Number 09
So the biggest news this week is that everyone's beloved 09 has been shot down. This came as much a surprise to me as it did to all of you. The manga actually made me tear up a little.
Some users have gotten in a huff because Yuzi and Wandering Mind were made a part of the event storyline. I gotta mention:
- It has NOTHING to do with the fact that Yuzi is a modTheir involvement in the storyline was a result of 09's actions, not their actions
Things to Come
As I mentioned earlier, we're all still spending a lot of time fixing bugs around the site, tightening things up, and generally laying off the new features wherever possible.
The way we define bugs varies a lot -- it's not just things that are broken, but also things that don't work well, things that could be better, things that could look better, etc. Basically upping the overall quality from crap to gold.
Will you stop complaining now? Haha, I'm just kidding -- that'd be impossible.
Holiday Contest
So this is what a lot of you came for ... my contest! It will be a short one but it should be fun.
The Rules
1. READ EVERYTHING. Breaking the rules will disqualify you INSTANTLY. No second chances.
Following the rules is part of the contest. If you break the rules in any way, you will be disqualified. There's going to be enough competition that I'll have no compulsion to give second chances. READ EVERYTHING.
2. Submit entries THROUGH PM with the title "DEC 06 CONTEST ENTRY"
Any PMs regarding the contest without this title will disqualify you. Do not PM me asking me for clarification on the rules, asking me if you won, etc. The only thing I want to see in my inbox from you regarding this contest is the entries smile
3. PMs must be literate and well organized
I will instantly delete any PM that is messy, doesn't have proper punctuation, has horrible spelling, or doesn't make sense. If you struggle with the English language, I won't hold that against you, try your best. Also, there are going to be a series of responses - separate them on different lines.
4. No comments just about entering
Do NOT leave a comment on this journal about how you're entering, without saying anything else. Anybody who leaves a comment JUST about the contest will be disqualified.
5. Do not ask me about scoring
Ultimately, I judge what is fair and what isn't. If you ask me what I thought of your submission, how many points you got, or anything in that area, you will be disqualified.
6. One submission, one PM
All submissions must be in a single PM. Sending multiple PMs with entries will disqualify you.
7. Deadline
All entries must be in by Saturday, December 23nd - the day before Christmas Eve. Once it hits midnight in California Sunday morning, the contest is over.
The Contest
The contest itself will be part scavenger hunt and part writing portion. Here are the portions:
Part I: Reference Scavenger Hunt
All throughout my past journals I've made hidden or obvious references to music, movies, television, and video games. Provide a list and description of every reference I make. The more references you get (that I actually INTENDED to make) the better. Provide a link to the journals you're referencing.
If you're not sure if it's a reference or not... submit it anyway! You don't lose points for wrong answers. This will be scored on a 100 point curve (the person with the most gets 100, and everyone else's are adjusted accordingly!)
Part II: "I Know What's Right For Gaia"
Everyone thinks they know what's best for Gaia, right? Prove it! This portion of the competition lets you come up with a way that you would enhance Gaia -- either by adding a new feature, changing an existing feature, changing the way the site is run, changing the art, or something I haven't even thought of. Entries will be scored from 1-100 based on:
- Originality - the more creative, the betterFeasibility - be realistic. Nothing that you think would be unlikely to be possible.Conciseness - It shouldn't take 3 pages of writing to explain your idea!
Part III: Free Writing About Gaia
Finally, the last portion of the contest is an entry where you can write ANYTHING you want to about Gaia. It can be a poem, a song (words only), an essay, a treatise, a drawing, whatever you want. It will be scored from 1-100 based on:
- Creativity and originality - impress me with your unique ideas!PresentationConciseness - please keep it under 1000 words, if possible
You must turn in all three to qualify.
The Prizes
First Place
50,000 gold
My MoMo the Monkey
Your responses put in my next journal update
Second Place
30,000 gold
My UFO
Third Place
10,000 gold
Community Member