GUIC 2008 – Lets Talk Details

Tuesday, July 8, 2008 by Zoomba | Discussion: OS Customization

The 2008 GUI Championships, the latest iteration of the world’s largest GUI customization competition, is quickly approaching.  This fall skinners from all over the globe will compete in one of three main events for their shot at hardware, software and cash prizes totaling near $10,000!

For the last few months we’ve been letting out little teasers here and there about what we’re going to be doing with this year’s event.  Today, I’m happy to reveal some of the contest details to everyone, so skinners can begin to prepare their masterpieces early.  In 2006, there were complaints that there wasn’t enough warning on the contest, so this year we’re giving you all months to prepare!

Events

In 2006, there were three main categories; WindowBlinds skins, Icon Packages, and Wallpapers.  This year, we have dropped the Wallpaper event and will instead be replaced by Animated Wallpapers (Dreams).  Here is the official event list for the 2008 GUIC:

  1. WindowBlinds Skins
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall
  2. IconPackager Sets
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall
  3. Animated Wallpapers (.Dreams)
    1. Most Original
    2. Most Usable
    3. Best Overall

We’re still debating a “User’s Choice” event, but haven’t decided how we’d handle it yet.  But the above covers the major categories and what the base events are.  Should be more than enough to get people started.

Timeline

The 2008 GUI Champs will officially kick off on October 12th.  Starting on that date, we will launch the new contest site and begin accepting submissions. The contest will run up to the end of December.  This gives everyone a 3 month lead before we even start accepting skins, to just over 5 months total before the competition closes.

A specific event schedule will be posted closer to the start of the competition.

Rules

The rules from 2006 are undergoing review and will likely see significant changes.  However, there are a few rules that will remain the same and that you should know before the contest starts:

  1. All submitted work must be 100% original
    You must be the sole author of the art used in the submission.  No working with other skinners, no reusing elements from other skins (either your own, or others) or art.
  2. Work submitted to the 2008 GUIC must be new.
    The GUIC must be the first place you submit a skin to.  Skins that are posted on other sites prior to being submitted to the GUIC will be disqualified.  Note that this does not mean you can’t post some preview shots of your work in progress, just that you may not make available for download a working skin (in any stage of development)
  3. Entries must not use logos, characters, or other imagery that is copyrighted/trademarked
    No Windows logos, no Apple logos.  No modifications or interpretations of cartoon characters, mascots, movies, games, television shows etc.  We expect all designs and work to be completely original.  So no making your ideal Windows Vista skin, or a Dragon Ball Z icon set.

Prizes

We’re still in talks with potential sponsors, but we’ve lined up at least one hardware vendor and have several software makers interested in being a part of the event.  We are currently working toward the goal of having at least $10,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs. 

Once the sponsors are finalized, expect a big post listing them all out, and what the prizes will be.  I’m really excited so far based on the initial response I received from the companies I’ve contacted.

(Note: If your company would like to be a sponsor for the 2008 GUI Champs, please email me at mikec AT stardock DOT com).


Hopefully now you have a much better idea of what we have planned for this year’s event.  A lot of details are still to be worked out, and as we have major news (i.e. sponsors, the new site) you better believe I’ll be posting about it.

If you have any questions about the 2008 GUIC, post them below and I’ll answer what I can.

Get those skins started!

First Previous Page 5 of 8 Next Last
ZubaZ
Reply #81 Friday, July 11, 2008 10:01 AM
I want everyone on as even a playing field as possible when it comes to creating the skins.
To start at an even playing filed I think PixelPirate, treetog, and MikeB314  must be assigned to team EyeSeeeRs.      
Zoomba
Reply #82 Friday, July 11, 2008 10:11 AM
You mean team iSore right?
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #83 Friday, July 11, 2008 10:22 AM
DOH!  
ZubaZ
Reply #84 Friday, July 11, 2008 10:38 AM
You mean team iSore right?
ZubaZ adds big, honking ears to his "Flaming Aero Through a Window Over a Mac Vista" dream.  You figure it out.  
Robbie_Boy
Reply #85 Friday, July 11, 2008 11:51 AM
Oh that's not right i was going to do Solaire Dark 2 for vista..... But i'm building it from scrach....
So if i'm building it from scrach i'm ok then......
Island Dog
Reply #86 Friday, July 11, 2008 12:25 PM
You mean team iSore right?


