ESO "Welcome Home" Housing Contest Winners!

mattaeus01b16_ESO · June 29

Katheriah wrote: »

It's not exactly a secret that the houses were not visited for this contest. ZOS made clear on the day after posting that this was a screenshot contest, as not all judges have access to all platforms. It's on page 1 of the discussion thread:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/677579/official-discussion-thread-for-the-eso-welcome-home-housing-contest-is-here/p1

I don't think I would have bothered with the contest if I had read this thread at all. Or at least, would have used the PTS so that I could have freely used whatever I wanted to create a facade? I read the rules posted on the main ESO page and created from scratch a Baba Yaga!
Now, on the main page it did not say that this was a photo contest or in the official rules.

"Love ESO’s Housing System? The ESO “Welcome Home” Housing Contest is here! Create an incredible in-game house using one of our prompts and share your screenshots (4-6 total) with us through the form below by June 6, 2025 for a chance to win.

Each piece will be judged on creativity, quality, adherence to the Official Rules, and overall interpretation of the category themes—Cozy Inn Rooms, Secret Garden, Festival Day, and Master-Tier Creations."

I took it in the spirit of the competition to create from scratch. And that was my fault. That, and I play the game on a potato and I mean, this is the best that my potato could do for pics.

Im not a photographer... AS YOU CAN SEE lol
And I will say, Im not trying to disparage this type of competition. I think its great! I would like to see it come back.

Katheriah · June 29

I think your potato Baba Yaga is awesome!

ESO_player123 · June 29

mattaeus01b16_ESO wrote: »

Katheriah wrote: »

It's not exactly a secret that the houses were not visited for this contest. ZOS made clear on the day after posting that this was a screenshot contest, as not all judges have access to all platforms. It's on page 1 of the discussion thread:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/677579/official-discussion-thread-for-the-eso-welcome-home-housing-contest-is-here/p1

I don't think I would have bothered with the contest if I had read this thread at all. Or at least, would have used the PTS so that I could have freely used whatever I wanted to create a facade? I read the rules posted on the main ESO page and created from scratch a Baba Yaga!
Now, on the main page it did not say that this was a photo contest or in the official rules.

"Love ESO’s Housing System? The ESO “Welcome Home” Housing Contest is here! Create an incredible in-game house using one of our prompts and share your screenshots (4-6 total) with us through the form below by June 6, 2025 for a chance to win.

Each piece will be judged on creativity, quality, adherence to the Official Rules, and overall interpretation of the category themes—Cozy Inn Rooms, Secret Garden, Festival Day, and Master-Tier Creations."

I took it in the spirit of the competition to create from scratch. And that was my fault. That, and I play the game on a potato and I mean, this is the best that my potato could do for pics.

Im not a photographer... AS YOU CAN SEE lol
And I will say, Im not trying to disparage this type of competition. I think its great! I would like to see it come back.

I actually went with the "Baba Yaga" as well. I did not do it for the competition specifically and had no hopes of winning anything (just something that I came up earlier this year), but I submitted it anyway. This is my Baba Yaga's hut (hut on chicken legs) complete with her preferred method of transportation:

Koshka · June 30

First of all, congrats to the winners! I especially liked the Festival Day creations.
Honestly, this Ravenhurst debacle seems to be simply miscommunication, but it still feels unfair to the players who followed the official guidelines (that only 30 slot inn rooms are allowed). The winning room is indeed really pretty, but the difference in what you can do between 30 and 200 slots is massive. Heck, if I'd known that 200 slot homes are allowed, I would have submitted mine, too!
I wish that the next time we have an official contest, the rules would be more clear.

ZOS_Kevin · July 1

Hi, everyone. We need to give an update on the ESO "Welcome Home" Housing Contest.

After further review of the entries, we’ve realized that during our judging of the Cozy Inn Rooms category, we unintentionally originally announced a runner-up that submitted an image that does not meet the contest’s intended theme, which focused specifically on Cozy Inn Rooms and using an inn room as a base for the entry. This was an honest oversight on our part during the selection process, and we sincerely apologize for any confusion this may have caused.

To ensure fairness and alignment with the contest guidelines, we will be selecting and announcing a new runner-up from the eligible submissions that meet the criteria. We appreciate your understanding and continued enthusiasm.

Thank you!

onyxorb · July 1

spartaxoxo wrote: »

Everyone has the same 700 slot item limit. People who use all 700 for the front lack item space too or it would be fully functional and like that.

