Sea of Thieves The Golden Scallywag Awards Contest

Official Terms & Conditions

1. PROMOTION ENTITIES

This Promotional contest is being conducted by the following promotion entities ("Promotion Entities") as a promotional activity for Sea of Thieves The Golden Scallywag Awards:

  • Promoter and Administrator: The UK Limited Company Microsoft Limited (“Promoter”, “Microsoft”), Thames Valley Park, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 1WG

2. RULES

These are the official terms and conditions (the "Terms and Conditions") that govern how the Sea of Thieves The Golden Scallywag Awards contest will operate. This multi-country promotion will be simply referred to as the "Contest" throughout the rest of these Terms and Conditions. In these Terms and Conditions, "we", "our", and "us" refer to the Promotion Entities, as named above. "You", "yourself" refers to an eligible Contest entrant. “Territory” shall mean: Australia, Canada (excluding the province of Quebec), France, Germany, United Kingdom and the United States (all 50 United States including the District of Columbia) (together the “Participating Countries”).

3. ELIGIBILITY

Subject to the requirements set forth in Section 6 below, the Contest is open to anyone residing in the Territory who is 18 years of age or older (the "Required Age") at the time of entry and who has not been judicially impeded from acting on their own. Proof of age, identity and place of residence may be required and requested. Employees of the Promotion Entities (which include, without limitation, its directors, executive officers, agents and consultants) or its affiliates and subsidiaries are not eligible to take part, nor are members of these employees’ families (defined as parents, children, siblings, and spouse and life partners). You are also not eligible if you were or are involved in any part of the administration or execution of this Contest or you are a Government Official. Please note that this Contest is void wherever prohibited by law. The Promoter reserves the right, at any time, to verify the validity of entries and entrants (including an entrant’s identity, age and place of residence). If a winner is found to be ineligible, the Promoter reserves the right to award the relevant prize to another entrant and to require the return of any prize already awarded.

4. ACCEPTANCE

When entering into this Contest, you will be requested to accept fully and unconditionally these Terms and Conditions and to agree to be bound by them. You also agree to abide by the terms and conditions of any third-party website or service where the Contest is hosted, if any.

Although this Contest may be featured on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter), it is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by, or associated with TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter), and TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter) disclaim all liability in relation to this Contest. You understand that you are providing your information to the Promoter and not to TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter).

5. STATEMENT OF AGE

By entering into this Contest, you are stating that you are of the Required Age to participate in the Contest.

6. ENTRY PERIOD

This Contest runs from 02nd October 17:00 UTC and finishes with the final which will close no later than 31st December 23:59 UTC inclusive (the “Entry Period”). Entries received outside of the Entry Period will not be considered.

7. TO ENTER

(a) ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

To enter into this Promotion, you must:

- Be 18 years of age or older; and

- Have valid Xbox Live account of good standing, and a valid entitlement to Sea of Thieves video game.

- Record a video clip of Sea of Thieves gameplay and share it publicly on one of the following social media platforms (“platforms”); TikTok, YouTube, Instagram or X (formerly known as Twitter), including in the social media post title and / or comments section i) the hashtag #SoTScallywags and ii) one of the Award category titles listed in Section 7 b) in the post’s comment or title fields.

Entrants that satisfy the entry requirements above will be eligible to enter into this Contest. Entries submitted by any other means will not be accepted. Any misspellings, changes or variations of the hashtag (#SoTScallywags) or the Award Category title may be accepted at Microsoft’s discretion. The use of script, macro or any automated devices to enter this Contest is prohibited. The Promoter is not responsible for lost, corrupted, illegible or delayed entries or for network, computer, hardware or software failures of any kind over which it has no control which may restrict or delay the sending or receipt of your entry.

(b) CONTEST DESCRIPTION

This is a skill-based Contest and chance plays no part in the determination of the winner(s).

There are 8 Award Categories listed below, each with its title underlined;

