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Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:21 am
by Sirocco
The contest is now OVER. You can learn the results here.

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Aspiring Writers Wanted!

We here at NationStates need YOUR help adding new, original content to the game! For many years now we've had a system whereby players write their own daily issues and submit them to the moderators. We then edit those submissions and put them into the game. Unfortunately, not many moderators have the time to do this on top of their other responsibilities and RL concerns so what we're proposing is that talented players pitch in and help us edit issue submissions. We know there's a lot of creative people in these forums, so climb out of your favourite subforum and show us what you can do!

This is going to be a contest with the potential for multiple winners (or none at all. It depends how good the entrants are).

How do I enter?

Very simply. Write a new, original daily issue according to the official guidelines and send it to sirocco@nationstates.net

Please send only one issue. And include your nation's name with the submission so I don't have to ask later!

What happens then?

If you show promise, I will send you an e-mail and go over your issue, raising points, giving advice, et cetera. If I'm still unsure, I will ask you to submit a second original issue. If I approve of your second submission, then you will be taken on as an honourary issue editor. If your first submission doesn't show promise to me, then I'll send you an e-mail telling you that you have been declined.

What's in it for me?

Winners will get the one or two issues they sent put into the game. They will also receive a special 'Issue Editor' badge on their nations to show off to everyone. They'll also have the glory (infamy?) of being credited on every issue they edit. We haven't designed the badge yet (I don't even HAVE Photoshop), but maybe someone can come up with one?

UPDATE: whoever designs the best badge wins a custom forum title.

If I win, what will I be expected to do exactly?

Issue editors will be sent the raw data for issue submissions by myself. You edit them and send them back to me where I'll add the code needed to change player stats and maybe a few minor tweaks if they're needed. There's no need to worry about deadlines, you're free to complete them at your own pace. Hopefully you'll find the experience and skill-developing involved its own reward.

How long do I have to submit my issue?

The competition will be ongoing until midnight on the 8th of August 2009. Winners will also be publicly announced at around this time.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:21 am
by Sirocco
Oh, one final thing.

Legal stuff

By submitting your issue to me, you agree to allow NationStates to use it and display it and forfeit any rights to royalties and such. The NationStates Terms and Conditions say it better: "When you submit content to NationStates.net [or, in this case, Sirocco], you grant the site and its administrator(s) a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to reproduce, distribute, transmit, and publicly display such content."

If you do not agree to this, you may not submit an issue.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:46 am
by Unibot
Wow, I think this is awesome - I'll have to come up with a good idea for this now... :)

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:04 pm
by Linux and the X
Damn, I just submitted an issue a few weeks ago! Can we pretend I did it this way?

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 5:39 pm
by Unibot
I came up with a potential badge for the 'Issue Editor', like you suggested on your blog, Sirocco.

Image

Linus & the X wrote:Damn, I just submitted an issue a few weeks ago! Can we pretend I did it this way?


I was thinking the same thing, I've entered a couple decent ones in recent months.

But I ended up fashioning a new issue to send to Sirocco.

*Keeps fingers crossed*

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Mon Jun 08, 2009 9:39 pm
by Valipac
I'll send one your way here in a couple hours. Also they get a custom title? Aw, no fair!!!! I made the ex-nation flag without reward :(

;)

edit- and it's been submitted! Also a small proposition for the image contest, although I couldn't get the bevel to work so I eliminated it. Image

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:20 am
by Kandarin
Looks pretty cool. I've put one together and sent it your way. :)

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:54 am
by Sirocco
Thanks for all your submissions so far! I'm a little disappointed about the turnout, but what can you expect? The Got Issues forum is one of the least popular subforums so there's little exposure.

Valipac, send a telegram to Reploid Productions and tell her I sent you. She'll get you fixed up.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:27 am
by Starblaydia
Sirocco wrote:We haven't designed the badge yet (I don't even HAVE Photoshop), but maybe someone can come up with one?

UPDATE: whoever designs the best badge wins a custom forum title.


Why re-design from scratch when you can continue the already entrenched graphical styles? (i.e. Graphic Designing for an online game while at work Graphic Designing for real, so just did something quick).

