Possible improvements for the next marathon

2011-02-25 03:15:30 am

Twinkle-Twinkle Lil' Star, har har!

@ VG:

I was referring to next year's big marathon. As of now, I don't think I'm going to have anything ready by the summer marathon (unless people want to watch the SS of Back to the Future: The Game Episode 1 that I'm planning Grin

, so I probably won't be able to go to that one anymore. But for the next big marathon, I hope to have improved my SM64 and Diddy Kong Racing skills, so I might be able to do something with that one.

Thanks for the clarification!

Arrow

2011-02-25 04:11:10 am

Now a hit show on the CW

Unless the 4H Center (or whatever venue we may use in the future) has rules about visitors, I don't think there's any problem with people dropping by to watch. If you actually intend to sleep at the center, though, you'll still have to pay for a room like the rest of us.

Quote from randomzero:

I don't think this has been mentioned, but I think series, such as Zelda and Castlevania, should be spread out more. I caught both of them, but anyone on a "normal" sleep schedule likely didn't. You could spread them out to catch the night crowd with a few and the day crowd with a few, too.

There's no such thing as a normal sleep schedule when your audience is distributed world wide Wink

Regardless, we intentionally tried to space out the most popular games to ensure that people would have reasons to tune in at all hours, not just during "prime time." That being said, one alternative to running all the same-series games in a row would be to plan our schedule in release order, i.e. start with NES games, end with 360/PS3/Wii games. I think this is way too early to be worrying about the schedule, though.

Unless the 4H Center (or whatever venue we may use in the future) has rules about visitors, I don't think there's any problem with people dropping by to watch. If you actually intend to sleep at the center, though, you'll still have to pay for a room like the rest of us.

[quote="randomzero"]I don't think this has been mentioned, but I think series, such as Zelda and Castlevania, should be spread out more. I caught both of them, but anyone on a "normal" sleep schedule likely didn't. You could spread them out to catch the night crowd with a few and the day crowd with a few, too.[/quote]
There's no such thing as a normal sleep schedule when your audience is distributed world wide ;) Regardless, we intentionally tried to space out the most popular games to ensure that people would have reasons to tune in at all hours, not just during "prime time." That being said, one alternative to running all the same-series games in a row would be to plan our schedule in release order, i.e. start with NES games, end with 360/PS3/Wii games. I think this is way too early to be worrying about the schedule, though.

Grogman

2011-02-25 05:48:34 am

Quote from mikwuyma:

Don't be pigs - me, Breakdown, anyone with a sense of decency

Seriously, with how lax the center was with us, the least we could do is CLEAN UP AFTER OURSELVES. The people taking out trash should just be replacing trash bags, not picking up after us because someone was too lazy to put their cup or pizza box in the trash. Also, it's just gross to see so much stuff on the floor, especially when ants swarm it.

If I am able to come next year, I will try to do my best clearing up after everyone. It's pretty much what I do at home, so it's not like I would be going out my way or anything. I would also try to help out as much as I could around the place, and I wouldn't mind this because, again, this is pretty much all I have to do at home. thumbsup

Emptyeye

2011-02-25 05:49:55 am

Talk to the Hand

Quote from Sir VG:

There was no restriction on only being there if doing a run. Silver (aka Mrs. Emptyeye) was there despite not doing a run. Granted she WAS getting married to Emptyeye at Magfest, but that's a different story.

Also, Skullboy was there for (I think) the whole thing, and dballin stopped in for a day or two despite neither doing any runs.

DJS

2011-02-25 05:54:16 am

torch slug since 2006

Wasnt there some other girls and andrewg's girlfirend there too during his runs (and probably some more runs too)?

Flip

2011-02-25 10:40:36 am

1-Up!

Quote from Emptyeye:

Quote from Sir VG:

There was no restriction on only being there if doing a run. Silver (aka Mrs. Emptyeye) was there despite not doing a run. Granted she WAS getting married to Emptyeye at Magfest, but that's a different story.

Also, Skullboy was there for (I think) the whole thing, and dballin stopped in for a day or two despite neither doing any runs.

Puwexil and KirkQ, as well. It's perfectly fine to come if you don't intend to run anything.

BlueStarReturns

2011-02-25 03:27:57 pm

Twinkle-Twinkle Lil' Star, har har!

@ all who answered my question (can't remember all the names):

Thanks for the clarification! At least now I know that if I don't have anything ready by next year, I can still attend the whole marathon. Though I hope to be able to at least do a SM64 race if I'm practiced enough by then. Basically, the only thing stopping me is saving enough money to get there, but I do have quite a while to save up.