  • Devious Disguise
    • Awarded to pirates who are most effectively able to conceal their true appearance, whether that involves dressing up to deceive others, making use of the Barrel Disguise Emote or spying on other players – the key is achieving something without being spotted!
  • Hilarious Hider
    • They may know you’re here, but finding you is another matter. Awarded to pirates who manage to sneak, dart, dash, tuck and successfully evade your pursuers – all until whatever dirty deed you’re undertaking is complete.
  • Scaring is Caring
    • It’s the Halloween season, so fright feels right. Whether you’re using voice chat while hiding to ‘haunt’ a ship, popping up unexpectedly while equipped with a horrifying curse or lobbing a well-timed blunderbomb, your success will be measured in screams.
  • Snazziest Steal
    • They have treasure. You want it. Maybe that means scoring the perfect harpoon hit to swipe loot out of a pirate’s hands, lurking at a Skeleton Fort to grab the Stronghold Key or blowing a crew overboard with the Horn of Fair Winds before leisurely helping yourself to their stuff.
  • Trickiest Trap
    • Let them play right into your hands! This award goes to pirates who use a combination of deceit and tools to cause others to enact their own demise – that could be a blade trap, a buried Gunpowder Barrel, or a room full of caged, angry snakes…
  • Perfect Prank
    • Sometimes, messing with someone’s mind can be just as effective as a blunderbuss. Convince another pirate you’re the Official Treasure Inspector, move all of their loot into the crow’s nest, make them believe you’re part of the crew or fill their barrels with burned bananas – creativity is key!
  • Admirable Ambush
    • They never saw you coming. Perhaps it was the rowboat you used to ferry your whole crew onto their ship, or that perfect cannon shot which got you exactly in place to drop their anchor and unleash Bone Caller chaos. Whatever works, works…
  • Guardian Angel
    • Stealth doesn’t have to be selfish! Provide treats instead of tricks by sneaking treasures aboard someone’s ship, leave breadcrumb trails of shiny objects to guide players through a riddle or Tall Tale, or tuck aboard and lend a helping hand with repairs. Just don’t give the game away!

The Contest consists of the following;

During the entry period, participants upload a video clip containing SoT gameplay to the platforms including the hashtag #SoTScallywags and one of the 8 Award Titles. The content of the video should appeal to the description of one of the 8 Awards to maximise their chance of winning based on the following criteria.

  • Creativity
  • Entertainment value
  • Use of Sea of Thieves mechanics

Winning entries will be those which best capture the essence of the category using the above criteria, according to the judges’ decision.

For the purpose of this Contest, the uploading or sharing of a video clip containing SoT gameplay on the platforms, with the inclusion of the hashtag #SoTScallywags and an Award Category in the comments or title will be called an “entry.”

(c) ENTRY LIMIT

A participant can enter as many times as they like for each Award within the entry period. There is no limit on a participant’s total number of entries in total or for an Award Category.

(d) DISQUALIFICATION

We will automatically disqualify any illegible entry, any entries that we receive from you that are in excess of any entry limit described above, any entrant whose entry is not in accordance with these Terms and Conditions or any entrant who tampers with the entry process or is otherwise involved in any way in manipulating, interfering or tampering with this promotion or engages in any unsportsmanlike or dishonest conduct of any kind. Errors and omissions may be accepted. Failure by the Promoter to enforce any of its rights at any stage does not constitute a waiver of those rights.

8. USE OF YOUR ENTRY:

Other than what is set forth below, we are not claiming any ownership rights to your entry. However, by submitting your entry, you:

  • are granting us a worldwide, royalty-free licence for the duration of the applicable rights to: (i) reproduce, copy, adapt your entry with all known or later developed means in connection with the promotion of this Contest in all media (now known or later developed) as defined below; (ii) use, review, assess, test and otherwise analyse your entry and all its content in connection with this Contest; and (iii) feature your entry and all its content in connection with the promotion of this Contest in all media such as including but not limited to Internet (in particular on social networks pages or online community platforms or Xbox Live Dashboard), display, POS as well as on any kind of materials such as printed materials, posters, press advertisements, online materials as for instance web-banners and emails, audio-visual commercials;
  • except in France and Germany and where prohibited by applicable law, hereby irrevocably and unconditionally waive in perpetuity any and all so-called “moral rights” or any similar right that you may have or hereinafter acquire in the entry and all its content, and to the extent that you cannot, you hereby consent to us doing or omitting to do any act that would otherwise infringe such “moral rights” or any such similar rights;
  • may have to agree to sign any necessary documentation that may be required for us and our designees to make use of the rights you granted above;
  • understand that we cannot control the incoming information you will disclose to our representatives in the course of entering, or what our representatives will remember about your entry. You also understand that we will not restrict work assignments of representatives who have had access to your entry; and
  • understand that you will not receive any compensation or credit for use of your entry, other than what is described in these Terms and Conditions.
  • Germany only: The rights you may have according to Sections 11 (2), 32, 32a and 36 of the German Copyright Law remain unaffected.

Please note that following the end of this contest your entry may be posted on a website selected by us for viewing by visitors to that website. While we reserve these rights, we are not obligated to use your entry for any purpose, even if it has been selected as a winning entry.

If you do not want to grant us these rights to your entry, please do not enter this contest.

