Register for BlizzCon 2017 contests now through August 31

Registration for all of the BlizzCon 2017 contests is officially open! All four contests are making a return this year: Art, Movie, Costume, and Talent. If you’d like to enter, you may want to hurry it up and get your entry ready — the deadline for submissions is the end of the month, at 11:59pm PDT on August 31.

Death Blossom by Bo Chen

Art Contest

The Art Contest is a chance to show them what your hands can draw, which is probably marginally better than Mitch’s “original Paint masterpieces.” Both physical and digital creations are allowed. Image submissions must an original art piece created by you specifically for this contest. You can base your work on any of Blizzard’s titles — Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, or Overwatch. Images must be in a high-resolution JPEG no greater than 5MB in size. Any manipulations of an existing image via Photoshop are not allowed.

Prizes:

• 1st place: $1,500 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value
• 2nd place: $1,000 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value
• 3rd place: $700 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value

Movie Contest

The Movie Contest isn’t just for machinima — these can either be animated, live-action, in-game, or mixed. Submissions must be an original, unreleased movie based off Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, Heroes of the Storm, Hearthstone, or Overwatch. Videos must be proper format (.wmv, .avi, or .mov), no larger than 100MB in size, and no longer than 3 minutes. Any voice or lyrics must be in English — no profanity — and any music used must be either your own composition, or by Blizzard. You can use tools to create animations outside of the game client, but only for character facial expressions, poses, or gestures.

Prizes:

• 1st place: $2,000 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value
• 2nd place: $1,300 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value
• 3rd place: $850 and either a ticket to BlizzCon or $199 retail value

Costume Contest

Changes to the Costume Contest have previously been discussed, and this will be the last year that registration will be taken on a first come, first serve basis. Signups are limited to the first 100, and any after that will be placed on a wait list. If there are any no shows or spots open up, the next in line on the wait list will be confirmed instead. Stage signups are also limited to those competing in the actual contest, as opposed to previous years where they let people sign up just to walk on the stage.{PB}

Final registration and participation confirmation will happen the Friday morning of BlizzCon (until 10:30am) so all costumes must be finished and ready to enter with a BlizzCon ticket. As for costume requirements, they must be no larger than 8ft tall, 4ft wide, and 6ft long. Contestants must be able to move on their own within the costume. Actual weapons are not allowed, and any weapon accessories must be non-metal props.

Prizes:

• 1st place: $2,500 and an in-game tribute (NPC, weapon, spray, etc.) or $3,500
• 2nd place: $2,250
• 3rd place: $1,500
• 4th place: $1,000
• Honorable Mentions: $250 each for 8 contestants

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsmjrmkFZYI

Talent Contest

The Talent Contest is for those who like to act, dance, or sing. All you need is a two minute video of your performance (with up to four more friends). No fancy video modifications are needed — they want to see it the same way it would be on stage. To make the music side easier (legally), Blizzard has a list of music you can use. Like the movie contest, video submissions must be in .wmv, .avi, or .mov format and up to 100MB in size, with all members of the act listed. Blizzard will choose eight finalists — four finalists and four semi-finalists. The top four finalist acts will receive round trip air fare, hotel lodging, and airport shuttle transportation to BlizzCon to perform live on stage where they will be judged. The other four semi-finalists will receive $500 each, and their videos may be shown at BlizzCon. See the official rules for all requirements and examples of talents you can perform.

Prizes:

• 1st place: $3,000
• 2nd place: $2,000
• 3rd place: $1,250
• 4th place: $700
• Semi-finalists: $500 each

Good luck with your creative endeavors! We can’t wait to see what you come up with.