Brickshipyard

Well I gotta say, I was expecting to be flamed by sharing my honest opinion on the voting. Ask yourselves the question, would you feel inclined to vote if no one is voting for your entry? Some have argued the "good sportsman ship" attitude and my response to you how easy it must be to quip that when you are one of the winners not having any issues gaining votes. Why do you even care at that point? Maybe you did have really good entries, but why the need to come off high and mighty at the end by indirectly implying non voters were poor sports? That is not automatic and a total assumption. I also commented on other builders builds in a positive way and responded to critics positively (show me differently if you can), so by definition, I was a "good sport". Undermines your argument. I'm sure other non-voters had their reason x,y, and z. Non voting is a FORM of voting and in this case, it indicated some level of dissatisfaction. I just happened to go on record and say it. Another thing, I could have voted for myself and didn't. Was the contest even close to a tie-breaker btw? In which case, my non vote would have deprived a winner? No. so... SMH My only regret was not voting for the creative critics who were vastly improved and helpful, a different experience from previous contests. I still think the critic winners were generally the ones I would have voted for. Anyways, A welcome surprise to see some others objectively understand what I said and then further for this constructive session to kick off. I was wondering where my post went and it wound up here... I don't want to create more work for the contest admins, not at all. But I have literally majored in political science to know there is such a thing as a bandwagon effect, I saw evidence it happened in this contest, and the affect is for subsequent voters to become highly influenced by previous votes and tallies. Not even a malicious, deliberate thing often times. Hard to pin down the why, maybe the voters want to claim at the end they voted for the winning entry? A bit of pride/bragging rights? I dk, that's too far into the psychology of voting behavior. Some blind system of voting would go a long ways though. I've seen it work recently in another Lego contest and the only way to vote was to be registered and subscribed members. Yes true, the downside is being unable to show a close race with the top vote getters in the final hours to drum up support. You lose that with a blind system. Trade off for stronger voting integrity. The Subscription implies a bit of money involved and I think it goes a long way to deterring scammers and recent account creators because it would be costly for them to spam votes and to make the money appear to be coming from many people. A ton of work! Face the reality, the participants are already investing their time and money into the contest, so a subscription isn't a crazy addition. It would help fund the site and the prizes, plus the deterrence benefits. Also, could there be a way to incentivize lego builders and registrants from other forums to come and vote in the pirates one? Castle, space, town, technic fans. Beyond the main page broadcasts, which are already good promotions everyone, including visitors sees. Increasing the voting pool size from participants who don't normally dabble in pirate building would decrease certain biases. @ Yperio_Bricks, I agree with your logic about not getting any votes, but that doesn't help me shake the feeling what I created was a waste of time. Still a good MOC to my eyes, but technically and statistically here on EB, a loser entry. What really stings is I made my Imperial entry learning from all the issues my 2023 contest entry had, which was physical bricks and had some questionable build techniques. I went for super solid, safe, well rendered, almost too simplistic a design for the 2024 contest and yet, not a single vote. Like what am I missing here? I didn't skimp on the story either.

I appreciate you dropping a post to motivate me Math Wizard and I only regret not voting for you and/or the other critics who offered advice on my build. To be blunt, not a single vote for my entry really doesn't motivate me to go vote for anyone whatsoever. Am I so arrogant to say my MOC was easily in the top 5 or 10 of large MOCs? No. But it was certainly a solid middle of the pack entry, but alas all the voters appeared to only vote for the favorites. Don't get me wrong, the cream always rises to the top, but the voting system seems highly skewed.... I can't quite put my cutlass on it... Not down to a single person cheating or anything of that nature, just the way voters announce their votes. Seems like a lot of bandwagon voting. Do I have a better idea for voting? No, not at the moment and I honestly think the mods worked hard to make things fair and open. The contest is after all a popularity contest so I can't be that cross about it. Normally, I like to be equitable, non selfish, and vote for other entries, but this was the first Lego contest I honestly thought of voting for myself b/c what the heck?!, despite a penalty of no bonus points. I must give the contest creators and judges credit though for the bonus pts. and prize raffles for just voting. Great inclusive idea! Just not for me - I'm aiming to get votes on my build or go bust. So overall, things were definitely an improvement from previous contests. Many things were fixed. This pirate contest marks my third in participation and I'll have to see about a 4th (next summer which likely has to do with Infamous Steve's life or pirate career again).

