A New Award

[unmerged(129932)]

We have several awards we can give to fellow writers to highlight their contributions to AARland and give aspiring authors a chance to shine here in this awesome community we have gathered here. The scope of these awards encompasses almost all of the different facets of AARland - the ACAs, Fan of the Week, Writer of the Week, Weekly Showcase, and Best Character Writer of the Week to name a few (if not all). However, what seems to be lacking is an award for art.

We all know of at least one AAR that has a beautiful map, or image, or some kind of graphic that adds something to the story being told, or game recanted. That being said, we have no system in place to award AARland's artists and graphic designers. Now, obviously, AARland is a writing community. I get that. But it cannot hurt to leave a little something for those who make fantastic images to spice up their AARs.

What does everyone think?

 

[loki100]

fully in favour, there are some AARs where the effort that has gone into producing the images is awesome and others where the graphics are so well chosen they almost carry the narrative by themselves.

 

[Alfredian]

I agree. I am amazed at the effort that goes into producing the images for some of the AARs I read.

 

[unmerged(260001)]

Whole heartedly agree. Some of the images people make are really beautiful.

 

[BigBadBob]

I second this motion. I've seen maps on AARland that have made me gape in awe (e.g. the ones in The Great Patriotic War, or Portus Classis, Portus Atlanticum).

 

[Enewald]

Best Graphical Contribution?

Oh yes, there are some awesome pictures here.
But it should be defined what is eligible for the award.
In-game screens, over-all usage of pretty images, master-paintz-skills?

But just copying an image from some pretty film and posting it here, using it as somewhat 'relevant' material, is not worth the award.

 

[iain_a_wilson]

Agreed - I have seen many AARs that have had images that have left me seething with jealousy over my own graphical ineptitude.

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

Actually, I've been meaning to start this up. I can appoint a first winner and get the ball rolling.

Edit: My suggestion would be here, and I've been waiting for him to update so it can be this week (AARtist of the Week), I love the cleanliness of it all. Images are smooth, the focus of the image is centered, it is not just screen shots. The photoshoping of the governator is not great, nor do I think it is meant to be. The over all feel from the images is attractive.

 

[unmerged(129932)]

I am glad to see that the initial reaction was good! I am glad that is a nice foundation of support to get this started. I too am left with a gaping mouth after seeing some of the maps that I have seen on here...

Best Graphical Contribution?

Oh yes, there are some awesome pictures here.
But it should be defined what is eligible for the award.
In-game screens, over-all usage of pretty images, master-paintz-skills?

But just copying an image from some pretty film and posting it here, using it as somewhat 'relevant' material, is not worth the award.

Definitely master-paintz-skills.

In-game screens would really be taking away credit from Paradox. Pretty images, while nice, taken from things that you did not make would also not be eliglible. Everything would have to be of your own design, obviously. As for determining that, I think it is pretty easy to tell.

Actually, I've been meaning to start this up. I can appoint a first winner and get the ball rolling.

That would be great!

What were you thinking of calling it? "Artist of the Week" or something of that effect?

EDIT: That looks great, Mr. C. That is what I am thinking about when I thought of this. Not everything has to be a beautiful map.

 

[loki100]

Best Graphical Contribution?

Oh yes, there are some awesome pictures here.
But it should be defined what is eligible for the award.
In-game screens, over-all usage of pretty images, master-paintz-skills?

But just copying an image from some pretty film and posting it here, using it as somewhat 'relevant' material, is not worth the award.

just to chip back in ... I heartily approve of the proposed first winner. Those pictures are brilliant for that AAR.

as to being precise as to why one should win and not another - I'd be against firm rules. One of the delights of this batch of awards is they are idiosyncratic, you nominate an AAR, writer, character that really floats your boat and to some extent everyone applies their own criteria. So I could see someone who relies essentially on well presented images drawn directly from the game as being a very worthy winner (ie Rens) as much as RGB and his lovingly crafted maps of medieval Russia.

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

@Issac: I'd call it AARtist of the Week.

@Loki: I agree, no other ______ of the week award has a strict set of rules, so it shall be here.

 

[unmerged(129932)]

That makes sense. It would be the best way, for sure, to keep the rules loose. I just didn't think straight screenshots deserve credit.

 

[Fookison]

AARtist of the Week is brilliant!!!
I agree, that the rules should ensure that the creator has indeed demonstrated some ability to go beyond the simple "copying" of an image. There has been some real creativeness over the years in AARland and these masters of the craft deserve some recognitiion beyond the "thank you" that they get within their thread!!!
Good Call!!!

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

Are there any other suggestions for a first winner?

 

[loki100]

Are there any other suggestions for a first winner?

go for either your suggestion above or RGB?

 

[iain_a_wilson]

Are there any other suggestions for a first winner?

Are we going for the same rules as this round's ACAs? IE must have started before April 1st and have been updated this year?

 

[Mr. Capiatlist]

go for either your suggestion above or RGB?

Yeah, but my suggestion hasn't updated in a while and missed a deadline, I am willing to wait, but I'd like a back up. Any specific instance of RGB awesomeness?

Are we going for the same rules as this round's ACAs? IE must have started before April 1st and have been updated this year?

Preferably within the last week... so they can be called AARtist of the Week

 

[iain_a_wilson]

Preferably within the last week... so they can be called AARtist of the Week

Touche!

 

[coz1]

@Issac: I'd call it AARtist of the Week.

I fully approve. Excellent idea, Issac!

 

[Boris ze Spider]

But, but......