I thought Pachak Nunas was a great title. I didn't know what it meant until I read your opening post, but it was strange and evocative and I liked it. I was deeply sad when it changed it to 1000 Ghosts. Maybe I should have left that as feedback, eh?
Frankly, what you're griping about does sound like an ego thing. You can say it's about being productive, but if you can't be productive without someone else's encouragement, then you are talking about your ego. That may be harsh, but I've been there (and I'll leave it at that).
The judges will hate me for this, but you might try what I did: I didn't post my game here except to submit, and I didn't participate in discussion until after the contest was over. I kept tabs on my competition, of course (and I thought Pachak Nunas was going to be tough), but that was it. I'm a social butterfly, and I didn't want to get caught up in all the excitement and not make the game I had in my head.
- Scott