This year we wanted to give every attendee at Fan Festival an equal shot in determining the winners of our Art Contest. In each Gobbie Bag delivered to Fan Festival attendees we supplied two voting slips for the Art Contest. We showcased the finalists of this year's art contest in the foyer near the registration desk, allowing everyone some time to think over their choices and make their final decision as to which one deserved the top prize. People commented both days about how great all the finalists were, but some clear favorites stood out among the rest.

The winners of our drawing contests focused on three stirring subjects: tragedy, honor and friendship. The final winners for our drawing contest were as follows:

• 3rd Place: "The Longest Winter's Day" by Dreuce of Fenrir
• 2nd Place: "Yuudye" by Asrielle of Kujata
• 1st Place: "Best of Times" by Autymn of Asura

The winners of our crafting contest displayed exceptional skill and attention to detail in their works. The final winners for our crafting contest were as follows:

• 3rd Place: "Nesting Dolls" by Moonfall of Gilgamesh
• 2nd Place: "Baby Chocobo" by Mewten of Midgardsormr
• 1st Place: "Notorious Monster: Banta the Blue Beast" by Roelon of Siren

The movie contest entries focused mainly on the recent Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion. Contestants referenced the engaging storyline and the mysterious aspect of a new continent when creating their movies. Other entries took a more nostalgic approach and helped us remember our own adventures in Vana'diel. Still others went in unique and unexpected directions. The winners were chosen by thunderous audience applause as we showed the six finalists on the main stage screens.

Ultimately, the audience favorites were the movies that made them smile, made them laugh, and made them scream! The final winners for our movie contest were as follows:

• 3rd Place: "Crimson Blades" by Eiyoko of Caitsith
• 2nd Place: "The Lost Scenes" by Cruia of Leviathan
• 1st Place: "Invasion of the Tarutaru Zombies" by Tsunanko of Hades

Our fans have shown us time and time again how skilled they are with a sewing machine and this year is no exception. We received many more entries than the year previous including a lot of interesting pieces from both the Treasures of Aht Urhgan expansion as well as costumes from the Wings of the Goddess expansion just in time for Fan Festival! Many of the entries were original and inventive concepts never before seen in any costume contest since. This time around, we included a judges panel to decide which of the twenty finalists would be declared the winner. Our panel consisted of North American Producer Yasu Kurosawa, Global Online Producer Sage Sundi, and the Producer of FINAL FANTASY XI Hiromichi Tanaka!

After a thorough look-through our judges decided the winners from a cast of twenty amazing options. The final winners for our costume contest were as follows:

• 3rd Place: "Garuda" by Sheri of Kujata
• 2nd Place: "Event Galka" by Gyudva of Fairy
• 1st Place: "Cid" by Erukk of Carbuncle

Our Atomos Challenge was a brand new event challenge where 18 lucky groups of 6-8 players created a brand new character on the Atomos server and took turns increasing their stats in level, gil earned, and a hidden category to be the best at each! The groups worked on both days devising strategies and adopting one, both or discovering that hidden category throughout their time in the competition. At the end of the second day the scores were tallied up and the winners chosen.

The groups with the highest stats in our three categories came to the stage to receive their prizes, it was then we revealed the hidden third category: most player defeats! The final winners for our atomos challenge were as follows:

• Highest Level: Team "Silver Snakes"; Leader Dysphoria of Ragnarok; Motto "We go wherever we want!"
• Most Gil Earned: Team "Harpers"; Leader Wyvern of Asura; Motto "Woot"
• Most Player Defeats: Team "Harpers"; Leader Wyvern of Asura; Motto "Woot"

Thirty level 1 Tarutarus racing for glory, the grand prize, and their very lives took up the challenge at our Tarutaru Marathon this year! After a series of grueling defeats and brilliant near-misses, no players were able to successfully reach the Goal Galka under the twenty-minute time limit. Fortunately seeing those tiny adventures fall is half the fun! The three Tarutarus to place closest to the Goal Galka at the end of the time limit were rewarded victoriously! The winners of the Tarutaru Marathon were as follows:

• 3rd Place: Leav
• 2nd Place: Rehin
• 1st Place: Chahu