Rules

By entering Let's Change the Game, you agree to the following rules:

Team Requirements

Teams must have at least three members.

Entrants under 18 must have written parental permission, and all teams must have at least one member over 18.

By entering, a team commits to being available to develop a game during 2007, with a view to launch in Summer 2008.

This competition is open to people from all countries, but we recommend that given the game is in support of Cancer Research UK, teams should be able to support UK-based live events and attend meetings on UK time.

Individuals may belong to multiple teams, but they must inform each team of the other teams that they belong to.

Judges may not enter the competition or provide assistance to particular team in private; however, they may provide general advice on the Let's Change the Game forums.


Game Requirements

The majority of gameplay must be available internationally. However, most live events should take place in the UK.

The game should last from 4-10 weeks, with a view to launch in Summer 2008. A 'pregame' of up to three months is also acceptable.

Games must not include any copyrighted works for which use has not been explicitly granted in writing.

Games must be family friendly (similar to a PG-13 or 12A movie).


Deadlines

500-word proposal deadline: Friday 16th November
(closed)
Shortlisted proposals announced: Monday 3rd December
Detailed proposal deadline: Friday 11th January (for all shortlisted teams)
Winning team announced: Thursday 31st January


Judging Criteria

ARG proposals will be judged by several criteria. The most important is the game’s ability to raise funds for Cancer Research UK. This is closely followed by the task of raising awareness of all facets of cancer treatment and the work Cancer Research UK carries out. The feasibility of games will also be assessed, as it is essential that they are produced at a high quality and are not at risk of finishing abruptly; the availability and dedication of team members will play into this.

Originality, gameplay and scope are also critical, and are likely to be the key factors that help the game excel in raising funds and awareness.

The first-round judging process will take place under blind conditions. In other words, when the judges examine the 500 word game proposals, all identifying information will be stripped out (i.e. email addresses). Only when the shortlist has been finalised will we look up the email address to contact the teams. As a result, second-round judging will not be blind.

The judges' decision is final. Let's Change the Game is under no obligation to enter into correspondence with teams, although it may choose to contact selected teams. If, at any stage, the judges feel that the quality of the proposals is not sufficiently high, they reserve the right to extend the deadline for proposals.


Intellectual Property

All proposals submitted by teams will remain in the ownership of the team. However, by submitting a proposal, you grant Cancer Research UK and Let's Change the Game the non-exclusive right to reproduce the proposal in all media in perpetuity.

The content and intellectual property of the public game will remain in the ownership of the team. Cancer Research UK and Let's Change the Game are granted the non-exclusive right to reproduce all works in all media in perpetuity.

All teams must acknowledge that parallel development of ideas is possible and likely, and if ideas or concepts from proposals sent into the competition are used in future games by the creators, it is to be assumed that they were developed independently. For the avoidance of doubt, this is a necessary rule otherwise none of the judges would be able to work on any game in the future without fear of legal action.


Miscellaneous

The 'winning game' refers to the game that is chosen to be developed and run for Cancer Research UK. The 'winning team' refers to the team that has developed the 'winning game'. The 'public game' refers to the game that is developed and run for Cancer Research UK.

If your proposal is not selected as the winner, you agree to not launch a similar 'Cancer ARG' game in the same time period as the winning game, in order to avoid confusion.

Selected members of the judges will act as executive and non-executive producers of the public game. Their primary function will be to advise, not to actively develop the game.

Following the announcement of the winning game, the winning team will be required to meet with the judges and Cancer Research UK to discuss the development of the public game. It is likely that some changes will be required, and that the public game will be different from the winning game proposal.

Cancer Research UK and Let's Change the Game reserve the right to change any details or, in extreme circumstances, terminate the development or the running of the winning game at any point.