I noticed a post from ExpiredRascals asking for someone to restart the weekly contests, and while I'd love to do that, I'd like to first know if there's actually any interest in this. I have no problem starting them again and I'm able to maintain the contest consistently, I just want to make sure we'll actually be receiving entries.
If we can get a few more people to commit to submitting entries, I think this could work. I'd say we'd need around 3-5 minimum, preferably closer to 5, but anything's a start; a small group of people submitting entries could lead to more people wanting to join, so it's best to work with what we can get.
Is there any way we could advertise this somehow? Not sure how many people look in this section, it's been a while since it's seen any activity.
If we can get a few more people to commit to submitting entries, I think this could work. I'd say we'd need around 3-5 minimum, preferably closer to 5, but anything's a start; a small group of people submitting entries could lead to more people wanting to join, so it's best to work with what we can get.
Is there any way we could advertise this somehow? Not sure how many people look in this section, it's been a while since it's seen any activity.
I've been meaning to make a new sig for myself - I could always try to incorporate it into that somehow to help advertise it.
I can help with that. Whatever I can do to help just let me know. I would love to get something going again in here. I have been kicking around ideas and trying to stir up activity however I can but so far haven't been successful lol.
Anyways, I am more than willing to throw up an announcement if you think it will help. Do you want one more aimed at trying to get participants in or just trying for general information giving that we are going to try to get going again?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I can help with that. Whatever I can do to help just let me know. I would love to get something going again in here. I have been kicking around ideas and trying to stir up activity however I can but so far haven't been successful lol.
Anyways, I am more than willing to throw up an announcement if you think it will help. Do you want one more aimed at trying to get participants in or just trying for general information giving that we are going to try to get going again?
Something along the lines of an announcement saying we're starting up the weekly contests again should do the trick. I feel like just advertising that we're seeking participants wouldn't be enough, saying we're actually starting it again would likely garner more interest.
The only other thing I can think of to increase activity would be to somehow credit artists and winners of the weekly contests. A title for artists and trophies for winners, maybe?
Something along the lines of an announcement saying we're starting up the weekly contests again should do the trick. I feel like just advertising that we're seeking participants wouldn't be enough, saying we're actually starting it again would likely garner more interest.
The only other thing I can think of to increase activity would be to somehow credit artists and winners of the weekly contests. A title for artists and trophies for winners, maybe?
Well, we might be able to do something like a trophy every like 3 wins to get started. If we do a trophy a week it might be a little excessive for how many trophy requests I would need to submit and if we only have a handful of people to start it would be a little crazy to hand out a trophy a week. I could probably hand out a trophy for every like three that a user wins though. Titles are a little more of a pain the manage because we might need to grant them and or take them away from those who are not regularly participating. I would be a lot more willing to try to get people a title for having an active shop. Even that though takes a lot of maintenance. Trophies are a lot easier between the two.
When do we want to start? Next week? the week after? I need some details on what might work for people.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
Well, we might be able to do something like a trophy every like 3 wins to get started. If we do a trophy a week it might be a little excessive for how many trophy requests I would need to submit and if we only have a handful of people to start it would be a little crazy to hand out a trophy a week. I could probably hand out a trophy for every like three that a user wins though. Titles are a little more of a pain the manage because we might need to grant them and or take them away from those who are not regularly participating. I would be a lot more willing to try to get people a title for having an active shop. Even that though takes a lot of maintenance. Trophies are a lot easier between the two.
When do we want to start? Next week? the week after? I need some details on what might work for people.
The week after would probably give adequate time for the announcement to be seen and remembered, I have no problem doing next week, I just feel it's too soon.
I was thinking 5 wins to get a trophy, if 3's fine with you guys though, I see no issue with that.
I will set up an announcement to start it on Monday 8/26/13.
As for distributing trophies, I am fairly certain it shouldn't be an option one way or another. I think three is probably fine but I will have to run it past the higher ups before I can say anything for certain. Whatever we can do to encourage some participation though so I don't think it should be too much of a problem.
EDIT: I got the announcement out there and talked with the admins. Trophies every three wins should be just fine.
I will set up an announcement to start it on Monday 8/26/13.
As for distributing trophies, I am fairly certain it shouldn't be an option one way or another. I think three is probably fine but I will have to run it past the higher ups before I can say anything for certain. Whatever we can do to encourage some participation though so I don't think it should be too much of a problem.
EDIT: I got the announcement out there and talked with the admins. Trophies every three wins should be just fine.
I would definitely be interested in starting these up again. I always remember them being fun! I just think there should be some sort of theme system...I don't know what it would/could be, but I know a lot of times, the theme of the week was pretty meh and resulted in no entries. Just something to think about.
For the trophies, would the trophy count begin at 0 for everyone, or would wins from previous weekly sig contests carry over?
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Sig by myself! If you'd like a banner done, pm me! Avvie by DNC from Hero of the Planes Studio
Yeah, the last time we ran these, we had a really tough time landing consistently interesting themes on a week-to-week basis. I think I had something like a 50% hit rate, but they were waning pretty hard before I handed them off to Blutsau (who eventually retired them due to the poor turnouts).
