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Destructoid Gauntlet week one winners announced! photo

First of all, how's about a hand for Cyberpower and Intel? We're lucky to have companies sponsoring our community activies.  It really is going above and beyond the call of duty to provide over $10,000 worth of prizes and made this great tournament possible.  Check out their products if you're in the market for a fast gaming PC ... and tell them we sent you. Golf claps all around!

Alright, now for the fun part: announcing the winners.

The first match was brutally competitive -- monitoring and ultimately judging the winners of this contest became tricky due to all of the hacking out in the open that took place, some forms of it more amusing than others. I can't say we've ever seen that before on Destructoid, but we do appreciate the enthusiasm towards winning these great computers at the risk of being permabanned for life. There was no shortage of that! Regardless, I hope everyone had fun with it anyway and improved their Tanked-Up skills overall. Special thanks to Nitrome for lending us their games.

So who won it?  How did we judge it?  Hit the jump to find out!

A FLASH FINISH IN THE COMMENTS

Congratulations to Tim48o, Wedge, Meep Jeep, -H-, and Reaprar -- the top five consecutively (and legitimately) high-scoring players before things got "interesting".  It's hard to tell which one of these guys was on top at the last minute, so we'll do a tiebreaker in the comments below. The first three to comment will win $300, $150, and $50 respectively and seats in the final tournament. If you know one of these guys I'd get them on the phone right now, as two are about to be eliminated!  Exciting, isn't it?

But wait, there's more!  The top five score hackers will also receive a supply of HACKS cough drops and Dtoid stickers: Congrats Dyslexic, RedRabbit, Blacksheep, KamikazeTutor, Weirs for coming clean on the hacks. Special thanks to our matlocking unofficial IRC crew, too!

SYMPATHY FOR THE DEVIL

Among all the hacking attempts one stood out:  a way to win the contest without reverse-engineering the actual game file, interrupting server communications, or altering the system's short-term memory, thus technically not breaking our contest rules. A white-hat hacker (name withheld by request) took the time to write in and detailed an external software tool that enthusiasts use to bring their computer's CPU clock to a grind, allowing a player to complete any part of a game through artificial slow-motion.  Both flash games and retail games (not involving a live multiplayer match or time-based session) are vulnerable to this tool, so unless we're sitting there over everyone's shoulders we're not likely able to catch these guys in the act. Obviously, that changed things and will affect the tournament going forward.

You have to laugh -- isn't it ironic that a tournament giving away hyper-fast computers could be gamed best by emulating the slowest computer possible? 

 

NEW WEEK, NEW GAMES

We've listened to community feedback closely and I believe we've come up with a great solution:  Since the various hacks are nearly impossible to monitor across a few thousand players in real time we've decided to change things up a bit for the next two rounds.

1. Simply play the tournament, get your score in, and random winners will be selected to win cash prizes. 

2. Winners from each match will move to the final match which will may be played in a ladder or deathmatch but absolutely skill based: a PC game that allows multiple Dtoid judges to monitor and record activities in real time. Could I be more intentionally vague? Hint: It requires a keyboard and mouse!

 

WHAT'S NEXT?

Look for a new game early next week and more random prizes like Intel Quad-Core Processors to be issued out next week just for playing the game and submitting a score.

Can you guess what it will be?  Check out Nitrome's web site for a hint!






Contests Official Rules



No Purchase Required to Enter or Win

1. Eligibility: Destructoid.com contests are usually provided by sponsors who, due to customs and shipping costs (yay budgets), often limit participation to individuals who are legal residents of the fifty (50) United States (unless otherwise stated) and are 12 years of age. We encourage our overseas friends to be super sneaky and make a friend in the United States who can receive your prize, and then you two figure out the customs/logistics. Be cautious about who you trust, obviously. Employees of destructoid.com, their advertising or promotion agencies, those involved in the production, development, implementation or handling of Contests, any agents acting for, or on behalf of the above entities, their respective parent companies, officers, directors, subsidiaries, affiliates, licensees, service providers, prize suppliers any other person or entity associated with the Contests (collectively “Contest Entities”) and/or the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members (whether related or not) of each such employee, are *not* eligible and will be fired and publicly beaten if are caught participating. All U.S., federal, state and local and regulations apply.

