Snider-man Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 And the 12 Days of Atari has officially come to an end. The winner of the final prize in the series: A boxed, complete 2600 Elevator Action – purchased at CGE 2001! …is none other than OSMEROID!!!! Congrats to Osmeroid! PM your address to me and I’ll get your prize in the mail. So now I bet everyone wants to know about the Day 12 contest, how you were to enter, what was it all about, where the hell was it, etc. Well, there’s a Christmas story to be told about that. Sit down here next to the Christmas Tree and I’ll tell you all about the “Wish You A Merry Christmas Contest” that was underway during the entire 12 Days of Atari Series! You see, I wanted the final day contest to be something special. 1. I wanted it to be accessible evenly to everybody around the world, regardless of time zones and such. So, I decided to run one contest that would be open 24 hours a day for the entire duration of the series of contests. EVERYBODY would have an equal chance at winning. 2. I wanted something simple. The Day 11 contest was in the works since the beginning, so I knew I wasn’t going to be able to top it. So I decided on holding a simple random drawing. If you entered the Day 12 contest, you had a chance at the prize. 3. Most importantly – I wanted to reward folks who did more than just “show up” for a giveaway. If they showed a little bit of initiative and obviously got into the Christmas Spirit, I wanted to reward that kind of “Christmasy” attitude. With a concept in mind, I pitched the idea for Day 12 to Albert who seemed to think it was a neat idea. So, on Nov. 27, I changed my message signature to this: Wish me a Merry Christmas at gameagain@netzero.net! It'll make my season...and it might make you just as happy! Did anyone notice that last bit? “…it might make you just as happy?” Yup, anyone who sent a simple message along the lines of “Merry Christmas!” or “Have a nice holiday!” to gameagain@netzero.net received this message: Thanks for the Christmas Cheer...and Congratulations! You have found the only way to become eligible for the 12 Days of Atari “Final Day 12” Giveaway!You see, only those folks who actually paid attention to my signature and sent a Christmas greeting to this address are entered into a random drawing to be held Dec. 12 at noon! You are now entered for the drawing! You are welcome to tell whoever you wish, but I’d appreciate it if you kept the secret of how you entered to yourself. After all, the more folks who are entered, the lower your odds of winning. (In other words, would you rather have a 1 in 100 chance of winning - or a 1 in 10 chance?) Besides, I want to see how many people find this on their own. I’ve been dropping hints like mad. Only those AA members who take a bit of initiative of their own are going to be rewarded with a chance at The Big Prize! Thanks, and Good Luck! Snider-Man That’s right. The way to enter has appeared in every single message I have posted on AtariAge for the last 2 weeks. In almost every contest I’ve held, I’ve also dropped hints that there was already a contest underway. (I won’t cut and paste those messages here, for you can go back and read through them if you wish.) But, needless to say, this was – indeed – the Big One, for it ran the entire length of the contest series. It was more than fair. Everyone was eligible. You didn’t need to do anything, look up anything, answer questions, or try to find The Humanoid. All you had to do was say “Merry Christmas” in an e-mail as spelled out in my signature. Even if you never picked up on the Day 12 Contest, you still had 11 other chances to win great prizes. For the record, only 21 people entered the contest (with only three people figuring it out today). After a random drawing from all who entered, Osmeroid walks away with the big prize for taking the time to spread a little Christmas Cheer. I also appreciate everyone else who took a moment to say “Merry Christmas” as well. (And, for what it’s worth, The Young Game Collector was the first to send a Christmas greeting – on Nov. 27, in fact! No prize, but he was the first entry.) What’s funny is that ALL of those folks who entered knew during the entire 12 Days what was going on, but no one posted any “Here’s how to enter” info. I fully expected someone to do that, but everyone who entered apparently was in on the secret. Thanks to everyone who kept the Day 12 drawing mysterious. I think it was more fun because of it. I hope everyone enjoyed The 12 Days of Atari. I want to thank Albert and Alex for giving me the opportunity to monopolize the Contest Forum for a week and also thank them for the AA Berzerk Package Prize from yesterday’s contest. I may do this again next year – or sooner if I can get a few prizes together. (This series completely depleted my own collection!) I also want to thank all of you who played. I hope – even if you didn’t win – that you had fun playing. Merry Christmas everyone! Snider-Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy_Dude Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 What can I say, The man's a genius (and I'm a dofus ) "Merry Christmas To all and to all a good night." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromizone Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 DAMNIT!