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I'd like to claim Meteor Base! I'm also interested in Out of this Dimension but I'm going to wait a bit and see if anyone else claims it. I need to get some work done on other tracks!

On second thought, scratch the first part of my post. It's driving me crazy, but it's in 4/4.

(Art by Zeth) The time has come: The definitive OCR Lufia project is officially online again (Again!)! The Lufia series has one of THE great soundtracks of the SNES era, and Bahamut wanted to honor it with an album project. This was at a time where MANY albums were being developed on OCR, and this one quietly trudged along. After some time I agree'd to help co-direct the project, but even with my help this project fell into a deep slumber of relative inactivity. Bahamut's life became too complicated to continue this in earnest, and I've had school and relative job insecurity that held me back. While Bahamut still has other obligations in life that don't allow him to dedicate the time to finish something like this, my time has cleared up, which has allowed me to take this project 100% head on again. I will be the director of this album from this point on, with Bahamut's blessings. All of my thanks goes to him for starting and establishing this project, getting it to where it is today. In addition, Theory of N has agree'd to co-direct this album. As the scope of the project expanded outside of my ability to control it when it... spirals to the nether, he is here to keep everything on track. So far he has done wonders behind the scenes, and I am sure he will continue to do so. Any music from Lufia II and its DS remake will be accepted for this project. It's a compromise between the original vision (Lufia I & II's soundtrack) and the later vision (ONLY having Lufia II music); there are quite a few good Lufia I tracks that were rearranged for the DS remake, so some of those Lufia I tracks have become available again. This is a list of the music that already has a prior claim: if you are not on this list then you don't have a claim to this music. Music that's considered a Prime Pick is music that the album really shouldn't be without - please pick one of those, if one is available, as that music is iconic. Solid picks are other great tracks from the soundtrack, though they're less iconic to the soundtrack. The tracks that would be Nice to have are tracks on the OST that are less known, and would likely not be missed if they're not on the album. However, please pick any track that suits your tastes - I will not reject a good WIP of even the lesser known tracks! Claim (No WIP) Claim (with any WIP) Significant claim (50% WIP) Nearly finished (90-100%, without WAV) Finished (100%, WAV submitted) Reserved/Claimed: Opening Theme (Evory) The Prophet (Daragan) Battle #2 (Gario) The Silent World (DjjD) Parcelyte Presidential Administration / Port City (Flexstyle) Mountain of No Return\Labrynth (bLiNd) Battle #3 (Prince uf Darkness & Snappleman) Tanbel Abandoned Mine (Rockos) The Earth (World Map) (P.M. Crockett) Priphea Flowers (Audio Fidelity) To the Future (XPRTNovice) The Last Decisive Battle (P.M. Crockett) Big Bridge (Gario) Soma Shrine (Above Ground) (Gario) (Bonus Track) To the Azure Skies (Cyril the Wolf) Tranquility (PabloComa) Parting (djpretzel) The One who will Save the Earth (Jorito) Cardia Shrine (Artem Bank) Door of the Journey (Rockos) Battle #1 (DaMonz) Rumbling (Jeremy Robson) Flute of Sleepwalk (Abadoss) Town of Abundance, Elcid (Antti Pylsy) The Time of Judgment (bLiNd) Logimos Shrine (Above Ground) / Towering Mountain (Vodou Queen) The Three Towers (Bunnylord) Confrontation with a Great Enemy (Zack Parrish) Music Available: Solid picks: Lexis Laboratory Water Capital, Parcelyte Castle of Stone, Bound Kingdom Ancient Caves Battle Despair and Destruction The Strongest! The Greatest Thieves in the World Throne Room Nice to have: Fortress Town, Gratz Empire Forest Village, Eserikto Logimos Shrine (Above Ground) Mountain Path of Ice Fog Soma Shrine (Below Ground) Gratz Underground Factory Wedding Bells If it's not on the list, it's open to claim for yourself. Any track from Lufia II or the DS remake are fair game; while I will be posting a list of songs in the near future, you can make your claims now. If you're a posted (or to-be-posted) ReMixer, the claim will be held (until you miss a date). If you are not a posted ReMixer, please either PM me a sample of your work, or send a well produced WIP of the track you'd like to claim. Here is a list of due dates for this album (2024): No more submissions will be accepted at this time. This is the final, no exceptions submission date for the album. There have been a few folk on here that have wanted to contribute since the last album submission - which is greatly appreciated! However, hell or high water this is when this album will be submitted to the site again, so if the final product is not finished by this date, you are not going to be on the album. Let's make a Lufia album that's truly worthy of the Gods!

