Intro text here...

Rules and Requirements:

The competiton will run from November 14th 2011 until Noon on January 24th 2012 (GMT).

Good luck to everyone!

Details, Terms & Conditions:

THE PRIZE: There will be 3 winners drawn randomly etc. etc.  INFO HERE . The winners will be announced as soon as possible after the competition closes, but at the discretion of The Sims Resource.

1st Prize:

• Sims 3: Master Suite Stuff Pack
• A 3 month subscription to The Sims Resource

2nd Prize: 

• TSR 2 GB USB 2.0 Memory Stick

3rd Prize:

• A TSR Coffee Mug

Free subscriptions will be honoured immediately and current subscribers will have their current subscriptions extended accordingly. Merchandise will be sent on confirmation of a shipping address.

HOW TO ENTER: This competition is open only to members of The Sims Resource (Free OR Subscriber Membership). Go here to subscribe or sign up for free. The Contest Prizes are non-transferable, non-assignable and are not redeemable for cash, except by Sponsors in which case a prize of equal or greater value will be awarded. All winners are solely responsible for the payment of any and all taxes and/or licenses and/or other related local, state, and federal fees that may apply to such winnings and/or prizes.

TERM: This contest will run from November 14th 2011 until Noon on January 24th 2012 (GMT).

ELIGIBILITY: All individuals of 14 years or older at the time of entry may participate in this contest. Participants must have an Internet or online service provider account in good standing. TSR Employees and their immediate family members of TSR and affiliated companies and sponsors are NOT ELIGIBLE. This contest is void where prohibited or restricted by law and is subject to all federal, state and local laws and regulations. No limitations on entries, but limited to one win per member. Featured Artists and Site Staff are not eligible to win prizes.

CONTEST ODDS: The imagination and skill of the participant will determine the odds of winning.

NOTIFICATION: Prize-winners will be notified via e-mail within 1 week of the competitions close. The prize-winners' names will be posted on our site. Prize-winners need not be available at time of notification, however, they must respond to and comply with the notification email within two weeks or the prize will forfeited. TSR reserves the right to redraw the prizes.

CONDITIONS: You must be the Registered and Authorized Holder of the E-mail Account through which the entry is made. For purposes of this contest, a "Registered and Authorized Holder of the E-mail Account" is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet service provider, online service provider or other entity (e.g., business, educational institution, etc.) that is responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the secondary level domain name associated with the submitted e-mail address. Entries must be made by an individual from a single computer and may not be made by proxy, or electronic means such as script, bot, macro or any other similar software or program. Winners assume liability for injuries caused or claimed to be caused by participation in this contest, the use or misuse of any prizes. TSR (The Sims Resource) reserves the right at its sole discretion, to cancel or suspend this contest should a virus or any other cause beyond our control, corrupt the administration, security or the integrity of this contest. This contest is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable federal, state and local laws. If any prize or prize notification is returned "undeliverable," prize will be forfeited and an alternate winner will be selected. All federal, state and or tax liabilities arising from the contest will be the sole responsibility of prize-winner. Except where prohibited by law, the winner's entry and acceptance of the prize constitutes permission for TSR to use said winner's name, photograph, likeness, statements, biographical information, voice and address (city and state and country) worldwide and in all forms of media, in perpetuity, without further compensation. All entries, once submitted are bound by the normal submission agreements of TSR, who reserves the right to present any and all information supplied in said entries to any or all of the competitions sponsors. This contest is subject to these Official Rules. By participating, entrants agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of TSR and waive any right to claim any ambiguity in the Contest or these Official Rules.

LIMITS OF LIABILITY: TSR is not responsible for late, lost, damaged, misdirected, incorrectly addressed, incomplete, illegible, undeliverable, destroyed, or unavailable network connections, or failed, incomplete or garbled computer or telephone transmissions, typographical or system errors and failures or faulty transmissions or for any problems or technical malfunction of any telephone network or lines, computer online systems, servers or providers, computer equipment, or entry not received by TSR on account of technical problems or traffic congestion on the Internet, or at a Website, or any combination thereof including any injury or damage to entrant's or any other person's computer related to or resulting from participating in the Contest or downloading any material from the Contest or other telecommunications malfunctions which may limit an entrant's ability to participate. If, for any reason, this Contest is not capable of running as planned, including infection by computer virus, bugs, tampering, unauthorized intervention, fraud, or any other causes beyond the control of TSR which corrupt or affect the administration, security, fairness, integrity or proper conduct of the Contest, TSR reserves the right at its sole discretion to cancel, terminate, modify or suspend the Contest. Caution: Any attempt by a participant to deliberately damage the website or undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be in violation of criminal and civil laws and should such an attempt be made, sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including attorney's fees) from any such participant to the fullest extent of the law, including criminal prosecution.

