Base Announcement Contest

After a long, torturous morning on the battlefield, you may find yourself coming back to the base with an infuriating disposition.

“Attention All Personnel: The new base announcement contest begins today.  Your sarcasm and overall witticism is requested immediately. That is all.”

This is where YOU come in. We’re challenging you to devise your very own Base Announcement that, if chosen, will make it into the game! It can be in English, French or German!

We need an audio recording of your base announcement using the following format .WAV or .MP3, 16-bit, 44khz, as well as the text in written form in the body of your email.

Once you are happy with your work, email us your entry. Only one Base Announcement entry per person and email address will be accepted.

Please make sure that your audio recording is audible and the corresponding text legible. All entries missing one or the other will be automatically disqualified, as will all entries infringing on any patent, copyright, trademark or other intellectual property right, any privacy, publicity or publishing rights of any third party, or deemed libellous, obscene or otherwise contrary to law.

All submissions will be judged equally on the following criteria: originality, creativity, quality and presentation (bad spelling/grammar will work against you so make sure to spell-check your work). There is a maximum word limit set at 50 words so make it compelling!

12 finalists will then be selected by NCsoft (3 per language: English (Europe), English (North America), French and German) and the Development team will pick 1 First Place winner per language from the group of finalists. The 4 First Place winners will then get to have their entry recorded professionally and implemented into the game! NOTE: Only the player’s ENTRY, not the player’s actual voice will be recorded.

05:59am GMT, Monday 10th March 2008 (11:59pm Central Time, Sunday, March 9th 2008) is when the Contest ends and all your submissions must be received by then! No entries will be accepted after this date.

By entering, you agree to all of the terms and conditions in the Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa Base Announcement Contest Official Rules and Conditions (below), so please make sure you read them carefully. By entering the Contest, you also agree that you are over 18 years old as minors under 18 are not allowed to participate.

Good luck! We look forward to reading your entries!

“Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa” Base Announcement Contest ("Contest") Official Rules and Conditions (Europe)

1. ENTRY

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. Here is what Contestants must do to enter this Contest:

Send an email addressed to with the subject heading “Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa” Base Announcement Contest.” Include the following information in the body of the email:

1. Your real name (first/last)
2. Your age
3. Your location — city, County/province, country
4. A contact phone number (This will not be shared with anyone and only utilized if we need a second method of contacting you regarding this Contest)
5. Preferred email address
6.

Your entry to this Contest must not infringe any patent, copyright, trademark or any other intellectual property right, or any privacy, publicity or publishing rights of any third party, and must not be libellous, obscene or otherwise contrary to applicable law.

NCsoft Europe Ltd. ("NCsoft") will collect personal information from you when you enter this Contest. The collection and use of any personal information by NCsoft is subject to NCsoft’s Privacy Policy. 

Please note that any personal information you provide to NCsoft may be shared with its affiliated offices and clients, which may involve your personal information being transferred outside the European Economic Area for the purposes of processing by [PlayNC] and NCsoft’s affiliates. Any transfer of personal information outside of the European Economic Area will be done in circumstances which ensures that the personal information is transferred and processed only in accordance with NCsoft’s Privacy Policy and the Data Protection Act 1998.  By providing your personal information to NCSoft, you consent to this transfer.

All entries must be received via email prior to 05:59am GMT, Monday 10th March 2008 (11:59pm Central Time, Sunday, March 9th 2008), (the “Contest Conclusion”) and must be in English, French or German. No other methods of entry will be accepted. Limit: one entry per person.

NCsoft Europe Ltd. And Destination Games (collectively the “Sponsors") will not be responsible in any circumstances for lost, late, incomplete, incorrect, unintelligible or misdirected entries to this Contest. Such entries shall be considered void. Use of a false name, username, mailing address or email account will disqualify an entry to this Contest and will also disqualify the individual who submitted the entry. Use of obscenities, racist, sexist, hateful or other material or depictions that, in the Sponsors’ opinion, are inappropriate or offensive, will disqualify an entry to this Contest. The Sponsors are not responsible in any circumstances for hardware or software malfunctions, lost or unavailable network connections, server unavailability due to technical, capacity constraints or other issues, or failed, incorrect, inaccurate, incomplete, garbled or delayed electronic or other communications. The Sponsors, in their sole discretion, can disqualify, from this Contest and any other Contest conducted by the Sponsors, any person who, in the Sponsors’ reasonable suspicion, tampers with the entry process to this Contest and/or the operation of the web site (www.rgtr.com), and/or who otherwise violates these Official Rules and Conditions or any of part of the Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa User Agreement. The Sponsors have the right to terminate, suspend or modify this Contest, in whole or in part, at any time and without prior notice, if, in the Sponsors’ judgment, the Contest is altered, corrupted or cannot be completed as planned due to computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, technical failures, or other conditions beyond the Sponsors’ control.