2. Agreement to Official Rules: Participation in the Contest constitutes entrant’s full and unconditional agreement to and acceptance of these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor, which are final and binding. Winning a prize is contingent upon fulfilling all requirements set forth herein.

3. Entry Period: The start and end dates/times of each Contest (the “Entry Period”) will be posted on the applicable Contest site.

4. Entry: To enter a Contest, follow the instructions on the Contest site. Submission will result in one (1) entry. The number of times you can enter the Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The use of any agencies or automated software to submit entries will void all entries submitted by that person.

5. Drawing: At the conclusion of the Entry Period, we will select the names of the potential winners in a random drawing of all eligible entries received during each Entry Period. The number of winners to be selected in a specific Contest will be posted on the applicable Contest site. The odds of being selected as a potential winner depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Entry Period. Potential winners will be contacted via email and will be asked to provide their full name, age and mailing address within a specified time period. If a potential winner does not respond within the timeframe stated in the notification email, we may select an alternate potential winner in his/her place at random from all entries received during the Entry Period. Limit one (1) prize per household per Contest.

6. Requirements of the Potential Winners: Winners will be notified by the e-mail address associated with their account on destructoid.com.com and/or receive a Private Message on destructoid.com.com or through a Twitter Direct Message/Facebook message. Winners have five (5) days from the original message alerting them of their winnings to respond and claim their prize. If no winner comes forward within five business days, the prize will be forfeited and raffled again where Destructoid's hardcore fans are most active (forums/community blogs/facebook group).

7. Prize(s): The prize(s) (including each prize’s approximate retail value) available to be won in a specific Contest will be posted on the Contest site. No cash or other substitution may be made, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize with another prize of equal or greater value if the prize is not available for any reason as determined by the Sponsor in its sole discretion. The winners are responsible for any taxes and fees associated with receipt or use of a prize. Prizes will be mailed between 1 to 45 business days after winners have replied with their required info.

8. General Conditions: In the event that the operation, security, or administration of the Contest is impaired in any way for any reason, including, but not limited to fraud, virus, or other technical problem, the Sponsor may, in its sole discretion, either: (a) suspend the Contest to address the impairment and then resume the Contest in a manner that best conforms to the spirit of these Official Rules; or (b) award the prizes at random from among the eligible entries received up to the time of the impairment. The Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to disqualify any individual it finds to be tampering with the entry process or the operation of the Contest or to be acting in violation of these Official Rules or in an unsportsmanlike or disruptive manner. Any attempt by any person to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest may be a violation of criminal and civil law, and, should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek damages from any such person to the fullest extent permitted by law. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision. In case of a dispute as to the owner of an entry, entry will be deemed to have been submitted by the authorized account holder of the screen name from which the entry is made. The authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an e-mail address by an Internet access provider, online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning e-mail addresses for the domain associated with the submitted e-mail address.

9.Release and Limitations of Liability: By participating in the Contest, entrants agree to release and hold harmless the Contest Entities from and against any claim or cause of action arising out of participation in the Contest or receipt or use of any prize, including, but not limited to: (a) unauthorized human intervention in the Contest; (b) technical errors related to computers, servers, providers, or telephone or network lines; (c) printing errors; (d) lost, late, postage-due, misdirected, or undeliverable mail; (e) errors in the administration of the Contest or the processing of entries; or (f) injury or damage to persons or property which may be caused, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, from entrant’s participation in the Contest or receipt of any prize. Entrant further agrees that in any cause of action, the Contest Entities’ liability will be limited to the cost of entering and participating in the Contest, and in no event shall the Contest Entities be liable for attorney’s fees. Entrant waives the right to claim any damages whatsoever, including, but not limited to, punitive, consequential, direct, or indirect damages.

