From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands
Published on July 8, 2008 By Zoomba In 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!


Comments (Page 4)
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on Jul 09, 2008
Assuming Team Skinfu doesn't hate me we will be there.
There is no hate in this team! Still here and ready to go
on Jul 09, 2008
Still here and ready to go


  
all team skinfu members, please check your PM box.
on Jul 09, 2008
I guess my suggestion for a suite and/or general category was a no go. That would have allowed anyone to enter anything.And allowed them to share graphics across a suite.That would have made for more cohesive entries from teams. If each team is just an arbitrary grouping of completely different skins...I never saw a huge reason for teams vs just entering as an individual. I know you dont want the competition to become unwieldly but it sure leaves out a lot of skinners.
on Jul 09, 2008
Still debating how to do a team event.  If you could see the draft schedule I have in front of me, you'd see how hard it's going to be to cram another event in.
on Jul 09, 2008
glad I'm noot you...hehe.  

Well maybe we can get some of these other skinners to try their talents at something that is in the competition.

Aroche is already a wiz at Icons,Messiah has been tinkering with WB and I bet Bilbo could pull off either if he tried.Hey Bilbo...how bout a dream mister?  

I'm sure other teams have people in the same situation that might be prodded into doing the same if no other categories are added.
on Jul 09, 2008

Remember that even if we do a team event, it will have to be narrowly defined in terms of skinnable items.  Take a theme/suite event as a hypothetical example, it would be very limited in what is included in order to make for a fair comparison.

The easiest thing I can think of is a team event where a team must make a matching WB, icon set and Dream.  For that event specifically, people would be able to collaborate and share graphics with team members.  Skins from the team suite would NOT be considered for the other, individual events though.

on Jul 09, 2008
All looks good to me ( I digress from making a comment on the "downgrading" to Vista).

A "Team Suite" competition would be awesome but also a major pain to judge and pull together. If there were such an event things like Cursors, Docks and so forth would play a roll. Maybe there could be a sort of 'side competition' as an exploratory event this year (ie. not an 'actual' event but a trial run at such). The real Olympics do that kind of thing I just can't recall what they call them.

**Edit**
Me and Zoomba must have posted at the same time.

I think a Team suite could include other skinnable items as it would be a seperate event. Just so long as ALL suites have them. Also, maybe they should be completely different then any submitted items for the other competitions (ie. the Windowblind submitted for that comp can not be submitted for the suite one as well).
on Jul 09, 2008
Just think, prizes for all the winners and new skins for all the community to enjoy, does it get any better than that.
Yes...you can play a Country and Western song backwards and your dog will be revived and your wife will come back....


        
on Jul 09, 2008
Skins from the team suite would NOT be considered for the other, individual events though.


I think that would be a mistake.
on Jul 09, 2008
glad I'm noot you...hehe.  Well maybe we can get some of these other skinners to try their talents at something that is in the competition.Aroche is already a wiz at Icons,Messiah has been tinkering with WB and I bet Bilbo could pull off either if he tried.Hey Bilbo...how bout a dream mister?  I'm sure other teams have people in the same situation that might be prodded into doing the same if no other categories are added.


sorry but just using that, not making...my bad..
Well, we now will just testers or voters..hehe
But cant wait too see the contest, and ur entry
on Jul 09, 2008
Messiah has been tinkering with WB


  
on Jul 09, 2008

Skins from the team suite would NOT be considered for the other, individual events though.

I think that would be a mistake.

It wouldn't be fair in competition against individual skins not built by a team.

on Jul 09, 2008
Still debating how to do a team event. If you could see the draft schedule I have in front of me, you'd see how hard it's going to be to cram another event in.


Couldn't\wouldn't the team event just be total medal points shared by team members?
on Jul 09, 2008

Couldn't\wouldn't the team event just be total medal points shared by team members?

We will be doing that like last time.  People I think are more asking about events that people can compete in as a team.

on Jul 09, 2008
Ok super.. thats what I wanted confirned, thanks
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