Xbox.com | Calendar of Events - Halo 3 Championship Tournament Official Rules

Halo 3 Championship Tournament

Updated March 10, 2008

Official Rules

By entering the Halo® 3 Championship Tournament (the "Tournament"), you agree to abide by these Official Rules, the Xbox.com and Xbox LIVE® Terms of Use, any other terms and conditions referenced in these Official Rules, and the decisions of the Tournament Commissioner, which shall be final and binding in all respects. If there is any conflict between these Official Rules and the Xbox.com and/or Xbox LIVE Terms of Use, these Official Rules shall control.

1. Tournament Description

This Tournament is a live, skill-based contest in which players compete against other players on the Xbox LIVE gaming platform until an overall champion is determined (as described more fully below).

This Tournament consists of three (3) Rounds of Play (Qualifying, Semi-Finals, Championship), and prizes will be awarded to one (1) Champion, eight (8) Finalists, and thirty-two (32) Semi-Finalists as set forth below.

PLEASE NOTE: If you qualify to advance to the Championship Round of this Contest, then you understand and agree that, as a condition of being confirmed as a Championship Round participant, you must be willing to: (i) participate in the Championship Round of this Tournament and make yourself available to Microsoft and its designees for multiple Tournament-related promotional appearances and as otherwise requested; (ii) allow Microsoft and its designees to record you by any means (i.e., video, audio, photography, etc.) during the Championship Round of this Tournament, Tournament-related promotional appearances, and as otherwise requested (the, "Recordings"); (iii) grant to Microsoft and its designees the right to use your name, image and/or likeness, voice and biographical information in connection with the exploitation of the Recordings in all media, in any manner, throughout the world, in perpetuity; and (iii) sign any necessary documentation deemed necessary for Microsoft and its designees to make use of the Recordings as described herein. If you are unwilling or unable to do this and/or to grant us these rights, then you should not participate in this Tournament and you may be disqualified.

2. Eligibility

You are eligible to enter this Tournament (a "Player"), if you meet the following requirements at time of entry:

You are a legal resident of the United States, but not a resident of Vermont, Maryland, Puerto Rico, or any other U.S. territory or possession; and
You are 18 years of age or older; and
You have access to a Microsoft Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the Halo® 3 video game, and you are an Xbox LIVE Gold member in good standing; and
You are not an employee of Microsoft Corporation (the "Sponsor", "us", "we" or "our"), 38th Floor Productions Inc., MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc., or their respective parents, divisions, subsidiaries and/or affiliated companies, licensees, advertising and promotional agencies, or any of their immediate family members (including, without limitation, spouse, parent(s), child(ren), sibling(s), and their respective spouses) or those living in the same households, whether or not related, of such individuals.

This Tournament is void in MD, VT, Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories and possessions and wherever else prohibited by law.

3. Tournament Period

This Tournament will consist of three (3) Rounds of Play (Qualifying Round, Semi-Finals Round, Championship Round). The Start and End Dates for each Round of Play are as follows:

The Qualifying Round begins at 12:01 A.M. Eastern Time (ET) on March 12, 2008, and ends at 1:00 P.M. (ET) on March 17, 2008 ("Qualifying Period"). During the Qualifying Round, Players will compete against one another on the Xbox LIVE service to determine the top thirty-two (32) Players that will advance to compete in the Semi-Finals Round.

The Semi-Finals Round begins on March 28, 2008, and ends on April 13, 2008 ("Semi-Finals Period"). During the Semi-Finals Period, Players will compete against one another on the Xbox LIVE service to determine the top eight (8) Players that will advance to compete in the Championship Round.

The Championship Round begins and ends on May 3, 2008 ("Championship Period"). During the Championship Period, the top eight (8) Players from the Semi-Finals Round will meet in New York, NY, to compete against one another to determine one (1) Champion.

4. Registration Period / Registration / Qualifying

Any person that wishes to participate in this Tournament must register during the Registration Period. The Registration Period will start at 1:00 P.M. (ET) on February 25, 2008, and end at 1:00 P.M. (ET) on March 17, 2008 ("Registration Period"). There are two ways to register:

Register online before the close of the Registration Period;
OR
Register via Xbox LIVE Marketplace by downloading the free Halo 3 US Championship Gamer Picture ("Gamer Picture") before the close of the Registration Period. To download the Gamer Picture:
1. Sign in to Xbox LIVE and access the Xbox LIVE Marketplace,
2. Select "Game Store",
3. Select "Themes and Gamer Pictures",
4. Select "All Gamer Pictures"
5. Select "U.S. Army & Halo 3",
6. Select "Halo 3 U.S. Championship Gamer Picture" from the list of available content and select "Confirm Download".