2. ELIGIBILITY

(i) To enter this Contest you, as of 25th February 2008, (a) must be 18 years of age, (b) must have Internet access, access to a Personal Computer, an email account, (c) must be a resident of the European Union, and (d) have a PlayNC master account and a current Tabula Rasa Account (meaning you must have an active account).

(ii) Employees of the Sponsors, and employees of each Sponsor’s parent company, affiliate, subsidiarie, representative, advertising, promotion and publicity agency and members of such employee’s immediate families (defined as parents, children, siblings and spouse, regardless of where in the world they reside) or persons (who are not classed as immediate family) living within the same household of such employees are not eligible to enter this Contest.

(iii) You will be disqualified if anyone set forth in (ii) above participates in this Contest for you. This Contest is void where prohibited, restricted or taxed by law. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

3. DURATION

This Contest period begins at 5:00pm GMT (11:00am Central Time) on Monday 25th February 2008 and ends at 05:59am GMT on Monday 10th March 2008 (11:59pm Central Time, Sunday, March 9th) (the “Contest Period").

4. SELECTION OF WINNING ENTRIES

The 9 finalist submissions will be determined by representatives of the Sponsor, and will be judged equally on the following criteria: originality, creativity and presentation. The Winning entry will then be determined by representatives of Destination Games, the Developer, and the Winner will be notified via e-mail and announced on the Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa web site (www.rgtr.com) no later than 30 days after the Contest Conclusion.
Winners will have their first and last name along with their home town and county or province of residence posted on the Tabula Rasa website located at www.rgtr.com. 

It is the Participant’s responsibility to make sure they are eligible for prize by ensuring that the email address submitted in their entry is current and valid.
If a potential winner

(i) has been contacted by the Sponsors via email and he/she has not responded within 5 calendar days from the first notification attempt by the Sponsors; or

(ii) is found to be ineligible for whatever reason; or

(iii) does not comply with these Official Rules and Conditions; or

(iv) has responded to the first notification attempt by the Sponsors but does not subsequently sign and return to NCsoft, the Contest Winner Agreement below; or

(v) refuses or is ineligible to accept the Prize, the prize will be forfeited and an alternative winner will be selected.
Please note that winners must sign the Contest Winner Agreement in the form set out in these Official Rules and Conditions.

5. PRIZE

The following prize package will be given to each of the four (4) First Place Prize winners (selected in accordance with clause 4) who meet the eligibility requirements and comply with these Official Rules and Conditions:

1. their base announcement will be recorded and added into the game (Retail Value: $0.00)
2. One (1) set of limited edition dog tags (Retail Value: £5)
3. One (1) standard retail game box signed by members of the development team (Retail Value: £29.99/44.99€/$49.99)
4. One (1) Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa t-shirt (Retail Value: $25)
5. One (1) Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa Brady Guide (retail value: $24.99)
6. One (1) Tabula Rasa Beanie (retail value: $15.00)

The following prize package will be given to each of the eight (eight) Runner-Ups who will not qualify for the First Place Prize (selected in accordance with clause 4) who meet the eligibility requirements and comply with these Official Rules and Conditions:

1. One (1) Tabula Rasa Beanie (retail value: $15.00)
2. One (1) Tabula Rasa T-shirt (retail value: $25.00)
3. One (1) Tabula Rasa Brady Guide (retail value: $24.99)

Prizes are not transferable. Prizes shall not be substituted for cash or other goods and services. However the Sponsors reserve the right to provide a substitute prize of approximately equal value. Taxes on Prizes (including, without limitation, income or withholding taxes), if any, as well as all expenses not specifically included in these Official Rules and Conditions, are the sole responsibility of each winner.
Winners will have their submission, name and city/county or province/country of residence posted on the Tabula Rasa web site (www.rgtr.com). To showcase our members of the game community, winners may be asked to answer some questions, provide personal information or to send the Sponsors a personal headshot photo. This information will be used to recognize the winner on the pages of www.rgtr.com, but is not necessary to claim the Prize.

