Actually, most other places do this kind of thing all the time with quite a few people getting involved every time. Some sites have a GID (Game in a Day), some have a GIW (Game in a Week), but anywhere you see serious game makers - or even semi-serious - you see people getting involved. Not only does it offer the opportunity to show off their skills, but it forces people to push those skills.
Competition is used to draw people farther into the community while demonstrating the capabilities of the software to new and potential customers. It also forces people to push the limits of their own capabilities (yes I know I said that twice).
To me, someone new reading this thread wouldn't see a community as much as a bunch of people in the same place who can't agree on anything. I'm not saying that when one person has an idea everyone should jump on the bandwagon without questions, but it seems the only time I see
lots of users getting together on something here is to slam somebody or stick up for someone who is being slammed. Not everyone can get into something like this because of time constraints or other issues, but I see a number of people posting here explaining why this isn't such a good idea.
Go back over all the threads on the first two pages of any FPSC board, and compare them with the DBP boards. Comparatively, how many useful or informative posts, how many posts that offer real help and advice to other users, how many posts that show real productivity with the software.
Sorry for the rant in your thread, ZAKU, I'll back out again and leave everyone to their own thing.
Sarcasm, just one more service I have to offer...