Official Rules

Updated: 02/20/08 8:00 PM PT

DRIVEN TO WIN TOURNAMENT (the "Tournament")
OFFICIAL RULES:

NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE DOES NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING.

1. Sponsor. The Tournament is sponsored by GameSpot, a division of CNET Networks, Inc. (235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105) (referred to herein as "Sponsor").

The Tournament is open to all GameSpot registrants. NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Your entry constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and Regulations and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Tournament.

2. Eligibility. You are only eligible to enter the Tournament if, as of February 15, 2008, you meet all of the following conditions:
(a) You are at least 13 (thirteen) years of age or older (and have your parent/legal guardian's permission to enter should you be a minor in your state of residence). (b) You have a GameSpot Registered account and are the Authorized Account Holder (as defined below) of your own Internet e-mail address corresponding to your GameSpot registered account.

(c) You register for the Tournament on the www.gamespot.com Web site during the Registration Period (as defined below).

(d) You have a Microsoft Xbox 360.

(e) You have the Forza Motorsport 2 retail game for the Microsoft Xbox 360.

(f) You have a stable Internet connection.

Directors, officers, and employees of Sponsor, Sponsor's parent, and any of their respective affiliate companies, subsidiaries, agents, professional advisors, advertising and promotional agencies, or any other person or entity involved in the design, production, execution, or distribution of the Tournament, including volunteer moderators, their immediate family (parents, children, siblings, and their respective spouses), and those living in the same households are not eligible to enter or win any prizes. An "Authorized Account Holder" is defined as the natural person to whom an e-mail address is assigned by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address. All federal, state, and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited or restricted by law.

Your entry constitutes your full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding on all matters pertaining to this Tournament.

3. How to Enter. To enter, you must first register between February 15, 2008 at 4:00 p.m. Pacific Time ("PT") and February 20, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. PT (the "Registration Period") by doing the following:

(a) log into your registered GameSpot.com account.

(b) Visit the Web site, http://www.gamespot.com/tournaments/forza-feb08/index.php, where you must click to join an open time slot.

The first one hundred ninety-two (192) registrants will be accepted as contestants ("Contestants") in the Tournament. Contestants will be notified via e-mail at the e-mail address associated with their GameSpot Account about the Tournament schedule and their allotted time slot for the qualifying round. All other registrants will be accepted on a waiting list. Wait-list registrants may be chosen as substitutes to replace Contestants during the Tournament in the event that a Contestant is not available to participate at the time of their Tournament match or is otherwise not able to compete in a round, as determined in the sole discretion of Tournament staff members. When a substitute registrant replaces a Contestant in a match, this removes that Contestant's rights to the Tournament. In order to be chosen by Tournament staff members as a substitute player, such wait-list registrants must check in to the Tournament Web site prior to Tournament play (subject to the Tournament schedule available in the published FAQs) during roll call, which is at least 15 (fifteen) minutes prior to the scheduled match (the "Check-In"). Tournament staff members will send a confirmation e-mail to such checked-in wait-list registrants if they are chosen as a Contestant. Contestants must follow the instructions provided in the notification e-mail to participate, including complying with the Check-In. Sponsor's computer will be the official time clock for registration and gameplay.

The Tournament begins February 20, 2008 at 12:00 p.m. PT and ends February 29, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. PT (the "Tournament Period").

4. Participation and Tournament Rules: During the Registration Period, there will be one hundred ninety-two (192) total Contestant time slots available for the Tournament. If accepted as a Contestant, you must abide by the following rules in order to participate in the Tournament:

(a) As of February 20, 2008, you must have a Microsoft Xbox 360 system; Forza Motorsport 2 game for the Xbox 360; and a stable Internet connection.

(b) You must sign up for a timeslot.

(c) You must be able and ready to join a match to which you are assigned (provided in your e-mail notification) within the time limit given for each match. If you cannot confirm your account information upon Tournament registration sign-up, then you will not qualify for this Tournament.

