Discussion: Matrix Machinima Contest

Looking forward to seeing what everyone comes up with. This has piqued my interest but I'll likely be sticking with still images and leave the video production to the experts. Knock em dead!

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[And yow! Hadn't read that. That is a pretty tough restriction.

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Agreed. And with a sponsor like MTV (Viacom), with such "eloquent" shows as "Jack[censored]", "The Real World", and "A Shot At Love 2 With Tila Tequila" (not to mention some of Viacom's other "quality" "reality TV" shows on VH1), that we would have more leeway

When it says "machinima-style," does that mean I can't use Fraps?

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When it says "machinima-style," does that mean I can't use Fraps?

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If you look at the inspiration video on the contest site, I'm pretty sure that's all they used to get the in-game footage. Although getting the licensed version (so it doesn't have FRAPS' URL at the top of your captures) is probably your best bet to keep from disqualification.

I don't think anyone expects you to do it the old-fashioned way with a digital camcorder or whatnot.

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<ul type="square">[*]any display of physical injury, death or property damage or conduct or activity that could cause physical injury or property damage or that is reasonably likely to do so;[*]any... content that displays, appears to display, encourages or implies that any activity or conduct that is otherwise unacceptable in reality, has been or could have been involved;[*]any use (or display of use) of equipment, facilities or property... that would reasonably be considered unsafe; [/list]

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And yow! Hadn't read that. That is a pretty tough restriction.

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I would go so far as to say "laughable."

Hey, waaait a second.... Right before that it says:

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The following policies and requirements are examples of those you must comply with when creating and submitting your Video. With the exception of those elements which are contained within the Selected Games and incorporated into your Video, your Video must [u]NOT[u] contain:

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(italics mine)

So it's OK as long as it's part of the game. Phew.

FRAPS isn't the only way. WeGame has a nice recorder that works pretty well and is free (though, at least for me, the sound tends to be a second behind the action).

There's also a free OpenSource recorder, I think it was called Taski or some such. It works moderatly well and is completely free.

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The following policies and requirements are examples of those you must comply with when creating and submitting your Video. With the exception of those elements which are contained within the Selected Games and incorporated into your Video, your Video must [u]NOT[u] contain:

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(italics mine)

So it's OK as long as it's part of the game. Phew.

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Heh. I think maybe I'll sit down and read all the rules.

I think this time I will actually finish my video as I already have a good general idea.

I will be honest though, I could go with first or second prize as well.

Good luck to all who enter, that's a whole heap of loot up for grabs! I'm excluded by location and complete lack of ability, so you won't have to worry about me competing with you.

Bring out your dark side!

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The following policies and requirements are examples of those you must comply with when creating and submitting your Video. With the exception of those elements which are contained within the Selected Games and incorporated into your Video, your Video must [u]NOT[u] contain:

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(italics mine)

So it's OK as long as it's part of the game. Phew.

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Heh. I think maybe I'll sit down and read all the rules.

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Indeed, good catch Zloth

Wow. Silly me. And here i was looking forward to this big contest that was gonna be announced. Then i read the rules. Open only to Americans. Great. Typical. They should have mentioned earlier that it was only gonna be eligible for half of the coh players, And the other half get #$%^ed over like usual.

You think they originally planned to do this with The Matrix Online and then they saw their subs?

I have an idea...

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So it's OK as long as it's part of the game. Phew.

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I wouldn't make that assumption, IMO. I'd ask for clarification. Here's why:

1) Rules excerpt that I didn't bother quoting the first time: "With the exception of those elements which are contained within the Selected Games and incorporated into your Video, your Video must NOT contain:
"

The word "elements", as used earlier in the rules, was a reference to graphical elements, not gameplay elements. It MIGHT refer to gameplay elements in this context, but it could as easily refer (as I read it initially) to the graphical elements referenced previously.

2) The list of prohibitions was not complete. It was just the most egregrious. For instance, the first two that I didn't list:

<ul type="square">[*] any dialogue or vocal effects from the Selected Game;
[*] any content which endorses or condones illegal drug use or alcohol abuse;[/list]
We don't have any recorded dialogue in the game, but if we did, it would be forbidden desipite being "a part of the game". Likewise, we have Superadyne junkies and dealers, and we have beer mug emotes, bars, and other alcohol-related elements that would get your film disqualified despite being "part of the game".

