Until December 21st, the Arataka Research Consortium is offering prizes totalling 6,000 PLEX – a full year of Omega clone time – for the best in EVE propaganda. Makoto Priano, CEO of Arataka’s executor corporation, tends to speak for Arataka’s public outreach efforts. Priano has laid out a flexible but specific set of criteria. The contest has been running for the past two weeks, and with just under three to go, it’s still anyone’s game.
First prize will score 3,500 PLEX, second prize is 1,500, third is 1,000, and honorable mentions get 500 apiece. The rules centre on themes like peace, cooperation, and progress, potentially with a Caldari spin. Suggested topics include the Kyonoke Inquest, the Intaki-Ishukone System Deal, and other collaborative in-game events. On the technical side of things, Arataka requests A-series proportions, lossless image format, and a few other details. For best results, consult the full ruleset in the announcement.
Priano has released a gallery of current submissions, some of which are very good. My personal favourite at the moment is this piece by labtecwar. Overall, though, it’s clear that the competition has plenty of room for serious contenders. Priano’s gallery contained only eight contestants. Less than a year ago, Arataka held a similar contest with comparable prizes, and wound up receiving over forty submissions. The top three (found here, here, and here) are probably a good indication of the quality needed to win the new contest. It’s a high bar, but not insurmountable, and the next three weeks should see EVE’s graphic designers churn out some fantastic material.
Jenne Exupery is a low-wattage independent who dabbles in shipping, salvage, trade, exploration, and nearly victimless heists. He can usually be found bumming around Derelik and Domain under one name or another. Preferred contact method: in-game mail to Jenne Exupery of Manticore-Horizon Shipping [MANHO].
