Statistics are a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil (OK, mostly evil but lets not digress) so we need to respect the math that underlies these other-worldly representations of truth. The process of divining these insights is both as complicated as it perilous. The incantations alone would drive the untrained listener mad and so this process must be approached with a high level of circumspection. It would not be inappropriate for the "math-challenged" of this group to essentially view this endeavor as some form of god-like intervention into your drab day to day existence in a non-quantitative world.
It is an unfortunate fact that many small animals are "injured" during the calculation processes. Is that price high? Is it cruel? Is it required? The hard answer to all of those question is an unqualified YES, so that is the price that must be paid - the iron price as you would have it.
This years iteration of the Challenge - number IX pitted 85 stalwart souls* on an incredible painting adventure - there were highs and lows. Each spectacularly painted submission of miniature art came at the cost of paint spills, Xacto blade mishaps and the forced viewing of my crude painting. The range of outcomes from Challenge IX was as varied as there are grains of sand on a beach but this band was united in the one goal of attempting to make miniature painting look cool.
Well there's always next year...
* technically it was 86 but we do not speak of the "lost one" anymore.....
On the topic of my painting, I would like to put to rest the rumor that I use a finger painting technique for my minis. It's not true - I actually use brushes, just not that well and, due to a legal settlement, I am no longer able to name the manufacturer due to concerns over "irreparable brand damage".
So how did we do?
Actually, pretty damn good. Oops sorry for the cursing Ray, I meant to type "pretty DARN good" - you can calm down now (he's very delicate).
Here's the summary of Challenge IX:
A few accomplishments pop out - we blew past our collective targets and had a 99% participation rate - the highest ever. There were also a record 920 individual submissions - my poor spreadsheet groaned under the heavy load of painting data. 28mm sale figures still drove the majority of points but that dominance did diminish a bit, as we shall see below. Challenge IX also saw the posting of a new individual points painting record (congrats NoelW!).
I think it should also be pointed out (because it makes me look smart and that doesn't happen often) that the point projection from the week 4 stats update was pretty darn accurate. Excuse me while I pat myself on my back. Ow, pulled a muscle, ok we better just move on..
To provide a bit of context, lets compare Challenge IX to last years Challenge - which, surprisingly, is referred as Challenge VIII:
We just beat the points total from last year but as mentioned earlier set a record in the number of submissions. The bonus rounds also saw a healthy uptick in submissions. Perhaps the biggest news is the dominance of 28mm took a slight tumble with the slack being taken up by both 15mm figures and Terrain "cubes". I have no idea who drove the terrain cube increase, but it certainly must be a most impressive and good looking Challenger.
To put the scale switch in a little more context and show the rather insane level of detail from the "Spreadsheet of Doom" lets look at figures painted: That's a very healthy increase in 15mm figures painted and a big drop for both 28mm infantry and 6mm overall.
Finally, let us record the final individual Challenge IX performance for all enterinity.
Now it's time for some graphs. I always feel like I'm pandering to the baser instincts of the audience as I trot out the pole dancers of the statistical representation world - graphs, a tawdry communication tool that simplifies away the beauty of the math. Oh well, please enjoy the sequins and tassels as your peruse this lurid display of colors and bawdy shapes:
When compared to all the other challenges, IX stacks up rather well.
While IX and VIII had some differences, we do behave in very similar ways as a group, thought we did see a slightly larger rush during the last few days during IX. Oh< I feel like Larry Flint with these charts.
HALLS OF VALLEJOHALLA:
Lets us now enter the hallowed halls of Vallejohalla to gaze upon some of the legendary scrolls of both individual and career accomplishments over the course of these nine sacred challenges. We shall gaze first upon the Scroll of Pigment Heroes, which lists the top 20 individual challenge painting totals to date.
Lets us all bow to acknowledge NoelW's stunning individual posting of 6,268 points a new world record!
ALL HAIL NOELW!
Well done, my friend - 6,268 points is a stunning accomplishment.
Challenge IX, did see four new names added to the list of 20 - a very nice accomplishment indeed.
SCROLL OF PIGMENT HEROES
Now, lets us move along and stare in wonder at the "League of Painting Giants" - the top 25 Challenge career painting tallies. We can see this list is topped by a pompous ass - the less said about him the better, but look at Dave D and Martin C's amazing accomplishments. To be a member of the League is one of life's greatest accomplishments and all it's members should be proud to be of the list.
It is considered appropriate behavior to bow when in the presence of a League member as they cast the shadow of their greatness upon you. You're welcome, by the way.
THE LEAGUE OF PAINTING GIANTS
Economic Value Added:
Ok now we get to the part that everyone is waiting for - the blessed "ECONOMIC VALUE ADDED (EVA) for Challenge IX. First a few words on methodology. In order to do so I shall now read from the Gospel of Statistical Tabulations, please everyone bow your heads.
In the beginning there was math and math was good and then math begot economics and evil was let loose upon the world.
The calculation of EVA is a holy task and requires the estimation of a unit cost per painted mini based on three divine segments - cost per mini, cost of paint and other supplies and the value of the acolytes time.
Then this total unit charge is multiple by the number of implied 28mm infantry figures from the total points of the blessed challenge just completed. Said implied figure count is brought forth by dividing the point total by 5, the holy designation on 28mm infantry figure value.
But miniature collectors are weak and it is know that for every figure consumed in the passion of painting, four will more will be added to the lead pile and so the product of the unit cost times the figure count is then multiple by four. This "velocity of replacement" is a universal holy law and shall not be ignored unless the painting apostle wants to increase it, which TOTALLY makes sense.
Now bow before your EVA!
These are the words from the Gods of Vallejo.
AMEN
Whew, that was a long sermon. This years unit charge was raised to account for tariffs, Brexit madness, and general political incompetence across the globe.
WOW - this years challenge set a record in terms of EVA - creating $1.2MM in economic value to the miniatures industry - that one's going to leave a mark.
But that's not the full story - I we look at the challenge in total, its' created $7.2MM of EVA on a restated basis, using the Challenge IX unit costs. That's astonishing and something for us all to be proud of.
But that's not the full story - I we look at the challenge in total, its' created $7.2MM of EVA on a restated basis, using the Challenge IX unit costs. That's astonishing and something for us all to be proud of.
Well done everyone - now go clean up your painting stations and get ready for next year. I've heard rumors that someone is gunning for 30K career points by the end of Challenge X!
You've been warned.
You've been warned.
