Curse

Gaile Gray · Nov 11, 2007, 08:41 PM // 20:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHunterX

Why isn't this on the Announcements Screen at the Login?

Well, the reason it's not on that screen is that it's not an in-game opportunity. Generally we reserve the log-in announcements for game-related things. However, we have a new element going into the game that will allow us to communicate some of these things within the game and I did write up a bit about the Wintersday contest for that. Watch for the new announcer-thingie in a few days.

You can't see me · Nov 11, 2007, 09:11 PM // 21:11

Mini Kanaxai to the winner. Typical.

BenjZee · Nov 11, 2007, 09:13 PM // 21:13

Shame its only one entry lol but ofcourse that makes it fair. Just wait untill i post all my other ideas on the forum at the announcment.

Mr. G · Nov 11, 2007, 10:34 PM // 22:34

looks fun imo, people say "ZOMG prizes Sux" but you could give me a bucket of mini's - id rather see my designed (or something based on it) worn by a pile of people

also GG gaile for not quoting the most positive post for once ^^

Corwin_Andros · Nov 11, 2007, 10:58 PM // 22:58

My only real concern with this whole contest is that if by some chance, my hat wins, that I'll be able to play the day the hats are given out and be able to actually get one for myself. I wasn't able to play that day last Wintersday, so I missed out on the hats all together. I'd hate to miss out on a chance at getting my own design inspired hat for my characters..lol

As for all the ruckus going on in this thread, I will never understand all the negativity people feel the need to spew out when it comes to these contests. A-net is taking advantage, teh prizes are teh suxxors.. blah blah blah.

I mean come on folks.. How cool is it that you might have something you did the concept for turn up in a game you love? For me, that alone would be prize enough. I thought it was fun that my name turned up as a NPC for the Halloween event, however unintentional that was.. Me and my kids and friends all got a kick out of it. This just kicks it up to a whole different level.

Granted its not like I'll turn down any prizes that might come my way, but they really are just icing on the cake, so to speak. The sponsored prizes are really nice. The minis are a nice thing too, although I could care less about the "value" of such things. If I like it I keep it, if not I might sell it or give it away. Doesn't really matter to me if it is a Kanaxai or Asura mini. I don't hold one to be more precious than any other.

I entered because it was a fun contest and I actually had an idea for once and a few minutes to throw a sketch together. Can't wait to see which entries win though. Honestly I'm hoping for something that isn't a new set of horns though.

CHunterX · Nov 11, 2007, 11:02 PM // 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Well, the reason it's not on that screen is that it's not an in-game opportunity. Generally we reserve the log-in announcements for game-related things. However, we have a new element going into the game that will allow us to communicate some of these things within the game and I did write up a bit about the Wintersday contest for that. Watch for the new announcer-thingie in a few days.

Well then why aren't game updates in the log-in announcements. Surely you agree they are game-related things. I'd like to see some use gotten out of this currently barren black box!

Angelica · Nov 11, 2007, 11:28 PM // 23:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by cosyfiep

-snip- ...................I entered my suggestion here for the hat for wintersday, if anyone wants to use it go ahead.....I dont have the time to get a picture up and running before the deadline (nor do I have photoshop to do it on, so I would need to mail it in as well.....and the usps is well known for its inability to get things to where they need to be when its supposed to get there). So under the constraints of this contest I am not going to spend my few free hours working on it. (my mom's 80'th bday is much more important to me right now....and its on thanksgiving so I need to get my butt in gear for that!)

good luck to the one who wins.

*bold is my doing -

You do not need to have photoshop or any other programs! I entered contest with only pencil drawings or ink drawing and I got honorable and finalist.

If you do not like the contest for any reason, simple ..... do not enter it!

Beside Gaile is a very nice person who really cares about us

she helped me when I did not receive my prize by snail-mail .... she sent it to me again.

I do not live in the USA but much far from that! I will remember her kindness for ever.

/Angelica

Nov 11, 2007, 11:30 PM // 23:30

I want to back up my previous post with some positive just to show where I'm coming from. I think these contests are great. They provide interactivity with us the customers and gives us the chance to win prizes, recognition and they're just plain fun. These contests are just plain awesome.

