Brain Bust II
FAQ GUIDE

1.1 What is Brain Bust II?
Bust II is an online trivia challenge open to all eligible Total Access Members. The Challenge will feature 256 players competing for the top prize.

1.2 What are the prizes for the winners?
The 1st place winner from the Final Showdown will receive a $1,000 gift card to Best Buy. In addition, the two players with the highest scores from the Elimination Phase 4 will each receive a travel package to San Francisco, Calif., to participate in the live taping of the Trivia Challenge finals.

1.3 When is the Challenge?
Registration for the Challenge begins April 16, 2008 and closes April 21, 2008. All participants must sign up for a player slot during the sign-up period. Participants cannot be added at any time outside of the registration window. The Challenge matches will begin April 21, 2008 and end May 2, 2008.

1.4 What is the Challenge schedule? Below is the complete Challenge schedule. If you have registered for the Challenge, you can verify the date and time of your next match by visiting GameSpot's My Headquarters page.

• April 21, 2008--Elimination Phase 1
  2:00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT - (256 players)
  Questions will be about Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City. The top sixty-four (64) players move on to Elimination Phase 2.
• April 22, 2008--Elimination Phase 2
  2:00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT - (64 players)
  Questions will be about Grand Theft Auto: Vice City. The top sixteen (16) players move on to Elimination Phase 3.
• April 23, 2008--Elimination Phase 3
  2:00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT - (16 players)
  Questions will be about Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. The top four (4) players move on to Elimination Phase 4.
• April 24, 2008--Elimination Phase 4
  2:00 p.m. - 6.00 p.m. PT - (4 players)
  Questions will be about Grand Theft Auto I and II games and media. The top two (2) players move on to the Final Showdown.
• May 2, 2008--Final Showdown*
  4:00 p.m. PT - (2 players)

* Note: For the Finale Showdown, the two players with the highest score in Elimination Phase 4 will be flown to the GameSpot studios in San Francisco to compete live on air for the top prize. During the final match, we plan to start promptly at 4:00 p.m. PT, and we expect the match to be played within a reasonable schedule. However, exact start times may vary based on the needs of the live GameSpot Trivia Challenge TV broadcast.

Should either of the two players with the highest scores from the Elimination Phase 4 not be eligible or able to attend the live taping of Tournament TV, a player with the next highest score will be chosen. The travel prize package will be awarded to the players with the two highest scores in the Elimination Phase 4 available to attend. Should none or only one of the four contestants in the Elimination Phase 4 be available to attend the Final Showdown live, contestants from the prior rounds will be chosen based on their scores from that round.

2.1 Who can sign up for the Challenge?
The Challenge is open to GameSpot Total Access subscribers. You must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and a resident of one of the 50 United States (including the District of Columbia). For further information about GameSpot's residency requirements for this Challenge, please go to question 2.3 of this FAQ.

2.2 What are the technical requirement to participate?
Here is a breakdown of what you need to participate:

• A PC or Mac with the most recent version of Internet Explorer, Firefox, or Safari browser installed
• A stable Internet connection

2.3 Why is this Challenge for US residents only?
Because each country has its own laws regarding sweepstakes, tournaments, and contests, we can include only the US for this specific event. Each Challenge may have different requirements, so stay tuned for future events.

2.4 Anything else I should know about before I sign-up?
(a) When registration opens, sign up on the GameSpot Web site. There will be two hundred and fifty six (256) total player slots available to choose from. Wait-list slots are also available at the time of registration.

(b) Challenge registration will require that you use your GameSpot username.

(c) Sign up is on a first-come, first-served basis.

2.5 What are the requirements in order to receive a Challenge emblem?
To receive a participation emblem, all players are required to show up for roll call and participate in a match. If players does not show for their match or do not play in a match for the duration of the Challenge, they will not be eligible for the participation emblem.

3.1 Can I use a name other than my GameSpot profile user name?
The name you register under on the Challenge page must be your GameSpot username. This is tied to your GameSpot Total Access subscription, and you must have this to register.

3.2 I've registered for the Challenge. What do I do next?
You will receive an e-mail confirming your registration and time slot. The e-mail will also contain instructions for your next match. Read section 6.1 for more details about the check-in process.

3.3 What should I do after I have registered for a timeslot?
Keep an eye on your time slot at all times until registration closes. If a time slot is not available, register as a wait-list player. Wait-list players are also considered substitutes and will be allowed to replace players during the Challenge, provided that a player is not able to compete in a match or round. Please note: When a substitute replaces a no-show player for a match, the player's rights are transferred to the substitute player.

3.4 If I am put on the waiting list, how will I know if I am able to get in the Challenge?
You will receive an e-mail stating that you are able to participate. Given that many players do not show up for their matches, you should always show up and sign in during roll call for the time slot requested, even if you are only on the waiting list. This will ensure you maximum visibility to GameSpot Admins, who may be seeking a replacement for a time slot. Note: When you check in, make sure to join the GameSpot Tournament chat room. If you want to participate, the best thing for you to do is be available.

