New City Ideas Contest Poll

[Hinckley]

I reckon the next 1 needs a limited scope of parts. It's easy to do a winning design when you've got rooms full of bricks, LDD and a bricklink feedback of 500+. I've noticed the same few people are usually at the top, give some of the underlings a chance. limit it so that the builder nominates 3 sets that he/she will be using for parts for their entry. Then the winner gets chosen on who has the most creativity and ingenuity, not who has the most bricks and money.PS. I voted for the Diner, even though its way too over the top to be classed as a "set idea". The lighthouse is probably the winner in terms of which would make the best official set.

Thank you for bringing that up. :-) I think it's a good point to discuss.

I, personally don't think anyone should ever be limited in what they can build. If they are intimidated by a contest they can just post the MOC for critique in the forum and not deal with voting. But no one should be intimidated. :-$ Contests should be fun! We are an adult community with a very firendly atmosphere and people should challenge themselves how they want and there are all levels of builders who participate here. A lot of times, especially in vig contests, you see the more simplistic models winning. It's the clever idea that people like. And contests should be for fun. :-D :-D :-D I don't want anyone to join my contests who just wants to win. Sure, winning is nice, but if you're not having fun doing it, you shouldn't be doing it.

And I totally disagree with your assertion that it is the most money and biggest collection that wins. It's not the size of your collection but what you do with it that counts. :-$ Look at the fun things Gylman has added to his diner. Even on a smaller scale, they would still be great. And with CC modular sets out there, it is a realistic LEGO set...there are quite a few people out there who come to mind that have smaller collections but build cool stuff with what they have...

But, feel free to start a limited number of pieces contest. We can see how that works and if it changes things and if your theory is correct. The idea you bring up sounds similar to a FFLSM, where everybody has the same pieces to work with. It's worth a shot.

But, I think less experienced builders should enter contests, because it challenges their buildings skills and helps them grow creatively and technically...anyway, that is my opinion on the matter. Thank you for posting yours as I think it is a good point to discuss! :-)

By the way, I just love your entry *wub* . I have always wanted to build a lorry like that and yours is pretty awesome *sweet* *y*

[Siegfried]

I reckon the next 1 needs a limited scope of parts.

I tend to agree and that is why I proposed this a few months ago. I think the easy solution to this is to have a weight limit. Yes, I am serious.

It's easy to do a winning design when you've got rooms full of bricks, LDD and a bricklink feedback of 500+.

I don't think this is always true. For example the famous Lego aircraft carrier.

A lot of people like this, but aside from its size I don't find it impressive at all. (Is he a member here ? :-P )

Parts customising aside, I find this guys stuff more impressive.

Thank you for bringing that up. :-) I think it's a good point to discuss.

I took too long writing my post and you beat me. :-$

[Shadows]

I've always figured that there are enough types of competitions out there to satisfy any kind of builder. Actually, of the current or recent contests, more are suited for small collections than anything.

Look at the list:

City Vehicles

Figurehead Contest

Wild Wild West

Whack-a-Jelly

Firetruck Contest

Hitchhiker's Guide

All are either small, or certainly friendly to more limited collections.

I don't think the answer is necessarily limiting things, it's just good to have a lot of contests running at a time, making all styles of building in constant demand. About the only thing not running right now is something for just minifigs, and I'd like to see that, custom or not (and I'm a purist, but that doesn't mean I don't appreciate a nice minifig custom).

[casewindu]

I like these big sized building contests I think it's fun spending a lot of time on something to enter rather than wipping something together in five minutes even though that is also fun.

Even though I have no votes you have to accept that someone else has made a better creation than you meaning I have to try harder the next contest! :-D

there is another one of these contests soon isn't the Hick? cant wait.

Edited September 23, 2007 by casewindu

[xwingyoda]

I, personally don't think anyone should ever be limited in what they can build. If they are intimidated by a contest they can just post the MOC for critique in the forum and not deal with voting. But no one should be intimidated. :-$ Contests should be fun! We are an adult community with a very firendly atmosphere and people should challenge themselves how they want and there are all levels of builders who participate here. A lot of times, especially in vig contests, you see the more simplistic models winning. It's the clever idea that people like. And contests should be for fun. :-D :-D :-D I don't want anyone to join my contests who just wants to win. Sure, winning is nice, but if you're not having fun doing it, you shouldn't be doing it.