The People's Remix Competition 339 PRCv14-01 Hello everyone and Welcome to the People's Remix Competition! Welcome to a brand new season of PRC. After some discussion as a result of the low amount of songs I got several nice reactions. I introduced some polls and as a result, three parts of the contest will change. 1. It is no longer necessary to use ThaSauce to submit. Participants are allowed to enter by posting a download link at the Ocremix Topic as well. I’ll upload the songs to ThaSauce myself to have the songs centered at one place (to avoid download problems). It is also not necessary to vote @ThaSauce, it can also be done by sending me a PM. 2. I’ll try to make sure that deadlines of PRC and MnP are not at the same date. However, a PRC round will always be two weeks. I don’t know how I’m going to do this yet and I won’t guarantee anything; this also depends on the MnP schedule. 3. The winner of round X will not select a source for round X+1 but for round X + 2. So the one who wins this round may pick a source for PRC341 and not PRC340. So the winner of last round (338) selects a source for PRC340. No difference if there’s a tie, both pick a source for round X+2. The PRC schedule will change as follows: The winner still may not enter the round if he/she selected the source but the winner is allowed to post a bonus mix (he/she has two weeks more to make a song). The regular schedule of PRC will be as follows: - Monday week 1: start of the remixing stage. - Wednesday week 2: end of the remixing stage, start of the voting stage. - Monday week 3: end of the voting stage. The winner(s) must send the source for the next round before Monday week 4. So if PRC X starts at Monday January 2nd, the round ends at Wednesday January 11th. Voting ends Monday January 16th, I need the source before Monday January 23th. PRC X+1 Starts Monday January 16th (or a couple of days earlier if it fits better in my schedule), remixing stage ends Wednesday January 25th, voting ends Monday January 30th and the winner must send the source to me before Monday February 6th. And so on… If it is different I’ll mention it in the post. When extensions are necessary, the winner(s) are given less time to pick a source. Time to start the round. PRC338 isn’t finish yet, check the Thread to vote: http://ocremix.org/community/topic/44874-prc338-the-13th-anniversary-free-round/ his source was selected by Hoboka after winning PRC337. He was challenged by Overkillius, who submitted a short remix. Hoboka claimed the win, leaving Overkillius behind with the wooden spoon. Source: Legend of Dragoon – Rose’s Theme (PSX) MIDI Source Information ThaSauce link: Click here to submit To submit a song at the compo page you can use the ThaSauce page. If you use this, an account is required. If you don't want to use ThaSauce, please upload the song somewhere else and post a download link in this thread. I recommend Soundcloud, don't forget to allow downloads to enable me to upload the song at ThaSauce. I will keep using ThaSauce as the place where all songs are located. If you want to use ThaSauce, the following steps should be done. Click the ThaSauce Link. Click the 'You are not logged in' button in the upper right. Click on 'register' (at the bottom). Read the terms and click 'I agree to these terms'. If you don't agree with them, upload the song somewhere else and post a download link as mentioned above (by doing that, you allow me to upload the song at ThaSauce. Continue the process by filling in your information. You will get a question to confirm that you're not a robot. Here are some possible answers: Name a compo: PRC Who organizes One Hour Compo: Starla Name a ThaSauce subdomain: compo.thasauce.net Who created Mega Mans: Capcom A confirmation mail will be send. There might be some issues with it (meaning that you don't get it), if that is the case, upload the song somewhere else as described above. Once registered, login with your username and password, go to the mentioned page and submit the song. If you want submit two or more songs you can create multiple ThaSauce accounts or upload the song somewhere else and post the download link. After uploading your song, please check if your song plays and can be downloaded and played without problems. Only upload MP3 files. PRC instructions The deadline is Wednesday January 11th 2017 at 10:59 am ThaSauce time (18:00 UTC, 19:00 GMT), check the ThaSauce page for the exact time left. Make sure that the song is uploaded to ThaSauce or that there’s a download link posted in this thread. You may enter as many mixes as you like and work with as many people as you like on each mix. You are free to create a second ThaSauce account for that if you use ThaSauce, it's needed to be able to upload a second remix if you use ThaSauce. Of course you can also upload it somewhere else and put a download link in this thread. Do not make qualitative comments on an entry until the results of the vote have been posted in this thread. Mixers cannot vote for themselves but if they vote they receive a free first place vote added onto their score. The winner of this round may select the source for PRC341. The winner of PRC337, Hoboka, can only participate by submitting a Bonus Mix. His vote is doubled in the voting stage. You can find the full rules list at this page as well. I edited this page with the new schedule and rules. GOOD LUCK! PRC ThaSauce Home Page!

