PaPang

Dave and Asgneto (sorry, I forgot) are right about seeing scores. The last time we saw the results live in real time because of the different voting system but in the end we saw what our mods were worth in votes. This was invaluable to me as a new entrant to the past contest and a relative n00b to competitive modding (my 1st on-line contest). For Asgneto, who won his category the last time, he cares for other reasons: how his forum mates did, how his friends around the world did and from this, advise them what to do. A lot if a low score, and not so much if the score were higher. He is just like that, a mentor and what a true modding master should be. Could this be done? The comp. was a success by any standards. A few words from the proud sponsors of this contest would be appreciated and great too! Maybe a few credits and recognition to the judges who's effort merit a taking-off-of-the-hat, is something that they would appreciate I feel. There were a BUNCH of logs to slog through after all. For your consideration as always. Cheers and Saludos

Bravo for the winners of this year's contest! Congrats to the CM team, not a single feather ruffled this time and all seems quite cool...as all memorable and distinguished contests should be. GREAT! More than competitors or "show-offs" we sort of forget that we are a community with one thing that distinguishes from the rest---modding. We are more in a sort of brotherhood in which contests keep our juices flowing and keeps us on the cutting edge, something that is necessary to keep the hobby moving ahead than what a lot think otherwise, might be a cut-throat competition. And yes, some of us are proud to represent our individual countries because who might think that a country like Columbia (my forum mate Tortured_Soul) would have a modding community. Granted, it is still in diapers but when a modder from a Latin American country (not Brasil, we know what level they are on) stands out if only with a third prize, it is a real accomplishment and more so that this was done on a world-wide level, cooool. I'd like to say hello and take my hat off to another forum mate, Masbuskado, who though is in the USA, he is firmly tied to modders south of the border (southern hemisphere of the Americas). Some great mods were overlooked or under-rated but I would think a lot has to do with their worklogs. If the worklog is NOT IN ENGLISH, detailed and is not an easy read, although the final product might be smashing, a bad log drags it down. It may be unconscious but it is a factor so non-english speakers take heed, please. It is only logical! As my buddy Asgneto says, although we might not have participated, we slogged our way through a bunch of reading (not just looking at pics) and for whatever the reason we could not share in the fun, WE WILL BE BACK (I hope). Kudos to Cooler Master for continuing with an iconic contest, one of most distinguished in the world, and hope you sell a bunch so we can get together again for more fun 'n games. I also hope someone pays a little attention to the suggestions which were not entirely mine but a result of a lot of emails, chats and comments in forums, to make this an even better event. The panel of judges and popular vote combo seems to have worked out fine as was suggested the past contest. Hope to see everyone again the next time around for more bodacious mods and bragging rights, hehe! Cheers and Saludos

Before anyone gets all wound up, I state that I mod as a hobby, am a fan of CM products (quite evident), competed in the past 2009 event (won a modest prize), am from Mexico (WTH,where?) and know a bunch of guys here. English is also my second language which I handle so-so, so please bear with me. Translators are still wonky IMO otherwise I would post even more. Sorry guys! Agree, the projects shown this time are AMAZING! The votes shown now, as I understand it and am not the first to comment, are just the "popular" side of the voting which account for 30% of the total score/mod, so this time it's OK to pile them in. It depends who has extensive social networks, supporters back home willing to register in order to vote here and of course, well earned reputations. This puts smaller and newer modding communities at a disadvantage (mine) but it is the privilege of CM to include this part as it's always good marketing savvy to make this event as inclusive and encompassing to as many people as possible. Oh, a by-thought, being a crack marketing savant does not prepare you , unless you do so already, for navigating and commenting in internet forums----they are just another animal in behavior from "real life", hehe. No biggie for those used to it, but if not, a veritable minefield. What I do notice is that those in charge of the contest have taken a step back in participation which I suppose is a different tack as opposed to past contests, handling things by PM rather than explaining in the thread. I guess it is fine so that there NOT be the messes of past comps. With judges now, and them determining 70% of the score, a lot of the "fuse" of past experiences has been removed. I figure that the rest of the 30% will be a proportionate percentage (can be converted to points easily) depending on the votes received, simple business math. What I also note is that very few participants comment on threads other than their own this time. And where is the sense of humor and camaraderie that should pervade in modding? We are a "fringe"(sorry guys, its is the nice way to say what we are), believe it or not, after all and a rather reduced number (relatively) which should make us more united and open. One liners, even if favorable, are soooo dry and cold. With so many newbs in the contest, it should be a hint for making future space for "New Modders" where they can get the correct appreciation of their work and NOT be compared to the "Masters" which is not very flattering and could even turn future modders off. At their level, they should have a shot of winning amongst themselves and have a shot at the spotlights and limelight. It would open the contest with even more participants than the "Pros" and be fertile ground for more CM enthusiasts which is good. Lesser prizes are expected than the Pros although some might spend more than the Pros who are more modding savvy, have sponsorships and make a living of it. Having an "Intermediate" category would be great for those more experienced but not yet Pros (uhh, me?). Food for thought and consideration. A FIXED date for the competition would be great because we would have a date to include in our agenda's. Good competitive mods need anywhere from 200 to 600 man-hours (direct work) and 3 months is just not doable for the majority of the more experienced modders. Bills have to be paid as most do and know. I was looking forward for the event to happen the 2nd half of the year as in the past and since it happened now, the only thing I could do was comment, not as entertaining as competing AND commenting. I saw at least 2 great mods go unfinished and it was due to being "caught off guard" by the contest date and several modders I know just couldn't get it together in time like me. Finally, it helps to have continuity of those responsible and involved in the contests of the CM staff, even if a few. It helps remind where previous mistakes were made and help focus on other directions/solutions in the problem solving process. The contest is a great marketing tool, I have no doubt. Well, my two cents as always, a bit for everyone to think over. Cheers and Saludos P.D.) OF COURSE, congratz to all those that managed to finish, soo sorry for those who didn't (better luck next time), muchas gracias for some bodacious builds and super worklogs (learned a lot), ask new(er) modders to hope for a proper category, and a big Hi! to all the colleagues and friends and best of luck and wishes to all.