Dreamscape Event Rules & Guidelines

** The rules are changing! Check here to see what is changing and when! **

When may I register for a new event?
Feel free to register at any time but please remember all dates are "First Come, First Served"

We will not accept applications from event organizers who currently have one in process.
Organizers or teams of organizers may only plan ONE event every 3 months. The lead organizer is permitted to serve as an assistant organizer on other events during the 3 month waiting period providing none of their assistant organizers are also involved with the event that they wish to assist in.

If you already have an event pending, you may not schedule another event until the pending event has taken place, is over, and all prizes have been accounted for and leftovers returned to the event oracle.

* Signing up for an event *
If you would like to sign up for a event, please complete the Event Proposal Form making sure you read & fully understand the guidelines provided on this page. You must already have a theme / event name decided, TBA's will not be accepted.

Once you have sent in this info, Oracle LapinFou will check the calendar & get back to you on the date(s). If they are not available he will assign you to the first available day/weekend & send you an email to confirm those new dates. If you can't do it on that date just let him know and we can choose another date. This can take up to a week, so please be patient.

How will I know if I have been accepted?
When your application is received and approved, it will be added to the schedule. You will receive an email notifying you of the date & at the appropriate time to start prize planning. If you or your ISP employ spam filtering, please make sure you allow (sometimes called "whitelist") e-mail from the dsgames.net domain in order to ensure receipt of event schedule confirmations and conflict notifications.

When will I know if the prizes I have chosen will be approved?

Normally prize selection is reviewed one month prior to the date of the event. You will be notified of any immediate problems regarding your selection at that time. 2 to 3 weeks prior to your event, you will be requested to examine prototypes of your prizes to verify the spelling of prize names, colors, and class types (accessory, knick-knacks, containers, etc..) are correct. After you have verified the prizes are correct, they will be submitted to management for final approval. You will be informed if any changes are necessary.

When do I get my prize sets?

Prize sets are usually delivered the Monday prior to your event. If special items are requested, this may delay the receipt of prize sets. You will be informed if this applies to you at the time you review your prototypes. Please do not diplay event prizes in public prior to the day before the event. This goes for event organizers as well as hosts.

Event Weekend Rules and Instructions
Read this for rules and regulations on receiving Prize support. Failure to do so will result in denial of your request.

Game Scheduling Guidelines

Regularly Scheduled Hosts: Games may not be added to the event schedule if another member is already slated to host it at the same time on the regular schedule. If a reguarly scheduled host does not reserve their event slot by 2 days prior to the event, the event slot for that game opens to the first member who requests the slot after that time.

(1) It is your responsibility to advertise and promote your event. A link to your URL will be provided on the normal Dreamscape calendar and the event flags will be changed to your event the Monday before the weekend.

(2) Hosts may not be excluded from hosting in an Event for reasons other than Game schedule conflicts, without prior approval from an Event Oracle.

(3) It is the responsibility of the organizers to retrieve prize sets from no show hosts. You will also get the brunt of complaints if a host runs a game unfairly or ineffectively.

Hosts should be advised that they should have a minimum of two players participating per prize awarded. That is, if there are only 2-3 players, only one prize may be awarded. If there are 4-5, only two prizes may be awarded. If there are at least six players all prizes may be awarded. This refers to major event prizes only. Door prizes and acolyte prizes may be awarded in any game.

Any game host not returning unused prize sets will be prohibited from hosting in future games will all is cleared up. Encourage hosts to link their games to the theme of the event or to life in the Dreamscape.

(4) Set up a schedule such that you or a member of your event team will be on hand to handle any problems which may occur. If you are a team that is all from one specific time zone, consider finding a suitable responsible person in a different time zone that could be on hand to deal with potential problems, making sure ALL game times are covered. If none of the event organizers can be in world during some hours of your event, please notify Oracle LapinFou and do some trouble shooting by contacting any who will host during the absence of event organizer(s).

(5) If you arrange for more than one game per time slot, try to make the games different in nature.
For example, some people love speed games, others can't play them. Some people love word games, others do not have the required command of English to enjoy them. Try to vary the kinds of games offered during each hour.
(Speed: Ghost Racing; Luck: Bingo, Lucky Numbers, Even Bet, Mix and Match; Word games: Scrambles, Acromania, Reveal the Word)

(6) Starting times for games should be clearly stated. If a double game will be played in less than two hours, starting time for the 2nd round should be displayed on the schedule so that players know when to come in for the second game. It is preferable to start games on the hour.

