The News: Monday, June 20th, 2011

Congratulations to SmutPeddler on you Haiku contest. Spend it wisely. How about the Shadows of the Damned game or is that too much to ask?

Too much to ask I meant by a full game giveaway.

Well, I think that your choice of either 20 bucks to PSN or XBL would get a pretty large response, but I don't know if you guys have the budget to do that EVERY week. But heck, even 5 bucks on your choice of PSN or XBL would make it very hard for me to NOT enter every single week. I mean, that's a few Rock Band songs right there! The most important part being that you'd be able to pick between XBL and PSN, since many of us will only have 1 of the systems, or at least have a strong preference. Plus, it has the wonderful bonus of not needing to be Mailed physically. You guys could just scratch off a code, and email/PM it to us. Nothing like instant gratification to get people interested.

Random goodies from Publishers are always fun too, but it's doubtful that any single goody could attract EVERYONE to enter like a simple PSN/XBL card could. Plus, everyone seems to wait for a prize they really want before entering... no one wants to win something they were only kind of interested in, only to find out that next week was something they REALLY wanted, and probably have a slightly less chance of winning, because the judges will want to spread the wealth a bit. (Which is completely reasonable)

My answer to the above question is probably Avatar: it looks great (especially in 3D), has high production values, and there are plenty of big explosions, but no matter how amazing it may look the performances are pretty weak and disappointing. That doesn't stop it from being a milestone technical achievement though.

As for as weekly prizes go; I'm a sucker for posters and action figures. Any sort of collectibles really, but cool posters and action figures are usually something I keep an eye out for when perusing the mall. I have a soft spot for anything Resident Evil.

My answer to the above question is probably Avatar: it looks great (especially in 3D), has high production values, and there are plenty of big explosions, but no matter how amazing it may look the performances are pretty weak and disappointing. That doesn't stop it from being a milestone technical achievement though.

As for as weekly prizes go; I'm a sucker for posters and action figures. Any sort of collectibles really, but cool posters and action figures are usually something I keep an eye out for when perusing the mall. I have a soft spot for anything Resident Evil.

@AimTooHigh here:

How about....a job?

A developer ps3 or xbox 360 kit...those are easy to come by right?

I like the games/online money as prizes, if you make it too valuable people will take it too seriously. If you wanted to give away bigger prizes you could make a raffle once a month that gave away a collector's edition of something or $100 PSN cards or two games from a list or whatever your budget allows.

The system is great. You're simply bound to come by some prizes that few people want. Maybe you could throw something extra in, in those cases. Also, you gotta sell it, baby. Get people's attention. Flaunt it. Make 'em want it, know what I'm sayin'?

One thing I liked from way back when was when you guys gave out a box of old games you once reviewed to people. I know you guys have prizes like "Stuff from the office we feel like throwing in" which sometimes includes a game, but if you still have two or three year old games from review copies laying around and you're in between prizes for the week maybe you could offer up a random, or a game from a list. If it was a list you could choose from that would also avoid the whole 'wait till the prize is what I REALLY want' syndrome that Rinnon speaks of.
I come hear to hear about games, not just new games, but good games. If I had more opportunities to win them I would enter more often.

I'll always submit for a free game. Hard to beat that kind of value.

Kinda figured that guy would win

A hug from Nick_Tan.

I'm still waiting for my Bust a Move piggy bank I won. Seriously. I would like to have it now.

I go for anything PS3, since that's pretty much all I have. The other swag stuff is nice, and I enter into those if it's something I think I can use. I imagine that if you guys want the Haiku Fridays to be popular all the time, small amounts of PSN/Xbox credits will do fine for week after week. But that's just me, maybe turning it into a monthly contest could be an easier solution.

Free games or Amazon gift cards.