I really hope Zloth is right. I just would advise erring on the side of caution until Lighthouse or another official person gives a clarification. Contest rules judges are notoriously picky due to all of the legal ramifications of doing it wrong. If you're questionable, you're disqualified.

If it says "No destruction of property", I'd say that setting it in a mayhem mission is a likely to raise an eyebrow at the judges' table.

Ill wait for clarification on the rules before getting excited.

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Open only to Americans. Great. Typical.

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There's a very good reason for that. Letting somebody win who's outside the USA means they have to deal with a LOT more legal ramifications. Heck, look at the age restrictions just in the USA alone. Must be age 18 to enter, or maybe 19, or maybe 21, depending on which state you live in. Making the contest work in the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Japan, Korea, and all other countries where the game has a following would drive the cost way up. Making it work woldwide would be hopeless.

Sorry, but until we have a single world government, the vast majority of contests you see are going to be restricted by country.

Hmmmm, you're right SlickRiptide. I pretty much ignored that bit because we don't have voice acting here and I couldn't think of why anyone would include any of the NPC dialog, but it really doesn't make any sense. It essentially says:

With the exception of those elements which are contained within CoX, your video must NOT contain any dialogue or vocal effects from CoX.

Whaaa??? Better send this back to the lawyer(s) from whence it came and tell him/her/them to fix it up. (And don't forget to send Lighthouse the patch notes for what's changed! )

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entrants consent to Sponsor and/or Related Parties displaying, performing, making available for access, display, performing, using and exhibiting the Video, in whole or in part, throughout the universe, in perpetuity, in all media and means, now known or hereafter developed or discovered, for commercial purposes or any other purpose whatsoever.

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hehe, really covering their collective butts here.....

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If it says "No destruction of property", I'd say that setting it in a mayhem mission is a likely to raise an eyebrow at the judges' table.

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The rules appear to state that only in-game elements are allowed...

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Where does it say that in the rules? I've gone over the rules with a fine-toothed comb and I just don't see that. The rules prohibit use or copyrighted material unless it is part of the game, but there isn't any prohibition against using non-game elements. The closest they come is saying "Use CoX to make your video". It doesn't say Use ONLY CoX to make your video".

I bring this up because I'm planning to combine live action with my entry, similar to the "Missy K" video from a few years ago, plus maybe some greenscreening of CoX elements into live footage.

On a related note, I wonder if royalty-free music is permissible? I have a collection of great music that I am licensed to use in any manner I wish (except selling it) and I'm wondering if that would fit their legal criteria?

So, how do we get clarifications of these rules?

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As one of the non-talented video-philes who frequents this forum, let me just say good luck to all - do a great job! I'm looking forward to seeing all the great stuff.

All I want is a ride with the winner.

For the curious, here are the rules in their entirety, so you don't have to scroll through a painfully small scroll pane to read:

*** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** *** ***

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR ODDS OF WINNING.

These are the terms and conditions (“Official Rules”) that apply to “The Matrix Machinima Contest” (the “Contest”) which is sponsored, on the one hand, by GAMETRAILERS, Corp. (“GT”), a part of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc. and we will use the term “MTV Networks” to mean and refer to all of these business units and entities collectively, and, on the other hand, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc. (“TMS” ). GT and TMS shall hereafter collectively be referred to as the “Sponsor.” The Contest will be posted on the Internet via (the “Website”) on or before the Entry Period (as defined in Paragraph 2) commences. Entry to the Contest will be hosted exclusively on the Website. All determinations and decisions of Sponsor in connection with the Contest and these Official Rules shall be final and binding for all purposes on all entrants, contestants, participants, winners and all other parties and Sponsor has the sole and exclusive right to exercise its discretion and judgment in all matters regarding the administration, operation and conduct of the Contest. This Contest is void outside of the continental U.S. and wherever prohibited or restricted by law.

1. Eligibility. You must live in the continental United States and be able to document that you are at least eighteen (18) years of age and not a minor in your primary state of residence at the time of entry in order to enter, participate or win.

A group (e.g., multiple entrants) is generally not permitted to enter or submit an entry in this Contest and any attempt to submit a Contest entry form or Video (as defined in Paragraph 3 below) or to otherwise enter the Contest by or on behalf of a group without advance written authorization from Sponsor, will subject the entry to disqualification. If a group is permitted by Sponsor to enter, only a single individual (whose designation shall be set forth in writing by all of the members of the group and subject to any additional requirements deemed appropriate by Sponsor) shall have the right to be deemed the entrant, to participate in and to win the Contest and all actions, failures to act, decisions, determinations, agreements and authorizations from and by that designated individual bind each member of the group. Sponsor assumes no responsibility for any disputes among or between members of any group or any disputes among individuals or entities that claim to have any rights or interests in any Contest entry or Video or otherwise in connection with this Contest. Sponsor reserves the right to revoke its permission for any group to enter, participate in and/or win the Contest and be awarded a prize and to disqualify any group entry at any time, with or without notice of any kind.

