2019 Brownsville Video Game Creator Challenge Rules and Guidelines

The 2019 Brownsville Video Game Creator Challenge (the “Game Creator Challenge”) is sponsored by GameSalad, Inc. (the “Sponsor”). The Game Creator Challenge aims to engage students in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math (“STEAM”) skills by challenging them to create original video games (the “Project”).
Eligibility
This contest is open to all students who:
  1. are enrolled in Brownsville Independent School district in grades six, seven, or eight during the 2018-2019 school year.
  2. have their parent’s / legal guardian’s permission to participate in the challenge.
Applicants may make only one submission to the 2019 Brownsville Video Game Creator Challenge. Applicants who submit more than one submission will be subject to disqualification. Applicants may, in Sponsor’s discretion, be required to provide verification of enrollment, age, and parental / legal guardian permission.
Submission Process
Each entrant (each an “Applicant“, and in all instances Applicant shall include the parental/legal guardian) must submit the following (collectively, a “Submission”) before 1:00 PM Central Daylight Time on May 28th, 2019.
  1. A fully completed online Application Form (do not include the Applicant’s real names, contact information, or other personal information in your Submission aside from your Brownsville ISD Student ID number).
  2. A URL / link to a game project in GameSalad Creator.
Entry Guidelines
All Submissions must comply with the following content restrictions. Failure to meet any of these guidelines will subject Submission to disqualification.
  • All Submissions must be in the English language. Game Projects may be submitted in a language other than English if the player is not meant to understand the language as part of the game play experience;
  • The Submission must not contain any personally identifiable information, including but not limited to Applicant’s true name, address, birth date, social security number or other federal or state identification number, school name;
  • The Submission must not invade the privacy of any person;
  • No copyrighted material (music, images, etc) or trademarks (company names, logos, brands, etc.) may be used unless the video game creator owns or has license to use the material for this contest. Written permission must be obtained and provided upon request for all copyrighted or trademarked materials;
  • The Submission must not contain material that is inappropriate,  indecent, obscene, hateful, torturous, defamatory, slanderous or libelous;
  • The Submission must not contain material that promotes bigotry, racism, hatred or harm against any group or individual or promotes discrimination based on race, gender, religion, nationality, disability, sexual orientation or age; and
  • The Submission must not contain material that is unlawful, in violation of or contrary to the laws or regulations in any jurisdiction where the Submission is created.
By entering, each Applicant represents and warrants that (a) the Applicant’s Submission and all components thereof, including all ideas, creative elements and any other materials and information contained in the Submission are wholly original with the Applicant, (b) no person or entity has collaborated with Applicant in creating the Submission, provided any material or information for inclusion in the Submission, or has any ownership rights in and to the Submission or any component thereof, (c) Applicant has the exclusive, unconditional right and authority to submit the Submission to Sponsors and to grant the rights set forth herein, and (d) the Applicant’s Submission complies with these Official Rules in full.
Submissions must not contain any material that Sponsors, in their sole discretion, deem inappropriate for public viewing and/or determine is contrary to their mission. Sponsors reserve the right in their sole discretion to disqualify and/or not accept any Submission that Sponsors determine does not or is likely not to comply with these guidelines, to make such changes to any Submission as are necessary to make it compliant, or to require the Applicant to do so.
Judging Criteria
A panel of judges designated by Sponsors will review and score all Submissions based on the following criteria:
  • Functionality (is the game largely free of bugs)
  • Innovation / Creative Vision (uniqueness of the game concept)
  • Engaging game play (the extent to which games keep players fully engaged)
  • Well balanced game play (clarity of game play goals, balance of challenges and rewards, feedback to the player)
Winner Selection
The potential winners will be determined as indicated below:
Best in District: The eligible individual Application whose Submission receives the three (3) highest score from the Judges based on the Judging Criteria among all Submissions will be a potential winner, subject to verification.
Best in School: The eligible individual Application whose Submission receives the highest score from Judges based on the Judging Criteria among all Submissions from the same school will be a potential winner, subject to verification.
In the event of a tie for awards, the tied Applicants will be chosen based on their Submission’s Innovation / Creative Vision scores.
Prizes
The prizes awarded to each of the winners will consist of a one year consumer GameSalad Pro subscription. The winners of the Best in District prize will receive a laptop computer whose retail value is no more than $600. The winners of the Best in School prize will receive a tablet computer whose retail value is not more than $100.
All income taxes and any other applicable taxes on each Game Creator Challenge Prize are the sole responsibility of the recipient. An IRS form 1099 will be issued if required by law. Game Creator Challenge Prizes consist only of the items expressly specified herein. Any costs or expenses associated with the acceptance or use of any prize are the responsibility of the recipient. No substitutions, cash redemption or transfer of right to receive any Game Creator Challenge Prize will be allowed, except at the sole discretion of the Sponsors. Sponsors reserve the right to substitute an alternate Game Creator Challenge Prize.
Authorization
By entering, each Applicant grants to Sponsors and their designees the irrevocable, royalty-free right to publish, disseminate and use the Applicant’s name, likeness and biographical information without further notice or consideration, in perpetuity, throughout the world, in all media and formats now known or hereafter invented, in connection with the execution and promotion of the Game Creator Challenge and the promotion of Sponsors and their activities. In addition, by entering, each Applicant grants to Sponsors and their designees a nonexclusive, irrevocable, royalty-free license to reproduce, exploit, adapt, use and display worldwide, in perpetuity, throughout the world, in all media and formats now known or hereafter invented, the Submission and all components thereof in connection with the execution and promotion of the Game Creator Challenge and the promotion of Sponsors and their activities, without further notice or compensation.
Disputes
These Terms and Conditions shall be governed by and interpreted under the laws of the State of Texas without regard to conflicts of laws provisions. Applicant hereby agrees that any and all disputes claims, causes of action or controversies arising out of or in connection with the Game Creator Challenge or these Terms and Conditions shall be resolved individually, and without resort to class action, exclusively by a state or federal court located in Austin, Texas. By entering, each Applicant irrevocably waives any right to seek and/or obtain rescission and/or equitable and/or injunctive relief.
More information
If you have questions, contact GameSalad at bisdvgcc@gamesalad.com