Official Xbox Live Primetime Thread (1 vs. 100) - Schedules! Prizes! Trading?

[pinata242]

From Joystiq yesterday: http://www.joystiq.com/2009/06/17/1-...es-and-quebec/

There's going to be some drama when folks really start to catch on, so let's get it out of the way now: residents of Connecticut, Iowa, Maryland, Vermont, and the great province of Quebec, are not eligible for Xbox Live Primetime's 1 vs.100 prizes. This isn't spite on Microsoft's part, because, according to the company there are laws.

The statement from Microsoft's lawyers is that "due to gaming laws, which vary from state to state, '1 vs 100 skill-based prizes' cannot be offered in every state." The response neglects to provide any concrete reasoning why those four states and Quebec were unique, but does mention that players can participate through a sweepstakes.

We contacted Joystiq's Law of the Game columnist, Mark Methenitis, to see if he could give us a clearer explanation regarding the exclusions. The attorney -- who just happens to have gambling law as one of his practice areas -- explained, "When you see restrictions like these, it's either because Microsoft's legal department or the contest administrator isn't comfortable with some aspect of the state law. Taking Iowa as an example, their laws are such that many scholars believe participation in a game for any property of value would be illegal gambling. There's also a provision that if, for a fee, anything of value is delivered, and given that this is limited to Xbox Live Gold members, it may be the wording of the statute that leads them to believe the paid membership plus the game may be problematic."

Methenitis expresses that it's difficult to conclude why Microsoft chose those particular locales, but that it's "the direct result of the patchwork legislation among the states." If this seems unfair, then might we suggest contacting your congressman or, um, member of parliament? Something spooked Microsoft's lawyers into excluding those particular states. Find the full statements from Microsoft and Methenitis after the break.

[Thanks, Justin F]


Microsoft:
"Due to gaming laws, which vary from state to state, "1 vs 100 skill-based prizes" cannot be offered in every state. Residents of the excluded states can earn Sweepstakes entries by participating in "1 vs 100 on Xbox LIVE," or offline via mail by sending in 3x5 postcards to the Sweepstakes Administrator. Always check the Official Rules for full details regarding entry methods and limits."

Mark Methenitis:
"When it comes to gambling laws in the United States, 'mess' is almost too kind a term. Gambling is left to the jurisdiction of the states rather than the federal government in all respects, from online gambling to land-based casinos to sweepstakes. While there are some proposals to change the laws with regard to internet gambling, those are all still yet to pass Congress. So, when you see restrictions like these, it's either because Microsoft's legal department or the contest administrator isn't comfortable with some aspect of the state law. Taking Iowa as an example, their laws are such that many scholars believe participation in a game for any property of value would be illegal gambling. There's also a provision that if, for a fee, anything of value is delivered, and given that this is limited to Xbox Live Gold members, it may be the wording of the statute that leads them to believe the paid membership plus the game may be problematic. It's difficult to say what exact provisions are giving the legal team heartburn in these jurisdictions, but the picking and choosing is certainly the direct result of the patchwork legislation among the states.

[achau9598]

Well great ... every time I try to click the 1v100 box to join in it locks up my system ... WTF!

added: now my son says it's been locking up since he tried to play Worms and it said an update was available ... he said yes ,and it hasn't allowed him to do anything since.

[Decadance]

I am experiencing a fun please wait flashing logo currently.

[Decadance]

Is there some sort of trick to getting into this? I have been on the same screen asking me to wait for about 20 minutes

[Decadance]

And now I am getting repeat lock ups....this is loads of fun. Suppose the beta moniker makes sense

[RichC2]

A question about Bubble Tea? Haha, wasn't expecting that to pop up. And for so many people to know it.

I'm actually impressed with the questions everybody seems to get right. They're obvious here but I didn't think they were common knowledge obvious.

(plus auto props to anything with There Will Be Blood references)



And I'm sure this will jinx it, but I actually had commentary for a short period. Woot. Also fond of their choices for "What "Kung Fu" Star Passed Away in June 2009?" X. Ron Livingston, A. David Carradine, B. Jennifer Aniston. Kung Fu ref suited with an Office Space one, woot.