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vetek Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I'm saddened that I didn't win, but congratulations winner. I had hoped I would win, since I entered some time ago, but I'm sure you deserve it just as much as anyone else Thanks for bringing a little bit of christmas cheer by running this spectacular contest series, sinderman. I look forward to perhaps seeing more in the future Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmeroid Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I can barely believe my luck!! Great prize Tim & enjoyable 12 days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I'm saddened that I didn't win, but congratulations winner. I had hoped I would win, since I entered some time ago, but I'm sure you deserve it just as much as anyone else Thanks for bringing a little bit of christmas cheer by running this spectacular contest series, sinderman. I look forward to perhaps seeing more in the future 0 for 0 on these contests still! Almost like the Chicago Bears.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snider-man Posted December 12, 2002 Author Share Posted December 12, 2002 DAMNIT!!!!!!!!! And this is why you find coal in your stocking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maibock Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Absolutely wonderful! I must say, this has been the most generous, well thought out, contest i have been involved in. Nice job Snider-man!! We appreciate it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy_Dude Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 You know, even AFTER the explanation, I only just noticed Snider-mans sig. I had no chance Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Same here about the sig. I'll wake up soon.. I do have to admit it was clever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcprs1 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Awesome contest Tim. I admit that I never noticed the message until you revealed it today. It was kinda like when your town changes the speed limit on a street you drive on everyday. You do not notice until you get pulled over. - yes this did happen in my town. They change the limit from 35 to 25. Luckily I was not one of the people who got pulled over. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
benjam138 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Congrats Osmeroid! Man, it was funny reading the how do I enter posts this morning, knowing that I was one of the people entered Anyways, another thanks goes out to Snider-Man for all the time and effort he put in to this fun contest. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shaggy Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I must agree benjam, it was funny watching ppl ask to be entered when I myself was already entered Someone always did give it away with their "Merry Christmas" crap! I was like no!!! don't do it! but congrats to the winner and it sucked cuz i wanted the prize! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NE146 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 LOL Too bad I never read ANYONE'S signatures. Oh well Good job Sniderman. Like I said you friggin deserve a medal Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhindle The Red Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I figured it out last night. (No, really, I did.) But after the fun (?) and excitement of yesterday's contest, I really wanted someone else to get a chance. Excellent contests, Snider-man. Hope they didn't take too much out of you. You got me that time, Mac. This American Flight 812 requesting... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joeybastard Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 I figured it out this morning and quickly dashed off some XMas cheer. Oh well, they'll be more contests but I doubt they will be as good as these were. Good job Snider Man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
punkoffgirl Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Yes, I also (rather obvious of me..) figured it out this morning.. About five minutes after reading Tim's post! I don't know how he does it, but his contest ideas get better EVERY time. Tim, I think you need to get in touch with some big network guys, and cash in on a new game show! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chromizone Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 see snider thats why i said dam-nit instead of damn it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Inky Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Yes, I also (rather obvious of me..) figured it out this morning.. About five minutes after reading Tim's post! I don't know how he does it, but his contest ideas get better EVERY time. Tim, I think you need to get in touch with some big network guys, and cash in on a new game show! The show could be called 'What's My Sni(derman)' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
liquid_sky Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! i just thought it was a saying.. anyway, thanks for all the contests, im sure i along with everyone else really enjoyed participating and understand you went through alot of work to set these up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sdstuff64 Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Wow that was maybe the best contest ever!I had seen that in your sig all along,and thought something was fishy. But I was stupid,and never emailed you.But next time I will! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moycon Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 DAMN IT!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
King Atari Posted December 12, 2002 Share Posted December 12, 2002 Very clever Snider! I enjoyed the series, even though I didn't win anything. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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