Contest Forum Etiquette

[techs181]

Contest Forum Etiquette

This thread contains all the information you need about using the Contests forum.
Any clarifications or reviews by Moderators or EA Representatives is appreciated.

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How to Post a Contest

• Topic title must have the [CONTEST] tag included.
• Title must summarize the basis of the contest. (Example: "Make a Signature" for a signature contest.)
• Creative titles are not required, but are strongly recommended as they attract contestants.
• Rules, end date, and prize details must be clearly stated in the first post.
• Do not post any personal contact information, such as: emails, phone numbers, or addresses.
  

These are some common contest types in a template form. Fill in, add, and delete sections of them to fit your contest.

Signatures

Code:

[align=center][b]Make a Signature[/b][/align]

Details: (Fill in all of the desired details that you want in the signature. Please keep this organized.)
Prize(s): (List your prize(s) to the winner(s) here.)
End Date: (Tell when this contest's deadline will be.)

Drawings

Code:

[align=center][b]Make a Drawing[/b][/align]

Details: (Fill in all of the desired details that you want in the drawing. Please keep this organized.)
Prize(s): (List your prize(s) to the winner(s) here.)
End Date: (Tell when this contest's deadline will be.)

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Events

Events are held on privately owned servers. The purpose of the events can differ from clan wars to jeep races. Usually the winners of these events receive a prize for their efforts.

How Events Work

• The organizer(s) of the event post in the Contest section.
• Depending on the rules and requirements you can post and enter.
• There will be a specified date and time to join the server, after the event is over prizes are usually awarded.
  

How to Post an Event

• Topic title must have the [EVENT] tag included.
• Title must elaborate on the rules of the event. (Example: "Jeep Race" for an event that consists of racing jeeps.)
• Rules, end date, and prize details must be clearly stated in the first post.
• Do not post any personal contact information, such as: emails, phone numbers, or addresses.
  

Some Event Ideas

• Jeep Races: Race jeeps on a predefined "track" on a map.
• Jeep Wars: Battle whilst always being in a jeep.
• Explosives Only: Only allow explosive weapons and abilities.
• *Insert Weapon* Only: Only allow the use of a certain weapon.
• Tournament: Gather some friends and have several battles to determine a victor.
  

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Giveaways

Giveaways are when people are feeling generous and give out prizes without anything in return. Usually giveaways consist of codes and signatures or artworks.

How Giveaways Work

• The sponser(s) create a post in the contest section, with details and a prize list.
• Usually you just need to follow their rules and post.
• After the deadline, winners are randomly selected and are sent the prizes.
  

Things to Not Do at a Giveaway

• To sum it up follow the rules, be polite, and do not beg. It is against forum rules.
  

How to Post a Giveaway

• Topic title must have the [GIVEAWAY] tag included.
• Title must elaborate on the prizes of the giveaway. (Example: "1 Signature Made by Me" for a giveaway offering a signature made by yourself.)
• Rules, end date, and prize details must be clearly stated in the first post.
• Do not post any personal contact information, such as: emails, phone numbers, or addresses.
  

This is a standard giveaway post template. Fill in, add, and delete sections of it to fit your giveaway.

Code:

[align=center][b]Giveaway[/b][/align]

Details: (Explain rules and such. Please keep this organized.)
Prize(s): (List your prize(s) to the winner(s) here.)
End Date: (Tell when this contest's deadline will be.)

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Prize Information

• Items that can be used as prizes: Redeem codes, Internet money cards (Wallie cards, etc.), and physical items (Transaction information must be discussed outside of the forums. We recommend Xfire.)
• Items that can not be used as prizes: Any account of any kind (Games, Dr.Pepper, etc.), any content not suitable for ages 16 and below, or your "gratitude" (This will be considered begging).
• Prizes should be awarded as soon as the contests ends, however a 3 day grace period is reasonable enough should complications occur. Any more than this, and it may be classed as scamming.
• The contest forum is not made for trades. Trading posts are only to be made at the Official Trading Thread.
  

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Trading

• Trading is not allowed in the Contest forum, or any other for that matter.
• The only place trading is allowed is at the Official Trading Thread.
• Please read & follow all the rules of the Official Trading Thread.
  

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Begging

• Begging is not allowed on any forum.
• Begging will result in warning or action against your account.
• Continuous begging will result in actions against your account. (Ban)
  

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Closing Your Thread

The moderators don't have enough time in the day to keep up with locking all of the the contest section's closed threrads. So help them out by closing your thread.

• Post one last time saying that the contest is closed, after the deadline has been reached.
• Change the tag in your title to read [CLOSED] instead.
• This is such a simple process, but it saves the community a lot of confusion.
  