The Contest is not open to officers, directors, employees, or agents of Sponsor, MTV Networks or their respective parents, subsidiaries, and/or affiliated companies, licensees, successors, advertising and promotional agencies, the independent judging organization or printing agents, or any of their immediate family members (including, without limitation, spouse, parent(s), child(ren), sibling(s), and their respective spouses, regardless of where they reside) or those living in the same households, whether or not related, of such individuals or those who have won a prize in any MTV Networks contest or sweepstakes in the twelve (12) months prior to the commencement of the Entry Period of this Contest. By submitting an entry and/or participating in this Contest, entrants agree to comply with and be bound by these Official Rules and by the decisions of Sponsor, which are final and binding in all matters relating to this Contest.

The Winner(s) and each entrant must comply with all laws, regulations and requirements that apply to him or her and to her or his participation, entry or selection as a Winner, the award of any prize, and any and all costs, expenses, liabilities and obligations incurred by anyone entering, participating, or winning are the sole responsibility of that person and not of Sponsor or MTV Networks.

2. Entry Period. The period during which Eligible Entries (defined in Section 3) may be submitted shall commence at 12:00 Noon, Eastern Time (“ET”) on July 1, 2008 and end at 11:59:59 a.m. (ET) on August 10, 2008 (the “Entry Period”). All entries must be received by Sponsor by 11:59:59 a.m. (ET) August 10, 2008. Time of receipt of the Video portion of an entry shall be the time when all elements of the Eligible Entry (as defined in Paragraph 3 below) are actually received by the Website, as recorded or documented by the Website’s operating systems. Proof that you uploaded, or otherwise submitted an entry does not constitute proof or evidence that all or any portion of your entry was actually received by Sponsor within the Entry Period.

3. Eligible Entry. An “Eligible Entry” means an entry submitted by an eligible person (See Section 1) that includes a Contest entry form that has been completed online via the Website, together with a Video, as described below, and complies with these Official Rules. Any entry submitted by someone who is not eligible or that is incomplete, inaccurate, illegible, not viewable, not submitted during the Entry Period or in any way not in conformity or in compliance with all of the terms and conditions of these Official Rules is not an Eligible Entry and subject to disqualification by Sponsor. Limit one (1) entry per person per day during the Entry Period, as long as you use a different Video for each such entry. Derivative works or different versions of the same Video may be entered as long as the Video(s) are created from a different perspective, and the decisions of Sponsor shall be final in making any such determination as to whether or not a Video is actually from a different perspective than that of another Video submitted by the same entrant.

Each Eligible Entry consists of a completed Contest entry form (via the Website), and a Video, as described below:

(a) “Video” means an original machinima-style audio-visual sequence of captured video game play footage that is between two (2) and four (4) minutes in duration when viewed at normal speed, with a file size of 200 MB or less. The term “original” in these Official Rules means the Video was newly created by you, using footage from the Selected Games (as defined below), your own ideas, language, content, images, text, graphics, animation, and other materials and, except for the Selected Games, no element of the Video is copied, derived, translated, adapted or otherwise obtained or copied from anyone or anywhere else, regardless of the source, format or medium. Original also means that, except for the Selected Games, you, and no one else, have complete, sole, exclusive and unrestricted rights, title and interest in and to the Video (including, without limitation, each and all of the underlying elements of the Video) when you submit it to the Contest as part of your entry AND that you have the right and authority to give Sponsor all of the rights in and to your Video and its underlying elements that are described in these Official Rules. If you cannot legally and properly represent to Sponsor that your Video is original, do not enter it into the Contest. You must submit the Video portion of your entry to Sponsor by uploading it through, and adhering to the requirements described on, the Website.