I'm really excited to see the interest in these again, but I don't really have a good way to ensure interest each week. Our best weeks last year were the difficult ones that still engaged people — we'd get diverse and creative entries from a large number of artists, but I never figured out how to tell when such a week would create that engagement.
I'll be following how this progresses with hopeful expectation.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
Quote from LuckNorris »
ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
Quote from Lanxal »
ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
I would definitely be interested in starting these up again. I always remember them being fun! I just think there should be some sort of theme system...I don't know what it would/could be, but I know a lot of times, the theme of the week was pretty meh and resulted in no entries. Just something to think about.
For the trophies, would the trophy count begin at 0 for everyone, or would wins from previous weekly sig contests carry over?
I will probably just start everyone at 0 and probably just keep a tally sheet somewhere (possibly public so you can see where you stand). Once we get winners going we can keep track of them there. It would be fun to keep track of the winner's entry too for these so you could sort of see what sort of art each user won a week with.
Yeah, the last time we ran these, we had a really tough time landing consistently interesting themes on a week-to-week basis. I think I had something like a 50% hit rate, but they were waning pretty hard before I handed them off to Blutsau (who eventually retired them due to the poor turnouts).
I'm really excited to see the interest in these again, but I don't really have a good way to ensure interest each week. Our best weeks last year were the difficult ones that still engaged people — we'd get diverse and creative entries from a large number of artists, but I never figured out how to tell when such a week would create that engagement.
I'll be following how this progresses with hopeful expectation.
Well, there is a suggestion box for ideas for themes. If you want a good theme then suggest a good theme lol. We could also play with some vague interpret it yourself themes and just see what turns out from it.
Private Mod Note
():
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I have officially moved to MTGNexus. I just wanted to let people know as my response time to salvation decks being bumped is very hit or miss.
I will probably just start everyone at 0 and probably just keep a tally sheet somewhere (possibly public so you can see where you stand). Once we get winners going we can keep track of them there. It would be fun to keep track of the winner's entry too for these so you could sort of see what sort of art each user won a week with.
Well, there is a suggestion box for ideas for themes. If you want a good theme then suggest a good theme lol. We could also play with some vague interpret it yourself themes and just see what turns out from it.
My point was that we learned last year that it wasn't actually easily discernible what a "good theme" would be.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
Quote from LuckNorris »
ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
Quote from Lanxal »
ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
If desired, I could look through the past weeks to see which themes resulted in the most entires. We might not end up with identical participation, but it's a start.
Sounds like a plan. I should mention that you should take our experience with a grain of salt. That things failed to succeed for us should be a good indicator that innovation and trying other approaches could be a good idea.
Just got to say, you've definitely earned distinction as an MTGS hero
Quote from Stardust »
Because he's the hero MTGS deserves, and the one it needs right now. So we'll global him. Because he can take it. Because he's not just our hero. He's a silent guardian, a watchful protector. An expired rascal.
Quote from LuckNorris »
ExpiredRascals you sir are a god-like hero.
Quote from Lanxal »
ER is a masterful god who cannot be beaten in any endeavour.
The following themes from the first five pages seemed to be the most popular:
Tribal
Make a banner out of an image the host supplies
Make a banner based on an adjective
Various animal based themes
I feel like black and white, transparency, and maybe a Miyazaki based theme would do well, but that's probably better suited for the suggestion thread. Overall, Magic related themes didn't do particularly well unless they were for new sets or involved an interesting aspect like transparency. Animation seemed to result in very few entries. Wallpapers went both ways, so not sure what to make of that.
The following themes from the first five pages seemed to be the most popular:
Tribal
Make a banner out of an image the host supplies
Make a banner based on an adjective
Various animal based themes
I feel like black and white, transparency, and maybe a Miyazaki based theme would do well, but that's probably better suited for the suggestion thread. Overall, Magic related themes didn't do particularly well unless they were for new sets or involved an interesting aspect like transparency. Animation seemed to result in very few entries. Wallpapers went both ways, so not sure what to make of that.
Perhaps that had to do with the skillsets of those involved? Truthfully, I've seen some atrocious hodgepodges of Magic artworks made, and the animation a lot of people do is really clunky (although I'd love that challenge, myself - it'd be something new to make an animated sig or something aside from an avatar).
The majority of requests I see are Magic-related, so I'm surprised more people don't hop on that since it's what we're used to working with.
Perhaps that had to do with the skillsets of those involved? Truthfully, I've seen some atrocious hodgepodges of Magic artworks made, and the animation a lot of people do is really clunky (although I'd love that challenge, myself - it'd be something new to make an animated sig or something aside from an avatar).
The majority of requests I see are Magic-related, so I'm surprised more people don't hop on that since it's what we're used to working with.
I think we can definitely attribute the lack of entries in themes involving animation to the majority of participants just not knowing much about animation. I think the opposite explains why Magic related themes tend to garner relatively average participation; those are there only kind of banners most people here end up making since they're the most commonly requested.
I think it'd be cool to have some themes that stray a bit from the standard 450x150 banner by requiring transparencies, missing spaces, different shapes, etc.; might end up having people learn some cool new stuff, too.
