Doppelganger Screenshot Contest (NA) - Discussion Thread

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Originally Posted by Prido

As being one of the Slyphs that won, I feel it's pretty unfair for you to lump us all together.

I think I did a pretty darn good job using what I had. :) But opinions are opinions! However...

I think I was also the first Sylph.. Hmm..

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Those are 17 winners, I was only stating that the 13 that duplicated should not have been included.

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Originally Posted by Yolteotl

Those are 17 winners, I was only stating that the 13 that duplicated should not have been included.

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I see, I see~

Sorry for misunderstanding. It's hard to sit still when it seems like my attempt to be creative is lumped in with a negative remark. Thanks for clearing it up!

I don't want to sound salty either, but my submission was drastically similar, I don't understand how it couldn't have also placed, especially with all the duplicates

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Originally Posted by MortonTaru

I don't want to sound salty either, but my submission was drastically similar, I don't understand how it couldn't have also placed, especially with all the duplicates

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I honestly liked your composition and entry far more.

I had to look quite a few times for the 'duplicate' just because I didn't see it being on your level at all. :/ [Yours was better.]

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Originally Posted by MortonTaru

I don't want to sound salty either, but my submission was drastically similar, I don't understand how it couldn't have also placed, especially with all the duplicates

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The deer one? I thought yours had superior composition. It was a much more engaging image than the one that had placed and they seemed to stress composition in the rules. I would have thought they would have chosen, well, based on the rules. (As well you mention yours even came before theirs chronologically, so at least you were the first to be creative in that regard.)

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Originally Posted by MortonTaru

I don't want to sound salty either, but my submission was drastically similar, I don't understand how it couldn't have also placed, especially with all the duplicates

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I also liked yours better than the one that won

Even if it's a close call, you'd figure whoever submitted first would be the tiebreaker as the later entries could have copied.

Thanks to all of you that show favor toward mine, I appreciate it. Oh well, here's to hoping Square Enix really fixes the way they judge these compositions. Duplicates are really silly, and similar ideas that are (sorry to say without sounding like a jerkwad) worse in quality than the originals, is really really bad.

Apparently I was safe with selecting an Opo-opo to dress up as... I didn't see another entry with an Opo-opo

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Originally Posted by PiperC

Apparently I was safe with selecting an Opo-opo to dress up as... I didn't see another entry with an Opo-opo

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That one was a toughie! You are the Opo-opo Queen! lol

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Originally Posted by PiperC

Apparently I was safe with selecting an Opo-opo to dress up as... I didn't see another entry with an Opo-opo

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You're also the ONLY winner on Lamia, talk about exclusive items ^_^

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Originally Posted by MortonTaru

Thanks to all of you that show favor toward mine, I appreciate it. Oh well, here's to hoping Square Enix really fixes the way they judge these compositions. Duplicates are really silly, and similar ideas that are (sorry to say without sounding like a jerkwad) worse in quality than the originals, is really really bad.

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This sounds really negative but with the winners for this contest being, well... what they are, my moral is really low now. I sort of expected... well... better from a huge company like Square-Enix. It took them four days to select these. I just don't know. I will enter future contests but I don't have the trust in them that I had before. Some entries are really good, don't get me wrong, but some... perhaps most... are... simply not. Or at least had far superior competition.

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Originally Posted by Selkie

This sounds really negative but with the winners for this contest being, well... what they are, my moral is really low now. I sort of expected... well... better from a huge company like Square-Enix. It took them four days to select these. I just don't know. I will enter future contests but I don't have the trust in them that I had before. Some entries are really good, don't get me wrong, but some... perhaps most... are... simply not. Or at least had far superior competition.

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I couldn't have said it better myself, because I didn't.

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Originally Posted by Sephirah

You're also the ONLY winner on Lamia, talk about exclusive items ^_^

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Ya I am, not sure if anyone else on Lamia even entered >.> I see lots of Hyperion winners

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Originally Posted by MortonTaru

I couldn't have said it better myself, because I didn't.

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I have this really depressing feeling that they'll completely ignore us and outright refuse to acknowledge any of the comments concerning it and, I think, that's the worst part about all of this.

I don't want to be comforted, I just like to know that our voice doesn't go completely unheard. In MMOs, exclusive cosmetic items and, well, fashion really are all that matter. Even at end game. Even if purely cosmetic. And that their selection for a contest giving out these items, which we may never see again and have absolutely no way to ever obtain, could be so poor is distressing.

