FVC
Rules

The Federal Virtual Challenge

(previously known as the Federal Virtual Worlds Challenge)

OFFICIAL RULES

The Federal Virtual Challenge is hosted annually by the U.S. Army Sergeant First Class Paul Ray Smith Simulation and Training Technology Center (STTC) of the Human Research and Engineering Directorate, US Army Research Laboratory.  Each person or entity that enters the Challenge agrees to abide by the terms of these Official Rules and by the decisions of the STTC and the evaluators.

ALL DECISIONS OF THE STTC AND ANY MODIFICATIONS TO THESE RULES ARE FINAL, BINDING AND NOT SUBJECT TO APPEAL.

The Federal Virtual Challenge is used as a research tool to better understand the state of the industry within the annual focus area(s).  This year there are two focus areas; Building Critical Thinking/Adaptability in a virtual environment and improving navigation strategies through low-cost interfaces.

In order to be considered for this competition, entries must be submitted via the website (fvw.army.mil) by midnight December 10th, 2012.  

KEY DATES FOR THE 2013 FEDERAL VIRTUAL CHALLENGE:

- Entry Submission Deadline -  10 December, 2012

- Notification of Finalists -  No Later Than 28 February 2013

- GameTech Conference - Dates TBD

- Announcement / Award of Challenge winners - Final full day of GameTech Conference

HOW TO ENTER:

Anyone can enter the Challenge. Entries can be made by individuals or by groups. Entry into this competition does not create a contractual relationship with the Federal Government or a cause of action against the Federal Government.  For those under the age of 18, the entry must be accompanied by a guardian's permission. Forms are available by emailing a request to fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil.  Submission is through the Federal Virtual Challenge website: fvc.army.mil.  The entry due date is Dec 10, 2012.  Submitters should receive a confirmation email as soon as the entry form is submitted. If a confirmation email is not received, please e-mail fvwc.sttc@us.army.mil to confirm receipt.

Critical Thinking/Adaptability

Entries to this focus area are experiences within any immersive environment.  Space is available at no cost on the STTC’s Second Life islands; VADER and VADER II and in MOSES, an OpenSim environment (www.brokentablet.arl.army.mil) on a first-come, first-served basis.  All entries must be accessible to the government evaluation team. If it is imperative that evaluators meet with the submitter for evaluation purposes, information must be included on how to coordinate meeting times (available hours, sign-up, etc). It is recommended that pictures and video be included demonstrating the applicable qualities of the entry.

Entries for the Critical Thinking/Adaptability focus area will include the following elements:

  1. Name of submitter (one person)
  2. Phone Number
  3. Email address
  4. Submission title (max 64 characters)
  5. Executive summary (max 250 words) This should include an explanation stating how the entry relates to building Critical Thinking and Adaptability skills.  
  6. Webpage URL. Provide a webpage, (not a pdf, PowerPoint, or Word document. The webpage will be used by evaluators to judge your entry. It should contain, at a minimum, the following:
  1. The title of the entry (max 64 characters)
  2. An executive summary describing how the entry relates to building Critical Thinking and Adaptive skills in under 250 words.
  3. Include pictures, video, and multimedia of the entry in use as applicable.
  4. Set of instructions on how to participate in the immersive experience including whether it needs to be facilitated (Coordinating facilitated sessions can be a complicated process. Often setting up meeting times is difficult with evaluators. This is the responsibility of the submitter.  If a facilitated session is necessary it must be clearly stated with directions on how to schedule a session).
  5. Access to any necessary software.
  6. The main webpage should be focused on the information above. It can contain links to other pages if the reader would like additional information, but should stand alone as an evaluation tool.

The site should be clear and professional.  Please review the information on the website to ensure it is clear.  A portion of the scoring will be focused on if the submitter followed the directions described above.

Navigation Focus Area

This focus area is an exploration of how the interface into an immersive environment can be improved for the purpose of navigation.  It describes how a live person will use low-cost tools to move through an immersive environment.  

Entries for the Navigation focus area will include the following elements:

  1. Name of submitter (one person)
  2. Email address
  3. Phone Number
  4. Submission title (max 64 characters)
  5. Executive summary (max 250 words) This should include an explanation stating the how the entry improves on current immersive Navigation capabilities.  
  6. Webpage URL. Provide a webpage. The webpage will be used by evaluators to judge your entry. It should contain, at a minimum, the following:
  1. The title of the entry
  2. An executive summary describing how the user will interface with an immersive environment in under 250 words.
  3. Include pictures, video, and multimedia of the setup and of the entry in use as applicable.
  4. Set of instructions on what is required for purchase, cost for each item and total cost (must be under $600USD per user) and vendor contact information.  Instructions should also include how to build the entry and how additional users would participate.  
  5. Access to any necessary software and directions for use.
  6. The main webpage should be focused on the information above. It can contain links to other pages if the reader would like additional information, but should stand alone as an evaluation tool.

