Player design contests

tinythinker

Gid suggested it in 2015 based on an event held in DOA5.

Estelio suggested it in 2016.

Snowfaerie suggested it in 2017.

Games like FFXIV tried it then decided it was worth doing again.

If ZOS had a contest for players to submit sketches/paintings/descriptions of new hairstyles, tattoos, costumes, motifs, mounts, pets, houses, or whatever, would you be interested/approve?

This isn't asking if you would submit an entry, but rather, would you be in favor of this kind of thing or enjoy seeing the entries?

Violynne

Pass.

I'm just not confident the winner's design wouldn't be locked behind Crown Crates.

tinythinker

Violynne wrote: »

Pass.

I'm just not confident the winner's design wouldn't be locked behind Crown Crates.

If anything I'd think they would put it front and center in a regular sale rather than in a random crate, better for marketing/PR. Then have contests for people to win it.

Violynne

tinythinker wrote: »

If anything I'd think they would put it front and center in a regular sale rather than in a random crate, better for marketing/PR. Then have contests for people to win it.

Have you not seen the store lately? The best of ZoS' designs have been thrown behind Crown Crates.

If they aren't going to let the audience buy these directly, I don't see how these player designs wouldn't suffer the same fate.

tinythinker

Violynne wrote: »

tinythinker wrote: »

If anything I'd think they would put it front and center in a regular sale rather than in a random crate, better for marketing/PR. Then have contests for people to win it.

Have you not seen the store lately? The best of ZoS' designs have been thrown behind Crown Crates.

If they aren't going to let the audience buy these directly, I don't see how these player designs wouldn't suffer the same fate.

Because of PR. You want to show that off/make players feel like they too can have their design featured and promoted not just in the store but seeing people in-game running around with whatever it is. Accessibility by featuring it for direct sale and then adding it as a limited time offer for whichever month it comes out in.

But putting the Crown Store aside for the moment, in general does it sound cool/fun?

Itacira

Maybe if... (explain below)

Maybe, leaning on No. Often, this kind of contest becomes a way to have professional artists create content that the game can use for free. In-game prizes do not a wage make.

Violynne

tinythinker wrote: »

But putting the Crown Store aside for the moment, in general does it sound cool/fun?

I'm behind the idea, for sure. I always love to see what players come up with (and if I go by their fan art, the ZoS art dept would get a run for its money ).

I might even try my hand at a design or two.

AnviOfVai

Yes

I would enjoy seeing other designs created from our community, I would also love to see people making armor sets, and perhaps even skills. I would say you don't have to be amazing at drawing and art to come up with a creative idea, it can always be designed then later by professionals and to see your actual sets being used would be amazing.

tinythinker

Itacira wrote: »

Maybe, leaning on No. Often, this kind of contest becomes a way to have professional artists create content that the game can use for free. In-game prizes do not a wage make.

I get that. I would hope there would be compensation other than just "exposure".

Glaiceana

Yes

Yes, it would be great Would love to see what people come up with!

I've designed a couple things before.
For example: Was thinking in terms of an improvement to fishing. There's so many different types of fish that sound really interesting, but most use the same thumbnail.

So I thought it would be nice to paint a few examples, never posted it in the end, but here it is now, only ended up doing one though
The Ice Koi:

I know that's a very simple thing and could be done with addons easily. But I also have ideas for pets and mounts, even weapons.

Bam_Bam

It's a nice thought but asa others have mentioned - no way will it happen, or at least not for free. Apparently ZoS has a pretty rubbish track record for holding contests and issuing prizes? Haven't they held competitions in the past but never declared a winner? Whatever happened with that 1000 stories thing?

KeiruNicrom

Maybe if... (explain below)

Depends on how designs would be implemented to the general populace. Crown store? meh I guess. Crates? oh hell no. Added to a loot table (like for instance fishing gunny sacks or certain dailies)? mmmmm yes please and more

tinythinker

Glaiceana wrote: »

Yes, it would be great Would love to see what people come up with!

I've designed a couple things before.
For example: Was thinking in terms of an improvement to fishing. There's so many different types of fish that sound really interesting, but most use the same thumbnail.

Hadn't considered the little thumbnails.

Could go from that to icons for abilities I guess.

Or more fun, skills lines with descriptions (how abilities work, animation ideas, etc.). But it would need to be smaller, maybe like the Soul skill line or smaller. Of course this is ridiculously unlikely compared even to the likelihood for mounts or pets or outfits but is intriguing

As for pets, I would hope for a rat terrier but can't draw one

GabiAlex

Yes

I have some ideas for some elegant and lore friendly stuff I want to see in the games. I'm capable to provide sketches and 3D models.

tinythinker

GabiAlex wrote: »

I have some ideas for some elegant and lore friendly stuff I want to see in the games. I'm capable to provide sketches and 3D models.

*tries to sneak a peek at the sketches*

JamieAubrey

Violynne wrote: »

Pass.

I'm just not confident the winner's design wouldn't be locked behind Crown Crates.

And even then the winner would STILL have to buy the crates lol

DanteYoda

No

No the royalties would have to go to the customer or i wouldn't vote.. Imo Zos making even more from their customers work is unfair.

Yzalirk

Maybe if... (explain below)

I really do not know what to think. On one hand it could introduce cool new things but on the other there could just be too much biased designs or things the artist likes. I know Khajiits are a big fan favorite, for whatever reason, but where will be the love for Nords?

Too many gray areas. I personally think ZOS has some great ideas and designs for cosmetics but it is unfortunate they come one in a blue moon. A lot of assets they have in game that are NPC specific would sell great in my opinion.

Bhaal5

Yes

Atleast then ALL countries that play the game may be able you participate unlike their "sweepstakes" on and locking it to a handful of countries

tinythinker

Yzalirk wrote: »

I really do not know what to think. On one hand it could introduce cool new things but on the other there could just be too much biased designs or things the artist likes. I know Khajiits are a big fan favorite, for whatever reason, but where will be the love for Nords?

Depends on how the contest is set up and who enters. If it's pets or mounts it would be less about the races. If it's wardrobe pieces or costumes they could announce a theme. I don't remember there being Nord fashion yet -- so far it's been Orcs, Argonians, Dunmer, Bosmer, and recently Khajiit. So if it was apparel they could say "Submit your best Nord designs".

Bhaal5 wrote: »

Atleast then ALL countries that play the game may be able you participate unlike their "sweepstakes" on and locking it to a handful of countries

That would be nice.

jedtb16_ESO

to what end?