You created the Challenge, you set the rules, and now the Gallery is open. It's time for the most powerful move in the entire Challenge system — crowning the winner. As the creator, this is your moment to make the final call.
How It Works
Once the Challenge deadline passes and the Gallery reveal happens, a 24-hour judging window opens exclusively for the creator. Here's how to handle it:
- Open the Gallery and review every submission
- Check the People's Choice results to see who the group voted for
- Tap on the submission you want to crown as the winner
- Confirm your choice and the rewards are distributed automatically
That's it. The moment you crown someone, the Stars and Orbs flow to the winner instantly. Everyone in the Challenge gets notified about the result, and the winner gets their well-deserved glory.
The 24-Hour Clock
This is the critical part — you have exactly 24 hours after the deadline to pick a winner. Not 25 hours, not "whenever you get around to it." If you don't crown anyone within that window, the Challenge expires without a winner. The reward pool gets voided, and you lose your 5 Orbs for nothing.
Set a reminder if you have to. Missing the judging window is one of the worst feelings in Buddzy because everyone loses — your friends don't get rewarded, you wasted your Orbs, and the Challenge just fizzles out.
People's Choice as Context
Before you make your decision, check the People's Choice vote. This is the group's consensus on who they think should win. You don't have to follow it — you can absolutely override the crowd and pick someone else. But it's useful context that shows you how the community felt about each submission.
Sometimes the People's Choice aligns perfectly with your own opinion. Other times your gut tells you to go a different direction. Both are totally valid.
Pro Tips
- Don't rush. You have 24 hours for a reason. Let the initial hype settle and revisit the Gallery with fresh eyes before deciding.
- Re-read your original prompt before judging. The best winner is the one who nailed the actual prompt, not just the funniest or most popular entry.
- Don't be afraid to go against the People's Choice. You're the creator — your vision matters. If someone delivered exactly what you were looking for, crown them.
Participation Threshold
Before you can crown a winner, the Challenge needs at least 2 submissions. If fewer than two friends submitted, the Challenge fails — no winner, no rewards. There's no minimum response rate: if you invited 20 friends and 3 submitted, that's a valid Challenge. The bar is an absolute floor, so that a round nobody witnessed doesn't pay out — not a punishment for inviting broadly.
Aura Rewards
Judging isn't just about Stars and Orbs. When you crown a winner, Aura is distributed too:
- Winner: 10 Aura
- Creator (you): 5 Aura
- Every participant who submitted: 3 Aura
So even participants who didn't win walk away with something for their effort.
Good to Know
Judging is a one-time decision. Once you crown a winner, you can't change it. The rewards distribute instantly and the result is final. The Challenge moves from Judging to Completed status. Take your time, trust your instincts, and make the call you believe in.