OFFICIAL RULES
1. Tournament Description
The Gears of War® Global Xbox Live® Tournament is comprised of a series of separate National Gears of War Xbox Live Tournaments (each known as a "National Tournament") throughout approximately 24 countries. However, in order to be eligible to win a Grand Prize, you must rank in the top 11 on the Worldwide Leaderboard regardless of the National Tournament you participate in or the country where you reside.
As part of the Grand Prize, the top-ranked 11 overall players of each country will meet to compete against each other in the 2007 Gears of War Xbox Live Tournament Grand Final ("Grand Final") in Prague, Czech Republic to determine one (1) overall champion. However, no prizes will be awarded in the Grand Final.
These Official Rules govern the Gears of War Xbox Live National Tournament for U.S. residents ("U.S. Tournament").
The U.S. Tournament begins on or about 12:01 A.M. Greenwich Mean Time ("GMT") April 20, 2007 and ends at 11:59 P.M. GMT May 12, 2007 ("Tournament Period") (the U.S. Tournament begins on or about 4:01 P.M. Pacific Time ("PT") April 20, 2007 and ends at 3:59 P.M. PT May 12, 2007. PT is 8 hours behind GMT).
The U.S. Tournament is a live, skill-based contest in which contestants ("Players ") compete against other Players on the Xbox Live gaming platform to determine winners as described herein. Prizes will be awarded as set forth below.
The U.S. Tournament is sponsored and organized by Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399, United States ("Microsoft").
These Official Rules relate to the U.S. Tournament only, and Players acknowledge that in addition to these Official Rules, the Xbox Live "Terms of Use" available at www.xboxlive.com shall apply. In the event of any inconsistency between these Official Rules and the Xbox Live Terms of Use, these Official Rules shall prevail.
2. Eligibility
The U.S. Tournament is open solely to Players who are legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia (except Maryland and Vermont) and who are 18 years of age or older at the time of registration or tournament play, whichever is earlier. Void in MD, VT, and where prohibited by law. Players in the U.S. Tournament are not eligible to participate in any other National Tournaments. Players must have access to a Microsoft Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, the Xbox 360 version of the Epic game title Gears of War, a valid Gold Member Xbox Live account, a valid Windows Live ID with their Xbox Live Gamertag (see Section 3) linked and be in good standing on xbox.com and the Xbox Live online service.
To obtain an Xbox Live account, Windows Live ID or Xbox Live Gamertag, access www.xbox.com and follow the applicable instructions.
Employees and directors of Microsoft Corporation, Epic Games, Inc, International Cyber Marketing, Inc. ("World Cyber Games"), and members of their immediate families (defined for purposes of these Official Rules as husband, wife, mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, or other persons whether or not related residing in the household of such employees), their subsidiaries and affiliates, advertising and promotion agencies, or any person working or who has worked on the product or promotion or others providing services in connection with this U.S. Tournament are not eligible to participate.
3. Registration/Qualifying
To participate in the U.S. Tournament, each Player must register at www.xboxlivetournament.com . Registration will begin on or about 12:01 A.M. GMT on March 29, 2007 and will end at 11:59 P.M. GMT on May 12, 2007 ("Registration Period"). All Players who register agree to be contacted for purposes of the Gears of War Global Xbox Live Tournament including without limitation the Grand Final and this U.S. Tournament. Registering for the U.S. Tournament and expressing interest in participating in no way guarantees that a Player will be qualified or eligible to participate. Microsoft reserves the right to verify all eligibility (as stated in Section 2) even after the close of registration.
Each Player may only compete using a single Xbox online identification nametag, also known as a Gamertag ("Gamertag"). Players who are found to have competed fraudulently under multiple identities or Gamertags will be automatically disqualified from the Gears of War Global Xbox Live Tournament including without limitation the Grand Final, any National Tournament, and this U.S. Tournament and may be disqualified from participating in future Xbox competitions.
If you register to compete in the U.S. Tournament, then you may only compete in the U.S. Tournament. Players who are found to have registered in multiple National Tournaments may be disqualified.
