2025 Ultima Online Forever Halloween Decoration Contest
It’s time for the Halloween Decoration Contest! We want to see your creepiest, spookiest, most creative haunted homes. Show off your sinister style and see if your house has what it takes to impress the judges!
Islands with lock-down abilities outside of the house will have their own category this year!
The same rules apply as the main house contest, with a few key notes: Any staff-placed items (such as entry gates, ankhs, or stable masters) will not be considered in the judging. Only player placed decorations will count toward your score.
All island design entries should be posted in this thread, but instead of coordinates, please list the name of the island owner with your screenshots.
The house and island categories will be judged separately, with their own sets of winners. This means players are allowed to submit one house entry and one island entry.
Rules
1. Deadline: All submissions must be posted by October 31st, 11:59PM PSTIt’s time for the Halloween Decoration Contest! We want to see your creepiest, spookiest, most creative haunted homes. Show off your sinister style and see if your house has what it takes to impress the judges!
Islands with lock-down abilities outside of the house will have their own category this year!
The same rules apply as the main house contest, with a few key notes: Any staff-placed items (such as entry gates, ankhs, or stable masters) will not be considered in the judging. Only player placed decorations will count toward your score.
All island design entries should be posted in this thread, but instead of coordinates, please list the name of the island owner with your screenshots.
The house and island categories will be judged separately, with their own sets of winners. This means players are allowed to submit one house entry and one island entry.
Rules
(that’s November 1st: 2:59AM EST / 1:59AM CST / 12:59AM MST). Anything posted after the deadline will be disqualified.
2. How to Enter: Post your screenshots in this thread only. This thread is for Forever contest submissions only. If your house is on Overdrive, then please post your submission in the designated thread for the Overdrive Halloween Decoration Competition. If you would like to discuss other players houses, you are free to do so outside this thread. Please be respectful.
3. One House per Player (per server): You may submit one house on Ultima Online Forever and one house on Ultima Online Overdrive. That means if you play both servers, you can enter both contests with separate designs. No side-by-side houses or sneaky extras! We will only judge within the four corners of your plot.
4. Original Work Only: Do not recycle old contest entries, copy designs from the web, or enter staff-created builds. Houses must be completely player-built and decorated. Players are free to work as a team, the rewards will be locked down in the winning houses.
5. Halloween Required: Your house can have any Halloweenesque theme (pirates, haunted carnival, twisted pumpkin patch, etc.), but it must include some form of Halloween decoration.
6. Coordinates Required: Include your house’s (X,Y) coordinates in your post so judges can visit in person. If we cannot access your house, we cannot judge it. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do NOT use a sextant to get your coordinates. Use the provided map, with the coordinates in the upper left corner. Coord example (1111,1111). If your house is inside of an instance please provide the owners name.
7.We Judge Everything: Every floor and every corner will be judged. Make the most of your space! This includes your cellar!
Tips for Success
Have a Theme or Story: Whether it’s a haunted pirate cove, a twisted pumpkin patch, or a horror scene from pop culture, a clear theme or story makes your entry memorable. This also gives judges insight to your design choices. It can change a judges thoughts from "why would they put that here?!" to "Oh, that's why, then that's pretty cool."
Balance is Key: More is not always better. If your house looks like a box of Halloween deco exploded inside, your score will suffer. Likewise, empty or ignored areas will drag you down. You should strive to have a thoughtfully decorated area, that looks neither too busy of empty.
Attention to Detail: Sometimes the smallest touches are the coolest. Clever use of ordinary items in unexpected ways can really impress the judges.
A Note on Screenshots: We are not judging based on screenshots. The real judging will only take place in person when staff visit your house for inspection. Screenshots are mainly for other players to enjoy and to help staff confirm we are at the correct location. If you’re holding back because you want your screenshots to look pristine, don’t risk missing the deadline. It’s always better to post what you have than to be late.
Don't be so hasty to clean up after Halloween: Please also keep your houses fully decorated until winners are announced, as judges will be visiting them after the submission deadline.
Rewards
First place: 10k dono, a golden Cthulhu idol, and the Necrobanisher's Tome (2648 moss born, silver slayer spellbook)
Second Place: Silver Cthulhu Idol and 5k Dono
Third Place: Bronze Cthulhu idol and 2.5k Dono
All eligible participants will receive a Cthulhu's 2025 Halloween Participation Jack-O-Lantern. (Animated container.)
First place: 10k dono, a golden Cthulhu idol, and the Necrobanisher's Tome (2648 moss born, silver slayer spellbook)
Second Place: Silver Cthulhu Idol and 5k Dono
Third Place: Bronze Cthulhu idol and 2.5k Dono
All eligible participants will receive a Cthulhu's 2025 Halloween Participation Jack-O-Lantern. (Animated container.)