[2026.07.30] Design a Monster: Winter Bestiary – Contest Begins! - Design a Monster – Winter Bestiary

July 30Jul 30

Administrators

Hey Warriors!

With the summer heat at its peak, what better time to dream of crisp winter air? Join us as we escape into a world of frost and fantasy – and let the blazing sun give way, if only for a little while!

We're excited to announce the Design a Monster – Winter Bestiary art contest!

Grab your pencils, brushes, or drawing tablets and bring the creatures of your winter imagination to life! The most enchanting entries will be added to the game as residents of the Snowy Bound in a future update!

How to Enter

Design an original monster that could inhabit the Snowy Bound. Along with your artwork, tell us about your creation. Who is this creature? Where did it come from? How did it end up in this frozen realm, and what does it do there?
Head to THIS section and create a new topic with your entry. Make sure the topic title includes your character nickname, realm, and monster name.

Contest Guidelines

Your monster must be created in a pixel art style.
A front view is required. Additional views are optional but encouraged.
Make sure your entry follows the community guidelines and the game's Rules of Conduct. Entries containing offensive, provocative, explicit, or otherwise disturbing content will not be accepted.
Do not modify existing in-game monsters (e.g., by recoloring them, adding, or altering elements).
Do not recreate characters from movies, games, or other media.
Do not use artwork created by other artists, whether found online or submitted by other participants.
AI-generated artwork is not eligible for this contest.

And remember – each participant may submit one entry only!

Artwork Requirements

Feel free to use any medium you'd like – draw on paper, in a sketchbook, or digitally using software such as Paint, Photoshop, or any other graphics editor.
Please keep your design consistent with the game's visual style. Avoid thick dark outlines, as well as overly bright or heavily saturated colors. (See the palette example below.)

Пример насыщенности цветов.gif

Image dimensions: Up to 100 pixels in height and up to 200 pixels in width (maximum side-view width).
Only the front view is required for submission. Other angles are optional, but if your monster wins, our artists will complete the remaining perspectives based on the game's sprite templates.
Your monster may have an asymmetrical design. In that case, we recommend including separate left and right views for reference. (See the example below.)

Пример асимметричности.gif

You may use any number of colors. However, all colors will be converted to a 256-color indexed palette when the monster is brought into the game.
For the best compatibility when importing the monster into the game engine, use the following resolution settings: 1:1 scale and 72 ppi.

To better match the atmosphere of the Snowy Bound, consider portraying your monster on a snowy or winter-themed background.

Please note: We reserve the right to make minor adjustments to winning entries where necessary to accommodate the game's graphics editor and engine limitations.

Judging Criteria

Winter Theme. Draw inspiration from wherever you like, but make sure your design captures the essence of the Snowy Bound's icy, frost-covered world and its enchanting winter atmosphere.
Artistic Execution. Even with the limitations of pixel art, a well-crafted design can showcase impressive personality. Modern digital tools make it possible to add fine detail, so take advantage of them! Submitting additional angles beyond just the front view will give your entry an extra edge.
Character Story. Although this is primarily an art contest, every entry must include a short story about your creature. Tell us about its origins, personality, interests, and the events that shaped it. Try to keep your story within 200 words. Shorter entries are perfectly acceptable, while significantly longer ones are discouraged.
Originality. A standout entry isn't just well-designed – it should also be distinctive and visually appealing. Aim for something fresh and memorable rather than relying on overused themes.

Prizes

First Place: 35,000 Miracle Coins + monster added to the game in the next winter update

Second Place: 30,000 Miracle Coins + monster added to the game in the next winter update

Third Place: 25,000 Miracle Coins + monster added to the game in the next winter update

You have until August 23 to submit your entries. After that, the contest section will be closed to new entries. We'll announce and award the winners by August 28.

Best of luck, and may inspiration guide you!

The Warspear Online Team

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