(d) Any misuse of voice or text chat as described elsewhere in the FAQ and Official Rules, such as using profane language or communicating gameplay information, will result in the offending Contestant's disqualification at the sole discretion of the GameSpot Tournament staff.

Restrictions on Contestants during the Tournament:

(a) Sign-ups are limited to one slot per person. You may not use multiple GameSpot usernames to enroll yourself in more than one slot within a Tournament. Contestants found to be disrupting the Tournament format in this manner will be immediately disqualified with no recourse for themselves.

(b) Any disorderly behavior disqualifies Contestants from participation, finals, or prizes. Tournament staff members are the final arbiters in all situations, and they have the final say in every situation, including with respect to the GameSpot Tournament chat room. Please refrain from using harassing, negative, or profane language in the GameSpot Tournament chat room.

(c) No cheats or hacks of any kind are to be used. Contestants will be disqualified if they are caught using any cheat or third-party "helper" applications.

(d) Taking advantage of known exploits in the game is also considered cheating. Exploits in the game could include, without limitation, bugs that allow you to hide under obstacles or objects in the game to gain invulnerability. If a Tournament staff member finds that you are cheating, you will be disqualified immediately from the Tournament with no recourse for yourself.

(e) The Tournament rules are subject to change at any time. If any changes to the rules occur, you will be notified through the Tournament news page and a Tournament forum post; a time stamp will be on any Web pages that have been revised.

5. Additional Instructions for Contestants:
(a) Contestants who want to compete must register on the Web site for the time slot you prefer.

(b) Contestants must be checked in to roll call 15 minutes prior to the scheduled match

(c) To join a match, Contestants must check in for roll call, join the Tournament match, and check My Headquarters for the GameSpot Admin gamertag.

(d) GameSpot will not provide any server functionality during this Tournament, as it is played through the Xbox Live matchmaking system. GameSpot is not responsible for lag, connectivity issues, or anything else related to your online experience during this Tournament.

(e) Two GameSpot Admins will be present in the game. After the match has started, the GameSpot Admin that started the match will exit the race, leaving the second GameSpot Admin as a spectator for the match. However, after you have played your match, please confirm your score with the GameSpot Admins via the GameSpot Tournament chat room. This will ensure that they report the accurate score for your match.



(f) No substitutes will be accepted after a match has begun. If fewer than 3 Contestants are in the game due to disconnections, the match may be rescheduled based on the GameSpot Admin’s discretion.

(g) If your match does not have at least three players checked in for roll call at least 15 minutes before the scheduled match time, waitlist players may join the match. If there are no waitlist players for your match, the GameSpot Admins will allow the Contestants that showed for their match to move on with a default score.

(h) Please refer to the FAQs available on the Tournament Web site, which are hereby incorporated into these Official Rules, for more detailed information on schedules, planning for the matches, etc.

6. Tournament Format & Server Settings.
Races will consist of 6 drivers each. In each race, the first 3 drivers to cross the finish line after completing all 3 laps will move on to the Tournament round.

General
GameType: Circuit Race
Time Limit: None
Team Race: No
Trueskill: Off
Car Class: Any
Number of Laps: 10

Advanced Rules
Damage Type: Simulation
Tires & Fuel: Off
Collisions: On
Spectators’ voice: Off
Grid Order: Random
End Race Timer: 5 minutes

Overrides
Force Manual: No
Force Off Suggested Line: No
Force Off STM: No
Force Off TCS: No
Force Off ABS: No
Force Camera: No
Force Stock Upgrades: Yes

Car Restrictions
Car Class: Any
Performance Index: <901
Region: Any
Make: Any
Model: Any
Year: Any
Curb Weight: Any
Drive Type: Any
Engine Position: Any

Tracks:

Elimination Phase 1 – Nissan Speedway (2.50 miles) Elimination Phase 2 – Maple Valley (2.98 miles)

Elimination Phase 3 – Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca (2.23 miles)
Quarterfinals round - Sebring Long (3.70 miles)
Semifinal round - Suzuka (3.61 miles)
Final round - Suzuka (3.61 miles)

Match Definitions
Match: A match consists of 6 Contestants each, and will include 10 laps on the tracks specified above.

