I promised myself a week ago that I wouldn't create an account here just to post this, but in my hour of desperation I find myself bereft of options and unwilling to concede defeat.
In short, I am one of 5 finalists who created designs in Forza Motorsport 4 which are being voted on through December 20th via XBOX Live. What might perhaps make my entry relevant to you, is how it came to be.
First, I'll rewind a bit and mention that the winner of the contest will receive a 2012 Hyundai Veloster, with the winning design applied, if desired. Any virtual race car designer would love nothing more than to see one of their creations take material form, but the practicalities of taking the kids to school in a raced out Hyundai are sorta prohibitive. I initially didn't really consider opting to get the car vinyl'd up, were I to win, but that changed once the design started coming together.
While doing my research by looking at existing race designs, I saw a striking car in white, blue, and orange. The colors triggered a connection deep in my brain and I knew instantly how I could opt to have the car fully kitted out in race trim, should I be lucky enough to win, and have this not be a completely ridiculous decision. If I could move the required pieces into just the right positions, something incredible could happen, and I was invigorated as I've really never been before.
Weeks passed, the design was completed, submitted and much to my surprise and delight, selected as one of the five finalists. I started receiving positive messages of support and I felt like I had a pretty good shot at that incredible prize. Then, disaster.
This afternoon a finalist gallery was posted to the Forza Motorsport Facebook page. What the owners of the page didn't mention was that the contestants were charged with creating a *race* design, not a show car. This is a distinction without a difference to many, but to hobbiests such as myself, it's sort of a big deal. Creating believable original race designs involves a different sort of thinking, a creative restraint and a willingness to sacrifice "pure" art with the understanding that you are basically creating a fast moving advertising space.
Unfortunately, the voting public is disinclined to consider these factors, and I find myself along with three other race designers being routed by a factor of about 4 to 1 in Facebook likes and positive comments, to an impressive-looking show car which is absolutely not a race design.
Rather than concede defeat, I am making this appeal. I recognize that to you I am a post-count 1, an outsider. But I'm also a man with a dream I will not let die. I'm not sure I can make it happen even if I *do* win, but I can assure you that should I win this contest, there's a very real chance of something incredibly awesome happening. If I should lose, the forecast for awesome will remain essentially unchanged.
If you'd like to help, you need an XBOX Live Gold or Silver account, or persuasive power over someone else who does. There is a Hyundai Veloster ad in appalingly infrequent rotation on the XBL homescreen, which you need to click on to vote for your favorite design. If you don't see the ad, you can refresh XBL ads on the homescreen by pressing the guide button, followed by the "Y" button to return to the homescreen. Your dedication should be measured only in minutes, but it might take as many as 10, unfortunately.
Once you click the ad, you will see 5 car designs, only one of which will have colors clearly inspired by Penny Arcade. A vote for that design will inject a few more cc's of precious sustaining life into this dream of mine. If motivation strikes and you want to take a chance on a complete stranger, you could also help to spread the word, which would be very much appreciated.
Thank you for your consideration.
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Good luck, though.
I also realized this thread is pretty boring without a pic so here's a shot of my design, dressed up with a number for racing...
when I see the ad you'll have my sword.