Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I submit multiple entries?
A: Absolutely!
Q: What if I don't have a place to develop my submittal?
A: We have an area in Second Life set up as a sandbox. The location is - http://slurl.com/secondlife/VADER/118/102/29. All entries must be demonstrated in a virtual environment or they will not be considered.
Q: Does the entry have to be in Second Life?
A: No. It can be in any virtual environment. Give instructions on how to access it on your web page.
Q: What prizes or incentives (other than a trip to Orlando) does this challenge offer?
A: Winners will be showcased at the Defense Users' Game Tech Conference in Orlando, Florida. The top three winners in each non-Government category will receive air-fare, rental car and hotel accommodations to attend the event. First place winners will receive $5000, second place will receive $3000 and third will receive $1000. In addition, the director for the Simulation Training Technology Center, COL Langhauser will have the option of awarding a $25,000 grand prize if a submittal is deemed to be such a significant advancement that it likely will lead to additional future Government investment.
Q: What's the scoop on intellectual property of demonstrated projects or builds that are submitted?
A: One of the most wonderful things about virtual worlds is that many of the platforms have worked out IP right agreements with their users. Those agreements are respected with this challenge. We absolutely will NOT request Intellectual Property as part of this challenge. If the Government is interested in a submittal for future development, a follow on contract can be developed with that provider to transfer Intellectual Property to the agreement of all parties. The intent of the challenge is to go to a location in a virtual environment (as directed in the submittal form) that is open and freely available to use the submittal and evaluate it in four basic areas; is it innovative, is it engaging, is it effective and is it creative? It is not necessary for us to have IP rights to do that evaluation.
Q: Can anyone build on the sandbox? Will you be autoreturning objects?
A: Anyone can build in the VADER sandbox area in Second Life. Submitters need to notify us (via e-mail at fvwc.army.mil or via instant message in Second Life to Tami Nightfire, Jefferson Supermarine or SirFency Blackheart) how much space they need and we will leave their work area undisturbed.
Q: What about "mature" content in the sandbox area?
A: If someone displays something offensive in the sandbox (by our judgment) it will be removed. If it is sufficiently offensive we will ban the builder from the region.
Q: Will Government entries be judged with all other entries?
A: No. Government entities can only enter the 'Government only' portion of the competition and are not eligible for prizes.
Q: If I am a Government employee who's employed in a role unrelated to virtual worlds, may I compete in the 'public' portion of this competition and be eligible for prizes?
A: No, even if the work being done by the Government or Government contractor is not in the area of virtual worlds, they will still need to submit in the Government category.
Q: After categories have been established, will categories be posted to the web?
A: Absolutely!
Q: Will finalists be notified of their status prior to the public review phase?
A: Yes.
Q: Where can I find the parental consent form and how do I submit it?
A: E-mail fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil and request form, send form back to the fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil e-mail address.
Q: Will group vs. individual entries be judged the same?
A: Yes.
Q: I work for a state college, does this disqualify our organization from being able to receive awards from the challenge?
A: No. You work for a state college, not a federal entity. The only way you would have to submit under the Government category is if you have a contractual relationship with the Federal Government.
Q: Have the categories for the Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge been established? If the categories are to be announced, will this information be available prior to the December 6th deadline?
A: The submittals will drive the categories (aside from the Government and non Government groups) and therefore will not be announced prior to the 6th. One reason categories are not announced is to avoid excluding anyone and to avoid stifling creativity. If you have any doubts about whether your submittal fits into the intent of the challenge, please contact: fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil.
Q: Can Government organizations, employees, or Government Contractors enter the FVWC competition?
A: Yes. They enter in the Government category.
Q:What type of recognition will Government organizations, employees, or Government Contractors winners receive?
A: All winning submitters will have their name and submittal information on the website, they will also be invited to the GameTech conference in Orlando in March to discuss their submittal, then they will be invited to the Federal Consortium of Virtual Worlds in Washington, D.C. in May to continue to share their submittals via a panel and poster session.
Q:What other ways may Government organizations, employees or Government Contractors participate in this challenge?
A: Government employees are welcome to participate as judges. If interested please contact fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil.
Q: Are winners required to attend the GameTech 2011 conference?
A: No, but it does provide an excellent means of socializing their capabilities to the Government (otherwise known as free press).
Q: : Is it permissible for a Government employee or Government Contractors to be part of a non government team?
A: No. Government employees and contractors must submit under the Government category.
Q: Is it permissible to enter the contest (on the Government side) and serve as a judge (on the non Government side)?
A: Yes. However, Government submitters will NOT evaluate other Government submitters
Q:Will government submittals be open to public feedback?
A: No. These submittals may be behind a firewall and therefore not available to the public. The ones that are public may be shared for public feedback.
Q: If I am a Government employee who's employed in a role related to virtual worlds, may I compete in the competition if the submittal is unrelated to my work projects?
A: A Government employee can compete but must submit via the Government category.
Q: What kind of computer will my submission be evaluated on?
A: The reference computer specification is an HP 8740 with Quad Core processor, 8GB RAM, 1 GB video card.