6. GENERAL CONDITIONS

By participating in this Contest you agree (a) to all of the terms and conditions set out in these Official Rules and Conditions, (b) that the Sponsors may post your real name, user or screen name and hometown on the Sponsors’ websites and in any and all publicity and advertising for the Sponsors, this Contest or any other promotions by the Sponsors without any further attribution, notification or compensation to you, except where prohibited by law, (c) to be contacted by the Sponsors or their agents by telephone, mail or e-mail, and (d) to sign the documentation set forth in clause 4 above.
The Sponsors and their parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising, promotion and publicity agencies and all of their respective directors, officers, employees, agents, representatives, successors and assigns are not in any way responsible or liable for any damage or losses resulting from you’re your participation in this Contest or (ii) your acceptance, loss or use of the Prizes awarded in this Contest. Nothing in these Official Rules and Conditions limits or excludes the Sponsors’ liability for death or personal injury resulting from their negligence or for any damage incurred as a result of fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation. You further agree that in any cause of action against the Sponsors, the Sponsors’ entire financial liability will be limited to your direct cost in participating in this Contest, and in no event shall Sponsor be liable for any attorney’s fees. To the extent permitted by law, you waive the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages. Except where prohibited, you agree that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved in accordance with the laws of England, and entrant agrees that such shall be resolved individually. You assume sole liability for damage to property or prize, caused or claimed to be caused by participating in this Contest or the acceptance, loss, shipment, or use of any prize awarded. The Sponsors are not responsible for any failure to contact entrants, whether due to technical or human error or to circumstances beyond their control. All of the Sponsors’ decisions regarding the application and interpretation of these Official Rules and Conditions are final.

7. WINNERS LIST

The winners will have their first and last name along with their hometown and province of residence posted on the Tabula Rasa website located at www.rgtr.com no later than Monday 24th March 2008. 

8. SPONSORS

This contest is sponsored by NCsoft Europe Ltd. Fifth Floor, Mocatta House, Trafalgar Place, Brighton BN1 4DU, United Kingdom and by Destination Games, care of NCsoft Corporation, 6801 N. Capital of Texas Hwy, Bldg 1, Ste 102, Austin, TX 78731.

© 2008 NCsoft Europe Ltd. All rights reserved. NCSOFT, the Interlocking NC Logo, Tabula Rasa, PlayNC and all associated logos and designs are trademarks or registered trademarks of NCsoft Corporation. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective owners with which they are associated.

CONTEST WINNER AGREEMENT

This Agreement is made and entered into on ___ February/March 2008, by and between NCsoft Europe Ltd. (the “NCsoft”) and _______________________, an individual residing at _______ ________________________________________________________________________ (“Winner”). 

BACKGROUND:

WHEREAS, NCsoft conducted a Contest titled the “Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa Base Announcement Contest” (the “Contest”) in which entrants submitted a base announcement recording as well as the supporting text.

WHEREAS, NCsoft has selected Winner as a winner of the Contest.

WHEREAS, Winner owns all right, title and interest in and to the submission provided to NCsoft as part of Winner’s Contest entry, as set forth on Exhibit A attached hereto (collectively, the “Submission”).

WHEREAS, Winner agreed as part of the Contest rules to assign all of the right, title, and interest in and to the Submission to NCsoft.

WHEREAS, NCsoft wishes to acquire the entire worldwide right, title and interest in and to the Submission, and in and to any and all forms of protection thereon granted or existing.

NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration the receipt and sufficiency of each which is hereby acknowledged, NCsoft and Winner do hereby agree as follows:

1. Publicity and Liability Release.  Winner hereby gives NCsoft and its divisions, subsidiaries, affiliates, and agencies full permission and authority to use his or her likeness, photograph, name, name of hometown, and any comments that Winner makes/answers to questions Winner provides, or other information that Winner provides about himself or herself, Winner’s prize, this Contest, the Submission or Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa, for purposes of advertising and promotion related to the Richard Garriott’s Tabula Rasa Signature Character Contest, without any further notification or compensation to Winner.  Winner waives all rights of inspection and approval.  Winner hereby further releases NCsoft from any and all liability arising out of the exercise of the rights granted in this release. Winner warrants that he or she is fully authorized to grant the rights granted in this section.  Winner understands that NCsoft will rely on the contents of this section.

