THIS CONTEST IS A GAME OF SKILL. CHANCE PLAYS NO ROLE IN THE DETERMINATION OF WINNERS. THIS CONTEST IS INTENDED FOR VIEWING AND PARTICIPATION IN THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, AND PUERTO RICO. PLEASE DO NOT PLAY IF YOU ARE NOT A LEGAL RESIDENT OF, AND NOT LOCATED IN, THE FIFTY (50) UNITED STATES, THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, OR PUERTO RICO AT TIME OF GAME PLAY. VOID IN THE U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS AND OTHER U.S. TERRITORIES AND POSSESSIONS, AND WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO PLAY OR WIN. A PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING.
CONTEST PERIOD: Starts December 16, 2024 at 11:00:00 AM Pacific Time (“PT”) and ends June 30, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT (the "Contest Period") and consists of twenty-eight (28) weekly periods as set forth in Rule #3 (each, a “Weekly Game Period”).
ELIGIBILITY: To participate and be eligible for the opportunity to win a prize, you must be a legal resident of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico (excluding residents of the U.S. Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories and possessions, and where prohibited by law), have attained the age of majority, have a valid email address, and be a member of the free Microsoft Rewards program (the “Program”) at the time of game play. Membership in the Program is subject to the Microsoft Services Agreement (including the “Rewards” section) available at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=530144. Persons in any of the following categories are NOT eligible to participate or win a prize: (a) any person who, at any time on or after December 16, 2024, was or is a director, officer, agent, representative, or employee of Microsoft Corporation (“Sponsor”) or its parent, affiliates, subsidiaries, or service agencies, who is directly involved in the planning or execution of the Contest; (b) any other individuals engaged in the development, production or distribution of materials for the Contest or engaged in the administration or execution of this Contest (collectively, with the entities listed in 2(a), the “Contest Entities”); (c) persons who are or purport to be immediate family members (defined as biological or step-mother/ father, sister, brother, daughter, son, dependent or spouse of any of the foregoing) of any person in any of the preceding categories, regardless of where they live, or who reside in the same household as any person in any of the preceding categories; and (d) persons who Sponsor is prohibited from allowing to participate in the Program under applicable law. Contest is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws and regulations.
HOW TO PARTICIPATE: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. (SEE RULE #4 FOR DETAILS). Log into Rewards using your Microsoft Account or create a new Microsoft Account free of charge (“Account”). Please ensure that your full legal name is entered in your Account prior to participating in order to be eligible to win a prize. Failure to do so may lead to disqualification. On the Microsoft Rewards redeem page, Account holders may select the option to redeem fifty (50) Microsoft Rewards points for one (1) game play in the Ocean Commotion game (the “Game”) for the Weekly Game Period corresponding to the date played (each a “Game Play”) during the Contest Period.
Sponsor may, from time to time by various methods, offer opportunities to receive a Game Play online either without redeeming points or for a lesser number of points than outlined above.
The goal of the Game is to score the highest number of points by clearing the gameboard of all stationary balls. Points are scored when a shot-ball is launched from the cannon and comes into contact with two (2) or more stationary balls of the same color, causing them to be destroyed and removed from the gameboard. Extra points are given for the combined number of stationary balls destroyed by a single shot-ball, and for the number of wall-bounces that the shot-ball takes before it destroys stationary balls.
After five (5) shots, regardless of points scored or not, the gameboard will drop down two (2) lines closer to the cannon.
The participant’s Game Play will end when:
Upon completing a Game Play, the participant will be presented with a “Game Over” page and a final score.
For Game controls and additional scoring details and instructions, click on the “How to Play” button before starting your Game Play. For additional details on the Program, see the “Rewards” section of the Microsoft Services Agreement available at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=530144.
These Official Rules apply to the Contest and participation in the Game is deemed acceptance of these Official Rules. All online Game Plays must be received by the dates and times specified in the chart below to be eligible for the applicable Weekly Game Period prizes.
