Art Contest Winners · 8:50pm Sep 21st, 2015
Yeesh, I know you guys have been waiting a while for this. And to be fair, it's taken me far too long to sit down and do this. And of course, now I have more unwelcome news ... but not what you would expect, I think.
Anyway, you know what, let me just announce the winners nice and fast, and then we can get to the unwelcome news.
So, the Art Contest winners were fairly straightforward. I had ten prizes to give out, and we only had six entrants, one of which was a double (which was totally allowed, but according to the rules just gave you more chances to win without scoring you extra prizes). So, by doing the math, it's pretty clear there what was going to happen. Ten prizes, six entrants ... So six winners of prizes. Pretty straightforward!
Now, determining who won ... actually also pretty straightforward. I took all the winners and put their names in a bowl, then wrote up a list of all of the prizes and started drawing for them. Not, I guess, super exciting, but exactly what we needed.
And, as such, we now have winners. Hit the jump to see exactly who won what.
Commander_C22 entry was one of the later entries into the contest, and one of the more unexpected. Rather than focus on a character from the series, C22 went for something unusual: A landscape of the Dusk Guard's barracks near Canterlot Castle. Which seems plain and ordinary ... until you notice the balancing figure atop the roof, silhouetted by the sun. Yup, there's Sabra, practicing atop the barracks!
So then, what has Commander_C22 win for his entry? Only a copy of one of my absolute favorite books of all time:
That's right. C22 has won a kindle copy of The Icarus Hunt, my absolute favorite book. If you've never read it before, C22, you're in for a treat!
Onward!
One thing this art contest really demonstrated was the sheer variety of art that artists can come up with. Take, for example, ReaderRyn's entry. I never expected to see something like this. I'm not even sure what style of art I'd call it. Neolithic? I don't even know. All I know is that it looks like an ancient legend or prophecy you'd find on the wall of an ancient ruin, and that's pretty darn cool. When it comes to depictions of the last battle from Rise, ReaderRyn's entry is wholly unique.
So, what has Reader won? Well, how about—
Yup. The Game of the Year edition. Actually, it might be the complete edition (I've kind of forgotten, and I'm not about to put this code in to check for myself, since that would redeem it). Either way, it's a classic RTS, and a whole lot of fun in the grimdarkly grim and dark future of Warhammer 40k.
Next up, we have—
You know, I think I've sensed a bit of a pairing trend with The Dusk Guard Saga, especially with regards to one couple in particular. I'm not even sure I'd have to say their names at this point, because it seems that the majority of you, upon reading the word "pair" in conjunction with mention of the Dusk Guard have already called a particular couple to mind.
Sky Bolt and Sabra, sharing a moment together. Of all the couples or romantic entanglements that have been latched onto by readers, Sky and Sabra seem to be the pair most loved ... though I am hearing quite a few shipping calls for Alchemy and Frost (heck, at this point I'm almost surprised no one's written fanfic of it; I almost expect someone to try it!)
Either way, Tweeterhead's submission is a great portrait, and with his entry he has won a copy of—
This one isn't too surprising of a prize, I'll admit. Alan Wake is one of those releases that's evolved into a bit of a cult classic, and I've given it out as a prize before. But I do so because it's a chillingly wonderful game, with an interesting plot that revolves a bit around the classic question we've all considered before: what if what we wrote became real?
Next up, we have—
This is another entry that caught me by surprise. And not just because it squeaked in just a half-hour from the deadline, but because it was a topic for fan-art I'd not ever considered: a crystal key.
Obviously, as anyone who's read the series knows, those keys have played an important part in things so far. But fan-art of one? I sure didn't expect it! Still, Copious has done a great job putting together a neat image of one—which seems all the more fitting as everyone has recently learned exactly what these keys do.
So, in recognition of his cool art, what has Copious won? Why a copy of—
Dust is a very neat game, and not just because it was animated, programmed, and made by a single person. No, Dust is also special because A) it's a good game and B) it's a Metroidvania styled game. Well, closer to the Castlevania part of that equation than Metroid, but don't let that dissuade you. It's got great art and a fun, compelling (as well as original) story, and a unique combat system that ends up playing out a bit like Ninja Gaiden or Devil May Cry in 2D. In short, it's awesome.
And now, to our last entrant, who submitted not one, but two entries ...
A long time fan of The Dusk Guard Saga, Bugsydor gets a special nod for submitting not one but two entries to the contest. Unprecedented! And both are nice entries too. First up, we have an adorable picture of everyone's favorite wrench-mare, Sky Bolt. passed out on the floor of her workshop with a wrench clutched in her hooves ... Which also appears to be earning a few teeth marks. Adorable!
Next up, we have the second submission, based off of a rather humorous comment made on Beyond the Borderlands during the assault on The Pinnacle. Given the two staffing this booth, I'd be highly suspect about those flying lessons. The snow-cones, on the other hand, sound completely delicious. I wonder what flavors they come in?
So, what does Bugsydor take home for his entries? None other than the fifth and final prize—
This will actually be the last time for a while I have Audiosurf as a prize giveaway ... mostly because I'm starting to fear I've given out too many copies. Which isn't a bad thing, I guess. If anything, it speaks to the endlessly appealing aesthetic the game carries. So ride, Bugsydor, into a musical maelstrom! Or into relaxation. Depends on what you listen to.
So, there you have it, everyone. The winners!
Now for the bad news. It's going to be a little tricky to get most of you your prizes, since I depart tomorrow morning for Alaska, and starting October 1st will be 100% off the grid for a while. Which means while I'll send out PMs as soon as this post goes up, if you don't get back to me by a certain date ... you'll probably have to wait until the end of October. Sorry. Just a cramped schedule.
Thank you one and all for your entries!
No worries! I'm glad you'll be taking a break; you deserve it!
Now, on to the next bit: leave mine for last, I don't mind waiting.
Have fun, and don't freeze your toes off!
3409947
Thanks for the well wishes! Though it's actually not a break. It's a few weeks on a commercial shrimp boat. On the plus side, I will come back without money problems!
I guess it's a break from editing, though, and I'm okay with that!
Good work, everyone! This was a fun contest to participate in. Loved how different each entry was, even if half of them somehow featured Best Mechanic.
I'm going to headcanonize that top-down perspective one as a batpony cave painting.
As for the "snow cones", they come in a PAINbow of flavors. From Sanguineberry-Ocean Swirl to Ow-Ow-My-Throat Gurple. Also, most snow cones are administered at high velocity.
Also, I won a prize.
!~
Ooooh Icarus Hunt. That was a good one.
I'd just like to point out the under score in my name goes between Commander and C22, like this: Commander_C22