Scores instead of places?

[kindaro]

I suggest that games be assigned scores by judges. This way people will be incentivized to try harder even if their odds to get to the first place are slim, and the score will inform the designer better than just a place number.

This is indeed how creative performances are often scored, for example figure skating.

[simonmichael]

I agree with you, I expect we'll do this assuming time allows.