Hello Captain Crit and thanks for taking the time to analyze my submission. I am pleased you took note of the story I drafted because I did spend some quality time creating an origin story. You are correct the story reflects Steve's life at a young chapter, before the trading post or pirate days. I can investigate rendering the other photos, although the model is quite finished in them, but I understand the point. Yes! Playability was a primary driver of how I built this Manor. I designed the model as if I were marketing it to a Lego Pirate fan and the value they would expect.

Definitely my favorite mini build of the whole contest! Good job mate. She be a fine vessel, yar! I happen to own the system scale version of this ship and find it just so indescribably cool. The Skull's Eye never gets the same popularity as the Barracuda, but I think this vessel had a more menacing vibe and came with Steve of course! Your novel pieces uses to make an anchor, ladders, and large flags are real standouts. I really wish Lego would make a whole fleet of vessels with this level of detail. You are on to something... also, good job on the Imperial Trading post with similar techniques. Your daughter has a good eye for detail.

Hello Horation and thanks for noticing my attempt at the brick colors. I am glad you like the masonry effect and the other small details. Yes I was aiming for a proper build with stairways and ladders to almost all locations, save for the prison cell which is inside the pit. Alright, I will see what I can do about the background in a different color. I went through a range and that's because I was trying 10 different times unsuccessfully to use Apple's outlining feature to grab the image to be placed on a tropical setting background. Each time I tried to transpose it would cut off some parts no matter which color I tried. But I'll see what I can do. Hmmmm I like your "to the brig!" suggestion for the captured sailors. Could be a very good action shot! I will give that an attempt with an improved background. Thanks for the detailed suggestions. To answer your question Mister Phes, yes a bit of influence from the Black Falcon Fortress because I love that robust, dual tower - castle look and I had never thought about the Wolfpack Tower, but I can see it now with the bridge. Funny you say that because I have made a theme swapped Wolfpack Tower in the Blacktron 1 color scheme before for a space contest. Certainly you can make an argument for a hybrid of both sets influencing the Imperial Manor. One really obscure influence was from the old 1980s Lego catalogue depicting a colonial village and in that village was a manor like house with a similar fortification structure and roofs to what I created. I mean this was some preliminary Lego designs that predated the release of even some Pirate sets. I will try to post a picture to show everyone. Thank you for helping to make this contest possible and for adding my entry to the index.

Hello SevenDeadlyStreamers and thanks for checking out my entry. I can confirm your suspicion that some parts are clipping, mostly with the bridge plates. Something I would address before moving towards instruction making, you are right. Hah - yep, I couldn't miss including the classic monkey :).

Hello Eurobricks community, this is my submission for the Infamous Steve contest and it depicts a very young and impressionable Steve in his teen years. I present Steve without a beard or much to do with seafaring and pirating really because he works as servant at the Imperial Manor by the Sea, a Redcoat fortress owned by Admiral Foxby (the lead Imperial Officer on the horse). Steve has his usual, distinctive brown coat and a pitchfork. The story goes that Steve serves Admiral Foxby and his lady by keeping the grounds clean, tending to his horse, and by fishing and preparing meals or fetching water from the well. Foxby treats Steve generally well for a house servant and he is able to earn a very modest amount of coin for his labors. Foxby also teaches Steve lessons about the sea and how to read and write. They have a good relationship, akin to an adopted son. However, the Lady of the Manor (Foxby's wife) is demanding and bossy to Steve, plus held in low esteem by the soldiers. Worse yet is the conniving Lieutenant Knave who assumes control of the Manor whenever Admiral Foxby has to leave for his Navy duties. He has the lady's ear and cleverly twists and subverts the Admiral's instructions to his benefit. Knave is particularly cruel to Steve through withholding his pay at times, creating extra messes throughout the Manor for Steve to clean, and sometimes playing pranks on Steve for his amusement. Knave absolutely despises the affection Foxby gives to Steve and that's a strong motive for his ill temperament, besides his superiority complex. Steve resents this treatment and vows one day to get revenge, but for now he has to earn enough coin to buy his way out of the manor and he also doesn't want to upset Foxby by escaping. One day a captured Blue Coat soldier and pirate are thrown in the jail below the manor. Steve is an expert at sneaking around the Manor and decides to speak with them in low whispers one night to learn of their adventures. The captured Bluecoat tells him of many naval engagements on the high seas and how his ship was damaged in a great battle with the Redcoats. The pirate recounts similar stories, although he adds that the Pirates are led by the legendary Capt Redbeard who is so bold that he sneaks into the Imperial Shipyard to steal treasure and goods from the merchant ships under protection. The intrigued Steve can hardly believe these incredible adventures exist beyond the Manor and decides he must find a way out to the high seas to experience them himself.... for now he must endure and dream until the right moment. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ I hope you enjoyed the tale. I built this Manor because I always wanted a Fortress for the RedCoats and believed this would have made an excellent set for classic pirates. You can think of it like official Imperial Outpost set, but with more architecture and some castle influence. Plus I have always loved the raised baseplates so that was a must. The back of the fort features special fold away walls for playability access. You see where the Officers sit for a meal next to the fireplace. The top room is quite cramped and is where Foxby sleeps. Just a simple bed and desk. Above his room is the treasure tower. The ground floor has wine barrels, a courtyard, and a stable area for Foxby's horse. Outside through the smaller doors you can see a fenced in garden with a canon mount and well. Underneath the foundation is where the jail cell sits. It can only be accessed via removing the ground plate. The last major detail I wanted to add was the long bridge which reaches land. I had a lot of fun building the manor and want to build it in real life at some point. Maybe I could add a small dock and sail boat in future additions, although I am quite happy with how the set looks now. A few modern pieces were used, but I worked to keep the build mostly classic. Typically I always build in real bricks first, but this time was a flip. I am considering making instructions, but will see what the interest is first. Thanks for reading and hopefully you could envision Steve in a different way through my build and story! Best of luck to the other participants in the contest. - thebrickshipyard Edit: per the great suggestion, I made an action scene featuring the prisoners of my story being escorted into the Manor. You can find more photos here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjBDAY6

