Basic Summary

Finalists Jam accepted Maps from participants.
Requires maps are downloadable.

Read the about for more information.

Judging

Ranked by Judges - Only members of the jam assigned with judging permission can vote.
Entries can't be updated during the judge phase.
21 day entry period.

Rating Criteria

1. Concept & Originality
   Rated 1 to 10
2. Technique & Execution
   Rated 1 to 10
3. Presentation
   Rated 1 to 10

The Contest Theme!

The PlanetMinecraft Official Server needs a spawn! In the most lenient project contest yet, PlanetMinecraft invites builders from all around the spectrum to help build the server by providing us with an awesome spawn that will be shared & loved by all. Not only will this spawn be seen by all new users, but we will be making the spawn a hub for information and, in the future, awesome exciting opportunities like shops and events!

One project from the list of participants will be chosen to be used on the server. Please note that the first prize winner may not necessarily be the spawn that we end up using! While we aren't looking for anything in particular, we may find that a build has a certain 'something' that the first place build doesn't. We'll be in touch with the chosen build creator to get it all set up for the server. Of course spawns submitted to this contest can and will most likely be downloaded and become the primary hubs by many Minecraft servers across the globe.

Read the following rules carefully!

1. Guidelines!

While we don't have many specific rules for the build itself, we do have a set of recommendations that will make the build easier for you to present to us.

1) You are not required to use a flat map. We will integrate the surrounding terrain using our terrain management utilities and bare hands. We recommend, however, that you try not to integrate too many mountainous or biome-specific designs (of course, up to you though).

2) The build does not have a size limit - however, obviously, don't make it too big! Keep in mind that we may have 75 users minimum, up to a maximum of 200 users (although the number may expand in the future, 75-200 is a good number to shoot for) that may be hanging in or around the spawn if we do events or gatherings.

3) Make sure the build is expansive, and has a lot of areas for users to hang out in. One giant room won't suffice!

4) Your build cannot make use of any plugins or mods! It must be purely vanilla to fit with our server theme. You may use redstone magic and all sorts of things, however. (This doesn't mean we -won't- use plugins in your spawn, but don't make the spawn rely on a specific plugin/mod to function.)

5) There is no set theme for the server. You may build in whichever style you want. Captivate our hearts with your favorite building style!

6) This is primarily a spawn, so make sure you have a spot for new users! Having a board where we can set up signs would help, too.



Projects will be judged on the following criteria:

1) Concept & Originality - Think about what your building before you build. No rush.

2) Technique & Execution - From attention to detail to the overall project impact.

3) Presentation - Spend time presenting your project on PMC with quality screen shots and description.

2. Constructions are original work created for this contest.

Projects entered into this contest must be conceptualized and created for this contest by you.

What's Allowed:

• Creative Mode
  
  
• Teamwork : You can recruit help from others but you are the mastermind / team leader. They must understand that only you can enter the final project & potentially win. If there is significant drama about who created the project, we will disqualify it.
  
  
• Map Editing Tools: i.e. MCEdit, WorldEdit, VoxelSniper
  
  
• Third party texture packs BUT it's important to keep in mind that others, including judges, will not have your texture pack. You're safest bet is to stick with the default pack or faithful texture packs. Using an extreme texture pack may hurt your chances of winning.
  
  

What's Not Allowed: The following will result in disqualification.

• Do not use constructions created before the contest's announcement date, even if you are the original author.
  
• Do not use 3D or 2D auto conversion / import scripts.
  
  
• Do not import schematics from the past.
  
  
• Do not use third party mods that introduce new blocks that are unobtainable in vanilla Minecraft.
  
• We can disqualify at any time, including after the submission period. Do not cheat.
  

All of the normal rules of the site apply in this contest. Essentially summed up as; make your own work.

Submit project WITH download to PMC during entry period.

Submit Project to PMC:
Take quality screenshots and submit the project like usual but check the box indicating it's for the contest. It's important to capture the highlights of your project with quality screenshots. Think of it like an actual photo shoot. Take your time and consider lighting, composition and the overall story your gallery will present to your viewers. To make it to the finalists, you will need to make an impression.

You don't have to upload your map until you're finished. Feel free to post your project during development to show off what you're building and to receive feedback. Just don't forget to upload the final map before the entry period ends!

How to prepare your project for download

Step 1: Locate your Minecraft "Saves" folder.
a) Start Minecraft.
b) Click "Texture Packs".
c) Click "Open Texture Pack Folder".
d) Go to the parent folder. One back from where you are.
e) Click "Saves". See your world folder? Good.

Step 2: Prepare your world for upload by compressing it into a single file.
a) Right click the folder containing the world you want to upload.
b) Windows : Click "Send To > Compressed (zip) folder. If you do not have this option. 7-zip is an free open source compression application.
c) Upload the zipped world to a free shared host. Example: mediafire.com

Step 3: Create your project on PlanetMinecraft and include the link to the zip file in the "World Save" input field. Good luck!

One entry only:
Each user will only be permitted to submit one project for this contest. You may edit your one entry as long as the contest is still running. If you decide to change your submission at any point, you are free to do so. However, you should not delete your original entry. Instead, use the "update submission" button to save the new file over your old one, and change the submission title if necessary.



Entry period:
June 20th, 2013 @ 12:00 PM EST to July 11th, 2013 @ 12:00 PM EST. Entries submitted after this date will not be accepted.

Have fun!

Above all else, contests are here for the community to have fun interpreting a common theme. Take the contest theme and run with it, maybe even come up with a story to guide your work and enhance your presentation page. Remember, you have three weeks to do this. You don't need to put something up right away - and even if you chose to, you're allowed to update your submission as many times as you want before the end of the submission period on July 11th, 2013 @ 12:00 PM EST

This contest is not a random drawing - the submissions are judged by a panel of longstanding members with a great deal of experience with Minecraft projects. It will not help you to submit anything less than fantastic, so take your time.

1st Place

• Prizes : $60 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $60 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• A Contest Themed, Gold, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

2nd Place

• $30 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $30 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• A Contest Themed, Silver, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

3rd Place

• $20 worth of Steam Game(s). Games will be gifted to your Steam account. Winner may choose more than one game but the total must be $20 or less. Must have a Steam account to claim prize, no substitutes.
  
• Contest Themed, Bronze, Pixel Art Trophy for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  
• Profile Featured on PMC - 1 Week.
  

All Participants

• A Contest Themed, Pixel Art Badge/Medal for Member's Profile Trophy Case.
  

Here is a list of the current submissions.

Phase #1: Entry Period : 3 weeks

Typically, 2-3 weeks, read rules carefully. This is the time that everyone has to create and submit a contest entry. During this time, judges are reviewing entries, anonymously voting and disqualifying those that don't meet the contest requirements. The PMC community is doing the same.

Phase #2: Review Period : 5 days

After submissions are closed, judges get 5 additional days to review late entries and cast their final votes. Their votes are heavily weighted in an algorithm that includes the community's votes and activity to determine the finalists.

Phase #3: Finalists Calculated : Judges cast criteria ratings

After the finalists are calculated, judges begin anonymously rating each entry based on the following criteria on a scale of 1-10:
1) Concept & Originality - Think about what your building before you build. No rush.
2) Technique & Execution - From attention to detail to the overall project impact.
3) Presentation - Spent days building something, spend an hour and give it the image gallery and description it deserves.

Once the site detects that all judges have cast their ratings on all finalists, the winners are announced.



Judges will be encouraged to participate, but will be disqualified from winning prizes.