Hello! As you may or may not know, MAGFest is happening soon, and just like every year for the past decade, we'll be having a special month over at Dwelling of Duels, with a live listening party at MAGFest! Exact details about the listening party to follow. The tradition is to pick a unique and interesting theme for the MAGFest duel, and this time it's... 80s vs 90s Month That's right, we're pitting two awesome decades against each other! Which had the better video games? Which had the better music? Which had the better video game music? All of these questions will be answered this month. Artists can chose either the 80s or the 90s, and remix songs from a game (or multiple games) released in that decade. Featuring games from both decades in a single entry is not allowed. Other than that, all standard rules apply: http://dwellingofduels.net/rules/ Now, what makes this duel special, other than the live listening party, you ask? Well, we're happy to announce a partnership with Impact Soundworks! Top 3 artists (or groups/bands) will each get one library out of the following: Super Audio Cart, Shreddage Bass 2, Shreddage Guitar or Shreddage Drums. Fun fact: Shreddage Bass 2 was recorded by the ocremix artist, bass virtuoso and the person with the most DoD gold medals, Tony Dickinson a.k.a. Prince uf Darkness! But wait, there's more: entrants will be able to get a 10% discount on all Impact Soundworks libraries! So, get your instruments ready, start making some music, and enter the duel! Deadline for submissions is January 3rd, 2017 at 1PM EST. Send your entries to dodsongs@gmail.com. If you come to MAGFest, be sure to drop by the listening party (80s or 90s fashion not required). We promise it's gonna be fun, as you can see in this video: For those not familiar with DoD: Dwelling of Duels is a monthly (or sometimes bi-monthly) video game music remixing competition started back in 2003. The focus is on live instruments: each entry needs to have a main instrument played live. A theme is picked for each duel and all the entries have to follow the theme. At the end of the month, listeners vote for the songs and a winner is decided. To this day, there have been: - 2778 entries, from - 1070 games, by - 714 artists, in - 154 duels, having - 167+ hours of music! http://dwellingofduels.net/

Haha I looped it a good 3 or 4 times looking. And many more trying to think of what to do with this little pile of deviance

Songs are up! 37 main entries and two alts! http://dwellingofduels.net/duels/16-12-80s-vs-90s/ If you happen to be at magfest, come to the listening party (Thursday midnight, panel room 4). Listening party will also be streamed on 8bitx. You can vote using the sliders on the duel page. Deadline for votes is January 7th, 4PM EST. Send the votes to dodsongs@gmail.com.

i'll be getting on everyone who's expressed interest to get me a timeline once magfest's over, so sometime next week.

Haha, I think this still counts as a VGM arrangement of his theme. Neat idea, has a lot of energy. As far as humanizing guitars, I can see where you're coming from. You do some good work in this, but there seems to be a tendancy to copy paste prior guitar licks, which makes each section sound the exact same. Copying notes isn't a bad thing, but copying the envelops that make the guitar sound more human makes it sound less realistic. Humans change how they play the same thing from phrase to phrase, so copying and pasting the envelops makes it clear to the listener that it is indeed not performed by a person. Sounds pretty cool, though - nice little arrangement of His Theme in the style of Bonetrousle.

