Blizzard: Creative Writing Contest 2010

2010 Blizzard Global Writing Contest

Would be fiction writers can submit a story no shorter than 2,500 words or longer than 7,500 words.



One First Prize entrant will receive a prize package consisting of a trip to Blizzard headquarters in Southern California that includes round trip coach air fare, two nights lodging, and a meal with Blizzard employees. Plus ,the winner’s choice of one of the following prizes: A Frostmourne™ sword, or a Diablo® “OVERTHROWN” barbarian diorama.

Runner Up Winners. Seven qualified entrants will be judged to be runner-ups of the contest, and will receive prize packages consisting of one Diablo® Archive, Warcraft® Archive, StarCraft ® Archive, and the Warcraft: War of the Ancients Archive, each signed by Chris Metzen, cover artists, and the Blizzard writing staff.

Deadline for Submissions is Aug/23/2010
OPEN ONLY TO RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED STATES, CANADA, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, FRANCE, BELGIUM, UNITED KINGDOM, LUXEMBOURG, GERMANY, AUSTRIA, SWITZERLAND, SWEDEN, FINLAND, DENMARK, NORWAY, SPAIN, IRELAND, RUSSIA, THE NETHERLANDS, SOUTH KOREA, TAIWAN, HONG KONG AND MACAU

Read the Official rules prior to submission here

Interesting contest, but unfortunately with my laziness, lack of knowledge of WoW and the sheer amount of people going for a Frostmourne, I will not win. XD

All entries and materials submitted to Sponsor in connection with the Contest (collectively, "Entry Materials"), along with all copyright, trademark and other proprietary rights associated therewith, become the property of Sponsor upon submission, including the right to use your name, voice, bio, and likeness if requested by Sponsor.

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Would they like my fingerprint and access to my bank account as well? Activision actually had to come out and say they wouldnt steal IP with their indie game developer contest, IIRC. I mean, I can imagine the bad stuff they will be receiving... but I hate companies that lightly mask "contests" when their goal is to obtain new IP.

Its actually common language in sweepstakes. They want to be able to reserve the right to use your likeness and story when you're declared the winner. They're also making it clear you cant ask to have your submission returned.(also a common practice)

Basically they want to post the winning story along with your day at Blizzard in a webpage with photos or video. They're not going to sell your entry or create a videogame based on it.
The truth is , They always remember to put the wording in there so that you cant decline them, but they never ask (its very rare)

[quote name='Torazo']Interesting contest, but unfortunately with my laziness, lack of knowledge of WoW and the sheer amount of people going for a Frostmourne, I will not win. XD[/QUOTE]

You could also write about StarCraft or Diablo.

From the official FAQ:

Q: My entry is more of a moment-by-moment account of what my character does in-game. Is that okay?
A: We're looking for complete literary works of short fiction based on the Warcraft, StarCraft, or Diablo franchise. Accounts of in-game events or works that detail game mechanics are not literary fiction. Again, we highly encourage you to take a look at last year's winners for guidance.