I think the idea was good, the execution was ok at best, subpar at worst.

I don't think it should have been extended a second month even though the changes (more stackers, less top heavy rewards) are improvements. I think the idea of having a March Madness once a year style tournament where everyone goes crazy is a good one and should be kept as an annual event. If the SN team really likes the engagement it creates maybe do a one week version every quarter along with the big tournament every March.

In my opinion the MSM event was great for existing power users but no so much for less frequent stackers and new users.

I guess it comes down to what the SN team's goal is in creating the Madness. If it is to enhance engagement amongst the already engaged it was highly effective. If it is to entice less engaged stackers to be more engaged it was probably moderately effective at first and less effective in the second half of the month. If it is to entice new stackers to join it wasn't very effective at all because new people really didn't have any chance to rank anywhere in the standings that would amount to a large reward payout at the end of the month.

In my opinion, I think you can still reward power users but have a structure that is conducive to bringing in new stackers who hopefully eventually become power users. I recognize it's a delicate balance especially if you want to keep doing a good job limiting spam and not rewarding sats farmers.

Anyways, those are my thoughts.

Cheers,
GR