The Weekly Game Period participation periods are as follows (See Rule #6 for Prize details):
| Weekly Game Period # |
Start Date/Time: | End Date/Time: | Approximate Winner Notification Date: |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | December 16, 2024 at 11:00:00 AM PT | December 23, 2024 at 10:59:59 AM PT | January 6, 2025 |
| 2 | December 23, 2024 at 11:00:00 AM PT | December 30, 2024 at 10:59:59 AM PT | January 13, 2025 |
| 3 | December 30, 2024 at 11:00:00 AM PT | January 6, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | January 20, 2025 |
| 4 | January 6, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | January 13, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | January 27, 2025 |
| 5 | January 13, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | January 20, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | February 3, 2025 |
| 6 | January 20, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | January 27, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | February 10, 2025 |
| 7 | January 27, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | February 3, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | February 17, 2025 |
| 8 | February 3, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | February 10, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | February 24, 2025 |
| 9 | February 10, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | February 17, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | March 3, 2025 |
| 10 | February 17, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | February 24, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | March 10, 2025 |
| 11 | February 24, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | March 3, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | March 17, 2025 |
| 12 | March 3, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | March 10, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | March 24, 2025 |
| 13 | March 10, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | March 17, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | March 31, 2025 |
| 14 | March 17, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | March 24, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | April 7, 2025 |
| 15 | March 24, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | March 31, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | April 14, 2025 |
| 16 | March 31, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | April 7, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | April 21, 2025 |
| 17 | April 7, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | April 14, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | April 28, 2025 |
| 18 | April 14, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | April 21, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | May 5, 2025 |
| 19 | April 21, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | April 28, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | May 12, 2025 |
| 20 | April 28, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | May 5, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | May 19, 2025 |
| 21 | May 5, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | May 12, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | May 26, 2025 |
| 22 | May 12, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | May 19, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | June 2, 2025 |
| 23 | May 19, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | May 26, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | June 9, 2025 |
| 24 | May 26, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | June 2, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | June 16, 2025 |
| 25 | June 2, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | June 9, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | June 23, 2025 |
| 26 | June 9, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | June 16, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | June 30, 2025 |
| 27 | June 16, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | June 23, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | July 7, 2025 |
| 28 | June 23, 2025 at 11:00:00 AM PT | June 30, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT | July 14, 2025 |
Game scores/point totals from one Weekly Game Period will not carry over into any other or subsequent Weekly Game Period.
Multiple participants are not permitted to share the same email address or Microsoft Rewards account. Any attempt by any participant to use multiple/different email addresses, identities, registrations and logins, Microsoft Rewards accounts, or any other methods will void that participant's Game Plays and participant may be disqualified. Use of any automated system to participate is prohibited and will result in disqualification. In the event of disqualification, any prize that participant might have been otherwise entitled to will not be awarded.
In the event of a dispute regarding the identity of a participant, the Game Play will be deemed to have been made by the authorized account holder of the email address submitted with the Program registration. Authorized account holder is defined as the natural person who is assigned to an email address by an Internet access or online service provider, or other organization responsible for assigning email addresses for the domain associated with the registered email address. Each participant may be required to show proof of being an authorized account holder. If you do not have Internet access via a personal computer, your local library or Internet café may be able to provide access to the Internet and a number of Internet service providers and other companies offer free email accounts.
NO PURCHASE NECESSARY: To play without purchase and without redeeming any Microsoft Rewards points, visit www.microsoft.com/rewards and follow the links and instructions to create an Account (if you do not already have an Account). Then, on a 3" x 5" card or piece of paper, hand-print your full name, complete address, phone number (with area code), date of birth, the email address associated with your Microsoft Rewards Account, and mail it to: “MICROSOFT OCEAN COMMOTION CONTEST, Free To Play”, P.O. Box 8554, Big Sandy, Texas, 75755-8554.
Requests must be postmarked by June 30, 2025 and received by July 8, 2025 . Only one (1) request per outer postmarked envelope allowed. Game Play requests mechanically reproduced or made in any fashion other than as specified herein are void. Upon receipt of your request, you will be sent a link by email, which will allow you one (1) Game Play for the Game. The final Weekly Game Period of the Game will remain open until July 11, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT after which time any and all Game Plays links will become null and void. For the avoidance of doubt, if a potential entrant does not access the email Game Play link and play the Game by July 11, 2025 at 10:59:59 AM PT, the Game Play link and corresponding Game Play will be void and no longer eligible for participation in the Contest.
Game Play requests submitted by script, macro or other automated or mechanical means, Game Plays or requests by any means which subvert the entry process and requests made in any fashion other than as specified herein are void. All requests become property of the Sponsor and will not be returned.
