THE BRICKPICKER LEGO SET REVIEW/BLOG ARTICLE CONTEST IS HERE!!!

Jeff and I are proud to announce this contest for all registered BrickPicker members. It will be based on LEGO set reviews, Evalution Corner and Blog articles. We will judge the winners on several aspects, such as overall quantity, content and quality. We will take into consideration the quantity of reviews and articles you submit and the content and quality of those reviews/articles/blogs. Just because you pump out more reviews than other members, if your content and quality are subpar or very average, we can elect someone else the winner.

The basic BrickPicker Set Review will be accepted at 1000 characters. No less. Unlike the earlier Set Review version, you will be required to submit content for each of the 10 basic categories below:

First Impression(WOW Factor) & Introduction

An introduction and first impression of the LEGO set. Does the LEGO set "WOW" you? Is it or will it be an "iconic" LEGO set? When you see this set, you say to yourself, "I just have to have one!?

Unique Parts/Minifigures

Does the LEGO set have rare or unique minifigures? Are there rare parts/colors in the set? Does the set have a large amount of minifigures or parts that make it more desirable?

Playability/Build Experience

Does the set have elements that make it an extremely "fun" set to play with or to build, thus affecting it's popularity and future viability as an investment?

Value for money(new)

Is the set a bargain? Does the set give you a "bang for your buck" when considering piece to price ratio or is the price of the set extremely high priced for the amount of pieces included? This rating also plays into LEGO collectors/investors who like to "part out" LEGO sets to make money...Could the set be used to "part out for a profit"?

Theme Popularity

Is the LEGO set from a popular LEGO theme that sells well in the primary retail LEGO market and will most likely translate to positive growth in the secondary LEGO market?

Exclusivity

Is the set an "exclusive" set and is marked accordingly so? Is the set limited in production in any way? Is the set from a Toy Fair or Comic Con or other LEGO trade show that has limited production runs?

Packaging

Does the set have unique packaging that makes it stand out from the typical LEGO set? Does the set have special markings on the box that differentiate it from other LEGO sets?

Growth Potential

What is the potential growth of this set in the secondary LEGO market? Will this set appreciate or depreciate after being retired(EOL)?

Display Attributes

Does this set when built display well? Is it a topic of conversation when built and displayed in a office or den? Does it make for an impressive or unique set when compared with other LEGO set

Final Analysis & Conclusion

Your overall final impression of the set, taking into consideration all the above factors. A final synopsis or conclusion about the LEGO set. The numerical rating is for the entire set, with a 10 being the ?perfect? LEGO set, a 5-6 being about average and a 1 being the bottom of the barrel.

Each category can range from a sentence to several paragraphs if necessary. The combined total for all the category content needs to be 1000 characters to be accepted. You will be asked to leave a numerical 1 to 10 rank for each category as well, with 4,5 and 6 being considered "average" LEGO set rankings. You do not have to own a set to review one, but it would help and this will be noted on each review. Here is a sample of a REVIEW I did for the 10227 UCS B-Wing Starfighter. It is a 5000 character review and I would consider it an above average review. You can do more or less, but proper grammar and spelling is also important.

We will take a snapshot of the current review totals and start from there. A BrickPicker member can look over their personal reviews in our new REVIEW LOG. You will have the ability to resubmit an older review and improve it, with it counting towards the contest. Jeff and I will approve or disapprove each resubmission. What is neat about the new review system is that Jeff and I will be able to award BONUS BRICKPOINTS for above average and special reviews. A basic 1000 character review will be awarded 10 Brickpoints, but we can give up to 500 Brickpoints or more for some in depth and special reviews.

The contest will start immediately and conclude at 11:59 PM(Eastern Time) on July 3rd, 2013. There will be three main prizes:

1ST PLACE: 10228 HAUNTED HOUSE or $200 LEGO GIFT CARD

2ND PLACE: 10232 PALACE CINEMA or $150 LEGO GIFT CARD

3RD PLACE: 9516 JABBA'S PALACE or $100 LEGO GIFT CARD

We will adjust all prizes to the winner's country and situation. Jeff and I understand that some members have to pay more for LEGO sets and we will adapt to each situation. We have the right to change the prizes to equivalent LEGO sets if these become retired or out of stock.

There will also be four $25 LEGO GIFT CARDS given out to those exceptional reviews in which I can convert to content for the EVALUATION CORNER. One person can win them all. Look at my reviews for an example of what I am looking for. You do not have to go through the normal review processor if it is easier to produce a large and quality review and analysis on a word processor like OPEN OFFICE(which I use). If you are doing a "special" review, you can contact me. I can guide you. What I don't want is something I have to rewrite. It needs to be quality content and properly written. I can tweak it and help with data and charts, but the overall written content needs to be very, very good.

Depending on the response, we can throw in some other prizes along the way. Maybe some "Honorable Mentions" or some other prize for some review or content that tickles my fancy. This is a serious competition and Jeff and I want the content of the LEGO set reviews to become a very important part of our site. Unlike the quality reviews on top sites like Brickset or Eurobricks, I want our reviews to focus on aspects of LEGO sets that will affect its "investment" potential and value. You can discuss anything you want, but you should have a serious investment correlation in your reviews when discussing many of the categories. The basic categories are set up like an essay, with an introduction, body & content and then a conclusion. Think of the reviews in proper English class terms and you will do well.

That's about it. Good luck with your reviews and any questions can be posted below. Winners will be announced on July 4th, 2013. Thanks.

Ed Mack

EDIT: JEFF AND I WILL ALSO ACCEPT EVALUATION CORNER/BLOG ARTICLES TOWARDS THE CONTEST AS WELL!!!

TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS!!

