tl;dr: Add an optional “competing to win” mode where designs can’t be downloaded until the contest ends. This would filter out copycats, raise overall design quality, and make contests feel like true competitions again; whilst still leaving space for casual uploads.
Right now, contests are attracting tons of submissions… which is great! But many people are entering not to win the contest, but simply to get more visibility. That strategy makes sense: models disappear from the “newest uploads” feed in minutes, whilst contest entries stay visible on their contest pages for much longer.
The downside is that this fills contests with quick, lightweight designs that are only loosely tied to the theme. It makes it harder for serious competitors (who spend time and filament creating thoughtful entries) to stand out, and harder for judges or users to navigate.
A possible fix
Introduce a checkbox at contest submission: “competing to win” (name could be refined), but very much similar to confirming “Exclusive Program.”
If you check it, you agree:
- Your model can’t be downloaded until the contest ends.
- Users can still like and bookmark your model.
- When the contest ends, MakerWorld could send a notification to everyone who bookmarked it, letting them download immediately.
The contest page would then have a filter:
- All entries (as today)
- Confirmed competitors (those who opted into this mode)
Confirmed competitors could also flag obvious copycats. The flagged designs would remain visible on MakerWorld but be removed from the contest page… reducing noise without deleting people’s work.
Why this helps everyone
- Improved contest quality. People opting in would design with intent, knowing downloads won’t pad their results.
- Easier navigation. Judges and users could filter for entries that are truly “in it to win it.”
- Still inclusive. Casual designers can keep entering contests the same way they do now, with immediate downloads and exposure. Nothing is taken away.
It’s a bit like fast track passes at theme parks: you pay (in this case, by forgoing downloads) to skip the long line of near-identical entries. That trade-off creates a “safe haven” where quality can shine, while the rest of the contest still stays open and fun for everyone.
Why this isn’t us vs. them
This idea isn’t about punishing new designers or favoring experienced ones. In fact, it could help both. New designers who want serious feedback could opt in and avoid being drowned out by hundreds of quick prints. Experienced designers could do the same.
In other words, there’s room for both approaches. Those who want maximum exposure can still have it. Those who want to be judged on design rather than popularity can find a fairer lane. Without something like this, we risk contests turning into a shouting match where nobody wins. With it, we create peaceful co-existence and let every kind of designer thrive in the way they choose.
A real-world example
For example, I recently entered a design that’s a bit “chubby” compared to most entries — it uses more filament and isn’t a fast print. (Not saying that more filament is better.) That means it’s never going to win on downloads alone, since most people understandably grab the light, 5-gram models first. But I designed it with intent: not just to look nice, but to hide a smart home switch inside a Ferrari-inspired key cover.
It’s niche, and it asks more of a printer, but it delivers something unique. In a system like the one I’m suggesting, I’d happily forgo downloads during the contest if it meant the model could be judged on its design merits rather than competing in what feels like a popularity contest. I think many designers who aim for quality over quantity would make the same trade-off.