(7) Prize winners should be displayed on the game page.
Even if winners are submitted to the organizer after the event flags have changed, some players & certainly the event caretaker will want to see who won the prizes. This will answer any questions that may arise concerning actual number of sets awarded and who is winning multiple games. It's better to be open about results than to leave room for suspicion and/or doubt.
Any organizer not announcing winners or not returning unused prize sets will be prohibited from scheduling events in the future.

* Type of Prizes/Vendo Items Available *

No New Art Rule Explanation*
We've been asked many times what this means,
(1) Event day items must have been either used as a vendo item or prize before.*
(2) The artists will NOT make an item for your event.
(3) Scenery items are considered NEW ART, because they have not been available by vendo or prize before.

* Management reserves the right to make an exception to this rule.

Main Prizes
Event day or weekend prizes usually consist of 3 top prizes - 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. One item may be engraveable.
A Lockable Container used as an Event Prize must be in the same shape as a current vendo or Acolyte Prize container.
(Items must have been released in the dreamscape, before they can be allowed to be used again for events. This means NO new art.) Non-lockable containers may be created from other previously released images. Not ALL images will work as containers, the Event Oracle working with you will help you to determine what will and will not work.

Vendroid Items
Each event day/weekends receive 2 (TWO) vendroid items. These can be just about anything.
(Items must have been released in the dreamscape, before they can be allowed to be used again for events. This means NO new art.) Additionally, one can of Event Paint may be provided with the 2 Vendroid items. Only one container object may be used in the Vendroid.

Door Prize
Each event day/weekend gets 1 item to use as a door prize. This items must be a small and cheap type item, such as drinks, ornaments, and so forth. No super rare items, No big items etc. (items must have been released in the dreamscape, before they can be allowed to be used again for events. This means NO new art.)

* Items that are not allowed *

Some items are reserved for certain events, contests, etc... Contact your Event Oracle for assistance in determining appropriate prize items.

Heads are not normally allowed to be used as actual prizes during these events, sometimes a head can be used as a "vendroid" item. There must be a good reason to use a head for a vendroid item and must be approved by management. If an exception is made and a head is used, remember that heads are guaranteed to be rare for 6 months, so the head can not have been used as a prize with in the last 6 months.

As of May 5th, 2005, Fuzzies are no longer permitted to be used as event prizes. Events which have already requested fuzzies prior to this date will be permitted to keep them.

Containers may not be used in banners. Banners are typically used to dispense free prizes in turf hunts.

* Past Item Usage *

What has been done in the past, may sometimes not be allowed in the future. Due to misuse, abuse or if it just doesn't work out right. An example would be giveaway items. This just did not work out right so will not be allowed anymore. Some events may have been given a new item/animated item etc. This is a decision of Dreamscape staff. Not every event will get "something" super special. Some times an event/prize will be given to one person and not another, this is not a reflection on the person or the event. For example , hunts once in awhile these are good, but every event day or weekend would be to repetitious. So therefore they will not be allowed "every time".

* Other Event Information *

Turf Hunts
• Clues can be placed on existing objects already in-world, or they can be placed on objects to be hung the evening before the event.
• When hanging clues that provide a key to each letter of the alphabet, each clue will utilize the same image and color code.
• Clues can either be placed on TMAs of an object, or as a URL on the object.
• Only one turf hunt per event is permitted.
• Containers are not permitted to be offered as turf hunt prizes due to technical issues.

Quests

• You can use up to 5 turfs in your event to award prizes, 4 if you're doing a separate turf hunt.
• You can have a speaking banner inside the turf to provide clues to the next, however if you wish for it to be in avatar form, it needs to be the same exact image in each turf. You must specify one body, one head, up to two optional accessories, and color codes for each. The final assembled 'body' will be copied as-is and placed in each turf you desire, but there will be no further customizations to it other than speech and/or items awarded.
• Up to 5 banners are permitted outside of your turf for the purpose of providing clues, however they may not be in avatar form.
• Containers are not permitted to be dispensed by banners
• The quantity and types of prizes permitted to be given are based on their relation to the theme of the event, and complexity of the quest.
• You must submit an explanation of how the quest will work in order for prizes to be allowed. Remember, prizes aren’t just given away, there needs to be some work involved to earn them.

