Monthly Contest for May 2008!

[FichtenFoo]

Sorry this is late! I still need to update the contests page with this info and have Sean program the entry form, but figured I'd post it here first for you guys to get started.

Monoeye Contest!

Zakus, Gelgoogs, Doms, Zeon, Zaft, PG, MG, HGUC, SD, Gundam 00, whatever.... As long as it's a monoeye (kit has only one distinct eye ala Zaku) and is a Bandai release it fits. So test your skills, modify the kit, do a great OOB, whatever as long as you try your best.

Prizes:

Best in Open Category (all skill levels): $35 Store Credit at www.hobbywave.com
Best in Junior Category (all skill levels): $25 Store Credit at www.hobbywave.com
Judge's Choice (all skill levels): $10 Store Credit at www.hobbywave.com

Participants

    * Open (Age :15 years old and above)
    * Junior (Age : 14 years old and below)
    * All countries and Regions Welcome.

Judgment Criteria

Total 300 Points; breakdown as follows:

    * PAINTING (How well the painting was done; Line paint, Body decoration)
    * MODIFICATION (Improvement from original design; Other parts usage, Remodeling)
    * CREATIVITY (Originality and Diorama; Posing, Coloring, Concept, World)

Judges

    * BAKUC Online Moderators Group

Limitations

    * BANDAI Product or Scratch build.

Deadline

    * June 15th, 2008

UPDATE:

Okay, brave BAKUC modelers, I have news on the contest. We have a deadline:

June 15th, 2008--MIDNIGHT!!!

You must have your entries submitted for the contest by that time. If you're encountering any problems with registering or submitting your entries, post them in the Site News, Questions, Rules, and Help section--in the appropriate thread, if there is one.

New Prize Added:
Because of the delay, HobbyWave has contributed an additional prize to the contest: $10 HobbyWave store credit. This credit will cover their flat-rate shipping on any sized order that you make from HobbyWave. This will be a Judge's Choice Award that will be selected from all the eligible entries received--in all categories.

If you have any questions, post them here. And thank you for your patience, BAKUC modelers. This site wouldn't be possible without your participation and support.

Enter NOW--Time is quickly running out!!!

[zerobxu]

... And before someone asks, the Qubeley is not a mono-eye. No discussion. No debate.  

MOD EDIT: It's been brought to my attention that my "no discussion" approach may have been a little overly harsh. While some consider the Qubeley a mono-eye, both the HGUC and the MG kits approach it as two distinct eyes. So the Qubeley is out for that reason. I suppose you could mod a mono-eye into the thing and that might qualify... But it's not a mono-eye OOB.

The Zaku-head Zeta? That's a mono-eye.

I'm still not sure about the Turn X. I haven't watched enough of "Turn A" to really make a call on that one.

Any other questions, post 'em here!  

[FichtenFoo]

I suppose the Astray Gold Frame wouldn't work either... it has a monoeye on it's forehead, but the normal two astray eyes as well. It's a Triops!

[Zach]

Does a no eye count...for instance my Turn-X??? Thanks...

[George Caswell]

And (to further delve into absurd nuances of the discussion) - what about Hyaku Shiki, or other "goggle-eye" types where the eye visor is essentially one big sensor?

[Sayem Ahmed]

This should be a blast,
 Zaku!
Hasshin!

[zerobxu]

Does a no eye count...for instance my Turn-X??? Thanks...

And (to further delve into absurd nuances of the discussion) - what about Hyaku Shiki, or other "goggle-eye" types where the eye visor is essentially one big sensor?

After giving it some thought, I'd have to say "no" on all of these mentioned so far. While they don't distinctly have two eyes, they don't exactly have one distinct--and moveable--eye, either.

FichtenFoo (and Sean) can weigh in on the subject, but I'm going to have to give these a "no" vote. Sorry!

[FichtenFoo]

We're going for the round single-eyed kits. Goggle-type is out. No-eye is out.

[Zach]

Does a no eye count...for instance my Turn-X??? Thanks...

And (to further delve into absurd nuances of the discussion) - what about Hyaku Shiki, or other "goggle-eye" types where the eye visor is essentially one big sensor?

After giving it some thought, I'd have to say "no" on all of these mentioned so far. While they don't distinctly have two eyes, they don't exactly have one distinct--and moveable--eye, either.

