What's the drama with Golden Demon 2024 Essen?

There has been much buzz around the judging of Golden Demon entries this year. If you've heard about it in passing, we cover what's going on quickly.

For more details check out Zumikito Minature's video:

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[ericred]

To be fair, it has gotten pretty huge. It nearly died a few years ago due to lack of interest; now, there are literally thousands of entries across the globe. As for the standard, it has gone from spectacular to insane. What just a few years ago would have been a Golden Demon is barely commended today. Also, the styles have changed, from box art and a well-executed process to much more artistic and creative works of art. But a few people missed out, and it's hard, but it's like the Eurovision Song Contest. It's down to what the judges prefer that year; this year, they seemed more focused on the execution. It was a bit subjective, but hell bells, there was some brilliant stuff on display at all levels, especially at the Young Bloods...

[rumbleroocomics]

This competition is such a big event for many hobbyist maybe even the biggest dedicating hundreds of hours and even years for entries. To have only 3 judges and 2 of them being marketers not painting professionals, is essentially like sending swimming pool manufacturers to judge a synchronised swimming comp. They know what a pool is, they know people swim in said pool, but they might not know the time and dedication that goes into perfecting a swim routine.

[emilytalkstabletop]

This is the best overview of GD I’ve seen. 30 seconds in

[totalCoolerUsername]

As a native german, your pronounciation is spot on Cal 👌

[DarkLolification]

Great overview ! You nailed it, more judges to handle the amount of entries. I think they just didn't look at all the entries. And also more feedback to know what's good and bad. But I don't think they will improve because they don't care, Golden Demon is an institution, they don't need to do anything to have people swarming them with entries, and with quality also. As you said even though a lot were forgotten, the winners pieces were in fact incredible, so why would they do a thing ? They just put the result of 3 randoms in their website, and done !

[ztexceg]

Wow, the marketting team strikes again

[whatisnonsense]

im glad you guys mentioned zumikito; his work should've received more recognition. however, yes - big congratulations to the winners as well. their pieces were absolutely amazing to say the least. sad to hear how business ruins the artistic pursuit

[CaptainFancyCat]

I cannot express how much GW staff have changed over the last 5 years. The exact same thing that happened with Star Wars is happening internally at GW. New staff are not fans of Warhammer Fantasy or 40k, they hate the success of what came before. AoS is the only thin the current staff want to support, its their baby and 40k is just a fiduciary obligation at this point.

[abgea]

Great video short sweet to the point. Love that both Sunny and Cal respect our time.

[Badbufon]

I don't like that golden demon has become a diorama contest, not only it distracts from the miniature, it opens the door for a lot of 3d printing and other shenanigans.

I like the simple intercessor, that's what a golden demon entry should be like

Also, I take all the drama with a grain of salt, a lot of people complaining are doing it for their personal benefit and also are huge jerkoffs.

[jaybeepainting]

The fallacy is in the 'layers below' mindset. Golden Demon is structured in such a way that there can only be three trophy winners, unlike many other painting comps in which if an entry qualifies as 'gold', then as many entries that are that level can win.
So in theory, if you have 5 entries that would all win gold at another event, only 3 can be chosen. That doesn't mean the other entries are less good, objectively - but a decision has to be made.
I do understand the disappointment or confusion when some entries didn't get commended, and potentially deserved it, as I don't believe there is a limit on entries that are commended - but inherently, a commended entry is an entry that COULD BE a trophy winner, but it just wasn't 1 of the 3 chosen.

[Botjer]

But are there limited amount of awards on each step? with over a 1000 submissions maybe this is the result?

[Stormeris]

Honestly, i feel really bad for a lot of the artists there
A lot of those entries are just so crazy good and them being completely snubbed is just feels bad

[zobenik]

"We do not villinaize the winners" but complaint that your favorite youtuber Zumikito did not recieve an award/ pin. This is just hypocritical as you are saying with this video that there are other contestants, who did recieve cards, pins or awards should not have gotten them.

It is a corporate event. Always has been. Rules always have been unclear. Everybody knew this beforehand. So trying to get this moral high ground is an ugly sight to see.

[shauntaylor]

Golden Demon is purely a marketing tool for GW .

[dreadtrain]

Professional painter problems, Seriously though, only 3 judges for 1000 entries in that short amount of time is going not going to end well. I think that might be the actual issue and not some conspiracy as I've seen floating around. Zumi absolutely got robbed though, imho.

[thepiratepenguin]

This is why I like IPMS over DG, as it is judged by painters and veteran models and not a GW marketing campaign. I like the Art and the skill shown by the painters. But I feel that none of the DG winners comes close to the level of skill demonstrated by the winners of the IPMS USA Nationals 2024.

[yopoxikeweapescai]

Damn, i saw that ultramarine as a winner and thought it was a meme (dont use social media aside of yt lol)

[thelonelybolter]

Painters take Golden Demon way more serious than GW. Vince said this a year ago. Folks should stop entering.

[waltereadie]

"What they are saying is that this entry is 13-14 TIMES worse than the Golden Demon winner"

Look, I understand the drama, but this is exaggerating it to such an unhealthy level. NOBODY was saying that entry was 13-14 TIMES worse. That's such a goofy way of looking at awards rankings and it's frankly not good for one's mental health to even consider it that way.

You're also telling anybody watching this who may have had an entry reach that tier that by your mindset, their entry was 13-14 TIMES worse than the winner in their category and that's such an unconstructive and unmotivating way to make somebody feel.