D&D 5E D&D Beyond Cancels Competition

D&D Beyond has been running an art contest which asked creators to enter D&D-themed portrait frame. DDB got to use any or all of the entries, while the winner and some runners up received some digital content as a prize.

There was a backlash -- and DDB has cancelled the contest.

Thank you to all of our community for sharing your comments and concerns regarding our anniversary Frame Design Contest.

While we wanted to celebrate fan art as a part of our upcoming anniversary, it's clear that our community disagrees with the way we approached it. We've heard your feedback, and will be pulling the contest.

We will also strive to do better as we continue to look for ways to showcase the passion and creativity of our fellow D&D players and fans in the future. Our team will be taking this as a learning moment, and as encouragement to further educate ourselves in this pursuit.

Your feedback is absolutely instrumental to us, and we are always happy to listen and grow in response to our community's needs and concerns. Thank you all again for giving us the opportunity to review this event, and take the appropriate action.

The company went on to say:

Members of our community raised concerns about the contest’s impact on artists and designers, and the implications of running a contest to create art where only some entrants would receive a prize, and that the prize was exclusively digital material on D&D Beyond. Issues were similarly raised with regards to the contest terms and conditions. Though the entrants would all retain ownership of their design to use in any way they saw fit, including selling, printing, or reproducing, it also granted D&D Beyond rights to use submitted designs in the future. We have listened to these concerns, and in response closed the competition. We’ll be looking at ways we can better uplift our community, while also doing fun community events, in the future.

Competitions where the company in question acquires rights to all entries are generally frowned upon (unless you're WotC).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

That is true. But unfortunately the D&D Beyond quote was (as @Maxperson quoted above): "Though the entrants would all retain ownership of their design to use in any way they saw fit, including selling, printing, or reproducing, it also granted D&D Beyond rights to use submitted designs in the future."

Had they not suggested they would possibly use the designs in the future (with no indication that they would compensate the artist if they did), then perhaps the blowback would not have been as bad. They could have said that D&D Beyond retains the right to the art but it would not be used without due compensation if it was. I dunno if that would have changed things, but at least it would have looked a bit more amenable to people I suspect.

That is to protect themselves from someone claiming a future ring around a character portrait looked like the ring around a character portrait and suing. Given that we're not talking about an artistic expression with a lot of possible range, it's inevitable that future rings created by DDB or artists they commission will have things in common with contest entrants.

 

[Mirtek]

And it wasn't the people who gave the negative feedback that "ruined" it... it was the company itself for choosing to pull the contest.

D&D Beyond could have easily ignored the feedback if they felt they were in the right. But the feedback made them discover that perhaps they weren't. Thus if you want to get mad at anyone, get mad at them for making a contest and then cancelling it.

Or more likely it was the fear of being target of the newest s##tstorm and they just retreated because they deemed it not worth to stand their ground for those who may have liked their contest.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Then don’t run the contest. Or change insurer. Exploiting people is never the correct decision.

No one running a contest wants to use the works not good enough to win. That language is for legal protection and that's it. It's disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

All this energy should be put into finding alternate ways to help creators looking for ways to advance their career do so in a more productive fashion. Getting rid of contests doesn't actually improve anyone's conditions.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

And then they'll have to actually hire and pay some artists or designers.

That's a win in my book.

The point of this contest was to publicize a feature of DDB that the company incorrectly seems to think was going to be a big draw to bring in new customers. This wasn't a sinister plan to get people to draw a bunch of rings for free for them.

 

[Helldritch]

It is the same, other than a matter of scale.

You are suggesting that any negative feedback is complaining (and thus has a negative connotation and opinion connected to it.) Thus the person giving the feedback is in the wrong and maintaining the status quo is the positive. My joke just extends your suggestion to its ultimate level.

And mayhaps you are suggesting I don't deserve a response because you actually can't think of one that upholds your position?

No. Negative feedback is a complaint. Feedback is not. It will be both positive and negative and will offer some solutions for the weak points and commendations for the good points. When all you do in your feedback is to complain, then it is a complaint. Max's position on that one is perfectly valid. The complainers have effectively shut down any chances of someone to win the contest and for others to show their art and their chance to be recognized. Now, DDB will turn on a professional artist and pay an already established professional.

These contests are usually entered by the non professional to get a chance for their art to be known. They might not win, but if good enough, they might get commissions. It happened to a friend of mine. He got second place and now earn his living as a painter of magnificent landscape and portraits.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think an agreement that they have no liability if they ever publish something similar to what was submitted, and agree to hold them harmless from any lawsuits over same, would probably accomplish the same goal. Then sure, if they use the exact artwork you submitted they should agree in advance to pay you some going market rate for that publication.

That's probably language that would pass muster with a lot of insurers, too, although I'm sure there will be people who will still feel that's a contest-organizer intending to defraud people.

 

[Morrus]

No one running a contest wants to use the works not good enough to win. That language is for legal protection and that's it.

It'd disingenuous to suggest otherwise.

I ran a competition for a one-shot RPG a few years back. Only one person won the $1000 but would have happily used most of them.

 

[Mirtek]

Making a living as an artist is hard.

Then don't. Find some boring job where you sit in a cubicle and type numbers into one ERP system or another.

Just don't ruin contests aimed at such cubicle-excel-jockeys who feel like maybe doing a drawing one in a lifetime to have a chance to win some price related to their hobby

 

[BookTenTiger]

Or more likely it was the fear of being target of the newest s##tstorm and they just retreated because they deemed it not worth to stand their ground for those who may have liked their contest.

Look I don't expect to change your opinion over the internet, but it's nearly impossible to hold a conversation when one side is using invented interpretations of events.

I'd be happy to talk further about this, but I'd prefer to use what we actually know, like the statement DDB made, or articles written about art contests. If there's actual information you have, please post it.

 

[Maxperson]

So you admit that all the talking you've done in the Canon thread is just you complaining?

Absolutely. Same as those who complain about alignment, hit points or any other issue.