Tune contests used to run for two weeks maximum, however in the last months they have frequently been set with deadlines often not sooner than a whole month later (and in some cases even then allowed extensions). I believe that this is way too long and that a set running time for this (and possible all/most competitions should be said). For the tune contest, I would go with two weeks.
The reason I dislike the month-long running time is mostly that it means that in the first two or three weeks nobody will enter. In addition, two weeks are more than enough for anybody to compose a song. People make whole games in (less than) a month, if you take that long with one tune, you're doing something wrong (or working at such a professional level that you're entry is not appropriate for the contest anyways). Also, more frequent change of topic means that I, as a potential participant, can find something I like more often. And it doesn't mean waiting for weeks after having posted an entry to wait for the results. I feel it would make the whole thing a lot more fluent and less... "dead".
All in favor? Any voices against this?
I think all the contests should be rather short to get the sudden burst of creativity out of people fast. Long deadlines aren't as helpful for people as some might think. Still, what do I know? I'm no musician and never have entered this specific contest.
Looking at past tune contests, one sees the small, but very important efforts all the AGS musicians put. It wasn't grand or anything, but it was awesome. AGS grew and so did the members, and so did knowledge. Now there are some great musicians, who are used to spending a bit more time in their entry, but also are kept busy by other projects. Thus the longer deadlines...
I don't mind either way. I haven't entered in a long time, and don't have time anyways, just thinking out loud here.
Yeah, the contest is running a bit too long. It sort of has to do with the fact that they're no deadlines from the moderators or there's not a standard person looking up for those like Klaus is doing for the MAGS.
I don't think we need this kind of standards, unless really necessary.
If the rules of the host are not ridiculous I think they can be accepted. After all, if some people find a rule problematic the successor can always alter this part in the next round.
We don't want to make things too strict here, as most of the activities are for fun and there is no real prize given.
For the tune contest, as I'm not a music person I don't know how much time is required to create a piece in general, and as the theme and other requirements in each round may be different the time assigned for different rounds could be different IMO (as it's not like MAGS which has clear indication that the activity runs at a per month basis), so I could not comment much on its duration. If people think the ~1 month period is too long in recent rounds we can try to make it shorter in later rounds.
I vote for Pablo.
For me, it all depends on the theme.
I managed to win a contest with an entry that I finished within four days of the start date, because the contest theme grabbed me. Usually, if I'm going to enter a contest that appeals to me, I'll develop an entry within a day or two. Any extra time would just be spent refining.
A month, in my opinion, is overly long. Of course, a number a factors may influence extensions of the basic two week template. Lack of entries, or people finding spare time to enter seem to be the most common.
I really don't think any of the competitions need run more than a week because they are just for fun and additional time heaps expectations upon people. It also makes you think you have plenty of time for an entry, which you keep putting off and then realize you've run out of time, so short timelines for fun activities usually help for a quick creative burst. This also maximizes the variety of competitions so you can find something you'd like to participate in. I definitely don't think any competition should last more than two weeks.
Exactly my thoughts, and I intend to enforce it gradually over at the comp forum.
Certain competitions tend to just never finish, just because they lack participation, or people promise to enter if the deadline is postponed but a day or two, and so it goes on indefinitely.
As you have brought up in this thread, one of the fundamental aspects of our activities - the spontanity - is lost when we allow the participants to plan and scheme for weeks and weeks and then eventually withdraw because of too much pressure and anticipation.
Apart from MAGS, no activity deserves more than 2 weeks, and after that voting should be done with in two days.