Qb is a game developed in 2001 for the Atari 2600 by Andrew Davie, who initially wrote a version of Qb for the Atari 800 back in 1984. The game is pretty simple in concept, but tricky in practice. Move the blocks on the large board so they match the pattern on the small board. Problem is, you can only jump to an adjacent block. The long-term aim is to achieve the highest score possible. AtariAge is sponsoring a contest to provide a label for Qb. The winning label will be used for a production run of 100 Qb Special Edition packages. The winner of the contest will receive one of these Special Edition packages.

The Qb Special Edition will feature:

• A box made from wood, with a magnetic latch and lift-up lid (like a cigar box). Each box will be painted to match the Qb screen colors and include rare Tasmanian wood squares on top, in the pattern of a tableaux of the game.
• A comprehensive manual detailing the history of the game.
• A CD with all the source code (about 30 snapshots of the game in development).
• A Qb cartridge individually burned with a serial number of 1 - 100 encoded in the ROM itself, emblazoned with the winning label design.
• Actual ROM is different from the release version (display tidied up a bit and it's much more colorful). This ROM will only be available in the Special Edition.
• There are guaranteed to be only 100 copies, and the issue is already fully-subscribed.
• Each box will be signed by Andrew Davie.

Pictures of the Qb Special Edition packaging

For more information about Qb, including the binary that you can download and play on your computer, instructions on how to play, source code, and development history, please visit the Qb Development Page.

The contest will run until Midnight (CST), Sunday, January 13th, 2002. All submissions must be received by this time! Andrew Davie will choose the winning entry after the contest deadline has passed.

How To Enter

Both a main label and an end label must be included with your submission. For your label to be considered, the following guidelines must be adhered to:

• Artwork - This is the most important aspect of the label. There are no restrictions or recommendations for the artwork so you are free to create anything your imagination (and artistic skills) can conjure up.
• Qb - The game's title must appear on the label
• XYPE - Qb is being released as a XYPE title (the first of which was Gunfight). Please use a similar style logo as it appears on the Gunfight label. You can grab a copy of the XYPE logo by itself here.
• Hozer stuff. Since the Qb cartridges are being made by Hozer Video Games, the label additionally requires a Hozer logo on it, as well as the text, "Cartridge made by Hozer Video Games".
• Clearly Legible Text - All text on the label must be clearly legible at the size the label will be printed. Please keep this important consideration in mind while you are designing your label.
• Use of Copyrighted Images - If you use any copyrighted images, you must seek permission from the copyright holder before using that image as part of your label. Likewise, any labels that use artwork from a previously submitted label will be rejected.

Other details, such as copyright/name notices may be added later, if needed. Labels should be saved in a non-lossy image format such as PNG, TIFF, PCX, or BMP. If you need to save your image using JPEG for some reason, please use a minimal amount of compression. In order for the label to look good when printed, it should be saved at at 200dpi or better. If you are concerned about large file sizes you can drop us a line before mailing the file, but generally anything under 10MB will not be a problem.

Please take care to make sure your label is proportioned correctly. You may download these graphics to assist in this effort:

• Main Label Template
• End Label Template

Please do not send your labels already attached to these graphics, they are provided only to help you properly frame your labels. We will shrink your labels and stick them on these graphics for inclusion on this page where others may view them. The original, high-resolution submissions will be sent to Andrew Davie when the contest is complete.

Label submissions and questions about the contest must be sent to [email protected]. We will post submissions publicly on this page as we receive them. The contest may also be discussed in our 2600 message board. For some examples of labels submitted in our last two label contests, please visit the Gunfight Label Contest Page and Mental Kombat Label Contest Page.

Remember, the contest ends at Midnight (CST), Sunday, January 13th, 2002!