Ok your perspective on the two categories is helpful and exposes the flaws of having separate categories I would agree one should be allowed to enter both the real life (RL) and digital contests with the exact same design because that would surly mean double the work. I've experienced it myself many times with some rebrickable MOCs. Having said that, there are some aforementioned advantages unique to the digital builders especially as the MOC scale increases that a RL builder just cannot match without the best resources or brick collection. Consistency of brick quality, quick replication of complex walls, layers, etc. rendering effects, I mean the list goes on... The best solution I can think of to combat these advantages is to have very specific build categories (i.e. ships vs. ships only) and a part count plus piece limitation rule. Heck, to go the extreme Eurobricks could put out a list of parts allowed only in the contest, whether digital or RL. True, that may limit creativity in some regard, but everyone would be building from the same "pile" so to speak. You would be amazed how many alternative builds Rebrickable MOCers can make from one set and that's creativity in itself. Not a terrible idea for a category of building, just sayin'. But the discussion to make things more fair in general is nonsense you say? Your entire argument is based on why it's fair to have both builder types in one category, yet that's also nonsense by your logic? OK, as long as you know you undermined your own argument. Per your every Dick, Tom, and Harry comment, everyone from the most novice to experienced builder knows the odds of winning are very difficult and unlikely. Not every participant needs to feel like a winner like you claim. However, the opposite is true and maybe they don't want to feel like automatic losers when entering these contests because the playing field is not level. There is some unmistakable bias towards certain builders and to their digital entries. I like to enter these contests because they are fun and test my skills and I bet many other builder do as well. You included. Your sour attitude on that reeks of superiority. In fact, your entire response drips with ego. Shame, because it degrades some otherwise really good points. By all means have your opinion, but perhaps spare us the philosophy (Nietzsche) lecture like other participants on this forum are idiots. You know I was wondering about the Shipyard Master role, but you aren't representing/selling it well - not coming off like that. Unless the Shipyard Master role grants a free pass to be an a$* power, then I sincerely apologize. Pretty sure it doesn't, though. I've read the site rules and you appear to be violating the Manner and Serious Topics one at the risk of myself being labelled a mini-modder. Pathetic I am having to point that one out to a senior staff writer. You think you are above the rules? Did you miss the beginning of this discussion where a participant was told to stop being self entitled and have better sportsmanship? Yes, that was for the contest results, but no less relevant here and now. Maybe it's your style of writing and sarcastic tone, but there is a line and you are crossing it. I'll be more impressed with your cunning linguist abilities and vocabulary when you use it to positively contribute and not belittle forum members. I'll await your sassy reply which I have no doubt is coming in spades where you double down on what you wrote and dig yourself a hole. Don't expect me to tango though, I've shared many fresh ideas on how to improve things and did so with respect.... and to quote your most sarcastic line - "say... that's an interesting concept!"