Anybody interested?
(Also known as Xenphire)
Is there any way we could advertise this somehow? Not sure how many people look in this section, it's been a while since it's seen any activity.
I've been meaning to make a new sig for myself - I could always try to incorporate it into that somehow to help advertise it.
(Also known as Xenphire)
Are you able to make an announcement in the Avatar & Sig Shops section?
I'm not sure how much that would help, but I'm sure it couldn't hurt.
Anyways, I am more than willing to throw up an announcement if you think it will help. Do you want one more aimed at trying to get participants in or just trying for general information giving that we are going to try to get going again?
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
Something along the lines of an announcement saying we're starting up the weekly contests again should do the trick. I feel like just advertising that we're seeking participants wouldn't be enough, saying we're actually starting it again would likely garner more interest.
The only other thing I can think of to increase activity would be to somehow credit artists and winners of the weekly contests. A title for artists and trophies for winners, maybe?
Well, we might be able to do something like a trophy every like 3 wins to get started. If we do a trophy a week it might be a little excessive for how many trophy requests I would need to submit and if we only have a handful of people to start it would be a little crazy to hand out a trophy a week. I could probably hand out a trophy for every like three that a user wins though. Titles are a little more of a pain the manage because we might need to grant them and or take them away from those who are not regularly participating. I would be a lot more willing to try to get people a title for having an active shop. Even that though takes a lot of maintenance. Trophies are a lot easier between the two.
When do we want to start? Next week? the week after? I need some details on what might work for people.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
The week after would probably give adequate time for the announcement to be seen and remembered, I have no problem doing next week, I just feel it's too soon.
I was thinking 5 wins to get a trophy, if 3's fine with you guys though, I see no issue with that.
As for distributing trophies, I am fairly certain it shouldn't be an option one way or another. I think three is probably fine but I will have to run it past the higher ups before I can say anything for certain. Whatever we can do to encourage some participation though so I don't think it should be too much of a problem.
EDIT: I got the announcement out there and talked with the admins. Trophies every three wins should be just fine.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
Awesome, thanks so much.
For the trophies, would the trophy count begin at 0 for everyone, or would wins from previous weekly sig contests carry over?
Sig by myself! If you'd like a banner done, pm me! Avvie by DNC from Hero of the Planes Studio
I'm really excited to see the interest in these again, but I don't really have a good way to ensure interest each week. Our best weeks last year were the difficult ones that still engaged people — we'd get diverse and creative entries from a large number of artists, but I never figured out how to tell when such a week would create that engagement.
I'll be following how this progresses with hopeful expectation.
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
إن سرقت إسرق جمل
Level 1 Judge
My Cube for use with 6th ed. Rules
I will probably just start everyone at 0 and probably just keep a tally sheet somewhere (possibly public so you can see where you stand). Once we get winners going we can keep track of them there. It would be fun to keep track of the winner's entry too for these so you could sort of see what sort of art each user won a week with.
Well, there is a suggestion box for ideas for themes. If you want a good theme then suggest a good theme lol. We could also play with some vague interpret it yourself themes and just see what turns out from it.
Signature by Inkfox Aesthetics by Xen
[Modern] Allies
There's also the existing monstrosity listing of all historical weekly contests if you wish for continuity.
My point was that we learned last year that it wasn't actually easily discernible what a "good theme" would be.
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
إن سرقت إسرق جمل
Level 1 Judge
My Cube for use with 6th ed. Rules
Body Count: GRRRUUUUUUUUUUU
إن سرقت إسرق جمل
Level 1 Judge
My Cube for use with 6th ed. Rules
Tribal
Make a banner out of an image the host supplies
Make a banner based on an adjective
Various animal based themes
I feel like black and white, transparency, and maybe a Miyazaki based theme would do well, but that's probably better suited for the suggestion thread. Overall, Magic related themes didn't do particularly well unless they were for new sets or involved an interesting aspect like transparency. Animation seemed to result in very few entries. Wallpapers went both ways, so not sure what to make of that.
Avatar and Signature made by me.
Regular Decks:
Green Pauper - BlackDemons - White Soldiers - RU Spells - BU Mill
My Commanders:
Tibor, and Lumia - Savra, Queen of the Golgari
Off Topic:
My Music Gallery
Perhaps that had to do with the skillsets of those involved? Truthfully, I've seen some atrocious hodgepodges of Magic artworks made, and the animation a lot of people do is really clunky (although I'd love that challenge, myself - it'd be something new to make an animated sig or something aside from an avatar).
The majority of requests I see are Magic-related, so I'm surprised more people don't hop on that since it's what we're used to working with.
(Also known as Xenphire)
I think we can definitely attribute the lack of entries in themes involving animation to the majority of participants just not knowing much about animation. I think the opposite explains why Magic related themes tend to garner relatively average participation; those are there only kind of banners most people here end up making since they're the most commonly requested.
I think it'd be cool to have some themes that stray a bit from the standard 450x150 banner by requiring transparencies, missing spaces, different shapes, etc.; might end up having people learn some cool new stuff, too.