Videos must conform to the current policies and requirements that apply to MTV Network’s programming material, including, but not limited to, MTV Network’s “Standards and Practices Guidelines” and any special rules and requirements that apply to MTV Networks Internet/Web programming. Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any Video that does not conform to any of the foregoing requirements or Sponsor may, in an effort to render the Video conforming, request the entrant to modify and/or edit the Video to render it conforming (in a manner, within a time period and subject to requirements specified by Sponsor). You understand none of these measures guarantees your Video will conform or be considered an Eligible Entry. The following policies and requirements are examples of those you must comply with when creating and submitting your Video. With the exception of those elements which are contained within the Selected Games and incorporated into your Video, your Video must NOT contain:

<ul type="square">[*] any dialogue or vocal effects from the Selected Game;[*] any content which endorses or condones illegal drug use or alcohol abuse; [*] any nudity, profanity or violence;[*] any commercial endorsements, unless specifically permitted by these Official Rules; [*] any derogatory characterization of an ethnic, racial, sexual or religious group; [*] any display of physical injury, death or property damage or conduct or activity that could cause physical injury or property damage or that is reasonably likely to do so;[*] any use (or display of use) of equipment, facilities or property in a manner not recommended or permitted by the owner or manufacturer or that would reasonably be considered unsafe; [*] any animation, graphics, special effects, audio and/or visual images, content enhancing or illusory mechanisms or any other content that displays, appears to display, encourages or implies that any activity or conduct that is otherwise unacceptable in reality, has been or could have been involved;[*] any unauthorized use of a service mark, trademark, brand, copyrighted work or any other property, tangible or intangible, or location or place or that would otherwise not be considered your original work;[*] any unauthorized use of a name, person, location, graphic, picture, photo, animation, character, real or fictional, or any other use which may violate any rights of publicity, privacy or any other right of a third party; [*] any other conduct, activity, audio or visual display, language or other content which is or could be considered illegal, in violation of the rights of any other person, company or business or which, in the judgment and sole discretion of Sponsor, is deemed inappropriate for this Contest.[/list](b) On a limited basis, Sponsor will make available to you certain content owned or controlled by NC Soft and other video game companies, which may include videogame footage, still images, sound and music recordings, and other content, including content from the video games “City of Heroes” and “City of Villians”, (collectively, the “Selected Games”) which video game content shall be made available for download via the gametrailers.com website (collectively, the “Selected Games”) for use solely by you and solely for the purpose of (i) creating a Video in accordance with these Official Rules; and (ii) submitting, posting, displaying, exhibiting or otherwise exploiting the Video solely and exclusively on the Website or such other platforms as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion in accordance with these Official Rules. Solely in connection with the Contest, Sponsor grants you a non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable, limited right and license to access and use the Selected Games solely for the purpose of creating and submitting a Video to the Contest on the Website or such other platforms as determined by Sponsor in its sole and absolute discretion. You may not use the Selected Games in any other manner, platform, or for any other purpose whatsoever, including without limitation submitting, posting, displaying, distributing or otherwise exploiting the Selected Games to any third party. Without in any way limiting the foregoing, you acknowledge and agree the Selected Games are owned exclusively by their respective video game companies, and are provided to you solely for the purpose of inclusion in your submitted Video. You shall acquire no copyright, ownership or other rights in or to these materials as the result of the incorporation of these materials into the Video. You are not granted any rights in any of the Selected Games. Your violation of any of these provisions or your unauthorized or improper use of any of the Selected Games shall entitle Sponsor or other parties to pursue, without limitation, all legal and equitable rights and remedies.

You hereby grant Sponsor, its parents, licensees, successors and affiliates a perpetual and irrevocable, exclusive, royalty free, worldwide license in all rights, titles and interests of every kind and nature now or hereafter known in the Video, including but not limited to a) all copyrights therein, b) the right of reproduction of the Video in any and all media whether now known and/or hereafter devised, in whole or in part, c) the moral rights of authors or artists in the Video in whole or in part and d) all rights of manufacture, merchandising, recordation, reproduction, translation, adaptation, display and exhibition of the Video in whole or in part and the right to make modifications thereto and derivatives thereof, in any and all media whether now known and/or hereafter devised and by any and all means or methods.