Thanks again, guys!

dballin

2011-02-25 04:52:47 pm

Balls jerky

It's totally cool if you show up even if it's completely unannounced. If the lady at the front desk says things like "They aren't answering the phone. I don't know if they're still here. You'll have to try again tomorrow" just repeatedly insist that you be shown to the room they're supposed to be in. She will relent and ask the guard to show you the way. He will do a half-assed job of pointing to a building and telling you to go down the stairs. The doors that should be locked to all who don't have badges will not be.

Bonus protip: The key to getting breakfast for free is to just walk up to the buffet line like you're supposed to be there. I'm still amazed that I got breakfast when SDA people who actually paid to stay at the center were refused. Maybe I look French?

BlueStarReturns

2011-02-25 04:58:33 pm

Twinkle-Twinkle Lil' Star, har har!

dballin: You got breakfast for free?! Nice! No, if I show up, I'm going to actually pay for a room ahead of time and possibly stay for the whole marathon. Though at this point, I'd only be able to run Back to the Future: The Game and maybe take place in a Mario 64 race (whether it's 70 or 120 stars, no matter; I plan on being well-practiced by next year). There aren't a lot of games I want to do that a million other people aren't doing already.

Anyways, thanks for more info!

dballin

2011-02-25 05:07:56 pm

Balls jerky

I was there overnight for less than a 24 hour period. It's totally not cool to show up unannounced and stay for the whole thing of course.

BlueStarReturns

2011-02-25 05:12:08 pm

Twinkle-Twinkle Lil' Star, har har!

I know. That's why I said I'm going to pay for a room, so I can stay for the whole marathon. I don't like showing up unannounced because it's probably going to work out better if I have everything planned out and the marathon staff know I'm coming to the marathon. No worries about me showing up unannounced. thumbsup

dballin

2011-02-25 05:26:03 pm

Balls jerky

Ok if we actually get a billion people to show up for this thing, we are definitely going to need to cap the number of people allowed near the actual streaming area. There's my suggestion.

BlueStarReturns

Edit history:

BlueStarReturns: 2011-02-25 05:33:16 pm

2011-02-25 05:31:52 pm

Twinkle-Twinkle Lil' Star, har har!

Quote from dballin:

Ok if we actually get a billion people to show up for this thing, we are definitely going to need to cap the number of people allowed near the actual streaming area. There's my suggestion.

Adding to this suggestion, I would say it could go like this:

- Runner (obviously)
- Commentator and Donation Station people (both were usually the same person this year, right?)

Those are the only ones who I know absolutely have to be in the marathon room. As for everyone else, maybe it should depend on how much one knows about the current game being played? Like those who know more get the two spots on the couch next to the runner, those who know less sit in the back?

Radix

2011-02-25 07:32:35 pm

I'm addicted to games

Quote from Flip:

Quote from Emptyeye:

Quote from Sir VG:

There was no restriction on only being there if doing a run. Silver (aka Mrs. Emptyeye) was there despite not doing a run. Granted she WAS getting married to Emptyeye at Magfest, but that's a different story.

Also, Skullboy was there for (I think) the whole thing, and dballin stopped in for a day or two despite neither doing any runs.

Puwexil and KirkQ, as well. It's perfectly fine to come if you don't intend to run anything.

I didn't run anything... but I kind of wanted to.

Hey, there's an idea for improvement. I could be more than just "the guy to point at and gasp".

Rakuen

Edit history:

Rakuen: 2011-02-25 08:51:44 pm

2011-02-25 08:51:10 pm

Weegee Time

Quote from dballin:

Ok if we actually get a billion people to show up for this thing, we are definitely going to need to cap the number of people allowed near the actual streaming area. There's my suggestion.

Soft cap it. If there's not a chair to sit in, you shouldn't be standing around in the room.

As is, I don't know about all of you, but someone standing around while I'm playing is mildly distracting.

Quote:

Hey, there's an idea for improvement. I could be more than just "the guy to point at and gasp".

Perhaps next year we could applaud as well? Tongue

Worn_Traveler

2011-02-25 09:15:23 pm

Formerly known as Skullboy

We had a lot of people standing and sitting off camera during certain runs. Some people preferred to watch the marathon via projector in the practice room. I don't think we had an issue with the amount of people in the stream room itself for the most part.

Emptyeye

2011-02-25 09:32:59 pm

Talk to the Hand

The thing about the projector in the other room is that with the setup we had, it was "awesome in theory, didn't work super well in practice". The reason is that even right away, the stream is several seconds behind the "live" action, so we'd hear the reaction when someone did something awesome (Or not so awesome) a few seconds before we saw whatever it was. Kinda spoiled the surprise.

