Firaxis Civ4 Col Mod Competition

Dale · October 10, 2008, 00:11

Firaxis have announced a Civilization IV: Colonization mod competition! There are four categories that you can submit mods for: New Assets, New Civs, Map Scripts & Concept Changes.

The contest will run from October 8th 2008 till December 17th 2008 and is only open to US residents. First prize is a new desktop computer with four runner-up prizes of signed copies of the game.

The creator of the over-all winning Grand Prize entry will receive a desktop computer to show off to friends. In addition, the four runner-up submissions will receive a copy of Sid Meier's Civilization IV: Colonization signed by the development team.

Here are some things to remember. The Grand Prize prize is awarded to an individual only, so if your mod is a team effort, the prize will only be awarded to the designated team leader. Please do not submit mods that are not yours or include third party materials. This not only makes our job harder, but also makes children cry.

For more details please visit Firaxis's website here.

DarthVeda · October 10, 2008, 00:16

Heh, guess I'm right out since I'm in Maryland.

alpaca · October 10, 2008, 13:16

This is an interesting corporate strategy: A new desktop for modders is much cheaper than paying a pro to fix the game

Anyways, I'm glad I can't participate so at least I don't spend too much of my free time on this modding

DarkCloud · October 10, 2008, 17:00

>>Void in Arizona, Maryland, North Dakota, and Vermont,

* I wonder why these states make entry illegal?
* Could DV theoretically be on a team though if he is not "team leader"?

It would appear that an entrant from a legal entryable point could divvy up the prizes in a fair fashion if someone from another country wanted to "play".

However, it also appears that the person from a place where the offer is "void" could not "bind" the team leader, the "entrant" in a competition.

Thus, even Americans in the aforementioned states could possibly participate. However, the words: " You are not authorized to participate in the Contest if you are not located within the United States." do mean that no person located outside the US may play.

snoopy369 · October 10, 2008, 17:23

The competition would be illegal in those states, I believe, based on ... something. No idea.

As far as I understand (and, IANAL), Team leader is the only person who matters, though, and yes, it would be up to him to divvy up the prize as appropriate. However, you couldn't hold him accountable legally, I suspect, indeed. If someone not in the US were to 'participate' by being on a team, I think that was previously determined to be fine as long as the team leader was authorized - the non-US folks just have to not object to their work being used.

Dale · October 10, 2008, 17:31

Yes, in the Civ4 competition along the same lines, teams could be made up of anyone from around the world, EXCEPT the nominated team leader who must be from an area that can enter (US - aformentioned states). The team leader is the only person who receives the prize (but they don't care what happens to the prize after that).

So Snoopy, you should enter our patch (concept changes category) sell the desktop and we'll split the money.

Though considering the exchange rate at the moment, I'll get about $10 AUD.

DarkCloud · October 10, 2008, 17:31

Quote:

If someone not in the US were to 'participate' by being on a team, I think that was previously determined to be fine as long as the team leader was authorized - the non-US folks just have to not object to their work being used.

Really? Non-US people can't even "participate" according to the code, so I don't think they can even be team-members. Where do you see in the text of the rules that it was "previously determined to be fine" ?

Quote:

As far as I understand (and, IANAL), Team leader is the only person who matters, though, and yes, it would be up to him to divvy up the prize as appropriate. However, you couldn't hold him accountable legally, I suspect, indeed.

This however, seems true. Which means there could be a situation where the team leader is from Oklahoma and 4 members are from Arizona.

snoopy369 · October 10, 2008, 17:42

Participate == enter the competition (yourself), based on typical rules of competitions. Non-USians can 'participate' in that they can work on mods, they just can't be the 'official' participant. (Again, IANAL, though.)

Standup · October 10, 2008, 20:06

US only seems to be a regular occurance in these competitions. Is there a reason for this especially as a significant amount of sales must come from outside the US?

snoopy369 · October 10, 2008, 20:34

If i had to guess it would be related to legal issues, perhaps particularly tax issues; or they don't want to ship a PC overseas?

To be fair, there are competitions that are specific to other countries... Dale, didn't you win an Australian mod competition a while back for something or another?

Dale · October 10, 2008, 20:57

Yeah, Age of Discovery for vanilla Civ4 won the Single Player Mod category of E-Games & Entertainment Expo.

Keygen · October 11, 2008, 03:58

This U.S. residents only thing is ridiculous

What, the rest non-U.S. residents don't buy the game?!?!

DarkCloud · October 11, 2008, 11:46

Keygen, it's logistics and legal issues. Some countries won't allow proceeds from winning a contest... Just like some states in the United States. And what if the computer gets lost in customs?

It's probably simpler for Firaxis to not have to worry about complying with each country's specific laws.

joncnunn · October 12, 2008, 10:37

I'm guessing that the listed states where it's prohibited have laws on the books that would result in this contest either being illegal in it or Firaxis being taxed on it.

As to other countries, probably because Firaxis didn't want to look up all the other countries laws.

Since it's marked as an individual contest it's only the person listed as Team Leader the restrictions apply so "Don't Ask; Don't Tell" applies: Firaxis won't ask about helpers and helpers won't tell Firaxis.

Keygen · October 12, 2008, 15:01

It's an advertisement move which is perfectly OK, with the minimum cost possible. Probably the computer is sponsored by another company too. The ridiculous part is that Take-Two Interactive, a multimillion firm, don't wish to spent a dime to ship a single computer and 4 signed copies of the game worldwide to show some appreciation to those overseas who bought the game!!!

