2005 survey results

Results of the visitors survey held after Breakpoint 2005

As you may know, compared to previous years, Breakpoint 2005 was featuring a lot of changes, the most prominent one being the new location chosen.

To get feedback from our visitors regarding these changes, and also to get some input on what can be further improved in upcoming Breakpoint events, after Breakpoint 2005 was over we ran a survey.

Below you will find the results of that survey, alongside with a few comments (in italics) on the result, written by scamp, the mainorganizer of the event.

This year, 309 of our visitors have participated in this survey, and again we got a broad range of comments and hints. We would like to thank our visitors for providing their valuable feedback.

For reference, the results of last years survey can be found here.

Question 1: Name/Group

Question 1 asked you to enter your handle and groupname. This information isn't published.

Question 2: For statistical purposes, we ask you to check all platforms you are ACTIVE (create scene productions) on.

PC   69.6% (215)
C64   21.0% (65)
Amiga AGA   19.4% (60)
Amiga ECS   10.4% (32)
Amiga PPC   5.2% (16)
Atari   1.3% (4)
Mac   6.1% (19)
XBOX   2.9% (9)
Dreamcast   3.6% (11)
Playstation   1.3% (4)
PS2   2.3% (7)
PSP   1.0% (3)
Pokemon Mini   1.6% (5)
Gameboy/GBC   9.1% (28)
other/not listed   15.2% (47)

The number of people who voted C64 here probably is a little bit too high, as some C64 news portal directly linked to our survey without any hint that this survey is for Breakpoint-Visitors only (*sigh*)

Question 3: All in all, how did you like this years Breakpoint (BP2005)?

Worst party ever   1.0% (3)
Not so good   0.3% (1)
OK   2.3% (7)
Pretty good   24.6% (76)
One of the best parties ever   69.3% (214)
I did not attend. Shame on me.   2.6% (8)
TOTAL   100.0% 309

Hooray :)

Question 4: Compared to last years Breakpoint, which party was better? (Skip if you didn't attend BP2004)

BP2005 was better than BP2004 (This year was better)   49.8% (154)
BP2004 was better than BP2005 (Last year was better)   7.1% (22)
Both sucked equally   1.0% (3)
Both ruled equally   14.6% (45)
TOTAL   72.5% 309

Ok, Hooray again, I guess.

Question 5: As you know, for BP2005 we had to switch to a new location. While the military depot used in 2003 and 2004 gave us tons of freedom regarding noise and outdoor action, the new location allowed us to improve on tons of stuff requested in last years survey (bigger bigscreen, better audio, cleaner toilets, showers, warm hall...). How do you like the new location?

I love the new location. One of the best party locations I've ever seen. Forget about the military depot.   45.3% (140)
The new location is pretty cool, and I prefer it over the old one.   39.5% (122)
The new location is nice, but I preferred the military depot.   9.4% (29)
I didn't like the new location, the military depot was much better.   1.3% (4)
TOTAL   95.5% 309

We are very happy the new location worked out that nicely. We'll stay at the Rundsporthalle.

Question 6: Please rate the following features of this years Breakpoint (BP2005). 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=rocked.

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Party feeling  (4.4)
Organizing quality  (4.5)
Entrance fee  (3.4)
Food quality  (3.3)
Food selection  (3.2)
Toilets and showers  (3.4)
Outside action/Bonfire  (3.3)
Hotel reservation service   (3.9)
Amount of competitions  (4.2)
Big screen  (4.7)
Audio equipment P/A  (4.5)
Seminars  (3.9)
Drinks & Beer selection/prices  (3.9)
Party network  (3.9)
Internet connectivity  (3.6)
Decoration / light effects  (3.9)
Main hall (heating, design)  (4.3)
Bus shuttle service  (4.2)
Fun compos and surprises  (3.3)
scene.org awards  (3.6)
Security team  (3.9)

Ok, those are pretty good marks. Weak spots seem to be food, fun compos, and the bonfire. We'll try to improve on this. Not much we could do about the entrance fee, see 2005 financial info...

Question 7: What of the following features and ideas would you like to see improved/focussed on for next years Breakpoint? 1=no improvement needed, 5=focus on this, goddamnit!

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Organizing quality  (1.6)
More competition prize money  (1.8)
Food selection  (2.9)
Food quality  (2.8)
Extend bus shuttle times  (2.0)
More seminars  (2.2)
More live acts / bands  (2.3)
More fun competitions  (2.8)
Bigger beer tent  (2.7)
More cheap hotel rooms  (2.1)
Audio equipment P/A  (1.6)
Drinks & Beer selection  (2.0)
Party recordings  (2.4)
Hall decoration  (1.8)

Ok, we'll try to get a bigger party tent (if the budget allows this), more food stands (there was another one planned for BP2005, but it didn't show up because the guy hated another foodstands owner...). And yeah, more fun competitions are needed...

