So, participation has been a bit down (hopefully just because the recent themes have been difficult).  To encourage things, I'm putting up my own 'participation' prize for anyone who completes a Escher/Tesselations map and gets it through review in time for the competition.

This is a lot better than the ribbon you got back in 4th grade for coming in last.  I'll send out several laser-cut wood tiles in the shape of an Escher tessellation to every map maker.  I ordered butterflies and geckos to give out as christmas presents, and I should have a bunch left over.  I think I can give out a dozen (all of one shape or 6 and 6), but if a lot of people complete maps it could be a few less.  Priority on shape choice will be given in the order maps pass review.

Here is an example of what I am talking about:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/111342999/escher-butterfly-tesselating-pieces-4

http://www.etsy.com/listing/110092405/escher-gecko-tesselating-pieces-4-dozen

Whats the deadline?

Here is the schedule:

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0AjtIsJkyopekdEpUeW84NlRjYzhlQkptNjdTSjFnb3c

So for 'Escher/Tessellations' development is supposed to end at the end of the year (Dec 31), but we've been pretty lax with that.  In the past, as long as a map is in beta and playable by the end of development it goes into the running for the contest.

I think it's a good point about the difficulty factor... might be a good idea to have a more accessible theme next time 

Yeah, I tried to bring that up with the last vote.  Hopefully 'Educational'  is a bit easier to design for, since everyone can bring their own particular area of expertise to it.