As for legal or other issues don't seem to play a part when shipping the game worldwide for profit.

Globalization is good when there's a profit but it's no good if there is not. Don't take me wrong, I'm just criticizing what is supposed to be a reward to the supporters of the game.

DarkCloud · October 12, 2008, 16:28

Quote:

As for legal or other issues don't seem to play a part when shipping the game worldwide for profit.

Rules for contests are very different from rules for retail. And lawyers cost a lot per hour... Upwards of $20-100/hour for expertise to even check that Take2 doesn't violate any laws.

Dale · October 12, 2008, 16:33

Don't forget, any computer used as a prize is useless in 95% of other countries due to power differences and cable prong type.

DarkCloud · October 13, 2008, 00:18

Quote:

Don't forget, any computer used as a prize is useless in 95% of other countries due to power differences and cable prong type.

Hmm... with prong type it's fairly easy to get an adapter. Power wattage differences are another matter, but even those can be corrected if you have the right third-party tools.

Thus far I've blown speakers and an electric razor while traveling overseas due to not paying attention to specifications.

. But when I've used the correct connectors, I've been fine (!)

Dale · October 13, 2008, 00:57

Problem is, US powers supplies are gauged for 110 volts, which is useless when you connect it to a 220 mains (even with a transformer). The chance of blowing it and blowing fuses is too high a risk, and I'm sure the 2K legal team doesn't want that sort of case on their hands.

Keygen · October 13, 2008, 12:41

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkCloud

Rules for contests are very different from rules for retail.

Is this a fact or simply guessing?

Quote:

Originally posted by DarkCloud

And lawyers cost a lot per hour... Upwards of $20-100/hour for expertise to even check that Take2 doesn't violate any laws.

Don't they have a legal department for this kind of things?

Keygen · October 13, 2008, 12:58

Quote:

Originally posted by Dale

Don't forget, any computer used as a prize is useless in 95% of other countries due to power differences and cable prong type.

Well, there are several ways to solve such problems!

Anyway, I don't think it's the kind of the price that matters, the reward could be as expensive as an invitation to spend a day at Firaxis headquarters with all expenses covered, to a half an hour online session with Sid himself. Even the signed copies of the games are perfectly OK and should not have any legal restriction shipping worldwide, at list regarding the developed world. I've received copies of software before free of charge outside the U.S. from U.S. companies.

DarkCloud · October 13, 2008, 20:52

Quote:

Originally posted by Keygen
Is this a fact or simply guessing?

Well, it's why the game can be sold in New Mexico, but New Mexico residents, who are American Citizens, cannot participate in the contest even though other American citizens may participate. I would assume the situation of differing laws would be the same for other countries which will have diverse statutory laws.

Quote:

Don't they have a legal department for this kind of things?

Some companies do. I don't know if Take2 does. A lot of companies contract out their legal needs, however. This is why there are so many "law offices" and "big law firms." Big Law firms generally do work for corporate employers who lack in-house counsel.

N35t0r · October 26, 2008, 21:21

Even if they do have a legal department, it's unlikely they are just sitting around waiting for T2 to have them investigate how to possibly get contest prizes to every possible country (and province/state) in the world.

jnh140 · November 21, 2008, 10:25

mispost

moriety · January 29, 2009, 23:27

There is only one winner worthy of the "prize": Dale in Australia.

Were it not for him this version of this classic game would have died more quickly than it currently is.

The electrics are a non-starter- both on electrical facts and the ability for Fireaxis to pay for a 220V machine. (All of Europe is now on a 220-230V band (The UK switched to 230V theoretically back in 1995, even if readings can at times make you think we didn't), as is Aus, and all electrical equipment works within a 20V difference).

Dale has already fixed in a major way much of the bad work this company has done to the title, I for one vowed after buying Alpha Centuri that I would never buy another product from this company- I now have and know why I was right the first time.

Is EA still trying to take them over? I've never bought shares in my life- perhaps now is the time.

Stuie · February 6, 2009, 17:50

Why is this still stickied?

Dale · February 6, 2009, 19:41

Because the competition is still live. No winner has been announced yet.

Stuie · February 6, 2009, 20:56

A month and a half later? Ouch.

PrinceMyshkin · February 7, 2009, 06:52

Since last 6 months I would say... not a big surprise, the official patch is yet to be announced -and I don't see anything coming soon.

Isn't it obvious? They do not want to spend money on the patch, so they hope to get the moders do the job. The later it comes the better... I wouldn't be surprised to see a close version of the nominated mod coming out as an expantion pack! Doesn't it say, once you submit a mod Firaxis has the legal rights of this product?

As far as I know Dale, doesn't want to enter the competition. Strangely or annoyingly enough, it seems he doesn't even have the rights to do so!

I don't know what Dale will get for his awesome job in AoD II and patchmod, but he surely has earned the respect of our community.

In my opinion AoD II mod is the best mod, although ten colonies and LooF are very good mods. If I could vote, I would vote for AoD II.

moriety · February 7, 2009, 08:15

I second what Prince is saying,

It is very clear they delivered an unfinished and unworkable product and are now hoping a modder will save them tens of thousands of dollars by doing the work for free. Shame on them- It is the worst type of corporate practice, unluckily for them, it is also very obvious to consumers.