Oh come on, this timing. Well, I already wrote it, so... No link to the source, so I'm completely ignoring source usage in this evaluation. eval: The sound is blatantly synthy, with creative use of effects not to hide the synth-ness, but to emphasize it. I can appreciate that. That makes for a nice soundscape. But the lead synth and drums are laid raw and exposed on top of that, and don't quite seem to fit. I think the choice of synths don't quite align with the mood of the piece. Many of them seem more at home in a hard, aggressive genre, whereas this track leans more towards classic circus stuff, played with brass bands and steam organs. It's a weird juxtaposition of sound and style, and in this case I don't think it works. Don't get me wrong, the sounds are cool, but they don't seem to fit this particular track. The writing gets repetitive fast. There's variation in the iterations of what I assume is a key melody from source, but the variations are fundamentally similar and so they don't break the repetitiveness. There's a lot of unison writing and octave doubling, which in itself isn't a problem and makes for some interesting variations, but I find myself wanting more harmonic and rhythmic variation instead, perhaps a different melody used entirely (from the same source or from another). Voice clips and sound effects don't feel appropriately used. I know I'm biased against them, but they, along with some variations of the melody, seem to be thrown in for the sake of some variation or novelty. Overall, the dynamics seem to wobble around the same level, with some stop-and-go moments. That can work when there's a cool groove to keep the track moving. The more staggering rhythm and arrangement here doesn't lend itself to those flat dynamics. I'd want a softer section, a louder section, a faster section, a slower section, a more sparse section, a more dense section... Something more different than this. Mismatched sounds, repetitive writing, and an arrangement that isn't sufficiently dynamic (or varied). I'm not convinced this could make it through the panel. I'm sure it was a fun experiment, but it didn't work out. It might be worth fiddling with, but I'd take what I learned from it and move on to the next track. Work on your arrangement and sound design choices. And clearly I have a very different impression of it than Gario did.

Maybe something like "Sunset in the Jungle"? Very cool work, by the way!