NOTE: Xbox LIVE Gold members may also access the free Halo 3 US Championship Gamer Picture via the banner ads running on the Xbox LIVE dashboard.

You MUST register using the same Xbox LIVE gamertag that you use to participate in this Tournament. Registering and/or expressing interest in this Tournament in no way guarantees that you will be qualified to participate. We reserve the right to verify all eligibility (as stated in Section 2 above) even after the close of the Registration Period.

You may only compete using a single Xbox LIVE account / gamertag. If you are found to have competed under multiple identities or Xbox LIVE accounts / gamertags, you will be automatically disqualified from this Tournament and may also be disqualified from participating in future Xbox competitions.

If you are an eligible Player, you are solely responsible for keeping your Xbox LIVE account information up-to-date. Players that advance to the Semi-Finals Round will be notified using their Xbox LIVE profile information (e-mail, address, phone). If your Xbox LIVE Profile information is not complete, correct, or current, you will be automatically disqualified and ineligible to participate in this Tournament. All changes for e-mail addresses, phone numbers, etc. need to be completed as of March 17, 2008. Change requests made the same day may not be reflected immediately.

Updating Account Information (example for e-mail):

To verify/update your e-mail address:

From the Xbox Dashboard, select "Marketplace Blade/Screen".
Select "Account Management".
Select "Contact Information".
Enter your account e-mail and password, and then select "Sign In".
E-mail address is located on the Contact Information screen. Please ensure that your contact information is up-to-date.

5. How to Play

This Tournament will consist of three (3) rounds of play to determine one (1) Overall Champion as described below.

Qualifying Round

The Qualifying Round will begin on or around 12:01 A.M. (ET) on March 12, 2008, or whenever the "US Championship Playlist" ("Playlist") is reset. During the Qualifying Period, Players will compete by playing Xbox LIVE matches on the Playlist, as more fully described below. Players will be ranked based on individual scores that are recorded and posted to the Playlist. No team grouping will be allowed. At approximately 1:00 P.M. (ET) on March 17, 2008, play will end and the Playlist will be recorded.

PLEASE NOTE: The Playlist will rank the top one-thousand (1000) Xbox LIVE Halo 3 players from all over the world; not just the U.S., so there may be ineligible Players ranked on the Playlist. If ineligible Players are ranked on the list, the next highest ranked eligible Player will instead advance to the Semi-Finals Round. You are not a Semi-Finalist until your eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules and the decisions of the Judges have been determined.

Players will be ranked in the Qualifying Round by:

Enter "Matchmaking" from the Main Menu
In Matchmaking Lobby, select "Playlist"
Select "Tiournament"
Select "U.S. Championship" Playlist
Select "Start Matchmaking"

Semi-Finals Round

The top thirty-two (32) ranked Players ("Semi-Finalists") on the Playlist will be invited to advance to compete in the Semi-Finals Round. Potential Semi-Finalists will be notified using their Xbox LIVE profile information (e-mail, address, phone) on or around March 20, 2008, and must respond via e-mail and/or phone within two (2) days to confirm their willingness to participate in the Semi-Finals Round. Potential Semi-Finalists that fail to respond within this timeframe, or that are ineligible will be disqualified and the next highest ranking Player from the Playlist will be invited to play. If there are less than 32 eligible Players on the Playlist, any remaining spots in the Semi-Finals Round will not be awarded.

Judges will randomly assign confirmed Semi-Finalists into one (1) of up to four (4) Semi-Finalist Groups, each consisting of up to eight (8) Semi-Finalists. The Semi-Finalists in each Semi-Finalist Group will play against each other in three (3) different matches (Slayer, King of the Hill, Oddball). The three Semi-Finalist Group matches will take place during one of the following three weekends:

March 28 – 30, 2008, or
April 4 – 6, 2008, or
April 11 – 13, 2008.

While the Judges will take date preferences into consideration, the Judges' decisions are final. Once the Judges determine the Semi-Finalists and gameplay schedule for each Semi-Finalist Group, no changes or substitutions will be allowed. If a Semi-Finalist is unable to participate in any of his or her assigned Semi-Finalist Group matches, that Semi-Finalist forfeits the opportunity to continue participating in the Semi-Finalist Round and will not advance to the Championship Round or receive prizes.

How to Play During the Semi-Finals Round

For each assigned match in the Semi-Finalist Round, a Semi-Finalist must access the Xbox LIVE service from a Microsoft Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system, insert the Halo 3 game, and wait in the matchmaking lobby for a Judge to invite them into the pre-assigned room ("Room").

Players may check-in up to thirty (30) minutes prior to the start of each match. Any Player who fails to check in at least five (5) minutes prior to the start of a match will be automatically disqualified from this Tournament.