9. PRIZES

There will be fifty and nine (59) prizes in total. The prizes will be as follows:

  • Main Prize: The Main prize is awarded to the entry which best meets the criteria and essence of any Award Category. The prize consists of;
    • The 4250 Ancient Coin Pack (“Glittering Tribute of the Ancients”) of virtual currency worth $34.99
    • Sea of Thieves in Game entitlements to the Plunder Passes for Seasons 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 and 20 (each worth $9.99)
    • A physical trophy of the Golden Scallywag Award – worth $400
    • A Sea of Thieves in-game entitlement of the Mischievous Trickster Award Trophy
    • A Sea of Thieves in-game entitlement of the Mischievous Trickster title
  • Award Category Prize: There are eight (8) Award Category prizes, one for each Category, awarded to the entry which best captures the essence of that Category, using creativity, entertainment value, and use of SoT game mechanics. Each Award Category Prize Comprises of;
    • A physical trophy of the Golden Scallywag Award – worth $400
    • A Sea of Thieves in-game entitlement of the Mischievous Trickster Award Trophy
    • A Sea of Thieves in-game entitlement of the Mischievous Trickster title
  • Third Prize: There are fifty (50) 3rd prizes awarded to the next best entries which capture the essence of a category using creativity, entertainment value, and use of SoT game mechanics. These entries will receive a Sea of Thieves in-game entitlement of the Mischievous Trickster title.

All prizes are as stated and are non-exchangeable. You may not exchange your prize for cash or any other merchandise or services. However, if for any reason an advertised prize is unavailable or if it is unlawful to supply the prize to you in terms of the laws of your country of residence, we reserve the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value.

Unless otherwise noted, all prizes are subject to their supplier’s warranty and / or terms and conditions.

10. SELECTION OF WINNERS

There will be one (1) winner of the Main Prize, eight (8) winners of the Award Category prizes (one winner per Award Category) and fifty (50) winners of the Third Prizes.

Potential winners will be determined by and verified by Rare Limited, and which will review all complete, eligible and properly submitted entries received during the Entry Period and select the winners based upon the following criteria described above. The judging will begin on 1st January 2025 and will conclude on 12th January 2025.

Once Rare Limited determines the winning entries, the Administrator will be informed and will attempt to contact the winning players in order to deliver the prizes.

The selection of winners is final, non-appealable and binding.

The Administrator or its agent will deliver each prize to the winners.

11. ODDS OF WINNING

Odds of winning depend on the level of skill and creativity of each entrant. If there is a dispute regarding a potential winner, we will consider the potential winner to be the authorised account holder of the social media address used to enter the Contest.

12. CONTACTING WINNERS AND PRIZE FULFILMENT

Attempts to contact the initial winners will be made by the Administrator and begin on 13th January 2025 using the social media account used at time of entry. If the Administrators contact message is returned as undeliverable, the initial winning entrant will forfeit their prize and the judges will select an alternative winner from the runners-up. Winners who are successfully contacted will be asked to respond within 36 hours supplying their gamertag in order for the digital elements of prizes to be fulfilled. Digital prizes (in game entitlements) will be fulfilled to the gamertag supplied. For winners of the Main Prize and the Award Category prize, they will be asked to respond to a supplied email address, supplying the winner’s preferred delivery address to which the physical trophy can be delivered and will include a time to respond by. If the social media contact message is not responded to within the period listed in the winner notification messages, the winner will forfeit their prize and the Promotion Entities will select an alternative winner from the runners-up. This process will continue for all winners and runners-up until all prizes have been allocated. It is your responsibility to respond, as a winner. We will not enter into discussion beyond this point.

All prizes will be delivered or fulfilled within 28 working days from the day that a response to confirm delivery details is received from the winner(s), in accordance with the above. Neither the Promoter, nor Administrator is responsible for any delays in the postal service. With regards to the Main Prize, the Promoter may additionally require the winners to prove their identity by presenting an official ID document.

Prize winners may be required to complete and return prize claim and / or tax forms (“Forms”) within the deadline stated in the winner notification. Taxes on the prize, if any, are the sole responsibility of the winner, who is advised to seek independent counsel regarding the tax implications of accepting a prize.

13. PUBLICITY AND WINNERS LIST

The winners will be announced on 24th January 2025.

You hereby grant the Promotion Entities the right to publish your Gamertag as well as first and surname in online and offline worldwide media for this Contest if you are a winner for a duration of one year from the end of the Entry Period. We may request you to send us a respective declaration at any time during the Contest. You may be also asked (and may decline) to participate in further publicity or advertising relating to the Contest without remuneration, which may include the use of your gamer tag as well as first and surname for advertising and publicity purposes.

14. AMENDMENT

To the extent permitted by applicable law, the Promotion Entities reserve the right to amend, modify, cancel or withdraw this Contest and to amend these Terms and Conditions at any time without notice. If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled, (also referred to as force majeure) affects the fairness and /or integrity of this Contest, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether the event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest. If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek compensation from you for any losses that we incur as a result of your actions to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Contests, so please play fairly.