2. Eligibility.  To be eligible to win designated prize, Winner understands that he or she must be (a) 18 years of age or older, (b) have Internet access, access to a Personal Computer, an email account and a PlayNC master account (c) be a resident of Europe and (d) have a current Tabula Rasa Account. Winner hereby agrees to complete the form set forth as Exhibit B attached hereto.

3. Agreement and Waiver of Rights.  Winner hereby sells, assigns, transfers and convey to NCsoft all and any rights, title and interest in and to the Submission and all copyright together with any and all reversions, extensions or renewals thereof or any other intellectual property rights of whatever nature, whether now known or created in the future, to which the Winner is now or may at any time after the date of this Agreement be entitled by virtue of any of the laws in force in any part of the world in the Submission.  Winner also hereby waives any moral rights Winner may have in the Submission.

4. Further Acts.  Winner hereby covenants and agrees to cooperate with NCsoft to enable it to enjoy to the fullest extent the worldwide right, title and interest herein conveyed.  Such cooperation by the Winner shall include prompt production of pertinent facts and documents, giving of testimony, execution of petitions, oaths, specifications, declarations or other papers, and other assistance all to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by the parties for perfecting in said NCsoft the right, title and interest herein conveyed.  Winner agrees that if NCsoft is unable because of Winner’s unavailability, dissolution, mental or physical incapacity, or for any other reason, to secure Winner’s signature to apply for or to pursue any application for any copyright registrations covering the Submission, then Winner hereby irrevocably designates and appoints the NCsoft and its duly authorized officers and agents as Winner’s agent and solicitor in fact, to act for and in Winner’s behalf and stead to execute and file any such applications and to do all other lawfully permitted acts to further the prosecution and issuance of copyright registrations thereon with the same legal force and effect as if executed by Winner.

5. Warranty.  Winner represents and warrants to NCsoft that Winner (i) was the sole owner of all rights, title and interest in the Submission and the intellectual property embodied therein, (ii) has not assigned, transferred, licensed, pledged or otherwise encumbered the Submission or any intellectual property embodied therein or agreed to do so, (iii) has full power and authority to enter into this Agreement and to make the assignment as provided in Section 1, (iv) is not aware of any violation, infringement or misappropriation of any third party’s rights (or any claim thereof) by the Submission or the expected use by NCsoft thereof, and (v) was not acting within the scope of employment by any third party when conceiving, creating or otherwise performing any activity with respect to anything purportedly assigned in Section 1.

6. No Amendment.  This Agreement may not be varied, altered, amended or supplemented, nor may any of its provisions be waived, except by a writing duly executed by Winner and NCsoft.

7. Agreement.  The terms and covenants of this Agreement shall inure to the benefit of NCsoft, its successors, assigns and other legal representatives, and shall be binding upon the Winner, its successors, assigns and other legal representatives.

8. Governing Law.  This Agreement is entered into under, and shall be governed for all purposes by the laws of England as if made and entered into between two residents of that country.  The sole jurisdiction and venue for actions related to the subject matter hereof shall be the courts located in the county in which NCsoft has its principal place of business. In any action or proceeding to enforce rights under this Agreement, the prevailing party shall be entitled to recover costs and solicitors’ fees.

9. Acknowledgment.  The parties hereby acknowledge that they have read this Agreement and knowingly and willingly agree to be bound by its terms and conditions.

10. Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in several counterparts, each of which will be deemed an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same instrument.  Facsimile signatures shall be valid and binding upon the signing party.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, The NCsoft and Winner have executed this Agreement as of the date set forth above.

WINNER NCSOFT
[___________________________________] NCsoft Europe Limited
By:__________________________________ Acting by:__________________________
In the presence of:_____________________ Director:___________________________
Name and address of witness:____________ Director/Secretary:__________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________
_____________________________________

Exhibit A
Contest Submission

Phone (for shipping purposes only):

2. Neither I, nor any member of my immediate family or household, is an employee of NCsoft Europe Ltd or Destination Games or their respective parent companies, affiliates, representatives, advertising, promotional or publicity agencies.
3. I certify that the above information is true, and I accept the prize subject to all terms of the Official Rules and Conditions, which I have read in full.  I represent that I have complied with all the rules set out in the Official Rules and Conditions and that I have perpetrated no fraud or deception in entering the Contest or in claiming the prize.

4. I grant NCsoft the worldwide right to use, publish and display my name on the www.rgtr.com. web site, in connection with this Contest without any further notification or compensation of any kind.

[ ] MARK THIS BOX WITH AN “X” to show you have read and agree to #’s 2, 3 4, above.