Prisega, yes, that's one of the reasons I've been having trouble thinking of event ideas... Nearly everything needs some sort of judge or assumption on the honesty of the participants in order to be at all feasible.

If I can't host an event with the assurance that it will be fair and just for all, then I will not host it to begin with. That being said, I may need to start small, see how things work out, and then move on from there.

(Now that you mention PvP, a pure-Proto Lockdown match sounds interesting...)

Also, thank you. :)

Xairathan, those are some of the basic ideas I've been thinking about, and they are definitely possibilities. I'd also like to come up with very unique ideas, but it's hard to do so when there are so many details to consider... I've only just started, but with time I very much hope to conjure up some unique ideas and catch the interest of a solid audience. :)

A Snipe-herding contest is a fun idea, although considering the time I'd need to switch Haven instances and judge each Garden, it might not work out so well... I guess if worse comes to worse, I could survey each participating team do it separately with a certain amount of time to herd, then judge once all teams have been recorded.

Then again, after chatting with you, Xair, this idea is getting more and more tempting!

Event Status: FINISHED

Event Start: November 18, 2011, at 9:00 PM (PST)

Event End: November 24, 2011, at 9:00 PM (PST)

=> RESULTS:

Congratulations to Xairathan on winning the Snipe Sniper event. Not only did he create a wonderful album, he was also the only contestant! :D Xair has been mailed his winnings of 25,000 Crowns.

=> Description:

    I'm sure at some point, while admiring the Snipes littered across Haven, you must have wondered just how many different types of Snipes exist. Well, now is your chance to find out once and for a all - and perhaps win a prize as a bonus!

=> Objective:

    The objective of Snipe Sniper is to collect a variety of screen shots of the different mobile Snipes in Haven, crop them in to smaller squares containing one Snipe each, and create a visual "album" by placing all squares in to one big file. There are over 8 different colours of Snipes, and exactly 2 different types (walking and flying). Your "score" is determined by the quality of your album, but more importantly the amount of different Snipes you find!

=> Rules & Guidelines:

1. First and foremost: you must make your "albums" from scratch, no taking the pictures from any other source but your own screen shots.
2. Do not post your images on this thread. Instead, upload them through ImageShack, TinyPic, or imgur and send me the URL via in-game mail.
3. Feel free to work in groups, but be sure to record who you work with, because rewards will be shared. However, beware of working with people you do not trust, they may take the credit and run off with it - and it could be hard to prove it. This is why I suggest either working with good friends, or working alone.
4. The more the merrier. The greater variety of Snipes you can collect and put in to your album, the better your score will be. However, do not submit multiple of the same Snipe, because it will not increase your score - only different types/colours will.
5. As mentioned in the Objectives section, do not include shots of immobile Snipes. The interest is only in the Snipes the actual move around Haven, not the ones attached to NPCs or sitting as stable scenery (e.g. the Snipes sitting on the fountain).
6. Better quality images make for better albums. This does not mean the graphics quality you are running SK in, but the quality of your saved pictures. (PNGs are a good choice.)
7. Consistent shot sizing. If you keep each individual shot a consistent size, the album will come out looking more aligned. A recommended size for each Snipe shot is roughly 100x100 to 150x150 pixels, though it depends on a few small factors, such as your resolution.
8. Spacing and centering. If you center the Snipe in each shot, as well as leave some room around them, your album is most likely going to come out more visually appealing.
9. Organize all of your shots in to one file. This will help to gather all shots in to one spot, and make for the actual album.
10. Do not add any extra features. That is, don't add actual colourful borders, or signatures, or anything of the sort. Please include only genuine screen shot material! (I know this may be hard for some of the Photoshop experts out there, but try to resist the urge!)
11. Tip: try to contrast each Snipe with its surroundings, by getting shots of certain colour Snipes up against contrasting backgrounds.
12. Tip: avoid other players, NPCs, objects, etc in the shots. Try to keep each Snipe shot clear, containing only the Snipe, so the focus is entirely on it.
13. Here's an example album image I whipped up quickly. Although it is not a very good quality one, it is a sufficient demonstration of what Snipe Sniper is all about. :)

=> Rewards:

    Rewards will be given out to the top competitors, who will be judged based on the criteria outlined in the Rules & Guidelines. Consolation prizes may also be a possibility. :)

Congratulations Xair! There are actually 14 Snipe variations if you extend your search to the Haven Bazaar. Though, I failed to receive a single submission which included any of these additional 5. ;)

@Windsickle: It's more a replication of common-sense than anything, with a few simple rules thrown in. (No sign-up required!) Although, I do admit it was a bit wordy for such a simple task. I've already begun work on the second event, and have put much consideration in to making it all-the-more competitor-friendly. :)