The 12th Annual Independent Games Festival

The Independent Games Festival Competition - Main Category (the “Contest”) is being sponsored by Think Services (the “Sponsor”) in connection with the Game Developers Conference to be held March 9-13, 2010 at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California (the “Conference”). Each person or entity who enters the Contest (each, an “Entrant”)agrees to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the Sponsor and its judges, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to the Contest.

To enter the Contest, an Entrant who is otherwise eligible under these Official Rules must submit all of the following materials at any time between 12:00 a.m. P.T. on July 1st, 2009 and 11:59 p.m. P.T. on November 1st, 2009 (the “Entry Deadline”):

A properly completed official entry form, located on the Contest application page of Sponsor’s website, www.igf.com (the “Contest Website”).
A digital copy of the game being entered (an “Entered Game”), submitted by uploading the title to the official IGF site, posting a URL with a playable web game, or sending 10 physical copies of the Entered Game. If sending physical copies, ten (10) copies of the game will be entered (each, an “Entered Game”), in playable form, on ten (10) separate CD-ROMs, along with ten (10) sets of any special equipment and hardware, (e.g., graphics cards, 3D glasses, etc.) necessary to play the Entered Game, if applicable, as well as any other supporting materials.
A $95 non-refundable application fee, which must be submitted by credit card on the Contest Website.

All physical entry materials become the property of Sponsor and will not be returned (no IP rights are affected).

The IGF Main Competition is open to independent games developed on non-mobile hardware platforms. Games for mobile and handheld platforms (iPhone/iPod Touch, PSP, DS, cell phone, Android, PDA) must be entered into the IGF Mobile competition.

Entered Games initially will be evaluated by a selection of judges from a total of 100-200 individuals picked by the Sponsor (the “"Nominating Committee”"). Members of the Nominating Committee may include independent and 'mainstream' professional game designers, notable indie-friendly video game journalists, and other individuals familiar with video game design.

The Nominating Committee will review the Entered Games and select finalists during approximately the period from the Entry Deadline to January 4th, 2010 (the “Nominating Period”). Each member of the Nominating Committee will assign a score of 1 to 100 to each Entered Game in each of the following categories (each, a “Category”):

Technical Achievement: Scores will be based on the technical mastery and innovation demonstrated by each Entered Game’s game engine and code base.
Excellence in Visual Art: Scores will be based on the innovation, quality, and impressiveness of each Entered Game’s appearance and visual effects.
Excellence in Audio: Scores will be based on the innovation, quality, and impressiveness of each Entered Game’s music and sound effects.
Excellence in Design: Scores will be based on the quality and execution of each Entered Game's design, including game mechanic design, level design, and difficulty balancing.
Nuovo Award: Nuovo Award: Since the award is intended to honor abstract, shortform, and unconventional game development, allowing more esoteric 'art games' to compete on their own terms alongside longer-form indie titles, irrespective of the other category scores, scores will be based on the originality of the games in 'advancing the medium' and doing things experimentially and differently. (A separate panel of game/art world judges will complete the finalist judging and winners on this category.)
Audience Award: Public voters will download demonstrations of the games and vote for their favorite - the game with the most votes will win the award. Entered Games must have a playable public demo when asked by the Nominating Committee (likely to be around January 2010) to be considered for this category, but do not need to submit a public demo with initial entry..
Seumas McNally Grand Prize: This Category is open to all Entered Games. Scores will be based on the overall innovation, quality, impressiveness, and enjoyability of each Entered Game.

Each Entered Game receiving one (1) of the five (5) highest average scores from all members of the Nominating Committee in each Category will qualify as a “Finalist Game.” In the event of any tie score, the decision of the chairperson of the Nominating Committee will break the tie. On or around January 4th, 2010, Sponsor will notify each Entrant by electronic and/or regular mail if that Entrant’s Entered Game was judged to be a Finalist Game (each such Entrant, a “Finalist”).

Any Finalist that does not satisfy all of the requirements of this section may be disqualified, and Sponsor may select an alternate Finalist Game from the remaining Entered Games.

Each Finalist will be required to sign and return a declaration of eligibility and release of liability within seven (7) days of notification. The declaration and release will include, to the extent permitted by law and even if already granted by a Finalist’s acceptance of these Official Rules, the grant by each Finalist of permission (without further compensation) for Sponsor to use the Finalist’s name, photograph and likeness (if an individual), logo (if any), state of residence, and Entered Game for advertising, promotion, marketing, and administration of the Contest and the Conference, including mention in Sponsor’s Game Developer magazine and on Gamasutra.com and a profile in the Conference program. Each Finalist that is a business entity also must use its best efforts to obtain for Sponsor similar rights from its employees, to the extent permitted by law, upon Sponsor’s request. Each Finalist must provide Sponsor with its social security or taxpayer I.D. number for tax reporting purposes.