10. Disputes: Except where prohibited, entrant agrees that any and all disputes, claims and causes of action arising out of, or connected with, the Contest or any prize awarded shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action. All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Official Rules, entrant’s rights and obligations, or the rights and obligations of the Sponsors in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, without giving effect to any choice of law or conflict of law rules (whether of the Commonwealth of Virginia or any other jurisdiction), which would cause the application of the laws of any jurisdiction other than the Commonwealth of Virginia.

11. Contest Results: To enter the contest without needing to buy/sell anything or request a written copy of the name of the winners, send a self-addressed stamped envelope (stating the specific Contest you are requesting the winners for) to destructoid.com Contest Winners 260 King Street Suite 883, San Francisco California 94107. We run many contests, so please be specific in what you are requesting. Winner requests must be received within thirty (30) days from the end date of the applicable contest (they're always posted on our site though). Winners are usually posted the day following the contest on our contest section.

Lastly, Destructoid has the right to kick your ass and take away your prize if you are a total dickhead, so be cool and don't kick any puppies on your way to victory. Have fun with our contests and be a good sport when you win or lose. Remember: First you get the power, then you get the money, then get the baby.

 




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Yanier "Niero" Gonzalez is Destructoid's founder and guy-in-the-helmet.After 2,000+ stories posted and years of starting trouble on the front page he's now busy behind the scenes building the future of Destructoid. His story is our motto: "Living The Dream".

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56 comments | showing # 1 to 50
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next 50 comments

Pilliy's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:19
Pilliy
Nice work guys!
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:20
Wedge
Wewt
godkow's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:20
godkow
Let's see who wins the tie breaker.
Aerox's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:21
Aerox
Yay Wedge!
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:21
Wedge
OMG I <3 YOU AEROX
godkow's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:22
godkow
Well, that settles that.
Darren Nakamura's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:23
Darren Nakamura
Congrats guys, if I knew any of you, I'd totally call right now.
A New Challenger's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:23
A New Challenger
I have this mental image of Niero absolutely frazzled while typing a bunch of stuff and unplugging and replugging wires in all week, dashing around the room, making notes on a whiteboard, trying to figure out how this thing was going to play out moving forward. More likely he sat around with a beer in hand calmly typing out emails.

Oh and congrats to everybody.
bruceleethree's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:33
bruceleethree
Meep Jeep wins another random draw? Hmm suspcious time.
king3vbo's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:38
king3vbo
Congrats Wedge!
Eschatos's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:39
Eschatos
Fuck, I forgot to enter.
Aaron Mxy Yost's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:42
Aaron Mxy Yost
Grats to the winners, the hackers who came clean, and especially to Niero and the rest of the Destructoid staff for handling the entire situation so well.
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:46
Shin Oni
Hopefully the next 2 games won't be so tier breaking with who has the best computers. Cause i'd like to win some free money without having to spend money for a computer when i'm trying to win one.
Atlas's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:49
Atlas
can I win? I was around tenth before the going got tough.
Infinite Obscurity's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:51
Infinite Obscurity
So the way I understand it, the winners are random now except for the finals? Oh well, at least this gives everyone a fair chance.
Atlas's Avatar - Comment posted on 10/31/2008 23:53
Atlas
Kidding, I'm just a materialistic whore blindly flailing at Destructoid for child labour built products and an ailing currency.
nebones's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:08
nebones
gratz
pedrovay2003's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:09
pedrovay2003
MEEP JEEP?!?

Good Lord, at least it was a legitimate win. I swear he's a legend now.
Shin Oni's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:12
Shin Oni
is that even the same meep jeep?