This idea that some builds have more slots is utterly false. It is designed to try enforce personal taste on contests and nothing more.

If anything there should be a special runner up in each category for players who stuck to no ESO+ limits. Because that's who actually has less slots to work with. But an official contest would not do that for obvious reasons.

One of the best homes I've seen in the forums, was a build in Sword Singer's Redoubt by someone without ESO+, it was truly an amazing build. I actually went and viewed it in game, and it was really as well done as the screenshot.

Glad to see those homes when they win prizes. No ESO+ is like the vet HM of housing!

onyxorb · July 1

@zos_kevin I would like to make a suggestion for future housing contests if possible.

Most of us like to tour the homes after winners are announced, so it would be awesome if the following information could also be listed with the winners:
@ingamename
House Name
Platform/Server

A few bumps in the road in terms of properly clarifying the rules, but definitely a great contest.
Congrats to all the winners! Make sure you ask those Devs some great questions!

baratron · July 1

mattaeus01b16_ESO wrote: »

Katheriah wrote: »

It's not exactly a secret that the houses were not visited for this contest. ZOS made clear on the day after posting that this was a screenshot contest, as not all judges have access to all platforms. It's on page 1 of the discussion thread:
https://forums.elderscrollsonline.com/en/discussion/677579/official-discussion-thread-for-the-eso-welcome-home-housing-contest-is-here/p1

I don't think I would have bothered with the contest if I had read this thread at all. Or at least, would have used the PTS so that I could have freely used whatever I wanted to create a facade? I read the rules posted on the main ESO page and created from scratch a Baba Yaga!
Now, on the main page it did not say that this was a photo contest or in the official rules.

I feel like it was pretty obvious that it was a photo contest?

https://woobox.com/b8u3e2/rules

HOW TO ENTER: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. PARTICIPATION EXPENSES WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. Internet access at your own cost, access to the The Elder Scrolls Online game and a valid ESO account are required.

During the Submission Period, eligible entrants are encouraged to submit four screenshots representing their unique housing creations (the “Images”) showcasing their creativity and individual definition for cool (the “Theme”). At least four (4) images, and no more than (6) images, must be generated. Screenshots may be in JPG or PNG format and show the unique design created. All screenshots should be at the highest possible resolution with 1920 x 1080 as the minimum. The use of in-game effects and lighting addons are allowed, but altering screenshots outside of the game with PhotoShop or other image editing is not permitted for this contest.

What I can't see, however, is any part of the rules which insists that the screenshots needed to be your own work. Obviously the house itself did, but if you play on a potato, you could check with Kevin here whether you could get a friend or guildie with a better computer to take the screenshots for you.

Worth considering for next time, anyway.

Virys1967 · July 1

All the homes are beautiful and the prizes were well earned.

Having said that, this seemed to be more like a photography contest than a housing one.

It was more about setting up the shot, and people that worked hard on their homes, but weren't as savvy with taking the perfect screenshots, were at a disadvantage.

Maybe next time do actual home tours?

SilverBride · July 2

Virys1967 wrote: »

All the homes are beautiful and the prizes were well earned.

Having said that, this seemed to be more like a photography contest than a housing one.

It was more about setting up the shot, and people that worked hard on their homes, but weren't as savvy with taking the perfect screenshots, were at a disadvantage.

Maybe next time do actual home tours?

I understand why they may not be able to physically tour 1400+ homes, but I feel they should at least tour the ones they have chosen before declaring them as winners.

Kittytravel · July 2

Congrats to all the winners.

I know it's a ton of entries but I sort of hope in the future community voting can be a thing. Maybe something like trimming it to the top 10 of each category and letting the community vote on the top 3 from there.

Either way it's great to see housing being recognized since it's such a huge part of that game.

Apollosipod · July 3

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

It would have been nice to know that the judging was for building a facade for a screenshot, not actual decorating for a functional house in game.

Each of the houses is a functional house. We only showcased one photo for each person. But there are function interior shots for most of these as well. We will have those showcased in the final article in a few weeks.

But...for that Merryvine Estate that isn't the case? I just visited that house. It's empty inside and the front of the house has gaps that are specifically not visible from the specific screen shot. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but this house isn't "functional."

It looks great from the outside, but the creator didn't have enough slots to make it a functional home

Pixiepumpkin · July 3

Apollosipod wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

It would have been nice to know that the judging was for building a facade for a screenshot, not actual decorating for a functional house in game.

