Smilegate has announced on the 7th that it is hosting the 2026 Avatar Contest for its MMORPG, Lost Ark, inviting its adventurers to get involved. In a bit of a shake-up from the usual creative submission format, the developer is flipping the script: this time, the studio has provided the designs, and it is up to the players to judge and vote on them.

The competition features a total of 12 entries, split evenly between six male and six female avatar designs, regardless of class. You are tasked with scrutinising and evaluating these works to crown the eventual winners, marking a rather fresh departure from how these contests have functioned in the past.

The contest is split into two distinct stages: head-to-head judging and a final vote. The initial 1-on-1 judging period runs from May 7 to May 13, where each gender-specific avatar category will undergo three rounds of evaluation to determine which entries make it to the finals. You can pick your favourite concept art, leave a star rating, and provide your own feedback.

Following that, the final vote will take place between May 20 and May 27. If you have a character with an item level of 1680 or higher, you are eligible to join the fray and cast your vote. The winning designs will be announced separately once the final voting period concludes.

For all the nitty-gritty details regarding the Lost Ark 2026 Avatar Contest, head over to the official website.