If you are resident of Germany or France, this paragraph shall apply to the exclusion of the above paragraph. If cheating, a virus, bug, catastrophic event, or any other unforeseen or unexpected event that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled - provided that these events are considered as force majeure events as defined by German or French Courts - affects the fairness and /or integrity of this Contest, we reserve the right to cancel, change or suspend this Contest. This right is reserved whether this force majeure event is due to human or technical error. If a solution cannot be found to restore the integrity of the Contest, we reserve the right to select winners from among all eligible entries received before we had to cancel, change or suspend the Contest. If you attempt to compromise the integrity or the legitimate operation of this Contest by hacking or by cheating or committing fraud in ANY way, we may seek compensation from you for any losses that we incur as a result of your actions to the fullest extent permitted by law. Further, we may ban you from participating in any of our future Contests, so please play fairly.

15. LIABILITY

Promotion Entities cannot guarantee the performance of any third party and shall not be liable for any act or default by a third party. Entrants in this Contest agree that Promotion Entities will have no liability whatsoever for (a) any injuries, losses, costs, damage or disappointment of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from acceptance, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in this Contest or (b) technical, hardware or software failures, lost, faulty or unavailable network connections or difficulties of any kind that may limit or prohibit the entrant's ability to participate in the Contest, The foregoing shall apply in the event your data or your entry is not received or lost by the Promoter. Nothing in this clause shall limit the Promoter’s liability in respect of death or personal injury arising out of its own negligence or arising out of fraud. The provisions of this section shall apply to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

If you are resident of France, this paragraph shall apply to the exclusion of the above paragraph. Microsoft cannot guarantee the performance of any third party over which it has no control. Entrants in this Contest agree that Microsoft will have no liability whatsoever for any losses, costs, damage or disappointment of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from acceptance, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in this Contest as long as these losses, costs, damage or disappointment are not caused by a breach by Microsoft of its statutory or contractual obligations towards the entrant.

If you are resident of Germany, this paragraph shall apply to the exclusion of the above paragraphs. Microsoft cannot guarantee the performance of any third party and shall not be liable for any act or default by a third party. Entrants in this Contest agree that Microsoft will have no liability whatsoever for (a) any injuries, losses, costs, damage or disappointment of any kind resulting in whole or in part, directly or indirectly from acceptance, misuse or use of a prize, or from participation in this Contest or (b) technical, hardware or software failures, lost, faulty or unavailable network connections or difficulties of any kind that may limit or prohibit the entrant's ability to participate in the Contest, unless such injuries, losses, costs, damage or disappointment is caused by gross negligence or wilful intent of the Promoter.

16. DATA

Any personal data relating to entrants will be used solely in accordance with current data protection legislation applicable in Your Country of residence and in the country where the data controller is located. Microsoft’s Privacy Statement located at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/p/?LinkId=123161 will apply to this Contest and to all information that we receive from your entry.

Certain data relating to entrants must be provided in order to enter this Contest. Refusal by entrants to provide such data shall mean that they cannot enter this Contest. The data will be temporary used by Microsoft Corporation and its affiliates and by any of its representatives or employees for the purposes of conducting this Contest, as set out in these Terms and Conditions. Entrants have the right to exercise their rights of access to, amendment to or deletion of their data and to oppose the processing of their data for marketing purposes by writing to: Sea of Thieves The Golden Scallywag Awards, Microsoft Limited, Microsoft Campus, Xbox Member Engagement Team, Building 3, Floor 3, Thames Valley Park, Reading, Berkshire, England. RG1 6WG.

17. OTHER

No correspondence will be entered into regarding either this Contest or these Terms and Conditions. In the event of a dispute, the Promoter’s decision shall be final in all respects on all entrants.

If you are a resident of UK, the provisions of the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 shall not apply to this agreement.

If you are a resident of Australia, these terms and conditions do not, nor do they purport to, limit, exclude or modify any non-excludable statutory guarantees as provided under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), or any other warranties (whether express or implied) under any state or federal legislation which cannot be excluded.

18. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms and Conditions, the conduct of this Contest and the interpretation and enforcement of these Terms and Conditions shall be governed and construed exclusively in accordance with the laws of the entrant’s country of residence. Nothing herein shall deprive you of any more favourable terms that could apply to you under the laws of your country of residence.

19. INQUIRIES/COMPLAINTS

Inquiries and/or complaints related to the Contest can be made by emailing sotcomps@microsoft.com
These Terms and Conditions can be obtained at www.seaofthieves.com/the-golden-scallywag-awards-terms-and-conditions