Updating Account Information
Eligible Players must ensure that their Xbox Live account information including mail address and address/phone is correct and current at all times. Players are solely responsible for keeping their Xbox Live account information up to date for all information pertaining to registration and/or qualifying for. All changes for e-mail addresses, phone number, etc. must be completed prior to the end of the Registration Period on May 12, 2007. Change requests made the same day may not be reflected immediately.
If Players fail to update their account information for Xbox Live, then they may not be contacted to play and may be disqualified from competing.
To verify/update a Player's Xbox Live Contact Information:
- From the Xbox Dashboard, select "Xbox Live Blade/Screen."
- Select "Xbox Live Marketplace."
- Select "Account Management."
- Select "Contact Information."
- Enter your account e-mail and password, then select "Sign In."
- E-mail address is located on the Contact Information screen. Please ensure that your contact information is up-to-date.
4. How to Play
There will be one (1) round of play to determine winners in the U.S. Tournament. Any Grand Prize winners in the U.S. Tournament will qualify to receive an invitation to compete against winners of other top-ranked players in the Grand Final.
U.S. Tournament play will begin on or around 12:01 A.M. GMT April 20, 2007 (4:01 P.M. PT April 20, 2007), or whenever the Official Worldwide Gears of War Xbox Live Tournament overall leaderboard ("Warzone Leaderboard") is reset. The Warzone Leaderboard will rank Xbox Live Gears of War players from all over the world; not just the U.S. During the Tournament Period , Players will compete by playing Gears of War "Ranked Games" on Xbox Live as more fully described below. After the close of the Tournament Period, the Warzone Leaderboard will be recorded and the highest one-thousand (1000) ranking Players on the Warzone Leaderboard will be determined as more fully described below.
How to Play Ranked Games
During the Tournament Period, access Xbox Live from a Microsoft Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, insert the Gears of War game, and sign on to play Ranked Games. A minimum of six (6) Players must play in each game (i.e., 3 vs. 3 or 4 vs. 4). Only Ranked Games and individual scores will count in this U.S. Tournament and only such games/scores will be eligible for inclusion on the Warzone Leaderboard. No clans or team grouping will be allowed.
Game Settings
Xbox Live Gears of War Ranked Games shall have the following options available to the host:
- Game type: Warzone
- Selected map: Gridlock, Fuel Depot, Escalation, Mansion, Mausoleum, Rooftops, Tyro Station, War Machine, Canals, Clocktower, and the 2 DLC maps (can download for free)
- Number of rounds: 1-19
- Bleed-out duration: 5, 10, 20, 30, 60
Determining and Notifying Winner(s)
Players in the U.S. Tournament must rank in the top 1000 on the Warzone Leaderboard to be eligible for a prize.
Grand Prize
Each Player in the U.S. Tournament who ranks in the top 11 on the Warzone Leaderboard will be eligible to win a Grand Prize.
NOTE: If there are no Players in the U.S. Tournament ranked in the top 11 on the Warzone Leaderboard, then Grand Prizes will not be awarded in the U.S. Tournament.
Secondary Prize
After Grand Prize winners have been determined (if any), each Player in the U.S. Tournament who ranks between 12 and 25 on the Warzone Leaderboard will be eligible to win a Secondary Prize.
NOTE: If there are no Players in the U.S. Tournament ranked between 12 and 25 on the Warzone Leaderboard, then Secondary Prizes will not be awarded in the U.S. Tournament.
World Cyber Games Tournament Special Prize
The top four (4) Players in the U.S. Tournament on the Warzone Leaderboard will be eligible to win the World Cyber Games Tournament Special Prize.
NOTE: If there are less than 4 or no U.S. Tournament Players ranked in the top 1000 on the Warzone Leaderboard, then those World Cyber Games Tournament Special Prizes will not be awarded.
The Warzone Leaderboard and standings will be established by Epic Games, Inc. ("Epic" or "Judges"), whose decisions are final and binding. At approximately, 11:59 P.M. GMT on May 12, 2007 , the Warzone Leaderboard will be recorded and posted at www.xboxlivetournament.com .
PLEASE NOTE: there may be ineligible Players ranked on the Warzone Leaderboard. You are not a winner until your eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules and the decisions of the Judges have been determined.