Image

I might have another go in a more Monty Python style (and now for something completely different...) but that's what I got so far.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:30 am
by Valipac
Starblaydia wrote:
Sirocco wrote:We haven't designed the badge yet (I don't even HAVE Photoshop), but maybe someone can come up with one?

UPDATE: whoever designs the best badge wins a custom forum title.


Why re-design from scratch when you can continue the already entrenched graphical styles? (i.e. Graphic Designing for an online game while at work Graphic Designing for real, so just did something quick).

Image

I might have another go in a more Monty Python style (and now for something completely different...) but that's what I got so far.

That's nice, it's what I intended to do somewhat when I started out. I do think that a change of pace from the generic green would be nice, thus my opting for tan, but I couldn't get the 3d bezel effect to look right.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:38 am
by Buffett and Colbert
Wow this is one of the best ideas I've heard in a long time! I'm a good writer/editor; let's see if my creativity can prevail!

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:56 pm
by Starblaydia
Starblaydia wrote:Image

I might have another go in a more Monty Python style (and now for something completely different...) but that's what I got so far.


Or, if you go down the route that it'll be the same sort of style badge as a C&C, I went with the forging a path to destiny sort of idea, both with and without the 'look what I am' text:

Image Image

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 12:58 pm
by Zwangzug
Sirocco wrote:Thanks for all your submissions so far! I'm a little disappointed about the turnout, but what can you expect? The Got Issues forum is one of the least popular subforums so there's little exposure.
Can't speak for anybody besides myself, but I read the "August 8" part as "aha, procrastination".

I mean, "keep my eyes open for the next two months, looking for really fascinating political dilemmas to write about". ;)

But yeah, I wouldn't worry about turnout at this point.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 1:12 pm
by Starblaydia
Last idea, promise (until the next 'great' idea, of course):

ImageImage

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:07 pm
by Buffett and Colbert
Starblaydia wrote:
Starblaydia wrote:Image

I might have another go in a more Monty Python style (and now for something completely different...) but that's what I got so far.


Or, if you go down the route that it'll be the same sort of style badge as a C&C, I went with the forging a path to destiny sort of idea, both with and without the 'look what I am' text:

Image Image


I quite like this one.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:08 pm
by Buffett and Colbert
Starblaydia wrote:Last idea, promise (until the next 'great' idea, of course):

ImageImage


This one I don't get. What's with the question marks and compass?

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:15 pm
by Unibot
Image

Just something I came up with.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 3:22 pm
by Buffett and Colbert
Unibot wrote:Image

Just something I came up with.


If the words' outlines were bolder, that could go somewhere.

Wow now I'm turning this thread into a discussion of the badge. Sorry! :oops:

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:05 pm
by Sirocco
I'd quite like the badges to be about the same size/shape as a WA member badge if possible. :)

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 4:57 pm
by Jey
Like some of the others here, I made an image based off the Game Administrator/Moderator tags. I basically rearranged the letters in "Game Administrator" (except the capital "E") and got this result:

Image

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:05 pm
by Unibot
Image

Here's another one.

Like some of the others here, I made an image based off the Game Administrator/Moderator tags. I basically rearranged the letters in "Game Administrator" (except the capital "E") and got this result:


Yeah I was trying to figure out the font used earlier, but I gave up on it because as it is the Admin/Mod font is a little squished.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:28 pm
by Palpatinist Coruscant
Can you send in an issue for this contest even if your country has less than 500 million?

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 6:52 pm
by Sirocco
Yes, absolutely.

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 7:53 pm
by Buffett and Colbert
If you submit more than one issue during the time period of the contest, would they all be reviewed and considered? Or just the first one?

Re: Issues Contest!

PostPosted: Tue Jun 09, 2009 8:09 pm
by Unibot
If you submit more than one issue during the time period of the contest, would they all be reviewed and considered? Or just the first one?


Well I can't say for sure obviously because I'm not the OP, but Sirocco said in the Description of the Contest to ' Please send only one issue.'