FichtenFoo (and Sean) can weigh in on the subject, but I'm going to have to give these a "no" vote. Sorry!

You don't have to be sorry for my kit not meeting specifications...I just wanted to know if it did meet them thats all...Thanks for clearing that up for me!

[George Caswell]

And (to further delve into absurd nuances of the discussion) - what about Hyaku Shiki, or other "goggle-eye" types where the eye visor is essentially one big sensor?

After giving it some thought, I'd have to say "no" on all of these mentioned so far. While they don't distinctly have two eyes, they don't exactly have one distinct--and moveable--eye, either.

That makes sense...    Though the Rick Dias monoeye isn't movable either, so I'm not sure I'd use "movable" or "tracked" as one of the criteria...

Now, how about the Scopedog?  It has three camera lenses - I'm not sure but I believe it just swaps the different lenses over a single camera...  I'm guessing if you interpret it as a tracked camera cluster it's out, while if it's a tracked single camera with multiple lenses, I don't really know...  Either way it doesn't fit the "one dot" eye design you seem to be going for here, so maybe not...

BTW - rather OT here, but IIRC the Turn-X actually does have two distinct Gundam-style eyes - they're just nestled down inside that opening in the front of the head, not really visible unless they light up.

Also - the contest spec mentions OOB builds - I'd like to ask how you interpret the scores with regard to OOB builds.  From reading the BAKUC.com scoring I always thought it was very heavily weighted against OOB and stock color schemes - one third of the overall score to "modification" - which seems to preclude OOB kits from the winner's circle, and one third for "creativity" - which would seem to heavily penalize models in standard color schemes and markings.  Do you interpret the scores differently?

[FichtenFoo]

hehehehe... This is the ultimate in OOB builds right here:
http://www.rbadesign.net/TERRAPIN/MR_38tOOB.htm

That page must be read to fully grasp what he's done... pretty awesome stuff IMO.

As OOB relates to this contest, I suppose that a good modded kit will likely outweigh an equally good OOB. But you never know what will show up... there might be 10 highly modded kits with god-awful paint jobs and one perfect OOB build-up. That OOB, because of its finish would likely trump the modded builds. IMO it doesn't matter how much one modifies a kit if they haven't the skill to put a good paint job/finish on it.

If you notice, we removed Gallery Rank from the "Judges" for this comp as that will help balance it out. I didn't notice that I had left it in under "Criteria". However I do feel that OOB v/s Mod considerations need to be looked into more and perhaps separated in the future.

[Paul Lopez]

Let me get this straight. I can use whatever kit I want as long as it has only one eye with the exception of the Quebley and the Hyaku Shiki? Is the Kampfer allowed? Sorry, but I'm not very familiar with UC.

OOB means no mods to the design right? So no Mechaskunk parts?  I think by having it so you can only use what comes in the models box would be more fair than being allowed to use aftermarket parts. That should level the playing field to make us all pretty even.

What about dioramas? Are we allowed to do a base for the kit?

[zerobxu]

You can do pretty-much whatever you want to for this contest. Modify to your heart's content, or just build it OOB. It just needs to have a mono-eye as the main subject.

I'm pretty sure the Kaempfer is a mono-eye. So is the Sazabi, for that matter.

As FichtenFoo mentioned before, a modded kit that's painted awfully has less of a chance than a well-painted OOB build, so the playing field will be judged fairly.

Bases and dioramas are no problem.

[FichtenFoo]

Robofreak: You can modify the kit if you want. Whatever you do is up to you. Some people like to modify their kits, others prefer to build it straight as it comes out of the box.

As for what is a monoeye, the Kampfer IS a monoeye. Mono=one, eye=foot... no wait... eye. Yeah.

Most OYO Zeon mecha have only one eye. All actually if I recall correctly. The Tieren and Flag too I believe from Gundam 00 is also a monoeye. Seed mecha such as their Zakus, Goufs, Ginns, etc... monoeyes. Mythological cyclops... monoeye... but not a robot.

Basically, go look at a Zaku. That is the quintessential monoeye mecha.

[FichtenFoo]

Okay... I just made the changes to the files regarding the contest and uploaded them to the dev server. When sean finishes his part they'll go live and you should be able to enter.