ALL PRIZES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND IN PROCESS OF BEING SHIPPED OUT!!!  

 

Hopefully you get them soon (Grolim, you should have yours in your Inbox right now since you live in such a far off distant world!)

 

Let us all know what you purchased with them!!!

 

 

Thanks Jeff.  I have received it.  Now just have to spend it and that shouldn't be a problem

So how many articles do I have to write and days off work do I need to take to catch up to FCB101 and Quacs in 23 days?

I'm resubmitting all of mine to get in on the contest!

I'm resubmitting all of mine to get in on the contest!

 

So for the Reviews contest, the first-third place winners were given their spot because of their quantity and quality correct? For some reason I was under the impression that there was a single review that determined a winner, that would later be converted into an EC article, but that could have been my fault. 

 

For the articles contest, how are winners determine. Quantity, quality, or both? 

So for the Reviews contest, the first-third place winners were given their spot because of their quantity and quality correct? For some reason I was under the impression that there was a single review that determined a winner, that would later be converted into an EC article, but that could have been my fault. 

 

For the articles contest, how are winners determine. Quantity, quality, or both? 

 

 

Same thing, both.

So how many articles do I have to write and days off work do I need to take to catch up to FCB101 and Quacs in 23 days?

 

Just one really long one...

Well I haven't written any for the contest, so I'm starting from scratch.  I should go ahead and ask for the rest of the month off from work.

Well I haven't written any for the contest, so I'm starting from scratch.  I should go ahead and ask for the rest of the month off from work.

Unless your work pays less than 200 bucks a month, no (well, I guess bragging rights are also included for the winners). That said, I'm sure everyone would love to hear from you so write up a couple articles in your spare time. I'm ramping up article production as of today (aiming for three today, already got one and a half done), and I think everyone realizes it is go time. Good luck!

Just one really long one...

You just got me thinking LOL. I'm going to do this... It will be a beautiful 25 page cached article on everything Lego.... just kidding.

TO ALL OF OUR WINNERS!!

ALL PRIZES HAVE BEEN PURCHASED AND IN PROCESS OF BEING SHIPPED OUT!!!  

 

Hopefully you get them soon (Grolim, you should have yours in your Inbox right now since you live in such a far off distant world!)

 

Let us all know what you purchased with them!!!

 I will probably purchase a UCS set. The 10221 Super Star Destroyer, 10227 B-Wing Starfighter, or the 10240 X-Wing Starfighter

When will the members choice awards occur?

When will the members choice awards occur?

 

My guess is that Ed and Jeff decided to just select a bunch of honorable mentions and drop the member's choice. They actually gave more prizes than we originally thought, so I am fine with that.

Hey blackjack, target online now has orc forges back in stock. So if you want one I would hurry.

My guess is that Ed and Jeff decided to just select a bunch of honorable mentions and drop the member's choice. They actually gave more prizes than we originally thought, so I am fine with that.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that is what happened too. Originally they were planning to give out I think four $25 Viewers Choice gift cards but instead they an extra 2nd place prize ($150) and three additional honorable mentions worth $50 each. So, they basically ended up giving out 200 dollars more than they originally said, very generous.

 I will probably purchase a UCS set. The 10221 Super Star Destroyer, 10227 B-Wing Starfighter, or the 10240 X-Wing Starfighter

Is this for build or investment? For building, I'm game for all of them. They are all stunning sets! Investment, go for the SSD. It's hard to compete with everyone else who got it for $100 in the investing world, and the X-Wing being a remake is just uncharted territory.

Hey blackjack, target online now has orc forges back in stock. So if you want one I would hurry.

 

Thanks!  I'm not sure what I'm getting yet though, and I think I'll just forget OF.

Thanks!  I'm not sure what I'm getting yet though, and I think I'll just forget OF.

you better get at least one buddy!

It wouldn't be for investment.

If anyone is interested, here are the number of articles all submitted and approved articles along with the member's name. If you are tied with another member, you have been placed according to alphabetical order. 

Ok, I need off work and plenty of meth.

If anyone is interested, here are the number of articles all submitted and approved articles along with the member's name. If you are tied with another member, you have been placed according to alphabetical order. 

Thanks, gives me a good idea of how much stock caffiene I will need to be buying. Let us all do our best to knock the kings FCB and Quacs off their thrones Good luck y'all.

Yes, I'm pretty sure that is what happened too. Originally they were planning to give out I think four $25 Viewers Choice gift cards but instead they an extra 2nd place prize ($150) and three additional honorable mentions worth $50 each. So, they basically ended up giving out 200 dollars more than they originally said, very generous.

The member's choice was dropped because we doubled the prizes and separated the two contests.

If anyone is interested, here are the number of articles all submitted and approved articles along with the member's name. If you are tied with anoher member, you have been placed according to alphabetical order. 

There is still plenty of time to get in the game.  Remember, there are still reviews that people have submitted that I haven't posted(in red on the blog chart).

Maybe the actual updates/list of Reviews/Blogs/etc should be in its own locked and stickied thread that you guys can just replace over instead of pasting a redundant one each time? Then you could just post a list of what's coming up and simply link to the stickied thread.

 

At least, it would cut down on the walls of color that take up half of each page, and make it easier to keep track of from the index page.

 

Just a thought!

Maybe the actual updates/list of Reviews/Blogs/etc should be in its own locked and stickied thread that you guys can just replace over instead of pasting a redundant one each time? Then you could just post a list of what's coming up and simply link to the stickied thread.

 

At least, it would cut down on the walls of color that take up half of each page, and make it easier to keep track of from the index page.

 

Just a thought!

I'm in the process of making a blog about the contest and will just modify one post to keep it simple...