(c) By entering, you acknowledge acceptance and compliance with these Official Rules including all eligibility requirements included herein. Sponsor is not responsible for entries that are illegible, incomplete, lost, delayed, inaccurate, garbled, mutilated and misdirected, or for printing, typographical or other errors in these rules or any other Contest-related materials or any problems or technical malfunctions, human error, lost/delayed data transmission, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, line failures of any telephone network, computer on-line systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, software, failure on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any website or any combination thereof, including injury or damage to your or to any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating or downloading materials contained in this Contest or for other errors or difficulties of any kind whether human, mechanical, electronic, computer, network, typographical, printing or otherwise relating to or in connection with the Contest, including, without limitation, errors or difficulties which may occur in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing of entries, the announcement of the Prize or in any Contest-related materials. If for any reason the Contest is not capable of running as planned, including, without limitation, infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, or any other cause beyond the control of the Sponsor which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of this Contest, Sponsor reserves the right at Sponsor’s sole discretion to disqualify any individual who tampers with the entry process, and/or to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest in any manner. Should the Contest be terminated or cancelled prior to the stated expiration date, notice will be posted on the Website, and, at Sponsor’s discretion, potential Winners may be selected at random from among all non-suspect, eligible entries received prior to the termination or cancellation. Entries that have been tampered with or altered will be deemed void. The use of any system or agent to submit entries in connection with this Contest is prohibited and will result in disqualification. Entries generated by script, macro or other automated means will be void. Sponsor reserves the right at its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or any website associated therewith; to be acting in violation of these Official Rules; or to be acting in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner, or with intent to annoy, abuse, threaten, or harass any other person and all associated entries will be void. CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY A CONTEST ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR AND ITS DESIGNEES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH CONTEST ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

4. To Enter. Before you upload your Video on the Website in accordance with these Official Rules, you must first complete the Contest entry form on the Website during the Entry Period. Once you have completed the Contest entry form, follow the instructions below to submit the Video part of your entry.

Your Video must be submitted online through the Internet as follows:

Go to the Website and click on the “Upload Your Video” button and follow the instructions to upload your Video. At the time of upload, you will be required to opt-in to enter the Contest, and if you aren’t already registered, you will have to sign-up to become a registered user of Website (there is no charge or fee to sign up and register). Of course you will also be required to signify your agreement to the terms and conditions that apply to your registration – including those that apply generally to user generated videos and other content uploaded. Then simply upload your Video as required. In the event these Official Rules conflict with the Terms of Service for the Website, these Official Rules shall apply. As already mentioned the Video, as well as all other parts of your entry, becomes the property of Sponsor and will not be returned. Please make sure you comply with the Entry Period and deadlines noted in Paragraph 2. Once you have successfully uploaded your Video, a confirmation message will automatically appear. MTV Networks reserves the right to display, broadcast, perform or otherwise exhibit any Video entered in the Contest, at any time or times, on the Website or on any affiliate’s or third party web site(s) without notice, consideration, compensation or otherwise to any entrant or any other party.

5. Voting Period I / Finalists Selection / Notification: During the Entry Period, contestants may upload videos to supplement their Eligible Entries. Following the Entry Period, five (5) finalists (each a "Finalist") will be selected from the Eligible Entries received from the official judging panel comprised of an expert panel the GameTrailers.com editorial team, who have a vast knowledge and experience in machinima (the "Judges") based on the judging criteria set forth in Paragraph 7 below.

6. Voting Period II / Winner Selection / Notification: Between 12:00 PM (ET) August 18, 2008 through 12:00 PM (ET) August 31, 2008 (the "Second Voting Period"), Finalists' Entries shall be subject to voting from gametrailers.com users on the Website. During the Voting Period, gametrailers.com users will be invited to vote to indicate their preference for the Finalists' Entries they believe merit award of the Grand Prize Winner. Preferences indicated by voting in the Contest are not binding on Judges, but Judges will consider and take the online voting into account in their deliberations. The Judges will determine the Grand Prize Winner, First and second Place Winners on the basis of the Judging Criteria as determined by Sponsor, the merits of the Eligible Entries of the Finalists, and any other requested relevant information submitted during the entry and participation process by the Finalists which assists the judges in properly evaluating the Finalists. The determination of the Judges shall be final and binding on all Finalists and the Winners for all purposes. The Winners will be selected and announced on or around September 12, 2008. The Winners will be selected from the five (5) Finalists as determined by the Judging panel and online votes. Sponsor will notify the Winners by phone and/or email. Each Winner must contact Sponsor within twenty-four (24) hours of being notified of selection. If there is no response from the potential Winners, or if at any time during the course of the Contest, the selected Winners fail to comply with the Contest Rules, an alternate Winner(s) will be chosen from the remaining eligible entries in Sponsor's sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to delay the announcement of the Winners in its sole discretion.