4.1 What should I know about the format?
Each round consists of a pool of players competing for the highest score. The trivia module will automatically score your performance based on how many questions you answer correctly and how quickly you answer. Each round will include a total of 10 questions in the specified category of roughly the same difficulty level.

4.2 What are the server settings?
(a) Any disorderly behavior disqualifies players from participation, finals, or prizes. GameSpot Admins are the final arbiters in all situations, and they have the final say in every situation; this includes the GameSpot Tournament chat room. Please refrain from using harassing, negative, or profane language in the GameSpot Tournament chat room.

(b) No cheats or hacks of any kind are to be used. Players will be disqualified if they are caught using any cheat or third-party "helper" applications. Questions will be pulled from a large pool of potential questions in each round, of which you will only answer 10. We will actively review each player's account, which may include comparison of IP addresses and cookies, to ensure all players are conducting themselves with honor.

(c) Please refrain from using harassing, negative, or profane language in the GameSpot Tournament chat room.

(d) Taking advantage of known exploits or bugs in the trivia game module is also considered cheating. If a GameSpot Admin finds that you are cheating, you will be disqualified from the Challenge immediately with no recourse.

(e) Trivia Challenge slots are limited to one slot per person. You may not sign up for more than one slot using separate GameSpot Total Access accounts.

(f) These rules are subject to change at any time. If any changes to the rules occur, you will be notified through the Trivia Challenge news page and a Tournament forum post; a time stamp will be on any Challenge Web pages that have been revised. It is required that all participants review either the GameSpot Tournament forum or Trivia Challenge announcement page for such notices. GameSpot will not be responsible for players who do not read their email and forum notices to make themselves aware of updates that are posted publicly and related to any changes to the official rules.

4.3 Will there be a seeding process?
No, the Challenge will not have a seeding method. Scheduled matches will be automatically determined as current matches are played, so choose your time slot wisely.

5.1 How is a match formed?
A match is formed when a group of individuals register for a time slot in a Challenge. A person who is on the waiting list for the time slot has the opportunity to join if someone from the match does not show for Elimination Phase 1.

5.2 What is the difference between a wait-list player and a substitute player?
In this Challenge, GameSpot is treating wait-list players and substitutes as the same. At any time during Elimination Phase 1, a current player can be replaced with one from the waiting list.

5.3 Can players swap out of a match with substitute players?
WWhen a substitute replaces a player for a match, this removes the player's rights to the Challenge. A substitute who is added to the match is then considered a confirmed player. This means that the replacement has all rights to continue the Challenge, and the player who was removed no longer has these rights. Substitutes will only be allowed during Elimination Phase 1.

6.1 What should I expect to happen for my scheduled match?
(a) ROLL CALL: You will sign in for roll call by visiting the My Headquarters page. You can check in for roll call one hour prior to your scheduled match.

(b) JOIN TOURNAMENT CHAT ROOM: After checking in for roll call, you will join the GameSpot Tournament chat room.

(c) ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS IN TOURNAMENT CHAT ROOM: Once you have joined the GameSpot Tournament chat room, you will receive additional instructions from the GameSpot Admins.

(d) FILL OUT THE TRIVIA QUESTIONS. You will have four hours to complete the trivia questions. Once you check in, the trivia module will become available for play. You will be presented a series of 10 questions in the category indicated in the round title. Each question will have four multiple-choice answers from which to choose. Your score will be based on your answering correctly, as well as how quickly you provide the correct answer. The trivia game cannot be stopped or paused once you start, and you have only one chance to play the round; you will not be able to play again.

We have an automated roll call system that will let you sign in to notify us of your arrival. The earliest you can check in is 60 minutes before your time slot. If you are on the waiting list, you will also need to sign in through the My Headquarters page to let us know you are available.

6.3 How do I check in for my match?
To participate, you must check in for roll call. To check in, make sure you are logged in to GameSpot.com then simply visit the My Headquarters page on the Challenge page and click on the "Check in" button to let us know that you're ready to play. You'll then see instructions on how to enter the GameSpot Tournament chat room or roll call. Official GameSpot Admins will be identified a green font in the GameSpot Tournament chat room.

6.4 What happens if I make it into the later rounds but don't show up on time?
If you want to be a part of this competition, attendance and timeliness are required. If you do not show up for a scheduled match, you will be disqualified and ineligible to win any prizes.

6.5 What if there is a tie?
If a tie occurs, the tie breaker format will be dependent on the Elimination Phase.

Elimination Phase 1 through 3 will allow the tied players to move on to the next Tournament phase.

Elimination Phase 4 will use the tied Contestants’ composite scores based on previous performance to break any ties and determine the scores of any tied Contestants.