There could be many users came to know about itch.io (even I'm one among them), just because of people like him developing applications and sharing them on social media. People like me joining such platforms are discouraged with these kind of comments. It doesn't make sense that we cannot rate his game just because that we have joined recently. It's an end user's feedback and if you think it could go biased, the moderator could have done this voting/judgement through a closed group.
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I’m glad to see people are so concerned with the fairness of this competition! It shows that people are excited and engaged, which means it was a success!
I have no problem with people sharing their games on social media or asking people to vote for them: sharing your work doesn’t work against the spirit of the competition, it is the spirit of the competition.
Regarding the allegations that they are sock puppets, though I cannot fathom why a cheater would have his alternates comment instead of just voting, regardless he has said he would refuse any prize if selected. Surely, this will suffice.
Thank you for your concerns, however. I hope that everyone has fun and enjoys this jam not as a ferocious competition but as a collaborative experience. It is not about winning but about working and growing together.
He already said he would decline the prizes, though to be honest: garnering attention for your game is an indelible part of gamedev.
I’ve asked people to share their games, to tweet about it, there’s a hashtag system built into itch.io game jams. It’s not against the rules to tweet about your games: it’s actively encouraged.
I would encourage you to invest your attention elsewhere, rather than explaining the point of my own jam to me. Because you won’t win me over by calling it absurd. Organize your own jam where you prohibit promoting your game. You can run it as you like and have a system you are proud of.