(Note that this was an issue with CGDQ as well)

Zerstorung

2011-02-25 09:38:12 pm

Quote from Emptyeye:

The thing about the projector in the other room is that with the setup we had, it was "awesome in theory, didn't work super well in practice". The reason is that even right away, the stream is several seconds behind the "live" action, so we'd hear the reaction when someone did something awesome (Or not so awesome) a few seconds before we saw whatever it was. Kinda spoiled the surprise.

(Note that this was an issue with CGDQ as well)

Are there any engineering/physics majors in the house that have access to a number of large mirrors and magnifying lenses?

VorpalEdge

2011-02-26 12:33:08 am

welcome to the machine

Quote from Emptyeye:

The thing about the projector in the other room is that with the setup we had, it was "awesome in theory, didn't work super well in practice". The reason is that even right away, the stream is several seconds behind the "live" action, so we'd hear the reaction when someone did something awesome (Or not so awesome) a few seconds before we saw whatever it was. Kinda spoiled the surprise.

(Note that this was an issue with CGDQ as well)

I thought this was pretty funny, personally.

PJ

2011-02-26 12:38:00 am

Is PJ

I loved watching from the projector room. Tigger77 and I spent more time watching from there than in the marathon room. The delay just made things more entertaining, IMO. I remember going to the marathon room to mention something about audio balance or whatever, and I'd walk back in the projector room to see myself (on stream) leave the room. Neat!

romscout

2011-02-26 01:29:03 am

that Metroidvania guy

Projector area was a good place to eat lunch. (^~^)

LLCoolDave

2011-02-26 02:18:09 am

Quote from Radix:

Quote from Flip:

Quote from Emptyeye:

Quote from Sir VG:

There was no restriction on only being there if doing a run. Silver (aka Mrs. Emptyeye) was there despite not doing a run. Granted she WAS getting married to Emptyeye at Magfest, but that's a different story.

Also, Skullboy was there for (I think) the whole thing, and dballin stopped in for a day or two despite neither doing any runs.

Puwexil and KirkQ, as well. It's perfectly fine to come if you don't intend to run anything.

I didn't run anything... but I kind of wanted to.

Hey, there's an idea for improvement. I could be more than just "the guy to point at and gasp".

You were also the guy who was there during the Metroid Prime Commentary, AND the guy who completely outclassed my $140 bounty on it (seriously, did anybody even NOTICE that in light of your $822?)

CrypticJacknife

2011-02-26 04:07:23 am

Ganondorf = Donkey Kong LOOK IT UP!!

I don't know whether it's been mentioned thus far (80% quote thread is 80% quotes) but it would be really awesome if a stream can be set up for different areas of the practice room/rooms, that way you could split up the 'talk about how people need donate' team, and a widget could be active on both streams.

On the note of widgets, it would also be awesome if the donation widget was real-time rather than a multi-step process to see (saves commentators/mods have to say the same crap again/copypaste instructions every time someone is confused). Otherwise for the most part you guys did awesome!

trihex

Edit history:

trihex: 2011-02-26 06:18:54 am

trihex: 2011-02-26 06:18:53 am

trihex: 2011-02-26 06:18:07 am

2011-02-26 06:17:42 am

Yoshi's eggs are at my mercy!

Quote from PJ:

I honestly don't remember. I know I had a discussion with tri-hex nearing the end of the marathon, during which we said that we would definitely not want another 100 hour marathon next year.

Quote from Arrow:

Quote:

I'd like to hear from people who were there about how much of a toll a five-day marathon took on everyone. Even notwithstanding the fact that it ran so far over, people generally seemed pretty blitzed by the end of the thing, or at least that's the impression I gathered both from watching and from talking to people after the fact. Maybe it should be limited to four days in any case, just for sanity's sake?

I felt like a zombie by the end, but I wouldn't trade even a minute of the time I spent at the marathon - I had an absolute blast. I think that shooting for around 100 hours is about perfect, less for the sake of those attending, but rather because a lot of viewers started to lose interest by Monday. If anyone who attends feels like 100 hours is too much, then they simply don't have to come for the full marathon. Come for however many days you're comfortable with, and we can make sure to schedule the games they're running during that time.

Crap PJ, that wasn't an opinion I would say I felt comfortable sharing with in public. I ranted a lot during miscellaneous downtime to a bunch of people about many things I was being knit-picky about at the marathon probably due to sleep deprivation, but very little of it I find worthy enough to be shared here or mentioned by others without context and make me look like a tremendous ass. Sad

Though, since it's already been revealed, best I defend myself against whatever assumptions are formed/forming.

