Looney Labs Icehouse Mailing list Archive

RE: [Icehouse] IGDC - Question

  • From"Scott Sulzer" <ssulzer@xxxxxxxxxx>
  • DateSun, 16 Mar 2008 20:08:56 -0700
Obvious ruling is that the game is disqualified.  Breaks two of the rules.
Older than N months, and has been published in print.

Just to clarify, I didn't say (and didn't intend to imply) that it was an
exclusively Icehouse club, just a gaming club.  And, some clubs, due to
school regulations or what not, may be requried to create a newsletter (for
school recognized clubs anyway).

Also, to expound on the print portion, would an e-newsletter be any less "in
print" than a physical newsletter?  Especially if made available through a
website?  Someone creating an e-book of their own Icehouse rules would or
would not qualify as in print?  Or is it only in print if they sell copies
of the e-book (which then also makes it a comercial product)?  Are the games
posted on Invisible City Games website in print or not?  What about a less
well known website?  How about if I make a PDF of my game?  In the
electronic age, in print has taken on a much wider definition.  It does need
to be determined just what the limits are on that definition as far as the
IGDC competition is concerned.  While a general concensus may be agreed upon
in the here and now by the persons on this list, that does not mean it will
be suitable for the list one year from now.

Now, other factors may complicate a ruling, making the allowance of an
exception desireable.  A low number of entrants being perhaps a most
influencing one in this particular example and a most likely complication at
this point in time.

Also, the "just make a ruling" attitude seems to have caused more arguments
on this board than settled them.  Most of which seem to devolve into name
calling at some point.  The less a coordinator has to make a judgement call,
the less they will be called...well, look up some of the terms previously
used.

Finally, while the coordinator may make exceptions as
needed/required/wanted, some people feel that any power not exclusively
granted is excluded.  Therefore the clause is just to acknowledge the
ability granted to the coordinator and to, hopefully, prevent arguments
before they start.

Mostly I'm tired of the "Well Mr. Coordinator, I don't want to do your job,
but I think I should be able to tell you how to do it" type arguments and
just want a stated clause that the coordinator can point to and say "My
decision, I'm allowed, now shut up."

-----Original Message-----
From: icehouse-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:icehouse-bounces@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Andrew Plotkin
Sent: Sunday, March 16, 2008 7:50 AM
To: Icehouse Discussion List
Subject: RE: [Icehouse] IGDC - Question

On Sat, 15 Mar 2008, Scott Sulzer wrote:

> "The Competition is open to all original new games which
> make use of Icehouse pyramids. A game is eligible if it was designed in
> the past N months. An older game is still eligible if it has never been
> published in print or been a commercial product."
>
> Ok, umm, and just because I'm going to try and poke holes in this so that
> they can be fixed before any problems arise from it.  Now, lets say I come
> up with a quick little game which uses Icehouse pyramids.  It's kind of
fun
> and we print it in our club newsletter (which is still actually printed
out
> so we can pass them out to interested parties).  I learn about the IGDC at
> month N+1 and submit it.  Should it be disqualified?

Yes. Because at some point you have to just make a ruling and get on with 
your life, and your example is contrived to make for an obvious ruling. 
Problem solved!

I judge this to be a less likely case than a game in somebody's notebook 
somewhere. Because I've had games in notebooks, but I've never had a local 
Icehouse club newsletter.

> Perhaps a clause allowing the coordinator to extend exceptions as they 
> see fit (meaning they don't have to explain to everyone and their dog 
> why they did or didn't extend the exception) would be a proper addition 
> to the rules, for just such a case.

That would be another way to do it. Of course, the coordinator can make 
exceptions whether there is such a clause or not.

--Z

-- 
"And Aholibamah bare Jeush, and Jaalam, and Korah: these were the
borogoves..."
*
Just because you vote for the Republicans, doesn't mean they let you be one.
_______________________________________________
Icehouse mailing list
Icehouse@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
http://lists.looneylabs.com/mailman/listinfo/icehouse