In the event a potential winner is ineligible, the next highest ranked eligible Player will be determined the winner. On or around May 15, 2007, the top 11 eligible Players on the Warzone Leaderboard will be notified via e-mail and/or phone, and must respond via e-mail and/or phone within two (2) days to confirm his or her willingness to participate in the Grand Final. If a Player fails to respond within this timeframe, he or she will be disqualified and the next highest ranking eligible Player from the Warzone Leaderboard will be invited to play.
Once a Player confirms his or her eligibility to participate in the Grand Final, he or she will be contacted by a Microsoft representative to arrange travel to Prague, Czech Republic for the Grand Final. Participation in the Grand Final is subject to Terms and Conditions that may be established and provided to all Grand Final players prior to the start of game play. Each Grand Prize winning Player will also be provided with other Grand Final details upon prize acceptance.
Once all Grand Prize winners have been confirmed and verified, potential Secondary Prize winners will be notified via e-mail and/or phone, and must respond via e-mail and/or phone within two (2) days to accept the prize. If a Player fails to respond within this timeframe he or she will be disqualified and the Secondary Prize may be awarded to the next highest ranking eligible Player on the Warzone Leaderboard.
In addition, after all Grand Prize and Secondary Prize winners have been confirmed and verified, the top 4 eligible Players in the U.S. Tournament on the Warzone Leaderboard will be notified via e-mail and/or phone, and must respond via e-mail and/or phone within two (2) days to confirm his or her willingness to participate in the World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship. If a Player fails to respond within this timeframe, he or she will be disqualified and the next highest ranking eligible Player in the U.S. Tournament on the Warzone Leaderboard will be invited to play.
Once a Player confirms his or her eligibility to participate at the World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship, he or she will be contacted by a World Cyber Games representative to arrange travel. Participation in the World Cyber Games National Final is subject to Terms and Conditions that may be established and provided to the World Cyber Games Final players prior to the start of game play. Each winner will also be provided with other World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship details upon prize acceptance.
5. Code of Conduct
Any Player competing in an unsportsmanlike manner or in a manner that is not in compliance with these Official Rules or the xbox.com or Xbox Live Terms of Use or the terms and conditions for the Grand Final may be immediately disqualified from the U.S. Tournament and may be disqualified from competing in future xbox.com or Xbox Live events. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following violations:
Unsportsmanlike conduct (voice):
- Swearing or threats
- Spamming or screaming
- Harassment
- Lewdness
- Using any device to create loud sounds
- Any other type of conduct deemed inappropriate
Unsportsmanlike conduct (gameplay):
- Cheating of any sort through various means
- Continuous pauses during the gameplay
- Delaying or slowing gameplay using various tactics
- Intentionally disconnecting the network cable
- Intentionally interrupting network connectivity
- Using any type of modified teams
- Using memory cards or saved games
- Any other known or unknown way of tampering with gameplay
- Boosting/Patsy account use for easy wins (playing a friend over and over)
- Team standby cheating
- Using modified Xbox systems
- Any score above 500 points may be determined to be cheating
6. Prizes:
U.S. Tournament Grand Prizes (up to a maximum of 11)
An invitation for winner to compete in the Grand Final in Prague, and a trip for winner and a guest to Prague, Czech Republic departing on or about July 12, 2007 and returning on July 15, 2007. Dates/location are subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Therefore, winner must have flexible travel capabilities. Trip includes round trip coach air transportation for winner and a guest from a major U.S. commercial airport near winner's home, three nights standard double occupancy hotel accommodations (one room, two people), ground transportation in Prague to and from the airport and the hotel and a USD $200 Visa® gift Card. (Approximate retail value ("ARV") USD $5,750.) Actual value depends on date/time/point of departure/destination, and difference between ARV and stated value will not be awarded.
Winner and guest are solely responsible for any other expenses not listed in these Official Rules. Winner and guest must travel on same itinerary and all travel arrangements must be made with Microsoft or Microsoft's agent. Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by Microsoft or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner if time allows. Some restrictions may apply. No cancellation of reservation or transfer of reservation to another date after reservation has been made. If the Grand Final is cancelled or postponed for any reason, Microsoft shall have no further obligation to the winner other than to provide the travel portion of the prize minus the opportunity to compete in the Grand Final event.
