UPDATE [September 13 @ 2:30PM]:

Attention all pilots,

It's finally time! After a full year of announcements from various manufacturers, we're able to confidently re-launch our ACtober customs contest with new prizes and a new sponsor, Kotobukiya! We've updated the original post so that you can choose your plan of attack and get started on the ultimate custom Armored Core.

The original post can be found in its entirety below; changes have been bolded for your reference.

Starting September 13, 2024 through the end of October, we'll be hosting the ACtober build-off! Read this post for all the details.

The contest will be broken down into FOUR categories as follows:

• Custom-> This is any custom build that has not been airbrushed. Entrant can use top coat, panel line, decals, Gundam Markers, or hand paint for small details that would otherwise require stickers.
• Painted Custom-> This is any custom build that has had its base color scheme altered completely through the use of hand painting, spray cans, or airbrushes (including the Gundam Marker airbrush).
• Diorama-> This is any painted custom build displayed in a fixed pose that includes elements other than the custom-built unit itself. This can include battle scenes, maintenance bay/hangar scenes, or other “moment in time” types of displays. (Due to the limited accessibility and availability of it, we will only judge creative use of the Collector's Edition Garage Hangar i.e. Extensive modification/repainting.)
• NEW Straight Build / Photography -> Thanks to the generosity of Kotobukiya we were able to add a NEW category and a fifth prize! We're allowing entries that are clean straight builds, but with a twist: we know a lot of kits don't allow for extremely dynamic posing, which is why we're challenging you to put your photography skills to the test! Build any kit right out of the box and then frame it the best you can to submit your most impressive picture of your work!

Judging:
Entries will be submitted and sorted into categories by our staff. Each category will be judged according to its own qualities (for example, “painting” will not be judged in the unpainted category). Since this is an Armored Core contest, we will be giving points for likeness to units (this means anything from the Heavy Chopper to any MT's, or even the Ice Worm if you're brave enough) in-game. (Even if the mech doesn’t exist in one single AC game, you can take elements from different entries in the universe and combine them into one build.)

How to enter:
Email [email protected] with the subject line “ACtober Build-Off Entry”

Include your name, preferred social media handle, the name of the entry, anything you’d like us to know about the build, FOUR unfiltered images of the build, and at least one reference picture of the unit(s) from the game(s) it is based on.

If you have already entered the original contest, we still have your entries on file and they count toward the new period. If you would like to change or update them, feel free to reply to the original email chain and we'll take care of the rest!

Winners:
One winner will be chosen from each category by a dedicated judge from our staff as well as our guest judges (who will not be able to see the name of the entrant; judging will be done based on pictures alone). There will also be a social media bracket after the entry period has closed, with one grand “People’s Champion” chosen by votes on Instagram.

Winners will be announced on social media, so make sure you're following us to see if you've won and also see how your build stacks up in the People's Champion bracket!

Prizes:

• Diorama Category: $50 store credit + 1/72 Omer TYPE-LAHIRE Stasis Full Package Ver. (Armored Core: For Answer)
• Painted Category: $40 store credit + 1/72 Rosenthal CR-Hogire Noblesse Oblige Full Package Ver. (Armored Core 4) (Armored Core: For Answer)
• Custom Category: $30 store credit + 1/72 Interior Union Y01-TELLUS Full Package Ver. (Armored Core 4) (Armored Core: For Answer)
• NEW Straight Build / Photography Category: $25 store credit + 1/72 Nineball Seraph (Armored Core: Master of Arena) (Armored Core 2: Another Age)
• Fan Favorite / People’s Champion: $25 store credit + 1/72 BFF 063AN Ambient (Armored Core: For Answer)

In the event that entrants do not evenly balance into the categories (i.e. there are 40 painted and 2 custom), we will instead switch the prizes to a "1st, 2nd, and 3rd overall" structure, respectively.

We reserve the right to alter the terms of the contest if necessary due to any unforeseen circumstances. We appreciate your understanding!

Now that you know the parameters of the mission, it's time to get to work, 621.