[TenPercenter]

Introducing the Chip Design Contest, code named Protégé

Sidepot.com and the ChipTalk have created a contest where all members of ChipTalk will design a new chip line from the ground up! Everyone will have plenty of voice in the design from the beginning. Several stages will take place with discussions, polls, and choices. All aspects of the chip line will be decided on, from colors, edge spot layouts and inlay design.

The contest will be run in Stages. Each stage will either be a discussion of an element, or a poll to decide the element, or both:

• Stage 1: General Discussion: I wanted to try to get a general idea from members about what their favorite chips are. Discuss the contest, discuss styles, favorite chips, favorite color combos, etc. We need to gather information to run Polls for colors.
• Stage 2-3: Colors and Edge Spots: We narrow down our favorites as far as colors and edge spots. Mockups should use one of the Chip Factory sample inlays, or the Bellagio inlay to keep things equal.
• Stage 4-6: Inlays: Members start submitting inlay designs we have several polls to narrow down the choices. They must use the stock mockups chosen from stages above to keep things equal and fair. We will eventually narrow down to three inlays.
• Stage 7: Final Three Inlays: Finalists can tweak their mockups with new colors and edge spots based on suggestions or discussions. These new choices must be approved by the manufacturer.
• Stage 8: The Final Vote!

For the inlay portion of the contest, Sidepot.com has requested a general theme for the new chip set:

... theme should be that of luxury, style, opulence, or something signifying high class. Think Bellagio or the Palms, not Treasure Island or the Luxor. . This doesn’t mean the design has to be void of all thematic elements rather just that it does not rely too heavily upon one. The Starbucks logo is a good example of this. While their logo has a mermaid in it, people don’t think of mermaids when they think of Starbucks. They think of the experience of the coffee house.

In general the sponsor is not looking for a "fantasy casino" set, but rather a recognizable logo or theme that will span all inlays. Other than that it is completely left up to us!

Here is an overview:

1. The contest will run in stages where we will decide on colors, edge spots, and inlays in that order.
2. Every member of ChipTalk who chooses may pre-buy the winning chips at 79¢ each (roughly 35% off retail) for up to 30 days after the contest winner is announced.
3. Sidepot.com gives the #1 inlay designer 750 of the winning chips plus mahogany case, KEM cards, chip racks, and buttons, or $750 in cash!
4. The winner's name will appear in chip descriptions where the chips are sold on Sidepot.com.
5. Other cash prizes may be offered to the runners up if Sidepot.com chooses.
6. ChipTalk receives an administration fee for managing the contest.
7. Complete Official Rules Are Found Here

This is the main discussion thread. All general chit chat will occur here, as well as announcements and news. We will accumulate poll links here, as well as Stage decisions made by members. At the end, the finalists and winners will be listed here!

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Polls:

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Stage Results:

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Contest Results!

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[TenPercenter]

ChipTalk Chip Factory - Protégé Contest Version

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X-files and Johnny5 worked feverishly over the last couple of weeks to get this done for you. Let's see some color mockups!

Here are the colors we have to choose from for body colors and edge spot colors:



Here are the edge spot configurations we can choose from:




If we choose to, we can even ask for Shaped Inlays:

[Wooderson]

In the interest of full disclosure, and since I don't see Sidepot.com advertizing anywhere, nor do I see them sponsoring a forum, what is Chiptalk.net or TenPercenter getting out of this deal?

Second question: this will be on the Cigar and Snifter mold, or is mold also an option to customize?

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by Wooderson

In the interest of full disclosure, and since I don't see Sidepot.com advertizing anywhere, nor do I see them sponsoring a forum, what is Chiptalk.net or TenPercenter getting out of this deal?

I personally will be receiving a fee for administration of the contest. The amount is between myself and Sidepot, but it's not much for the work involved over the next couple of months. (don't get me wrong, this is fine with me, it's going to be a blast to me) What this also means is that I will not be taking part in the design process, I will just administer the discussions, polls, and liaison between us and the sponsor.

And speaking of full disclosure, that's what this whole contest started with in mind. The winning designer gets paid, ChipTalk gets paid, Sidepot keeps the design, ChipTalk gets links and exposure, and members get discounts on the chip that they themselves design. Very cool for everyone, and all above board. This is not a group buy, but has many of the benefits of one.

Originally Posted by Wooderson

Second question: this will be on the Cigar and Snifter mold, or is mold also an option to customize?

I forgot to mention, yes the mold will be on the Cigar and Snifter mold, and not "In Play" version.

[JM]

Will chip factory be modified with the C&S mold and chip colors & spot patterns for us to do the mockups?

[Spaceman Spiff]

Sounds like a lot of fun here! I'll throw out a couple considerations to start I guess.

1. Denom or no denom and are we looking for a complete line here. Such as .25, 1, 5, 25, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, etc.

2. Standard colors, a tweak on the standard colors, or something else entirely.

3. Edge spots: same for all chips or a progression.

And my comments:
1. I like denoms myself and to cover cash and tourney possibilities, I'd say my progression above works. There seems to be increased interest lately in having 1000 and 5000 chips available. I think a lot of people are starting to run T10000 type games and require those chips.

2. For a wide selling chip, I think we have to stay with the "accepted" casino colors. I know this will touch off another epic vs. battle, but other than that, the rest are pretty standard. I would like to see maybe a tweak on this. Maybe leaning toward a brighter shade where possible. So Day Green and Radiant Red would fit in. Just to give a different look if we can.

3. Rather than every chip with the same spot design a la the Pharaohs, this is a chance to work some of the dge spot progression ideas in that a lot of people have only been able to do with something like Chipco designs before. So the low denoms would have "simpler" designs such as single color single spots. Mid denoms would go up to double color and so on and so on. Lots of potential here based on the options we have open to us.

Really looking forward to this. Even though I need more chips like I need to be dealt pocket jacks some more!

[Fins]

Originally Posted by TenPercenter

If we choose to, we can even ask for Shaped Inlays

Uh... BOOYAA! I think this is a must.

First of many I'm sure...
1) How many Chips in the series and are the denoms set?

2) Defnitely the C&S mold?

3) Early... but what are the specs on the inlays round & shaped?

4) Going to definitely use the "broken in" technique on these?

Sweet... thanks Ten & Sidepot should be a fun contest!

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by JM

Will chip factory be modified with the C&S mold and chip colors & spot patterns for us to do the mockups?

Great question: A resounding YES! X-Files is working feverishly to get us a "Sidepot" version of the tool just to supply the members with something to make fast and easy mockups of all the exact colors and spots we are offered.

It's not finished, but not far off. I didn't want to wait. it'll be here soon.

[TenPercenter]

Originally Posted by Spaceman Spiff

Sounds like a lot of fun here! I'll throw out a couple considerations to start I guess.

1. Denom or no denom and are we looking for a complete line here. Such as .25, 1, 5, 25, 100, 500, 1000, 5000, etc.

2. Standard colors, a tweak on the standard colors, or something else entirely.

3. Edge spots: same for all chips or a progression.

Really looking forward to this. Even though I need more chips like I need to be dealt pocket jacks some more!

1. See the announcement (just getting into the practice of saying that )
2. See the announcement
3. Different for every single chip if we want! Pretty cool huh?

[Fins]

Originally Posted by TenPercenter

1. See the announcement (just getting into the practice of saying that )

... or see contest rules

"4.There will be 8 denominations (tentatively) – These will be 25 cent, $1, $5, $25, $100, $500, $1000, and $5000. An additional two denomination choices will be considered if the Participants collectively deem them desirable."