7. Judging Criteria: The Judges will select the Finalists and the Winners based on originality(25%), concept incorporating “your dark side”(25%), and visual style(50%). All decisions of the Judges are final. In the event of a tie or dispute or for any other reason that Sponsor deems necessary, the final winner determination shall be made by Sponsor. To the extent permitted by law, Sponsor and the Judges disclaim any liability from, and entrants, whether or not a Finalist or Winner, agree to waive, any claims against Sponsor and the Judges relating to the judging or awarding process. Sponsor and the judging panel reserve the right to extend the Contest Period or not to award the Prizes if they determine, in their sole discretion, that entries received did not meet the qualification standards based on judging criteria.

8. Prizing: "The Matrix Machinima Contest" will award three (3) prizes ("Prizes") as follows:

a) Grand Prize: A 2009 Model Year Toyota Matrix S model grade in Sundance Metallic, equipped with automatic transmission, standard 6 airbags, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, with a Manufacturer’s suggested retail price of $18,260 (the “Prize Vehicle”) with the fifth door filled with (i) a voucher for a year subscription to “City of Heroes” and “City of Villains”; (ii) one (1) XBox 360 gaming console; (iii) one (1) Playstation 3 gaming console; (iv) one (1) Nintendo DS gaming console; and (v) one (1) each of the following video games: Iron Man, The Darkness, Superman Returns, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Spider-Man 3, Spider-Man Friend or Foe, Hellboy: Science of Evil, Naruto: Rise of a Ninja, Marvel Ultimate Alliance, Marvel Trading Card Game, and X-Men. The approximate retail value of the Grand Prize is $20,440.00

b) First Prize: One Thousand Dollars ($1,000).

c) Second Prize: Five Hundred Dollars ($500).

The tentative date for all prize fulfillments is no later than December 31, 2008 and subject to change at Sponsor’s sole discretion. The total approximate retail value for all Prizes is $21,940. The actual retail value of the Prizes for this Contest depends on current existing market conditions at time of Prize fulfillment. Any expenses which are not expressly set forth in these Official Rules are Winners’ sole responsibility.

In order to be declared the Winner, the Winner must sign (a) an affidavit of eligibility and compliance with all of the terms and conditions of these Official Rules, and a comprehensive and complete release from liability in favor of Sponsor, MTV Networks, and each of their respective parents, partners, subsidiaries, affiliated entities, advertising and promotional agencies and the shareholders, officers, directors, employees and agents (“Related Parties”) of each of the foregoing, from any and all liability, losses, claims, demands and causes of action, including, without limitation, any personal injury and/or property damage, theft, loss, or any other damage or harm suffered in connection with this Contest, or Video and/or the award, use or acceptance of the Prize and (b) except to the extent prohibited by law or regulation, a promotional release granting Related Parties, the right to use his or her name, voice, image, likeness or other characteristics and attributes for advertising, marketing, promotional and publicity purposes without notice and without consideration or compensation in any and all forms of media and communications, now known or hereafter developed. Entry into the Contest constitutes an agreement to sign all such releases (unless prohibited by law) and all documents required by Sponsor in connection with this Contest, and if a group entry is permitted, your entry constitutes a representation and warranty that the entrant has the right and authority from all members of the group to sign on their behalf and to bind each member of the group, their legal representatives, successors and assigns to each and every term and condition of these Official Rules.

The Grand Prize Winner shall be responsible for all taxes, license, title and registration fees or other costs, including without limitation any travel or transportation costs, associated with transferring and/or winning of the Prize Vehicle; provided, however, the Prize Vehicle shall be delivered at no cost to the Grand Prize Winner at an authorized Toyota dealer or distributor in the continental United States reasonably close in proximity to the Grand Prize Winner’s residence. The Grand Prize Winner must personally retrieve the Prize Vehicle within ten (10) days of written notification of delivery and must present a valid driver’s license from the contiguous United States or District of Columbia, evidence of active automobile insurance and any other required information by Sponsor in order to take delivery of the Prize Vehicle. Prior to awarding of the Prize Vehicle, title may be in the name of Sponsor. Accordingly, the Prize Vehicle may be considered “used” when being titled in the Grand Prize Winner’s name in Grand Prize Winner’s jurisdiction of residence. The Prize Vehicle will be delivered solely with the express written limited warranties set forth in the Prize Vehicle’s applicable Owner’s Guide, which warranties may run for the term set forth in the Guide. Model, color and accessories on Prize Vehicle may vary from that depicted in advertising and promotional materials and will be determined by Sponsor. Prize is non-transferable and no substitution or cash equivalent is allowed except as provided herein at the Sponsor’s sole discretion. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute the prize for one of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion.