Win: The top three drivers to cross the finish line win the match.

Tie: In the event of a tie for the top three finishes in a match, the tied players will race in another match on the TT - Malayan Krait track with the same settings.

Contestants will take the following steps to join a match:

(a) ROLL CALL: Contestants will sign in for roll call by using the My Headquarters tab. A Contestant can check in for roll call one (1) hour prior to their scheduled match.

(b) JOIN TOURNAMENT CHAT ROOM: After checking in for roll call, Contestants will join the GameSpot Tournament chat room at least 15 (fifteen) minutes before the match begins. Disqualification for being late is at the sole discretion of the GameSpot Admins. It is important that all participants be ready and prepared before their match begins. GameSpot cannot make exceptions for participants who are unprepared.

(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. After the match has concluded, all communications and functions will rest solely on the designated Contestants. GameSpot assumes no responsibility for any actions or situations that arise with any Contestant after the Tournament has ended.

(d) JOIN A MATCH: In order for the GameSpot Admin to invite you to the match, you must add the GameSpot Admin's Xbox 360 gamertag as a friend. It is advised that Contestants log in to Xbox Live at least one (1) hour prior to their match and accept or invite the GameSpot Admin gamertag. NOTE: Contestants can find the GameSpot Admin's Xbox Live gamertag by going to My Headquarters. If you do not see the GameSpot Admin's gamertag listed in My Headquarters, ask for this information in the GameSpot Tournament chat room. Be sure you have at least two (2) available slots on your friends list prior to the match.

7.Prizes.
The first-place winner will receive one (1) $700.00 gift card to Best Buy (approximate retail value ("ARV") $700.00). Total ARV of First Place Prize = $700.00.

The second-place winner will receive one (1) $500.00 gift card to Best Buy (approximate retail value ("ARV") $500.00). Total ARV of Second Place Prize = $500.00.

The third-place winner will receive one (1) $350.00 gift card to Best Buy (approximate retail value ("ARV") $350.00). Total ARV of Third Place Prize = $350.00.

The fourth - sixth place winners will receive one (1) $150.00 gift card to Best Buy (approximate retail value ("ARV") $150.00). Total ARV of Fourth - Sixth place prize = $450.00.

Total ARV of all prizes: $2,000.00.

Limit one (1) prize per entrant. Unclaimed prizes will not be awarded. Gift cards are redeemable for future purchases in any US. Best Buy retail location or online at BestBuy.com for merchandise or services only. Not redeemable for cash. Not a credit or debit card. Not valid as payment on Best Buy credit card. Purchases deducted from gift card until balance reaches zero. No expiration date, no fees. Subject to terms contained on gift card.

Prizes will be awarded "as is" with no warranty or guarantee, either express or implied by Sponsor. Prizes are not transferable, redeemable for cash, or substitutable by winners. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion. Winners are solely responsible for all federal, state, and local taxes (including all applicable income and withholding taxes), as well as all other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided. All prize details are at Sponsor's sole discretion.

8. Winner’s List.
The names of the prize winners can be obtained from GameSpot by sending a self-addressed stamped envelope by March 20, 2008 to Driven To Win Tournament Winner List, c/o Jody Robinson, 235 Second Street, San Francisco, CA 94105.

9. Selection and Notification of Winners.
All winners will be notified by e-mail at the e-mail address associated with their GameSpot Registered accounts. To claim their prize, winners must complete and return a notarized Affidavit and General Release and, if applicable, a W-9 form sent to winner, within five (5) days of notification. If winner is a resident of a state that deems him or her to be a minor, the prize may be awarded in the name of winner's parent/legal guardian, who must also sign a notarized Affidavit and General Release on the winner's behalf and grant consent for the winner to accept the prize. Any prize notification or prize returned to Sponsor as undeliverable will be forfeited. Each potential winner may be requested to provide Sponsor with proof that he or she is the Authorized Account Holder of the e-mail address that corresponds to the registered GameSpot account used to enter the Tournament. In the event of a dispute regarding who submitted an entry, the entry will be deemed submitted by the Authorized Account Holder of said e-mail account. Limit one (1) prize per person. You are not a winner until your submission is validated and your documents are completed.