GENERAL: This contest is subject to all federal, state, and local laws. Void where prohibited. The winners agree that TSR, affiliates, sponsors and employees shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience, or irregularity arising out of or relating to any prize granted under this Contest, even if caused by the negligence of TSR. TSR reserves the right to verify eligibility qualifications of any winner. Swedish law governs this contest. TSR and its affiliated companies and sponsors maintain no control over any air, water, or surface carrier, ship line, transportation company, or other person or entity furnishing service, products, or accommodations as a part of the prize provided under this Contest, since TSR is not in any way related to those suppliers. TSR shall not be liable for any injury, damage, loss, expense, accident, delay, inconvenience, or other irregularity that may be caused or contributed to (1) by Wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any of those suppliers or any of their agents, servants, employees, or independent contractors, (2) by any defect in or failure of any vehicle, equipment, instrumentality, service, product, or accommodation that is owned, operated, furnished, or otherwise used by any of those suppliers, (3) by the wrongful, negligent, or unauthorized act or omission on the part of any other person or entity not an employee of TSR, or (4) by any cause, condition, or event whatsoever beyond the control of TSR.

RULES/WINNERS' LIST: For winners' list or an additional copy of this Official Rules, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to "TSR Social Network Competition", IBIBI HB, Kungsgatan 3, Soderhamn, 826 30, SWEDEN. You must specify "Online Rules" or "Online Winners' List" or your request will not be honoured. Official Winner's List requests must be received within three (3) months of completion of the Contest.

New York is the first location and includes the work of students from Parsons The New School for Design being displayed at the Chelsea Art Museum. Parsons is one of the most well known art schools in the US and EA recruits heavily from this location, so it's no surprise it was chosen to start the project rolling.

I was there for the awards ceremony where the winners were announced and I can tell you that the turnout was higher than expected with over 500 people attending this opening session. Many of those were of course the students who worked on the art, most of whom worked in teams on their projects. So why was I there? Well, The Sims Resource sees itself as a leading community site providing far more than just downloads and we see it well worthwhile travelling across continents to bring you coverage of events like these for the serious Sim 2 players and its community!

My take on an event like this is also likely to be very different to any art critique. My interest, like most readers of this site, is in the gameplay, custom content and the use of community tools by players. I'm certainly no expert where 'Art' is concerned (on the way into the Chelsea Art Museum I saw what to me looked like about 30 sets of weighing scales arranged in a large square. I'm not sure whether that was Art, or if visitors normally pay by the pound!).

The exhibits on display from Parsons were varied to say the least, split into two categories; 'Machinima' and 'Open' where "anything goes, and it certainly did" according to Sven Travis, Associate Professor at Parsons, during his opening speech before the awards were given out. The Machinima category in particular, apparently caused lots of debate among the judges.

But even the Machinima work was not simply graphical content displayed on big screens or projected onto walls and floors, but was merged into physical and often interactive media as well. In fact the winning entry in the Machinima category ("The History of the Luddites" by Glendon Jones) was based on a zoetrope. Turning a handle rotated a series of cogs and wheels which spins a drum with slits cut into it allowing the viewer to see a series of Sims images, producing the illusion of motion.

Pinning Glendon down for a quick chat he told me that he had build the physical machine before he even started to think about the story which he was going to use on it. Once he moved on to that stage he hit the wall of all storytellers in the community of being restricted to the existing game animations. For example, he captured a dancing Sim at just the right angle to provide the animation which looks like a Sim chopping with an axe. In all, Glendon used around 120 frames of low-res images to create his work which can be seen here in action.

The winning entry on the Open category came from Edward Chow who I also managed to have a few words with, and can be seen here with his submission titled "mySIM modular toy". This was a modular and customizable toy designed to simulate buying and trading clothes in the game, for artists to customize and paint as they please. This work apparently exploited 3D printer action, and earned Ed and oversized EA Check for $2500.

One thing that I couldn't help but notice a trend in from talking to some of the people behind the entries was that few of them had actually played the game before this competition was announced. Ed first saw it as a creativity tool but tells me he is now hooked on the game and has been playing it since discovering its depth, especially "Create A Sim".

• Cooking | 38.6% (2684)
• Gardening | 32% (2225)
• Painting | 28.67% (1994)
• Collecting | 25.06% (1743)
• Writing | 24.66% (1715)
• Fishing | 19.8% (1377)
  
  

Will you be buying Sims 3 soon?
Total Votes: 11,647.