Now, the only gripe I have/had were the choosing of the winners. If the last Halloween contest and Brand the Boss contest were any indication, ANET seems to pick the most mundane, uncreative choices for the winners. Okay, maybe not all the winners were bad, some were quite good, but most of them were bad.

The costumes picked for the winners were well done yes, but zero on the creative scale. Anyone can copy something. If an artist copies another artist's work it's deemed bad if not morally wrong. Yet making a costume on the same exact design from the game is considered "creative melding of GW and Halloween."

So what's my point? I think these contests are great. But the finales suck. I expect to see more bad winning entries for this hat contest. I rarely see such consistantly poor choices for winners in such recurring contests but I see it now. So prove me wrong ANET and this time pick some that are actually creative and thoughtful and maybe even well executed.

KamikazeChicken · Nov 11, 2007, 11:41 PM // 23:41

I can't draw to save my life, but I'm still going to send something in. It's really not my fault I can't put the idea into picture-perfect form, but the idea itself counts for something.

Gaile Gray · Nov 11, 2007, 11:59 PM // 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyWonky

I want to back up my previous post with some positive just to show where I'm coming from. I think these contests are great. They provide interactivity with us the customers and gives us the chance to win prizes, recognition and they're just plain fun. These contests are just plain awesome.

The number of entries surely seems to support that. And the quality of the entries does, as well.

As to the choices, I'm sorry that you take issue with the winners. I'm still not at all sure why making a costume that is an exact duplicate of a Guild Wars armour is any different than making a drawing that is an exact duplicate of Guild Wars armour. Copying? It's all "copying" to some degree. But you know what? I don't want to get into that subject again. Let's agree to disagree on that.

What each person calls "art," and what each of us likes, is very subjective. I don't happen to like Picasso much, but I acknowledge and respect that the world--or a large number of knowledgable people in the world--considers him genious. I do like other artists whom others have never heard or who some would consider "not so great." I'm not sure I'm wrong in that; I just have different taste.

It's hard to take complaints about the judging to heart, or to act upon them, when so many who complain either entered and hoped to win, or had a friend enter, or have their own prejudices or preconceived notions. I'm sorry, but really -- there are very few impartial judges in the community itself. At the end of the day, we have about 150 people who are invited to judge the art, and I do trust them to be pretty darn impartial -- certainly none of them are hoping for a prize or for a friend's placement -- and to bring expertise to the assessment that most cannot offer. They know several things, (1) what is a good idea, (2) what can be implemented reasonably into the game, and most importantly, (3) what best fits or best represents the game world that the judges have created.

I want you to know I'm working on other means to judge these contests, but so farm for reasons outside my control, we're not able to offer those alternatives quite yet. I'll look forward to that option in the future, though, and I think you'll approve, too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by KamikazeChicken

I can't draw to save my life, but I'm still going to send something in. It's really not my fault I can't put the idea into picture-perfect form, but the idea itself counts for something.

Yes, it's ok to do that. As I mentioned, we're not seeking art for art's sake. The images that are submitted can't be used as they come to us, anyway. So a basic idea is more than fine, and thanks.

Nov 12, 2007, 02:10 AM // 02:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

As to the choices, I'm sorry that you take issue with the winners. I'm still not at all sure why making a costume that is an exact duplicate of a Guild Wars armour is any different than making a drawing that is an exact duplicate of Guild Wars armour.

And that's exactly what I'm saying. Making a costume that's exactly the same as the ingame armor is no different than just someone copying someone else's art. The only thing is that it was Halloween and people dress up in Halloween. How is that original?

Absolutely no creativity for someone to just make a costume and dress up. Sure it takes time and skill to make a costume but so does most things in this world. Where is the creative "melding of Guild Wars and Halloween"? I'd much rather have someone who can only draw stick figures but came up with a creative concept or idea, but the idea winner should be one who has both good concept and good execution. Yes, I'm an art snob.

But it's your contest. I just wanted to state my opinions but I still think you're doing a great thing here having these contests.

Lord Sojar · Nov 12, 2007, 02:16 AM // 02:16

Go me! Need that Kanaxai for ze moneys! GO GO

Gaile Gray · Nov 12, 2007, 04:38 AM // 04:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyWonky

And that's exactly what I'm saying. Making a costume that's exactly the same as the ingame armor is no different than just someone copying someone else's art. The only thing is that it was Halloween and people dress up in Halloween. How is that original?

