Imagine Oberon: The Winners

This has been the hardest judging I've ever had to do, for a number of reasons.

First of all, the mass of entries was quite formidable. Roughly thirty of them, and I didn't dismiss any of them out of hand, so I had to stare at each one for a few minutes and decide which was taken out of the running for hours before wringing it down to the cream of the crop design wise. The process was often quite arduous, as I'm the biggest art whore you've ever met.

The next problem is, after reducing the entrants down by those who I was tearfully forced to assign as too difficult express in game form or those who didn't have the right flow or attitude, was trying to decide between what I had left, which was still six or seven entries.

But at last, after due deliberation, there were three...

3rd place

Actually, I lied. There were four, because 3rd place was a tie. Lysekoid arrived in time for picking out third place (and agreed with first and second, as a happy coincidence would have it) and we couldn't decide between Evanrm3 and Marisu entries. Each of your pictures had a regal, kingly bearing, one in a calm manner, and one in an insane. So you each are recipients of $50.00, and each get to select a cameo!

2nd place

Second place, there can be no question, goes to Udana. Your design is so puckish, and so seemingly innocent that it makes it seem somehow malevolent. Sleek, clean lines, fleecy hair... You've created one of those rare beings who can be malevolent even with a cherubic smile. You win $100.00 and a brief cameo of a character of your devising.

1st place

First place goes to Dingo13, who created a compellingly alien and exotic being with three cohesive forms, and amazing flavor which created an intriguing overall package which simply can't be denied. Congratulations to you, you're soon to be $150.00 richer, and get to decide on a character you'd like to see in our game as a cameo!

1st place entry by Dingo13:
This character reminds me of Prince of Persia, which isn't a bad thing. To me, this character looks evil enough to fit the description of what I believe Oberon should be. I might have done him slightly older, but it's close enough. His second form is very impressive. This second form is exactly what I was hoping for; a wild beast that lives close to nature. The third form is as powerful as it can get, because there's probably no other beast more powerful than a dragon. It might have been more original to use some other form than a dragon, but this is Oberon after all so I guess it's fitting. I like this second form the most thought, and Dingo13 made all 3 drawings just right. The first form is supposed to be a bit scary, but not as scary or aggressive as the second form. The third form should be as intimidating as it can get. Dingo13 nailed all 3 forms just right.
~Lysekoid

The only entry that could rival or surpass Udana was without a doubt what Dingo cooked up. An amazing montage of three forms, which have a strong mythological feel which goes along with the name Oberon, and a bit of cultural flair from Arabian, Egyptian and even Persian culture in the three forms. This Oberon looks above else like what he is, an Alien robot. Definitely artificial, and definitely not of human origin. Truly a tribute to Dingos talents that he created such a mysterious and malevolent piece.
~Grenzenlos

2nd place entry by Udana:
As an artist, Udana is simply amazing. These drawings are just beautiful beyond words! I simply lack words to describe them. As a character though, this Oberon seems too kind, cute and childlike to fit the right description. However, it has the exact right touch of alien about him and the extra pair of eyes is… scary to say the least. Too bad more forms were not presented.
~Lysekoid

If there's any one entry I regret not being able to just snap my fingers and call first place, it's this one. The idea of the King of the Stardroids being a small, and spine chilling child like being just appealed to me on so many fundamental levels. I wanted to do it so bad, but the design, as marvelous as it was... its face I think was too different from the New Horizon style to work, to my eternal chagrin. But nonetheless, it's an incredible piece of art. Anyone who says this design doesn't turn their head is nuts.
~Grenzenlos

3rd place entry shared by Evanrm3 and Marisu:
Masiru's character looks very royal to me. The upper part of the body looks very nice and detailed, but I think the lower part could have been improved. Evanrm3's character has a very impressive armor design, and almost a little too detailed for my taste. A slightly more simple design might have been better. Both entries are very good though.
~Lysekoid

Many people unfairly likened this design to Elpizo solely based on the face, which was just plain wrong. This design has such a marvelous feral feel to it that it was impossible to keep it out of the top 3. Those Satyr like legs, those terrible claws and above all else, the clear expression of blood lust on his face portray so much personality. Deadlocked with Evans entry, but in an altogether different way. This Oberon has an air of nobility, with the sort of chilling exposed brain like bits which make me feel squeamish. An easy third place with hard competition.
~Grenzenlos

By this, we'd like to thank the 4 winners and all other contestants for participating and making this contest such a success. Thank you!
~Grenzenlos & Lysekoid

Imagine Oberon Art Contest

Oberon

Oberon is a mysterious 'Space Ruler,' like Sunstar, Terra and Apollo before him, ruling over a group of unknown androids from another world. A great and powerful king from a distant world who has come to New Horizon for reasons unknown. Whether he's a savior or a villain is a mystery that has yet to be unraveled, all that's known is he's a power the likes of which the world hasn't seen before.

Contest

The Imagine Oberon art contest is a contest designed to allow a certain degree. While we already have a set story direction established, we've decided it's time to bring the fans of New Horizon in general into the fold of our fan interaction.

To that end, we've created this contest, where we're inviting fans of all ages and talent levels to design the secret character Oberon, a mysterious alien android whose current story purpose remains a tantalizing mystery.

Your task, as an entrant, is to design Oberon, based on the existing New Horizon concept art, to create this mysterious new figure in whatever image you so desire. Pencil Sketches are acceptable. Inks are a plus but aren't guaranteed superiority of sketches. Colors are a plus, but are also no guaranteed to outperform black and white images. Remember folks, even a scribble has merit, and while there are prizes, this is all about artistic exploration!

A few staff members will judge all entries and the best 3 drawings will win.

Contest deadline: Friday, August 31st.

Awards

The winner, and his two closest peers shall be reward with something every artist can use, Cold Hard Cash, as well as guest appearances by any fan character they might have in our game.

1st place shall receive $150.00 in American currency, as well as an expanded inclusion of a character of your own devising in the game.

2nd place shall receive $100.00 in American currency, as well as a cameo appearance of a character of your own devising.

3rd place shall receive $50.00 in American currency, as well as a cameo appearance of a character of your own devising.

And lastly, and most importantly, all entries will be archived for display on our web-site by author name, for future posterity. ~Grenzenlos.

For those of you who do not know me, the awards (total prize of 300 US dollars) will be delivered as promised! It will be paid no later than 1 week after we have judged all entries, and all entries will be judged no later than August 12th. You have my word on this! And the money isn't even a problem so don't worry. ~Lysekoid.

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