If the winner is a minor, their travel companion must be a parent or legal guardian. If winner's travel companion is a minor, he/she must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at his/her own expense if the parent/guardian is not the winner. Winner and travel companion are solely responsible for obtaining valid passports and any other necessary travel documents.
Secondary Prizes (up to a maximum of 14)
An Xbox 360 Bundle including an Xbox 360 Pro Console, Viva Pinata, Project Gotham Racing 3, Xbox Live Arcade Unplugged Volume 1, Kameo: Elements of Power, an Xbox Live Gold 12 month subscription, a Gears of War faceplates and statues. Approximate retail value ("ARV"): USD $415 each. Secondary prize will be delivered in approximately 6–8 weeks from the date of acceptance.
With respect to the Grand and Secondary prizes, difference between actual value and stated value will not be awarded. Any applicable tax on a prize is the sole responsibility of the winner. No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except at the sole discretion of Microsoft. If a winner cannot or will not accept a prize, or prize/prize notification are returned as unclaimed or undeliverable, prize will be forfeited and awarded to the next highest ranked Player if time allows. Microsoft reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize or a portion of the prize is unavailable.
Specifics of prize package are subject to availability and Microsoft's sole discretion. Any and all guarantees and warranties are subject to the manufacturer's terms and conditions, and winners and guests agree to look solely to such manufacturers for any such warranty or guarantee claim.
World Cyber Games Tournament Special Prize Winners (Up to a maximum of 4)
An invitation for winner to compete in the 2007 World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship ("Championship") and a trip for winner to the Championship. Trip includes round trip coach air transportation for winner from a major U.S. commercial airport near winner's home (if located more than 300 miles from host city) or ground transportation (if less than 300 miles), two nights standard hotel accommodations, and $300 spending money awarded in the form of Visa® gift cards. Dates/location subject to change at the sole discretion of World Cyber Games. Therefore, winner must have flexible travel capabilities. (Approximate retail value ("ARV") USD$1,000.) Actual value depends on date/time/point of departure/destination, and difference between ARV and stated value will not be awarded.
Winner and travel companion (if applicable) are solely responsible for any other expenses not listed in these Official Rules. Winner and travel companion (if applicable) must travel on same itinerary and all travel arrangements must be made with World Cyber Games or its agent. Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by World Cyber Games or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate winner if time allows. Some restrictions may apply. No cancellation of reservation or transfer of reservation to another date after reservation has been made.
If the World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship is cancelled or postponed for any reason, World Cyber Games shall have no further obligation to the winner other than to provide the travel portion of the prize minus the opportunity to compete in the World Cyber Games U.S. National Championship event. If the winner is a minor, their parent or legal guardian must accompany them on the trip or prize may be forfeited. Winner and travel companion are solely responsible for obtaining valid passports and any other necessary travel documents. Any applicable tax on prize is the sole responsibility of the winner.
No substitution or transfer of a prize is permitted except at the sole discretion of World Cyber Games. If a winner cannot or will not accept a prize, or prize/prize notification are returned as unclaimed or undeliverable, prize will be forfeited and awarded to the next highest ranked Player in the U.S. Tournament on the Warzone Leaderboard, if time allows. World Cyber Games reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if entire prize or a portion of the prize is unavailable.
Approximate retail value of all prizes available: Up to USD $73,060.
7. Conduct
By entering this U.S. Tournament, Players agree to be bound by these Official Rules and any other xbox.com and Xbox Live terms and conditions referenced in these Official Rules. The Official Rules will be posted at www.xboxlivetournament.com throughout the U.S. Tournament. Players further agree to be bound by the decisions of the Judges, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Microsoft reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify an individual it finds to be tampering with the type, process, or operation of the game or Web site, to be acting in violation of the Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person.
CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A PLAYER OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE U.S. TOURNAMENT MAY BE A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, MICROSOFT RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES OR OTHER REMEDIES FROM ANY SUCH CONTESTANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.
