From MilesR - Mathemagical Statistical-Like Analysis

For some reason that none of us will likely ever understand, Mr. Campbell has requested that I perform some periodic statistical analysis of the Challenge. Perhaps he wants to educate the rest of you on the beauty and glory of the statical method.  Maybe he wants to delve into the deeper meanings of the form of art we've all chosen to pursue. Maybe he's just bored and wants the rest of us to be the same way.  Who knows?  All I know is that I'm here to inflict, oops ummm, rather "inform" you masses of the current status of the Challenge,

As you all know this is the largest challenge to date with 88 registered participants who have initially set a target of 68,950 points.  That's just a bit higher the the 64,905 points the group achieved over last year's 72 participants.  We should note that this years challenge only has 12 weeks of competition time vs last years 15 so we should expect a tiny drop off in points totals.

So now that we are two weeks into this event where do we stand?

Of the 88 participants, 41 have made 98 submissions with a cumulative points total of 6,392 points.  That works out to an average of 65 points per submission.  The results of the Nostalgia bonus round are excluded for these totals.

A simple extrapolation of the first two weeks over the the remaining ten (adjusted also for the forthcoming bonus rounds) indicates that this intrepid group of 41 individuals should clock in around 45,000 - 50,000  points.  We should see roughly half that productivity form the 47 participants who have yet to submit a entry but who are surely stockpiling painted figures in ambush.

My best guess for a total point total for this year Challenge is 75,000.  Since I control the spreadsheet that calculates all the point totals this year, I have an extremely high level of confidence....  Oh hell, well just have to wait and see if the 75K projection is correct.

One other key item that will be tracked is who is vying for this year's "Greatest Improvement in Miniature Productivity" award.  Yes the GIMP award to bestowed upon the painter who has improved his of her game the most over the previous years challenge.  This award is world renowned and held in the same esteem as a Nobel prize or an NFL MVP trophy.  For those of you who are Brits or in the Commonwealth, winning the award is almost a guarantee of a future knighthood.  At least I think it is - since we kicked you out of the colonies keeping up with the formalities of this royalty stuff isn't high on my priority list.

To recognize the importance of the awards, I think we should all take a movement to recognize the current holder, Mr Millsy (soon to be Sir Millsy, I'm sure) with the traditional chant.  Now repeat after me:

Millsy's a GIMP!, Millsy's a GIMP!, Millsy's a GIMP!

I'll be checking back in with another update in a few weeks.

From Curt: Millsy, buddy, I'm so, so sorry...