1. What is Seismic Showdown?
In Seismic Showdown, 64 players will battle against each other in a series of head-to-head combat. Every round is single elimination, so you will need to beat every opponent you face in order to stay alive and move on to the next round!

2. When is Seismic Showdown?
If you have registered for the Tournament, you can verify the date and time of your next match by visiting My Headquarters, after you have logged into Gamespot.com and visited our Tournament Web site located here. Below is the complete Tournament schedule.

3. Who can sign up for Seismic Showdown?
The Tournament is open to all GameSpot Complete and GameCenter subscribers. You must be 13 years of age or older and a resident of the United States or Canada to participate.

4. What are the prizes for the winners?
The stakes are very high for Seismic Showdown--we're handing out $2,000 in prizes to the finalists.

First Place - The Tournament winner will receive a $750 gift certificate to NewEgg.com.

BONUS! If the Tournament winner defeats Kornelia in the Pro-Gamer Challenge, he/she will receive an additional $250 gift certificate to NewEgg.com.

Second Place - The Tournament runner-up will receive a $500 gift certificate to NewEgg.com.

Third Place - The two third-place players will receive a $250 gift certificate to NewEgg.com.

5. What is the match format?
The top-four players that advance from each time slot during the Preliminaries will move on to the Semifinals. Each day of the Tournament will utilize a different game mode.

Day One - Preliminaries

• The server will be set using the tourney mode built into QUAKE 4.
• Preliminary round--64 players compete in one-on-one matches.
• During the Preliminary round, 16 players will compete in one of four time slots. Each time slot will allow 16 players to duke it out for 15 minutes, which will eliminate half of the players per round. Eight players then play another 15-minute game, yielding four players. The next game yields two players, and then finally one player emerges victorious. That one player becomes one of the "top four" and proceeds to day two as described below.
• Warm-up period will begin with 120 seconds for the first round, but continued rounds during tourney mode will only have 60 seconds.
• Even though the tourney mode built into QUAKE 4 may state that you are moving on to the Semifinals or Finals through the bracket system, you have not won the entire Tournament until you have completed day-two Semifinal and Final rounds, which are run manually by GameSpot admins and staff.
• A total of four players from the Preliminaries will move on to the Semifinals on day two.
• The Lost Fleet map will be played for the entire Preliminary round.

Day Two - Semifinals & Finals

• Once the top-four players have been determined during the Preliminaries, the servers will be switched to DM (deathmatch) mode to finish the Semifinals and Finals.
• Each game will be played with a 15-minute time limit, each with a 60 second warm-up.
• The Fragging Yard 1 vs 1 will be played for the Semifinals and Finals.

6. What are the Tournament settings for the Preliminaries on day one?

7. What are the Tournament settings for the Semifinals and Finals for day two?

8. How are you determining a score?
A player who wins by the most frags during the 15-minute time limit will go on to the next round.

9. What if there is a tie?
If both players have the equal amount of frags after the time limit has been reached, sudden death will occur. The opponent who scores the first frag will move on to the next round.

10. What is the seeding process?
If you move on from the Preliminaries on day one, your time slot will determine your next opponent during the Semifinals.

11. What type of servers will I play on?
GameSpot will provide powerful Tournament servers that are dedicated boxes specifically built and tuned for this event. These servers will be running on the West Coast, and will be exclusively dedicated to the Tournament.

12. What happens if I am disconnected during a game?
If you are disconnected from the server, you will have to forfeit your match, and your opponent wins the round. Therefore, it is very important that you practice on our Tournament servers to ensure your Internet connection can handle staying on the server at least for one hour or more.

13. Can I use text chat during the match?
Global text chat is not to be used for discussions of any kind, unless there is a special circumstance about which you need to talk to the GSAdmin. Any contestant that is participating in the Tournament and chooses to ignore this rule may be disqualified at the discretion of the Tournament staff.

14. I've registered for the Tournament. What do I do next?
You will receive an e-mail message confirming your participation and time slot. It will also contain instructions for your next match.

Note: You must check in on the Tournament site before your time slot. Read on for more details about the check-in process.

15. Can I use a player name other than my GameSpot profile name?
No, your player name on the server MUST BE the exact same name as your registered profile name with GameSpot or GameCenter. If you log on to a Tournament server with a different player name than what you have registered with, you will be removed from the Tournament server.

15. How do I check in for my next match?
To participate, you must check in at least 15 minutes before your assigned time slot. To check in, make sure you are logged in to Gamespot.com, then simply visit the My Headquarters 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 chat channel for roll call. Late arrivals and no-shows will give up their time slots to those on the waiting list. NO EXCEPTIONS!

NEW: The Seismic Showdown is introducing a new addition to the Online Tournament Chat system: Time Slot-Specific Ready Rooms! Once you enter the main chat, simply contact a GameSpot admin for assistance in joining your Ready Room.

GameSpot also recommends leaving the main Tournament chat room, because the Java applet may minimize your game as a result of someone sending you a private message. Players in the Ready Room are unlikely to private message you, as they are in the server as well. Also, by being in the Ready Room, you can get assistance in a jiffy from the GameSpot admin if you need to. It is not required for you to stay in the Ready Room after the match has begun.

17. If I am put on the waiting list, how will I know if I am able to get in the Tournament?
You will receive an e-mail stating that you are able to participate. However, because many Tournament 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 all staff who may be seeking a replacement for your time slot. It is also recommended that you join the Tournament chat channel, so you can verbally notify the GameSpot admins of your presence if requested, and be available to them if they need to update you on any information.

18. What do I need to do during roll call?
We have an automated system, which will allow you to 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 to let us know you are available.

19. Do I have the option to choose my time slot for the Semifinals or Finals?
In order to keep the Tournament process consistent, you will not be able to pick another time slot after the one you have selected during the registration sign-ups.

20. Is there a loser's bracket?
There will not be a loser's bracket in this Tournament.

21. 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 exciting competition, attendance and timeliness are required. If you do not show up on time for a scheduled match, you will be disqualified and ineligible to win any prizes. An opponent scheduled to face a disqualified contestant will be granted a win.

22. What other restrictions are there?
a. Any disorderly behavior disqualifies contestants from participation, finals, or prizes. Tournament staff is the final arbiter in all situations, and it has the final say in every area of decision-making, including Tournament chat. Please refrain from using harassing, negative, or profane language both in the Tournament chat or the game server. Please do not SPAM the chat channel during prize giveaways, as your conduct will be noted.

b. No cheats or hacks of any kind are to be used. This includes taking advantage of known exploits in the game. If a Tournament staff member finds that you are cheating, you will be disqualified from the Tournament immediately, with no recourse for yourself, and further disqualified from any future Tournaments which GameSpot is involved.

c. Spectator mode is reserved for Tournament staff only; no player should ever be in spectator mode.

d. Default models and skins will be used. The use of custom skins is prohibited in this Tournament.