• I'll grab it ASAP after release | 32.95% (3838)
• It's Pre-Order for me, can't wait! | 23.98% (2793)
• I'm waiting for feedback from users| 21.88% (2548)
• I'll stick with Sims 2 thanks! | 18.98% (2211)
• I'm still on Sims 1.. there's a 2 and 3? | 2.21% (257)
   

Which do you think enhances your game the most?
Total Votes: 4,581.

• EA Stuff Packs | 14.51% (660)
• Custom Content downloads | 86.19% (3921)
• EA Stuff Packs | 14.51% (660)
• Custom Content downloads | 86.19% (3921)
  

Which is your favourite of the 'Supernatural' EP additions?
Total Votes: 5,777.

• Vampires 62.84% (3631)
• Werewolves 26.57% (1535)
• Zombies 10.57% (611)
  

Which has been your most successful operation in Open For Business?
Run for far too long! ~ 8,835 total votes.

• Wholesale Shop 26.98% (2331)
• Crafted Item Outlet 21.55% (1862)
• Restaurant 14.54% (1256)
• Clothing Store 13.41% (1159)
• Services Venue 9.06% (783)
• Car Showroom 8.32% (719)
• Grocery Store 5.21% (450)
• Deeds & Real Estate 3.22% (278)
  

Having had time to explore them both, which has been your favorite Sims 2 Expansion pack so far?
Run for far too long! ~ 8,759 total votes.

• University 21.15% (1748)
• Nightlife 84.84% (7011)
  

Of course it's all good, but which of these is the BEST thing about Sims 2 for you?
Run for far too long! ~ 12,945 total votes.

• 3D Graphics 30.99% (5211)
• Create-A-Sim 25.82% (4342)
• Genetics 23.06% (3877)
• Build Mode 10.76% (1809)
• Aspirations 8.4% (1412)
• Movie Maker 1.02% (171)
  

As time passes and more information is released about Sims 2, how are you affected?
Run from March 2nd 2004 to September 19th ~ 7,287 total votes.

• It makes me want the game more! 50.08% (3841)
• I can't get enough! Bring on the info, bring on the game! 37.2% (2586)
• I'm loosing interest by the day. 7.38% (513)
• I feel I will already know too much about the game when I get it! 4.99% (347)
  

Which of these best describes your use of the Official Sims Exchange?
Run from March 2nd 2004 to September 19th ~ 3,368 total votes.

• I have downloaded content 46.39% (1568)
• I've never used/seen it 21.24% (718)
• I don't use it because I can't (Outside US) 14.85% (502)
• I look, but I don't touch 11.51% (389)
• I have submitted content 5.65% (191)
  

How do you rate yourself as a custom content creator?
Run from March 2nd 2004 to September 19th ~ 587 total votes.

• Never tried 51.44% (303)
• Still learning 20.3% (118)
• Had a go, wasn't any good 11.88% (70)
• Average 7.30% (43)
• Good 6.45% (38)
• World Class 2.55% (15)
  

Will you be using the lifecycle feature in Sims 2?
Run from November 26th 2003 to March 2nd 2004 ~ 3,391 total votes.

• Definitely, that’s what it’s all about! 64.05% (2172)
• For some families maybe, but not all. 33.03% (1120)
• Nah, I can’t see my Sims age and die! 2.45% (83)
  

What do you and your Sims most like about the Makin’ Magic expansion? (Pick 3)
Run from November 26th 2003 to March 2nd 2004 ~ 2645 total votes.

• Casting Spells ~ 50.43% (1334)
• Kids Growing Up ~ 37.92% (1003)
• Performing Magic ~ 35.54% (940)
• Charms ~ 25.86% (684)
• Dragons ~ 25.63% (678)
• Duels ~ 16.33% (432)
• Quests ~ 15.61% (413)
• Magic Town Rides ~ 14.86% (393)
• Home Cooking ~ 24.5% (648)
  

How will you be buying The Sims 2?
Run from October 4th 2003 to November 26th 2003 ~ 1943 total votes.

• Pre-order – No delays for me! ~ 31.11% (699 votes)
• From the store, first in line on release day! ~ 49.71% (1117)
• I'll wait for the reviews to decide before I buy. ~ 12.68% (285)
• I’m holding out in the hope of winning a copy! ~ 4.09% (92)
• I don't want it. I came to this site by mistake :( ~ 1.56% (35)
  

With The Sims 2 installed, will there still be room in your life for The Sims 1?
Run from August 29th 2003 to October 31st 2003 ~ 1,303 total votes.