Each of the houses is a functional house. We only showcased one photo for each person. But there are function interior shots for most of these as well. We will have those showcased in the final article in a few weeks.

But...for that Merryvine Estate that isn't the case? I just visited that house. It's empty inside and the front of the house has gaps that are specifically not visible from the specific screen shot. I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but this house isn't "functional."

It looks great from the outside, but the creator didn't have enough slots to make it a functional home

Thank you, someone who finally gets what i have been saying.

Sheezabeast · July 3

Yikes....thankfully they're trying to rectify the mistake.

How do you.....when you....how....didn't you port in to their home in game (some ZOS employee or whomever tasked with it for the contest at HQ) and see the name of the home or notice you were not in an Inn in a city when you exited? (assuming you didn't port out)

This would be like not noticing that a Pokemon was a Ditto and not the original Pokemon....best comparson I can make.

Lilarna · July 3

The house in which the entry was created was not asked for in the entry form.

So obviously, there wasn't going to be any visits, ever.

It was a housing contest that was based on screenshots and that was very clearly stated in the official news giving out the details of the contest, in the very first paragraph : https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68041

Love ESO’s Housing System? The ESO “Welcome Home” Housing Contest is here! Create an incredible in-game house using one of our prompts and share your screenshots (4-6 total) with us through the form below by June 6, 2025 for a chance to win.

I just don't understand why so many comments ignoring this obvious fact are happening.
Anyways!

More importantly, congratulations to the winners!!! And a huge thank you to all of the people on the panel of judges for whom going through 1400 entries must have been a labor of love. ^^'

And a very special shoutout to the only judges that we know the name of, Futerko and HachikoChan. These two members of the ESO Community (who down the road are players like us all) took on hours and hours and hours of their personal free time in order to participate in the judging process and that effort deserves a big warm thank you!!! 💕

NotaDaedraWorshipper · July 4

Kittytravel wrote: »

Congrats to all the winners.

I know it's a ton of entries but I sort of hope in the future community voting can be a thing. Maybe something like trimming it to the top 10 of each category and letting the community vote on the top 3 from there.

Either way it's great to see housing being recognized since it's such a huge part of that game.

Anyone with experience with this know how extremely biased and bad this would be. Seen so many contests over the years, not just ESO, where it was community voted, and seen so many winners that didn't fit the theme or rules at all, just because they were something popular or the one who made it was popular, memes, or such.

Varied judges is much better.

Sheezabeast · July 4

Lilarna wrote: »

The house in which the entry was created was not asked for in the entry form.

So obviously, there wasn't going to be any visits, ever.

It was a housing contest that was based on screenshots and that was very clearly stated in the official news giving out the details of the contest, in the very first paragraph : https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68041

Love ESO’s Housing System? The ESO “Welcome Home” Housing Contest is here! Create an incredible in-game house using one of our prompts and share your screenshots (4-6 total) with us through the form below by June 6, 2025 for a chance to win.

I just don't understand why so many comments ignoring this obvious fact are happening.
Anyways!

More importantly, congratulations to the winners!!! And a huge thank you to all of the people on the panel of judges for whom going through 1400 entries must have been a labor of love. ^^'

And a very special shoutout to the only judges that we know the name of, Futerko and HachikoChan. These two members of the ESO Community (who down the road are players like us all) took on hours and hours and hours of their personal free time in order to participate in the judging process and that effort deserves a big warm thank you!!! 💕

Yeah but doesn't a part of you kinda assume they go there to verify account/home so people can't just screenshot a home they didn't make or find one online or tweak the screenshot out of game? I made sense to me they would verify ownership in some fashion beyond a screenshot anyone can send.

Kallykat · July 4

I wanted to enter but didn't get to it this time, so I hope ZOS has another one of these contests in the future. In particular, as someone who doesn't own a lot of crowns houses, I like restricting the size to inn or small rooms for at least part of the contest. (Although, maybe clarify the rules and verify the house size next time.)

Congrats to all the winners! I'm always amazed by the creativity on display by the housing community.

Pixiepumpkin · July 4

Lilarna wrote: »

The house in which the entry was created was not asked for in the entry form.

So obviously, there wasn't going to be any visits, ever.

It was a housing contest that was based on screenshots and that was very clearly stated in the official news giving out the details of the contest, in the very first paragraph : https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68041

Love ESO’s Housing System? The ESO “Welcome Home” Housing Contest is here! Create an incredible in-game house using one of our prompts and share your screenshots (4-6 total) with us through the form below by June 6, 2025 for a chance to win.