JANUARY 3, 2017 - NOW UPDATED FOR MAGFEST XV / 2017 Since 2012, I've been updating this guide for the Gaylord Hotel and National Harbor area for MAGFest attendees. We're back for 2017! Just dress warmly this time, because it's gonna be freezing this weekend and ice levels suck. As always, if anyone has suggestions on stuff to add, just post and I'll amend. If anyone wants to make plans, then I'm game (I'll be on Discord). ________________________________________________________________ GENERAL INFO: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ GENERAL AREA The Gaylord Resort is gorgeous. The Atrium, Hotel, and Convention Center are all connected, and most overflow hotels are <2 blocks away. In The Atrium there are several shops and restaurants, though most are high-end or have bad food, so you're usually better off walking a few blocks for food/supplies. The area was planned, so most things are 2-5 blocks away and there are maps everywhere. There are plenty of shops/restaurants (details below), and while most are expensive, there are some affordable options. I'll give suggestions for different budgets/tastes below. (Also in 2016 the MGM Grand was built in the area. Fortunately that's like a mile up from the Gaylord so you shouldn't run into any congestion from there.) HOTELS For the Gaylord Hotel, budget an hour to check in (they're fast but can still get swamped), and an hour to check out and get out of the parking garage (seriously it can be a mess). Main up-side for the Gaylord is that you're right at the con and don't have to don a coat to head back to your room. Main down-side is that it's more expensive and doesn't have any free amenities. For the overflow hotels: checking in and out is faster, but it can still take half an hour or so to get out of the garages. Main up-side for the overflows is that they're often cheaper and many (like Residence Inn) even have free breakfast! Main down-side is that you can't just pop back to your room as easily from the con. PARKING/TRANSPORT For those driving in who have a hotel, use their parking -- that will normally be your cheapest option. For those driving in each day, the public garages are all $16/day. (Be careful! They charge a flat rate if you come in after 8pm regardless of how long you're there, whether it's 5 minutes or 5 hours.) Don't bother with street parking as meters are only good for 2 hours and have 24-hour enforcement. For those not driving, there're really three options: (1) take a cab, Uber, or Lyft from whatever station/airport you're coming in from, (2) take the airport shuttle from DCA to the Gaylord for $19, or (3) take the Metro Green Line to Branch Ave (link) and then the NH1 bus to National Harbor (schedule) -- unfortunately the buses stop running before 11PM, and Metro trains stop running by 12AM (even on weekends). EATING I have specific restaurant lists below, but here's a brief rundown: For breakfast, there aren't a lot of good inexpensive options. Check if your hotel offers free breakfast though (Residence Inn and some of the other hotels do, but Gaylord does not); otherwise, you're better off buying some cereal, granola bars, fruit, etc.. For lunch/dinner, most restaurants are crowded at peak hours (Nando's, Elevation Burger, and Rosa Mexicano especially). Try off-peak hours and check which restaurants are open late. For the budget-conscious, there are some inexpensive options I've highlighted. Better still is also to bring in your own food (like breakfast) or buy at some of the stores around (like Potomac Gourmet or CVS). Drink lots of water. Even if it's cold, you need water. POKEMON HUNTING It's pretty good hunting here. There're 34 Pokestops, 2 gyms, and plenty of Pokemon besides the usual Pidgey/Rattata trash. You can catch a bagload pretty easily walking through the streets, in the Gaylord, or along the waterfront. Unless you're Team Instinct, then you can get rekt. *** ________________________________________________________________ RESTAURANTS: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ There're plenty of restaurants in the area. I've checked out nearly all of the ones over the years that might be more appealing to MAGFest-goers. THE SHORT LISTS: Recommended (starting with the best): - Nando's Peri-Peri - Elevation Burger - Fiorella - Granite City Food & Brewery - Rosa Mexicano - Succotash On the cheap (starting with the cheapest): - Subway - Potbelly Sandwich Works - Chipotle - Nando's Peri-Peri - Potomac Gourmet Market (for ready-made soups/sandwiches) Breakfast options (starting with the morningest): - Harbor Coffee - Potomac Gourmet Market (for ready-made soups/sandwiches) - Subway Dessert options (starting with the sweetest): - SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier - Pinkberry - Ben & Jerry's THE CHANGE LOG: Here are some of the places that have disappeared in the last 2 years: - Harrington's Pub & Kitchen - Baja Fresh - Freshii - Nature's Table Here are some of the places that are new in the last 2 years: - Chipotle (replaced empty lot) - Franks & Shakes (replaced Nature's Table) - The Irish Whisper (replaced half of Harrington's) - Brother Jimmy's BBQ (replaced the other half of Harrington's) - Granite City Food & Brewery (replaced construction) - Succotash (replaced Baja Fresh and Freshii) - Redstone American Grill (replaced empty lot) THE LONG LIST: I've divided this into 3 sections: (1) breakfast/lunch/dinner places, (2) coffee/snack/dessert places, and (3) places to cross off the list. They're roughly in order of best-to-middling, though I try to balance quality with cost. Also, where I can, I've marked the cost (from $=$10/person to $$$$=$40/person) and my own subjective assessment (from 1/4 to 4/4). (1) For breakfast/lunch/dinner: Nando's Peri-Peri ($, 5/4) PROS: Everything! Inexpensive ($8-$12, no tipping needed). Food is delicious. Chicken is legendary. Vegetarian options are good. Even when it's crowded, you get a seat quicker than most other places. CONS: It gets crowded and noisy at night, sometimes. Yet they still manage to be faster at seating you than other places. (Most people who know me know I'm a huge Nando's fan and advocate. I usually go to a Nando's once a week on average. It's just that good.) Fiorella Pizzeria E Caffe ($$, 3/4) PROS: Moderately priced and decent Italian/Pizza place (even for someone like me who isn't big on Italian food). They're also good with seating large groups (when they have room, so calling ahead wouldn't hurt). CONS: Desserts are a little subpar, really that's about it. (Good option if you're in the mood