• Absolutely. My 2D Sims have a place in my heart! ~ 50.27% (657 votes)
• Maybe, but Sims 2 looks like it will rock! ~ 40.78% (533 votes)
• No way. I’ve seen enough of Bob Newbie to last a lifetime! ~ 8.65% (113 votes)

Which career path is your favourite Sim taking towards stardom?
Run from May 30th 2003 to August 29th 2003 ~ 1,647 total votes.

• Music ~ 55.93% (924 votes)
• Acting ~ 23.73% (392 votes)
• Fashion ~ 20.04% (331 votes)

How long have you been visiting The Sims Resource?
Run from April 24th 2003 to May 30th 2003 ~ 2,032 total votes.

• Recently found it ~ 15.87% (317 votes)
• Less than a year ~ 19.82% (396 votes)
• 1 – 2 years ~ 27.43% (548 votes)
• 2 – 3 years ~ 21.32% (426 votes)
• Over 3 years ~ 15.47% (309 votes)

Do you have, or intend to buy any of the console versions of The Sims game?
Run from March 14th 2003 to April 24th 2003 ~ 1,177 total votes.

• PlayStation 2 ~ 28.2% (333 votes)
• GameCube ~ 8.04% (95 votes)
• X Box ~ 7.96% (94 votes)
• None for me thanks! ~ 55.46% (655 votes)

The Sims: Superstar.... Hit, Miss or Maybe?
Run from February 16th 2003 to March 14th 2003 ~ 1,856 total votes.

• Hit ~ 53.56 % (994 votes)
• Miss ~ 9.21 % (171 votes)
• Maybe ~ 36.37 % (675 votes)

What Which of these other Sims Sites have you subscribed to in the past?
Run from January 12th 2003 to February 16th 2003 ~ 5,950 total votes.

• Sim Freaks ~ 39.02% (1301 votes)
• None, just TSR ~ 37.31% (1244 votes)
• 8th Deadly Sim ~ 36.38% (1213 votes)
• Well Dressed Sim ~ 34.67% (1156 votes)
• Others ~ 21.15% (705 votes)
• Mall Of The Sims ~ 9.93% (331 votes)

What did you and your Sims get for Christmas?
Run from December 31st 2002 to January 12th 2003 ~ 1,000 total votes.

• The Sims Deluxe ~ 35.09% (246 votes)
• The Sims Online ~ 30.81% (216 votes)
• Vacation ~ 25.82% (181 votes)
• Hot Date ~ 19.4% (136 votes)
• House Party ~ 15.83% (111 votes)
• Livin’ Large ~ 8.42% (59 votes)
• The Sims ~ 7.28% (51 votes)

What is your favourite animal type in Unleashed?
Run from December 4th 2002 to December 31st 2002 ~ 2,002 total votes.

• Dogs ~ 47.75 % (956 votes)
• Cats ~ 42.06 % (842 votes)
• Iguanas ~ 3.8 % (76 votes)
• Birds ~ 3.35 % (67 votes)
• Turtles ~ 1.9 % (38 votes)
• Fish ~ 1.05 % (21 votes)

Which new career track did/would you choose in Unleashed?
Run from October 23rd 2002 to December 4th 2002 ~ 2,478 total votes.

• Animal Care ~ 29.9% (743 votes)
• Fashion ~ 29.8% (741 votes)
• Culinary ~ 16.2% (403 votes)
• Education ~ 15.11% (375 votes)
• Circus ~ 8.7% (216 votes)

Which has been your favourite expansion pack so far?
Run from September 9th 2002 to October 23rd 2002 ~ 2,622 total votes.

• Livin' Large ~ 7.67% (202 votes)
• House Party ~ 5.77% (152 votes)
• Vacation ~ 8.05% (212 votes)
• Hot Date ~ 26.83% (707 votes
• Unleashed ~ 51.2% (1349 votes)

Which of these best describes the reason you continue to play The Sims?
Run from September 9th 2002 to September 25th 2002 ~ 2,085 total votes.

• Downloading and playing with new items ~ 42.46% (884 votes)
• Building Houses and Lots ~ 28.24% (588 votes)
• Expanding and controlling families ~ 14.31% (298 votes)
• I play new expansion packs, then wait for the next ~ 8.41% (175 votes)
• Finding new ways to kill Sims ~ 2.59% (54 votes)
• Just testing things I create ~ 2.21% (46 votes)
• I don't play much, I just love the community ~ 1.92% (40 votes)

Which upcoming release are you most looking forward to?
Run from August 30th 2002 to September 9th 2002 ~ 1,483 total votes.

• Unleashed ~ 71.94% (1074 votes)
• Sims Online ~ 18.35% (274 votes)
• The Sims Deluxe ~ 9.04% (135 votes)