Exactly Hinckie, very well stated !! I really feel that way too !! I enter these contests for fun knowing my megablocks will be kicked big time !! Look, only 1 puny vote for a MOC I really like and which took a lot of time and energy, but its ok since its for fun !!

I know I would not enter a contest stating which sets/parts I'm able to use !! That would take the fun out of it !!

But, I think less experienced builders should enter contests, because it challenges their buildings skills and helps them grow creatively and technically...anyway, that is my opinion on the matter. Thank you for posting yours as I think it is a good point to discuss! :-)

Once more I totally agree with this assertion ;-) Take me for instance !! I am not a MOCer at all. As a kid I kept sets as is and the only thing I did was modding them and created small kids MOCs but nothing really fabulous !!

All these contests made me want to join the fun !! Its a great way to improve yourself, try new stuff and after a while, you do get better and better !! You can always share technics and what have you !!

Usually the winning MOC is pretty predictible since its a popular choice. People do tend for these contests to go with the more detailed ones. This contest is the perfect illustration. Some great MOCs do not have many votes since its a shame because they are great creations with great ideas but not enough details to win ;-)

And I did the same. I really hesitated for a long time before choosing !!

Anyway, anyone should enter these for fun only and to better themselves !!

Will I enter the next one? sure !! Will I still have 1 puny vote? probably but I dont care :-P I'll try to improve myself thats for sure, take more time and add more details and if I get more votes, then I'll be happy ;-) Thats the way to view these IMO ;-)

*yoda*

[Barbossa]

What a great contest and so many beautiful entries!

My top three favourites MOC

[gylman]

Good discussion about the parameters of such competitions.

I think it is obviously an advantage to have a big stockpile of bricks and different elements in one of these competitions, and I obviously used that advantage in my MOC.

However, I didn't go to the time and effort of making this (it was 95% built between midnight and 2 AM over the period of a month - I slept 4 hours a night for 3-4 weeks just to be able to do this) just because I wanted to "win a competition".

I did it because I hadn't built anything I was proud of for a while due to my hectic personal and work schedule, and was feeling kind of bad about that, and itching to build something worthwhile. I needed something to motivate me me a bit to start, so the contest and Hinckie served that purpose, but once it got going I just wanted it to be the best it could be.

I wouldn't have entered a contest that says "500 parts, do what you can with them" - it would be more stress than fun. That's pure competition and no joy.

Limited by weight woul be more intresting as long as the weight wasn't too low. It actally would become an extra challenge to build somethign with the least weight possible. I wonder how we would enforce that, though.

I would also suggest that it is an advantage to be 16 years old and have no job, no wife or kids, no family responsibilities, and so much free time that you can really sit down and think about something like this instead of building it in a semi conscious state in the middle of the night while everyone else in the house is sleeping.

Again, thanks Hinckie, for putting this on.

[Siegfried]

However, I didn't go to the time and effort of making this (it was 95% built between midnight and 2 AM over the period of a month - I slept 4 hours a night for 3-4 weeks just to be able to do this) just because I wanted to "win a competition".

Luckily I made mine as I wanted a tugboat. :-D The chance of me winning seems low at this stage.

Limited by weight woul be more intresting as long as the weight wasn't too low. It actally would become an extra challenge to build somethign with the least weight possible. I wonder how we would enforce that, though.

I have found that many sets that are the same price in the same theme, for example the Exo-Force mechs, are almost exactly the same weight. I think this would be a highly practical way to even the field without being a pain in the butt. As for enforcing it, I suppose it comes down to trust. The smackdown MOC between me and Hinckley relied on that and it seemed to work.

I would also suggest that it is an advantage to be 16 years old and have no job, no wife or kids, no family responsibilities, and so much free time that you can really sit down and think about something like this instead of building it in a semi conscious state in the middle of the night while everyone else in the house is sleeping.

Indeed! :-P I found 2 hours time to work on my Fire Engine entry this weekend. Hopefully I will find another 2 hours tomorrow! :-D

[Asuka]

They

[ZeekyBoogeyDoog]

This has been a very fun contest! Everyone made great entries *y* . I voted for Barbossa, I love the intricate stone looking exterior of his building.

[MatthewUSA]

This contest was difficult to vote for. I had a tough time deciding between the light house, the flower shop, Barbossa's pizza place and the auto carrier. I also thought the rest of you did an excellent job. I give two *y* up to everyone for their MOC's.