Congrats to the winners, but I do agree that more deliberation could have been made amongst the duplicates and possibilities of composition in attire. If this meant sacrificing more time for the decision making, then all the more power to you (the EU contest won't get their responses until the 11th, which is very fair given the amount of entries).

There are many, many sets of gear out there, and not all of them are over 100K a piece. Just because, say, your AF or Company Gear is a certain colour, does not mean it's the best choice or one of the more creative options for your "doppelganger set". Even if we were to exclude that thought...:

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Originally Posted by Gildrein

This contest is all about composition! Be sure to match your equipment colors/shapes and utilize your surroundings to help accent your screenshot.

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...Then why have those in mostly underwear won seemingly based upon their character creation? Sure, I'll give them credit in the landscape and that they're able to focus the subject in the center of a screenshot, but does this not encourage people to rapidly go out and create alts/an extra character just to easily win this contest?

Along with this, I do agree that it is unfair to blatantly exclude those imitating the All Saint's Wake-involved NPCs. Even if it was a smart, provisional measure to avoid complaints from the many who imitated the same NPC, they're still following the rules that it is a Doppelganger Contest. Those who simply posed with pumpkins (pumpkins are not an NPC) may not apply, understandably, as that was not the point... but otherwise...

On those grounds, though, you could say the same for all who are now complaining due to being "copied" and not given any credit, so... that was a failed attempt, if so.

Of course, not being a winner may lead people to think I am also being "salty", but even if I were excluded, I genuinely feel that there were quite a few others who were jipped compared to some of the winners that paled in comparison.

I also sincerely hope that they did not choose some of the winners due to fret of some of the servers seeming like they were favoured. Nowhere does it state that each server could only win so many.

/shrug. All the same, I had fun just doing it. The description made it fun if you wanted to come up with a little backstory for the heck of it, the idea itself was creative - given it wasn't pumpkin-and-bats-only while still being connected to the event -, and it was wonderful to see that not everyone applied themselves with just the focus of the reward.

I hope more of these are done in the future. However, this doesn't change the disappointing outcome for some of those involved (and please, take into consideration everything I just said, as that statement is not made based upon everyone who didn't win, haha. I understand the simple concept of there having to be losers as well).

I just hope they are never based on likes unless featured in a more clean and efficiently viewable way, that they are given a blind entry and then a voting period if so, OR that the community team gives themselves more time to discuss the outcome without feeling pressured by some people.

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Originally Posted by Chrysomallos

Lovely lovely words.

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Good insight and points, Chrysomallos.

A lot of the Saint's Wake entries I had problems with were those using decor as their prop instead of NPCs or Monsters. There were actually quite a few good seasonal entries that I feel, as I've said, should have been allowed in.

At this point, I'm seriously debating the course of action to take. A petition would likely fall on deaf ears, but might get some honorable mentions something as a reward for their efforts...

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Originally Posted by Prido

Good insight and points, Chrysomallos.

A lot of the Saint's Wake entries I had problems with were those using decor as their prop instead of NPCs or Monsters. There were actually quite a few good seasonal entries that I feel, as I've said, should have been allowed in.

At this point, I'm seriously debating the course of action to take. A petition would likely fall on deaf ears, but might get some honorable mentions something as a reward for their efforts...

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Honourable mentions I feel would be the safest way to help. I actually would be surprised if they gave any official word regarding the selection process. Should they even imply mistakes in selection it'll just create a PR nightmare. I know I'll be watching the selection in their next contest very closely, that'll show whether or not they've learned or if contests will simply be a joke in the future.

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Originally Posted by NephHalp

Honourable mentions I feel would be the safest way to help. I actually would be surprised if they gave any official word regarding the selection process. Should they even imply mistakes in selection it'll just create a PR nightmare. I know I'll be watching the selection in their next contest very closely, that'll show whether or not they've learned or if contests will simply be a joke in the future.

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Agreed. Honorable mentions or a consolation of some sort would be very safe routes to take regarding this. Otherwise I shall be doing the same in the next contest.

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Originally Posted by Prido

At this point, I'm seriously debating the course of action to take. A petition would likely fall on deaf ears, but might get some honorable mentions something as a reward for their efforts...