Each Finalist will be required to exhibit its Finalist Game at the Conference. Exhibition duties will include: (i) staffing a Conference booth; (ii) demonstrating the Finalist Game during specified hours; and (iii) conducting oneself in a manner that upholds the good name and reputation of Sponsor, the Conference, and the Contest. Sponsor will provide one (1) display pod at the Conference for each Finalist, which will consist of a counter, a 21" monitor, speakers, hook-ups for electricity and Internet connectivity, and signage indicating the name of the Finalist and the name of the Finalist Game. Each Finalist will be expected to supply its own computer, console, or other platform required to display its Finalist Game, along with any additional hardware necessary to operate the Finalist Game.

Any individual Finalist who is unable to attend may officially nominate a proxy attendee (the name and contact details of which to be electronically mailed to the Contest Chairman at chairman@igf.com within fourteen (14) days after notification of nomination has been sent to the Finalist). Proxy attendees must perform the same duties as the actual Finalists.

Each Finalist will be responsible its own costs of travel, meals, accommodations, and equipment in connection with the Contest and the Conference. All individual Finalists and representatives of business entity Finalists must be in sufficient physical condition for safe travel to the Conference.

Two (2) All Access passes to the Conference (approximate value of $4000.00);
Up to five (5) Exhibitor Passes (no monetary value) to allow access to the GDC Show Floor to showcase their games.
Mention in Game Developer magazine;
Mention in Gamasutra.com;
Coverage in a Sponsor-issued press release;
A profile in the Conference’s official program; and
A license to use a version of the official Contest name and finalist logo in promotional materials relating to the Finalist Game.

The estimated total value of each Finalist prize package is approximately $6000.00. The estimated total value of the twenty-eight (28) Finalist prize packages is $112,000. The Finalist prizes will be shipped to each Finalist after receipt of the declaration and release mentioned in the Finalist Requirements section of these Official Rules and confirmation of attendance at the Conference.

Finalist Games will be further evaluated by a panel of approximately one hundred (100) to two hundred (200) judges appointed by Sponsor (the “Judging Committee”). Members of the Judging Committee will include all of the judges from a total of 100-200 individuals picked by the Sponsor (the “Nominating Committee”). Members of the Nominating/Judging Committee may include independent and 'mainstream' professional game designers, notable indie-friendly video game journalists, and other individuals familiar with video game design.

The Judging Committee will review the Finalist Games and select winners during approximately the period from January 11th to February 11th, 2010. Each member of the Judging Committee willselect one (1) winner from the Finalist Games in each Category. The Finalist Game with the most votes in a Category is the “Winning Game” for that Category. In addition, members of the public and prospective Conference attendees will select their favorite Finalist Game as a Winning Game in an additional Category called the “Audience Award” Category via online voting.

All Winning Games will be announced at the Conference at approximately 7:00 p.m. PT on March 11th, 2010.

Each Finalist who submits the Winning Game in a Category (each, a “Winner”) will receive the prize indicated below for that Category:

In addition to the monetary prizes, each Winner will receive an award plaque and a license to use a version of the official Contest name and winner logo in promotional materials relating to the Winning Game. The Seumas McNally Grand Prize Winner also will receive three (3) All Access Passes to the 2010 Game Developers Conference (approximate value of $6,000), special mention in Game Developer magazine and on Gamasutra.com, and special coverage in a Sponsor-issued press release.

The estimated total value of each Winner prize package other than the Seumas McNally Grand Prize is approximately $2,500.00. The estimated total value of the Seumas McNally Grand Prize is approximately $20,000. The estimated total value of the five (5) Winner prize packages and the Seumas McNally Grand Prize is approximately $22,500.

All monetary amounts in these Official Rules are indicated in United States dollars and all monetary prizes will be awarded in the form of checks or money orders in United States dollars Sponsor reserves the right to substitute any non-monetary prizes with items of equal or greater value. Each Finalist and Winner will be solely responsible for bearing any income or other taxes, fees, or other costs relating to any prize.

All prizes will be awarded on-site at the Conference. It is possible that some or all Winners may be offered gifts from Conference sponsors or other third parties. Sponsor makes no representation or warranty that any such gifts will be offered or received, does not endorse any such gifts, and is no way responsible for any such gifts.

Sponsor does not know how many games will be entered in the Contest. However, participation in similar contests held by Sponsor over the previous five (5) years was as follows: 2009 - 226 games entered; 2008 - 173 games entered; 2007 - 141 games entered; 2006 - 118 games entered; 2005 – 78 games entered; 2004 – 111 games entered.