Sponsor may disqualify any entry and entrant and select another potential Winner from among the remaining Eligible Entries if (a) after reasonable efforts to contact the potential Winner Sponsor is unable to do so or receives no response within one (1) business day after the end of the Voting Period or (b) if any potential Winner is unable, unwilling or does not, for any reason, return all of the required documents, unaltered and fully executed, within five (5) days of their transmittal to the potential Winner or otherwise fails to comply with these Official Rules.

9. Ownership Rights; Rights to Use Entries. Past experience has shown that contests and promotions generate similar submissions or entries which closely resemble concepts and ideas developed by Sponsor and/or Related Parties, whether before, during or after the Contest. Entrants may see a presentation which seemingly incorporates an idea or concept or includes materials similar to that contained in their entry (e.g., Contest entry form, and/or Video). Any similarity may be purely coincidental and is always unavoidable in light of the volume of ideas which Sponsor and/or Related Parties routinely consider in the course of their respective program development. Consequently, Sponsor and/or Related Parties must, and have adopted policies and procedures to protect themselves from potential liability and claims and as part of these Official Rules require all entrants to agree that: (i) Sponsor and/or Related Parties may use any and all ideas, concepts, material and expression, in whole or in part, submitted or contained in an entry, Video or other material you submit (ii) all entries and entry materials become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned, (iii) no Video or other material submitted, nor any part thereof, infringes any trademark, copyright or other property right, violates anyone’s right of privacy or publicity, any law, regulation or agreement or obligation by which he or she may be bound and (iv) entrants consent to Sponsor and/or Related Parties displaying, performing, making available for access, display, performing, using and exhibiting the Video, in whole or in part, throughout the universe, in perpetuity, in all media and means, now known or hereafter developed or discovered, for commercial purposes or any other purpose whatsoever.

If you enter, attempt to enter, participate and/or are selected as the Winner, you agree that your Video may be used by Sponsor and/or Related Parties, in whole or in part, for any purpose whatsoever without notice, consideration or compensation of any kind and even if there are any rights you may claim or arguably retain anywhere in the world (and without negating or limiting any of the provisions of these Official Rules), you grant Sponsor and Related Parties a non-exclusive, irrevocable, unconditional and unrestricted right and license to exhibit, broadcast, copy, reproduce, encode, adapt, reformat, compress, encrypt, incorporate data into, edit, broadcast, rebroadcast, transmit, record, publicly perform, create derivative works of, distribute and synchronize in timed relation to visual elements, all and/or any portions of your entry (including, without limitation, your Video), in any manner, an unlimited number of times, in any and all media, now known or hereafter developed or devised, throughout the universe, in perpetuity.

10. Indemnity. If you enter, attempt to enter, submit all or any part of an entry, participate, are selected as a potential or actual Winner, you agree (i) to defend, indemnify, release, discharge and hold harmless Sponsor and Related Parties harmless from and against any and all claims, suits, losses, damages and expenses (including reasonable attorneys’ fees) arising out of, resulting from or by reason of your non-compliance with, violation, breach or alleged breach of any of the terms or conditions of these Official Rules (including, without limitation, the representations and agreements herein), your submitted Video or Sponsor’s ownership, exhibition, exploitation or other use of the Video and (ii) to execute and deliver to Sponsor all forms and documents, releases and agreements as specifically described and required hereunder, as well as any additional documents reasonably requested by Sponsor, including, without limitation, those necessary to prove unrestricted ownership in all entry materials (i.e., Contest entry forms, and/or Video) and correspondingly your right to provide these entry materials to Sponsor as described and Sponsor’s right to use such entry materials without limitation for any and all purposes, as its own and as contemplated and described hereunder. If chosen as the Winner, you further unconditionally and irrevocably assign all right, title and interest in all entry materials and agree to execute and deliver to Sponsor such documentation as is requested by Sponsor and reasonably necessary to enable Sponsor to record, document, perfect and enforce such rights, title and interests, as permitted by law.