I read through most of the above critiques on how the voting and entry acceptance criteria went - I generally agree with the constructive feedback. To summarize the main issues so far is a strong request for sharpening of the rules and better organization of categories. I thought not voting for one's own entry was already understood and that's an etiquette rule on every other Lego contest I've participated in. Simple fix. Per the better org. of categories - I realized too late that my medium sized fort build was up against a tsunami when competing against the big ships and biggest fort designs. Therefore, categories with base size limits or ship class limits have to be control mechanism to keep pineapples to pineapples. The mini category, with it's part limit, worked spectacularly well, but beyond that category no piece and size constraints were in place. The obvious flaw with such finely tuned categories is almost irrevocably the contest needs a prize for each category or else it's back to square one if competing for the same prize across all categories. The issue of can EB's budget support 5 smaller to medium prizes becomes relevant. Perhaps it can (?) with some elimination of runner up prizes. I love me some runner up prizes! But that may be the trade off. I am still in favor of the grand prize winner because that usually is a flagship set and should be excellent marketing on all social media for Eurobricks. *However* I draw the line of popular voting an entry at the Grand prize stage because that is when the dark side of democracy (yes I made that term up) comes into effect: bandwagon effect, entrants abusing their social media connections in a vast way, even if their build is not good to average. Or in the rare cases like this contest saw, fake account and vote rigging. Even in the non grand prize stage, aka the category stages, appointed category judge(s) could help keep the entrants in line with true spirit of the contest. Granted, that's a lot of power in 1 to 2 people's hands so the judges would have to follow some strict criteria and probably need some trustworthy credentials (proving they have built a well regarded MOC in that category beforehand). Rejection (of a MOC) power with a chance for the builder to appeal is also warranted. Digital vs. real builds... that's always a tricky subject. Having worked in both dimensions, I definitely agree real builds take way more resources. Plus I get very annoyed with popular opinion voting for perfectly rendered sets. That is a level even a talented physical brick builder can rarely match unless they have pristine pieces, photography, etc. I am in the pro separation camp (that means digital builds vs only digital and vice versa) and about fed up with competing against a digital builder who always seem to have an advantage in these contests. I don't know what the solution is, but what we have now isn't working. What sucks are that these fairness measures will require more resources, complexity, and time, but maybe the end result is worth the cost? I tend to believe more builders will participate in a contest they believe is fair and well moderated, no matter their build level or talent. To address Mister Phes overtaxing themselves to run the contest, Eurobricks needs incentivized volunteering and delegation of tasks. Some members here demonstrated they are exceptionally good at excel spreadsheets and tabulation, so they could offer their services at set dates of the contest. Other volunteers have the writing and publicity talents. Other members could apply to be judges of the categories (which is essentially a moderator). That way Mister Phes and other admins can focus on the big picture items in the contest. Yes, they may have to get down into the seaweeds from time to time to address issues, but generally can let things run and semi autonomously govern themselves. The incentivized part obviously cannot be direct compensation, but maybe exclusive access to a special monthly or quarterly volunteer only raffle with a small prize, plus some sort of frontpage recognition. As long as you volunteered up to expectations that month or quarter, you would be eligible. Maybe a discount to a 3rd party affiliated site that sells Legos? Maybe some Eurobricks swag (that's slang for a branded hat or shirt)? Whatever connections Eurobricks has could really make a difference here. I have personally worked with non profits that absolutely depend on volunteers and this is the way they give thanks in a cost effective manner. Volunteers are useless without training though. So a required, standardized training course is probably required. Training can also be learned OJT (on the job training) style. The key part of this volunteering/delegation is that a rotation is happening each month and quarter. That way no issue of bias crops up and it solves a problem of volunteers still wanting to enter contests across all forums because a volunteer should not be an entrant to the contest they are helping with. A schedule showing 1 year's worth of planned contest would help in this regard. I personally want to help moderate some contests, but don't want to be excluded from others. I realize some members here will have a very black and white outlook on this proposal, but I would love to hear a better solution. The volunteers will come from the pool of regular forum users and contest participants, no escaping this fact. That's about as far as I can stretch my analysis without access to some concrete Eurobricks data. But everything I suggested came from years of observations and participation in Eurobrick's contests of many types.

