UPDATE
So, just to update you all, Greg messaged me back earlier today in response to my inquiries about his stance on these hot-button issues, namely regarding Hero Factory helmets and G2 masks, CCBS parts in general, and 3D printed pieces. Based on Greg’s approval, the following is true:
CCBS Pieces are ALLOWED
BIONICLE G2 Masks and and Hero Factory Helmets are ALLOWED
Custom 3D Modeled Pieces are ALLOWED (Though we stipulate that to be masks and weapons only)
The future direction of the contest is still to be decided concretely, if it’ll happen at all, but Greg has given the go-ahead on these controversial issues, so for what it’s worth… that is what it is. Don’t worry in regards to CCBS, we would absolutely follow precedent and implement a parts ratio in tandem with G1/Technic pieces that is consistent with prior contests. I’m glad CCBS will be allowed for the sake of build diversity, but I respect the G1 aesthetic too much to mess with it drastically.
I will say, though, that I discussed this heavily with Swert earlier in private earlier today and he proposed the idea that contests would work in three steps.
- An art contest to design the mask
- A MoC contest to design the character - Winner would be featured on BS01 with a caption of “Depicted wearing [PLACEHOLDER MASK]”
-An art contest to design artwork based off the MoC
This would sidestep the concerns regarding 3D printed pieces, as we would probably elect to disallow them if we went for this route (it’d be pointless if the masks were designed via artwork). It would, however, provide artists the ability to design custom masks for these characters, which is what I want so desperately, and I’m sure the talented 3D modelers in the community would swiftly make physical versions of these designs so the community could build them “accurately.”
It’s a good compromise that balances the art and MoCing aspects, while allowing for build freedom without the controversial elements of 3D masks clouding the proceedings. It’s not what we’re definitely doing, but I wanted to put it out there to see what you all thought of it. 