Ok, I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to just let this go unanswered, because there's been no response to my question. I'll rephrase it:

Artist 1 takes a screenshot of a Necromancer armor and submits a wallpaper.

Artist 2 sees the Necromancer armour and, using our art, creates a costume.

They are both exactly the same in every detail. They are both based 100% on Guild Wars art. They are not original, or unique to that artist. Anyone can build a costume, yes, but not as well as some of those that were entered. Anyone can take a screenshot and compile a wallpaper, but not as well as some who entered.

Both artists are using our art to create an entry. One is on paper; another is in fabric. Why is a screenshot of our art more "artistic" than a costume? A drawing or a wallpaper could be done in an hour or two. The costume might take ten times as long to execute. So what is the source of this snobbish "My wallpaper -- using 100% Guild Wars screenshots and tacking on a few words in a standard font -- is more 'artistic' than the person who moved to an entirely different medium and created something representing Guild Wars?"

Is it because it's on paper or on the screen? Because art is, somehow, only in two dimensions? Someone takes our art, in two dimensions, and makes an entry, in two dimensions. I would argue that someone taking our art, in two dimensions, and transferring it faithfully to three dimensions could be called the greater "artist."

And no one has ever given me a decent explanation for why a screenshot or a drawing is "more artistic" than a costume, when both are using Guild Wars art from beginning to end. When the theme is Halloween -- and the first thing that most people think of is "costumes" when thinking of Halloween -- a creatively-designed costume is the epitome of the melding of Guild Wars into a Halloween theme.

Nov 12, 2007, 05:15 AM // 05:15

Good grief Gaile. Did you not read anything I posted? I said copying/drawing someone else's art is no different than just making a costume out of ingame armor. And it looks like you agree with me. So what exactly are you arguing about? Here's what I said in my previous post:

Quote:

Making a costume that's exactly the same as the ingame armor is no different than just someone copying someone else's art.

My issue was that neither of those use any creativity at all. It's just simply copying a design. I even stated that the winning entries did not follow the creative melding of GW and Halloween.

Now please read again. COPYING IS NOT CREATIVE NO MATTER THE MEDIUM. That's my point.

Nov 12, 2007, 05:20 AM // 05:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

So what is the source of this snobbish "My wallpaper -- using 100% Guild Wars screenshots and tacking on a few words in a standard font -- is more 'artistic' than the person who moved to an entirely different medium and created something representing Guild Wars?"

And one more thing. Please kindly show me where I ever mentioned making any wallpaper or that any creation of such wallpaper is more artistic than another medium. And please keep your insults to yourself. I may have called myself an art snob in jest, but it doesnt mean you should actually insult me with it.

Sorry for the double post since I can't edit my previous post.

wu is me · Nov 12, 2007, 08:12 AM // 08:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyWonky

My issue was that neither of those use any creativity at all. It's just simply copying a design. I even stated that the winning entries did not follow the creative melding of GW and Halloween.

Now please read again. COPYING IS NOT CREATIVE NO MATTER THE MEDIUM. That's my point.

Lol... just because its copied doesn't mean its not "artistic" =p

Consider Michaelangelo's David.
It's most striking feature is how closely its proportions match that of a real, "Ideal" man.
Essentially, a copy =P yet undoubtably one of the most prominent works of art in history.

Nian · Nov 12, 2007, 09:17 AM // 09:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyWonky

And that's exactly what I'm saying. Making a costume that's exactly the same as the ingame armor is no different than just someone copying someone else's art. The only thing is that it was Halloween and people dress up in Halloween. How is that original?

Absolutely no creativity for someone to just make a costume and dress up. Sure it takes time and skill to make a costume but so does most things in this world. Where is the creative "melding of Guild Wars and Halloween"? I'd much rather have someone who can only draw stick figures but came up with a creative concept or idea, but the idea winner should be one who has both good concept and good execution. Yes, I'm an art snob.

But it's your contest. I just wanted to state my opinions but I still think you're doing a great thing here having these contests.