I figured it was someone who named himself that, put a space, and CAPPED their name.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:19
Wedge
Good point, could be a joke account. In any case, there's only 3 winner spots, and nobody else has claimed them yet...
bluexy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:24
bluexy
Cheers folks :D It was a lot of fun even as the game changed. Regular game, game with glitches, game with fancy hacks.

Cash winners, start a community contest and share the wealth :D!
Danmartigan's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:25
Danmartigan
alright you guys caught me, my alt account is Tim48o.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:27
Wedge
I actually sort of need that money, but if I end up winning the main computer thing, I will have an "old" computer I no longer need...
Tubatic's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:45
Tubatic
lol Meep Jeep. Always around for the contests. I look forward to your introduction post . . . :D

All love though. Get that paper Meep Jeep!
happyorangeman's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 00:48
happyorangeman
I kind of like the new rules better. Gives regular players who don't cheat, a chance to win.
mix's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 01:17
mix
Congrats guys.......and Meep Jeep......LAWL
MrNiceguy's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 01:28
MrNiceguy
ummm for the last game that u guys are going to be monitoring... well it be a game that requires high specs? I have an old celeron d computer, and I don't even know if this thing has a graphics card... I could play games like starcraft though... and counter strike with lags. Anyway plz look out for us econmically challanged, and have a nice day :D.
Oh and conratulations to all the guys that one :D
Sharpless's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 01:50
Sharpless
Meep Jeep is someone's alter. I'm calling it, right now. Someone is really damn sneaky and they're using it in these contests and it must be enchanted or something. MEEP JEEP IS A LIE.

Also, I'm all about the random winners. Gimme summa dat.
Bob Muir's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 02:05
Bob Muir
Good way to handle the situation, and congrats to everyone who won.
Wedge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 02:09
Wedge
Lrn to red Reaprar. You won $150 and a spot in the final tournament. The question is if any of the other 3 will ever comment at all ;P.
electricmole's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 02:32
electricmole
congrats. i wonder what are the top 5 best time of the tank game.
MF DOOM's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 03:02
MF DOOM
awesome now you can buy more games. I only have enough money to buy one game this year so i got fallout 3. i do not regret it CONGRATS!
UglyDuck's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 05:22
UglyDuck
Oh well. It was a nice idea.
Niero's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 07:06
Niero
I looked in our database and he's definitely a real person. I'll nudge the other guys
meepjeep's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 08:38
meepjeep
woot!
Gyrael's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 09:25
Gyrael
Random winners eh. Sounds pretty interesting.
Neonie's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 09:27
Neonie
I like the random winner idea anyway, opens it up to more people for the actual prizes.
CarlCastello's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 09:40
CarlCastello
Congratulations to the winners and hackers.
Zombutler's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 11:08
Zombutler
Haha, Yay! I just bought a new laptop that is asking for some stickers AND I have an illness at the moment that could be remedied with cough drops. I love destructoid.
Transbot's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 11:09
Transbot
Grats to all.
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 11:11
thisissami
holy shit it's meep jeep again!
thisissami's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 11:51
thisissami
also, sorry for double posting but SkyWire 2 is such an addictive game. goddamn nitrome... i have a shitload of homework i have to do!
wardrox's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 12:25
wardrox
umm... wut?

brb, warming up sql injection.
WastelandTraveler's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 13:18
WastelandTraveler
HAHA WUT I WIN STICKERS?!? HELL YES!
dfielder's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 13:23
dfielder
congrats to the winners...and the hackers ha!

Thank-you Destructoid!
exodus1925's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 13:53
exodus1925
Golf claps all round!
The Grudge's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 17:50
The Grudge
Congrats to all I guess. Thanks for all the hard work there Niero.
-H-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 18:17
-H-
too late maybe
-H-'s Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 18:21
-H-
and I tried hard.... hehehe
Tim48o's Avatar - Comment posted on 11/01/2008 19:06
Tim48o
OH nooo. Post it as soon as i get knee high in Fallout3. I was doomed from the beignning
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