Nvidia offering up a chance to go to BlizzCon
by Mike Schramm 
Jul 9th 2009 at 5:00PM
The chances to head off to BlizzCon are coming fast nowadays -- Nvidia is the latest company in on the race, as they're offering up an all expenses paid trip to Anaheim in August for the winner and a guest to experience Blizzard's big show. To enter, they say you have to buy a qualifying Nvidia card, and then use the promo code inside the package to enter. Which might make you think, as we did, that it's a pretty lousy deal -- you have to buy a new graphics card just for a chance to win? But their official rules say "no purchase necessary," So we did the work for you: if you want to enter without buying a card, you have to send a letter or postcard to "NVIDIA "BlizzCon 2009" Sweepstakes – Entries by Mail (USA & Canada), NVIDIA Corporation, 2701 San Tomas Expressway, Santa Clara, CA 95050, U.S.A," and include your full name, your email address, mailing addresses, your telephone number, and "a short paragraph (100 to 250 words), written or typed in English, stating why you like or have an interest in the 'World of Warcraft' game or Nvidia or its products."Not exactly a lot of fun, but then again, it's cheaper than buying a new graphics card, and their rules say that mail-in entries have the same chance at winning that the coupon codes do. We're behind you, readers -- we hope you win.
And if you do make it to BlizzCon, keep an eye out for WoW.com -- we're gonna have a nice big shindig on Thursday night (location still TBA, but soon!), and we'd love for you to be there.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dranes Jul 9th 2009 5:13PM
You forgot to mention that it's USA only :(
Angry South African is angry (at nvidia I mean)!
badjoke Jul 9th 2009 5:16PM
That would be way too much money for them. Not worth the costs.
Laynne Jul 9th 2009 5:44PM
It's not US only. It's open to residents of the US, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Finland, Norway, and India.
Dranes Jul 9th 2009 6:06PM
@Lyanne: Source, please? I checked their site and found:
Quote:
"4. ELIGIBILITY: This promotion is open to all legal residents of the United States of America (excluding Puerto Rico and its other territories and possessions) and Canada (excluding the province of Quebec) who have attained the age of majority under the laws of the country or state of residence as of the start of this promotion. However, employees of NVIDIA, its affiliates, and their respective contractors, service providers and professional advisors connected with this promotion, as well as members of their immediate families and/or households, are NOT eligible to enter."
I see no mention of the UK, France, Germany, etc, in there.
@badjoke: I didn't really expect them to do it. Still QQing though, for the sake of pointless QQ.
Keyra Jul 9th 2009 7:00PM
You need to scroll down past the rules for US/Canada to see the international rules.
"NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND IS NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN THIS PROMOTION. A PURCHASE WILL NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. THIS PROMOTION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. OPEN ONLY TO LEGAL RESIDENTS OF THE UNITED KINGDOM, FRANCE, GERMANY, THE NETHERLANDS, FINLAND, NORWAY, AND INDIA (EXCLUDING THE STATE OF TAMIL NADU)."
http://www.nzone.com/object/nzone_blizzcon09contest_terms.html#INTL
Morcego Jul 9th 2009 7:03PM
You apparently didn't take the time to click on the "OFFICIAL RULES: INTERNATIONAL" link I guess:
This promotion is open to all legal residents of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Finland, Norway, and India (excluding the State of Tamil Nadu) who have attained the age of majority under the laws of the country or state of residence as of the start of this promotion.
Dranes Jul 10th 2009 6:48AM
doh... I didn't even notice those links - I just skipped to the eligibility section :s
Erogroth Jul 9th 2009 5:16PM
I just bought a new nvidia card about a month ago. I got a GTX260 core 216 and man is it a great card, especially for the money i spent on it. I will still send the letter and enter this contest.
impurezero Jul 9th 2009 5:20PM
Now where did I put that old college thesis of mine? Ah...here it is. "Why I Like or Have an Interest in the 'World of Warcraft' game."
Now if only I can find a stamp...
gmcl808 Jul 9th 2009 5:43PM
What is up with the Canadian entry requirement?
"SPECIAL NOTICE TO CANADIAN ENTRANTS: THE PERSON SELECTED RANDOMLY WILL BE REQUIRED TO CORRECTLY ANSWER A MATHEMATICAL QUESTION INVOLVING AT LEAST FOUR OPERATIONS THAT INVOLVE AT LEAST TWO DIGIT NUMBERS."
Laynne Jul 9th 2009 5:50PM
It's against the law in Canada to win a contest by pure chance (there are exceptions for casinos, etc.). So whenever there's a contest that Canadians are eligible for, even if it's based in another country, we have to be asked a skill testing question. They are usually mathematical, and must have at least 4 numbers to qualify.
mrdonut125 Jul 9th 2009 5:52PM
Canadians have their national laws to thank for that one. Canadian law requires that winning a contest involve some sort of skill or whatnot.
About explains it better...
http://contests.about.com/od/sweepstakes101/f/caskillquestion.htm
remy2k3 Jul 9th 2009 7:14PM
don't worry if you win, as long as you have graduated elementary school, you have more than enough education to answer the "SKILL" tesing questions. I've won a few things through contests, and they're easy enough you don't even need a calculator. just simple basic math.
Drake Jul 9th 2009 5:45PM
Well, I read the eligibility and I was wondering if it means you must be 18 to enter. If so, can the "guest" who is 18 enter and bring someone under 18 along?
Chickenofthesea Aug 11th 2009 11:54AM
Did anyone think about buying a card, then return it and mistakenly forget to put the code back in the box? Not that I would do such a thing
Rich Jul 9th 2009 6:57PM
"No Purchase Necessary" = Legalease for "Because of the law we can't force you to buy something to enter the contest, but that doesn't mean we will look at your letter or postcard"
dAnixx Jul 9th 2009 7:02PM
What's the relationship between Blizzard and Nvidia and ATI? I mean, i see Nvidia sponsoring lots of Blizzard events, but with every Ati driver software update the driver installer also adds a shortcut to your desktop for a WoW downloader.
Mutak Jul 10th 2009 11:04AM
I don't think there's any pervasive relationship except that WoW is a big game and Nvidia and ATI are big hardware vendors. The hardware makers realize that it's in their best interests to play nice with WoW and Blizzard, wants their game to run well on any video card so they reciprocate.
Aceman67 Jul 9th 2009 7:10PM
I bought a 9800GT, but that was last year, so I don't have a promotion code, and I'm not sending in a letter to nvidia...
Sunny Jul 9th 2009 10:29PM
I just ordered a GTX 275, but it seems like that model isn't part of the promotion. What gives?