I had the pleasure of attending Adepticon 2024 this year and managed to record nearly every model entered into the Golden Demon competition. If you’re curious to see the entries, I even stayed up until 1 AM to capture all the details when the hall was quiet. For those unfamiliar, Adepticon is open 24 hours a day, so it was my only chance to really get around the cabinets without too many people crowding them. By the time I filmed, most of the entries were in, with the final cut-off at 10 AM the next morning. While a few models may have slipped in after I finished, this gives a solid view of the Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 entries.
Video – Golden Demon Adepticon 2024
My thoughts on Golden Demon Adepticon 2024
This was my first American Golden Demon experience. I had planned to attend the one scheduled right before COVID, but like many events, it was cancelled. Since then, a few Golden Demon events have taken place in the US, but this was my first opportunity to experience it first-hand. Comparing it to the UK Golden Demon, which I’m more familiar with, I noticed the overall scale was smaller, but that didn’t mean the quality of the entries suffered. In fact, there were quite a few international entrants, including familiar faces I often see at the UK event, which made the experience feel both familiar and new.
One significant change at Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 was the addition of a new tier in the judging process: the “Noteworthy” award. Previously, the first cut received a green sticker on the entry card, which indicated the model had earned a finalist pin. However, this system created confusion, as many assumed a finalist pin was just before the trophy stage. Now, the “Noteworthy” tier is the first milestone, replacing what was previously known as the finalist stage. This makes the finalist pin more challenging to attain and, in turn, more meaningful. The new structure felt like a positive shift, creating a sense of progression for participants, especially for those newer to the Golden Demon journey.
Achieving a finalist pin at Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 felt more rewarding because it’s now harder to reach that level. Even the “Noteworthy” award offers a more accessible target for newer painters, encouraging them to push their skills. After the finalist stage, the next step is the commended entry stage, where entrants receive a certificate. In the UK, these certificates are black with gold embossing, while in the US, they’re white, which was a small difference, but still a nice touch.
The increase in quality across all levels of judging made it much harder to achieve a commended entry at Adepticon 2024. In fact, commended entries now signal that you’re a trophy-level painter. Since Golden Demon only awards one gold, silver, and bronze per category, the commended entry serves as recognition for models that are of an extremely high standard but just missed the top three.
One area where I felt Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 could have improved was the lighting in the display cabinets. The lighting was a significant issue – too bright in some areas and too shadowed in others – making it nearly impossible to see the models in their best light. The inconsistency made it tough for attendees to appreciate the intricate details and effort that went into the entries. For many, seeing these works in person is a highlight of the event, and I believe it would have been better to turn off the cabinet lights altogether and rely on natural light. Despite this, I know the judges had proper lighting when reviewing the models, so the competition results were fair.
Another change at Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 was a tweak in the categories. They combined the Duel and Diorama categories, which I’m still undecided about. It resulted in a crowded category filled with high-quality entries, including the eventual Slayer Sword winner. Additionally, they introduced a Horus Heresy category, which felt a bit mishmash, covering everything from single models to vehicles and units. While I understand the reasoning, it led to some odd comparisons within the category.
A new Underworlds category also made an appearance, which I found interesting. While there weren’t many entries, the standard was high. Judging both single models and units together felt a little odd, as the two require different approaches, but overall, it was nice to see the variety of entries. The addition of a Titan category was a bit surprising as well, given the larger models tend to lack the fine details that smaller 40K models showcase. There was also a new Bust category, which was a great addition for showcasing some beautifully detailed pieces.
Despite the minor issues, Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 was a fantastic event with a great spread of entries across all categories. I was fortunate to pick up a commended entry in one of my categories, which made the experience all the more rewarding. The changes to the judging system were largely positive, and I think it encourages more people to aim higher with their painting, knowing there are now more achievable milestones along the way.
One thing Adepticon 2024 could have improved was the handling of FAQs and rules clarity. With so much time invested in each model, it’s crucial that participants know the rules inside and out to avoid disqualification. This year, there was some confusion around custom models. While it’s always been the case that you can’t use third-party custom sculpts, some had misunderstood this in previous events. Now, it’s clear: you can only enter models you sculpt yourself.
Finally, the awards ceremony at Adepticon 2024 was exciting, but it could be daunting for some participants. When commended entrants are called up, it’s thrilling for those who win, but difficult for those who don’t make it onto the podium. In some categories, this meant participants were left standing alone without a trophy, which can be discouraging, especially for younger painters. I think this is something Adepticon could refine in future competitions to make the experience more positive for all participants.
Overall, Golden Demon Adepticon 2024 was a fantastic event, and I’m already looking forward to next year’s competitions. Whether or not I’ll make it to the next Golden Demon in Germany is still up in the air, but for now, this year’s Adepticon was a great experience and got me excited to continue pushing my painting skills for future competitions. If you want to see the entries in detail, check out my video and let me know what you think!
Explore my Golden Demon entries for this year and my Golden Demon entries from previous years!
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