Golden Demon

The Golden Demon competition is the most prestigious miniature painting and modelling competition run by Games Workshop, and is held during the Games Day Event in the UK, USA and other countries.

History
The Golden Demon competition has been held since 1987 in the UK, since 1991 in the USA, since 1997 in France and in other countries more recently.

The competition is named for the first prize trophy in each category, the Golden Demon. The Golden Demon trophy itself is a figurine of a horned demon painted gold, posed with its arms crossed over its chest in a manner somewhat reminiscent of the Oscar). Silver and Bronze Demon trophies are given for second and third places, respectively in each category.

The overall winner across all categories at the event receives the "Slayer Sword", an actual full-size broadsword about 5 feet in length from pommel to tip.

The competition measures the skills of painting and modelling, since conversions and alterations of existing miniatures are encouraged.

Example categories
Taken from 2006 UK
 * 1) Warhammer 40,000 Single Miniature
 * 2) Warhammer 40,000 Squad
 * 3) Warhammer 40,000 Vehicle
 * 4) Warhammer 40,000 Monster
 * 5) Warhammer Fantasy Single Miniature
 * 6) Warhammer Fantasy Regiment
 * 7) Warhammer Fantasy Monster
 * 8) The Lord of The Rings Single Miniature
 * 9) "Duel"
 * 10) Diorama
 * 11) "Large Scale Model"
 * 12) Young Bloods (ages 14 and under)
 * 13) Open Competition (Any entry, only category open to Games Workshop staff)

Competition rules
Key points of rules paraphrased from Golden Demon website:


 * "You can only enter once in each category"
 * "all entries...must be painted Citadel miniatures, Forge World or Imperial Armour models or scratch-built models that you have sculpted yourself.
 * Entries from other miniature companies are not accepted.
 * Entry to any of the competitions gives Games Workshop the right to photograph and publish details of models entered as they see fit.

Territorial differences

 * In Australia the Golden Demon competition is slightly different: entrants take their models to a Games Workshop store on a specified day. The best 3 in each category in the store gain a place in the regional finals and the best 3 in each category there gain a place in the national finals in Sydney.

Starting in 2007, Australian Golden Demon has included an "Intermediate" category. This category is open to painters aged 15-17, and has both the Warhammer Fantasy and 40000 miniatures combined.