Updated 15-07-2025 at 10:07 BST: A spokesperson for Fntastic confirmed to TheGamer that there would be no monetary prizes for the winner of the contest.
Summary
Last month, developers Fntastic had the brass toset up a Kickstarter to raise funds for a new game, despite the catastrophe that wasThe Day Before. Less than a month later,it scrapped the Kickstarter, indefinitely postponing that game, instead launching a new one — Items.
Now, in another bold strategy, Fntastic has launched a ‘competition’ for players to design a map for its upcoming title.
Fntastic Launches Items Map-Making Contest
Posted in the game’s official Discord, the team at Fntastic said, “This contest is a chance for you to unleash your creativity by designing a map card that, if it wins, will be added to the game in future updates!”
The winner of the contest, which will be voted on by other Discord members, will receive their map fully designed and playable in the game, their name displayed on the map “somewhere”, and a free Steam copy of Items. It appears, however, that they will receive no monetary compensation for their design.
Responding to a question by TheGamer, a Fntastic spokesperson said, “All the prizes are written in the announcement.” So there will, in fact, be no monetary reward.
A selection of members in the discord criticized the idea, with one saying, “Instead of paying for concept artists, they have volunteers instead, in the form of contests,” and another adding, “I thought they’d hire people to make the game? What is with the contest?”
This contest is a chance for you to unleash your creativity by designing a map card that, if it wins, will be added to the game in future updates!
At the time of writing, five people had submitted their entries for the contest.
It’s not the first time Fntastic has tried something like this, either. With The Day Before, which wasunceremoniously shut down within a week of launch, the studio came under firefor using unpaid volunteers to help make the game. Instead, these volunteers got “cool rewards, participation certificates, and free codes.”
The Day Before
WHERE TO PLAY
The Day Before offers players a uniquely reimagined journey into post-apocalyptic open-world MMO survival set in the present day on the US East Coast following a deadly pandemic.SURVIVE AT ALL COSTSFight other players for survival. Survive against the deadly infected. Collect valuable loot.DISCOVER THE NEW POST-PANDEMIC WORLDExplore the beautiful and richly detailed New Fortune City. Enter tall skyscrapers, business centers, massive malls, grand stadiums, and more. Uncover distant surroundings of New Fortune City on stunningly detailed vehicles.REBUILD SOCIETYJoin the Woodberry survivor colony on its mission to rebuild society. Trade items in Woodberry and save your wealth in a personal storage room. Build your own home in the safe zone.