I had a very hard time dealing with the marathon length, could've been due to sleep or whatever excuse I can muster up, but after Day 3 I felt exhausted no matter what time I woke. Retrospectively, I messed up on the first night staying up with everyone until I literally passed out (as opposed to displaying self-control to be able to wake up before 2 PM or something).

Regardless of whatever suggestions/changes/minor location adjustments for 2012 Marathon, I'm sure I'll be there and I'll want to be there. <3

Quote from Mikuyama:

If you're ready to play your game, then play dammit! - me, inspired by watching Tri-Hex's 6 minute wait before his YI run, which sadly, is an improvement over the 15 minute prepation for his CGDQ run

Sorry to put you on the spot, Tri-Hex, but you are the worst offender. No one really needs to be ready aside from the person (or people) playing the game. If the person on the timer isn't ready, it's not a huge deal, they can just start the timer a little late.

I'm very sorry. It seemed like, at the time, Rane had a billion things to say about donations/whatever. But I'm not gonna lie, I'm selfish and wanted all the attention to myself, at least for the start of the speedrun, and didn't want the commentator talking during it about stuff irrelevent to my speedrun. Especially since World 1 is so busy and action-packed.

But yeah, since Mr. Uyama is putting me in the time-out corner, I'll behave next time. Wink

[quote="PJ"]
I honestly don't remember.  I know I had a discussion with tri-hex nearing the end of the marathon, during which we said that we would definitely not want another 100 hour marathon next year.[/quote]
[quote="Arrow"][quote]I'd like to hear from people who were there about how much of a toll a five-day marathon took on everyone. Even notwithstanding the fact that it ran so far over, people generally seemed pretty blitzed by the end of the thing, or at least that's the impression I gathered both from watching and from talking to people after the fact. Maybe it should be limited to four days in any case, just for sanity's sake?[/quote]
I felt like a zombie by the end, but I wouldn't trade even a minute of the time I spent at the marathon - I had an absolute blast. I think that shooting for around 100 hours is about perfect, less for the sake of those attending, but rather because a lot of viewers started to lose interest by Monday. If anyone who attends feels like 100 hours is too much, then they simply don't have to come for the full marathon. Come for however many days you're comfortable with, and we can make sure to schedule the games they're running during that time.[/quote]
Crap PJ, that wasn't an opinion I would say I felt [i]comfortable[/i] sharing with in public. I ranted a lot during miscellaneous downtime to a bunch of people about many things I was being knit-picky about at the marathon probably due to sleep deprivation, but very little of it I find worthy enough to be shared here or mentioned by others without context and make me look like a tremendous ass. :(

Though, since it's already been revealed, best I defend myself against whatever assumptions are formed/forming.

I had a very hard time dealing with the marathon length, could've been due to sleep or whatever excuse I can muster up, but after Day 3 I felt exhausted no matter what time I woke. Retrospectively, I messed up on the first night staying up with everyone until I literally passed out (as opposed to displaying self-control to be able to wake up before 2 PM or something).

Regardless of whatever suggestions/changes/minor location adjustments for 2012 Marathon, I'm sure I'll be there and I'll [i]want[/i] to be there. <3

[quote="Mikuyama"][b]If you're ready to play your game, then play dammit! - me, inspired by watching Tri-Hex's 6 minute wait before his YI run, which sadly, is an improvement over the 15 minute prepation for his CGDQ run[/b]

Sorry to put you on the spot, Tri-Hex, but you are the worst offender. No one really needs to be ready aside from the person (or people) playing the game. If the person on the timer isn't ready, it's not a huge deal, they can just start the timer a little late. [/quote]
I'm very sorry. It seemed like, at the time, Rane had a billion things to say about donations/whatever. But I'm not gonna lie, I'm selfish and wanted all the attention to myself, at least for the start of the speedrun, and didn't want the commentator talking during it about stuff irrelevent to my speedrun. Especially since World 1 is so busy and action-packed.

But yeah, since Mr. Uyama is putting me in the time-out corner, I'll behave next time. ;)

PJ

2011-02-26 07:02:10 am

Is PJ

Haha, sorry tri-hex. If it matters, I did go on to explain that in hindsight it really wasn't that bad. Tongue

Quote from PJ:

Looking back at it now, I would still very much love to attend a 100 hour marathon. Haha. It totally ruined everybody's sleep schedules for awhile, and most of the time none of us had any idea what day/time it was....at all. I think, assuming we stick to the 4-5 people rooms next year, it would be a lot more manageable for a lot of us, but I'm really just speaking for myself.