You haven't got a clue what kind of trouble goes into costume making. It's not so much about copying because you can't just directly copy an unrealistic 3D element with no seams whatsoever and suddenly make it appear irl. Costume making is one of the more time consuming and difficult crafts out there. First you have to draw examples from the game but change them to realistic measures. Then you have to go on making patterns for all the parts, measuring millimeter by millimeter. You have to adapt patterns of different kind of clothes that have nothing to do with the costume you are making and make it work with it. You have to know a great deal about fabrics and all the materials you are going to use and you have to actually go out hunting for these materials that are likely hard to come by. Bringing something 3D or drawn into reality is so far from simply "copying". It's a craft and skill to making it "as similiar as possible" but never identical. Allt his requiring hours upon hours of work. Drawing is SOOOoooooooo much more easier and painless!

I simply will never understand people who think making even a crappy costume is something easy and is just copying. It's anything but. If it was so easy we'd all be costumers... Please just give it a rest or make your argument point out something other than the "copying" part.

I used to study fashion design and was on my way to becoming a seamstress but I QUIT due to incredibly overbearing stress, responsibility, workload and crap knowing that the work would not be appreciated and that I would have to start my own business to survive and work my ass off. I've come to respect costumers and I'm certain only those who really love it proceed to work with it. Drawing, 3D-animating, Graphic design, web design is all simply so much more easier, more stressfree and laid back! No joke.

I should just stop reading this stupid section of the forums what with everyone having something stuck between their teeth...

Perynne · Nov 12, 2007, 01:44 PM // 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by WillyWonky

But if you're simply just copying a design for the clothing then there is no creative process. It's just building something. This applies to ANY medium not just costuming. Now I hope you actually took the time to read all this carefully before you get all defensive about me supposedly ripping on your precious fashion design.

You've picked the wrong contest to gripe over then. The Guild Wars contests are about the game, therefore they have elements from the game in them. The contests basically ARE fanart contests, giving you a chance to use Guild Wars related things in a creative way. Notice I used the word "creative" in relation to fanart... fanart (meaning copying parts of an existing product/idea/whatever) can be original and have tons of creative process involved in it.
Nian just made a good point about the creative process of bringing an ingame armor into real life. There is no ready-made pattern for you to cut, no materials that Anet has graciously listed for us to make our costumes out of. Also, drawing characters from ingame into totally different settings is not just a matter of cut-and-paste. It's hard mimicking the design made by another person, and you still have to think about composition, lighting, colours, background, theme, style... to me, that looks a lot like a creative process, even if it did begin from a concept created by someone else.

Tell me, how would you make something totally original, that would still be identifiable as Guild Wars? Design a new armor? You'd still be copying their character class. Create a pumpkin carving using a Guild Wars enemy as the theme? Still copying something from ingame.

I would totally understand this debate if it was about a 100% ORIGINAL contest, where you don't have a whole game world as the basis for the creation. However, in this case it's a contest hosted by a company about their own game, in which I'm pretty sure they're expecting to see fanart.
I think you are the one who has problems with reading comprehension, since you seemed to miss the entire point of the contest being about Guild Wars.

Rawraslan1121 · Nov 13, 2007, 02:13 PM // 14:13

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/creativity
creativity :the ability to transcend traditional ideas, rules, patterns, relationships, or the like, and to create meaningful new ideas, forms, methods, interpretations, etc.; originality, progressiveness, or imagination

Interpret that :O

pumpkin pie · Nov 13, 2007, 03:52 PM // 15:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaile Gray

Ok, I'm really sorry, but I'm not going to just let this go unanswered, because there's been no response to my question. I'll rephrase it:

Artist 1 takes a screenshot of a Necromancer armor and submits a wallpaper.

Artist 2 sees the Necromancer armour and, using our art, creates a costume.

hey there Gaile, sorry to barge in your conversation like this but you forgot Artist number 3 who made an entire 3D sculpture that looks perfect. no offence to the Grand Prize winner, the holiday spirit are all there in every piece submitted, everyone is enjoying the contest, but when an entry stands out like the one in the link and did not get the grand prize.... people will question.

solutions: make them go under category next time, sculpture, costume, wallpaper (screenshot), drawing, painting.. songs, poem, story....