Build party: A new kind of party

We ran a build party recently (April 10/11, depending on timezone). It was a great success, but a lot of work.

The idea of this party was that a plot was open for a long time. In this case, 14 hours straight! Participants in the party were able to come and go over that span, and they all had edit permission in the plot. Everyone worked together on a single theme. In our first instance of this kind of party, we made an airport.

Participants are keen to continue with the project, so we will be running the party again, on the same plot, to keep working on it together. We had 12 people involved in building at the plot.

For this event, the host needs to supply all materials, and had a plot that gets used. This plot should be set aside for the work to remain in place after the event. Editors can only move things around that are already on the plot. We managed this by setting up enormous stockpiles of items of all kinds people could choose from; and also by having the host make particular items on request. The host must also remain on the plot to keep it open; so before hand the host had to ensure a very well stocked supply of materials (planks, bars, bricks, fabric, and all kinds of forage items that might be used to make decor).

This party is a major commitment for anyone wishing to host, but the end result was a really fun day with lots of co-operative work going on and some really creative building, at all levels (advanced, and beginner).

Next one will be easier, as I already have a large stock of decor in storage from setting up the first time. Not everything gets used; anything that is used remains on the plot in any case.