WINNER DETERMINATION: At the conclusion of each Weekly Game Period listed in Rule #3 above, the ten (10) participants with the highest Game Play scores in the Game for the applicable Weekly Game Period will each be deemed a potential winner of one (1) prize as indicated below (Each a “Potential Winner” and, if verified, “Winner”):
| Game Play Scores: | Prize Won (see Rule #6 for Prize details): |
|---|---|
| Two (2) participants with highest Game Play scores | Potential Winner of 1st prize and 2nd Prize, respectively |
| Two (2) participants with next highest Game Play scores | Potential Winner of 3rd prize and 4th Prize, respectively |
| Two (2) participants with next highest Game Play scores | Potential Winner of 5th prize and 6th Prize, respectively |
| Two (2) participants with next highest Game Play scores | Potential Winner of 7th prize and 8th Prize, respectively |
| Two (2) participants with next highest Game Play scores | Potential Winner of 9th prize and 10th Prize, respectively |
Point totals and calculations will be completed and confirmed by an independent judging organization (the “Contest Judges”). The Contest Judges calculation of the point totals to determine the Potential Winners will be final. In the event of a tie, the one (1) participant to achieve the tied point total in question in the fastest Game Play time will be deemed the Potential Winner of the applicable prize. If a Potential Winner is found to be ineligible or not in compliance with these Official Rules, declines to accept a prize, or Sponsor is unable to contact a Potential Winner within three (3) months of the applicable Winner Notification Date listed in Rule #3 above, or in the event that a prize is returned undeliverable, the prize will be forfeited. In these circumstances, a runner-up (i.e., the participant with the next highest score for the applicable Weekly Game Period) may be notified and awarded the applicable prize. Each Potential Winner will be subject to verification of eligibility and compliance with these Official Rules.
PRIZES: For each Weekly Game Period, the following prizes will be awarded (for a total of two hundred and eighty (280) prizes throughout the Contest Period):
*Prepaid gift cards are subject to the terms, restrictions, and conditions as set by the issuer, and may be subject to expiry dates as disclosed at the time of prize notification.
**Microsoft Rewards points have no cash value (and cannot be redeemed for cash) but may be collected and redeemed for certain rewards as listed on the redeem page at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=2153954, as available. For more information on earning and/or redeeming points, see the “Rewards” section of the Microsoft Services Agreement available at http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=530144.
Total ARV of all Contest Prizes: $22,736.00 USD.
Any difference between stated approximate retail value and actual value of a prize will not be awarded. Limit of one (1) prize per participant during the entire Contest Period.
Prizes are not transferable, or redeemable for cash, and must be accepted as awarded, with no substitutions of any kind, except by the Sponsor, who reserves the right to substitute a prize (or portion thereof) with one of comparable or greater value, at its sole discretion.
All federal, state and local taxes, if any, as well as any other costs and expenses associated with prize acceptance and use not specified herein as being provided are each Winner’s responsibility, regardless of whether a prize is used in whole or in part. All prize details are at the Sponsor's sole discretion.
HOW TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE: Potential Winners will be contacted by email at the email address associated with their Account, with instructions on how to claim the prize. The prizes shall be provided at no cost to the Winners. Potential Winners will be contacted on or about the applicable Winner Notification Date specified in Rule #3. Potential Winners may be required to execute and return an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release, and, where lawful, a publicity release prior to being awarded a prize. In the event that a Potential Winner cannot provide an Affidavit of Eligibility, a Liability Release and/or a publicity release, in the timeframe required by the Sponsor, the Potential Winner will forfeit the prize and no substitute will be offered. Potential Winners may be required to furnish proof of identification.
Allow up to 2 -3 weeks for verification and shipment of your prize. The Contest Entities shall not be held responsible for any delays in awarding a prize for any reason outside of their control. Sponsor shall not be liable for any prize that may be lost, stolen, forged, damaged or tampered with in any way before it reaches the Winner(s). Prizes will only be delivered to verified Winners. Any unclaimed prize may not be awarded. The Contest Entities are not responsible for any change of mailing address, email address, and/or telephone number of participants.
By accepting a prize, each Winner agrees and consents to the use of their name, address (city and state of residence), voice, and statements relating to the Contest or Sponsor, and photographs or other likenesses, without further compensation, notification or permission in any publicity or advertising carried out by Sponsor or any related entities in any and all media now known or hereinafter developed, including the internet, without territorial or time limitation, except where prohibited by law.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF GAME PLAY:
By participating, participants (i) acknowledge and represent that they are in full compliance with these Official Rules including all eligibility requirements and, (ii) agree to be bound by these Official Rules and the decisions of the Sponsor and/or Contest Judges, made in their sole discretion, which shall be final and binding in all respects. Participants who have not complied with these Official Rules are subject to disqualification and all associated Game Plays will be void.
The Contest Entities are not responsible for late, lost, delayed, damaged, stolen, misdirected, mutilated, garbled, incomplete or undelivered submissions of requests, mail, email, or Game Plays. Proof of transmission (screenshots or captures, etc.) does not constitute proof of delivery. All Game Plays become the property of the Sponsor and in no case shall be returned to sender.
