HPOMGBBQWII serious entry! Well, maybe not.

Anyway, I was thinking about the LGD contests and what could be done (IMO, obviously) to improve their popularity, and in particular the number of entries submitted. While they are often perceived as the geeky emo children of the BZP contests (Or is that RPGs?), I wish to see their kind continue and I am not averse to posting my opinions on the matter. However, since I am typing this at and around 1:52 am, my opinions on the matter may be confoozlifying and grammatically unsafe.

1 -- Publicity:

This is the main thing. A topic or news story announcing the contests in advance would be helpful, as would a news story announcing the opening of the polls, both of which were lacking in the most recent contest. Raising public awareness by putting banners in your sigs, stuff like that.

2 -- Theme Selection:

On second thought, maybe this is the main thing. Although the goal of covering the main groupings of FOL buildyness (space, mecha, castle, etc.) is admirable, I think the contests would be better with themes calling for smallish, non-parts-intensive MOCs. While LGD #3 had plenty of entries, the number-of-entries-per-contest has been declining since. This is, I think, not due to lack of interest on the part of potential entrees (pretty sure that's not the right word, but I'm too tired to care), but rather the lack of parts (and perhaps time) required to make largish structures such as undersea bases and castles. This isn't the case for everyone, but it played a large factor in my decision not to enter the most recent contest.

3 -- My Idea:

I personally am holding out for a vignette LGD contest. Lego vignettes are scenes, usually minifig scale, that are confined to a small 6x6 or 8x8 baseplate, They allow plenty of room for creativity but at the same time are based on a series of guidelines that would be easy to enforce in a LGD contest. I'm reasonably confident that such a theme would generate more entries than we have seen in the last two contests.

So, um, if someone can come up with a catchy slogan in support of a vignettish LGD contest, please do so, because my brain isn't functioning too well right now. You're also welcome to tell me to get some sleep, as it may be the only time I will obey your command unquestioningly and without delay.

Arpy