Bambu Labs/MakerWorld contest reform is desperately needed!

MakerWorld MakerWorld General
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When you look at the upcoming contest section in MakerWorld, you see a ONE-LINE DESCRIPTION of the contest that is not clickable for more detail. From that one-line description, you are expected to conceptualize, design, make test prints, redesign based on those test prints, and repeat the process as necessary to be ready for the contest launch.

I DO NOT THINK THIS IS ADIQAUTE; it leaves much room for interpretation and is not considerate of the designer’s (my) time.

My case:
When I saw a contest for “Geography Studies” launching on 02-17-2025, I noticed I had just shy of a month to come up with something fun and engaging to submit related to “Geography Studies.” I wanted to make a quality contribution to the contest and ultimately settled on Travel Bingo to aid in learning local geography in a fun way.

I am very new to the 3D print/design world. I got my first 3D printer at the end of November 2024 and started teaching myself how to create 3D models. I worked all month (over 100 hours) designing, printing, redesigning, and reprinting until I had something I was proud to submit. The contest opens, and I proudly submit my entry, only to have it disqualified two days later because the contest description was unknowingly changed and expanded upon the day the contest launched to:

“Geology/Geography Studies
In this contest, we will continue to explore the integration of combining 3D printing with education. In Geology/Geography classrooms, it is common to use graphics or videos to present key concepts to students. We hope to 3D print these visual models so that students can better understand and learn.”

By being so vague with the contest description until it is live, Bambu Lab/MakerWorld has, in essence, punished me (and likely others) for trying to participate in the contest and enrich their 3D model database. This is a very disjointed and unprofessional way to run a contest. I am not sure if I want to engage in these contests anymore. It was very fun to do all the design work and test prints, but I had a reason to do them, the prizes and the exposure.

Have you also experienced this? Let me know if you have also experienced this, and I am curious if you were able to reach out to anyone at Bambu.

If you’d like to check out my disqualified entry, check it out here: https://makerworld.com/en/models/1119670#profileId-1117792

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I think the theme was lost in translation and they later added “maps and landforms” to the description, which would suit your entry perfectly I think

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Have you appealed? Maybe it was in error. Explain how the “Classroom” extends beyond the walls of a school, especially with homeschoolers. I am finishing up a geography game myself for the contest that on first glance may not look “educational” until you see that it is a game where you explore the biomes, climate regions and geographical land features.

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I would like to appeal. MakerWorld sent me a system notification that had no way to reply. Who would you appeal to?

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Probably just open up a support ticket with the pertinent information.

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Well, yes and no. They didn’t provide all the info up front but nobody forced you to start designing. All they did was post the topic. You and anyone else affected did whatever work you did knowing you didn’t have all the info. It’s on you.

Bambu has some issues but this isn’t one of them. People need to understand that teaser posts are just that - teasers - and are there to give a heads up that a particular theme is coming so designers can clear tables/schedules as appropriate. The more effort and expense you put in, the farther out on that branch you go. Since they don’t include details of the contest, you should know the details could be anything. If you guess right or wrong isn’t Bambu’s fault.

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You’re mostly right… however in this instance someone clearly had Geology in mind when creating the contest and it was only after the full details released that the title reflected that. But in general I agree with you, if you start early based on a vague title its on you.

I like the competitions and if it stays as is thats fine, I’d prefer a bit more detail ahead of opening though. Submitting early does seem to benefit entries with more views/downloads. I see that for 2 of the upcoming contests they seem to be showing the full info ahead of time. I hope that trend continues!

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It’s unfortunate that the title got changed but it’s still on anyone planning to enter a contest to understand jumping the gun is a risk. They are making a guess and gambling they will be right. If they are, happy days! They get in early and reap benefits.

If they guess wrong, though, and their model doesn’t fit or gets rejected, they should take their lumps and chalk it up to experience - not try to blame Bambu for an entrant’s choice to invest in a contest entry that wasn’t appropriate once the actual contest rules were announced.

OP made a bet to be able to enter the contest early and make more bennies. Turns out their bet didn’t pay off. They are extremely lucky if that’s the worst that ever happens to them.

I’d like to see contest rules posted a week or two early but who cares as long as it’s a level playing field? They could just announce the rules/concept/subject when the contest actually starts, too.

On compressed time scales people will complain they can’t make a quality model. On long contests others would probably get upset the window is too long. There is no pleasing everyone.

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