Question 8: Due to regulations by the city (owner of the hall), we had to disallow smoking in the main party area - getting the floor burned by cigarettes would have been hell expensive. Smoking was allowed on and below the grandstand, below the organizing area, in the beer tent and garden - so basicly everywhere outside the main area equipped with a carpet, with a maximum of 15 meters from whereever you are to the next smoking area. How did you like this ruleset?

I loved it. Besides saving the carpet, the air quality inside the hall got improved by this.   54.7% (169)
I'm a smoker, so this was somewhat of a limitation to me. The rule still is ok, and I accepted mostly followed it.   18.4% (57)
I'm a smoker, and having to stand up to go for a smoke really sucks. If at all possible, please find a way to allow smoking inside the main party area.   8.7% (27)
I'm a smoker, and I simply ignored your rule, sorry.   5.8% (18)
I don't care, do whatever you wish.   10.4% (32)
TOTAL   98.1% 309

Ok, we'll keep this rule unchanged.

Question 9: Compared to previous years, BP2005 had slightly stricter rules regarding hard alcohol inside the main party area. This was changed as a result of last years survey (plus we wanted to keep the bought carpet usuable for BP2006, which worked out perfectly). This year hard alcohol and drunk people were allowed in the beer tent and garden, getting really drunk with hard alcohol inside the main area was not allowed. During competitions and live events this rule was not enforced. What's your opinion on this?

The current ruleset is perfect. I didn't feel limited when I wanted to booze, and drunken people didn't annoy really me.   79.6% (246)
I think there still was too much boozing inside the main party area, I felt annoyed. The rules should be enforced more strictly.   5.2% (16)
I felt limited when I wanted to booze. Getting drunk inside the main hall should be allowed.   4.5% (14)
I don't really care / Don't know   9.1% (28)
TOTAL   98.4% 309

We'll also keep this rule unchanged.

Question 10: As you know, BP2005 didn't offer a seperated sleeping hall. Instead we had a cheap hotel reservation service, seperated sleeping areas in the hall, plus it was possible to sleep inside the mainhall on the carpet. Additionally we gave out free ear plugs so you were able to sleep in silence. Did these options satisfy you, or should we invest part of our budget into a seperate sleeping hall next year?

I think the options given are enough, no need for a seperate sleeping hall.   44.0% (136)
A seperate sleeping hall would be nice to have, but it's not really that important to me.   41.1% (127)
I really want a seperated sleeping hall.   13.6% (42)
TOTAL   98.7% 309

There probably will be some more "sleeping areas" at BP2006. Looks like this isn't too much of an issue.

Question 11: Due to high volume of releases, seminars videos, we are thinking about producing a party DVD. Please let us know if you would be interested in that.

I would be interested in buying a 9GB data DVD9, including all releases and videos (basicly an FTP dump with some interface) in a simple DVD box for ~12 Euros.   10.7% (33)
I would be interested in buying a 9GB data DVD (releases+seminars) + a 4.5GB video DVD (top5 demos/intros of each category as video + concerts) in a nice DVD box for ~20 Euros.   29.4% (91)
I would be interested in buying a 4.5GB data DVD (releases) + a 4.5GB video DVD (top3 demos/intros of each category as video + concerts) in a nice DVD box for ~18 Euros.   10.4% (32)
I'm not interested in buying a Breakpoint DVD   47.9% (148)
TOTAL   98.4% 309

Well, turned out the BP orga team was too lazy to do this anyway ;)

Question 12: In case you stayed at Hotel "Rheinhotel Starkenburger Hof", please rate it (skip this question if you didn't) 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=ruled:

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Hotel pricing/value  (3.9)
Room quality  (3.7)
Hotel friendliness  (4.3)
Hotel cleanliness  (4.2)

Well, this was expected. The cheapest hotel we offer for booking also is the best one...

Question 13: In case you stayed at Hotel "Hotel-Restaurant Krone", please rate it (skip this question if you didn't) 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=ruled:

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Hotel pricing/value  (3.3)
Room quality  (3.0)
Hotel friendliness  (3.3)
Hotel cleanliness  (3.1)

This hotel also can be recommended.

Question 14: In case you stayed at Hotel "Café-Hotel Köppel", please rate it (skip this question if you didn't) 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=ruled:

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Hotel pricing/value  (3.3)
Room quality  (3.2)
Hotel friendliness  (3.5)
Hotel cleanliness  (3.3)

And this one, too.

Question 15: In case you stayed at Hotel "Hotel Römerhof", please rate it (skip this question if you didn't) 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=ruled:

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Hotel pricing/value  (3.2)
Room quality  (2.7)
Hotel friendliness  (3.4)
Hotel cleanliness  (3.3)

Römerhof didn't rank too good regarding room quality, but overall that's an ok result.

