Not being able to fix the major bugs in the game only because a voting phase is ongoing is unacceptable imo.
I have a bug that prevents people to use the settings menu. And that's not doing anyone any good to have it like that.
I could fix it in 5 mins and release a fix, then add a changelog of what I've changed so people know it isn't a huge change.
Or, the game Oscillator could add lives to their games for a post jam version, so I could enjoy the game better. Now I only tried it a few times and I had to move on without seeing their content.

It already isn't a fair game because not everyone is spending the same amount of time. People are busy. So, I really think locking the build uploading doesn't solve anything at all.

If this is about because the jam has a PRIZE. Why does the jam has a prize in the first place? It's all against the spirit of jamming.
I hope you will consider not having the uploads locked next jam, it is kind of a big deal breaker for me.

Thanks for hosting and CHEERS!

I don't appreciate the tones, both here and from what I've heard, seen and read on other people's streams and from our discussion during the live. I don't think it is the best attitude to deliver what I find to be very valid points you brought to my attention during the live stream. You made more valid points there than in this post.

The first statement finds me in disagreement: "unacceptable" sounds excessive since this modality is what I have experienced in all the game jams I have participated in in the past (you won't find them on my current profile page). I don't have a ton of experience, but I don't think it is "unacceptable" to have this rule in place. For this kind of jam, although I agree it could have been a better fit to have the fix open during the voting period. I actually agree, and I will definitely consider it for the future and most likely adopt it. I am not certain yet, since it will artificially extend the effort duration for all the people involved. And people are busy, as you correctly point out.

About your bug, I personally think it's a minor one: it didn't prevent me from enjoying your game, and for me is part of the game to have some features not working properly, being overlooked by players, not fleshed out, etc. Seeing bug-free game entries for a four-day jam looks to me to be an exception more than the norm.

I haven't played Oscillator yet, so I don't have a clear context for the other game. From your description of the issue seems to fall in the same category, so it seems to be again a matter of the underlying spirit of the current ruleset.

It is most likely fair game if people can only dedicate part of the full span of the time given to make a game for a submission. They know that in advance when joining. I don't see unfairness in people being busy and deciding how much effort they want to put into a competition. It feels like you are asking for a longer jam, but this wasn't meant to be.

About the prize, I don't know what you mean here. Is having a prize for a game jam against the spirit of jamming? This came to me because I have seen it in game jams, and the decision came because I wanted this jam not to be just a meme that was going on in the community that follows my streams. It is stated as the first sentence on the jam page.

I will consider leaving submissions fixes unlocked during the voting period, according to the time I can and want to spend on checking each and every fix and see if it doesn't add a new feature and make the jam unfair. This will happen if I'm not too busy, and I will have the energy and time to do that. Alternatively, I can shorten the voting period. But I am still debating if that will go against my vision of the spirit of jamming.

My reasoning as the organiser of this one is that I wanted it to be a burst of creativity confined in a few days. I was also surprised to see so much participation: this is my first jam that I set up by myself, live and learn.

I feel I have to apologise for not stating it clearly on the jam page, you weren't expecting it, and the locked submission must have been a bitter surprise.

I know first-hand how energy-consuming a game jam is when you get into one, and how frustrating it gets when things don't work well. But it saddens me that I have to hear about your concerns about it all around the community like I were unreachable, and I felt defensive since I have put a fair amount of effort, time (and money) in making it work and fun for the people who joined. I hope you had fun making Heliowheel and seeing other creators make their own games.

For other people reading: Brainoid has a lot of experience in participating and organising game jams, being part of the d2jam actively, which is a well-made and recognised event. He's also a very talented and creative game developer and a fun and engaging streamer in our shared community. I'm aware of that, and he has my respect and admiration.