Take all the value you can but don't give up.

Gratz to all! This goes to show you that people appreciate different things as 2 of the 5 arcs here were trashed by some board critics.

Tales of Croatoa and the Most Important Thing are 2 of my favorite arcs I have played.

I will most definately play the others when I have time.

Thank you for posting this!

Anyone who submits their arc to this board has either put their heart and soul into a creation, believes it is good and is seeking affirmation, or is pouring their heart and soul into something and seeking help on this board to make it better. In either case, what purpose is served by bashing the arc?

What people like in art, literature and movies is so subjective. Just because a board critic dislikes something doesn't make it bad. Especially in this format, there are all sorts of arcs that I find enjoyable and for many different reasons. I have enjoyed arcs because they have a story I love, because they are funny, because they are fun to play, because they have an emotional impact or because or they make me think. Some board critics have tunnel vision. If an arc does not meet their concept of what is logical or their model of what makes a good arc, they bash it. Or worse yet, they find one detail (or lack of detail) in an arc that they find objectionable and they label the entire arc as bad. They can't look past a flaw and find what might be good in an arc.

We are all human and are bound to like different things. No one is asking board critics to like everything or 4 and 5 star everything. Just ask yourself why you need to bash something that someone else poured their heart and soul into in such a nasty way? Is it to help the author or to make yourself seem important? Are you trying to provide input to make an arc better? If so, do you really think that most people whose arc is attacked, will look past the nastiness and take away anything of value?

Dalghryn said it perfectly. "I've seen many things worthy of making people feel bad about. This game, and a person's attempt at creating something they're willing to put their heart into isn't it."

This arc was well written and at just the right difficulty level.

What I liked best: A fun plot that made me want to keep playing to see what would happen next.