Question 16: In case you stayed at Hotel "Weinhotel Michel", please rate it (skip this question if you didn't) 1=sucked, 3=fair, 5=ruled:

Average rank
1 2 3 4 5
Hotel pricing/value  (2.6)
Room quality  (2.9)
Hotel friendliness  (3.0)
Hotel cleanliness  (3.0)

Well, those are really bad results for a premium hotel. We probably won't offer booking for it again.

Question 17: What do you think about the Seminars held at BP2005 for the first time?

I think the seminars are a great addition to Breakpoint. More of that stuff, please!   31.1% (96)
Seminars are cool, and I think you had enough of those.   30.7% (95)
None of the topics did interest me.   4.2% (13)
I think seminars are a waste of time. Invest your energy somewhere else.   2.6% (8)
I missed them all, so I don't really have an opinion.   29.1% (90)
TOTAL   97.7% 309

Ok, we'll try to get at least a comparable number of seminars. And we'll also improve our communication regarding those, so less people miss them.

Question 18: For the first time, Breakpoint 2005 was featuring "Executable Music" competitions, allowing visitors to compete with programmed music on all kinds of hardware. The competition was run in two parts, the "oldschool" and the "newschool" part, seperated by hardware platforms. To create this competition, we had to merge the old C64 SID competition into the "oldschool" part of executable music. What do you think about this? For this year, we did merge the old C64 SID Music competitions

I think merging them was ok. Compared to the old SID competition the "oldschool" executable music has much more potential.   46.0% (142)
I didn't really like the merging first. I have to admit that the non-SID entries in the "oldschool" part really made a nice addition, and I would like to see more music entries from other 'vintage' platforms in the future.   13.3% (41)
I would prefer to have a seperated SID competition again, and get rid of "oldschool" executable music. I don't care about the other 8Bit platforms.   6.5% (20)
I would prefer to have a seperated SID competition again, in addition to the "oldschool" executable music. I know this would collide, and C64 sceners would have to decide in which competition to take part.   10.0% (31)
I don't care really.   22.7% (70)
TOTAL   98.4% 309

Those one caused A LOT of discussion and complaints especially from the C64 scene prior to BP2005. So we are very happy that the compo turned out as a great success. We'll stick with it for BP2006.

Question 19: What do you think about PPC/Pegasos Demos in the Amiga Compo?

That's all Amiga hardware for me, let everything stay as it is.   19.4% (60)
Pegasos isn't really Amiga, but PPC should continue to be allowed. Pegasos entries should go into "Real Wild" competition.   17.2% (53)
Amiga compos should be 68k only! PPC and Pegasos should go into "Real Wild" competition.   25.2% (78)
Honestly I'm not into that Amiga stuff too much, and unsure about the hardware difference.   16.2% (50)
I don't care, do as you wish.   21.0% (65)
TOTAL   99.0% 309

As you can see, the scene is quite split about this topic. The majority of our visitors thinks that Pegasos isn't Amiga and shouldn't be in the Amiga compo. Regarding PPC, the results are much less clear. As we didn't have PPC entries last year, the Amiga PPC compo machine finally died after BP2005 anyway, we won't allow PPC in the Amiga compos for BP2006. In our 2006 after-party-survey we'll probably ask about this again.

Question 20: Did you listen to the Music compo MP3 streams?

Yes, they were a good addition to the compo being played publicly on the PA.   21.4% (66)
Yes, but I don't think they're necessary, playing them on the PA is enough.   7.1% (22)
No, I think that's a useless feature.   10.4% (32)
Huh, there were MP3 streams of the music compos?   56.6% (175)
TOTAL   95.5% 309

Ok, lack of communication. We really need to announce those streams more clearly.

Question 21: Did you miss the graphics compo reruns we did last year?

Yes, I think those should be done again.   27.2% (84)
No, one public run is enough if you can download the entries right after the compo.   47.2% (146)
Makes no difference to me   20.7% (64)
TOTAL   95.1% 309

Ok, we'll keep the current ruleset and won't do reruns - our timetable is filled more than enough already. But as a bonus, you'll get another gfx compo :)

Question 22: What do you think about the length of the PC demo compo?

It was long but watchable.   51.1% (158)
Too long for my taste.   18.4% (57)
Far too long, you really need to do preselection to get that compo shorter.   18.8% (58)
I don't care   10.0% (31)
TOTAL   98.4% 309

Ok, we'll need to get this shorter. This was one of the reasons why the compo team decided not to allow remote entries to the compo in 2006.

Comments on the feedback given / FAQ

We will now try to address a few concerns and questions that were frequently given in the comments block of the survey. Take those answers with a grain of salt, they are the personal opinion of scamp.

The tons of "great party, thank you!" kind of comments are not reflected here. Yet we would like to give a big thank you back to those guys who made us feel warm inside ;)

That's it for this survey. Thank you for reading this, and see you at Breakpoint 2006.