Model On!!

[Blind-Bricks]

GYLUMAN! all the way!

:)

[Landlubber]

Thank you for bringing that up. :-) I think it's a good point to discuss.

If they are intimidated by a contest they can just post the MOC for critique in the forum and not deal with voting. But no one should be intimidated.

It's easy for guys like us to say no-one should be intimidated, but i'm sure there are some people who would look at the entries and be slightly afraid to post something they may think was substandard.

I'd just really love to see a contest with a level playing field, and get 50 or so entries to make things really interesting. How many members do you think we have regularly hanging around the town forum?

Don't get me wrong, keep the contests coming. I had great fun with this one. Doing it in a couple of hours (I have anther addiction which takes a lot of my time, motorbikes) and with only a few new pieces just made it more challenging to do a good build.

[Lt. Col. Thok]

That was a toughie. I had to go with gylman's diner, though. Jukebox ON!

And, are we doing Simpsons avvies now?

[Shadows]

That was a toughie. I had to go with gylman's diner, though. Jukebox ON!

And, are we doing Simpsons avvies now?

Was this really the place ... er ... nevermind :-P

Yep, we are, and yep, it was one heck of a tough vote. I'd still like to know who the moron was who voted for me :-|

I'm really looking forward to another one of these, just to see the creativity out of the crowd here on EB. :-)

[xwingyoda]

I'd still like to know who the moron was who voted for me :-|

I beg your pardon ?

Are you insulting the one person who voted for you ? No more of that or I'll deal with you and it won't be pleasant at all, I can assure you that !! This is so not the EB spirit to insult members, and especially members who voted for you !!

So watch your tongue and I won't repeat myself again !!

*yoda*

[Shadows]

I beg your pardon ?

Are you insulting the one person who voted for you ? No more of that or I'll deal with you and it won't be pleasant at all, I can assure you that !! This is so not the EB spirit to insult members, and especially members who voted for you !!

So watch your tongue and I won't repeat myself again !!

*yoda*

8-| 8-

[xwingyoda]

(good thing you know I was joking) X-D

Pardon me ? A :-| smilie is NOT equivalent to a joke young one so don't push my patience !!

*yoda*

[Hinckley]

I'd still like to know who the moron was who voted for me :-|

*wacko* Interesting tactic...I'm sure more people would have voted for you had you not pre-insulted anyone who did :-|

[Shadows]

*wacko* Interesting tactic...I'm sure more people would have voted for you had you not pre-insulted anyone who did :-|

If you'll recall, I didn't want people to vote for me. My MOC can't be built as it appears and I couldn't enter the one I built, so I felt bad potentially taking votes from other more deserving entries.

I was still joking about the moron part (I think that's the term I had used in the other thread about it). As I'm sure you know, all smilies are used as a joke to me with only a few exceptions. :-| is definitely one I use as a joke.

I tell you, try to display a little honour and get misunderstood. :'-(

[Siegfried]

:-| is definitely one I use as a joke.

I tend to use :-| to indicate that something was unbelievable, and often silly.... 8-|

[xwingyoda]

:-| is definitely one I use as a joke.

Thata smilie intended for other things than jokes !!

I tell you, try to display a little honour and get misunderstood. :'-(

Next time, use the appropriate smilie :-| (see how its intended ? and I'm far from joking !!)

Jokes smilies are these since you don't even know them: :-D , X-D and :-P Apart from those, do not get suprised if you're not understood properly !!

*yoda*

[Hinckley]

Well guys, this has been a neck and neck race! Let's keep this open until Friday to see if the results level off. If not I'll declare a winner then. Great job everybody! *sweet*

[gylman]

Sounds fair enough.

Curses on my lazy kids for not registering and voting for their dad.... *skull*

After all those late nights, stinky diapers, and scraped knees, not to mention my premature balding, graying, and belly bulge.

[xwingyoda]

After all those late nights, stinky diapers, and scraped knees, not to mention my premature balding, graying, and belly bulge.

X-D Curse the life of an AFOL !! Will you still ave hair after the next contest :-P

BTW Hinckie, do you have any idea on when the next contest will be and the theme of it ? I will need a lot of preparation and work for that one to get more than 2 puny votes :-P

*yoda*