Castle Crafters Contest: Win a Copy of Castle Crashers and More!

Tue, Sep 23, 2008

It's time for another GameCyte giveaway! We've amassed a healthy pile of prizes here at GameCyte, and we thought you folks might like a chance to get some more free stuff. However, this contest is going to work a little differently from our previous giveaways -- as much as we've enjoyed your tales of valor and fanboyism, we thought this time around we'd ask for something more. So, tell us: How crafty are you? Are you handy with a pair of scissors? How about a sewing machine? Can you deftly wield a spatula? Were you probably going to make a Halloween costume anyway this year? If the answer is "yes" to any of the above, you could end up with a free copy of Castle Crashers, some currency for the online console network of your choice, and more!

We got the idea for this contest back when we were previewing Nyko's disappointingly non-functional paper-based controller. There have been more than a few gaming papercrafts in our time, most of which were assembled with more competence than our hastily cobbled Wing model. As if on cue, the Castle Crashers DevBlog shared a few of their submissions with us, demonstrating what talented fans can do if they're motivated. We want to see more, and we just happen to have the proper motivation -- a big ol' pile of free prizes!

We also realized that another perfect motivator is right around the corner: There's only five weeks left until Halloween. Every year, gamers have the perfect excuse to take their devotion beyond reasonable limits, and dress up as their gaming heroes, villains, and other NPCs. Let me show you what I mean:

That's the full photo as used in my avatar. I'll upgrade my sentries just as soon as I finish my pretzel. Cream gravy! Of course, I cheated and picked a character whose costume can be largely completed with a trip to the hardware store. I'm sure you can do better.

So, with plenty of reason to work on some physical manifestations of your love for gaming, GameCyte is proud to offer you fame and prizes in exchange for your hard work. We want to see your best papercraft, costume, sculpture, cookies, public art installation, or any other physical creation you can craft. Heck, you were probably going to make a Halloween costume anyway, right? It doesn't have to be themed around Castle Crashers, it can be based on any game you want, and it doesn't have to be an item from the previous list. You can even use a pre-made papercraft kit if you like -- though obviously we'll be far more impressed by original designs. The only condition is that it has to be something physical and three-dimensional. Flat drawings on paper, paintings on canvas, or CG models do not count (though are nonetheless very impressive). Here's what to do:

Once your creation is complete, you must take a photograph of your piece. If it's a costume, you (or anyone else) need to be wearing it in the photo. In addition, somewhere in the photo needs to be a legibly written disclaimer that reads "GameCyte Castle Crafters Contest 2008." You can be holding it up as a sign, or it can be written on a card standing next to your papercraft/sculpture, but it needs to appear in the photo -- you can't photoshop it in later. This way, we know it's an original creation, and you're not just sending in a photo of someone else's work you found online. That'd be mean.

From there, you need to send us the photo. Either attach it to the email, or drop in a link to Flickr, Picasa, or otherwise, but send your submissions to jesse@gamecyte.com with the subject "Castle Crafters Entry: (your name)". We'll feature your entries in blog posts and invite your fellow GameCyte readers to grade your work!

You have until the end of Halloween to submit your entries, so getting us a photo from the party while you're wearing your costume will do just fine. Entries will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. PST on Friday, 10/31/08.

Based on our own judging, as well as the reactions of your fellow readers, we will pick a winner and two runners-up. The prizes are as follows:

First Place: A code redeemable for a free download of The Behemoth's Castle Crashers for Xbox Live Arcade, $20 in points for the console network of your choice (Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, or Wii Shop Channel), and first pick of one gaming swag item
Second Place: $20 in points for the console network of your choice (Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network, or Wii Shop Channel), and second pick of one gaming swag item
Third Place: The two remaining gaming swag items

For our swag selection, we're giving away a Pure chain wallet, an Aion: Tower of Eternity baseball cap, and two Nyko Wing T-shirts. Entries are being accepted starting now and lasting until Halloween, so get crafting -- and good luck!