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As "butthurt" as a many others would view us, I am completely down for that jam. Even if we just requested the judge's thoughts on each piece, and the factors they took into account to make those decisions, we could at least then remain sound that us refuting said decisions was justified (...though saying it sounds horrifically righteous), and point out the flaws on the means instead of just the ends.

I know this won't eliminate complaints, though. There's always going to be one ridiculous voice unless everyone's given cake. The only way they could do that is if they a) rewarded everyone, or b) rewarded those that followed the specifically detailed rules. However, if they did follow b, it would be fair who won, as... not everyone followed the rules, heh.

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Originally Posted by Selkie

Although I don't think that having anything Halloween themed was a requirement, it's extremely strange to me that the selection of winners includes:
> five Cactuar impersonators
> three Tonberry impersonators
> six Sylph impersonators

and a myriad of people who slapped on their Culinarian, Alchemist, Goldsmith, etc gear which they have, by default, at 50 for all crafters, and these people won but a lot of more creative people, who put together far more complex costumes with much better composition, were excluded. I, personally, did one of the Saint's Wake NPCs and you can accuse me of being salty, but the fact that not a single festive NPC was even included leaves me feeling very bitter as though I was disqualified simply for having chosen that NPC. Had I chosen a Cactuar, I would have, apparently, had a guaranteed win.

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+999999999999+1

Congrats to those CREATIVE winners, well deserved!

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Originally Posted by NephHalp

I'm not sure how something like https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.n...14570918_n.jpg Could have beaten yours. Were winners chosen out of a hat?

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Whoah there... It may not be the best or most creative, but I did put a little work into it.
Please respect that fact instead of calling out the screenshots that you may think is inferior, though it may be your opinion.

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Originally Posted by Chrysomallos

Even if we just requested the judge's thoughts on each piece, and the factors they took into account to make those decisions, we could at least then remain sound that us refuting said decisions was justified (...though saying it sounds horrifically righteous), and point out the flaws on the means instead of just the ends.

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I, too, would like to know what they looked for in the winners. More text regarding, "And look and so and so's excellent use of..." would have been appreciated.

All-in-all, this was a fun contest!

I think the community -especially those participating- takes the outcome very serious and the team should take note for future contests. Perhaps, more detailed rules or categories of entry. I personally looked at ALL of the entries posted before deciding what to do to make sure I didn't copy someone else, so, it was disturbing to see so many "duplicates" chosen as winners. Also, having not a single All Saints Wake themed winner seems strange and should be explained because there ARE creative entries with that theme.

Lastly, the range of the winners is so big I am not sure what the criteria was for selection. It seems like 10 different people picked their 10 and that was it. We have some of people in replica gear doing nothing, others with crazy emotes, others in no gear doing nothing etc.

Which makes me wonder why my photo was selected as I aced the gear AND included some thought on the emote to correlate with the doppelganger emote.

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Originally Posted by Oriens

Lastly, the range of the winners is so big I am not sure what the criteria was for selection. It seems like 10 different people picked their 10 and that was it. We have some of people in replica gear doing nothing, others with crazy emotes, others in no gear doing nothing etc.

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That... that could explain it. That would explain why the criteria was so arbitrary and, well, flat out random. Or even if the selectors were told, "You have these X pages to go over. Choose your ten favourites." Interesting idea.

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Originally Posted by Selkie

That... that could explain it. That would explain why the criteria was so arbitrary and, well, flat out random. Or even if the selectors were told, "You have these X pages to go over. Choose your ten favourites." Interesting idea.

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That would make sense. If someone had a section of pages where most images didn't meet the contest criteria they'd have slim pickings for their top 10 or whatever number they needed.

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Originally Posted by Selkie

That... that could explain it. That would explain why the criteria was so arbitrary and, well, flat out random. Or even if the selectors were told, "You have these X pages to go over. Choose your ten favourites." Interesting idea.

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You guys realize the the community team for an MMO is like... 5 people right? They probably all just voted, this was intended to be a fun contest, not intended to be taken so seriously.

Again I'm really sorry to everyone that didn't win, there are quite a few entries I remember seeing that I'm surprised didn't make it, but I think it's a little un-realistic to expect some kind of super in-depth gauntlet of approvals or some kind of contest judging tribunal to be setup for things that in reality have no impact on the game, and even more, a very small percentage of players. (MOST people playing any given MMO, DON'T ever visit the forums)

Hi Nim,

Congrats on your entry (well deserved, Thancred doppleganger!) However, this is a forum and people want to discuss the outcome. I don't understand why you're trying to hush everyone up, we're not being disrespectful to specific entries (there was that minor hiccup a few posts ago by someone.)