11. Representations / Warranties. You represent, warrant, covenant and agree that: (i) you have full right and authority to enter this Contest; (ii) no rights of any kind or nature are being retained or reserved by you or any third party in connection with your Video or each and all of the elements thereof (excluding only the Selected Games) or the Contest; (iii) except for the Selected Games, neither your video nor the use of your submitted Video by Sponsor or the exercise by Sponsor of any of the rights granted by you under these Official Rules, in whole or in part, including without limitation its contents and all audio, visual and musical elements and all names, likenesses, biographies, trademarks, trade names, or logos used in or as part of the Video, shall interfere with or infringe under common or statutory law the rights of any third party, including, without limitation contract rights, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade names, logos, rights of publicity and privacy, or otherwise violate the rights of any third party.

Sponsor is not responsible for any entry that is not submitted within the Entry Period or received when required by these Official Rules or that is incorrect, incomplete, illegible, unreadable, unrecognizable or inaccurate regardless of the reason or cause and even if due to human or equipment failure on the part of Sponsor, including, without limitation, malfunctions of telephones, networks, computer or communication systems, defects in material, media, digital file transfers (e.g., uploads or downloads), the Internet/World Wide Web, the Website, messaging or other problems with services, service providers, carriers or anything else. Sponsor is also not responsible for any loss or damage that may occur because of your participation, entry, attempted entry, winning or being awarded a prize in connection with this Contest.

12. General. Sponsor reserves the right at Sponsor’s sole discretion to disqualify any individual and/or any entry or entrant it finds or believes to be or to be related to (a) any disruption, tampering or interference with the Contest, its operation, any website associated therewith or any other party associated with the Contest, (b) in breach or violation of the Official Rules, any law or regulation or any other agreement or obligation or (c) acting in an inappropriate, unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner or with intent to annoy, intimidate, abuse, threaten or harass any other person or otherwise as prohibited hereunder. ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT OR ANY OTHER INDIVIDUAL TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEBSITE OR UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OR INTENDED OPERATION OF THE CONTEST IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS AND SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR AND ITS DESIGNEES RESERVE THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW AND TO REPORT AND PROVIDE ANY AND ALL INFORMATION TO LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS AND OFFICIALS.

The laws of the State of New York shall govern the interpretation and enforcement of these Official Rules and this Contest. The courts of the State of New York and the Federal court located in New York County, shall have sole and exclusive jurisdiction of any controversies regarding these Official Rules and this Contest and entrants submit to the exclusive and personal jurisdiction of such courts and waive any and all objections to jurisdiction and venue in these courts, including any objection that the forum is inconvenient. BY ENTERING, SUBMITTING AN ENTRY OR ATTEMPTING TO DO SO, AND/OR BY PARTICIPATING OR ACCEPTING ANY PRIZE, YOU HEREBY IRREVOCABLY WAIVE THE RIGHT TO ANY TRIAL BY JURY.

If, for any reason, the Contest is not capable of running as planned or if Sponsor believes or has any reason to believe, the Contest is or has been tampered with or is not operating as contemplated, including, without limitation, due to infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures, insufficient entries or any other causes beyond the control of the Sponsor which does or may corrupt or affect the administration, operation, security, fairness, integrity or conduct of this Contest in any manner. Should the Contest be terminated or cancelled prior to the stated expiration date, notice will be posted on the Website and at Sponsor’s discretion, potential Winners may be selected at random from non-suspect, Eligible Entries received prior to the termination or cancellation. Entries that have been tampered with or altered will be deemed void.

13. Winner’s Name. To get the name of the Contest Winner, after August 8, 2008, send a written request, together with a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

THE MATRIX MACHINIMA CONTEST
Gametrailers, Corp.
2600 Colorado Ave.
Santa Monica, CA 90404
Attn: Gametrailers Promotions Marketing Dept.

All requests must be received by December 31, 2008. Vermont residents may omit return postage.

14. Sponsorship. The Contest is sponsored by GAMETRAILERS, Corp., 2600 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404, and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A., Inc., 19001 South Western Ave., Torrance, CA 90501.

PRIVACY POLICY

Any personal information supplied by you to Sponsor will be subject to GameTrailers’ privacy policy posted at http://www.gametrailers.com/privacy.php and Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Inc.’s privacy policy posted at http://www.toyota.com/help/privacy.html.

† Please read our Terms &amp; Conditions. © 2008 GameTrailers, Corp. All rights reserved.

One of my questions is the same as Star_Dancer's:

Are we allowed to use either a) royalty-free music, or b) music that we have received copyright permission to use?

Other question:

In-game footage? Does this mean demo-recording is out?

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

IMO Demorecording actually is "in-game". It is just the game running with a different set of arguments.