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So, instead of us in the secret mod forums deciding who should do which LDC first and how long the gaps should be, I'm setting up this topic to try and create a structure. Once this structure is decided, I want us to stick to it, unless any problems come out of it and in that case we can always use this topic to discuss the matter.

I'm doing this because we've been so disorganised the past year or so, and if I'm honest I actually saw no problems with the original systems from 2012 and before.
So yeah, there are two options on this poll. You can vote whether or not you want SM63 or LL to have an LDC next (and regretfully whether you want a next LDC at all), and then using this topic we can decide how long the gaps will be between each LDC, and decide what should happen if an LDC takes ages to do.

E.g. In my opinion, the ideal gap between LDCs would be a week and a half to 2 weeks. This is because we still have the whole month or however long the judging stage takes to prepare for LDing again, so therefore I don't think it needs to be very long. Also, my idea is that if an LDC, SM63 or LL, takes longer than a month to complete its judging stage, then to avoid impatience we can post up the next one anyway at any time after that.

These are my ideas, but I'm more interested in hearing yours. I really want a structured system that can work over and over, so then the members expect what will happen and then the mods won't be tempted towards procrastination and forgetting that LDCs ever existed. I'm not saying we all do that. But the point is I just want an answer to this, and if the system doesn't work we can still change it.

We've had 25 SM63 contests and only 1 LL contest. Give LL some lovin' :(

Yeah, I chose LL too, if your problem with LLLDCs is because of the last one taking so long, then realize that was a one time thing. If it really takes that long again, then get new judges. the best option would be to do a LLLDC then a SM63 LDC then a LLLDC then a SM63 LDC and so on.

People who're using the LL level designer are clearly in the minority on the site, though. It's somewhat predictable how this poll will end.
Ah well. Rooting for LL still.

we could do something like making a 6 weeks deadline for all LDCs and 2 weeks after deadline the LDC of the other game starts. Basically there would be 3 SM63 and 3 LLLDCs a year and nobody would fight each other because their game got more LDCs!

LL indeed needs more attention. I think alternating betwen LLLDCs and SM63 ones would be a good idea. Also, about the times betwen them, I think a new LDC should start one week and a half after the start of the judging phase of the current one.

Raz wrote:If it really takes that long again, then get new judges.

Just emphasizing this bit in particular, this is a huge turnoff for anyone not familiar with how these things typically drag on around here. That is to say, a huge turnoff for any members LL might draw to our community.

Also, extensions. Can we seriously start enforcing that ♥♥♥♥, it's got to a point that people don't even start until a day before the deadline because they know that 90% of the time they can get away with it.

I think extensions should only be allowed if you're on the verge of being finished.

Also, while I voted SM63 this time, I'm glad people want LL first. I'm still primarily a mario designer which is why I've played it safe in this poll. Whereas I'm happy with whatever we choose, the point is I would just like a structure and like Nwolf says we can alternate between the games. If judging takes a long time, we have permission to start the next LDC while still waiting for the previous one's results. Does that sound fair?

Sorry if I seem hurried I've just been waiting to do this topic for a while lol. :3

LL needs "Lotsa Love."
I know I prefer SM53, yet I definitely agree Last Legacy deserves its attention too.

Also,

Nwolf wrote:we could do something like making a 6 weeks deadline for all LDCs and 2 weeks after deadline the LDC of the other game starts. Basically there would be 3 SM63 and 3 LLLDCs a year and nobody would fight each other because their game got more LDCs!

_↑^{100% Agreement
0% Opposition}

While we're on the topic of time constraints and extensions, shouldn't judges also have a deadline? We can't just let everyone hang in limbo waiting for their scores. Yeah, I know. Real life, etc -- but here's the thing. If you're judging an LDC, you're committing to it. You should really not have to make everyone wait more than maybe three weeks at the most. Extensions and replacements for them would be handled similarly to contestants (i.e. extensions only if the judge is almost done; replacements could be probably before submissions are cut off, as the judge should know whether or not they'll have the time to do their stuff by then), but the other judges would have to agree and allow it. The base judging deadline would be, say, 15 days after the contest ends? I feel like it's reasonable.

I know I haven't participated in many LDCs, but I follow many of them through. I've seen enough to know that restructuring the whole thing, maybe getting a schedule, will be



Pulling from what we have in place and what everyone has suggested, I'm going to propose a loose format (up for modification):
- Just under two months -- about 50 days, give or take a week -- is how long an LDC should have to take. A cooldown period of a week or two, depending on how quickly things get done, should space them apart adequately.
- LDCs will alternate between SM63 and LL to please everyone; 3 of each per year, starting at the same time of every other month.
- Somewhere from 25-35 days (about 4-5 weeks; about a month) are to be used for building levels, depending on the complexity of the theme and restrictions.
- Exactly 15 days, just over two weeks, are to be used for judging levels. This allows for reasonable room for contestant extensions before and judge extensions after this time frame, both of which are going to be strictly for those who actually need it.
- Contestant extensions are to be allowed if and only if the creator can 100% guarantee that their level is close to completion and WILL be complete within the extra time allotted. (7 days maximum?)
- Judge extensions of up to 7 days per judge may be allowed if the other judges consent. Reasons can vary as wildly as they like, but the other judges will have to validate it.
- Judges may be replaced up to the end of the first week of judging. If you decide you can't do it 40 days after the contest has begun, that's too bad. It's your responsibility to get it done somehow.
- If, somehow, an LDC takes the full 35 days of creating + 7 days of possible contestant extension + 15 days of judging + 7 days of possible judge extension (more than 60 days, or approximately 2 months), and possibly even more time for whatever other reasons, the next contest is most definitely allowed to begin prior to the official end of the contest in question.



I would be very excited with my fake OCD to see each contest starting on the rigid time schedule of the same day of every other month (probably the 1st, could be another day if we feel that needs to be different).