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Scamming

Consequences of Scamming

• Banning
• Loss of trust/reputation on the forums
• Angered users
  

Signs of Possible Scammers
Remember: These are not to be taken as facts, these are just some signs to watch out for.

• New account (Created near time of contest)
• Large prizes (Be careful with this one, some people do offer legitimate better than average prizes)
• Has used previous entries before contest ends
• Posts are aggressive, or bossy
• Changes viewpoint and details often
  

How to Avoid Being Scammed

• Add a watermark over your work. Remember to save an unmarked copy!
• Be politely persistent if prize is delayed, contact a moderator if issues arise.
• Listen to others, previously scammed people usually warn others at the topics. Again remember that this doesn't make them a scammer.
  

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If any errors in protocol or typos are found please notify me immediately so I can address the issue.
Thanks!

-techs

[TEAMWORKFTW]

Nice job

[Mombert.]

Very good! Sticky!?

[CoBanyi]

nice

[OverpoweredTree]

Nice! Definitly worth a sticky :]

[TPangolin]

Maybe add that people should have a creative title as creative thread titles are usually the most attractive, and this brings the user to click on the thread itself.

I like the 'Consequences of scamming'

-Angry People

[techs181]

(23-02-2011 01:10 PM)TPangolin Wrote:  Maybe add that people should have a creative title as creative thread titles are usually the most attractive, and this brings the user to click on the thread itself.

I like the 'Consequences of scamming'

-Angry People

Good idea.
As for the angry people, .

I am glad everybody is so appreciative.

EDIT:
Added TPangolin's suggestion, under "How to Post a Contest". I also added a "Closing Your Thread" section, located underneath the "Prize Information" section.

-techs

[Collin]

Nice thread Techs
Maybe add they also should add 'open' or 'closed' to there title so people don't bump it everytime again.

[techs181]

(23-02-2011 03:12 PM)Collin Wrote:  Nice thread Techs
Maybe add they also should add 'open' or 'closed' to there title so people don't bump it everytime again.

In the post above i mentioned adding "How to Close Your Topic" section being added. Is this what you were referencing?

Thank you for your feed-back.

[BlueKillerNinja]

Nice Work Tech It will really help all of us

(23-02-2011 01:10 PM)TPangolin Wrote:  Maybe add that people should have a creative title as creative thread titles are usually the most attractive, and this brings the user to click on the thread itself.

I like the 'Consequences of scamming'

-Angry People

I would just like to take this opportunity to say:
WOW...loving the artwork TPangolin

[NL-Biggar]

I like the idea, although there are some points I'm not a big fan of, like the [Contest] tags. Anyway, maybe a little more about [Events]?

[techs181]

(23-02-2011 10:59 PM)NL-Biggar Wrote:  I like the idea, although there are some points I'm not a big fan of, like the [Contest] tags. Anyway, maybe a little more about [Events]?

Gah, I forgot about Events. The [CONTEST] tags are part of the "Official" forum FAQ, so yeah.
Will add an events section.

EDIT: Added Events section.

[mark2009]

Nice Job tech.

[techs181]

(24-02-2011 06:33 AM)mark2009 Wrote:  Nice Job tech.

Thanks!

[techs181]

A quick question...
Do you guys know of any other contest types? I want this to be as complete as possible.

[RunChrisRun]

Techs , you the man!
Hope this gets stickied

[techs181]

(25-02-2011 02:44 AM)RunChrisRun Wrote:  Techs , you the man!
Hope this gets stickied

Thanks! It would be nice, wouldn't it?

[CriscoSpectrum]

(25-02-2011 01:41 PM)techs181 Wrote:  

(25-02-2011 02:44 AM)RunChrisRun Wrote:  Techs , you the man!
Hope this gets stickied

Thanks! It would be nice, wouldn't it?

Done.

[techs181]

(25-02-2011 02:25 PM)CriscoSpectrum Wrote:  

(25-02-2011 01:41 PM)techs181 Wrote:  

(25-02-2011 02:44 AM)RunChrisRun Wrote:  Techs , you the man!
Hope this gets stickied

Thanks! It would be nice, wouldn't it?

Done.

Thanks Crisco.

[CoBanyi]

I recommend you to make a "how to properly choose winners"


for example :

<DRAWING CONTEST>

contest maker : Okay guys draw me and the most beautiful drawing will win 700bf!

participant 1 : Here you go... (post ossum and kewl photoshop drawing with lots of efforts in it)

participant 2 : Mine iz da best!!11! (post a very bad but funny ms paint artwork)

contest maker : Haha! participant 2, your entry is soooo OSSUM! you win!

participant 1 :