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Feb-8-2012 06:22

I’ve chosen this place to announce the contest because I feel it’s the most visited, even though it would’ve probably fit better in the RP section.

Anyway, even though I’m quite sure this has been done before, I see no trouble in doing it again. So here’s the thing:

I’m quite positive one of the components of Sleuth Noir that draws people to poke their noses around here is the Noir theme. In my view being in Sleuth Noir is something that you do late in the evening in a large armchair in front of a burning chimney…well, if you feel like somethin’ else is burning please check your socks. What I’m tryin’ to say here is that one of the things we all like is the atmosphere.

Now, I do feel like…an’ I ain’t gonna be apologizing if ya’ feel different…like this atmosphere isn’t really supported by the players. Many times I’ve opened some high roller’s character sheet only to read his/her general achievements and admire his/her shoes. Don’t get me wrong, I do appreciate other people achievements and taste in shoes…sort of…but I’d really like to see some color on those player characters, and trust me: “north of the bank”, “waitress” or “none” ain’t givin’ no color to nothin’ when written under the biography section.

So here it goes: I will award a 2 month subscription to the player with the best biography that registers for the contest. The results will be given 2 weeks from now…February 22 this year, that is.

How to participate: shout in here that you’re game and then fill up the biography section in your character’s description. I’ll read it…someday.

Who can participate? Well…anyone.

Who will be the jury?...ME! And…if anyone else offers…hmmm…maybe I’ll ask some people to throw an opinion, but I ain’t gonna tell ya’ who’s who, so keep those bribes for Shady.

Now…one piece of advice: try to make those bios a little more vivid and keep’em within the game’s theme.

If there are any questions…I’ll be happy to postpone them…Jokin’ere, I’ll answer t

Feb-22-2012 04:40

Ok now, I guess it’s time for the results.

Our method of choosing the winner was a tad unorthodox so I won’t be boring you with it. There were some nominations and there was only one name that came up from all three judges: Miss Ivy Spini.

So there you go: our contest winner is Detective Ivy Spini! The prize has already been granted and we’re looking forward to seein’ what that brunette actually looks like.

Now, there were also others who had good bios and were nominated for winner, so please allow me to tickle some egos by mentioning their names: Mr. Alistair Bane, Mr. Cekuray, Lady Zeurgidor, Synessence, Miss Vulkie.

One other bio we have enjoyed, although it didn’t make the nominations list is Pumpkin King’s. He was a little late than others, but since I have accepted a deadline delay for another competitor on account of a prior solicitation I have decided to allow it for him too, so his submission was also valid.

Mr. Hoyle, I will read your bio in the designated location, yet I would very much like to see one in your character description, as this way it would be an actual benefit for the game. I know you can write well (I’ve read some of your intros) and in the few PMs we have exchanged you’ve left me the impression of a man with a strong and straight character. I think your character should have the same benefit.

Thank you all for participating and Congratulations to Miss Ivy Spini!

For any questions regarding my opinion on your entries I am at your disposal. PM me.

Feb-22-2012 04:48

Congratulations Ivy Spini. A well deserved reward ^_0. Ah well, back to the drawing bords... *starts writing a new bio* :p

Feb-22-2012 06:56

Congrats Ivy Spini!

Here's a link to her detective page

http://noir.playsleuth.com/detective/detective.spy?id=907058

Feb-22-2012 07:10

Well done Ivy. Your biography is so individual and captures the spirit of Noir :)

Feb-22-2012 09:43

Yes, a very good bio by Ivy Spini. Congratulations to her, the nominees and all the other competitors, for all of them put some effort in this contest.
Hoping to see more contest activities like these ones (VH by NQ and Bios by ''Bulldog''). These things make people give the best in them to the game and the others

Feb-22-2012 09:44

Congratulations to the organisers as well!

Feb-22-2012 11:32

Congrats Ivy! Great bio !!!

Joey,
It would have been nice if you had listed all the eligible contestants after the deadline. You instead elected to list only those not eligible. It would also have been nice to list certain factors that were used to judge each entry. There was no criteria mentioned about what was deemed to be great bio.

Feb-22-2012 12:20

First of all...keep those new teeth away from my neck, allright?

Second of all...I not a nice person. Thought that much'd be clear by now.

And now to answer your questions.

Regarding the eligibility list...well...to my shame the reason was the short time I had at hand at the moment. I think I said that in that post.

Regarding "what was deemed to be great bio"...in my opinion I'm not entitled to say that and I don't think anyone is. We simply chose what we liked best. Listing criterias would've meant pushing people towards the same point. I wanted variety. My imagination is usually unidirectional and many times I have been surprised by the quality of the results of other people imaginations. And I have to say I have been right doing this, as we can now read a few different and entertaining approaches to characters description.

I did however give 2 pointers in my initial post: "try to make those bios a little more vivid and keep’em within the game’s theme".

If I were to list a few criterias all judges used by default those would be: words' flow and pace, story's pace, how catchy the bio is both by keeping the eye and the mind entertained, the fit within the game's timeline and noir atmosphere, but the most important criteria was how much of a feeling it transmits to the reader.

In the end however I have to say I didn't see this contest as a prize run, but more as a way of entertaining for everyone.

Hope my answers are satisfying.

Feb-22-2012 18:32

Let me add my congratulations to Ivy, and everyone who participated. It was a pleasure to be invited to read your stories.

Joey, thank you for getting the creative juices flowing and the little jolt community activity. While being a judge in these always opens one to criticism, it's great to see so many people interested in joining in the fun!

I hope that everyone who participated or watched from the shadows enjoyed it as much as I did.

Feb-22-2012 21:39

I wanted to watch from the shadows--or the stage, but not having a list of participants prevented not just me, but anyone from doing that. Is displaying a list really too much to ask?

Joey mentions the entertainment value, but hinders the very thing he is striving for. Only the judges knew whose bios to read.