Sponsor reserves the right to disqualify any participant's registration in the Contest (and void all associated Game Plays) or entitlement to a prize if, in the sole discretion of the Sponsor, it determines or suspects that the participant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Contest by tampering, cheating, hacking, deception, or other fraudulent, deceptive or unfair playing practices (including any Game Plays generated by script, macro, robotic, programmed, or any other automated means or any other means which subvert the Game Play process).
As a condition of participating, participants agree (and agree to confirm in writing): (a) to release the Sponsor and Contest Entities and each of their officers, directors, employees and agents, from any and all liability, loss or damage incurred with respect to participating in the Contest, or the awarding, receipt, possession, and/or use or misuse of any prize; (b) that under no circumstances will participant be permitted to obtain awards for, and participant hereby waives all rights to claim punitive, incidental, consequential, or any other damages, other than for actual out-of-pocket expenses; (c) all causes of action arising out of or connected with this Contest, or any prize awarded, shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class action; and (d) any and all claims, judgments, and awards shall be limited to actual out-of-pocket costs incurred, and in no event will participants be entitled to receive legal fees and court costs.
All issues and questions concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of the Contest Official Rules, or the rights and obligations of participant and the Sponsor in connection with the Contest, shall be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the State of Washington, U.S.A., without regard to Washington or any other conflicts of law principles. All participants consent to the jurisdiction and venue of the federal, state, and local courts for Redmond, Washington.
Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion to cancel, modify and/or suspend this Contest at any time if fraud, technical failures, including any network server or hardware failure, viruses, bugs, errors in programming, or any other errors, unauthorized intervention, acts of God, epidemic, pandemic or other causes (such as force majeure events) impairs the administration, security, integrity or proper play of the Game and/or Contest. In the event of cancellation, the Sponsor reserves the right in its sole discretion, to determine the Winners for the prizes from the Game scores obtained for the Weekly Game Period(s) at issue from among all eligible, non-suspect Game Plays received for the applicable Weekly Game Period(s) up to the time of such cancellation. In no event will the Sponsor be liable for more than the stated number of prizes in these Official Rules.
The Contest Entities do not warrant that access to the Contest will be uninterrupted. The Contest Entities are not responsible for any problems that may arise, including but not limited to: (a) lost, interrupted, inaccessible or unavailable networks, servers, satellites, Internet Service Providers, websites, or other connection, availability or accessibility problems arising in connection with or over the course of the Contest; or (b) communications failed, jumbled, scrambled, delayed, or misdirected computer, telephone or cable transmissions or hardware or software malfunctions, failures or difficulties; or (c) failure of personal computers and/or software and hardware configurations, any technical malfunctions, failures, or difficulties, printing errors, clerical, typographical or other error in connection with the administration of the Contest, the processing of Game Plays, or the offering or announcement of any prize or in any winner notification documents; or (d) for any other errors of any kind relating to or in connection with the Contest, whether human, mechanical, clerical, electronic, or technical in nature; or (e) the incorrect or inaccurate capture of information, or the failure to capture any information in connection with the Contest; or (f) damage to a user's system occasioned by participation in this Contest or downloading any information necessary to participate in this Contest.
DISCLOSURES:
Any attempt by a participant or other individual to deliberately damage any website or undermine the legitimate operation of this Contest, including but not limited to any fraudulent claims, may be a violation of criminal and civil laws. Should such an attempt be made, the Sponsor reserves the right to seek remedies and damages (including legal fees) from any such individual, to the fullest extent permitted by law, including criminal prosecution. Participants engaging in any of the foregoing activities may be disqualified (and all associated Game Plays will be void) and will forfeit any prize won. The Sponsor’s failure to enforce any term of these Official Rules shall not constitute a waiver of that provision.
In the event of any conflict with any Contest details contained in these Official Rules and Contest details contained in Contest Materials (including but not limited to point of sale, television, and print advertising, promotional packaging, and other promotion media), the details of the Contest as set forth in these Official Rules shall prevail.
The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision of these Official Rules shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision. In the event that any provision is determined to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable or illegal, these Official Rules shall otherwise remain in effect and shall be construed in accordance with their terms as if the invalid or illegal provision were not contained herein. In particular, the Sponsor’s employees are not authorized to waive, modify or amend any provision or provisions of these Official Rules in any manner whatsoever.
This Contest is solely sponsored by Microsoft Corporation, One Microsoft Way, Redmond, Washington, USA 98052.
The winners list for the Contest will be published online at https://promos.microsoftrewards.com/US/en/MS_GOS_DEC_US_24/winnerslist after all prizes have been awarded.
Information collected from participants is subject to the Sponsor’s Privacy Policy. To review the Sponsor’s privacy policy, please visit https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=521839 to see how we use personal information obtained in connection with this Contest. Winners’ names may be included in a publicly available winners list.