8. Limitations of Liability
TO THE EXTENT THAT ANY PLAYER IS REQUIRED TO DOWNLOAD ANY SOFTWARE IN ORDER TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS U.S. TOURNAMENT, THE SOFTWARE IS WARRANTED, IF AT ALL, ONLY ACCORDING TO THE TERMS OF THE APPLICABLE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT. EXCEPT AS WARRANTED IN THE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT, MICROSOFT CORPORATION HEREBY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THE SOFTWARE, INCLUDING ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE, AND NONINFRINGEMENT WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, COPYING OR REPRODUCTION OF THE SOFTWARE TO ANY OTHER SERVER OR LOCATION FOR FURTHER REPRODUCTION OR REDISTRIBUTION IS EXPRESSLY PROHIBITED.
Microsoft is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information whether caused by website users or by any of the equipment or programming associated with or utilized in this U.S. Tournament or by any technical or human error which may occur in the processing of game plays. Microsoft does not assume any responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, theft or destruction, or unauthorized access which may result in alteration of game plays or game results. Microsoft is not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or registration to be received by Microsoft or Player on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof, including any injury or damage to participant's or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation in the U.S. Tournament. Microsoft is not responsible for the inability of any Player to access or complete a game due to any technical malfunction or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or combination thereof.
Microsoft, at its sole discretion, may require the replaying of any game or round or section, or declare any of the foregoing null and void by reason of any technical or other system error. If for any reason the U.S. Tournament is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, or any other causes beyond the control of Microsoft which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this U.S. Tournament, Microsoft reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the U.S. Tournament.
Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, in the event that Microsoft determines, in its sole discretion, that any individual games within the U.S. Tournament have been tampered with or that the validity of any games or rounds has been compromised for any reason, it may eliminate that game or round from the U.S. Tournament and conduct the U.S. Tournament on the basis of the remaining games or rounds. In the event that any Player is adversely affected in a game or round by any technical or equipment malfunction, Microsoft shall have no obligation to such Players, but reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to schedule special games or rounds among any such Players so adversely affected. In the event of a dispute as to a Player's identity, a Player's identity shall be declared to be the authorized account holder of the e-mail address submitted at time of registration. "Authorized account holder" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.
9. General Conditions
The conduct of this U.S. Tournament and the interpretation and enforcement of these Official Rules is governed by the laws of the United States. In the event that any dispute arises against Microsoft regarding the U.S. Tournament, Players agree that the dispute shall be resolved in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington without regard to conflicts of law provisions and that such disputes shall be resolved within and by the courts of that state. All federal and state laws, rules, and regulations apply.
Prize winners may be required to execute Affidavits of Eligibility, Liability and Publicity Release (where lawful) within two 2 days of winner determination. Non-compliance within this time period may result in disqualification and an alternate winner being selected. The Grand Prize winner's travel guest (parent/legal guardian, if companion is a minor) must execute and return a release of liability and, where lawful, a publicity release, before travel arrangements will be confirmed. Return of prize or prize notification as undeliverable will result in disqualification and selection of an alternate winner in accordance with these Official Rules.
All winners and Players grant to Microsoft the right to publish, online and in print, their Gamertag, names, likenesses, city of residence, and the name of the state in which they live, without compensation. Acceptance of prize constitutes winner's permission (and winners agrees to confirm this permission in writing) for Microsoft and its parents, divisions, agents, successors and assigns, to use, copyright, reproduce, display and publish in any media, now known or hereafter developed, including the world wide web, their name, address, photograph, or other likeness, voice or biographical data, for promotional and/or advertising purposes without notice or further compensation, unless legally prohibited.
Players, by participating, release and agree to hold harmless Microsoft, its respective parents, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, and promotion agencies and each of their respective directors, officers, employees, representatives, and agents from any and all liability for any injuries, losses or damages of any kind to persons, including death, and property, arising in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, from acceptance, possession, use or misuse of a prize, participation in the U.S. Tournament or any U.S. Tournament or any Grand Final-related activities.
10. Winners List
The names of the U.S. Tournament prize winners will be posted on the Internet at www.xboxlivetournament.com on or about May 18, 2007 and will remain posted until October 18, 2007.
11. Sponsor
The Sponsor of this U.S. Tournament is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399.
12. Administrator
The Administrator of this U.S. Tournament is Momentum North America, 600 Battery Street, San Francisco, CA 94111.
