I think that only variations can be a problem. What if the slightly variation submitted later is (or fits) better than the original submitted by another user some time before? We are supposed to want the best spell in the game. Stardock will pick some for us to vote on but in the end only the first is guaranteed in the game, so I suppose that we all are in the same boat of desiring the BEST of the spells submitted. If a variation is better somehow, shouldn't it be picked instead of the original?

Awading people for having similar spells that of the winner is too tricky in my mind. If you see a spell that you really think that can win (as we can see other people's submitions), what does stop you from a variation of it to try to win or claim to be awarded if the spell you copied wins?

I just wish I could think of a serious spell to submit. But I can only think of joke spells like my sweet Coconut Storm.

Again it is arrogant assumption to assume anything. No offence to any of you. This Code 3 error is a problem and it has to be taken into account.

If and that is a big if. Similar spells are chosen as a winner. They cannot just go by submission date only, if an existing program problem that they were aware of that caused delays in the original submission of a spell. They have to take that into account. "OK guys these 70 spells, that where late in submission do to "Our" technical errors.  This one is in the finals. Lets research when it should have been submitted if the Code 3 errors did not exist. If they cannot provide proof. We will go by the submission date only. I do not know what their critiria for determining a winner will be. Heck it could be one guy, who just decides I had a good cup of coffee. Lets go with "B" names. They may just decide in my scenario to reward all of them. We are talking a gift card here and an older video card, not 10k.

They have gotten tons of free solicitations and creative ideas without paying for that creative talent. I had an issue with that. If I am running their Pr department . I pick winners based on creativity, originality and what is best for the game and is that implementation feasible. Can I also enhance it. If 10 people had the same idea. They can reward all ten. That is smart PR. You never, and I mean never upset your customer base. That being said, you do not penalize the person who did submit it first.

As I explained it to my son. We will send it in, but it can look like copying. We will keep proof of the creative date and If you are lucky enough to win. We will send them that information. I said to him, you win based on effort and your work and it is all subjective. If he doesn't win. I bought him a 50.00 gift card to Game Stop. I am glad he likes the game and is enjoying it. I think this game has unlimited potential, but making it 100% stable is a companies first goal. Creative Designs, Sony, Microsoft, that is the first thing they do. Having a stable game should be Stardocks' first priority. Something from what my son tells me has been their M.O. on almost every game they have done. It seems to be a standard now many companies do. Is release the game unfinished and we will finish it as we go. Bad idea. Funny how no one of commented on the spell my son did, but as I said all subjective. We will soon find out who wins and I am sure it will be well deserved.

About technical issues, I cannot really comment. If it had happened to me I'd have said "It sucks, move on". After all, it's not like I paid to take part on the contest. (and no real interest in the video card, the gift cards would be nice though) But that would be me being myself, which means that I presonally wouldn't feel entitled to special treatment in the contest because it was Stardock's fault. I'm not saying they shouldn't do it or that they should do it. Just that I wouldn't consider it in a case like this.

The contest is nothing but a publicity stun (stated looooooooooong time ago) in which you get a chance of free stuff if you decide to give away some ideas and happen to win. No one will be famous for it, won't get thousands of dollars, appear on TV,...  People should be just happy if they happen to win something and have fun reading other people's ideas. And it's not like if people stops giving ideas (for free) in the forums.