The Rules:

• The latest rules (and related discussion) are contained in this BCN Post.
  
• Virtual models are allowed for this contest.
  
• Models posted on-line prior to 10/15/09 are not eligible for this contest.
  
• International entries are welcome
  
• There are several general rules:
  
  • It must still be somewhat practical indoors
    
  • Must not be a giant mecha where the user sits hidden away behind a cockpit
    
  • No artificial intelligences or robots (remote control is ok), although powerful computers are allowed
    
  • The user must still be sitting comfortably - this is for every day life, remember!
    
  • It must be constructed from only official LEGO parts/stickers. No off-brands, customs or mods this time out!
  
  
• There are three building categories:
  
  • Days of Yore
    
    • Ok, so, how did I get around in the past (pre-20th Century)? Wooden medieval wheelchair? Steampunk contraption? Remember, those old world cobblestones are really nasty to wheel on, and muddy tracks impossible!
    
    
  • Here and Now
    
    • Possibly the hardest category because your entry must function in the real world. That doesn't mean it can't have outlandish features, but they must at least, theoretically work based on current scientific and technological advances.
    
    
  • Final Frontier
    
    • This is a free-for-all category. Let your imagination run wild, invent technology that doesn't exist yet that allows me to participate in every day activities that haven't even been conceived of yet.
  
  
• Builders can enter each of the three categories, but are limited to one model-per-category. Each module must be original work.
  
• Although builders can enter all three categories, they can win only ONE major prize package. In the case of a single builder taking the top slot in more than one category, that builder will select the prize that he or she desires and the remaining prizes will be awarded to the 2nd place finishers.

To Enter:

• You will need to create an account on the BCN forums to enter this contest.
  
• Once you have your account, you can post one entry to each of the three contest entry threads:
  
  
  
  • Days of Yore
    
  • Here and Now
    
  • Final Frontier
  
  
• Entry posts need to contain the following information:
  
  
  
  • A name/title for your entry
    
  • A link to a single photo (no larger than 500x500 pixels) of your model to be used in the entry grid.
    
    • Remember: If the judges can't make out your model, you won't score very high, so take a GOOD picture.
      
    • If you don't have your own webspace, you can host your photo for free on sites like MOCPages, Brickshelf, and Flickr.
      
    • The photo you list will be copied and stored at Reasonably Clever on 11/15/09 to prevent any "after deadline" modifications.
    
    
  • Optional: A text description of your model
    
  • Optional: A link to more photos of your model
    
  • COUNTRY OF ORIGIN - To qualify for either the Pirate-Swag or Chrome-tastic prizes, the builder must state his or her country of origin. Builders in North America will be entered into judging for the Pirate-Swag, and all other entries will qualify for the Chrome-Tastic award. (See PRIZES, below.)
  
  
• Entries must be posted to the correct threads by MIDNIGHT Eastern Standard Time on 11-15-09. At midnight, entry threads will be locked to prevent late entries and changes.
  
  
  
  • Please note that it can take up to 24 hours to activate a BCN account, so if you want to enter a last minute model be sure to set up your account early. In fact, why not do it now?
    
    • All eligible BCN accounts submitted by 11/14/09 will be activated by noon on 11/15/09.
      
    • "My last minute account wasn't activated" is not a valid excuse for a late entry and we will laugh at you if you try and use it. If you don't post to the thread in time you're not playing. That's the rule.
  
  
• On 11/16/09, Final Entry Grids will be posted to Reasonably Clever and ranking of contest entires will begin.
  
• Winners will be announced on or before 11/26/09, with prizes being mailed shortly thereafter.

Judgment and Scoring:

• Each model will be evaluated by three judges
  
  
  
  • Louise Dade, author of Tranquility Base, the very person challenging you to Pimp her Chair.
    
  • Doctor Sinister, creator of Tabletown
    
  • Chris Doyle, host of ReasonablyClever.com
  
  
• Each judge will pick and rank the top five favorite models in each category.
  
• Rankings will then be tallied and overall winners decided.

Prizes:

• The top scoring Days of Yore Model will receive
  6240 LEGO Pirates Kraken Attackin’
  
• The top scoring Here and Now Model will receive
  8907 and 8908 LEGO Power Miners Impulse Sets
  
• The top scoring Final Frontier Model will receive
  5970 LEGO Space Police 3: Freeze Ray Frenzy
  
• Pirate-Swag: Chris Doyle will pick his overall favorite entry submitted by North American (that'd be Canada and the USA) builders to receive the otherwise-unavailable-to-them
  6299 LEGO Pirate Advent Calendar
  
• Chrome-Tastic: Louise Dade will pick her overall favorite entry from non-North American builders to receive a
  LEGO Star Wars 10th Anniversary Stormtrooper Magnet (852737)
  AND!
  #852745 - Metallized (I think that means chromed) Magnet Set
  AND!
  #852445 - Chromed Gold 2x4 Brick keyring
  

Final part of the prize. This has been kept quiet, even from Chris, because there was no guarantee they would arrive on time to be sent on...

Every prize winner will receive a Tranquility Base printed 1x8 brick, of which there are only 17 in existance

Yes that's printed, not a sticker!



Much better than a TRU or Legoland exclusive Duplo brick

Minifig scale only? Or any scale?

I took the liberty of posting some pics of the prizes. Hope you don't mind.

Days of Yore prize:


Here and Now prize:


Final Frontier prize:


Doyle's pick prize:

And some of the contents:


Dade's pick prize:


Have fun.

You can build in another scale if you really wish, but there will be bonus points for making it minifig scale.

Why? Well, because a non-minifig scale model won't be much use to my Author Avatar!

Therefore, non-minifig scale models will be considered as "concept prototypes"

However, if it's a totally brilliant model then it will definitely still stand a chance of a prize.

Louise

I have a pretty futuristic wheelchair somewhere.

But at the moment the minifig needs to remove its arms first.

Also - Is it me or is the calender more valuable than the 10 quid minifig - I couldn't find a price anywhere.

The removal of limbs in order to use the chair will probably not win you many points.


Well, yes, and I am working on that - I was hoping to get to the LEGO store today to dig out something nice. But it looks like being Monday now.

However, the kudos of winning should be far more valuble than any material prize... right? Right?

Louise

Let's be honest. Money value aside, that chrome stormtrooper is, to use the technical term, "fucking awesome."

And he's a proper minfig too, not glued or anything.

yeah, but I'd have to move to Europe or out of North America to win it.

or you know.. win anything at all, but I'm sure as heck gonna try.

The main prizes (Kracken, Power Miners, Space Police) are ready to be shipped worldwide...it's only the Calendar and Trooper that have location restrictions.

Hopefully that's clear...