Drops/Tag Hunts
• If you wish to have a drop/hunt, you are permitted a maximum of 200 items per day of your event.
• You must E-Mail a list of the people who will be hiding or dropping, along with a schedule prior to receiving your prizes. The schedule must also be posted on your event’s website.
• It is not necessary to record the names of avatars who have tagged you, though it is requested that you advertise a “One prize from her hider per day” on your event’s website.

In General
• For any object you need created, whether it’s a prize or a clue, you must provide:
o The name you want engraved on the item
o For Prizes, the type of item (please state Knick Knack, Accessory, Useable Item, etc)
o Color Code you want on the item
• You may not use images which are sold as Avatarwares items, or any images which are reserved for staff group use. (IE: No Fuzzies, dragons, faire prizes, etc…)

* Prize Sets *

A prize set is what we call one set of prizes that is given to each host for their event on your event day/ weekend. A prize set contains: 1 first place prize, 1 second place prize, 1 third place prize, 3 door prizes and a host gift. (Each host gets a host gift for hosting at the event.)

Prize sets will be provided ONE per scheduled game. Games must start on the hour. Also, some team games may qualify for more than one prize set. Additionally, there are some team and/or elimination games, that require the use of 2 Prize Sets, they are as follows:

Hi Lo

Card Shark

Musical Chairs

Pick Pockets

Pass the Fruit
Poker Tournament

Hosting two games per hour is not sufficient reason to ask for multiple sets. If you host a game that requires two sets, please write to the Event Oracle, outlining your game rules, and explaining why it requires two sets. Any game not listed above, MUST be approved for Two Sets by the Event Oracle.

You will receive a number of prize sets equal to the number of games on your schedule.
If a host has a prize set and does not arrive for the game and a substitute host steps in, Acolyte prizes will be awarded until the event organizer can secure the prize set from the missing host & distribute to the winners. Any host not returning unused prize sets will be prohibited from hosting games during events until all is reconciled.

Prize Distribution

The use of random Box Picks, will not be used for Event Games, unless prior permission has been received from the Event Oracle. Some games allowed to use random Box Picks are: Ghost Racing, WOF, Roulette... If you host a game that requires the use of Random Box Picks, please contact the Event Oracle and explain how your game runs and why random Box Picks are the only manner in which prizes can be distributed.

All other games, should distribute prizes according to the order in which they were won. For instance, 1st place winner, will receive 1st place prize, 2nd place winner, will receive 2nd place prize, etc... Exception to this rule, would be if a Bingo host chooses to use 1 Event prize per bingo round. In this case, the 1st place winner of the round, will receive whichever Event Prize is being used for that particular round.

* No-Show Hosts *

Can I raffle off a prize set if a no-show occurs? No. Prize draws are not allowed at events.

If a host no-shows you may find a replacement host or fill this slot with another type of game. All hosts should be keeping track of points in their games and if the host program crashes and they can't restart, prizes should be awarded based on the last known scores or not at all.

Each team of organizers should have a plan for no show hosts that is clearly stated on their URL for the game. Raffles are not allowed. Substitute hosts may be an option. Canceling the game and returning the prizes may be an option. Whatever you decide to do, state it clearly on your URL, and the plan will need to be approved by Oracle Trashka.

You will receive a number of prize sets equal to the number of games on your schedule. If a host has a prize set and does not arrive for the game and a substitute host steps in, Acolyte prizes will be awarded until the event organizer can secure the prize set from the missing host and distribute to the winners.

If a substitute host is used, effort should be take to replace one game with a game of a similar type. Example, do not replace trivia with ghost racing if at all possible. This is for the sake of the players as many come inworld only to play a specific type of game.

* Event Schedule Creation *

The design & Creation of your Event Schedule is your responsibilty.

Recently one of the most popular Free Web hosts (Geocities) implemented a restriction to their Transfer Bandwidth, this means they have put a limit on the amount of times a site can be viewed & as you can imagine on an Event Day a schedule could reach as many as 1000-2000 page views, especially with an Auto-Refresh script included on the pages, so in future no event schedule will be permitted to be hosted on their server. Angelfire has now implemented the same type of restriction which causes the event pages to go down within the first few hours of the event.

Please do not use the Free Web Hosts that are listed below:

Anglefire.com

Geocities.com

However there are many alternatives, a few suggestions are listed below:

Or you can browse through the following FREE Listing Services Below:

If you know of any other Free Web Hosts with a reasonable server speed & don't have any similar restrictions or pop-up windows, please email Oracle Hero & they will be added.