At the same time, one might wonder what the endless MSX1 obsession is among entries. Use screen 4, for extra sprites (or nicer sprites), use a custom palette, and you already have the same game but it looks better. Shifting the focus to MSX2 doesn't mean you shouldn't use pattern mode anymore, it also doesn't mean that all MSX2 games are going to be RPGs. For some reason this idea seems to have manifested itself in this scene.
hahaha, this argument is very strange. Replace "MSX1" in your first sentence with "MSX in general", and you describe this community. You could say "Why stick to the MSX standard, when you could just do the game for PC, remove CPU restrictions, and you already have the same game but moves better" 
Anyway, jokes aside, in my case it's the same as what uninteresting was saying. I feel nostalgia for MSX1 as that's the only MSX I ever knew, and also, I enjoy the constraints challenge. But I think it's healthy for the community to have games for all generations, as the community is very diverse and different groups have different preferences.
pah, you have no time to chat here, finish your entry instead.. 
At the same time, one might wonder what the endless MSX1 obsession is among entries. Use screen 4, for extra sprites (or nicer sprites), use a custom palette, and you already have the same game but it looks better. Shifting the focus to MSX2 doesn't mean you shouldn't use pattern mode anymore, it also doesn't mean that all MSX2 games are going to be RPGs. For some reason this idea seems to have manifested itself in this scene.
Well, that is the developer choice of course... From the people I know, many chose MSX1 as a limiting factor just for the fun of creating the best they can in a more limited machine... Which is fine by me, it is their time being invested, better be on something they find challenging and fun.
On the other hand, we could see for a number of entries that there are developers willing to go that extra mile and make a MSX2 game, and let's hope MSX DEV organization doesn't decide to make it a MSX1 only competition again. If two games are very similar in gameplay and assets but one is MSX2 and wins because of that, it is fair, the dev went that extra mile... If games are not similar, I would play Penguin Adventure for days while Tokyo/Scramble Formation is not attractive... Even if Tokyo is colorful, etc... It is in no way as fun as a game as Penguin Adventure (my oppinion of course). 
Naturally it's all up to the game itself. But, MSX1 is 39 years old, MSX2 is...what... 36 years old? It's not like one is extremely old. Both systems are old by now.
Just that you asked why people still stick to making MSX1 games... I don't think it is any easier, just more challenging as you have more limitations using 9918 than 9938, or like someone posted a few pages ago, some just have a MSX1 and want to code for it not for an emulator... We can find quite a few reasons... But ultimately, if you get familiar to 9938/9958 it should be easier to use and have less limitations than 9918. When it is a hobby, ultimately people's passions are what drive development, not logic.
pah, you have no time to chat here, finish your entry instead..
hahaha, not this year either unfortunately! Hopefully next year
I appreciate the good discussion whether the compo should continue the FreeStyle mode, we'll let you know soon 
As for this episode, all games are in and doors are closed. In total we have 32 games, wow. awesome. We'll have to register and process all games that came in tonight, it'll take a day or two. We'll sum all up in an upcoming news post.
phew