The site should be clear and professional.  Please review the information on the website to ensure it is clear.  A portion of the scoring will be focused on if the submitter followed the directions described above.

Additional information for Navigation entries:

1.  User must be able to move forward, back, right and left using no more than a 10 ft x 10 ft (3m x 3m) actual maneuver space and an “unlimited” virtual maneuver space.

2.  User must be able to run, walk, and stop at will.

3.  There will be bonus points for crouching, crawling, jumping, climbing, gesturing, etc.

4.  The interface should work with a multi-user (greater than 2 individuals) environment (i.e. either multiple players tracked within the same space with up to 10 ft x 10 ft (3m x 3m)  area for each or players join up within the environment and play in their own 10 ft x 10 ft (3m x 3m) space.

Intellectual property remains with the submitter.  The STTC will recreate the entry solely for the purpose of evaluating the entry.  

GENERAL INFORMATION:

- ENTRANTS RETAIN ALL ASSOCIATED INTELLECTUAL RIGHTS TO THEIR ENTRY.  

- EXPORT CONTROLS: PLEASE BE AWARE THAT THE CHALLENGE IS OPEN TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC.  PHOTOS AND VIDEOS WILL BE TAKEN OF ENTRIES FOR MARKETING PURPOSES.  IT IS THE ENTRANT’S OBLIGATION TO ENSURE THAT ANY/ALL NECESSARY EXPORT CONTROLS HAVE BEEN CONSIDERED AND THAT THE ENTRIES ARE IN FULL COMPLIANCE WITH ANY GOVERNING LAWS.

FINALIST SELECTION PROCESS/NOTIFICATION:

Entries undergo an prescreening process to ensure they meet the criteria of the Challenge. Entries then proceed to the evaluation phase where a group of Government evaluators score the entry based on the criteria described in the entry page.  Submitters will be notified no later than 30 days prior to the start of the GameTech Conference of their status as a finalist. Three finalists from each category will be invited to attend and demonstrate their entry at the GameTech conference where prizes will be awarded for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places along with a Grand Prize.  

- Notification: If the Host is unable to contact a submitter within 10 calendar days or first attempt, the entry will be removed from the pool of contenders.  

FINALIST PRIZES:

Each Finalist will receive:

1.   Video, photo, name and entry information on the Federal Virtual Challenge Website

2.   Travel accommodations for one to Orlando Florida to attend the GameTech Conference (not to exceed $18,400)

3.   Trophy and monetary award as follows;

        Within each Focus area:

                1st place - $10,000

2nd place - $5,000

3rd place - $3,000

SUBMITTER RIGHTS/RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Before submitting an entry, submitter must have acquired (by licenses or otherwise) all necessary rights for evaluator access and demonstration purposes. Entries that make use of third party game engines, middleware, or other software or technology are only eligible if all necessary rights are legally acquired.

ENTRANTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROTECTING TRADE SECRET, RESTRICTED AND CLASSIFIED INFORMATION AND MUST NOT SUBMIT ANY INFORMATION THAT IS CONFIDENTIAL, PROPRIETARY OR DEEMED CLASSIFIED OR RESTRICTED BY THEIR COMPANY OR GOVERNMENT, AND MUST ABIDE BY ALL EXPORT CONTROLS THAT PERTAIN TO THEIR COUNTRY.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS REMAIN WITH THE ENTRANT.

CONSENT TO PUBLICITY:

By entering the Challenge, each Entrant consents to the use of the Entrant’s name, photograph and likeness, entry video and screenshots for advertising, promotion, marketing, and administration of the Challenge and Conference without additional compensation.

REPRESENTATIONS:

By entering the Challenge, each individual submitter understands, and has agreed to all terms and conditions of the rules.

TERMINATION:

The STTC will make every effort to conduct the Challenge on a yearly basis. However, the STTC holds the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the Challenge at its sole and absolute discretion. In such event, Host will post notice at the GameTech Conference and on the Challenge Website.

MISCELLANEOUS:

- The entry cannot defame or invade publicity rights or privacy rights of any person.

- Any entries deemed offensive, inflammatory or derogatory are subject to disqualification.  

- The STTC will have sole discretion to determine eligibility for entry into the Challenge.

- Entries may NOT contain Classified or FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY (FOUO) information.