KLDC isn't on the list because it's already planned and set in stone that KLDC 2020 will be starting next month. We're just going through its organization right now, but you can expect it in a few weeks.
Wordiness of the post is a side effect my boredom which bothered me and I don't remember making a longer one than this.
VLDC
Although the meanings of vanilla became vague - however, all of them implying that no graphics outside of SMW were used in a level or hack - it's still a tradition which we should keep. You can even run it annually. I'd like more limited graphic manipulation in relation to VLDCX to stay (looks are closer to SMW), however I wouldn't mind if we were able to merge or recolor tiles (bigger freedom of manipulation).
CLDC
Make it an annual thing, too. I feel like it's been run not enough times and it should be as important as VLDC or BLDC. Simple and liberal rules of this contest engage the beginners desiring to build levels for contests as many of them wouldn't like to already take part in intricate ones like BLDC or OLDC and wait incredibly long for a next CLDC. It'll be their choice whether they want to participate in these next if they feel prepared for more restrictive tasks, or not. Anyone who knows of CLDC would also enjoy it for unlimited oportunities. If one's extraordinary idea pops up in their head, they won't hesitate to execute it as they don't have to worry about the rules.
BLDC
It's indeed something fresh - VLDC but more biased towards CLDC which turned out slightly more interesting - but it wasn't good enough to be an annual thing. I'd like it to be occasional because it's slightly too similar to VLDC. Using resources provided with the base ROM isn't forced and you still could make a level à la VLDCX, i.e. with merged or recolored SMW tiles which wasn't allowed this year. However, creating a level around slacker restrictions than in VLDC, i.e. making a use of provided resources to create innovations, would also be refreshing.
OLDC
Fresh, but kinda tedious. Although I think it needs to be run in an occasion, I don't object to have one next year. We've only had it once and I didn't manage to enter my level
which was already mediocre
ALDC
Quite a niche one, but if anyone's still interested in making a dizzy level where you don't need to press anything, heck yes, run it at least once more! Running it either once in a year or two would make people fed up as making a single level for it is such an exhausting undertake already.
12DBCLDC
We haven't had a Christmas contest for a while, have we? It was promised for this year, but I understand Staff's decision not to organize a Christmas this year and I'm looking forward for it already! Either every second year and alternated with HLDC or occasional Christmas (and Halloween) contest is fine with me.
OWDC
I don't know why this isn't a thing appearing once in a year or two, either. It's such an important aspect in hacking as it's preferred to have a lengthy hack with a brand new overworld rather than a edit of the original one. I don't know if we've had more Idols or ExGFX contests than OWDCs.
LMCC
The last time we had it was Summer 2019's C3 and I think what deterred many people from it was that it was run during the event's period. Don't include site contests in C3s anymore, give people time to check out all the contents made by various folks!
As for YILDC, I'm indifferent and we've had an HLDC recently so it may reappear no earlier than in 2021.
What deterred me from participation in the last ExGFX contest wasn't the theme itself, but lack of motivation. I do think that's also because we have not too many graphicians who are around here any more, though. Go for a new form of engaging the new artists, maybe an event where beginners can take part and get some practical exercises.
TL;DR
What we should have next year, why, and how often it should be:
- VLDC (it's a tradition and keep it annual),
- CLDC (the least restrictive of the contests and make it annual),
- BLDC (it's a nice new format, but it should be occasional regardless),
- OLDC (we haven't had one since 2017 and make it occasional as well because it's not as enjoyable to me),
- ALDC (I'm interested in building an automatic level and such a contest must be once in a blue moon),
- 12DBCLDC (Christmas level design contests haven't been around here for quite long, make it every second and alternated with HLDC or occasional as well as HLDC),
- OWDC (it's a rare thing, too rare for an essential aspect, it must be every (second) year,
- LMCC (hosting the last one on the last C3 was a bad idea and it'd be cool to have it once in a while when nothing major happens).
No opinion about YILDC and the earliest time when I'd like the next HLDC is 2021. I wasn't motivated enough to partake in 2019's ExGFX contest and we have few graphical artists nowadays.
I have a Discord server as well! (by joining, you agree to the rules)
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Basically, I believe in peace and bashing two bricks together.