What do we want to survey for FKFicFest this year?

[brightknightie]

Early in February, I'll post the annual pre-fkficfest poll. What do we want to learn from that poll this year? (Here are recent game polls.)

Obviously, we need to know whether anyone wants to play! And we should consider how many players, minimum, support a successful game. So: Players. Challenge or exchange. Schedules. Length. Crossovers or not (and how to make that option work better for more people, if retained). How fast to release the stories. Whether to invite visual artists. More?

Last year's game was wonderful in many ways, and I'm grateful to everyone who played! Just look at all the delightful FK stories! But last year wasn't the most successful in attracting players, winning feedback for writers, or making satisfying request/offer matches. Something went wrong. It must be my fault. I've been thinking about it a lot ever since. I don't want to repeat mistakes. This post should allow anonymous comments, in case someone needs that to speak up (it's okay if you do!). You can also PM or email me.

Please do come back to this post and share ideas as they occur to you over the next few weeks. Thanks!

Comments

[greerwatson]

Well, I certainly intend to play—if you hold the exchange, which I hope you do.

Last year quite a few people signed up at the very last moment. (Indeed, after the last moment, since you extended the deadline.) Clearly these are people who were willing to play: either they didn't get word that the exchange was on, or they missed reminders of the deadline. Are there more venues in which it could be "advertised"?

It strikes me that feedback is, to some degree, dependent on the number of players. I mean, most initial feedback comes from one's fellows, who read the stories as they go up. We did have fewer players; so that may account for part of it.

[pj1228]

Yay, thanks for taking this on again.

More?
I think the poll as you list it covers all important aspects.

attracting players
fandom_stocking uncovered an unexpected number of FK requests, some from people I haven't heard of before (or didn't recognize by their DW name). I don't klnow if Fandom Stocking allows advertising, but that might be worthwhile. Or maybe send messages to those who requested FK directly.

I could post an advertisement on the yahoo UF list, but I frankly don't know if anyone is reading that at all anymore. Would be terrific to attract some Ufers though. Would definitely facilitate matching.;)

I'm on facebook, but I rather use that venue for RL topics, and not so much for fandom. Those FK friends that are linked to me are on ForKNi-L anyway and would receive the announcement via that platform.