Wow! What a great contest this has been in almost all regards (expect for that obvious pirate rigging on some votes)! Otherwise a total pleasure and thank you to some kind voters for sending a few votes my way. Warms my ole' Lego Pirate's heart. :) Below is my collection of votes to cast. I carefully chose them for a mix of excellent build qualities (nostalgic feelings rank very high for me) and underdog qualities. There may have technically been a few better builds in each category, but I don't automatically vote for them because they get enough votes already and quite often in the main building category are just the biggest builds so they have everything like a catch all playset. Nothing inherently wrong with that strategy, I just prefer a more targeted and smarter build on a remaking a classic pirate set. The mini build category was really tough to narrow down, all entries were rather charming! Main Building Category: 1. Rock Island Refuge Remake by CollinsAnimationStudio 2. Imperial Trading Post Remake by Rogue Redcoat 3. Eldorado Bastion by Stoertebricker 4. Pirate's Perilous Pitfall Remake 2023 by Slegengr 5. Armada Fortress by Elephant Knight Mini building category: 1. Shipwrecked Survivor by Nyugvo6 2. A Promiscuous Sailor Captain by JophieK 3. Imperial Guard Camp by Thewatchman 4. Skeleton Crew Remake by Jack Sassy 5. Cannibals by Valdeoris

I really do like your spin on the Rock Island Refuge! The custom base is no easy feat. I experienced this difficulty last year when building my own custom R.I.F. Fortress. I ultimately went with the first Ninja walls to keep it simplified because the rock shaping is intense! You did a good job all the way around. What I like more are the pops of color and the characters each have a distinct personality. Lots of ropes, bridges, and cliffs for some fun adventures. Hard to decide if your R.I.F. or the other entry is better, both are really solid! I may have to vote for both ;). Good luck in the contest!

Yes, it's been said by others the colors are drab and dunkel (dark), but I really appreciate you taking the nostalgic 3/D base plate and adding the fortified corners, in an expansive manner. I am particularly fond of taking big ugly Lego pieces and using them to maximum effect. You pulled it off here! Now that's a fortification that could withstand a Redcoat or Pirate attack :).

The tree is bayou like and was I was going for a Spanish Moss. Perhaps I should have used whips more than seaweed, but that's what I had in my collection at sufficient quantities. You know, I thought about making the dock black like the original. I would be fine with that, but since I went with the modern sand and water, I felt I had to go with brown. Well, I did incorporate the old white castle walls into the build, plus the white railing. Truthfully, not many more pieces I could add from the original set, therefore I went into expansion and creative mode. As a result, I had more real estate and rooms to work with which lead to, like you say, room for the great Minifigures and a story :). Some trade offs there. I could have gone with just a pure modernization, but same scale of the Armada Sentry, but that still would have been bland in my mind. Thank you for all the feedback! To answer your question, the horse part has a necklace part that fits around that forward mast. This horse piece came from the CMF series and I believe from a cowboy figure. Cowboy costume guy 71021 in fact.

The overhang is not popular and I get it. Does look a bit awkward and I was thinking of adding arches in the back, but wanted to keep access to the rooms open. Yep, I can see your point I went far into the gray side, maybe I should have added bits of green besides just the doors to break it up. The tree is fun experiment and you are right, I was going for bayou or Coastal Georgia or Florida. Swapping the tree would be the simplest solution and I think a classic Palm tree would look equally nice. Thank you for the insight and saying bayou because that was the missing word I could never put my vocabulary on. Yes the rear sail isn't my favorite either and even as I created it, I was like man, I am throwing off this build a bit. Unfortunately, I was at the deadline, so had to go with it. Not sure if I can make small updates past the turn in deadline? Thanks for taking note of the design language in the boat! Anyways, I am really glad you enjoy the entry overall and it made you rethink what the original set could be!

Thank you MstrOfPppts for taking the time to review my entry and offer your feedback. I will agree my water base is a bit exaggerated and maybe the very left plate too loosely connected. I kept the water effects to a minimal to keep the parts down, but maybe revisiting this area I would only have the island and just a bit of water where the dock is. I could improve a lot the water. Actually the sand bar base and building is extremely sturdy, even with the 1 stud floor over hang. The way the bricks overlap and large piece use ensure the stability. Per your faces criticism.. hmmm... not sure I see the issue as the old heads are the few with the right mustaches (Spaniard looks) and are well hidden under the helmets. The original Armada guard has such a big mustache you can't really see his face anyways. The updated lady's head has a much better expression than the old female ones (far too simplistic IMO). If I had make the skins tones flesh tone vs. classic yellow, than yeah that lack of consistency would be bad. Always interesting to see what others focus on and you definitely studied the details closely, so that I appreciate. :) Lastly, I'll take the compliment on the boat and totally agree it's pushing it for scale and the sails are large - more of the size seen on the most recent Eldorado ship.