for Italian, and don't mind walking down to the harbor area.) Elevation Burger ($, 3/4) PROS: Cheap and good burgers ($5-$10), and the vegetarian & vegan burgers are both good. CONS: Gets extremely crowded at peak hours. Also, the burgers alone are small -- get a side dish, a milkshake, or something on the side. There's also not much sitting room inside. (Good option for lunch if it's not too crowded. Take my advice and get fries or a shake with your order though.) Granite City Food & Brewery ($$, 3/4) PROS: Relatively inexpensive ($15-20), good food, and plenty of seating for larger groups. This is also open pretty late ('til 11pm Thursday, 'til 12am Friday-Saturday). CONS: Not much, actually. Crowds are typically not that bad either. (Typical American fare. Main thing that sets it apart also is how late it's open and that it has plenty of seating room.) Potomac Gourmet ($, 2/4) PROS: This is a grocery store, but they have some to-go soup and pre-packaged sandwiches, generally for under $7 for a quick lunch. Fresh fruits/veg, also. CONS: It's just a grocery store, not a restaurant, but it's a good option for a quick meal. (This is the best place if you're in a hurry. If you're getting groceries here it's not cheap, but the ready-made lunch options are actually less expensive than most other places here.) Succotash ($$$, 4/4) PROS: Great southern restaurant (Louisiana-to-South Carolina area) and very generous portions, especially with the side dishes. CONS: Rather expensive ($20-30). The main reason it's this high on the list is because the portions are generous enough to make this a decent value. (I rate this highly because of my fondness for Southern food, and the portion size. The fries, succotash, and anything fried is good, but skip the watermelon and peanuts.) Rosa Mexicano ($$$, 4/4) PROS: Fantastic food (and get the guacamole if you're going to come here). You will be very full after eating here, so you may as well go in the early afternoon, eat a full three course meal, and skip dinner -- it's worth it. CONS: It's not cheap. It can also get crowded, especially at night, and it may take up to 2 hours to get a table without a reservation. (This place is my favorite for high-quality Mexican food. Also the portions are generous; after eating lunch here I end up skipping dinner... However, the price and long wait rule it out for most people.) Crab Cake Cafe ($$, 2/4) PROS: Well, it has Maryland Crab Cakes. Those are always good. CONS: If I wanted to spend $14 on a sandwich, I'd just go to one of the other sit-down restaurants. (The prices aren't listed in the window, but the vegetarian sandwich is $11 and the crab cakes are all $13-14.) (Only good if you really want some crab cakes. Otherwise, no reason to go.) Thai Pavilion ($$, 2/4) PROS: It's the only Thai restaurant in the area, and it (now) has a decent vegetarian menu. Price is rather decent also. CONS: Honestly it's a little below-average for a Thai restaurant. (Good if you're craving Thai food, but otherwise I'd pass.) Potbelly Sandwich Works ($) PROS: Inexpensive but filling sandwiches. And I've always liked their milkshakes. They're also usually good about handling the lunch rush. CONS: The line will go out the door at lunch, and there won't be any place inside to sit unless you're lucky. Though, they get through the line at a pretty fast pace. Subway ($) PROS: ...it's Subway. CONS: ...it's Subway. Chipotle ($) [NEW!] PROS: ...it's Chipotle. CONS: ...it's Chipotle. McDonald's ($) PROS: ...it's McDonald's. CONS: ...it's McDonald's, and all the way out in the gas station a half mile from the convention. Franks & Shakes ($) [NEW!] (Haven't been here.) Practically fast food, and to be honest there're better options around for fast food (Chipotle, Subway) and shakes (Potbelly, Elevation Burger). The Irish Whisper ($$) [NEW!] (Haven't been here.) This place appears to have replaced Harrington's (which was another Irish pub). However it's predominantly drinks and pub fare. Brother Jimmy's BBQ ($$) [NEW!] (Haven't been here.) Uh... guys, I may be southern but I also don't eat pork, so I have no idea how to evaluate good BBQ. Someone check this out and let me know. Although the reviews aren't very promising. Bobby McKey's ($$$) (Haven't been here.) Open late and sandwiches look moderately priced, but everything else looks pricey. Cadillac Ranch ($$$) (Haven't been here.) Open late and sandwiches look moderately priced, but everything else looks pricey and the Yelp reviews aren't great. They do have a mechanical bull, though. Public House ($$$) (Haven't been here.) Sandwiches are moderately priced, entrees are expensive though. It gets very crowded on weekends. Yelp reviews aren't great, but it could be worth a try? (2) For coffee/dessert SPAGnVOLA Chocolatier (¢¢, 5/4) As a chocolate lover, SPAGnVOLA is one of my favorite chocolatiers, second only to Lindt. The hot chocolate, gelato, and pretty much everything else here is delicious (mind you, some of the treats like bonbons/truffles are pricey, but the coffee, gelato, and hot chocolate are all reasonable). Harbor Coffee (¢, 3/4) Good coffee, and the same price as any other place. It's about 2-3 blocks from the hotel, as opposed to in the hotel -- that's the only down-side. The Coffee Bean (in the hotel) (¢, 2/4) It's passable for a quick coffee fix since it's in the hotel, but that's it. Harbor Coffee is a better option if you're willing to walk. Pinkberry (¢, 3/4) Delicious frozen yogurt with toppings. They also claim to be open late (allegedly until 12am on Saturdays). The Peeps Store (¢, n/a) It's Peeps. Where else are you gonna find an entire store devoted to these marshmallow chicks? They have other merchandise too. Ben & Jerry's (¢, 2/4) ...It's Ice Cream. It's not Nice Cream, but it's still ok. (3) Probably should avoid Redstone ($$$, 2/4) Some of the food options (anything with buffalo sauce or roasted) is actually decent, and it has a great view of the harbor plus good service. Unfortunately, it's way too expensive given that the quality of the food is not that high, and you can get much better food for less at places like Granite City, Succotash, or Fiorella. National Pastime Sports Bar & Grill (in the hotel) ($$, 0/4) The only reason to go is to watch the playoff games. However the food is overpriced and really, really not that good. McCormick & Schmick's ($$$$, 4/4) The food is actually very good, but it's very expensive. I don't think many folks came here to drop that kind of cash. McLoone's Pier House ($$$$, 4/4) Like McCormick, the food here is also very good, yet