The Contest is open only to business entities and to individuals who are 13 years or older, in each case who have access to the Internet on or before November 1st, 2008. Individuals under the age of 18 years must provide evidence of parent or legal guardian consent satisfactory to Sponsor. Sponsor, its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and its advertising, promotion, and production agencies, as well as employees of any of the foregoing, members of such employees’ immediate families (including spouse, parents, siblings, grandparents, grandchildren, step-children, step-parents and in-laws), and persons with whom such employees are domiciled, are not eligible. In addition to the foregoing general eligibility requirements, the following additional requirements must be met:

Independently Created: The Nominating Committee must be confident that the submitted game was created in the 'indie spirit' by an independent game developer, fulfilling the question asked on the entry form. The Nominating Committee reserves the right to refuse any game at its sole discretion.
Use of Third Party Technology: Games that make use of third party game engines, middleware, or other software or technology are only eligible if the Entrant has all necessary rights to commercially publish the game. For instance, if an Entrant does not have full legal rights to commercially release a game using the Quake III engine, that game is not eligible for the Contest.
Rights: Before submitting an Entered Game, the Entrant must have obtained the written permission of all persons or entities having any rights in the Entered Game.
Updates: Entered Game updates are permitted during the Nominating Period. Patched updates from competitors via FTP or CD-ROM will be permitted throughout the judging process. However, Sponsor does not guarantee the viewing or application of every patch/update by the Nominating Committee.
Web Browser Games: Web Browser Games must run in the latest versions of both Internet Explorer and Firefox, and may use the latest versions of the Flash, Java, Director, Unity, and Virtools plug-ins, if desired.
State of Development: All Entered Games must be in a "beta" state or better (i.e., Entered Games must be feature-complete). At least one (1) level of each Entered Game must be complete and fully playable.
Platform: Entered Games may run on any platform (PC, Mac, console, PDA, etc.). Any Entrant submitting an Entered Game that requires special hardware (e.g., uncommon PDAs or older consoles) may be contacted by Sponsor to obtain the hardware at the Entrant’s sole expense.

By entering the Contest, each Entrant releases and holds harmless Sponsor, its parents, subsidiaries, and affiliates, and each of their respective officers, directors, agents, and employees from any and all responsibility or liability arising out of or relating to: (i) any personal injury, death, property (including computer) damage, or other loss or claim of any kind arising from or in connection with any violation of these Official Rules; the Contest, the Conference or any Entered Game; the acceptance, possession, or use of any prize; or any travel required by the Contest; (ii) any entry or other materials that have been tampered with, that are misdirected, incomplete, incorrect, non-conforming, corrupt, lost, late, or ineligible, or, with respect to mail-in entries or materials, that are sent postage due; and (iii) computer, telephone, cable, satellite, network, hardware, software, or other technical malfunctions or failures; garbled or jumbled transmissions; Internet or website inaccessibility or delays; printing or typographical errors in any Contest or Conference materials; or any other technical or human errors occurring in connection with the Contest or Conference.

By entering the Contest, each Entrant consents to the use of the Entrant’s name, photograph and likeness (if an individual), logo (if any), state of residence, and Entered Game for advertising, promotion, marketing, and administration of the Contest and Conference without additional compensation, to the extent permitted by law. Each entrant further agrees that Sponsor may use any and all information collected through the Contest, including the Entrant’s name and contact information, for marketing or other purposes whether or not related to the Contest, to the extent permitted by law and Sponsor’s privacy policy, which may be found on the Contest Website.

By entering the Contest, each individual submitting entry materials (including an Entered Game) represents and warrants to Sponsor that:

such individual either is the Entrant (if the Entrant is an individual) or is a fully authorized representative of the Entrant (if the Entrant is a business entity);
the Entrant and the Entered Game fully comply with all eligibility requirements and all other provisions of these Official Rules;
in preparing the Entered Game and entering and participating in the Contest and the Conference, the Entrant has complied and will comply in all respects with all applicable laws, regulations, and rules and has not violated nor will violate any agreement or understanding by which it is bound, including any confidentiality, employment, consulting, intellectual property assignment, or license agreement;
the Entered Game consists entirely of Entrant’s own original work or of work to which Entrant has all necessary rights; and
neither the Entered Game nor the duplication, use, display, performance, or distribution of the Entered Game will infringe or misappropriate any intellectual property or other proprietary rights of any person or entity.

Sponsor reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Contest in its sole and absolute discretion if the Contest becomes technically corrupted or is not capable of being run as planned, including infections by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failures or any other causes beyond the control of Sponsor that corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of the Contest. In such event, Sponsor will post notice at the Conference and on the Contest Website and will implement an alternate means for awarding all prizes.

If any part of these Official Rules is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be invalid, illegal, or otherwise unenforceable, such part will be deemed modified or eliminated to the extent necessary, in the court’s opinion, to make it enforceable while preserving the original intent of the Sponsor, and the remaining parts of these Official Rules will remain in full force and effect. The Contest will be governed by, and these Official Rules will be interpreted by, and enforced in accordance with, the laws of the State of California and applicable United States federal law, without regard to any conflicts of laws principles. The Contest is void where prohibited by law. Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Official Rules, the Contest, the Conference, or any prize must be brought exclusively in the state or federal courts located in San Francisco, California, and Sponsor and each Entrant irrevocably waive any objection to the venue and jurisdiction thereof.

For the name of the Winners, which will be available after March 11th, 2010, check the Contest Website or send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

2010 Independent Games Festival Competition, Main Category
c/o Think Services Game Group
600 Harrison Street
San Francisco, CA 94107
USA
Telephone: (415) 947-6000


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