10. General Conditions and Release.
Except where prohibited by law, each winner (or winner's parent/legal guardian should he or she be a minor in their state of residence) consents to the use of his or her name, city and state, likeness, voice, entry, and Sponsor's right to use and publish his or her scores, proper name, and any statements made or attributed to said winner (collectively, the "Attributes") in any manner by Sponsor, its designees, and its advertising and promotion agencies in any media now known or hereafter devised for advertising and promotional purposes in connection with the Tournament without further compensation or notification, review, or approval, and releases Sponsor and its designees from all claims arising out of the use of such Attributes. Acceptance of a prize constitutes each winner's consent (or their parent/legal guardian's should they be a minor in their state of residence) to have his or her name released in a winner's list that will be made available to the public. By entering this Tournament, winners (or their parent/legal guardian should they be a minor in their state of residence) agree to release, discharge, and hold harmless Sponsor and any of its respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, divisions, or related companies, or their respective officers, directors, employees, or agents of the foregoing (collectively, the "Released Parties") from any liability whatsoever, and to waive any and all causes of action related to any claims, costs, injuries, losses, taxes, expenses, or damages of any kind, either at law or in equity, whether known or unknown (collectively, "Losses"), arising, in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, out of or in connection with this Tournament or any Tournament-related activity, or that the winners might incur as a result of this Tournament or acceptance, possession, or use or inability to use any prize (including, without limitation, Losses related to personal injuries, death, damage to or destruction of property, rights of publicity or privacy, and defamation or portrayal in a false light, whether intentional or unintentional), or for any printing, production, typographical, human, or other error in the printing, offering, or announcement of any prize, whether under a theory of contract, tort (including negligence), warranty, guarantee (express or implied), or other theory. Winners (or their parent/legal guardian should they be a minor in their state of residence) further acknowledge that Released Parties are not liable for any warranty, representation, or guarantee express or implied, in fact or in law, relative to any prize, including but not limited to its quality, mechanical condition, or fitness.

11. Disclaimer.
If for any reason the Tournament is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, technical failure, or force majeure that, in the sole opinion of Sponsor, corrupts or affects the administration, security, fairness, integrity, or proper conduct of this Tournament, Sponsor reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to disqualify any individual who tampers with or abuses any aspect of the Tournament, as solely determined by Sponsor, and to cancel, terminate, modify, or postpone the Tournament until a later date. Released Parties assume no responsibility for any error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, communications line failure, or other failure of or related to the software platform on which the Tournament is played. Released Parties are not responsible for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers, or providers, computer equipment, software, failure of any e-mail or entry to be received by Sponsor on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet or at any Web site, by human error which may occur in the ability to enter a participant's entry, or any combination thereof or otherwise, including any injury or damage to participant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participation or downloading any materials in this Tournament.

CAUTION: ANY ATTEMPT BY AN ENTRANT TO DELIBERATELY DAMAGE ANY WEB SITE OR APPLICATION OR TO UNDERMINE THE LEGITIMATE OPERATION OF THE TOURNAMENT IS A VIOLATION OF CRIMINAL AND CIVIL LAWS. SHOULD SUCH AN ATTEMPT BE MADE, SPONSOR RESERVES THE RIGHT TO SEEK DAMAGES FROM ANY SUCH ENTRANT TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY LAW.

12. Miscellaneous.
(a) By entering this Tournament, you (or your parent/legal guardian should you be a minor in your state of residence) agree and consent that any information you provide upon entering may be used by CNET Networks, Inc. in accordance with its privacy policy, available at http://www.cnet.com/html/aboutcnet/editorial/privacy.html?tag=ft. If you do not want your information used in this manner, do not enter this Tournament.

