THE CONTEST

1) Design a game with the following criteria in mind:

• brain beneficial

• takes seconds to learn, years to master

• enjoyable for all ages

• unique

• of heirloom quality

• and of course - fun!

2) Show us your take on an existing game or something completely new. As long as it's an original concept, show us what you've got! 

3) Read the guidelines in this overview.

4) Read the 'Marbles 2012 Game Design Contest Official Rules'.

5) Download, complete and send back the 'Marbles 2012 Game Design Contest Submission Form & Agreement' along with your submission to contest@marblesthebrainstore.com.

6) Still have questions? Contact contest@marblesthebrainstore.com 

WHY ENTER? THE AWARDS

At this point you may be telling yourself, "This sounds great! But man, I'm pretty busy. I can't just be designing amazing, fun, groundbreaking new games for every deadbeat who asks me."

Well, we couldn't agree more. That is why we've decided to sweeten the deal a bit. Our 2012 Game Design Contest Winner will receive: 

• A check for $2,000 USD
• Your game produced at Marbles' expense
• Your game sold at all Marbles: The Brain Store retail locations as well as the web store

CONTEST PERIOD, NOTIFICATION & ANNOUNCEMENT

Entries must be received by March 16, 2012 by 11:00 p.m. (our bedtime!) North American Central Standard Time. We will review the entries, choose 3 finalists and post them to the Marbles website on March 19, 2012. At which point we will ask our customers to vote on their favorite one. The finalist with the most votes will win the contest, and be forever enshrined in the annals of Marbles history. 

We will announce the winner on  March 23, 2012. We will inform you directly if you are one of the three finalists, and of course if you are the winner. For this reason, please double-check your contact information when sending in your submission. 

ELIGIBILITY & SCOPE

You are eligible to enter if:

• You are over 18 years of age or the age of majority in your jurisdiction of residence
• You are eligible to enter based on U.S. law
• You are not a resident of a country under U.S. embargo, including Cuba, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Sudan, and Syria
• See Official Rules for additional requirements and restrictions

YOU MAY ENTER DESIGNS THAT ARE

• Your original work
• Have not previously won an honor or award in any competition
• See Official Rules for additional requirements and restrictions
• Your entry must be written in English

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

Please be careful to read the 'Marbles 2012 Game Design Contest Submission Form & Agreement' before you start, so that you fully understand the kinds of materials you will need to submit. Only enter each design once. Do not send in duplicate entries. 

The 'Marbles 2012 Game Design Contest Submission Form & Agreement' will ask for the following materials regarding your design:

• Submit a maximum of seven .jpegs in high resolution (300dpi, 1200 x 1500 pixels).
• One photo needs to be your glamour shot, the one you'd like to see published if you win. Please no text on photos. 
• Do not include your name or company name on your visuals. Doing so will disqualify you. 
• The other images can have captions and be presented like storyboards. 
• The point is to illustrate how the game works. 
• Optional video: Use .wav, .mpg or .mov video format and focus on helping users understand how your concept works and fits the user. The video is limited to three (3) minutes. 

OWNERSHIP

Marbles: The Brain Store will retain ownership of the winning design. Keep in mind that this is a public competition, so Marbles cannot control who sees your entry. 

ENTRY CAUTIONS

• Make absolutely no reference to your name, location, school or workplace except on the Entry Submission Form. This is a blind competition. If you identify yourself in your visuals or answers, your entry will be disqualified. 
• You may enter as many designs as you like, but each entry must be distinct and original and not merely reflect a minor change, such as a different material or color. 
• There are no extensions, so you must submit your design no later than 11:00 p.m. North American Standard Time on March 16, 2012. You may want to visit www.timeanddate.com to confirm what time that is where you are located.  

IN CONCLUSION

Your submission of an entry evidences your acceptance of the Competition's Official Rules, so please read them carefully. There are additional requirements and conditions discussed in the Official Rules that are not included in this Overview. 

QUESTIONS? 

Write to us at contest@marblesthebrainstore.com

Sponsor of the competiton:
Marbles: The Brain Store
1735 North Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60622