The Room for each match will consist of the eight (8) Semi-Finalists and one (1) Judge. Judges will be in white armor. Semi-Finalists are not allowed to choose white as their armor color during the Semi-Finalist Round. If a Semi-Finalist enters the Room in white armor, he or she will be told to leave, change game settings and return before being allowed to play. Semi-Finalists leaving the match early by choice or by network error will be automatically disqualified. Once the match winner is announced by the Judge, match play will automatically end. In the event of a dispute, the decisions of the Judges are final.

Within each Semi-Finalist Group, the Semi-Finalists with the two (2) highest total combined scores from all three matches (Slayer, King of the Hill, Oddball) ("Finalists") will be invited to advance to compete in the Championship Round of this Tournament. Players will be awarded points after each match as follows:

Points per Round:
1st: 10 points
2nd: 9 points
3rd: 6 points
4th: 5 points
5th: 4 points
6th: 3 points
7th: 2 points
8th: 1 point

Tie-Breakers

During the Semi-Finals Round, ties will be handled as follows:

1. Within a Match (i.e., Slayer, King of the Hill, Oddball)

There will not be a tie for first place in any match because the winning kill will end the match automatically. However, if there is a tie between Semi-Finalists for any of the other places within the match (i.e., 2nd, 3rd, 4th, etc.), then all such tied Semi-Finalists will receive equal point values. For example, if two Semi-Finalist are tied for 2nd place in a match, both Semi-Finalists will receive 8 points.

Player 1 – 1st Place: 10 pts
Player 2 – 2nd Place: 8 pts
Player 3 – 2nd Place: 8 pts
Player 4 – 3rd Place: 6 pts
Player 5 – 4th Place: 5 pts
Player 6 – 5th Place: 4 pts
Player 7 – 6th Place: 3 pts
Player 8 – 7th Place: 2 pts

2. Within the Round

If, after all three matches, Semi-Finalists within an assigned Group are tied for either 1st or 2nd place overall, such Semi-Finalists will play in a single-elimination "first to 10 kills" Slayer Match to determine the Semi-Finalists that will advance to the Championship Round.

If, after this single-elimination "first to 10 kills" Slayer Match, there is still a tie for 2nd place, then the Semi-Finalist that earned the most assists during such Slayer Match will advance to the Championship Round. For example:

1st Place: Player 1, 10 kills – advances to Championship Round
2nd Place: Player 2, 8 kills 4 assists – advances to Championship Round
2nd Place: Player 3, 8 kills 2 assists

If there is still a tie for 2nd place after assist data is taken into consideration, then another single-elimination "first to 10 kills" Slayer Match will be played by the tied Semi-Finalists to determine the 2nd place Semi-Finalist that will advance to the Championship Round.

In the event of a dispute, the decisions of the Judges are final.

Championship Round

The top eight (8) Players from the Semi-Finals Round ("Finalists") will meet on or around May 3, 2008, to compete in the Championship Round of the Tournament on-site in New York, NY. Participation in the Championship Round will be subject to the Gameplay Details that we will establish and provide to each Finalist on-site at the Championship Round Event. The top Player from the Championship Round will be named the Grand Champion.

6. Code of Conduct

If you engage in behavior that the Tournament Commissioner or judges view as unsportsmanlike, or in a manner that is not in compliance with these Official Rules, or the Xbox.com or Xbox LIVE Terms of Use, you may be immediately disqualified from this Tournament and you may also be disqualified from competing in any future Xbox competitions. Unsportsmanlike conduct includes, but is not limited to, the following:

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
Lag Switch
Intentionally disconnecting the network cable
Intentionally interrupting network connectivity
Any other known or unknown way of tampering with gameplay

7. Winner Notification

If you are a potential prize winner, you will be:

Notified using your Xbox LIVE profile information (e-mail, address, phone) on or around April 14, 2008. You must respond within two (2) days of notification to confirm your acceptance or rejection of the prize; and
Required to sign and return an Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability/Publicity release, or any other documentation that we or our designees require within two (2) days of date of winner notification.

If you are otherwise eligible to participate in the Tournament, but are a minor in the state in which you reside, we will award the prize to your parent or legal guardian on your behalf, who must sign all documents required under these Official Rules.

If you are determined to be the winner and you (i) do not respond to the winner notification within two (2) days of notification; (ii) do not return the Affidavit of Eligibility/Liability/Publicity Release, or other requirement documentation, completed and signed within two (2) days of date of winner notification; or (iii) if you are not otherwise in compliance with these Official Rules, you will be disqualified and, we may, at our discretion, notify the next highest ranked eligible Player on the Leaderboard.