(b) The Tournament and the Official Rules shall be exclusively governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the state of California, without regard to conflicts of law provisions. Each entrant (or their parent/legal guardian should they be a minor in their state of residence) consents to exclusive personal jurisdiction and agrees that any dispute shall be brought in the federal or state courts located in San Francisco, California.

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Tournament Schedule

Elimination Phase 1
Match-1 Feb 20, 2008 12:00 pm PT
Match-2 Feb 20, 2008 12:30 pm PT
Match-3 Feb 20, 2008 1:00 pm PT
Match-4 Feb 20, 2008 1:30 pm PT
Match-5 Feb 20, 2008 2:00 pm PT
Match-6 Feb 20, 2008 2:30 pm PT
Match-7 Feb 20, 2008 3:00 pm PT
Match-8 Feb 20, 2008 3:30 pm PT
Match-9 Feb 20, 2008 4:00 pm PT
Match-10 Feb 20, 2008 4:30 pm PT
Match-11 Feb 20, 2008 5:00 pm PT
Match-12 Feb 20, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-13 Feb 20, 2008 6:00 pm PT
Match-14 Feb 20, 2008 6:30 pm PT
Match-15 Feb 20, 2008 7:00 pm PT
Match-16 Feb 20, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Match-17 Feb 21, 2008 12:00 pm PT
Match-18 Feb 21, 2008 12:30 pm PT
Match-19 Feb 21, 2008 1:00 pm PT
Match-20 Feb 21, 2008 1:30 pm PT
Match-21 Feb 21, 2008 2:00 pm PT
Match-22 Feb 21, 2008 2:30 pm PT
Match-23 Feb 21, 2008 3:00 pm PT
Match-24 Feb 21, 2008 3:30 pm PT
Match-25 Feb 21, 2008 4:00 pm PT
Match-26 Feb 21, 2008 4:30 pm PT
Match-27 Feb 21, 2008 5:00 pm PT
Match-28 Feb 21, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-29 Feb 21, 2008 6:00 pm PT
Match-30 Feb 21, 2008 6:30 pm PT
Match-31 Feb 21, 2008 7:00 pm PT
Match-32 Feb 21, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Elimination Phase 2
Match-1 Feb 25, 2008 12:00 pm PT
Match-2 Feb 25, 2008 12:30 pm PT
Match-3 Feb 25, 2008 1:00 pm PT
Match-4 Feb 25, 2008 1:30 pm PT
Match-5 Feb 25, 2008 2:00 pm PT
Match-6 Feb 25, 2008 2:30 pm PT
Match-7 Feb 25, 2008 3:00 pm PT
Match-8 Feb 25, 2008 3:30 pm PT
Match-9 Feb 25, 2008 4:00 pm PT
Match-10 Feb 25, 2008 4:30 pm PT
Match-11 Feb 25, 2008 5:00 pm PT
Match-12 Feb 25, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-13 Feb 25, 2008 6:00 pm PT
Match-14 Feb 25, 2008 6:30 pm PT
Match-15 Feb 25, 2008 7:00 pm PT
Match-16 Feb 25, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Elimination Phase 3
Match-1 Feb 26, 2008 12:30 pm PT
Match-2 Feb 26, 2008 1:30 pm PT
Match-3 Feb 26, 2008 2:30 pm PT
Match-4 Feb 26, 2008 3:30 pm PT
Match-5 Feb 26, 2008 4:30 pm PT
Match-6 Feb 26, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-7 Feb 26, 2008 6:30 pm PT
Match-8 Feb 26, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Quarterfinals Round
Match-1 Feb 27, 2008 4:30 pm PT
Match-2 Feb 27, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-3 Feb 27, 2008 6:30 pm PT
Match-4 Feb 27, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Semifinals Round
Match-1 Feb 28, 2008 5:30 pm PT
Match-2 Feb 28, 2008 7:30 pm PT
Finals
Match Feb 29, 2008 4:00 pm PT

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