You understand why people play MMOs for the most part right? To get rare gear, and this necklace will be very rare (you even admitted to this earlier) So, yes, we can expect the decision for these 100 entries to be legit, and have the right to question if we desire.

Yay! I won! :D
Thanks to everyone who like my picture, and thanks to everyone that entered giving me lots of awesome pictures to scroll through. <3

Time to go read the winning haikus!

Well I do agree with you. The judges didn't care as much as we do but that's what we're citing as the problem.

We want judges to care a bit more when they pick entries, especially when they set criteria like uniqueness and composition. We're just disappointed that they didn't follow their own guidelines. We're not asking for anything difficult or in depth, just a little critical thinking.

When they show an exclusive item and then set rules for how to obtain it, we hope that they take the entries as seriously as the entrants do.

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Originally Posted by Sephirah

You guys realize the the community team for an MMO is like... 5 people right? They probably all just voted, this was intended to be a fun contest, not intended to be taken so seriously.

Again I'm really sorry to everyone that didn't win, there are quite a few entries I remember seeing that I'm surprised didn't make it, but I think it's a little un-realistic to expect some kind of super in-depth gauntlet of approvals or some kind of contest judging tribunal to be setup for things that in reality have no impact on the game, and even more, a very small percentage of players. (MOST people playing any given MMO, DON'T ever visit the forums)

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And really, this. It's likely the exceptionally small community team going "Hey, I like this one." "Me too! Winner."

things............

>.< forgot you cant edit these....

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Originally Posted by Oriens

stuff

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I completely understand, and don't think I'm trying to shut anyone up, like I said I'm very sorry to everyone that didn't win, there are a few entries I wouldn't have voted on that did.

I'm just trying to point out that the community team is doing what they can with the limited resources they have, so maybe they should get some slack. But don't get me wrong, I feel for some of you!

Also, thank you very much for the compliment! But just so we're all clear, HE was doppelganging ME :P ^_^

I'm genuinely shocked mine wasn't one of the 100 picked. I didn't expect it to be #1, or even 10, but not even in the top 100? C'mon! Looking at the ones that did win, I have to wonder what on earth the criteria for a "good" shot actually were. I skimmed down to Mateus to see if I was there, and the one from Mateus that was there didn't even have anything being mimicked in the picture that I could see. Just a Roegadyn dressed in generic slops and making a /disgusted face. It's an amusing pic and I'm glad at least somebody from Mateus won, but there wasn't much style, originality, or doppelganging going on there. I mean, is that what they wanted from us? Amusing pics that gave them a chuckle rather than legitimate attempts to win the contest? I admit, there is nothing amusing about my entry, but at least it was original and I feel it was a pretty accurate portrayal of my target both in terms of looks and actions, with some fitting aesthetics thrown in for atmosphere.

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Originally Posted by Sephirah

You guys realize the the community team for an MMO is like... 5 people right? They probably all just voted, this was intended to be a fun contest, not intended to be taken so seriously.

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Then it would be more appropriate to outline the contest in a way which is a better fit for the amount of work they want to put in. If they state that creativity and uniqueness are things they're looking for, then there shouldn't be 5-6 of multiple mob types. It would have been far more fair to say that they'll do a drawing of 100 entries which qualify if that would better suit their team size.

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Originally Posted by NephHalp

I didn't even enter the contest but there are a lot of repeats in the winners, especially for a contest where creativity is a factor.

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Totally agree with this! but Regardless {even if i didn't win} It was still a fun Experience! i am glad to see people are creative out there!

I won, but honestly, the only reason I would have been surprised if I didn't, was because so many forum goers liked it, so I assumed from that I must have done a good job. Otherwise, I'd have been a little sad, yes, but not go as far as to try to claim the contest was judged unfairly.

I'm really trying not to sound like a 'sore winner' here, but I'm pretty sure what constitutes 'creative' and 'unique' is all up to the opinions of the judges, and sadly sometimes their opinion won't match everyone else's. And just because more than one person chose the same NPC/mob doesn't necessarily mean they weren't creative or unique, when you don't really know what the judges' idea of 'creative and unique' is. It's very subjective.