If you are a winner and accept the prize, you agree that we and our designees shall have the right to use your name, city and state of residence in any and all media now or hereafter known worldwide in perpetuity, without additional compensation, notification or permission, unless prohibited by law.

8. PRIZES

One (1) Grand Champion Prize: $50,000

Eight (8) Finalist Prizes: A prize package consisting of the following items:

A round trip for Finalist and guest to New York, NY, May 1 – 4, 2009. Dates/location subject to change at the sole discretion of Microsoft. Therefore, Finalist must have flexible travel capabilities. Trip includes round trip coach air transportation for Finalist 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 New York to and from the airport and the hotel and a $200 stipend. (Approximate retail value ("ARV") $5,000).

Actual value depends on date/time/destination, and difference between actual value and stated value will not be awarded. Finalist's travel companion will be required to execute a Liability/Publicity Release prior to issuance of travel documents. If a 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 Finalist. Travel subject to availability and must be completed on dates specified by the Sponsor or prize will be forfeited and awarded to an alternate Finalist. The Finalist is solely responsible for obtaining any and all travel documentation (including but not limited to a valid passport and any required travel Visas) necessary for travel. Some restrictions may apply. No cancellation of reservation or transfer of reservation to another date after reservation has been made. If the Finalist lives within 100 miles of the event location, we reserve the right to substitute an alternate means of transportation for air travel.

Total ARV of each Finalist Prize: $5,000

Thirty-Two (32) Semi-Finalist Prizes: A prize package consisting of the following items:

12-month Xbox LIVE Gold Subscription (ARV, $50)
4000 Microsoft Points

[NOTE: Microsoft Points will expire from a user's account at 11:59 PM PT on June 30, 2008. Winners must spend these Microsoft Points prior to this expiration date.]

Total ARV of each Semi-Finalist Prize: $100

Total ARV of all prizes: $93,200

If you are the winner, the following restrictions / conditions will apply to your prize package.

You may not exchange your prize package for cash or other merchandise; and
You may not transfer your prize package to someone else. If you do not wish to accept or you cannot accept your prize package, it will be forfeited and we may, at our sole discretion, award it to a runner-up. We may, however, award a prize package of comparable or greater value, at our discretion; and
You are responsible for all federal, state, provincial and local taxes (including income and withholding taxes) as well as any other costs and expenses associated with accepting and/or using the prize package that are not included above as being part of the prize package; and
You understand that you are accepting the prize package "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by us; and
You understand that we shall determine all prize package details.

9. Limitations of Liability

The Promotion Parties (defined below) are not responsible for any liability, cost or injury incurred by Players arising out of or in connection with the Tournament, including, without limitation, the following.

Lost, late, incomplete, inaccurate, stolen, fraudulent, misdirected, undelivered, interrupted, damaged, delayed or postage-due reports, entries, mail or other information; or
Any incorrect or inaccurate information or error or defect of any kind regardless of who it is caused by, or the means by which it occurred; or
Equipment, software, network or systems that fail, have viruses or other problems, are breached or that cause injury or damage to participants or their property.

By entering this Tournament, you agree to, and hereby release and hold harmless Microsoft Corporation, its parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, and advertising or promotion agencies, and anyone working directly or indirectly on this program, product and promotion, and all of their respective officers, directors, employees and representatives (which for the purpose of these Official Rules will be referred to together as the "Promotion Parties") from any and all liability or any injuries, loss or damage of any kind arising from or in connection with this Tournament or acceptance and use of any prize.

10. General Conditions

This Tournament is governed by Washington law. You agree that the jurisdiction and venue for the hurdling of any disputes or actions arising not of this Tournament shall be in the courts of the State of Washington.

If, for any reason, the Tournament is not capable of running as planned for any reason, including, without limitation, the reasons set forth above, we reserve the right, at our sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Tournament. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Tournament, we may, at our sole discretion, determine the winners of this Tournament using all non-suspect, eligible entries received (as applicable) before we had to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Tournament.

We may disqualify you from participating in the Tournament or winning a prize (and void your participation in the other promotions we may offer) if, in our sole discretion, we determine you are attempting to undermine the legitimate operation of the Tournament by cheating, deception or other unfair playing practices, or intending to annoy, abuse, threaten or harass us, any other entrant or our representatives or if you are otherwise not in compliance with the terms of these Official Rules.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY YOU OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE TOURNAMENT IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM YOU TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

11. Winners List

The names of the winners will be posted at http://www.xbox.com/winners on or about May 12, 2008, after the conclusion of the Tournament.

12. Sponsor

The Sponsor of this Tournament is Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, WA 98052-6399.