I take offense to that! 

messiah1
Reply #87 Friday, July 11, 2008 2:20 PM
You mean team iSore right?


Zubaz resembles that remark...
bk13GarbageMan
Reply #88 Friday, July 11, 2008 4:54 PM
All of you guys are too funny   
Dreamxis
Reply #89 Tuesday, July 15, 2008 12:02 PM
i'd like to know whether the WB theme must contain the "vista mode"?
vStyler
Reply #90 Tuesday, July 15, 2008 1:00 PM
i'd like to know whether the WB theme must contain the "vista mode"?


No, it can be XP... Vista... or a combination of both.  
Dreamxis
Reply #91 Tuesday, July 15, 2008 11:19 PM
Ok, i see. and i have another question about the EVENT and new rules the EVENT contained three categories that whether i should to make these three parts all for join the competition? and..about the new rule - "Work submitted to the 2008 GUIC must be new.", uh..can i mail my work to my classmate? i've asked him to help me to test the skin if it has a serious bug, certainly, i'll not submit it on other sites until the competition end.
Island Dog
Reply #92 Wednesday, July 16, 2008 1:52 PM
"Work submitted to the 2008 GUIC must be new.", uh..can i mail my work to my classmate? i've asked him to help me to test the skin if it has a serious bug, certainly, i'll not submit it on other sites until the competition end.


Saying it's new just means it hasn't been publicly distributed, and isn't using parts from old skins.


  1. Work submitted to the 2008 GUIC must be new.
    The GUIC must be the first place you submit a skin to.  Skins that are posted on other sites prior to being submitted to the GUIC will be disqualified.  Note that this does not mean you can’t post some preview shots of your work in progress, just that you may not make available for download a working skin (in any stage of development)

Dreamxis
Reply #93 Wednesday, July 16, 2008 10:11 PM
sure, everything is new of the theme. (and..does the iconpackage must contain the 256px size(for Vista)?)
Z71
Reply #94 Saturday, July 19, 2008 3:50 PM
It'll be interesting to see what people use to tell the difference between the "Hard Drive" and the "Vista Hard Drive", without using the Windows logo.
J. Aroche
Reply #95 Saturday, July 19, 2008 3:56 PM
I have a question, I did an icon and submitted it here and in some other sites, but for the guichamps I'm already making an iconpack following the same style, is that a problem? because the objective was to include that icon in the pack. Any thoughts?
I.R. Brainiac
Reply #96 Saturday, July 19, 2008 3:59 PM
Maybe just change it up to look different.  
Wizard1956
Reply #97 Saturday, July 19, 2008 5:19 PM
I'm looking forward to the great skins that will come from this.Good Luck to all that enter.1st PlaceNow,when are the "DXGames"?Computer Hits Back
messiah1
Reply #98 Saturday, July 19, 2008 6:42 PM
Now,when are the "DXGames"?


Same time as the DockGames.  
Jimbo9294
Reply #99 Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:22 PM
In regards to creating .dreams.
If I remember correctly one of the winners, or top choices, created their .dream and didn't even have Vista.  They relied on other people to help test.
Even if you aren't on Vista, but still have the capability of making animations, it's still possible to compete.



I remember that also, ID. It is a fantastic idea. I have been doing a few test runs with .dreams, and I still have a XP system. I have relied on some great people to complile the dreams. I am looking forward to the 2008 GUI Championships.
Jafo
Reply #100 Saturday, July 19, 2008 9:27 PM

uh..can i mail my work to my classmate? i've asked him to help me to test the skin if it has a serious bug,

There's certainly no harm in that....most skinners do it....at one time or another...helps in the debugging.

As long as the works are not publicly accessible and thus already publicly distributed....

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