very expensive. Grace's Mandarin ($$$$, -1/4) The food is overpriced and comes in small portions, the decorations are gaudy, and the waitresses dress like a cross between P. F. Chang's and Hooters. Old Hickory Steakhouse (in the hotel) Moon Bay Coastal Cuisine (in the hotel) Pienza Italian Market (in the hotel) Bond 45 Sauciety (Haven't been to any of these places) I can't speak to the quality of any of these places -- some of them even look quite good -- but the prices are very high and I don't think anyone came to drop that kind of money here. ________________________________________________________________ CHALLENGE MODES: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Below is a specific strategy guide for some players who are looking for a challenge, whether out of necessity or... well, usually necessity. VEGETARIAN MODE: Fortunately the DC area is pretty friendly to vegetarians, so you have plenty of good options among most of the places I listed above. I'll list out the best places for vegetarians and strats at each. Nando's Peri-Peri: Many vegetarian options -- the halloumi cheese wrap, roasted vegetable wrap, veggie burger, and all of the sides, are good. You're not missing out by just going vegetarian here. Elevation Burger: Their vegetarian and vegan burgers are pretty good, and if you're fine with dairy then you can still get their shakes. Rosa Mexicano: They have a specific vegetarian menu. When you sit down, ask for that -- it'll give you more options than you may see on the normal menu. Succotash: There are fewer vegetarian options here, but still enough, and they clearly label which items are vegetarian or vegan on the lunch and dinner menus. Remember their side dish portions are pretty huge. Fiorella: There are several vegetarian options as long as you're fine with cheese. Chipotle: Still has your beans/rice/cheese options as always. Subway: Well, if you're running out of options, you can always get the veggie sandwich at Subway. I'm always suspicious of their veggie patties though. VEGAN MODE: The DC area is also relatively friendly to vegans, though understandably your options will be more limited than vegetarians. But! You'll still have plenty of options here. Nando's Peri-Peri: The only good vegan options are the roasted vegetable wrap (ask for it without cheese) and butternut squash salad, plus most of the sides. Mind you, those are all still really good, so you're not missing out by joining us for a Nando's run. Elevation Burger: Their vegan burger is good. However, make sure you are specific that you don't want any cheese on it (I've actually had this problem at other Elevation Burgers). Rosa Mexicano: Similar as the vegetarian mode, ask for a vegetarian menu when you sit down -- you'll have way more options. Many (though not all) of the items on there can also be made without cheese upon request. Succotash: There aren't many vegan main dishes, but most of the side dishes (which have generous portions) are vegan. The menu clearly specifies what is vegetarian or vegan, too. Fiorella: There are fewer options here -- mostly just pasta and sauce, or some custom orders without cheese, but I haven't tried either so I can't vouch for quality there. Chipotle: ...when in doubt, there's Chipotle. Subway: ...and when all else fails, there's still Subway. CHEAPSKATE MODE: So you want to get through spending as little on food as possible? Well, that involves a little bit of a different strategy. The short version is that you should make a grocery run before you get to MAGFest, and just store what you need in the mini-fridge for breakfast and lunch, and eat out for dinner. Prioritize fruits, ditch the junk food, and drink plenty of water. So here are some specifics: Breakfast: If you're in an overflow hotel, see if they have free breakfast and eat your fill their -- maybe even enough to pass on lunch (your choice). Otherwise, pack some cereal, milk, and disposable bowls/spoons; OR some granola bars (...not the kind that are no better than candy); OR some fruit like bananas and apples. Don't skip breakfast -- you just end up hungrier and more tired. Lunch: A bit more of a challenge, but you can tide yourself over with other things you've packed or stocked up on beforehand. Fruit (apples, bananas, oranges, etc.), peanut butter crackers, granola bars, yogurt, etc., can help you last until dinner. And drink lots of water. Dinner: Unless you plan on bringing like a portable hotplate (...honestly this is a bad idea unless you have a lot of room, like in the suites, and even then really know what you're doing), allow yourself to eat out for dinner. The best low-cost options are Nando's, Potbelly, Subway, Chipotle, and Potomac Gourmet. Other: Drink lots of water. Yes I know I keep repeating this, but it keeps you from getting too hungry, and makes it less likely you'll get sick. Also, if you run low on anything, CVS and Potomac Gourmet should have what you need to restock. HEALTHY MODE: ...um... ...I'm not good at this one... OA would give better advice here. ________________________________________________________________ OTHER PLACES: ¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯ Not many folks going to MAG are planning on shopping, but there are a few things around that you might want to be aware of. CVS There's a CVS right across from Nando's Peri-Peri, if you need to grab anything you couldn't pack on your way in. Urgent Care There's an urgent care clinic just up from CVS (from the hotel, turn right around the corner of the CVS). Just keep this in mind in case you catch MAGFlu and need to check in. Potomac Gourmet This is a small upscale grocery store. Fruits/veg, packaged food, soup and sandwiches, that kind of thing, you can stock up on here. The price is slightly above-average, but not bad unless you plan on doing a month's worth of shopping here. I prefer just having the soups/sandwiches if I need a quick lunch from here (you can get an ok lunch for under $7 from here). Stonewall Kitchen This is not a place for buying food. It's just a cookware place (like Dean & Deluca or Sur La Table). Bubble Bounce This is not a restaurant. It is an indoor playground where you can drop off your kids. For some reason the National Harbor guide lists it under their restaurants on some maps. Don't be fooled unless you want an uncomfortable conversation. Capital Teas And this is a tea store I really don't like. The tea is of really poor quality yet they charge a ton for it. The Awakening Baja Fresh, Freshii, and Nature's Table are gone, but this thing is still here...

