IFCOMP 2007 Reviews - Wrap-Up

     I went through periods of crankiness this year, but overall I had a blast (as usual). My scores don’t seem to suggest that quality was down this year, but in some ways it feels that way. I don’t think that’s it, though. I just think that with all things being equal, fewer games means fewer great games.

     I’m pleased that my top four favorites (in a different order) are the top four finishers. I’m also impressed by the Adrift entries more this time than in years past. It’s a shame there were no Hugo entries, and I’m disappointed I didn’t have the time to enter one this year.

     At several points in the past six weeks, I’ve regretted sticking with the same scoring criteria I’ve used before. Looking back to last year, I see that I had intended to revamp it for 2007 -- but I forgot. One problem is that it tries to describe everything I look for in games at different levels, which really can never be complete. Another is that it usually assumes all aspects (writing, story, puzzles, design, polish, whatever) are equal in a given game. Sometimes, that’s just not the case. I don’t know what kind of criteria I’ll use next year. It might be attribute-based. Then again, I might just simplify it and vote instinctively, although I do prefer some sort of guideline so I know I’m being equally fair to all games.

     This year saw a change in the rules, where judges are no longer asked to hold off on reviews and discussions (posted in public places) until after the competition. Even so, it seems there wasn’t much discussion. Reviews were a little easier to find, and some reader comments followed some blog or forum posts, but there was no chatter in the newsgroup and not much in those other places. Maybe the rule change will take a year or two to sink in, or maybe (like me) most judges just wanted to play and vote without looking at others’ opinions first.

     Nobody entered a “joke” game this year. That was a (pleasant) surprise.

     First time authors (and even repeat entrants) shouldn’t underestimate the importance of beta-testing. Some bad games that might have been good (and some good games that might have been great) were brought down because of problems that could have been eliminated with more (even just some) testing. That’s true every year, but it bears repeating.

     I have also posted my reviews (or earlier drafts) to the Interactive Fiction Forum at www.intfiction.org. IFComp comments, disagreements, discussions and other reviews are welcome!