[Boba Fett]

I can confirm that if you get a high score (I got #1 this past game), you get flooded with messages, party and friend requests.

It got so bad I had to shut my Xbox off. Very lame and very stupid.

[mhg83]

Originally Posted by Boba Fett

I can confirm that if you get a high score (I got #1 this past game), you get flooded with messages, party and friend requests.

It got so bad I had to shut my Xbox off. Very lame and very stupid.

Why dont you just turn your settings to private?

[Boba Fett]

Originally Posted by mhg83

Why dont you just turn your settings to private?

Yeah, I will once I get back on. They were coming it at such a high rate, I couldn't get to the dashboard, since everytime I hit the button up, it went to messages.

[RichC2]

Looks like the one just got hit by the same thing, that is pretty lame. I'm sure they'll get that fixed, but that should be a top priority.

[mhg83]

That had to be the lamest marriage proposal ever

[Boba Fett]

Originally Posted by RichC2

Looks like the one just got hit by the same thing, that is pretty lame. I'm sure they'll get that fixed, but that should be a top priority.

Yeah, I would think they would want to block all communications with the One and the Mob to cut down on people getting help from online friends.

[Decker]

Originally Posted by mhg83

That had to be the lamest marriage proposal ever

My wife made me turn off the xbox to watch a movie just before the proposal. How did it go down?

[Boba Fett]

Originally Posted by Decker

My wife made me turn off the xbox to watch a movie just before the proposal. How did it go down?

SOUTHERN GUY: (emotionless tone) Will you marry me?
WOMAN: (emotionless tone) Yes.

[achau9598]

I wonder if I should even bother with this game any more - considering Maryland players can not win. Last night I got in the mob (and was in the group that would have won points had this been live). Takes the fun out if it knowing it is for nothing.

[Decker]

Originally Posted by achau9598

I wonder if I should even bother with this game any more - considering Maryland players can not win. Last night I got in the mob (and was in the group that would have won points had this been live). Takes the fun out if it knowing it is for nothing.

If it makes you feel any better, NOBODY wins points during the Beta. That's why it's funny when the One chooses "The Money" : there isn't any.

[pinata242]

That marriage proposal was the most awkward thing I've ever heard.

You could tell how amazingly unimpressed she was with his tactic.

Pro tip: Gaming proposals only work if your mate is a gamer, and they're usually best served via the game or a nice hack.

[mhg83]

She should've taken the mob

[achau9598]

Originally Posted by Decker

If it makes you feel any better, NOBODY wins points during the Beta. That's why it's funny when the One chooses "The Money" : there isn't any.

Oh, I know that .. I just mean that I can't even win the car this weekend, so why bother playing in the beta. I just wonder if the rules (with MD being ineligible) will remain upon the game going live.

[Jeremy517]

I played for the first time tonight.

It turns out that I knew the host in college, when we were both on a student-run comedy show. For you Seattle folks, he's the son of Pat Cashman from Almost Live. For you Nintendo folks, Pat Cashman is the voice of the announcer in Smash Brothers Brawl.

[Decker]

Thanks for posting that. It's nice to hear a proposal almost as stilted and awkward as mine was.

Originally Posted by mhg83

She should've taken the mob

Have a little faith. Maybe some day, she'll take Half The Money.

[mhg83]

So tomorrow my family is coming over and we'll be playing together. The host keeps saying up to 4 can play on one console. Do you just plug a second controller in? Or do you need to create a new account?

[RichC2]

Pretty sure you can just have them pop in, no new accts. (They show up as Your name (1) (2) and (3) on the screen)

[Mr. Music]

So since it is for gold members only (very limited for silver)... I'm not sure that, that would work.

[RichC2]

Originally Posted by Mr. Music

So since it is for gold members only (very limited for silver)... I'm not sure that, that would work.

As long as there is 1 gold account, you're fine.