No problem. I have removed you from the performers list. ---- Hello and Happy 2017 everyone! I hope everyone is refreshed (or at least done being hung over) and ready to compose with all your new toys for music! Just so everyone knows, I am behind in getting feedback out to everyone so if you haven't received anything from me yet, please be patient - unless of course, you've requested that we hold off on giving you feedback, in which case we'll send you a PM once you are confident enough with the WIP for review. I guess that 3-5/day was a little ambitious. Live and learn! We have three outstanding claims: @The Nikanoru - Titania Prominion - Fortuna @Trev - Bolse I really don't have much excuse to not have something at this point, other than being busy with whatever time I can find trying to review everyone else's tracks. All I can say is that I am subject to my own rules and have a month to submit something or my claim will be open. I am hoping that Prominion and Trev will have something to me soon, as they are under the same rules ... A couple of reminders moving forward: For next check-in, progress must be confirmed (new WIP required). Completed tracks are requested, but not required. I plan to submit this project for OCR approval within the next four months. I have set a goal for the project of 16 complete (not finished) tracks to submit with. I currently have 4 tracks I have labelled complete and 1 labelled finished; if anyone is wondering what I mean by that, a complete track 'is a track with a full framework; one that has a beginning, a middle, and an end that are clearly defined.' This does not mean the structure is set in stone; that would be a finished track, which should only require minor mixing adjustments. 11 more complete tracks needed to complete the goal. I've had to take down Sargasso Space Zone and Fichina, as their tracks have been claimed in other areas. There are still a few tracks I would like to see on the album: Great Fox Theme The Awesome Black Hole (map select music can be included) Meteor Base (SF or SF2) Out of this Dimension (for the truly brave) ...and another reminder that character and boss themes are still available to claim as well. 5 more tracks to be claimed before we reach our goal of 32 claims. The Andross remix is still looking for volunteers, if anyone is bored or having a mental block on their remix. Sequencing/building the framework is our current priority - a few people have said they'd be in like Flynn once we have something in place. I know not much has happened on this yet, but I still want to get everyone in on this, so please, any help you could provide would be appreciated! Here's to a great 2017, everyone - let's make some music!

It would be really great if we had the Assault soundfont amirite xD

Check the vote end date. Think I should get back into competitions.

80s FTW!~!!!!!1