I just don't understand why so many comments ignoring this obvious fact are happening.
Anyways!

More importantly, congratulations to the winners!!! And a huge thank you to all of the people on the panel of judges for whom going through 1400 entries must have been a labor of love. ^^'

And a very special shoutout to the only judges that we know the name of, Futerko and HachikoChan. These two members of the ESO Community (who down the road are players like us all) took on hours and hours and hours of their personal free time in order to participate in the judging process and that effort deserves a big warm thank you!!! 💕

Asking to share screenshots (plural) is NOT an indicator that the contest was about screenshots (which it was due to facades being allowed). This was NOT made clear in anyway shape or form. I have never seen a screenshot contest in my life where more than 1 screenshots were allowed.

Katheriah · July 4

I'm not trying to be that person, but you may have noticed that you never had to fill in which house you were submitting. To me it was very clear that it was a screenshot contest, because of that plus the fact that ZOS mentioned it on the forum (where we are all right now) like the day after the contest was announced.

I think it was Kevin who explained that the judges don't have access to all servers. Also, it was a big contest. There were many contestants. It would be a fulltime job to port to all houses to look at every nook and cranny.

Pixiepumpkin · July 4

Filling out the specifc house is completely irrelevant to decorating. There was nothing making it clear at all that it was a screenshot contest, absolutely nothing. Screenshots are the means in which to communicate that a player made/decorated a house in game to the devs/judges. The fact is, the wording is vague and either camp can read into it what they want, which only proves every assertion I have made about this contest, that simply it was unfair on multiple fronts.

Katheriah · July 5

Filling out the specific house is asked in every single contest where they will actually visit your house. It's the opposite of irrelevant.

cyberqueen01 · July 8

I totally agree with @Pixiepumpkin : Most of the winners are always the same people. Most of them with massive structures without any function or a bunch of bling bling and colours they force me to use my sunglases. There are so many build´s they look awesome. It´s really pity for those who are doing so fine work and art without any attention. So sad...

I´m sry for my restricted english.

Edit: i use a wrong word. Sry.

katanagirl1 · July 8

Congrats to all the winners! They are all so lovely, and as others said it is nice to see console entries. This being a screenshot contest enabled those of us on console to participate for once. I’d like to see that again.

The discussion about “facades” or custom builds with or without interiors, it should be a moot point. The judging was based on a screenshot, even if the judges did visit the house it should not matter. I have a lot of respect for those who do custom builds, I am not one of them. It adds an extra layer of difficulty to it, in my opinion. Also, getting a good screenshot is sort of an art as well. I fear I did not showcase mine well when I entered, and later wished I could redo it. Not that it would have won, based on what has been showcased here, so I guess this is a learning experience for me.

Again, thanks for showing the contest winners since I would not be able to view them myself.

SilverBride · July 9

When will the new inn room runner up be announced?

Bithabus · July 13

Please list account name, house name, and server of the winners. How are we supposed to go visit the winners if we dont know where they are?

maravana · July 14

@ZOS_Kevin

Hello - we are awaiting the corrected Inn Room winner. When will that happen, please?

Thanks.

Sythen88411 · July 14

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

ZOS_Kevin wrote: »

Pixiepumpkin wrote: »

It would have been nice to know that the judging was for building a facade for a screenshot, not actual decorating for a functional house in game.

Each of the houses is a functional house. We only showcased one photo for each person. But there are function interior shots for most of these as well. We will have those showcased in the final article in a few weeks.

So they all have full interiors with crafting stations and or assistants? I count more than 30 items in the last inn room, what is on the opposite wall when they are out of furnishing slots?

Here ya go. Here is that "Inn" room that has well over 30 slots in it. It's not an Inn, its Ravenhurst. So this person "won" because they had a massive advantage of being able to build over the 30 slot limit by not using an "Inn" house, like the rest of us were restricted to.

You said each home had a full interior. I assume this means you visited each home. If so, then you would have easily recognized that this "Inn" was in fact not an inn and was Ravenhurst which is not an inn, not a 15/30 slot home.

These winners built to a specific style (cobbling and styles that do not reflect tamriel), the kind your two guest judges like to build/showcase on their you tube channels.

Sorry Kevin but there is some heavy bias going on here.

This

SilverBride · July 15

The new inn room runner up is in this article.

https://www.elderscrollsonline.com/en-us/news/post/68431